“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.”
Psalm 33:10-11
EM, EK and I planted these bulbs last fall. It was interesting to say the least. I’m not a gambler, but if I had placed a bet, I would’ve bet against these coming up this nicely. And of course, I would have lost!
This would be wonderful color in an autumn post but this is happening now as the candy corn spirea has responded well to several sunny days with temps around 80. The perennial does display similar reds and golds in the fall. A good plant for the entire growing season!
Quite by accident I discovered a group of purple flowers in the edge of the woods barely out of the yard. I was puzzled but then remembered that we sometimes discard spent potted plants in this area of the woods. Apparently that was the source of a good stand of big leaf periwinkles! If I had been intentional about growing these, would they have done so well??
Today’s throwback pic is from 5 years ago. There’s a story behind the “magic” Mary Poppins umbrella that I managed to place in this scene for one of PJ’s post. I completed the task of getting it to hang seemingly in mid air and was very proud of my idea. That is, until I looked out a few minutes later to discover a gust of wind had relocated it to a neighbor’s yard about a quarter mile away. As you can see, I did manage to retrieve it with no harm done!
WL is moving about quite well with only a small amount of balancing assistance. It won’t be long before he will only be dependent on his own two feet! He’s liking the new found maneuverability.
The first robins and mockingbirds of the season dropped by last week! Brings on some anticipation!
My wonderful starter a couple weeks ago at Bottega in Birmingham is presented so well you almost hate to disturb by eating. I did say “almost”. Fried oysters at rest atop caper aioli!
I found this old dead tree on a ridge top near the house. It is hollowed out at the bottom and likely home to a wood’s creature of some sort. If you can use your imagination and think of a rainy, very foggy day, it would look like a tree that should stand in front of a haunted house. Maybe a lot of imagination? But, that is what I was thinking when I took the pic.
I named this one “ole muddy face” and the girls loved it. I could get my hand within a few inches of her nose but she would back away every time before I patted that dirty face. I’m gaining their trust little by little!
We have battled deer for the right to have a Japanese Magnolia of our own for several years. We are winning the battle so far as our tree is still surviving. And no, this is not our tree. Ours has 2 blooms that aren’t fully open yet but we are hopeful it will look like this someday.
If we could experience spring without tornadoes it sure would be nice. The beauty of the season also comes with the threat of violent storms!
A few late winter sunsets. Soon these hardwoods will be displaying new leaves which will actually partially block our view!
We are a few months away from having sunflowers adorn the garden, but as we are praying for the people of Ukraine and learning new details about the nation, we find that the sunflower is their National flower.
It occurred to me as I was finishing this post that next Sunday will be our first day on daylight saving time. Spring forward!
”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
How did you suspend that umbrella?
With so many asking, we will share next Sunday!
Beautiful post, Butch. And I love the photo of Wyatt; such a cutie!
He is always smiling and happy! Thank you dear one.
RM also knows magic ? What can RM not do! I love the pictures of Spring opening. It’s snowing here😔 Wyatt is getting his footing so soon he will be taking the girls for a spin in there transportation, watch our girls! I’ll take snow compared to tornados. We have them on the plains but not here in Boulder, the mountains protect us. Poor Ukraine . They have much unrest in their history. May they prevail against Russia.
Thank you, Alice. We had a beautiful week of sunshine and mild temperatures. By this coming weekend we are going down below freezing. Prayers for the Ukraine and its people.
Looks like your granddaughters have inherited your “green thumb”. Are those Daffodils or Jonquils? I’ve never learned the difference, but I love them. Where I lived several years of my childhood in Kentucky, they called them March lilies. Your grandson has stolen my heart.😀 What a precious little guy
Thank you, Nancy. He is a happy baby and always smiling. They are daffodils!
I love seeing the Japanese Magnolia in bloom all around here, and every day now more things are in bloom. Yes, please do tell your umbrella trick, that was such a fun tablescape! Wyatt is so adorable, pretty soon he’ll be planting too 🌷 I’m glad you enjoyed a meal at your favorite Bottega. Looks like a rainy week ahead, I am spoiled after this past week of beautiful weather! Enjoy your Sunday Pam & Butch!
Jenna
Jenna, the below freezing temperatures this coming weekend will harm the blooms and buds. I was spoiled by the weather, also!
Oh I hope not, but I should know better than to think our cold temps were over!
Beautiful post with spring blooms and birds showing up. Wyatt is just before taking off! Have a blessed week!
Thank you, Dianne. Wishing you a lovely week!
Ahh…. the photos feed my soul, especially that handsome little guy growing up. The daffodil bed in bloom must really delight
the girls…how beautifully you are forming them into Nature’s helpers. The large hollowed tree set my imagination to picturing
a Beatrice Potter cast of little animals setting up home in its interior with little rooms all appropriately furnished right down to
dimity curtains…. That Mary Poppins table setting is a Pam tour-de-force and RM’s ingenuity is ever impressive. Thank you for another uplifting Sabbath visit where peace and joy inhabit the earth…. Continued prayers for the Ukraine.
Thank you, Mary. I enjoyed reading your imaginings about the tree…sounds perfect!
Ditto to all that has been written. Hope y’all have a beautiful week. God’s blessings always.
Blessings on your week, Bobbie.
The Mary Poppins umbrella is amazing! EM and EK must be thrilled with their daffodil bed, and Wyatt is just adorable. I spotted my first Robin yesterday and read to expect an early hummingbird migration this year, around March 15 in upstate SC. I’ve missed the hummers! It’s hard to believe I’m sitting on my porch, enjoying the peace and quiet, while half a world away Ukraine is suffering. Joining everyone in prayer this atrocity will end soon.
Thank you, Roxanne. The atrocities in Ukraine are unbelievable!
Totally enjoyed your post especially those oysters. I hope to one day pay a visit to Bottega myself. BTW, the first time I planted daffodils the squirrels kept digging them up and taking off with them. After about a couple of years I gave up but about three years ago I began planting heirloom daffodils. The squirrels haven’t bothered them thankfully. It’s probably because my two male Cavaliers run them off. Enjoy the remainder of your day.
Carolyn
Thanks so much, Carolyn. I hope you can visit Bottega. I have heard many stories about squirrels digging up bulbs. I am glad you outsmarted them. Happy week!
Oh, Pam,…your posts and pictures always touch my heart! They bring me peace–straight from the Lord (he uses you HUGE!). The daffodils, periwinkles (how awesome!), the umbrella and mugs to match (how did you do that?), EM, EK, WL,…a trio of blessings! He’s darling, too! Yummy food, beautiful skies, a spooky tree, the cute cow….this post has it all! And next week as we celebrate my Mom’s birthday, we will spring our clocks forward! Sending you much love and hugs sweet, Pam!
Thank you sweet friend. You are a shining light in this world. Sending love and hugs to you, Karla!
You’re so welcome! Thank you, too. ✨ 💛🥰❤️🤗
Happy Sunday, you two! Seeing your blooms gives me hope. Winter can’t last forever.
Thank you, Jeanie!
Thank you so much for this breath of fresh air and magical post❣ So much beauty and many hints of spring 🌿🌷🌿 We are still snow and wintery here in Idaho. As always, seeing your sweet family is such a joy and warms our hearts. It is comforting to know there are many prayers from many places for the Ukrainian people. 🌻🙏🌻. Your umbrella magic was some much needed fun…hope you will be sharing the magic 🧙♂️ Thanks again for all the joy you share, God bless…
Sue, we will share more about the umbrella next week. Hopefully spring will make a showing in Idaho soon. Continued prayers for the Ukrainian people 🙏🏻🇺🇦🙏🏻
Butch I love your Sunday comments….and pics. I will say I have seen a few sunflowers blooming here in Florida and now I want to spread a few seeds of my own to have as a reminder of the Ukrainian people and the awful war they are enduring. Bless you and Pam and your littles.
Kari
Thank you, Kari. Our hearts break for Ukraine and its people!
It has been a beautiful week. Your daffodils are lovely and fun to have enough to cut and leave some in the garden.
Wyatt is adorable. It is a sweet time when they are almost walking. His smile lights up the room.
Love all your spring flowers.
The fried oysters are calling my name.
Have a great week.
Looking forward to MMB tomorrow.
Thank you, Bonnie. We have rain for most of this week. Enjoyed the pretty weather while it lasted!
Well… the question of the day is how did you suspend the umbrella in mis air? And Butch is a magician too!
The daffodils brought a smile and seeing the fried oysters did too. Mmmmm… Mmmmm!
Wyatt is going to be running soon, watch out Pam and Butch, you will be running right behind.
Thanks for the Sunday Stroll.
Prayers for the Ukraine!
🙏🏻🇺🇦💙💛🇺🇦🙏🏻
Nancy, I can’t keep up with Wyatt now. We will need to explain the umbrella next Sunday. Stay tuned 🤣
My heart continues to break for 🇺🇦🙏🏻
Adorable pictures! Wyatt is so cute… Time flies! God bless.
Thank you, Maristella 🥰
Pam and Butch, Your daffodils are gorgeous! The girls will be so proud of their green thumb with Da’s help. What a fun way to get the girls enthusiastic about gardening. Ours are blossoming out too and they’re always such a welcome sight. Wyatt is such a sweet boy and his eyes will melt hearts. That dead tree does look like it belongs in a scary movie. The sunsets are so colorful. That suspended umbrella! How did you do that? That’s quite an accomplishment. Have a wonderful week! Clara ❤️
Thank you, Clara. Wyatt is a happy baby, always smiling. Blessings for this new week ♥️
Dear Pam, your blooms are wonderful. Our King Alfred’s were open to greet me this morning. You all are raising splendid gardeners – start them young and it will last them forever.
Have a lovely week – hope the storms leave you alone. They are currently visiting us.
Thank you, Sandra. It looks like rain and below freezing temps by weekend!
Lovely pictures and post you two! So happy the daffodils made it – they are so pretty. Wyatt is such a cutie! The sunsets are gorgeous and that Mary Poppins table is so creative! I’m curious about the umbrella as well. Also praying for the people of Ukraine – what a sad and terrible thing that is happening over there. Happy Monday!
Thanks so much, Kim. Wishing you a wonderful week!