“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!”
Psalms 126:5
Happy Thursday lovely friends! Can tomorrow possibly be the last day of May? It is a very busy month with Mother’s Day, Ella Mae’s Birthday, Memorial Day, graduations, bridal showers, etc. I am taking a look back on the happenings of the merry month of May . In case you missed the big event of May 3rd, you can read about it here. I have an exciting giveaway, so be sure to read to the bottom of this post to find out how to enter!
Our son took this aerial photo of our picturesque city on one of our First Friday’s. Our city has done a wonderful job with these monthly events that feature food, live music, and an array of classic cars and motorcycles, and lots of fun for the entire family!
The director of Downtown Gadsden, Inc is a friend of mine and she shares photos on social media of each First Friday. I was amazed to see this 1955 Oldsmobile parked and ready for the May event. So what is so amazing about this car? My Dad owned one just like this when I was probably three or four. I am not sure I remember the car as much as I remember seeing photos of my family with the car. I showed the photo to Daddy and he said it was identical to the one he owned…just a blast from my very young past!!
A view from behind the garden on Memorial Day!
A photo of a very somber Ella Mae before her birthday party…Mommy had to wake her from a nap and she wasn’t quite awake. It didn’t take her long to get in the birthday spirit. Since she is a princess, that was the theme of her party. Her Mommy made the amazing castle cake and her cute little dress that had princesses all over the fabric. We just enjoyed being in the moment, so not a lot of photos to share.
We did manage to get this family photo. Princess Ella Mae is holding her baby like her Mommy is holding Emma!
We celebrated Mother’s Day, which was also Ella Mae’s birthday, at my brother’s and SIL’s home ! I think she is too big for this toy!
My Renaissance Man made an interesting discovery this past Sunday afternoon, a country cemetery near our home that we were not aware of. There is this small pavilion with old church pews that is used for graveside services and for Decoration Day. What is it about old cemeteries that interest me so?!!
What was most unusual was there were markers of people born in the first half of the 1800’s and newer graves of those who have past away in recent years.
It has been immaculately kept!
This marker tells us this young man fought in the Civil War.
I ran across this photo recently of a very dark time in our city’s history and for the entire South and our nation. Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, and Anthony Franciosa visited our town in 1963 to support the Civil Rights Movement. This picture was taken in front of Republic Steel where they met with workers. I have no memory of this, but I asked my Daddy and he remembers it well. I am so grateful that I grew up in a home with no prejudice and that taught love and never hate.
“Girls just wanna have fun!”
Now for the giveaway! I ordered two of these beautiful books, “Flowers With Southern Lady” one for myself and one to give away to one of my readers!
You will love the inspiration and seasonal how-to’s for year round entertaining with beautiful photos of floral arrangements and gorgeous table settings. To enter just leave a comment on this post. You get more chances to win by commenting on the upcoming Simple + Southern Sunday, and Monday Morning Blooms. The winner will be announced next Thursday, June 6. It is only open to U.S. residents. The more you comment, the better chance of winning!
Thank you for your visits and the gracious comments you leave behind. Wishing you all a joy-filled day and weekend!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, A Stroll Thru Life, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home, Love Of Home, Celebrating Everyday Life, Little Farmstead, Rustic & Refined, The Freckled Rose, Life and Linda, DIY 180, Celebrate & Decorate, Me and My Captain, Shabby Fufu, Designthusiasm, Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
You have two beautiful granddaughters. I love the pictures you post of your garden. Wish I had a green thumb.
Love your column. It brings joy and inspiration.
“Heavy is the head who wears the crown”…It looks like Ella Mae takes her duties seriously! Her birthday cake is beautiful!! I got to see flowers blooming in MA I’ve never seen before. Lilac bushes were everywhere, pinks and purples, smelling delicious. It was a shock to have been enjoying temps in the 50s on Cape Cod to 98 here with no rain in sight!
I love your beautiful Tablescapes and lovely gardrn. Granddaughters are so precious.
I always enjoy your blog updates. They’re always full of inspiration, both your written words and the lovely photos!
Your daughter in love did an amazing job making The Princess cake for a her princess. Miss Ella Mae is growing so fast. Thanks for keeping us posted on her and Emma’s latest happenings.
Your May looks like it was a wonderful month!
No armadillos in that garden!
😉
Happy birthday to that precious girl. The grandgirls will bring you and Butch so much joy Pam. Enjoyed the pictures and loved the cake! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Awesome pictures to share with us and make our day
I love this post madly! It’s so pretty, so thoughtful. I love cemeteries, too. They intrigue me, the stories on and under the stones. And Ella Mae. Oh, I love it when you post pics of your angel girl. She has the loveliest, sweetest countenance. And her mommy is as clever as you, at least when it comes to baking! That cake is to die for — how could you all bear to cut into it?!
Dear Pam, love every photo. Ella Mae’s birthday cake is amazing. She is such a lovely little princess that is growing too quickly. You have such fun ahead with both those precious little girls.
I enjoy old cemeteries also. My husband’s family are buried in a family cemetery in rural Pennsylvania. There are markers into the early 1800’s.
Pam, I remember 1963 well. I was with my grandmother in Biloxi, Mississippi during the summer of 1963. You are correct it was a “very dark time.”
Thank you for sharing your May with us. Enjoy these last two days, and I am looking forward to your garden in June. I know, dear friend – it will be glorious!
I am always blessed by your posts! I cannot get over the girls! They are so beautiful! Please hug yourself and family from me! ????❤ Isaiah 40:31
I look forward to seeing photos of all your beautiful gardens and tablescapes. They are an inspiration. Love your family photos, too. Thank you for sharing all the beauty, and for upholding your Christian faith in all you do and say. God bless you and yours!
Pam, this is a wonderful post! The classic cars are always favorites with their beautiful colors & lots of chrome. Your garden is gorgeous & thriving. Ella Mae is so cute & her darling party decorations were fit for the precious princess EM. The castle cake looks too good to eat. What a great idea to have permanent covered seating @ the church cemetery. Cemeteries hold history, love stories, family history & are always fascinating. The book has beautiful photos. Pam you captured our southern life perfectly in your May musings. Thank you for sharing! Have a wonderful week! Clara ?
Wow! I just love that birthday cake! Your daughter-in-law is so talented! They make a beautiful family, too. Thank you for the chance to win this lovely book! God bless you, sweet friend. 🙂
Pam, you are not the only one who is fascinated with old cemeteries….I visit them whenever we come upon them in our travels. I look at the dates and marvel at the who, what or when regarding the happenings in a person’s life. I’m that way with old houses too…;) thank you for sharing your day and sweet Ella Mae and her family with all of us. God Bless you and yours. Hugs dear friend.
Love your sharing of your family!!! They are what is the most important to all. May God bless them.
Just gobsmacked by the photos today.. May has, indeed, been eventful and lovely. There seems to be a thread of sensitivity shared by those who are drawn to the stones in graveyards.
I remember wandering as a child through the cemetery where my infant Aunt was buried and
“sensing the connections” to all the etched names on the stones and imagining their times.
The castle birthday cake would rank high among professionals. Just love those kitty cat and
family portraits. Aerial shot of the town a winner. What a collection of talent you and Butch
engender…..
Love your blog. Always starts with scripture so what better? Thanks for sharing your family and the exciting events that make up your life. Keep up the good work…LOVE the Flowers…. Carole
I just love seeing photos of your garden, such a labour of love you and the Mr have put into it. I’m drawn to all kinds of cemeteries too, especially the really old ones!
Hey there!
I have been out of the loop – it has been very chaotic at work, and crazy busy at home.
So I just happened to look at this post today, and I just love the old cemetery pictures and really enjoy the birthday princess…she is so big already!
That was a lovely picture of the family as well.
I enjoyed this post immensely, and of course having a beautiful giveaway helps too!! ??
Pam,
I feel we are living parallel lives! My daughter had our first grandchild (a granddaughter 3 months. After Ella Mae and she just gave birth to our second granddaughter yesterday! Enjoy your posts and often have just purchased something like or similar to yours.? Your yard is inspirational. Thank you for a wholesome, family-oriented bog.❤️
How neat to see Ella Mae’s birthday cake! Her mother did a fabulous job on the cake. So pretty. I chuckled about Ella Mae’s somber face. I well understand how it feels not to get your nap out and also understand Mama wanting a picture. Your family picture is sweet also.
It was also interesting to see the picture of the old car, actors visiting during civil rights and to hear about your Daddy’s memories. The cemetary pictures are amazing to be able to read the inscriptions so clear of markers so old.
Love love your book giveaway! It looks beautiful.
Absolutely love your blog and the opening scripture is a wonderful bonus! Your gardens are lovely but your family is surely the treasure! My hubby and I have found the graves of his ancestors in a very old cemetary in Pennsylvania. The book looks wonderful, thank you for the opportunity to own it!
Ella Mae’s mommy put much time and love into that cake! She will always remember it as special. I too love checking out cemetery headstones when I visit our local cemetery. I try to find the earliest dates that I can each time I visit. Thank you for the scripture openings with each blog and keeping Christ in our lives!
Pam this is a beautiful post with all the different photos. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA MAE. . You are a cutie. Have a blessed year.
The book is nice.
Marion
Happy Birthday to Ella Mae. Wishing you a year of blessings and joy. Thank You for this lovely giveaway. Your granddaughters are beautiful.
Marilyn
Wonderful pictures as ever,dear Pam!Great giveaway too!Blessings!
Ella Mae the Princess had a beautiful birthday! Her sweet Momma made her a beautiful cake! Happy Birthday Princess Ella Mae!
I enjoy old cemeteries as well… there is so much history!
Lovely post sweet friend… thank you for sharing your family with us!
Thanks for sharing your lovely family with us. You are all lovely! Living in my garden! Would love to receive this book.
Thank you for bringing us beauty and showing us your precious family.
What a beautiful month of May that you and your family had!!! I love the book…need to order one for myself!
I always enjoy your posts. Lovely pictures of towns, gardens, and today, an old cemetery.
Thank you for sharing.
What a great post, Pam!! I don’t know what it is about old cemeteries, maybe the age and art of the headstones? That book looks wonderful!
Gadsden is such a beautiful city Pam, it looks like a wonderful place to live and raise a family…love the first Friday tradition! I love to see antique cars, they remind me of my dad too, he loved old cars and restored a 1936 Ford when I was growing up, it didn’t even have glass windows, just curtains! Your pictures of your family are wonderful, and don’t you feel lucky to have them all nearby. You know I love anything to do with flowers, the book looks gorgeous~how sweet of you to give one away!
Jenna
I love your blog. Your gardens are beautiful and your granddaughter is delightful.
Princess Ella Mae is just adorable Pam and what a beautiful castle cake her mom made! I wish I had a little and an excuse for a cake baking / decorating extravaganza. Great minds read alike and I have a copy of Flowers With Southern Lady, one of your readers is in for a treat! Have a great weekend and see you Monday. ♥
Sorry, don’t think my previous comment went through. Such a lovely post, Pam. Love the pics of your family, especially your granddaughters. The book will certainly be a treasurer for the lucky winner. Your roses look stunning especially with the book open to a similar page with beautiful roses.
HI Pam….First of all thank you for sharing scriptures as a part of your posts. I am a Southern garden lover who enjoys reading your blog posts. Your garden is beyond beautiful and you are so fortunate to have Mr. Renaissance Man to share the experiences of outside fun. Ella Mae and my sister-in-law have the same name and they both share the princess character. Family is so important to living a fulfilled life. I have a small garden but I am getting lots of ideas for the space with every post I read from you. Thank you for being the person you are and all you do to give others inspiration and love through gardening and related southern charm.
Love the castle cake your daughter made for your beautiful granddaughter as well as the Princess theme for her party. I always enjoy seeing your beautiful gardens and look forward to posts of them. I share your fascination with old cemeteries. I guess that’s because it is part of my love for history. I especially liked the photo of the two stones with the name of Mooney as that is my maiden name, and curious if they could be family.
Such a cute face! I had to laugh at the “I just woke up face….been there! It’s nice to see cemeteries so well kept. I think it’d break my heart to know that loved ones had to tramp thru weeds or barren land to pay tribute to their loved ones.
Thank you Christine. Have a wonderful week!
Thanks for the opportunity to win the beautiful book! I always enjoy your posts, your garden is so lovely it’s a wonder you ever leave home.
Thank you Cheryl. Blessings~
That picture of Brando, Newman and Franciosa is wonderful! And growing up in a loving family is a wonderful thing:)
Thank you Susanne!
I love reading your posts! I was reading other garden bloggers and came across you through them. I recognized you and your husband. I use to work in Gadsden and we have crossed paths on occasions. I am slowly starting my garden and I love to get inspirations from the posts. I live not too far away in Guntersville. I look forward to reading your posts each week!!!
I sent you an email. Thank you Jennifer!
I know one thing, your flower arrangements could adorn any publication…they are so wonderful.
What a gracious comment, thank you Karen!