Peak autumn color has not arrived around our place but is just around the corner. Maple trees here, like many other parts of the country, get a great deal of attention and end up in the spotlight for their fall beauty. And rightly so! But, many simple plants contribute a lot yet fail to get any accolades. While waiting on the maples and others to “do their thing” we decided to take note of what was around us that is providing color in the landscape!
Hopefully noticing things we don’t typically pay attention to is helpful and teaches me to observe more of my surroundings. I miss a lot because I am always in a hurry!
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;”
Psalm 19:7-8
A cloudy morning as we look “up a lazy river”. A different view of the Coosa from one you saw on last Sunday’s post. It would be interesting to know how many songs have been written about rivers!
Something about an old vine and an old barn that confirms things are always changing around us.
Sweetgum balls are a menace and a real aggravation if they litter your yard and your lawnmower would agree. For some unknown reason I have always thought of land mines or mines that were used in war time in harbors and waterways to keep enemy ships from entering. A weird thought I know but something about the way they look brings this to mind.
But let us give credit where credit is due, sweet gums add a lot of color this time of year and begin to turn a little earlier than other trees! I looked at some youtube videos last week that featured sweetgums and their fall color. These trees, which are native to the southeastern US, are quite amazing in spite of those pesky little balls they drop by the hundreds!
EK says, enough about trees and leaves, let’s talk about pumpkins!
Speaking of opening our eyes to that which is right under our noses, we discovered several yaupon holly trees in the woods at the edge of one of our pastures just this week. Another native to our area, these small trees are large enough to let us know they have been there for a few years and we had not paid attention! One was covered with berries but 4 others had none. We have a weeping yaupon holly growing at the house that has been here for a number of years, but the newly discovered trees are upright and not “weeping”.
I know that our persimmon trees were mentioned a couple of weeks ago but the limbs are sagging due to the weight of the fruit this season. While we are on the subject…
…how about a bite of “persimmon semifreddo”. Pam enjoyed this delicious dessert at Bottega in Birmingham and I even sampled to discover how awesome it was. Bottega makes use of all things fresh and in-season and right now, as you can see, persimmons are definitely in!
Persimmons can even add to a tablescape! Who would’ve thought it??? Get all you can out of them while they are around!
Our look back this week features the Grand Tetons as viewed from the prairie flats across the Snake River. We have seen a lot of pics posted just this past week by people currently visiting the region, including a few folks we know who have recently visited!
A little further to the north we traveled into Yellowstone National Park (2018). This pic of The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone looks like a painting on canvas but we can assure you it is not! This is an amazing place we hope to return to sometime soon!
I sort of “threw off” (not seriously) on our state flower recently, in favor of my favorite, the goldenrod. I did mention that we don’t see camellias often, and now to my surprise, our Sasanqua camellia “Yuletide” is blooming. It will likely bloom from now until around Christmas. There are dozens of buds on this bush by our front sidewalk and a few blooms have popped out already, a little earlier than most years. I’ve already stated give credit where credit is due, so… it is a gorgeous flower (but I still like my goldenrods)!
It is hard to miss the bright reds of sumac this time of year. It is all over the roadsides but we don’t have much awareness of it until the color pops out in October!
Wishing you a delightful, safe, and colorful week!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Wow…. really beautiful pictures.
Thank you.
You’re welcome.
You’re welcome ❤️
The color of autumn is always welcomed by me as I see very little in Florida, of the trees anyway. You got me curious about songs about rivers so I googled it. It wasn’t a complete list I’m sure but a reminder of many old favorites. One was a bit of a surprise. “When They Ring Those Golden Bells”. But yes! There’s a land beyond the river, that we call the sweet forever. . .”❤️
Thank you once again for my favorite Sunday post.
Thanks so much Nancy. Yes, I remember “When They Ring Those Golden Bells”, I haven’t heard it in years. Have a lovely Sunday!
We have sweet gums and sumac too, not as red as some years. We seem to have mostly gold this year so far. Lovely post, great photos.
Thank you Carole. Enjoy your day…
We have 2 persimmon trees that we usually collect persimmons from. There aren’t any persimmons on our trees this yr (Elizabethtown, KY). Lucky you’all.
Your pictures are always beautiful.
Donna, did you ever use your persimmons for desserts?
No, I haven’t. We pick the persimmons and give them to my brother-in-law the last couple of years. He freezes the persimmons until he can cook them. I believe he makes persimmon pudding.
Beautiful pictures, as always!
Love the colors and the majesty of the rivers!
I learned something new today – all my life, I never knew the name of those pesky little balls – sweetgum! Now I know!
Hope all is well with you!
Much love,
Esther
All is well, dear one. I am so loving your visits, you were missed!
As always, such a beautiful post for our Sunday! So many beautiful autumn photographs for us to enjoy. May you both have a most beautiful and blessed week ahead!
Thank you sweet friend, have a lovely week!
I sure miss all those fall colors / what a delight you can share with us that doesn’t get to see this here in Az
Luv & look forward to your blogs.
Thank you Donna. Wishing you a delightful week!
Beautiful colors of fall! I love the worn-red bard and vine, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We visited there as well, and just a day or two afterward, yet another person fell to their death right near that edge where so many take photos. Your EK is pure Autumn Joy! Landscape tip: you might try shop-vacuuming the sweetgum balls before mowing! It works for acorns…..
Rita, the barn is on our property, I love it. We were hoping to restore it, but now it belongs to our son. Rita, why do people push the envelope to get that IG photo, so sad. EK is such a little sweetheart, she is real loving and cuddly! I will pass the shop vac idea along to our lawn care guy (RM) 😂
I so look forward to these beautiful posts — Eye candy and heart-bursting! Happy week!
Aw, thank you Jeanie!
Those sweet gum balls, I was wondering what they were called. I collected some over the summer when visiting the rose garden in Tyler, Texas. I thought they would look nice added to my fall decor. I enjoyed your post, love fall foliage and wow! That waterfall! I got to put that on my list to visit! Have a blessed week!
Thank you Elizabeth. Definitely place Yellowstone on your bucket list. Wishing you a delightful week!
Good morning, Pam. Such a lovely post. I love sweet gum balls. I put them on autumn wreaths and sometimes wire them and spray them gold for floral arrangements. And, persimmons are wonderful. I read that a are a shot of vitamins for us, as they are loaded with good things.
Have a lovely day and week, my friend.
Spraying the sweet gum balls is a great idea for arrangements. The persimmon semifreddo was delicious. Wishing you a lovely week, my friend!
The Cooza really does look lazy. I love the old barn and vine…we know how things change and quickly. The colors are beautiful and words reassuring. The Grand Canyon pic is amazing. Blessings my dear friends.
Thank you Dianne. Wishing you a lovely week ♥️
Beautiful glimpses of Fall that is still coming. Your photo of the Grand Canyon is magnificent. Weeds and sweet gum balls are something I seem to grow prolifically. Wow, do those balls hurt if you step on them! They have always reminded me of the underwater mines in old WWII movies, and now in 2020 they look like the electron microscope pictures of the corona virus. We are getting some much needed rain today, and I plan to be lazy and catch up on my magazines this afternoon. Have a blessed week, Pam and Butch.
I hope you have enjoyed your rainy, lazy day! Sounds perfect for a cappuccino and Christmas magazines!
Pam, The fall pictures are lovely. The river pic is so pretty. The sweet gum balls are rather pesky on mowers and feet. Sweet EK seems to be enjoying fall. The Yellowstone pics are wonderful. We look forward to traveling again but we’ll start with a road trip when we do. The red barn is a pretty pic. We love seeing them when cruising around. I’m itching to go antiquing, fall festivals, and car shows. We’ll have to settle for antiquing due to Covid-19 but a few day trips are hopefully on the agenda. Hope you both have a relaxing day. Clara❤️🍁
Clara, thank you. We do have a trip planned for a couple of weeks from now. It is one of our most favorite places. I think we might do a little leaf peeping on Tuesday afternoon. Wishing you a lovely week ♥️
Oh how i missed your beautiful Sunday pics….i thought I always took the time to ‘stop and smell the roses’ ….but after my “journey”, my appreciation for God’s handiwork has improved even more. Beautiful, thank you. Luv ya
Kari, I can’t say it enough to God be the glory that you are cancer free. Love you ♥️
As ever, you capture the essence of a scene just in the nick of time..all elements in place. The Yellowstone photo is, indeed,
like an oil on canvas. Would love to have tried that persimmon dessert…a taste discovery . The little pumpkin, EK herself,
brings the orange of Autumn by way of her tresses….so adorable. Praying for health and peace to all this Sabbath. Just love
this circle of souls….and its creators, Pam and Butch.
Mary, your comments are always so sweet. Wishing you a wonderful week dear friend!
Snowing today and weather station reports it will snow all day tomorrow. Currently 10 degrees high tomorrow of 14. We are so thankful though because it will help put the fires out that come within 5 miles of our house. Franklin Graham asked that we fast and pray today for our nation and for our nations election. Hope everyone is fasting and praying.
Wow, Alice that is cold. So glad the snow will help put out the fires. I did not know they were that close to your home. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Magnificent pictures!Thank you,dear friends! Have a blessed day.
Thank you Maristella!
Happy Sunday! I look forward to getting the fall color. Persimmons foliage is pretty but short lived. I cut some last year for an arrangement.
I haven’t tasted persimmons even living in the south all my life.
EK looks so ground up in that photo.
Enjoyable post. Thank you.
The persimmon semifreddo was fabulous, Bonnie! We have reservations again this Friday evening for my birthday. We felt really safe with outdoor dining and tables spaced way apart. Have a wonderful week!
Wow!!! You have such gorgeous scenery around you, and these are beautiful pictures!
Thanks so much. Wishing you a lovely week!
A beautiful post and gorgeous pictures today. I want to say “thank you” to Nancy who commented on the old hymn “When They Ring Those Golden Bells”. It stirred up sweet memories of my Daddy singing it as a solo many times in church. I recall many times him taking a hymnal he was given and retiring early to my parent’s bedroom. In a short time my Mother, 5 siblings and I would hear his beautiful voice wafting through our small home as he sang hymn after hymn of his favorites. One afternoon over 25 years ago, at the age of 68, as he napped in his recliner, those golden bells rang for him. He crossed that river and is now residing in the sweet forever. I miss him dearly.
Marcie
Marcie, thank you for sharing your precious memories of your daddy. I know you miss him. I heard the song so much growing up and on into adulthood. It brings back memories for me as well.
I love for readers to share their memories and stories with me and the readers. May God bless you.
Wow, that does look like a painting on a canvas! Just breathtaking! God’s wonders are all around us, as you said, if only we will look for them. May the Lord bless you both with a wonderful, healthy week!
Thanks Cheryl. Wishing you a healthy and wonderful week!
Thank you for all the wonderful eye candy Pam and Butch! EK’s hair is getting long and is such a beautiful color! Love the river canyon photo, it does look like a painting! So glad you got to enjoy dinner at one of your favorite spots and yes, the sweetgum balls are like little land mines!!
Thanks so much Jenna! Have a wonderful Monday!
Your pictures are absolutely beautiful as always. Love your wonderful cheerful emails! As a resident of west Texas all my life, we don’t have the same color display as your area does; however, we do have a lot of beautiful leaf color. But I would like to tell a story regarding the sweet gum “land mines” tree. My parents who were originally from deep east Texas missed the beautiful sweet gum trees and their lovely colors in the fall. So my daddy ordered a sweet gum tree from Nacogdoches, Texas. It must have been some time in the 40’s or 50’s that he had it planted on the northwest side of the lot where they had built their home and coincidentally where my husband and I live now. I think it was the only sweet gum tree in town. Well, for years it did it’s best to show off to all who drove on our street and it did receive comments on its fall beauty. Long story shortened, it got tired out and died. We no longed have the prettiest tree in town. However, I did save three of the as you say “land mines” which I call “porcupine eggs” for posterity. They are in a small dish on our entry area chest. They are a good conversation piece. By the way, I wonder if casual observers understand what the ball really is? It is an interesting study to read about the purpose and uses of these seed pods.
Correction: We no longer have the prettiest tree in town.
I enjoy persimmons… so that dessert looked delicious to me!
Those sweet gums and sumac you share are gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing all your Autumn goodness and EK with her pumpkins!
Have a blessed week!
Thank you Nancy. Wishing you a wonderfully blessed week!