Moments To Cherish

Time is flying by and there is much to do! The Christmas boxes are down from the attic, the house is a mess of things going from their regular spots, Autumn decorations are being put away for another year and things starting to come together for the holiday season ahead. My chaplain ministry has had some added responsibilities this week and family needs have taken top priority – my plans to decorate over last weekend were set aside. For good reason. What was planned was rescheduled so more important things could happen. Over Thanksgiving weekend three of our seven grandchildren came to spend the night and a full day with us – one grandkid at a time. It was one of those things that was right and even though we got pretty tired by the end of the weekend we wouldn’t change one moment of time with our precious young grandchildren. There were laughs and giggles, hugs and smiles, conversations and memories, hopes and dreams shared, movies watched and popcorn consumed, projects done to help others and more treasured memories than we imagined possible.

Thanksgiving Dinner was at our son and daughter-in-law’s beautiful, new home south of us a ways. We were all there and we had a great time just being together and giving thanks for things dear to our hearts. I took photos and will share them with you soon but I must go several directions today before I ‘land’ at home again. There will be time later – perhaps tomorrow – to give you just a peek at the precious moments of the past days. Until that happens my mind keeps going back to pull out a precious memory and savor it in my heart with gratitude and thanksgiving that doesn’t stop when Thanksgiving Day is over. I will continue to give thanks for the precious ones who grace my life – and for the blessing of seeing the fulfillment of God’s faithfulness and His promises to my heart long ago.

With a grateful heart,

~Adrienne~

A Thankful Heart

"O Lord, that lends me life,
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!"
William Shakespeare

"Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.
Praise ye the LORD."
Psalm 150:6

Happy Thanksgiving

Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field,
Fruit as praise to God we yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
From the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
Gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
Come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friends.

Song: ‘Come, Ye Thankful People, Come’
Words by Henry Alford
Music by George J. Elvey

Faithfulness

Will you stay where e’er He puts you,
Though the pathway may seem drear?
For it may be that the kitchen
Is the cross for you to bear.

Not the highways nor the hedges,
Or unto the uttermost;
He now calls you for a witness,
Will you stay at any cost?

For the glory got up yonder
Will not be for waters crossed;
Or the many miles you’ve traversed
In your quest to find the lost.

Do your part and be ye faithful,
For this is our Lord’s command;
It’s the willing service rendered,
That wins the crown held in His hand.
-Margaret Minton, 1936

Written by a very dear friend shortly after her marriage. Now she is in the presence of Jesus after a long life of love and service to her Savior. She stayed at home to raise six children while her evangelist husband travelled to minister wherever God led him. Her sweet smile, patience and gentle sense of humor will be missed. She was full of faith, a woman whose prayers were answered - she was faithful to the end.

In The Garden

Do you mind another look at scenes from Historic Deepwood Estate? On my recent visit there, after the photo-shoot inside the wonderful, old mansion was completed, I wandered around the grounds and captured bits and pieces with my camera. The gardens are big and ever-changing; there is never enough time to spend there. You can read more about the gardens here. Let’s walk through the gardens and enjoy the beauty found there on a recent Fall day.

As I walked through the gardens and around the estate I met a furry, little friend. He was busy gathering his winter’s supply of food but he had time to stop for a minute to meet me there.

Fall is quickly fading and winter is close at hand – but Spring will come again. In the garden.

In The House

I promised to share glimpses of the inside of Historic Deepwood Estate in Salem – as seen through my camera! I know you’re going to love what you see.

A corner in the front parlor calls you to come in and make yourself at home.

The beautiful stained-glass window above the parlor mantel adds beauty to the front parlor.

Details of the carved woodwork above the mantel are enhanced by a gorgeous, red candle lamp.

On a nearby table, a beautiful chocolate set and an old, brass lamp welcome frequent guests.

Would you care for a cup of chocolate, my friend?

Seen from the top of the stairs, the lower landing is a beautiful place to rest a bit.

An old, oak-framed mirror reflects the intricate details of the paneling in the entryway.

A beautiful silver service and crystal candleholders are displayed on an exquisite oak buffet.

Afternoon sunshine and shadows dance across the original leaded glass door from the dining room to the side porch.

Around the corner from the dining room, teapots in the Butler’s Pantry wait - ready to serve tea to visitors who stop by.

A cupboard in the Butler’s Pantry holds dishes, cups and saucers and serving pieces.

A wonderful, old Victrola adds music to the beautiful, old mansion.

An old organ lesson book from days long ago is displayed on an antique pump organ.

The Carriage House is seen through a beautiful stained-glass window in the bathroom off the downstairs ‘master bedroom’.

Forgive me is I take you back upstairs to see a display that is dear to my heart. Just one more peek – please. I want just one more look at my yellow depression glass collection before the display is taken down.

Tomorrow – bits and pieces of the autumn garden at Deepwood. And a ‘visit’ with a furry critter who happened to get very close. Please join me for another part of this beautiful, old home. I’ll look for you.

Deepwood Revisited

It hardly seems possible that it was more than a week ago that I drove south to Historic Deepwood Estate to do a photo-shoot. We had a great time and I learned a lot – a lot of information about customs during Victorian times and a lot about photography and lighting. I came away realizing there is so much more I’d like to learn, skills I need to fine-tune and equipment to upgrade or replace. I’d love to share some of the photos of the ladies in their vintage-reproduction gowns but I need to be sure I have the appropriate permissions before I let you see what we did.

After the photo-shoot was finished and everyone was gone I decided I might not have another beautiful (and dry!) Fall day to wander about and take photos outside the mansion. So – that is exactly what I did! I grabbed my camera and tripod and went about the grounds of the estate. Wherever my heart desired!

It doesn’t seem to matter where I go on the grounds, I find myself totally enraptured by the mansion and everything around it! Glimpses here and there always seem to capture my heart.

And one last look back before I go!

Glimpses inside – tomorrow! There is more to share – soon I go for another photo-shoot. This time the mansion will be decorated for the holidays and I get to capture it all behind-the-scenes and when it is finished. I will take you to places the public normally doesn’t go – up into the wonderful attic (and the enchanting attic window!) and into nooks and crannies that call to me each time I visit. There will be more to share and you will share it with me when I visit Deepwood. Again – and again – and again.