“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Philippians 4:8
The Coosa River winds its way through the middle of our city. It is the source of a lot of various types of recreation. The waters were calm this day and a lot of people were out enjoying a pleasant mid-80’s afternoon.
“Gold is just a windy Kansas wheat field” so sang John Denver in a song about his time spent as a boy on a relative’s farm near Colby. Okay…I know, this ain’t Kansas but it’s still a beautiful gold field I found on Sand Mountain, Alabama last week!
This lacecap hydrangea is hosting a long-legged guest that seems quite comfortable resting in the shade. Can you spot it?
Adding pea gravel to several areas in the garden means less grass to mow. But, will it be even more work to keep the weeds and grass out? Could be a challenge!
Progress in the lotus bog as blooms are now appearing. If I had a pet alligator I would bring it here for an outing!
Milkweed (butterfly weed) is an essential for monarch butterflies. Monarch populations are on the decline which makes me want to plant milkweed. I may do that but it is very invasive and also toxic to people and animals. Maybe there are some places along field edges that would work. I am finding it right now along roadsides. I just read where milkweed was used by Native Americans and pioneers alike to make candle wicks!
I was very glad when my garden crew arrived to assist back on June 1st. That was our day set aside for planting…
…PUMPKINS. Pam let EM and EK pick out seeds from a catalogue and placed an order some time back. They chose 6 different types so we planted six different hills. To keep everything even I made 6 holes around each hill so the girls could plant 3 each. Nothing may happen but with space available, why not try! It was interesting and an opportunity to teach even if we don’t produce a bumper crop! And as a side note, on Friday night, what was likely an armadillo dug holes in parts of two hills and I had to replant a few seeds. Armadillos are absolutely destroying parts of our yard and they are almost impossible to catch in a trap.
Been a while since I had the drone up, up, and away so I decided to fly over the back garden yesterday. Things are coming on slowly. It is still quite dry and watering is necessary.
Is it any wonder why thistle multiplies and invades fields and pastures! Add a little wind and these seeds will be scattered near and far. I found a number of plants in an open area down by the creek. Some large flowers can produce 5,000 seeds! O my!!
Our throwback pic this week was taken in 2013 in Ephesus, Turkey. No doubt, this is one of the most fascinating historic places we’ve been privileged to visit!
PJ made pics of some of her day lilies last week and was kind enough to share this “Endless Beauty” variety with me. Beauty can be endless because it is truly a result of an inward condition and not an outward appearance.
Another signal of summer is the mimosa. Every year when these naturalized legumes start blooming I find my self entertaining fond childhood memories. My grandparents had a mimosa in their front yard that was so climbable and I could swing from limb to limb like Tarzan. I played for hours in that tree. Nannie even fed me lunch on the front porch so I could quickly return to that mimosa. That was the 1950’s and early 60’s.
Pam captured an amazing sky shortly after sunset one day last week. God’s amazing creation on display!
And then after darkness fell, this crescent moon was captured by our son. Thanks to Appalachian Media for sharing. I’ve always called the crescent phase a fingernail moon!
”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
Beautiful pictures of God’s creation. Thank you
Thank you, Deborah. Happy Sunday!
I hope your granddaughters harvest many pumpkins. What a wonderful learning experience.
My husband and I visited Turkey several years ago. He was on business, but I got to sightsee. We were in Istanbul and Bodrum on the coast. Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Nancy. Wishing you a wonderful day!
Lovely photos. Good luck with the pumpkin crop.
Hopefully, the armadillos will quit digging in them!
Another beautiful Sunday of photos! The thistle photo was amazing, and EM and EK were the prettiest flowers in the garden!! I know mimosas are supposed to be a nuisance, but I just love them. Like Butch I have such great childhood memories of playing in our neighbor’s tree, we little girls pretended the silky blossoms were powder puffs. And my forever reminder is the scar from falling out onto a fence (Mama specifically told me not to climb in that tree!)
Roxanne, I also loved climbing trees when I was little. My aunt had two willows that were perfect for climbing. Disobeying Mama always caught up with us. Happy Sunday, Pam
We planted milkweed in our garden; we had it in a previous garden and the Monarch butterflies loved it. Did you know one of the reason it is toxic to animals? It’s so they don’t eat the larva that the butterflies lay on it. I just love your blog. There is always beauty in every picture. And I did see the spider on the hydrangea – it took me awhile. These eyes just weren’t what they used to be. I also grew up in the 50’s and 60’s and I thank God often for that. It was such an innocent time, for me at least. God bless you guys and thank you for sharing your sweet family with us – such precious babies.
Lisa, thank you for your sweet, sweet comments. I didn’t see the granddaddy long legs when I took the photo. Yes, we grew up in a much more innocent time.
Blessings,
Pam
Wonderful pictures and verse. Blessings dear friends!
Thank you, Maristella.
Blessings,
Pam
Oh, such lovely photos. I know the thistle is invasive, but it’s so pretty. So is Pam’s Endless Beauty daylily and your son’s photo of the moon! Your story of being Tarzan as a boy is so priceless. Do kids climb trees anymore? What a different world, which is why I especially needed to read your Bible verse today. Blessings to your family!
Thank you, Ellen for your sweet comments. Our oldest granddaughter, who is six, loves to climb trees. I am afraid too many children are on tablets and devices in our culture, today.
Blessings, Pam
A sweet post, Butch. Have a great week.
Thanks dear friend.
Love and hugs, Pam
Such calm, tranquil pics. Love all the color. A beautiful sky and moon. Found the granddaddy long legs! He was well camouflaged. Your drone shot is wonderful. Your helpers look eager to work. I have a different impression of mimosa trees. They were where the switches came from. 🤣 They’re pretty trees when in bloom. Armadillos are a persistent bunch! Hopefully you can redirect their efforts to another area. Enjoy your day! Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. I understand about switches. Growing up, ours were hickory switches.
Pam ♥️
Happy Sunday Pam & Butch! Love your everyday living and commentary Butch. Always love seeing EM & EK…I bet you have a bumper crop of pumpkins, providing the critters leave the seeds alone. My grandparents had a mimosa tree too. I’ve always heard the seeds / pods were toxic to animals and every tree produces an abundance as you know. My dad always said the only the proper way to prune a mimosa tree is with a chain saw. 🙂
Thanks Mary. I think your dad’s advice is correct. See you tomorrow at MMB’s!
The girls are going to have so much fun with their pumpkin project! Is there anyway you can put a barrier around the hills to keep the pesky armadillos out? I loved what you said Butch, about endless beauty being in inward, not an outward, appearance. So many lovely captures of Mother Nature…I wish you both a beautiful Sunday!
Jenna
Thanks so much, Jenna. The armadillos are so destructive, we have tried everything. Wishing you a beautiful day!
In viewing the start of your photos I thought that the ability to produce beauty might be one of the greatest gifts the Lord could endow to a soul and then I came across your words about beauty under Pam’s gorgeous lilies… the photos and thoughts today are compelling. The farmer girls look so intent on readying their pumpkin patch and what joy they will experience when they finally carve funny faces on their crop. I always enjoy your throwbacks and captures of sunsets. Bless you for another lovely Sabbath journey.
Thank you, Mary for your sweet comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week ♥️
Good morning, Pam and Butch. Such great photos. Hope the girls will be rewarded with a great harvest of pumpkins. The picture of them is wonderful, fun almost jumps off the photo, especially if Emma could drive.
I don’t think I would enjoy sharing a beautiful garden such as yours with those dreadful armadillos. Surely, someone has an answer for them. I do wish you luck. Have a lovely day and great week ahead!
Thank you, Sandra. We so hope to have pumpkins. No one seems to have an answer for armadillos. It wasn’t too long ago that they were not this far north, but unfortunately they have migrated and reproduced exponentially. They dig really big holes searching for grubs. Butch has bought what they recommend, but nothing has worked. Wishing you a lovely week!
I used to think armadillos were the worst. Now, I know moles are worse. The moles eat the grass roots.
Love the pics of the kids planting seeds. I hope the pumpkins produce for y’all. I love the pics you make of the kids in their natural state. Not posed.
I love the drone shot. I assume the building shown is the cottage because I don’t see a road leading up to a house. You have a lot of land to keep up.
Thank you, Bonnie. Yes, that is the cottage. I guess moles will be our next invaders! Butch has more to keep than is possible.
All lovely but perhaps not surprisingly, it is your garden assistants who capture my heart! I am enchanted with them!
They are sweeties. Thank you, Jeanie!
Beautiful pictures and how I enjoy your garden helpers! The mimosa tree memories gave me a smile.
Happy Week to you both!
Thanks Nancy. I think we all have a few mimosa memories!
Delightful post guys! Love the shot of the girls planting seeds with granddad & the night skies!
Blessings to you both, ❤️
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer.
Blessings,
Pam
Beautiful pictures! Sorry to hear about the pesky armadillos and I hope the pumpkins survive for the grands – such sweet pictures. The monarch butterfly and the milkweed is an interesting dilemma but I’m sure Butch will find the perfect place to plant some more if one is to be found. What a gorgeous sunset! Wishing the both of you a lovely week!
Thanks so much, Kim. Wishing you a wonderful week&
I am just now catching up on this past week’s friends’ blogs, and so glad I am! I’d been asking for another aerial shot of your garden, and here it is! It is so beautiful I was trying to place where you’ve put the pea gravel (near the Sunshine Cottage?), where you’ve planted the pumpkins, and where your picnic table is (the latter two I have no guesses!) in relation to this view. Are the sunflowers planted to the far left, behind the SC? It’s so fun to see this view! Also, I couldn’t spot any long-legged creature on that lacecap!
Thank you, Rita. There are sunflowers in the far left near the cottagand also to the far right on the other side of the long raised bed in the back. The pumpkin patch is way out of view on the other side of the cottage. We also have a raised bed on the other side of our snowball viburnums beside driveway. It belongs to RM and there are zinnias, sunflowers, daylilies and peonies. The center has a rusty old statue with yellow lantana! We have never shown the front landscape, not sure why! I hope that helps.
Look for granddaddy long legs in the center!
Found the granddaddy long legs enjoying a rest in the shade but it took a while. I love the memories you are leaving your grands and the memories you share of your journey. Mimosas Have a soft spot in my heart. They grew beside the lane leading to my grandmothers house.
Thank you, Alice. I think mimosas stir up memories of our growing up days! Take care of yourself!