Today’s post is comprised of quite a few pics made last week while strolling in the yard, and/or walking through the winter woods. Mostly stuff around the house that we came across in our everyday living. We had some gorgeous sunrises and sunsets over the past few days, so you will find a few extras. We don’t tire of the beauty of early morning and late evening!
“But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.”
Psalm 59:16
PJ couldn’t stay inside even though this was a cold morning. One of those mornings that makes you very much aware of the reality of such stedfast love which is proclaimed in the verse above!
The same sunrise at about the same time of day but from a vantage point on Sand Mountain. I was headed to work and literally stopped in the middle of the 4 lane highway and got a few phone pics. I slowed until the nearest traffic passed and hurriedly made a few before I had to move quickly to avoid getting struck from the rear. With no place to pull off, what else can you do? I know, you can keep moving and miss the sunrise!
As I walked through the woods, a bright green spot caught my eye. It stood out in the hardwoods where there was no other green around and nothing even in the vicinity as bright as this moss. It almost had a glow. Most of the time pics don’t bring justice to the scene and this one probably doesn’t!
My squirrel and chipmunk friends are absolutely feasting on pine cones. I’ve seen them munching so I know they like them, and maybe other rodents do as well. Mice/rats? Takes a pretty good set of front teeth to clean the cones in this manner!
Our mixed greens are showing some wear and tear in the late season, both from frost, deer, and turkey!
It became necessary to take a break from the outdoors to play with these forever “sisters” in the Sunshine Cottage. After only one mention regarding these sweatshirts, EK felt it was time for a little modeling!
Here in the southeast, the winter hardwoods often have numerous small trees that hang on to their leaves until it’s time for new ones to come forth. Some smaller oaks do but they have dark brown leaves. The light brown, almost pale leaves like these are found on young beech trees. They are common and can especially be noticed this time of year while riding the highways and interstates (or walking in the woods if you prefer)! Deciduous trees that keep their leaves until new leaves appear in the spring are described as marcescent, and it is usually a juvenile trait.
A closer look at a beech tree. The bark is smoother and thinner than oaks and hickories. Wildlife enjoy beechnuts, especially turkeys.
Did I mention turkeys like beech trees?
And turkeys like our pastures as well!
A southeastern version of a tumbleweed?
This group paused in the front yard close to the house but of course when we grabbed a camera and returned to the dining room window, it was time to leave. It’s like they know! Do you see 5?
From the woods to the palace. Maybe a good title for a country song? Our throwback this week takes us to The Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2012.
A breathtaking evening last week. I only had my cell phone handy and had to rush to the back yard before the colors faded. While enjoying the brief minutes of color, I kept hearing a drone-like noise somewhere above me…
…and discovered later that Appalachian Digital Media had flown past me to get a few drone shots from just across the river!
”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
Simply gorgeous captures! I’m loving EK’s fiery personality taking hold! The bright green moss certainly stands out in your photo. I didn’t realize the river is right at your front yard?
Enjoy your peaceful, easy Sunday.
Thanks so much Rita. The river is behind our house, and the mountain is in front. Our property does not access the river but we are really close.
Sunrise and sunsets are spectacular this winter…or are we home much more to appreciate them? Thank you for the lesson on the beech trees, now I know my woods are full of them too! The bond between EM and EK cannot have a price tag. Even though my sister and I are 16 years apart (she was my personal doll baby), we have an extremely tight, loving relationship. I don’t think we have ever spoken or even thought one cross word to each. What a special relationship God created for sisters.
The sisters are really close, EM is very protective of little sister. I love to watch them play together, so sweet. I know you and your sister have a wonderful and loving relationship. Take care, will check on you tomorrow.
Marvelous photos, the beauty in our world is amazing.
Thanks so much Carole!
Wow Butch, you get some beautiful sunsets! Because we live at the foot of the mountains we don’t get to see sunsets like that. And I’m thinking how in the world do you protect your beautiful garden from those deer and turkeys? And yes I saw five also. The moss color you were able to capture is one of my favorite colors. Nature is so beautiful and I spied a large brown leaf under those ravaged pine cones that was beautiful. I suspect miss Pam would not approve of you stopping to take a picture in the middle of a four lane highway. Nor EM or EK. Me too. Look forward to your Sunday post so much that it the first I look for and enjoy. For as long as I can I will worship our Lord and Savior out loud without fear. Stay strong!
Amen Alice! Thanks so much for your encouraging comments. The deer have eaten hydrangeas in our front landscape. I always fear in summer that I will look out the window early one morning and the deer will have invited all their friends over to help them with the “all you can eat buffet”! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Wow, I love your first pic of the sunrise! I pinned immediately. I totally forgot I had a sunrise and sunset board! How could I forget that? I love the scripture too. I think that will be my quote aloud scripture when I see a sunrise or sunset instead of Psalm 19 for a while because it really spoke loudly this morning.
Have a very nice week! Your posts inspire and intrique. I want to look up beech trees.
Thanks Bonnie. Sunrises and sunsets have been gorgeous this winter. Wishing you a beautiful week!
the sunsets have been breathtaking this week, and your photos are incredible! Love the sisters shirts, such cuties, and all the photos of nature…I had no ideas animals ate pinecones! Thank you for another beautiful and uplifting Sunday Pam and Butch!
Jenna
Thanks so much Jenna. Enjoy your week!
Pam and Butch, The sunrise shots are gorgeous! The girls are precious in their sweatshirts. The moss really shows up well against the winter floor. Russia has such beautiful architecture. We really enjoyed visiting. We attended an evening musical performance by their military in a large hall that had beautiful features including lovely red covered seats. They looked most inviting until you sat in them as they had no padding! The musical performance was wonderful and it was sad that the Russian people were not be allowed to see them per our guide. We went in 2008. When we decorate the porch with pine cones, we find them strewn everywhere because the squirrels do love them so. I love seeing the deer and turkey. We have lots of deer but rarely see turkeys. Enjoy your day sweet friends. Clara ❤️
Clara, thank you so much for your sweet comments. Did you visit several cities in Russia? We were only in St. Petersburg. The wild animals are fun to see as long as they are not destroying the yard and flowers. Enjoy your week ♥️
We only saw St Petersburg as we were on a cruise. We stayed 2 days in port. Yes, the wild animals are indeed a nuisance. All our hydrangeas were eaten last year! They now have deer fencing around them. Enjoy your day. Clara ❤️
Hopefully, the deer fencing will work!
Your photos of the sunrise are glorious. I love your shots of the woods, turkeys and deer. And, I do see five.
The girls are so cute in their sweatshirts. Ella looks as though she may be wondering what little sister may do next. They are so precious.
Lovely, post and wishing you and your family a beautiful Sunday and week ahead. Stay well.❤
Thank you Sandra. The girls are so loving toward each other and EM is protective of little sister! Wishing you a lovely week!
Lovely pictures of your gorgeous sunsets. Especially love the girls and their sisters forever sweatshirts. Adorable!💖
Della, I think this is your comment.
Love the pictures of your sunsets. Especially love the pictures of the girls in their sisters forever sweatshirts. Adorable! 💖
Thanks so much Della. The girls are growing too quickly!
Oh, those skies! Here in Michigan we’ve had a lot of cloud cover and are missing these fabulous colors. I love seeing the contrast in the woods, the leaves on the trees and oh, those turkeys and deer. True beauty.
Thank you Jeanie. Winter provides beautiful sunrises and sunsets!
Those sunrises and sunsets are absolutely gorgeous! We have seen a few turkeys and way too many deer around here. The deer are relentless and are eating up our plants and shrubs! I always love seeing all of your everyday living photos from the week. EK and EM are precious! Take care, and I hope you both have a wonderful week ahead!
Shannon, I am so sorry about the deer. They are beautiful, but not so much when they start feasting on your garden. Wishing you a lovely week!
Just breathtaking gifts for Sabbath viewing. Either sunrise or sunset fills one’s palette with astounding, colored beauty. The girls radiate a similar glow and look so fetching in their sweats.
The colors of nature are never quite duplicated by a tube of paint and that great picture of the
moss and and its rustic surroundings is a great case in point. Thank you for the scripture that
rings through your pictures… You both are a spiritual gift and bond to those sheltered in place in
your taking us adventuring through your woodlands.. Butch…your “risky” shots of the fiery sky are gobsmacking. A blessed Sabbath to all.
You are a blessing dear one. Have a lovely week!
Happy Sabbath friends. There is nothing like the Artist of the Universe. The sunrise/sunset shots are spectacular. Your son captured it beautifully. We have had some fabulous sunrises here also. Loved seeing the turkeys and deer roaming your property. I do wish the squirrels would eat our pine ones and leave the bird feeders alone. The girls are just precious in their sweatshirts. Can’t wait til little brother arrives. Your love of adventure comes through your Sunday posts. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for the scripture that reminds us that our Lord is same today and forever. I cannot tell you how I look forward to reading that on every post.
Thank you for your sweet comments, Dianne. Wishing you a most wonderful week!
dear Pam, a varied and beautiful display of the countryside in its purest form. I, who do not live in the country, appreciate a lot to see and know how it behaves and I find it very pleasant.
I observe the two girls how old they are and the beauty of both, they are very beautiful girls, they have a serene beauty … I love them …
I really liked the photo of the Russian palace … It gives an exotic touch … it is really beautiful.
A big hug
Dolores
Hola Dolores, siempre disfruto escucharte con tus dulces y encantadores comentarios. Las niñas están creciendo muy rápido y un niño se les unirá a principios de mayo. Estamos muy emocionados. Nos encanta vivir en el campo, hay paz y tranquilidad. Te deseo una maravillosa semana mi amigo.
Enviándote abrazos,
Pam
Oh those skies. Such richness is one of the gifts of winter. It is a pleasure sharing your Sundays.
Thank you Linda. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Magnificent pictures!!! The girls are adorable, supercute! Thank you,dear friends!
Thank you Maristella for your sweet comments. Have a wonderful week!
Good Morning my friends! Sunsets and Sunrises are all beautiful endings and beginnings! You have captured some gorgeous ones!
Always enjoy seeing EK and EM!
Have a most wonderful week my friends!
Good morning Nancy, thank you for visiting. Happy Monday!
The sunrise and sunset pictures are breathtaking!!
“From the woods to the palace.” That does sound like a country song! Haha!
Thank you Michelle!
Wow! Those sunrise and sunset photos are just amazing! And the moss does look like it is glowing! As always, such a pleasure to visit with you all this morning. God bless you!
Thank you Cheryl! The winter sunrises and sunsets have been amazing!
Breathtaking skies Pam! Your granddaughters are growing so quickly!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thanks so much sweet friend!
Always love seeing your gorgeous photo’s Pam. It’s wonderful to see how each of us admire the sunrise, sunsets and nature from our own little corners of the world. Blessings all around. Much happiness, Suzanne.
Thanks so much Suzanne for your sweet comments. Have a wonderful week!