Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

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A Belated Birthday Outing

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It’s rare that my sisters and I get to treat our generous dad—we are usually the “treatees“—but this past weekend, we got to treat him to a getaway at the beautiful Clover Cliff Ranch Bed & Breakfast near the charming little town of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. We’d planned the trip for last month to celebrate Daddy’s 86th birthday but got snowed out.

We couldn’t have picked a nicer weekend to reschedule. Here in Kansas, spring is bustin’ out all over (as Rodgers and Hammerstein would say) and we were able to walk the grounds of the Clover Cliff Ranch and take in the gorgeous views.

My sister Bev took this photo from the bottom of the hill. The ranch dates back to 1860 and much of the house, including the beautiful wood floors, is just as it was 160 years ago! If any of my historical novel-writing friends want a fabulous place to set a story, this would be it! And Warren and Susie, the owners of the ranch are incredible keepers of the ranch’s history and the warmest hosts you can imagine. You’ll get a peek into their hearts and also see some stunning views of the ranch in this VIDEO clip.
This was my view of the main ranch house and the newly built wedding/event venue with my morning coffee on Saturday.
My dad is my hero, and a faithful spiritual leader of our family. Here he leads us in morning devotions and prayer.
Breakfast in the main house was a feast! A pretty fruit cup with whipped cream and nutmeg, a huge biscuit with sausage gravy, an egg soufflé that would have fed three people, a zucchini chocolate chip muffin, coffee, and juice. And such pretty views all around.
Our dad took this sisters photo that I will treasure even more once we move to Missouri later this year. It will be bittersweet to leave behind these past few years we’ve enjoyed living so close to my dad and my brother and sisters and their families. But Ken and I know God is leading, and we’re headed toward equally great joy living near our daughters and their families in Missouri.
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Deborah Raney

DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Forty books later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is on faculty for several national writers’ conferences and served on the executive board of the 2,500-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization for 18 years before retiring in 2022. She is a recent transplant to Missouri, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, e-biking, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard.
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Comments

  3. What special memories you provided for your dad! I watched the video and marvel at how beautiful Clover Cliff Ranch is and what sweet spirits the owners have.

    • It’s amazing what a difference friendly, godly, helpful hosts make to any bed and breakfast. We just fell in love with the Harshmans after only a few minutes of talking to them!

  4. Beautiful pictures showing the love of your family! So glad you got to do this.

  5. Spending time with family is the best!! So glad you got to spend this time with your dad and sisters. That looks like a beautiful ranch. I love Kansas in springtime. You’ll love springtime in Missouri, too. The flowering trees and bushes are amazing. We moved here from Kansas in 2008 to be closer to our daughter and her husband. Now three of our daughters and their families live close to us. Love in Christ.

    • So wonderful to hear from someone else who’s made a similar move, Joyce! We know God is leading, but still, it’s hard to think of leaving this place that has been home to both of us for most of our lives! Thankfully, Missouri is already starting to feel like home since Tobi went there for college in 1998 (and Tavia in 2009) we’ve been traveling there regularly ever since to visit our daughters, their husbands, and now 5 grandkids!

  6. So happy for you to be able to spend such special time with your daddy and sisters in such an amazing place!!
    God Bless you on new beginnings in Missouri!
    I know Kansas will miss you!! <3

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