“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”
Psalm 94:19
Happy Thursday dear friends! I love this verse I shared today, the cares of my heart have been so many over the past couple of weeks. What is so beautiful is that our loving Heavenly Father knows each one and they have all been sifted through His gracious Hands. How about the cares of your heart, are there many? If you want to share here or email me, I would be privileged to pray for you. I know that when a reader sometimes mentions a prayer request, other readers see it and pray for them. What a beautiful community of love for each other…this is what our world needs!
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
One personal benefit of blogging is the journal that is being recorded for my family and myself. The blog has chronicled the successes and losses of our gardening. From the establishment of the garden in late spring of 2015 to the present, it is a record of information that I constantly use as I plan for the future. Grab a glass of iced tea and join me in the garden as I share photos and continue adding to my garden journal!
Be sure to read to the bottom of the post to discover our winner of “Biblical Minimalism”!
July is hot and humid in our Appalachian Foothills while the garden takes on the cooling shades of green and white! Panicle hydrangeas are showing out!
The tuteur is almost hidden among the vanilla-strawberry blooms! I highly recommend panicle hydrangeas for your garden. So what is a panicle hydrangea also known as a Hydrangea Paniculata? Panicle describes the shape and the arrangement of the blooms of the plant. It is easiest to think of them as football-shaped and sized. They are super easy, reliable, and very hardy. Flowers can almost be guaranteed because the flower buds are formed in late spring on new growth. They adapt to a variety of light levels, from full sun to partial shade. Panicle hydrangeas offer a long season of bloom beginning in June and lasting until late autumn.
This spring we planted “Little Lamb” hydrangeas that are flanking the entrance to the garden. It is unique because its flower petals are the smallest and most delicate of any hydrangea.
You might remember that Renaissance Man built a new raised bed behind the garden fence for his sunflowers. You can see them in the background of the limelights. We both love sunflowers and I will be sharing a post highlighting them soon!
I am constantly learning about gardening…it is mostly trial and error. Zinnias, for the first time, have been problematic this year and I will share more on those issues in an upcoming post. I am just thrilled to see blooms!
In the back corners of the garden, limelights and vanilla-strawberry hydrangeas stand out against the sunshine ligustrums and the bloodgood Japanese maples!
I shared a photo of “Old Rusty” a couple of weeks ago on a Simple + Southern Sunday post. He has been a part of our landscape for years and we have grown fond of his iron character and patina. He had to be included in my July journal with “silver falls” trailing down and surrounded by lantana!
The cedar shake roof on the garden cottage is finally finished…it was labor intensive. I had plans to stain the board and batten, but I have changed my mind. The hubby says I am always changing my mind, but I think he is happy about this change. The interior has been painted and the electrician has finished his work. We now have air conditioning, what a blessing! The flooring has been ordered and hopefully will be installed next week. Butch and I are working on the interior sides of the French doors and will finish this week (maybe)!
Lavender Perfection dahlia will soon open! I did not have the energy to dig up any of my dahlia tubers last fall, but guess what, they came back. Our winter was rather mild and that probably contributed to their return.
July is my favorite garden month…the hydrangeas are stunning!
We can’t see the top of the Mammoth Sunflowers…Renaissance Man flew his drone over the sunflower bed to get a shot of the first bloom!
Limelights with “busy bee sunflowers” in the background. This is the first time we have grown this sunflower variety. Their smaller size works well for floral arrangements.
I always have questions about the metal tuteurs. I have had them for at least fifteen years and purchased them at a nearby store that is no longer in business!
It seems that progress on the cottage has definitely slowed down. But, that is usually the way it works!
A view of the back half of the garden from the drone. Butch isn’t a professional drone flyer like our son, but I thought he did really well with this shot.
And now for the winner of the Biblical Minimalism book…congrats to Nonie. Thank you to all who entered! Your comments were an encouragement to both Cheryl and myself. I always look forward to your visits and gracious comments. Wishing you all a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, Your garden is beautiful no matter what month! I love panicle hydrangeas too for their big easy blooms and the shots of the sunflowers in the background. Fun to see an overhead view with Butch’s drone shots! I know you’re thrilled to have a/c in your cute cottage with this heat. I’m missing this zinnias this year, as my seedlings were bunny food. I’ll have to come up with a different solution next year. Happy Thursday ♥
Thanks so much Mary. The heat and humidity have been brutal over the past three days. I tried to work outside, but didn’t last long. I want to do MMB’s late tomorrow afternoon, if I can stand the heat.
Zinnias have been hard to figure out this year. Bunnies didn’t eat mine, the seeds never came up. I planted three times before I got zinnias.
Pam, your garden is breathtaking. Every bloom is perfection. I know you are so enjoying seeing the cottage come to life – oh the fun you will have. Wishing you a lovely day. Stay well and cool, sweet friend. And congratulations to Nonie.
Thanks so much Sandra. The cottage has been fun to watch its progress, ready to finish this project. Stay well and safe my friend ♥️
Congratulations to Nonie. Is there anything RM can’t do? The cottage is so sweet and I know how hard it is to put cedar shakes up. We have them on our house but when they need to be replaced the city won’t allow us to replace them because they are a fire hazard. I love how they look on our home and your cottage. Can’t wait to see the princesses playing in it and you of Course! Your posts have always been an inspiration to me, the Bible verses, flower do’s and don’ts, travel guides, interior design, and last but no least, your beautiful garden. You should write a book!
Alice, thank you so much for your sweet encouragement. You were one of my first readers and I so appreciate you commenting and being a part of Everyday Living. RM can do almost everything but plumbing, he will not tackle that job. Have a nice weekend my friend ♥️
I agree with Alice! Your blog is such a nice place to visit. Full of beauty and love. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Thank you Ellen. I love sharing with my friends!
Hi,my friend…I really need your prayers…Your beautiful pictures are balm to my soul. Congrats to the winner,that book looks great. God bless us all.
Maristella, I will be praying for you my friend.
Praying for you. God knows! I am in a discouraging, difficult time myself, so I understand
needing prayer.
Karen, I will be praying for you. God knows your needs. I know Maristella appreciates your prayers. I am adding you to my prayer journal.
Your July garden is breathtaking. The hydrangeas, the sunflowers, zinnias and your beautiful shrubs are so beautiful. It is hard to believe you and Butch have done this in five years. So glad the Garden Cottage is progressing. Said a prayer for Maristella immediately. We are living in such a time of hardship for so many. Yes, please continue to pray for Jennifer and everyone making decisions about opening schools. My heart is so heavy for the children going back to school. Your garden is a balm to my soul this morning.
Thanks so much Dianne. I am praying for Jennifer and all of the children. I know Maristella appreciates your prayers my friend!
Thank you so much Dianne. A special thanks for praying for our Everyday Living friends and I am praying for Jennifer and all of the children going back to school. ♥️
Oh, Pam, I loved seeing the drone shots. It gives good perspective to all the angles of shots previously seen of the garden. Beautiful lime and white blooms from the hydrangeas keep a sense of cool even though we know better. The cottage is sure to be a fine feature in posts to come. Can’t wait to see the sunflower varieties too.
Congrats to Nonie!
Thank you Rita, the heat and humidity over the past three days have been brutal. I am anxious to finish up the cottage!
I’m sure that as hard as the cottage construction was, it was all the more difficult for the heat you have been experiencing. But what a joy it is. And oh, check out that glorious garden. Those hydrangeas knock my socks off. Maybe this fall I’ll add a hydrangea to my back yard. Thanks for the pretty today!
My pleasure dearest Jeanie. It is 96 today and the humidity is torturous. I worked outside for a bit, but had to come in!
Stunning, as usual. Lovely hydrangeas!! Mine are blooming like crazy now too. I need a white one.
Thank you Carole!
Wow Pam this is all so wonderful! Can’t wait to see the sunflowers in bloom! Love the drone shots it really gave me a perspective of what you have there. Did you have a professional figure out the layout and plantings? I bought some zinnias that are doing great but the ones I planted by seed never came up. I suspect the chipmunks/squirrels ate the seeds. Limelights are my all time favorite. They are so reliable and pretty! Love how they bloom through the fall!
Thanks so much Liz. We had a pro install and we had made a sketch of what we wanted. We have kept it up ourselves, just like you and your hubby. It is lots of work, but we love the results.
Pam, You and Butch did a great job on the garden. It’s gorgeous and a lovely outside oasis. The drone shots are wonderful. Your cottage is so cute and we know you are anxious to see the completion. Your blog is always so encouraging and much appreciated! Congratulations to Nonie. Prayers for those who have special requests. You and Butch are always a beacon during rough times. Thank you for all you do. Stay cool and be safe in this heat sweet friend ❣️ Clara ♥️
Thank you so much Clara and special thanks for praying for our Everyday Living friends. The temp and humidity are unbearable outside, I had to stop and come inside. You stay cool and safe my friend ♥️
My dear friend, as you say these publications are like a newspaper. Since that same year 2015 is when I found you through these cyber worlds and look how far we have come. I know your house as if it were mine, the garden and how it has progressed.
You have really been making a day-by-day account of your house, your Jardin, your family and those two beauties who are your granddaughters. Friends have laughed and not so much when diseases come and then pass. As we say here in Spain “I know the life and miracles of all of you” because you have made us participate in all of this.
This that I tell you is very beautiful and you don’t know how much I appreciate it.
The house is beautiful and the garden is beautiful.
Thanks for your friendship. a big hug
Mi querido amigo, qué maravilloso que nos conocimos hace cinco años, no parece que haya sido hace tanto tiempo. Sé que Dios hizo que nuestros caminos se cruzaran por una razón específica y estoy muy contento de que lo haya hecho. Me has animado y bendecido con tu encantadora amistad. Ruego que compartamos nuestros blogs por muchos años más. Deseándole unas hermosas vacaciones con su encantadora familia. Extrañaré las publicaciones de tu blog mientras estés fuera.
Enviando amor y abrazos,
Pam
Pam, Your vanilla strawberry hydrangeas are so pretty and make a dramatic statement along with your sunshine ligustrums. I am so glad your dahlias came up. That would be disappointing if they had not.
Your cottage is looking great. You have a lot going on at once. Also glad your sunflowers are doing well. I look forward to your post on Zinnias. I have planted seeds six times and they were eaten by bugs because they had holes. I have put down slug bait and spray them with Neem Oil often and they are frail but growing now.
Prayers for those that requested it. Our nation needs prayers for revival, for healing, for those that are sick with the virus, health care workers, Police, those that lost their jobs, economic needs, state and national leaders , educational leaders, teachers, parents and school children, decision making about safety in every aspect of life.
Thank you Bonnie. Zinnias have been different this year for sure.
Thank you for praying for our friends, and yes I am praying for all of the above. We definitely need to pray!
Pam, everything looks so stunning! The garden cottage is situated so well, it seems as if it were always there. I love Butch’s drone shots of the entire garden. Will he share his secrets for the raised bed and how he produced such enormous sunflowers? My zinnias are up but only producing a few blooms per day. I want a huge bouquet! 😊
Butch loves raised beds and I think we will do some in front of the garden cottage. Hopefully, you will have a zinnia bouquet soon. If you lived close-by, I would drop one off at your door🥰
I am so excited and I might say a bit shocked at winning the book. I know god played a hand in this. thank you so much.
That should be God!
Yes!
Congrats and may God use the book to encourage you.
Psalm 94:19 speaks to my heart in these times and I can attest to its consoling truth.. You lucky gal, Nonie! Where to begin?
That drone shot sums up all the wondrous photos of your garden and each of us can imagine the music best suited to
accompany a respite there. The Renaissance cottage seems to have been there forever. Prayers for our Maristella and ditto to Bonnie’s last paragraph. What a privilege to pray for one another. Yours and Butch’s is the go-to place for inspiration and
encouragement; the fulfillment of what the Lord would have us do for one another. Only positive vibes, bless you.
Thank you so much dearest Mary. Thank you for praying, you are always so encouraging.
Delightful post Pam & I love the drone view of your garden!
It gives a whole new perspective of that area 😀
Bless you sweet friend,
Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer!
Sweet Pam, your blog is such a place of comfort, joy, and beauty. I really needed that precious opening verse this morning. There are so many things going on and like you I have so many cares on my heart. I’m sorry, I’m a little late commenting. I have been a bit under the weather, and the antibiotics I was taking made me feel worse. As always, I love visiting your stunning garden! I’m taking note about the pinnacle hydrangeas. I may see some in my future. I’ve been learning so much about all of the different hydrangeas, and I am amazed at all of the varieties. I am so excited about your cottage. I know you must be so anxious! My Zinnias have been okay, but not producing as many as I had hoped. I think next year I’m going to create a raised container bed and fill it with lots of seeds to see if I have better luck. Take care, dear friend! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks so much Shannon. I do love the verse, we can cast our cares on Him! I sure hope you feel better and take care of yourself!
How fun are the drone pix!! Love them! Your garden is always breathtaking, and you have so many varieties of blooms, and all your hard work has blossomed into a flower arranger’s delight! Your garden cottage is almost done, I cannot wait for the grand reveal! Congrats to Nonie!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. I felt so bad for the painters outside painting the cottage today!
Lovely garden and lovely pictures. All your blooms are beautiful and I love all the ornamental details.
XO- MaryJo
Each season, each week, there is always beauty to enjoy in your beautiful garden. I love the drone shots, they give a lovely new perspective to the garden as a whole. I do miss having hydrangeas but I’ve been told that Florida just doesn’t have the proper weather for them…at least I get to enjoy yours from afar.
Thanks so much Karen. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pams, your gardens are always a joy to see. Everything looks lush and green. Love the overhead shot. Your sweet cottage is darling. Looking forward to seeing it all finished. Thank you for sharing at Love Your Creativity.
Thanks so much Linda. Have a lovely week!
Dear, sweet friend! YES, I surely can relate to the Bible verse you shared. Oh, that was such a comfort to me tonight! God’s Word brings such deep-down solace in times of burden and distress. I am so sorry you have been carrying such a weight over the past few weeks and want you to know I am praying for you right now. Butch did a great job with the drone shots and everything looks SO pretty! Just beautiful. A BIG congratulations to Nonie!!! We got her book out in the mail to her and trust it will be a blessing and encouragement to her! The comments surely were such a great, great encouragement to me. I loved reading them and am going to go back and read the latest ones. You are right – this blogging community is so precious and it is just wondeful how we can be there for one another to pray and encourage in this beautiful body of Christ. Much love and gratitude to you for all you do, dear Pam.