Hello sweet readers. You don’t often find me posting a blog on Fridays, but here I am. I was hoping to post yesterday, but I just couldn’t find the time to finish. I haven’t posted a “this & that” since May of last year. I decided it was about time!
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
I so enjoy sharing with you my readers, but the blog also serves as a personal journal. As we all know, from March 2020 until just a few weeks ago our lives were different from what we had ever known. A pandemic hit the world and our everyday living suddenly changed!
A dream of mine became a reality last summer and you came along on the journey. I had talked about a potting shed for several years and in late spring, I began putting my ideas on paper. After much consideration, I changed from thoughts of a potting shed to a small cottage that the girls and I could play in. From start to finish, it took seven weeks to complete. It certainly made staying at home much sweeter. We have made so many memories from tea parties to playtimes, and yes sleeping in the cottage. As a matter of fact, we are having a slumber party tonight. A blow up mattress is placed in the middle of the room and this (older) grandmother sleeps on the floor with EM. We haven’t had EK for a cottage slumber party, but she may join us tonight. I will report on how it goes.
October 6 was my sweet Daddy’s 90th birthday. I had planned in my mind a big celebration for this milestone. Obviously, COVID changed those plans. Instead of 40-50 guests, there were only ten of us. Daddy probably enjoyed it more than a large party.
Long-time readers know we love to travel. In late October we decided to see if we could get reservations at our favorite mountain hideaway that had recently opened with guidelines to follow. There were only three nights available in the middle of November and we took advantage of them. While we were there, we got the news that our daughter-in-love’s father had been in an accident. Three days later our hearts were broken when he passed away.
The Sunday before Thanksgiving our son began feeling bad. On Monday our DIL was not feeling so well and by Tuesday Butch was feeling poorly. On Wednesday all three of them were pretty sure they had the dreaded virus. Thanksgiving plans suddenly changed. I was feeling fine and continued preparing all of our traditional dishes. I packed up food for our son’s family and placed it on the porch for him to pick up. I wore mask and gloves and opened my Daddy’s kitchen door and placed his food just inside the door. Friday morning all of them, including the girls, waited in line to be tested. Thankfully the girls were negative, Butch, Seth, and Allie all tested positive. Seth and Allie had very mild cases, she was running on day three. Butch had a rough time, but thankfully he never had any serious breathing problems. Since I didn’t get the virus, I made an appointment to be checked for antibodies. I was shocked when the test came back negative. December and January were the worst months for the virus in our area. We lost a total of nine friends…it was so devastating for all of those families. Three members in one family passed away, a mother, daughter, and son-in-law. Most of these nine people did not have a funeral. It has been such a sad time that families were unable to have a proper funeral or memorial service for their loved ones. I am so thankful that my Daddy did not get the virus and that Butch recovered after a few weeks. We are vaccinated and hopefully our country is recovering.
On a lighter note, I had so much fun decorating the cottage for Christmas. The somewhat famous nutcrackers moved to the Sunshine Cottage porch.
I felt like a kid placing collections and toys in the cottage! The girls loved it and we spent many hours playing during Christmas.
In December big news was shared publicly by the Queen and Princess…a baby brother was coming!!!
Our tradition of using the Bethlehem dishes that tell the story of our Savior’s birth continued even though most of our family was not gathered for Christmas dinner. Traditions are so important to me.
It was a joy to spend Christmas with the girls. They are a constant bright spot in our lives! Their laughter was especially wonderful during the pandemic.
Our blue-eyed Princess turned two in late March. We had a small outdoor birthday party at our house to celebrate her day! I have photos that are hilarious with pizza and cake all over her face.
Early April, my precious man had a birthday ending in a zero. I won’t say which one. He and I celebrated at our favorite Italian restaurant in Birmingham. It was perfect weather for dining alfresco! I also had big plans for his special birthday, but because of the virus those plans did not happen.
Late April, on the anniversary of my beloved Mother’s home-going, our precious grandson was born. The hospital only allowed the dad to be present. We understood, but we had been present for the births of our granddaughters and were able to see them when they were only a few minutes old. We patiently waited for our prince to arrive home and visit with his sisters for a bit before we saw the little man for the first time!
Our Queen turned five in May! Where did the time go? She had a friends’ party with over 20 children attending. It was exciting and loud! EM kept talking about also wanting a family party. Last Sunday, we combined her family party and Memorial Day with a cookout, birthday cake, and homemade ice cream at our house. For the first time since October, my Daddy, brother, SIL, Butch, and I were together. It was quite emotional but it was tears of joy to all be back together.
This is a Monday Morning Blooms post from last June and I was pleasantly surprised…
…when I opened my current May/June issue of Southern Lady magazine. It is a small recognition, but makes me smile. It had been a couple of years since I had made this page.
I know many of my readers are not on Instagram. This collage shows a few features…three from Hoffman Media and one from April Cornell. It is always a thrill to be featured on a company’s Instagram square or story.
I close with the first family picture of five. It has been quite the journey for this family since last July. Sold their home, moved into a camper, began building a new house, had a baby, and moved into the new home the week following the birth.
Thank you for indulging me as I have highlighted this past year. Time nor space allowed for many other things that happened along the way. We are grateful for God’s goodness in our lives. With your help, a community of love and support for one another has been built as we share our Everyday Living. You are all like friends, although we’ve never met. Many of you have shared needs and prayer requests. I feel humbled to pray for you each day, and very grateful that you are thoughtful in your prayers and encouragements for me and my family.
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a delightful weekend!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
What a moving and memorable year and look back Pam. A year we don’t wish to repeat and so poignant for many, especially for a family that lost three family members to COVID. I love seeing your grands girls and their new baby brother Wyatt…what a beautiful family they are, parents included! I didn’t realize Wyatt was born on anniversary of your mom’s passing, what a blessing and gift. Congratulations on your features, Happy Friday ♥
Thanks so much Mary for your sweet and encouraging comments. Wishing you a lovely Sunday. We have rain forecasted for every day this week.
Just beautiful. I truly enjoyed this post. God bless
Thanks so much, Judy! Have a lovely week!
Darling Pam, I am so happy you put this collage of memories together and shared it with us. What a treasure for the grandchildren in years to come too. I know your dear mother was smiling down on the day Wyatt was born. I had planned a big celebration for my mother-in-law’s 95th Birthday that did not happen either. I have been MIA the last week bc she decided to move from a 2 bedroom to a studio apartment, and it took me exactly a week to get the job done. She seems much happier in her little snuggery…96 now, living with her 19 yo cat!
Wow, your MIL moved at age 96 into a studio apartment. How amazing that she lives alone with her 19 year old cat. Thank you always for your sweet encouragement, Roxanne!
What a wonderful post journaling the highlights and lowlights of the past 15 mos, Pam. So happy Butch and your Daddy were able to celebrate their milestone birthdays, and I have to think the intimacy of small gatherings probably made them that much more special. I didn’t realize the significance of Wyatt’s birthday! And Alyson deserves a purple heart for all that she’s been through, seriously. Mothers seem to grow their capacity with each and every demand, amazing. The devastation of COVID was/is immeasurable when it comes to the family unit, let alone the economy. That picture of Butch in mask speaks volumes to survival, while the sadness of those friends lives’ lost weighs heavy on the heart (and I imagine the psyche of your loved ones. who recovered). Congratulations on the recognition in the media publications. I have saved my May/June So Lady to read last of my recent magazines because I love it so much, and hadn’t seen that yet! Have a wonderful weekend.
Rita, I have been amazed to watch Allyson this year. She truly has handled all of the challenges with grace. Thank you for your encouraging and sweet comments!
That was a beautiful re-cap of the last year. Your grandchildren are so beautiful and how special that you do sleep overs in the cottage! I’m amazed that your son and DIL sold their home and lived in a camper while building a new home and with her being pregnant! The icing on her cake was being able to move in right after Wyatt was born! Beautiful family pictures! It does make you feel good to be acknowledged and published. Congratulations!
Thank you Liz for your sweet comments. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Thank you for sharing your family with us. They are beautiful and so blessed. I so enjoyed reading your post this morning! I have been inspired by your gardens, your travels and your table settings. So glad I found your blog!
Debbie, thank you for your sweet comments and I am so glad you found my blog. Wishing you a wonderful week!
I am so thankful that your family and mine made it through the pandemic. I give our Lord and Savior all praise for protection. My sweetie got the virus and passed it on to me. I recited Psalms 91 and never worried. After all if you believe what the Bible says why would anyone ever worry. We now have long term antibodies. Thank you Jesus! I loved the random memories of your 2020. Especially your dads 90th birthday and Seth’s family photo.
Alice, I am so thankful that you and your sweetie survived the virus. Yes, if we believe what the Bible says, we should never worry. Thank you for your sweet comments!
No matter what happens in life, everyday living never stops. Your post this morning is a true testament to that. It is so heartbreaking the pain that we have witnessed others experience this past year. I had a similar Thanksgiving to yours last year. My mom always cooks dinner, but a couple of days before Thanksgiving my dad was exposed to COVID. Not wanting to expose anyone else, they decided to cancel Thanksgiving. So we made the best of a terrible situation. We shared our groceries and left them on the porch for each other. We each cooked our separate meal, but at dinner time we “face-timed” and said grace together as we always have. I’ll never forget that memory. This past weekend my house was full of family and friends…no one declined their invitation to celebrate Caroline’s graduation. We had the best time…my heart was about to burst. I didn’t want anyone to go home! You have such a beautiful family, and I know those sweet girls are going to have fun at their slumber party tonight. I always loved staying with both of my grandmothers and have such wonderful memories. Enjoy your time with those precious girls, my dear friend! Have a wonderful weekend!
Shannon, I am so glad your family and friends could all be together to celebrate Caroline’s graduation. We missed our times with family and friends and to be reunited is a blessing. Thank you for your sweet comments, my friend!
Pam, You had quite an eventful year which you encapsulated beautifully. We are all so thankful that Butch, Seth, and Allie recovered from Covid-19 without having to be hospitalized. Hopefully Butch is 100% now with his sense if smell. Wyatt’s birthday is even more special due to the meaningful date. The loss of friends due to Covid-19 is especially difficult since funerals were so different. We know Allie misses her Dad as does her Mom. An accident is hard to wrap your head around due to the suddeness of it. We’re so happy you, your sweet Daddy and the girls remained Covid19 free. You were a good caregiver to everyone during the holidays. We know it was stressful. We’re so happy you were able to gather once again. The joy of the girls and precious Wyatt is such a blessing. Your Sunshine Cottage is beautiful and has already seen lots of lovely memories. Congratulations on the magazine recognition. You deserve it. You bring us all much happiness. Allie was quite the trooper during her pregnancy. She had a lot of challenges. God bless her! Hopefully we’re on the right road for a more normal year. Enjoy your sleepover! Give your sweet Daddy a hug from us! Clara❤️
Clara, your sweet and encouraging comments are big blessings that warm my heart. We had a wonderful sleepover, I was a little stiff yesterday morning, but otherwise ok! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead ❤️
What a beautiful and emotional post, so much love put into all this!! Love you Pam!!!!! And hopefully everything is getting back to normal.
Thank you so much. Sending my love!
What a lovely journal of this past year. Praising God that your family made it through the sickness of Covid. And we continue to pray for those families who lost family due to Covid.
Butch in the mask… brought tears to my eyes… who would ever of thought we would have gone through what we all did because of this pandemic. Thankfully due to vaccinations we are beginning to have our normalcy back. Family reunions mean more then anything now!
Having baby Wyatt born on your Mom’s anniversary of her passing was such a sweet blessing. And I am amazed what Seth and Alyson went through this past year.
Seeing the collages of your grandchildren fills my heart with Joy! I can Imagine how all of your hearts are… 😊
And I am always so happy to see you recognized on Instagram! But to see your picture in print in Southern Living magazine… is priceless! Congratulations!
This was a beautiful post dear friend… I am so happy to call you Friend… We will meet one day!
Enjoy your weekend and all your Blessings!
Thank you Nancy for your sweet comments, they truly warm my heart. Yes, we will meet one day. Have a wonderful week, my friend!
I consider ya’ll as friends too. I told one of my daughters the other day that I love my Christian friends on social media even though I don’t know them in person. I appreciate so much and feel a kinship with those who aren’t afraid to share scripture and their belief.
I love hearing about your family and watching your grandchildren grow up.(too quickly!)
I also love looking at your garden and tablescapes. Always beautiful.
Thank you.
Nancy, thank you for your sweet and encouraging words. Wishing you a lovely week!
Your post this morning brought tears to my eyes Pam, both happy and sad…you were certainly blessed to be able to see the girls during lockdown, seeing my children and grands is what kept me sane during this challenging year. I can’t believe you never got the virus when Butch and your son and DIL got it! I am so sorry you lost so many friends, such a cruel disease…On the plus side you did build your dream cottage and have already filled it with memories, and also you have a new grandson to love…How wonderful for your Dad to see his family grow and prosper. I continue to be amazed at the speed that we all of a sudden got back to normal, shopping without masks, being able to travel without fear, dining in restaurants…one thing I thing we all learned last year is to be grateful for even the smallest things {not to mention toilet paper 😂} Have fun at your slumber party and have a wonderful, normal weekend!
💕Jenna
Jenna, your sweet comments are uplifting and encouraging. The small things are no longer small. Seeing my dad and the grands were big blessings!
You have beautifully captured the joy of your everyday living for the past year. It has been marked by challenges and loss but also the blessings that flowed. I always marvel at the ways our lives parallel in so many ways. My Mother passed on my daughter’s birthday five years ago. I begged God to not let this happen as I sat by her bedside. We celebrate Jenn and Mother on the same day now. There is a blessing if we open our eyes to God’s ways. I have so loved the Sunshine Cottage and the joy it has added to your life. You have a beautiful family and I am excited to watch Wyatt’s development with his beautiful sisters. Your gardens are amazing and I so love seeing your beautiful blooms. I am so proud of your accomplishments as showcased in Victoria, Southern Lady and AC. You are blessed with such talent. It is truly amazing…I can never express to you the inspiration you have been to me in encouraging a new blogger. There are no words to express my gratitude. You live your faith. May God continue to bless you and your family. Thank you!
Thank you Dianne. Your sweet comments certainly warm my heart. It does seem that our lives parallel. Wishing you a wonderful summer!
LOVE …
Thank you Linda!
Pam, I love this post and your look back. It’s a beautiful slice (or series of slices) of life from a tough year but one where you managed to find beauty and joy. I knew Butch had the virus but I don’t think I knew about the others. I’m so grateful you, your Daddy and the girls were spared and that in the end, all are doing well. That last photo of your family says it all — such love and joy. Here’s to a series of new adventures — hopefully much safer, healthier ones.
Thanks so much Jeanie. Yes, hopefully new adventures that are safe. I really want to travel again!
I loved this so much. What a beautiful look back at good times and some not so good, but you handled it all with such grace.
I must ask- Does your hear skip a beat when you see your little garden house? Mine does.
Thanks so much Nonie. Yes, I sometimes get teary-eyed over the sweet blessing of the garden cottage!
Loving your post Pam!! So touching, and heartfelt. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Kathleen!
I don’t think there is an estimate of the range of joy and inspiration you give to us through your recounting of the everyday living of your lives together, but at the core
is your steadfast faith, no matter the circumstances, bringing hope and acceptance
as reward.Bless you for sharing your beautiful Family and the memories wrought this
past year… you probably kept a number of us going and keeping on, Pam and Butch,
so that we emerged after the pandemic, the lesser and greater, for having witnessed
our capacity for survival by His grace and care and by your inspiration. Our grateful
hearts are yours, dear friends.
As always, your words of love and encouragement warm my heart. Thank you so very much!
Such a lovely post Pam highlighting the last year. I have enjoyed every minute of it. So sorry the family was ill and I was saddened by the loss of so many lives. Sunshine cottage is such a wonderful place for you and your sweet grands to sleep and have those fabulous tea parties. Sweet memories in the making. Have a lovely weekend.
Thank you so much Linda for your sweet comments!
Pam, so many highs and lows you’ve experienced in the last 15 months. It brought both smiles and tears to my eyes. It’s always lovely to read your posts, and see your steadfast trust in God. It’s always inspiring.
Blessings
RR
Rachelle, your sweet comments blessed my heart. Thank you so much!
Wonderful post,dear Pam…God bless you and yours!
Thanks so much my friend!
What a blessing to read your year in review post tonight. 2020 was definitely a year filled with many hard things and devastating losses. I don’t know about you, but those hard times certainly made the good times feel all the sweeter. I’m so very thankful your family could mark yourselves ‘survivors’ of Covid. It just amazes me that in the midst of all of that, you and Butch managed to squeeze in so many creatively wonderful things…and adding a grandson too! How exciting. I pray God’s richest blessings on you and your family.
Thanks so much Cindie. Your kind words warm my heart!
God has been so gracious to you & yours Pam! What a beautiful testimony of the past year in not only surviving CoVid but thriving! Praising God for His tender mercies! ♥
Blessings,
Jennifer
I am sorry I am late to visit this post. It is a touching and beautiful post highlighting God’s faithfulness and strength. You are indeed His servant.
It is good to reflect and share our struggles and blessings.
I am thankful for the vaccines and the hope they have brought to us. It is so good to feel almost normal again.
Thanks so much Bonnie. It was just a little snippet of the journey!
Such a beautiful post – brings the tears it is so full of love. Wishing you all a beautiful and happy summer, full of everything you hold dear.
Thank you my sweet friend!