Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 346

~ Everyday Living, Faith, Fathers Day, Simple + Southern Sunday

Welcome Summer & Happy Father’s Day

 
“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
Psalm‬ ‭68:5‬ ‭

Pam’s dad, better known as PawPaw, celebrated 90 years last fall. For the first time in many months, the family will gather at his house today for what I know will be a wonderful meal!

Seth and I were able to continue our yearly winter photo shoot wearing camo. It’s a father, son thing. I realize we are hard to spot since we have on camouflage but we are there. Obviously not the first day of summer when Pam snapped this one. Early February if I remember correctly.

 

Now a daddy of 3, Seth, along with Allison, EM and EK were celebrating Wyatt being at home. However, Wyatt Lee doesn’t seem to be the least bit interested in joining the party or affected by the attention.

PJ took me to my favorite restaurant for a Father’s Day treat. Pork, polenta, fresh in season veggies and focaccia bread with Bottega’s special olive oil blend almost filled me up…but there was room left for peach cobbler. It was especially nice to dine in!!

PJ prepared the wonderful Father’s Day meal that I’ve already mentioned but turned down my assistance. I first thought that it was in recognition of a special day for dads and she wanted me to relax. I had offered to gather these and other mushroom varieties to be included with some of today’s food selections. It finally occurred to me that my mushroom identification skills were not trusted!
 

This is Martha’s Vineyard. No, really, it is! Our friend Martha has the neatest little vineyard up on Sand Mountain not too far from us. Some of the vines are 38 years old. We’ve been to the one off the Massachusetts coast but this Martha’s Vineyard is much much easier to get to!

I took what I called an aquatic stroll last week to see what might be in bloom around the summer solstice (officially tonight, June 20, 10:32 PM central). A few weeks or even a few days can bring about a different look as the outdoors are constantly changing. 

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭

A native to eastern North America, “Lizard’s Tail” grows near water or in shallow water. Easy to see where the common name comes from!

Water hyacinth…purple seems to be a dominant color in todays post but Emma is pleased. She told us last week that purple was her favorite color!

Pickerel weed,  growing here amongst the lizard’s tails, is another native aquatic found in our area! It is just showing up but will probably bloom until cooler weather. I think I remember seeing it in September.

Meanwhile back at the ranch…with no tortoise present, the race adjusted to feature the rooster and the hare!

Rose of Sharon is a summertime indicator. We planted one last autumn that is supposed to have white blooms but it is still small and may not bloom this year.

 

The gladiolas are very showy but often suffer when a gusty summer storm passes through. As tropical storm Claudette comes by this weekend it will be interesting to see how they fare. We expect mostly rain here in north Alabama.

As I was nearing home one afternoon I spotted a group of purple flowers in the middle of an overgrown roadside shoulder. Again, Emma, lover of purple, would be proud that I turned around to investigate. Looks like phlox to me??

The Barbarian Challenge is an event held at nearby Noccalula Falls Park. I happened along yesterday after the challenge was underway and was shocked at the number of people that the event draws. So glad to see folks out and about. This has to be a boost for the local economy as well. There were vehicles parked in every direction for a stretch of about 1/2 mile! With the tropical system arriving during the day, everyone was challenged to stay dry. 

 
Here’s hoping you enjoy the longest day of the year ( although all days have 24 hours, you know what I mean). Have a great first week of the astronomical summer! I noted some record high temps last week in places like Montana and Wyoming but here in Alabama we have experienced a cooler than normal June.

Again…Happy Father’s Day to all whom it applies!

”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 Lind

Comments

  1. What a full variety of pics and topics. Your tone of Martha’s Vineyard is just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek. Great post

    Reply

  2. I love the generational Father’s Day photos, Butch! Happy Father’s Day. Wonderful first day of summer captures.

    Reply

  4. It’s a beautiful day in your neck of the woods! Thank you for sharing all things bright and beautiful … Father’s Day has a very dear meaning, doesn’t it …

    Bless.

    Reply

  6. Happy Father’s Day to Butch, Seth, and your sweet Dad. The family photos are just wonderful. Enjoy this special day. Praise God for wonderful fathers.

    Reply

  7. More wonderful photos! A big Happy Father’s Day to all the men. I think the best news was that at long last you could have that wonderful family dinner. Loved the bunnies and all the gardening treats. That mushroom looks like a fairy house — I’m sure there is a wee door nearby!

    Reply

  8. Such a sweet post. happy Father’s Day to the men in your family. I love the generational Father’s Day’s photos.
    The flowers look amazing. Everything looks so fresh and green. Enjoy the day.

    Reply

  9. A blessed Fathers’ Day to the men in this wonderful family – Pam’s dear Daddy, Butch and Seth. Imagine, one day little Wyatt will join those ranks. Cherish the time together on this special day. I know the girls will capture the love in their memories of your gathering. All the photos tell the tale so well… a Family dedicated to His Way, in communion with the nature surrounding them. Bless you for this Sabbath treat. (Indeed, there is a wee door there)

    Reply

  10. Adorable picture of Paw Paw, Butch and Seth ! Wonderful post ! God bless all of you, dear friends. Thank you for sharing such beauty and happiness.

    Reply

  11. Happy Fathers Day Butch. I love your sense of humor! And all the new species I haven’t run into.

    Reply

  12. Happy Father’s Day to Butch, Seth, and Paw-Paw! I know it will be special to all be together.
    Have a great day.

    Reply

  13. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads in your family! The pic of Seth with his family is adorable. I always enjoy seeing your sweet Daddy, Pam. The pic with Seth and Butch is always good. I know your meal was delicious! So glad Emma has declared purple as her favorite color. EM has pink and EK has purple so they can play well off each other. The sky pic is so pretty. Hopefully Claudette didn’t do any harm in your area. Was sad over the tornado damage in southern AL. I haven’t had internet since yesterday so I was delighted to finally get to see your post. Enjoy your evening. Clara ❤️

    Reply

  15. A blessed Father’s Day Butch! We celebrate Father’s Day in September here in Australia…
    And we won’t be having a mushroom meal from you, those are highly poisonous! Lol!
    I’ve not trusted anyone picking would “mushrooms” after an expert stated that at times he can’t tell some varieties from each other either! 😬
    Lovely post!
    Bless you both,
    Jennifer

    Reply

  16. Happy Father’s Day to you Butch! I love seeing Pam’s father and you with your son and he with his children! Very nice.
    Enjoy your week…

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *