by MarianBeaman | Feb 11, 2026 | blog, book review, Conflict, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, meditation, Novel writing, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” So says cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. Advertisers use Valentine’s Day to promote cards, chocolates, candlelight and roses–even expensive jewelry. Today, Valentine’s Day is...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 29, 2025 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Nostalgia, popular culture, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized
HOW I BEGAN Along with the recipe, I set the can of lentil soup can on the counter. It was certainly visible! I’d be sure to see it and use it as a starter for making a quick batch of stomach-warming soup as the weather turned cooler in October. Right?...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 17, 2024 | blog, Gratitude, meditation, Quotations, Recipes, Uncategorized
Persimmon is IN. Yes, Pantone, that persnickety arbiter of color, has decreed that persimmon is the accent color for 2024. It’s the color of pumpkin, saffron, and orange itself. In a sunny room, persimmon looks sorbet-like, which reminds me of the mushy fruit...
by MarianBeaman | Mar 15, 2023 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized
Patric Richardson entertains in a book about LAUNDRY, with info both whimsical and informative. Patric finds joy in a common chore because he knows some tricks of the trade. He admits to being a little weird and eccentric: Asked for the book Dress for Success...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 14, 2022 | blog, Christmas, Cliff Beaman artist, Gratitude, Literature, neighborhood, popular culture, Recipes, Reflection, Uncategorized
Stone Soup is a European folk story in which hungry strangers convince the people of a town to each share a small amount of their food in order to make a meal that everyone enjoys. The tale serves to illustrate the value of sharing. In varying traditions, the stone...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 16, 2022 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Recipes, Uncategorized
The Rentzel family lived next door to my childhood home on Anchor Road. If you’ve read my first memoir, Mennonite Daughter, you may remember the shenanigans that happened under their roof. After I left home to explore the wider world, another family moved into...
