Jan Miller

Des Moines, Iowa

Executive Editor at Better Homes and Gardens

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Articles

Open our eyes to the needs around us - Meridian Star

3 weeks ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 4:01 am Saturday, March 29, 2025 By Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller Winnie nestles contentedly beside me in the front room. Thunder rumbles outside my window with a large boom like a cymbal clapping causing her to startle. One of my walking buddies, Elaine, and I tried to get in our morning exercise before the rain came. We had not gone far when the first drops began to fall, and we scurried to my house to avoid the coming downpour.
Seeing bunnies everywhere - Meridian Star

1 month ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 1:07 am Saturday, March 15, 2025 By Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller Everywhere I look I see bunnies. Bunny pillows, bunny figurines and I even have my very first ceramic bunny sitting on my kitchen table. I love to decorate for the different seasons and holidays, and one of the reasons that I do is because I’m super sentimental and special decorations make me think of where I was and what I was doing when I acquired the item.
The party is on - Meridian Star

1 month ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 2:11 am Saturday, March 8, 2025 By Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller “Mom, I wish you were here! Let me tell you what I’m doing that’s going to be so much fun! I’m going to a “Mom Prom” with a bunch of friends, and afterward we’ll donate our dresses to a program called ‘Blessed by a Dress.’”“That sound fun! How does it work out?”“Well, it’s all girls just going out dancing and hanging out, no guys. We get all glitzy and sparkly and dance the night away.
Finding rest - Meridian Star

1 month ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 3:07 am Saturday, March 1, 2025 By Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller I’m sitting at the Toyota dealership in Gulfport where the television is competing with music piped through the building. Around me I hear conversations from several people discussing a variety of things from the service on their car to their private, not so private, personal chitchat. I’m not paying attention to any of it, but occasionally one sound or another comes into focus.
Is this a bargain? - Meridian Star

2 months ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 1:00 am Saturday, February 22, 2025 By Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller This morning’s double layer of clothing makes me chuckle. The warm sunshiny days teased me into thinking spring had sprung, but old man winter seems reluctant to say goodbye.
Sunshine, water, and a little love - Meridian Star

2 months ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 1:45 pm Saturday, February 15, 2025 By Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller The grand old oak stands with her arms reaching upward to the sky, bare of leaves like a lady in waiting. The snow and winds have left her void of her colorful clothing, but she stands tall and proud with her limbs gently blowing in the breeze. She has weathered many winters and knows this season is only that. Soon she will be covered with the lush green new growth that accompanies spring.
Happy Day - Meridian Star

2 months ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 10:00 am Saturday, February 8, 2025 By Jan Penton Miller janmiller With the big snow event behind and springtime in the not so distant future I begin to dream of a lush garden. As a mother forgets the pain of childbirth true garden lovers don’t give much thought to the negatives. August heat is only a dim memory, and the future is bright. I feel the earth between my fingers and my mind’s eye is filled with a kaleidoscope of color.
One more to Love - Meridian Star

2 months ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 1:01 am Saturday, February 1, 2025 by Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller As has been my usual way for many years, I awoke before the rest of the household and padded toward the kitchen. I could still hear the laughter from the night before as we shared in a meal and cut up while opening the colorfully wrapped Christmas gifts. Most of us gave hints of things we wanted and faked it, but some were genuinely surprised.
Winter Weather - Meridian Star

2 months ago | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 6:00 am Saturday, January 25, 2025 by Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller Winnie stood relatively still this morning as I slid her sleek, little body into her warm green sweater. I layered up, and we were soon out the door on time to meet our walking buddies. When I saw Karen and Elaine all bundled up, I should have realized I wasn’t dressed warmly enough, but I did have on layers so off we went.
Another trip around the sun - Meridian Star

Jan 11, 2025 | meridianstar.com | Jan Miller |Thomas Howard

Published 1:00 am Saturday, January 11, 2025 by Jan Penton Miller Jan Penton Miller The corner where my tree once stood appears empty in comparison. Though I have arranged some plants in the space, and one is about to bloom it still appears, well, dull. After all the gifts have been opened and the last bits of glitter vacuumed up, the place needs a little something. Wouldn’t it be nice if Thanksgiving could be celebrated earlier or later?