“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 100:5
One of Pam’s garden pics that I thought was a cheery, feel good kind of photo that I just had to borrow and use to start things off today. A happy scene! May your scenes be happy ones today!
August is kudzu month in the south. Well, not officially, only my designation! This vine has captured pine needles and seems to have a good grip. The plant is invasive and is hard to contain. The blooms however deserve recognition as they are quite elegant and have an awesome sweet smell. I’ll have to go on memory for the smell but I do remember! A southern writer once said that people in the south were afraid to sleep with their windows open at night in the summer for fear of kudzu coming in. While it does grow very fast, that might be an exaggeration!
As I wandered around the woods last week I kept finding flowers on vines. It prompted me to think about how many very pretty blooms are found on vines. I am tempted to put together a post highlighting vines. Best I can figure, this is a downey milk pea.
Another vine only a few feet from the one above caught my eye. I researched this one and it appears to be a snoutbean. This is in the pea family and a legume. It is a native plant, and while some sources I checked did not indicate it in Alabama, it does grow here.
Hydrangeas and crepe myrtles make for a nice summer scene at the chapel at Noccalula Falls Park.
I finally caught a swallowtail holding still long enough for a pic. We haven’t seen the number of butterflies this season that we typically see. That is a bit of a mystery to us. The numbers are way down???
Pam loved her entree at Bottega last week and I was allowed a sample tasting. Absolutely delicious. Chanterelle risotto with creamed corn and parmigiano-reggiano. I am a fan of all things risotto!
Rosepink is another native plant to the eastern US. This pretty example was growing almost in the middle of one of the trails I hike.
Winged sumac is abundant by August. It is another fast grower.
I stumbled across this fungus (Clavulina) growing on decaying material on the forest floor. It was near an area along a creek that I had not ventured to in a number of years. The main reason is the thick underbrush that I don’t wish to tear through. And snakes! But it was worth the trouble since I was able to also find…
…a long stretch of rock that lines a curve in the creek. Gentle water was flowing this day but the rock reveals dozens of grooves where faster moving water has eroded the rocky embankment. This is a small section of what is actually 40-50 yards long. In the 60’s we’d call this “groovy”. (In the mid 60’s everything was groovy!)
I suppose we are taking a tour of our north Alabama vineyards. Seriously, we do have real vineyards nearby. It is a little tough to grow grapes here but some folks are making it happen! But for now, how about a butterfly pea vine. I understand some people make a tea from the blooms of some of the plants in this genus.
Looking back this week to 2015 and the view from our veranda on St. Maarten. Needless to say our condo was as close as you would ever wish to be to the end of a runway.
I hiked about 3 miles Saturday which included a visit underneath Noccalula Falls. It had been many years since I was beneath the falls and the route to get there is completely different than it was all those years ago. Some dryer August days have now limited the flow, but it was still very good having an opportunity to catch the view and get some exercise as a bonus. Noccalula Falls Park really has a lot to offer. Check it out if you find yourself in northeast Alabama.
Wishing you a blessed 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 Lind
Judy says
Fantastic pictures. Love the plane shot and the one under the falls. Thanks so much for sharing.
Have a blessed week.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks so much, Judy. Wishing you a lovely week!
Rita C. says
Interesting vines, but I deplore kudzu! Butterflies have been noticeably less here this year also, but August so far has more than July. Isn’t that St Maarten insane?! I love your hikes, Butch, and all that you point out. Have a wonderful Sunday, you two.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
I wonder what happened to our butterflies! Have a great day, Rita!
Gail says
Wow. All beautiful. Thanks for identifying the plants
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Our pleasure, thank you Gail!
Stacy says
Your post reminds me of my childhood. I spent hours hiking and exploring in the woods, noticing rock formations, wildflowers, and fungi. I need to get back in the woods more. I’ve never hiked the trails around the falls but I’ve always wanted to! We were right across the street Saturday eating at a favorite little restaurant!
Thanks for the inspiration on this beautiful Sunday morning!
P.S. I love the sweet smell of kudzu blooms!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Stacy, if you like to hike you would enjoy the trails around the falls. Have a wonderful day!
the Painted Apron says
Beautiful photos of Mother Nature’s creations, and pass the risotto please!! Happy Sunday~
Jenna
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Jenna, the risotto was amazing!
Clara says
Pam and Butch, I love when you take us along on your treks. I see blooms I’ve never paid attention to before. They’re all so lovely and colorful. That rock formation is interesting. It’s amazing how water changes the rock. Behind the falls looks cool and inviting, especially today! The St. Maarten airport looks like only experienced pilots should be able to land planes there! You definitely couldn’t be a bit off! We’ve never landed by air there, only by cruise ship. It’s such a pretty island. Enjoy your day sweet friends. Clara❤️
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Clara, we were amazed at the large KLM that landed once a day. People line the beach to take photos. We just walked outside the door onto the balcony.
Have a wonderful day♥️
Nancy says
Good Morning Friends! I am calling these posts “It’s Another Sunday Morning Stroll with Butch.”
Nature at its finest in your neck of the woods… literally!
And we are not seeing as many butterflies as well. So I am wondering…
Happy Sunday Friends!
PS… cool shot of the airplane!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
That is a good name for the Sunday posts. Have a lovely day dear one!
Heritage Hall says
Another beautiful stroll through Butch’s/Pam’s world to tuck away in the memory bank. Fauna, food, flights, falls, faith and
friendship…. all covered. Ever grateful… Have a blessed Sabbath, all.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you, Mary. Butch covered it all this week. Have a blessed week ♥️
Roxanne Bernard says
Butch, I always imagined writing a Stephen King-type novel where a car breaks in the woods at night; when the driver awakens in the morning, the car is completely engulfed in kudzu! That’s as far as I got with the plot lol. Is that type sumac one of the ones that produce a miserable, itchy rash? Next time you visit Highlands, but sure to see Bridal Veil Falls, I think they still allow cars to drive under it.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Your novel thoughts are hilarious, Roxanne. We always visit Bridal Veil Falls in Highlands, we love waterfalls. Butch said this is not the poisonous sumac that causes rash and itching.
Have a blessed week!
Bonnie Morgan says
I am slowly coming out of hibernation and it was great to read your post today. I’m loving the risotto dish too!
Your nature walks are enjoyable and educational but the pic of the KLM plane will stick with me. Looks so close.
Happy Sunday.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Bonnie, we were staying with friends in a penthouse and literally the KLM was right outside our bedroom. There was only one flight a day, but people lined the beach to see the largest jet that lands there!
So glad you are feeling better!
Kari says
Love the strolls Butch shares with us. We learn so much and I agree that the possibility of snakes keeps one a bit leery of some woods’ paths. The KLM plane brings back memories of people crowding the beach during landings, etc…..thank you both for your friendship and sharing. Happy Lord’s Day.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you sweet Kari! Wishing you a blessed week my friend!
Maristella says
Beautiful pictures,dear friends. Blessings.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you my friend!
Alice Genzlinger says
I’m not sure if you didn’t return home on time one day that Pam would ever find you Butch. But I hope she would forgive me for wanting you to take your hikes and share your finds. The groovy rocks are a sight to see. A machete might be helpful on your walks to get through the vines and to remove a few heads from snakes. Yikes! I might have to try the risotto recipe. Looks yummy.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Alice, I would be delighted for you to take some of Butch’s hikes and he would love to hear your stories and knowledge. Alice, the risotto was amazing!
Janet says
Butch, I think all of the butterflies must be here in South Carolina. I’ve seen an abundance of them, especially in the last couple of weeks. Of course, I have several butterfly bushes planted throughout my yard and maybe that has helped to attract them. I’ve especially seen a lot of Eastern Swallowtails. So pretty,
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Janet, we always have lots of butterflies. I guess they all have taken up residence in South Carolina! Happy week to you and yours!
Patti Fralix says
Pam and Butch, having you with us in St. Maarten was a special time. I was looking at our photos recently. As I type this I am on a more than one and a half hour phone hold waiting to try to get an appointment to expedite my passport. We are scheduled to leave for St. Maarten 8/21, and my passport expired in June. I had no idea it would take for it to be renewed, so I started the process in mid June. Hopefully, it will work out. If not, I have done all that I can. Love to all.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you my friend. Hopefully the passport issues will be resolved. Love to you and Mike!
marmeladegypsy says
I’m glad there is at least something good about kudzu. I knew it was invasive but didn’t know about the sweet blooms. And I have to say, that risotto looks just fabulous! Happy week to you all!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Jeanie, the risotto was amazing!
Sandra at Maison De Jardin says
Good morning, Butch and Pam. I so enjoyed this post as I always do on Sunday mornings. Always a grand start to my day. My day got away from me and now it finds me commenting on Monday morning. I wonder if it is age?
The risotto looks amazing, it is a favorite of ours. I seem to only make it on winter days. Maybe I should correct that.
We have not seen many butterflies this summer either – that is quite concerning to me.
Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderful week!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
I don’t like to admit, but age finds me being a little slower, but hopefully more intentional. Where are our butterflies?
Happy week!
inspiredbyjoydianne says
I enjoy these hikes and learn so much. Your garden shot was simply beautiful. Always a blessing..thank you!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you dear one.
Cheryl says
So wonderful to visit your beautiful blog this morning! That view from behind the water fall is just amazing! There is so much beauty in this world God created for us – your post reminded me of the Dolly Parton song, “God’s Coloring Book.” May He richly bless you all today!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
God’s creation is always breathtaking!