“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3
Magical mornings greeted us again last week. I can’t take credit for this pre-sunrise stroll however, PJ was out and about early! With daylight saving time now in hibernation, the sunrises this week will come an hour earlier. Did you remember to “fall back” with those clocks?
Morning dew covers our adagio maiden grass as the sun peeps through. This grass adds a lot of architecture/variety and is a good addition to the garden when it pops out every spring and summer. I cut it almost to the ground each winter but not until January because it also offers a really nice autumn look and seems to fit the season.
Lookout Mountain was covered with a blanket one morning last week (the same morning as the previous pics). With a little imagination I was dreaming snow covered. OK, a lot of imagination, but what’s wrong with a small amount of pretending. We did have our first 30ish temps of the season predicted for the weekend, and sure enough, we had our first frost yesterday. Scattered and light but frost nonetheless!
Although this church is about 30 minutes away, PJ and I try to get by every year about this time on a sunny day. You can see why!
These pillars are remains of the railroad trestle that once stood here, part of the almost 92 mile stretch of railroad that was completed in 1891 according to a nearby historical marker. The route ran from Chattanooga, TN to Gadsden, AL, and actually handled passenger service until 1951. The trestle crossed over the creek just below Yellow Creek Falls. I understand there was a terrible train wreck that occurred here in 1924. I also read the steel bridge that once rested on these pillars is now resting near the south end of the former line in Gadsden, AL. I need to check that out!
The Queen and Princess briefly gave up their titles last Sunday afternoon. I was told who they were but honestly I was not familiar with the characters. Owlette and Fancy Nancy is what I believe they told me? I guess I am very much behind the times in some ways. But we loved ’em whoever they were!
When you follow a path like this where it is evident change is in the air, you automatically anticipate that this trail leads to something nice…
…and when this is at the end of the trail you know it was worth the steps to get here!
A view of Little River in NE Alabama. We noticed a wide range of fall progress around the river and canyon. Some with only color beginnings, others at peak, and quite a few trees with leaves gone already.
Capturing brilliant shades of orange was not hard to do last week on one of our short afternoon drives…
…and when the background is a very blue autumn sky it even makes it better.
While orange may stand out a little more from a distance, yellow/gold was still the most dominant, widely spread color along our drive.
And what about a picnic beneath orange and gold? We didn’t pack a lunch so could only dream of a table full of goodies!
This mountain maple may be getting a head start on Christmas with it’s red and green display!
Is life over when the bloom fades? I think not. How about my fall favorite, the goldenrod? Another encouraging lesson to consider as I observe the Creator’s creation!
In the summer of 2014 PJ was somewhere down in Texas!
We have enjoyed the Sunshine Cottage this fall, especially PJ and the girls. I obtained information from a local source that the cottage would soon switch over to a Christmas theme. I am wondering who will be coming by to make the changes?
”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
I love all the pictures of the trees in their colors and I am jealous of your walks especially the one along the bridge, I can almost smell the woods. Nothing like it. The sunshine cottage is set in the perfect location for a Fall color. And the Queen and Princess make me smile in their costumes. Memories are made of this. Oh that’s a song. Looking forward to more of your walks, Butch.
Thank you Alice for your heartwarming comments. Wishing you a wonderful week♥️
Beautiful photos! We have more gold here than other colors as well, with some brilliant orange and red here and there.
Thank you, Carole!
Pam and Butch- The colors are fabulous in the photos. Love the church pic. The falls are always beautiful. The ornamental grasses are lovely in the fall. Looking forward to seeing the Sunshine Cottage for Christmas. The girls are cute in their costumes. I’m not familiar with the characters either but they’re adorable! I always enjoy Simple and Southern Sundays with you both. Clara ❤️
Thank you dear one. Wishing you a beautiful autumn week ♥️
Good morning, Butch and Pam. Such lovely photos – I love them all. My favorites are the beautiful little church. The memories it holds and it looks so peaceful. A light to all. Then those precious girls. They look so happy – whoever they are. I do know who will be turning Sunshine Cottage into a Christmas Wonderland. I believe the elf’s name is PJ. Happy day and week to all of you!
Thank you, Sandra. When I was a child, we always passed the church on our way to my grandparents, a sweet memory. Wishing you a delightful week!
Oh I can’t wait to see the Sunshine Cottage decorated for Christmas! Gorgeous fall photos today, the color of the trees now in the south is breathtaking. My favorite part of Simple Southern Sunday is seeing the grands, EK is really growing up! Enjoy this beautiful Sunday!
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna! Let the decorating begin!
How well you both capture the beauty of your surroundings… particularly Owlette and Fancy Nancy, true beauties. Butch, bless you for affirming to this fading blossom that life is not over when the bloom fades. Your photos of Autumn’s farewell show that its brightest color and verve are visible even toward end. It was so gratifying this morning to walk down “the path”, pass the Church, contemplate the trestle and stop to rest at the welcoming Sunshine cottage. Grateful…. Have a blessed Sabbath, dear ones.
Mary, your comments warm our hearts. Wishing you a delightful Autumn Sunday!
First, I have to say the girls look absolutely adorable in their costumes. Also, Miss Emma is the perfect Fancy Nancy with that pretty red hair. I used to read the books to my Caroline when she was little. I can’t wait to see Sunshine Cottage adorned for Christmas. Wishing you both a beautiful day and happy week ahead!
Thank you dear one. Looking forward to sharing the blog hop with you. Happy Sunday!
Gorgeous pictures of God,s earth and Mother Nature. Your granddaughters are adorable.
Thanks so much, Della. Have a beautiful Sunday!
What a lovely Sunday! It’s beautiful in your part of the world. And I don’t know the girls’ characters either, but they certainly are rocking the costumes! Four-star adorable!
Thank you, Jeanie! Enjoy your week.
Adorable Grands and wonderful landscapes…Breathtaking… Hugs and blessings!
Thank you, Maristella ♥️
I loved seeing the girls in their Halloween costumes…the happiness on their faces is priceless. And the story of the railroad trestle is so interesting. The woods ablaze in fall colors is something I never tire of seeing. Today my sister and I drove up to Cashiers and over to Highlands; the leaves looked like jewels in the sunlight.
Thank you, Roxanne. I missed visiting Highlands this year.
Enjoyable post. I felt as if I were there with you enjoying the fall colors.
The girls are adorable in their costumes.
Looking forward to all the Christmas decorations at the Sunshine cottage.Funny how the seasons change so quickly and the time changes and even though we know it is time we feel a little shocked!
Thank you, Bonnie. I have started a little Christmas decorating.
The beautiful fall colors in all your pictures are stunning!
The littles look like they had fun for Halloween… you do know I am sometimes called Fancy Nancy.
The church and the falls were my favorite.
Enjoy your new week!
Now I have a new name for you 😂 Thank you Fancy Nancy!
🤣🤣 And when you read Fancy Nancy the Childhood Books… think of me! 🤣🤣
I will 🤗
dear friends … Yes, it’s me !!! … already “resurrected”. Well now I will start my usual wonderful routines as it is to enjoy your posts.
I think I have said many times that what I like the most is autumn … Well, after enjoying the images you have shown, I feel happy.
I love the churches of those lands so different from those of, at least, Spain.
The girls are very grown and very beautiful … And how is the boy? I hope very older too.
Spectacular photos …. wonderful … that’s America !!!
A big hug
Querida Dolores, me has preocupado por ti. Me sentí tan aliviado de saber de ti. ¿Como esta tu hombro? Espero que haya mejorado mucho. Nuestro nieto tiene 6 meses y es muy lindo. Apareció en la publicación dominical fechada el 31 de octubre. Te he echado de menos, amigo mío. Por favor cuídate. ¡Enviando cariño y abrazos!
I’m another who uses her imagination to conjure up mountains. For some reason a cloud bank often forms to our south (over the Ohio River maybe?) and I often pretend it’s mountains, shrouded in the gray light of early morning. I tease out daughter about our “mountain view” here. (She and her family live near Mt. Rainier!) 2. Find the Fancy Nancy books the next time you’re in a bookstore or at the library. You’ll appreciate her creative spirit! 3. LOVELY fall photos, Pam! I never get tired of them.
Thank you, Nancy for your sweet comments. We live in the Foothills of the Appalachians and enjoy a beautiful mountain view. The clouds totally hid them that particular morning.
Have a wonderful week!
Oh, how delightful to enjoy a mountain view every day, Pam! We just spent five days in north Georgia mid-October and relished in the marvelous view. Great fun to watch the mountains slowly emerge from the dense fog each morning!
The north Georgia mountains are beautiful. I am so glad you had a nice trip!
Beautiful pictures you two! Our leaves here have been gone from the trees for probably three weeks now, but yellow gold was our dominant color as well. We would have to take a drive out into the country for more spectacular colors. Love the pics of the grands – so adorable. I have no idea who Fancy Nancy is either lol. Happy Monday!
Thanks so much, Kim. Wishing you a delightful week!
Beautiful nature shots! And I hardly ever recognize the characters kids talk about…
Thanks so much, Michele!