“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Hello sweet friends and welcome to Everyday Living’s five year blogiversary…I can’t believe it has been five years! Many of you began the journey with us, but so many have joined us along the way. We are forever grateful for you our readers. Without you there would be no blog. As we have shared our lives with you, many of you have shared your lives with us…prayer requests, celebrations, memories and much more. Most of us will never meet this side of heaven, but we share a beautiful virtual friendship.
Because we have the very best readers, we have a fun giveaway! Read how you can enter at the bottom of this post. Now let’s look back on a few memories.
Tablescapes Tuesdays have been weekly since the blog began. I have been setting tables and hosting dinners for many years learning from the best teacher, my beloved mother. When I first joined Facebook, I would occasionally share a tablescape and from so many encouraging comments, Tablescape Tuesday was born. I chose this one from the archives…autumn is my favorite season, so why not a box of autumn?!
You rarely see a peek into my kitchen, but this is where the day begins!
Long-time readers saw my red dining room for more tablescapes than I had time to count. Christmas tablescapes were perfect with the Mediterranean Spice walls, “plaid tidings” remains a favorite!
My Renaissance Man and I love to travel. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to visit five continents and forty-two countries…from the coast of West Africa…to the Greek Islands…to St. Petersburg, Russia…to one of my favorites, Venice, Italy. This was our second trip and it was just as magical as the first!
A rainy day on Nantucket was one of our most popular travel posts.
Visiting the Holy Land was a dream come true!
Many of you have followed the progress of our garden that was established in late spring of 2015.
One of our most asked questions is where did we find the bronze statue that is the focal point of the garden. It was sourced locally and came from an estate in Atlanta. In its former life, it was a fountain.
Limelight hydrangeas always provide a lovely show!
Another often asked question is what are the chartreuse-colored plants? They are sunshine ligustrums and I love the different shade of green that they add to the garden.
In March of 2018, I joined three bloggers to bring you floral inspiration on the first and third Monday’s of the month. This picnic is one of my favorites with lots of memories that I shared.
Who wouldn’t love a breakfast tray brought to your bed?! Carnations are often overlooked, but they made for a pretty and easy bouquet!
You may have noticed that I don’t show the interior of our home very often. One reason is that I am not one to change things. For over twenty five years I have loved the look of English Country…the mix of colors, patterns, and textures…where rooms evolve over time. Last year we did make a few changes. We had our natural cedar walls in our family room pickled. The natural wood still shows through, but it definitely gave the room a little facelift.
The brick fireplace was painted “Dove White” which made me so happy. It took time to convince Butch, but he gives it thumbs up now.
The biggest change came in the dining room! We went from red walls and silk window treatments to “Palladian Blue” walls and natural linen curtains.
Simple + Southern Sunday began about three months after we started the blog. The purpose was to share things that caught our eye that particular week, and to really take notice of what is around us in our everyday living. This Sunday will mark number 250 and that is hard to believe! Butch has taken over the writing of each one, but I am still the main photographer with help from Seth, Katy, and a few others along the way.
Cotton fields are beautiful to see in rural Alabama during autumn!
Sunsets are always a favorite!
You graciously welcomed our first grandchild, Ella Mae, whose picture has been in almost every Simple Southern Sunday since she was born. She turned three in May. If she isn’t in the Sunday post, many of you say you missed seeing her. You have warmed our hearts with your lovely comments.
Once again, you welcomed our second granddaughter, Emma Kennedy born in March of this year. Both of their photos were taken on the cross-stitch quilt that was stitched and quilted by my mother many years ago. It was completed while Seth was in elementary school and carefully wrapped and put away for a wedding present when he got married. She didn’t live to see any of her three grandchildren marry, but each one had a special gift made by her loving hands. You have indulged me as I have shared so many memories of my beloved mother.
My grandmother name is PJ which are my initials…Pamela Jean. When Butch and I started dating, he began calling me PJ. It has been around for forty nine years.
Now for the all important giveaway!
Since I love tablescaping and the autumn season, I decided on these new Pumpkin Patch salad plates from Pier 1 for the giveaway. The four plate set is made of durable ironstone and features four different beautifully detailed autumn gourds. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me what you love about autumn. The contest is open to residents living in the continental U.S. The winner will be announced on Monday Morning Blooms, August 19.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and kindness you have shown us over the past five years. We look forward to sharing more of our Everyday Living with you!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, A Stroll Thru Life, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home, Life and Linda, Celebrate & Decorate, Me and My Captain, Imparting Grace, Calypso in the Country
Congratulations on this milestone! Truly enjoy the sincerity and beauty found in your blog. Fall is my favorite time of year period. I love the beautiful colors we have in the South. Blessings to you and your family!
Fall is a great transitional season. The best part of fall is start planning for Christmas holidays. My favorite season. The birth of our Lord!
Congratulations on five years! We moved to Florida 9 years ago so I have to make my own fall! It is my favorite season too! I have many memories of fall as we grew up in the Midwest and I draw on those to make my fall in Florida. Pumpkins,fall leaves, bittersweet and scarecrows come to life and bring that fall feeling to us. I would love winning the plates to set a beautiful table.
A very happy anniversary and aren’t we the lucky recipients of your thoughts, travels, tables capes and oh so lovely garden photos. I loved seeing your beautiful dining room and English country living room this morning. You have exquisite taste. (our trip to Israel in Nov. was extraordinary too). Thank you for gracing us with such beauty. God bless!
I love your beautiful home. Fall is a special time because it is a time when the green leaves start turning to the beautiful colors of red, gold, yellow and orange. Even though the leaves are dying, God has made them beautiful with their vibrant colors and we have them to appreciate the glorious season of Fall.
I love your blog, it is always an uplifting experience reading it. Autumn is my favorite season because my birthday and anniversary are in October. I live in the northeast where the colors, local fruits and vegetables just sing Autumn. I love the look, smell and taste of that time of year.
Love your blog. Autumn offers a time to snuggle and be close again. that is why I love it.
Happy blogversity! Looking forward to cooler temps, beautiful fall colors and pumpkins of course. I enjoy your posts and lovely photos. You are always uplifting and gracious and a joy to read. Looking forward to fall in your garden.
Autumn is not my favorite time of the year as it foretells Winter and here in Colorado we have long periods of cold weather, even snow this year on May 20. My hubby said I can’t get anymore China because I have no place for it. He is right so I won’t enter the competition even though I love the china. Congratulations are in order and I’m thrilled to know Butch writes the Sunday post and you provide the photography . Always a gift to enjoy.
I love autumn hehere in SW FL because it means the heat and humidity of summer are finally gone !!!!
Happy Blog Anniversary! I have enjoyed your blog over the last year since we first “met”. I love the crisp fall air, going to the apple orchard, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and leaf peeping!
Pam, what a wonderful post highlighting your blog journey! Every post has been a delight. I was so excited to find a fellow Alabamian blogger that had so much in common with me. Thank you and Butch for a wonderful friendship virtually and in real life.
We share autumn as my favorite season as well. I love autumn mostly because the temperatures are cooler and less humid. I love lingering over coffee on the porch in the mornings and sitting on the porch reading throughout the day. Autumn invites me to enjoy walks and be outside.
Happy Blogiversary!!!!
Congratulations on your anniversary. I continually marvel at all that you do each and every week. You are truly beautiful inspiration.
Fall is a lovely season here in the Mountain State. I enjoy the beauty of the autumn leaves, watching them dance about and listening to them crunch under my feet. And I especially enjoy he crisp temperatures.
Happy day to you, my friend. I hope you will do something special to celebrate your anniversary and all the goodness you bring to the world.
Congrats on your 5 years!! Enjoyed all the pics!! Your grandbabies are precious! I’m a grandmother too and I live in AL 🙂
Pam, I love this post! You inspire me as a wife, mother, and blogger! Thank you for sharing your beautiful, everyday life with us!
Oh, and what I love about Autumn—- the colors! Warm colors, especially the brown and yellow-gold found in nature, are my favorite. These plates would be perfect with my mother’s Marigold Fiesta dishes she passed down to me.
Congratulations on your Blogaversary!! I’ve enjoyed hopping with you for tablescapes, seeing your garden and your travels, all of your posts, and I don’t remember how long I have followed your blog. You know how I adore fun plates, and would love to win this set. Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year, I love the cooler temperatures, wearing a light sweater during the day, color in the trees, looking forward to Thanksgiving, baking and creating tables with the colors of fall.
Congratulations Pam on the blog anniversary. Enjoyed so much looking at your photos. You are so right, most of us will never meet probably on this side of heaven but it sure is nice getting to know other bloggers a little better and making new friends even if it is virtual. I have made some precious friends for sure and you are one of them. Autumn….I love the bonfires, roasting marshmallows, hot chocolate and hot apple cider. I love the smell of firewood burning, the cozy afternoons sitting with a blanket wrapped around me while overlooking the pond and thinking about life. And….I love PUMPKIN Spice drink from Starbucks! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
I haven’t been with you the full five years but I have enjoyed your blog for a while now. Congratulations on your five year anniversary! My favorite thing about fall is the cooler weather, the briskness of the air, and the lovely colors of the leaves. I guess that’s more than one thing but I just love fall.
I just discovered your blog recently and immediately subscribed! Congrats👏👏Living in Texas, the cooler weather is my favorite thing about fall!
Congratulations on 5 years of blogging. I love your blog because you always include scripture. That is my favorite part. It’s so refreshing to see that on the internet. I also love, love, love your garden. Your photos and your son’s tempt one to want to frame.😀 And of course I love seeing photos of your granddaughters. As a Granny, I totally understand. Mine are not little anymore, but I still do a lot of show and tell!
Pam & Butch, Happy blogiversary! I joined along the way & you have been such an inspiration. You both have such a sweet spirit which shows in your blog. I enjoy every shared story, especially those about family. Your Mom reminds me of my Mom & Grandmom. The children are a delight to see in your photos with their sweet faces. I’m ready for Fall! The oppressive heat these past few weeks has me looking forward to hay bales that are mixed with mum’s & corn stalks. I love the cooler weather & shorter days. The various festivals & vintage car shows are so much more fun with cooler weather. Fall colors are a favorite & tablescapes as well as floral arrangements take on a whole new look with warmer colors which I adore. Love the pumpkin plates. The winner will enjoy a wonderful gift! Have a great day! Clara ❤️
Happy 5th Blog anniversary! Love the photos that you post. I love the colors of fall. Fall is my favorite season and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Always brings family and loved ones to mind.God blessings on all.
Happy, happy Blogaversary Pam!!!!….I love your gardens, your travel posts, and everything…and i must say that I so love your kitchen!!!…..Your home and gardens are such an inspiration! What can I say, I love EVERYTHING about Fall!…Have a great week Pam!
I can’t believe it had been 5 years! Congratulations! Fallis my favorite season, also. The number one reason is the crisp, cool mornings and the colorful leaves on the trees. Just go ahead and put a pumpkin on my porch! With the start of these signs, I start looking forward to Thanksgiving week when my whole family will be here to give thanks for all God has blessed us with!😊
We Fall back with our clocks in the Fall & so does our bodies from being so busy with our summer activities. Time to relax & enjoy Gods beautiful color leaves.
I’ve enjoyed your post every time. Enjoyed seeing your grandchildren grow. I think I’ve been with you either all 5 years or close to it. Dishes are my downfall. I really need an intervention. I especially love the Bible scriptures. They grab my attention! I love Fall for so many reasons. The cozy cool afternoons walking through my gardens, seeing everything changing. Thanks for your hard work and the opportunity to virtually meet you. Sharon
Congratulations on your lovely blog’s anniversary. So inspiring! I love everything about autumn! It truly is my favorite time of year. The colors are beautiful and the weather is perfect. Thank you so much for the giveaway. God bless you and your family
Congrats Pam on your Blogiversary! I love your blog so much! My favorite thing about autumn is cooler temps!!
I love your garden and nature photos. I love the smells of fall: dried leaves, roasting peanuts, decaying muscadines, apple butter simmering, mums, campfires.
Congratulations on your five year milestone. Your beautiful photos and blog are so inspirational! Only in the last few years has Fall become my favorite season. My precious mom loved Fall and we would often discuss my favorite season being spring, while she favored Fall. Now that she is no longer with me, I find myself treasuring the beauty of Fall colors and changes. She loved that God sloughs away the leaves and plants in the Fall in preparation for new and beautiful to come. She reminded me often He does the same with our sins and shortcomings everyday. He sloughs away the old and prepares us for what is to come when we allow Him to be in control!”
Happy Blogaversary Butch & Pam! Your posts are always packed with eye candy and beautiful photographs, not to mention the uplifting style in which you write! It is always a joy to visit you and see you sharing and enjoying the pleasures of everyday life! My hands down favorite thing about fall is pumpkins, I just go crazy for pumpkins! This year the pumpkins are going to be in a tie with cooler weather however, it has been a brutal summer in Alabama!
Jenna
Pam,
I have always loved your tablescapes and I adore the style of your home decor! Congrats on your blog Anniversary! What I love about Fall……pretty much everything! It has always been my favorite Season of the year…hay rides, changing colors of the leaves, cool crisp air, apple cider, sweaters and jackets on a sunny day, Fall festivals and the list goes on! I also LOVE the colors of traditional fall decorations!! I would love to be entered in your very generous Giveaway!!
Hugs,
Deb
What a great look back! I have really enjoyed your blog over the years. I also like how you have stuck to the traditional in your home.
Happy Blogiversary!!! I have followed you since we were in the first grade together in Mrs Boyd’s class!!!! You are such an inspiration to so many!!!! The thing I like about fall is football……War Eagle!!!!!
You are delightful! I always look forward to your blogs. In the spring, it is my favorite season and in the fall, it is my favorite season!
Congratulations Pam! I came across your blog a couple of months ago and I love it! I love gardening and your garden is beautiful! I also love the inside of your home it is my style and I won’t change a thing. I have the same blue comforter on your bedroom for eight years and I still love it.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary. You have given us such inspiration in the way you live, the way you speak and all the beauty you create. Thank you for sharing your family, your home, your travels and the wonderful life you live serving the Lord. Thank you for this blog friendship. Fall is my favorite season but love spring also. Blessings on your continued success.
Congratulations on five years! Woohoo! I’m crazy about fall. I think my favorite thing about the season are the soft warm colors that surround us. It feels so homey.
Well first of all, loved looking back at all your beautiful memories — many of which I have been enjoying along the way. Travels, gardens, your lovely home, your even lovelier baby grands! All beautiful and warmed by your big heart and lovely words, too.
As for autumn — well, I anticipate the pumpkins, the colorful leaves on our always changing trees and just the feel — that grabbing onto the last of the “good weather” before winter kicks in! (The plates are fabulous — someone will be lucky and I hope it will be me!)
Pam, congratulations on this milestone! You have an entire family of adoring readers who truly love you. I personally feel blessed to have you part of my life. Your scripture always lifts me up. And your beautiful home, garden, tablescapes always inspire me. Thank you for so willingly sharing your story, Butch sharing his amazing story where God definitely was there, and your precious family.
Fall used to depress me when I was younger, but something amazing changed inside me and now it is my favorite time of year. I love to decorate for autumn, almost more than Christmas!
It is “only” going to be 90 today, so I’m heading out to mow grass…truly one of my favorite tasks, believe or not!
Happy 5th Blog Anniversary! Your blog is a highlight for me each time I see it arrive in my inbox. I love your photography, especially when its of your spectacular garden. It’s hard to believe it’s only 4 years old too. My favourite thing about fall is all the beautiful fall tree colours & the crisp evening temps. Its hard to find both of those in SETX after growing up in Canada, living in OR and TN with gorgeous fall colours. God Bless!
A blessed fifth blog anniversary Pam and Butch. Your scriptural inspirations fill my day and remind me of the beauty and hope He is ever placing before us to embrace. The beautiful pictorial content and creativity of your blog has held me rapt since discovering your blog. And,
oh, your little ones who never cease to bring a smile my face. Autumn means so many things to
me (packed with birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) but especially the prelude to Thanksgiving and
to the essence of Christmas; a manger scene at Bethlehem that promised the world a coming
salvation and eternity of peace, but I won’t discount the evergreens, berries, candles, wreaths
and all the appointments that fill our homes with the joy and celebration of the season. Thanks
to you, Pam and Butch, for your loyal reminders of the beauty of everyday living and also for
your generous gift of those lovely plates…now what to use them with????? you hooked me on
tablescapes…. Blessings…
Pam & Butch, congratulations on continuing with your enjoyable content here on the blog for five years! I started in Jan 2013, and I’m not sure if our paths first crossed with tablescapes or gardening, but it’s been a pleasure knowing you since. Bloggers like you are so refreshing for me to read, thank you!
Congratulations for five fabulous and fun filled years!!! Your sweet blogs have filled me and others with such JOY and Tablescapes inspirations through the years, sweet friend!! You so BLESS us all!! Wishing you & Butch many more years of blogging!! Good luck to the lucky winner of this wonderful and thoughtful five year giveaway!!
Happy Anniversary! Your blog is always filled with such lovely posts! I always look to your blog for inspiration on my decorating! My favorite part of Autumn is all the decorating. I love switching to all the lovely fall colors, decorations and table settings. It is such a beautiful time of the year! And the cooler temperatures are much welcomed after a long, hot summer!
My sweet friend I hope to visit someday!! She is a blessing and uses her God given talents! Blessed
After months on end of Texas heat, I love evenings that are cool and filled with wood smoke.
HAPPY 5 YEAR BOGVIVERSARY PAM
I love the cool ,crisp air of the Fall.
Marilyn
The beautiful colors of the Fall trees.
Congratulations on your 5th blogiversary.
Marion
I love the cool Autumn weather and the clear skies.
Happy 5th blogiversary
Joan