Schaaf Renae B Vander

Renae B. Vander Schaaf has always enjoyed reading good books. She would tuck in reading between the chores on the family farm where she was raised, and usually had a book propped up in the window sill while she did dishes.

After marrying a farmer she didn’t quite give up reading books. Rather she began sharing her interest with their six children, reading for many hours to them each evening. They read of pioneers, inventors and story books.

An opportunity to write a column for an agricultural publication arose, and so began her column writing, that is now called Essays From My Farmhouse Kitchen. Thecolumns can be about anything, sometimes it's what is irking her, other times they are meant to encourage. It just depends on her mood.

The history of the town near their farm is a very interesting one. This prompted her to research and write it down for everyone's children in her first book, A Place of Refuge in 2013. It’s sequel A Place of New Beginnings was published in 2016. The books tell the story of the early settlers to Pella and Orange City, Iowa in story form containing actual historical events. A power point show/talk is available upon request.

After attending an event called Owl Prowl she wrote a children’s illustrated book, Timothy and His Owl Family which tells how uniquely God created owls in 2017. The book was illustrated by Ava Ldk Grossmann.

In 2018, Renae B. Vander Schaaf and Bonnie Meier Vis worked on a cookbook that is more than just recipes. The book Recepten van de Nederlandse Huisvrouuw contains history, quotes and, of course, recipes.

In 2019, the manuscript for Get Up Get Going co-written with A.J.Neumann, DVM about his life and work as a world renown veterinarian or Horse Doc as he was often referred too, won first prize in book publishing contest. This ninety plus year old gentleman and he really is a wonderful man, has become a great mentor.

She looks at writing as a way to glorify God and to remind others that there really is only one true God, who has sent His only begotten son to atone for our sins.

Facebook page: Whistling Windmill Meandrian