Over The Sunset Mountains

Over the sunset mountains,

Someday I'll gladly go;

Into the arms of Jesus,

He who has loved me so.

Over the Sunset Mountains,

Heaven awaits for me,

Over the Sunset mountains,

Jesus my Savior I'll see.

Toiling will all be ended,

Shadows will flee away;

Sorrow will be forgotten-

Oh, what a wonderful day!

Over the Sunset Mountains,

Heaven awaits for me,

Over the Sunset mountains,

Jesus my Savior I'll see.

Song: "Over The Sunset Mountains"

Words & Music by John W. Peterson

Home On The Range

I enjoy home tours that some of you feature on your blogs from time to time. There was a time in my life - during my college days - when one of my favorite free weekend activities was tours of model homes that were open to the public. I'm sure one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was that my friends and I were never given a sales pitch, never pressured to buy, had no problems with the realtors trying to talk us into giving them our business. It was obvious that we were poor college students who just wanted to see the beautiful homes and dream a bit of days at a different time of life. I seldom go on actual home tours anymore but I do enjoy a good virtual tour!

Twice a week as I drive toward a care center where I serve as chaplain I pass an interesting entrance to a property that is now for sale. I've always wondered what was down the lane and behind the trees but never had the courage to drive there to see.The other day as I was heading home I noticed something new - a huge banner with the website for this property. Not to be one to miss an opportunity like that I came home and checked it out. I was NOT prepared for what I saw! I sat here saying, 'Oh, my goodness! I can't believe this!' Let me share what is down that lane and behind those trees. Just a tiny, little home on the range. If I forced myself, I could probably be happy to live there!

Through the front doors you step into an open entry.To your right you see the formal dining room - just a small place to entertain a few friends.Can you imagine what fun you could have here?And ahead is the Great Room.

And what a great room it is!

Stepping into the room gives you a better idea. . .

Of the spacious beauty here. It's gorgeous!

And we'll peek into the main floor hall bathroom. . .Before we go to the kitchen. . .

Where there's lots of space. . .And a nice eating area.And don't forget the laundry room. Somebody had the right idea when they planned this room.

Let's go into the Master Bedroom.Where there's plenty of room to relax.Wait till you see the Master Bathroom.Oh, can you imagine lounging in this tub. . . with this view?That's only the first two floors. You haven't seen the third floor Bonus Room yet. My grandkids would think they'd climbed the stairway to Heaven!

Let's go outside and see what's out there. There's the guest house.The shop. . .And the horse barn and covered riding arena. Of course there is the big fountain area not far from the house.

One more look at this 'home on the range' before we go.If you would like to see more pictures of this ranch or know more about it you can check it out here. Don't miss the wonderful video tour. It's one of the best I've seen.

Heaven Is A Little Closer

Yesterday afternoon my sweetheart's dear stepmother quietly slipped away from the boundaries of life. Her journey here on earth was over - she had lived well and loved much. We really didn't want her to go but we couldn't ask her to stay. She loved us as her own; we loved her the same. Her heart and arms were always open to us and we never felt anything but her incredible joy to have us in her life.

The story of our dear one's coming into our lives is precious to our hearts. My sweetheart's mother went to be with Jesus several years ago and his father's heart was broken. Many changes happened within a short time and he moved from a community in another state to a town about an hour away from us to live near my dear sister-in-law. He really didn't want to make the move and he longed for his former home but he knew it was the best choice. He moved into an apartment in a retirement community where good people opened their arms and hearts to him. While he missed my dear mother-in-law intensely he enjoyed the friendship of his new friends. It wasn't long and we began to hear about a group of people - especially ladies - who rode the bus to church with him, walked to the nearby grocery store together and included him in activities of all kinds. And then one precious day about two years later he married one of the ladies in the group. He was ninety. She was eighty-eight. My sweetheart was their best man. I played the organ and I cried so hard with joy that I could hardly see the keys. Our dear son performed the ceremony together with the retirement center chaplain. Our son was a young youth pastor at the time and he told us he never dreamed that the first wedding he would perform would be for his grandpa! It was a day filled with joy. Two families came together and have loved each other ever since. My father-in-law and his bride were happier than we could have imagined. They were so in love and everyone around them knew it. They called themselves 'recycled teenagers'. They loved each other deeply and they loved each other's families as their own. It was something we never could have dreamed possible. And they had fun, such fun together. For three years their lives were entwined together. Last year he passed away and her world was turned upside down. Since that time we have continued to visit and call and send a few letters and pictures on a regular basis. She always thanked us for our love. And we felt so blessed to have hers. She saw things in my sweetheart that were so like his father and she knew that she and I had loved and married men who were so alike in many special ways. Because of that, my sweetheart was very special to her - like a son. And she loved it when he called her 'Mom'.

Our lives will never be the same because of this sweet lady whose love stole my father-in-law's heart. And ours! She brought a beauty and a sweetness that can't be described. That's what she did for everyone whose life she touched. She will be missed much but she will always hold a special place in our hearts. A place no one else can have. Because of her, Heaven seems just a little closer now.

Artwork: 'Heaven's Light'
Artist: James Lee
from art.com

The Potter's Hand

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and we are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour
I know for sure, all of my days are held in your hands,

Crafted into your perfect plan.

You gently call me into your presence,

Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit.

Teach me, dear Lord,

To live all of my life through Your eyes.

I'm captured by Your holy calling -

Set me apart,

I know You're drawing me to Yourself;

Lead me, Lord, I pray.

Take me, mold me, use me, fill me -

I give my life to the Potter's hand.

Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me -

I give my life to the Potter's hand.

You gently call me into your presence

Guiding me by your Holy Spirit.

Teach me, dear Lord,

To live all of my life through your eyes.

I'm captured by Your Holy calling -

Set me apart,

I know You're drawing me to Yourself -

Lead me, Lord, I pray.

Take me, mold me, use me, fill me -

I give my life to the Potter's hand.

Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me -

I give my life to the Potter's hand.

Song: 'The Potter's Hand'

Written by Darlene Zschech

Photography by Thomas Abercrombie

Recipe Recommendation

In preparation for the coming holidays I want to share a special recipe with you. I'm sure you might be interested in preparing this for one of the meals you plan for your guests.

Squab Pie

After the Squabs are picked as for roasting, put them in a Sauce-pan with a close Cover. Cover with boiling Water and boil slowly till tender, with a little Salt and an Onion and Cloves. Then take them out, drain and dry, and put in each Squab a Teaspoonful of Butter, a little Pepper, Salt, minced Parsley and Thyme. Then put into the Cavity of each Squab, a hard-boiled Egg. Lay them in a large, round, earthen Baking-dish, three or four Inches deep. Strain over them the Liquor in which they were simmered. Add a Tablespoonful of Butter and a Teacup of Milk or Cream. Sift in two Tablespoonfuls of Cracker-crumbs not browned, a Tablespoonful of minced Parsley and Thyme, and a little Salt. Put in a few Slips of Pastry. Cover with a rich Crust and bake.

The same Recipe will answer for Robins, except that the Eggs must be chopped, instead of being placed whole in the Bird.

From 'The Williamsburg Art of Cookery or, Accomplish'd Gentlewoman's Companion: Being a Collection of upwards of Five Hundred of the most Ancient & Approv'd Recipes in Virginia Cookery."

Published by Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia

Notation in Preface: 'The Author would add only one Word more before offering this Volume as the Accomplish'd Gentlewoman's Companion -- lest a Failure in Cookery be attributed to any Lack of Management in the Preparation of this Book:

"HEAVEN SENDS GOOD MEAT,

BUT THE DEVIL SENDS COOKS."

Sh-h-h. . .

it's me - Miss Savannah, sneaking in here to talk to you. I don't want my mama to know I'm doing this. She was just here and when she left the room I decided I wanted to have her nice, comfy chair. It's a good place for a nap. And I know she will find me here when she comes back to visit you! If I'm on her chair when she wants to see you, she will pick me up and snuggle with me and tell me what a pretty girl I am! (Oh, I just love it when she does that!) She told me how many friends she has and I wish you would come visit so I could welcome you in royal kitty style! (Yawn) Oh, excuse me, I'm getting so tired. I've had a busy day watching birdies through the patio door and listening to the wind blow bushes against the house. I don't want anyone to know that it scares me at times. I have to look brave but I think my mama knows I'm not happy because she picks me up and holds me close and tells me it will be OK. (Yawn) Oh-oh, I'm getting so sleepy. I think I'll just curl up here on her chair for a while and rest.I think I hear her coming. Maybe if I curl up and close my eyes she won't bother me and I can stay right here on her chair.You don't think she will think I'm part of the chair and sit on me, do you? Well, silly me - of course she won't. She knows it's me! What's the worst thing that can happen? She will pick me up, put her arms around me and hold me close. Then I will purr and let her know how much I love being with her. It's been nice talking to you. Maybe I can do it again sometime soon.

Cats sleep anywhere, any table, any chair.

Top of piano, window-ledge, in the middle, on the edge.

Open drawer, empty shoe, anybody's lap will do.

Fitted in a cardboard box, in the cupboard with your frocks.

Anywhere! They don't care! Cats sleep anywhere.

Eleanor Farjeon (1881 - 1965)

Lessons Learned

Count your garden by the flowers,

Never by the leaves that fall

Count your days by golden hours,

Don't remember clouds at all . . .

Count your nights by stars, not shadows,

Count your life with smiles, not tears.

And all throughout your lifetime,

Count your age by friends, not years.

-Author unknown-