“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!”
Psalm 113:3
If a bit of color brings on a smile, then maybe this will produce a happy face. It has been hot and dry here but seeing this every day makes the pain of an extremely high water bill a little easier to bear!
The Tree of Heaven, originally from China, is not as heavenly as once thought. A very beautiful tree but also very invasive and destructive to sidewalks, sewers, and septic systems as well as crowding out native species. We are glad this tree is a few miles away!
Elderberry is very common along streams, near ponds and lakes, and in roadside ditches where there is a little more moisture. The berries are used in jams, jellies, and pies and in other ways but it is my understanding the plant is toxic…even the berries except when they are completely ripe, cooked down, and the seeds removed. It is also known to have a number of medicinal uses. I forget how plentiful these native shrubs are until they begin to bloom. Over 100 species of birds are known to like elderberry!
The Rose of Sharon is a summer plant that is sort of traditional and memorable from childhood. Common names can be confusing as this is not a rose but a hibiscus. PJ and I were reminiscing about certain shrubs and trees that we remember always seeing when growing up, this being one. I had no idea I captured a UFO in my pic until looking through photos later!
Queen EM is growing up much too quickly but she still loves to dress in character. The world of pretend and imagination is sweet. There will be plenty of reality to deal with later!
I like to visit the lotus flower bog several times during the growing season to check progress.
Pam and I stopped by last week. There are plants at all stages of growth but the underbrush is getting thicker and it is becoming harder to get a close look…
…but a long lens is helpful. In this case I call it my “snake lens”. Stay further away from places snakes might be hanging out!
A lot of pods have already formed and will eventually dry out and most will be a dark brown. Some of the ladies may be familiar with the pods because they are used in various ways in floral and other decorative arrangements.
It has become necessary to climb down a steep rocky bank and through weeds and brush to get this view! I will probably be relying on pics from the past in the future as the climb gets a little harder each year!!
The ole American pokeweed is one of those plants I remember always growing around my grandaddy’s barn. A regional name is poke sallet. Some birds love the berries but the plant is toxic to us folks. Don’t tell anyone, but my grandmother cooked the leaves down and mixed them with turnip greens and we ate it. I am not recommending that but I don’t recall ever being sick from it.
While pulling dallisgrass and other weeds from a row of sunflowers I discovered an intruder. A cutleaf groundcherry has slipped into the row. This is an annual that some people actually plant in their garden for interest. The groundcherry is a close relative of the tomato plant. Apparently this one came from seed from a plant that I found growing near this spot last year.
These “shady characters” gather daily along the fence and try to crowd beneath the tree line. With temps at 100 and heat indexes higher who can blame them!
Maybe this will help cool things off. PJ and I made this pic on the first day of summer, 2016. Mt. Rainier, Washington!
The snake lens mentioned earlier could also be termed a skunk lens. I have discovered a family of skunks that no doubt live nearby. We’ve spotted several little ones following what is likely their mother. They love to forage along this tree line/fence row in the late evening. This is the same shady fence row the cows enjoy. I suppose they get along just fine!
A beautiful evening after sunset up on the lake with the southern end of the Appalachian foothills in the distance… and the days are now getting shorter! Do you have a favorite season?
As another week wound down, and with summer officially here, a late evening look at the garden reveals plenty of new growth and color. We’ve had to water, water, water!
”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,
Beautiful photos and informative as always.
Thanks so much, Ruthie. Happy Sunday!
Opening this post with sunflowers and zinnias in bloom was a pure delight. Enjoyed all your photos and always learn something new. EM is such a beauty. Yes, the cows look for the shade of trees..a memory from my childhood. Bob and I have stayed busy watering also. A beautiful post. Have a blessed week.
Thank you, Dianne. Butch watered early this morning. Hopeful for rain…Happy Sunday!
I always enjoy your posts. Beautiful pictures and scriptures to ponder
Thanks so much and Happy Sunday, Kay!
Sunflowers, zinnias and the most beautiful fairy princess! What’s not to love on a glorious Sunday?!
Thanks so much, Jeanie. Happy Sunday to you as you enjoy lake views and maybe a swim or two!
Fun to walk through your week. I remember honeysuckle, rose of sharon, Annabelle hydrangeas, raspberry bushes and green apple trees from my youth. But what was that flower that we use to ‘pop’ between our thumb and index finger?? I cannot remember what it was! I had a friend who ate pokeberry and nearly died, and he was old enough with young kids not to do something so naive! EM is a sweetheart, and I hope she always keeps that playful spirit.
Thanks Rita. I don’t remember the flower popping, will ask Butch. I have never eaten pokesallet and and don’t ever plan to cook. As Butch said the sweet imagination of children, there is plenty of time for reality. Happy Sunday!
Bonnie said they were may pops, and Butch agrees!
Beautiful photos. Love little EM as a princess unicorn. Have a wonderful week. xoxo Kris
Thanks so much, Kris. Happy Sunday!
Pam xoxo
Oh, if we all could recapture some of that childhood pretend spirit of yesteryear! EM is so cute and I hope she keeps that pretend spirit too! The blooms are gorgeous! We haven’t had rain in 2 weeks so we understand the water bill! The sunset is beautiful. The lotuses are so elegant. Mt Rainier looks inviting during this extreme heat wave! Enjoy your week. Clara ❤️
Thank you dear Clara. We had rain in the forecast yesterday but it did not happen here. Butch was out watering early this morning. Happy Sunday ♥️
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! I love seeing your sunflowers and zinnias, so happy! Plus all the other pretty blooms on your woodland walks. EM is a beautiful princess~ enjoy the slightly cooler temps this week, and maybe we will get some rain~
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna! Hoping for rain this week. Happy Sunday!
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! I love seeing all the beautiful blooms with pretty color. It does make me smile! The sunflowers and rose of Sharon are so pretty! We are watering lots, too. My hubby just had an irrigation system put in for the flower beds and lawn. It has been a lifesaver, but I’m dreading the water bill. Wishing you both a most happy and blessed week ahead!
Thanks so much, sweet friend. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch, Your garden at twilight is stunning. Hope those skunks stay away! We had a dog who got skunked 3 times…I keep Skunk Off Shampoo on hand at all times! Queen EM. looks every inch the part, may she always have that spirit of wonderland imagination.
Thank you, Roxanne. I am assuming the shampoo worked on your dog. Queen EM has a wonderful imagination! I love watching both girls dress up. Happy Sunday!
Pam
Those smiling sunflowers (I see smiling) and colorful zinnias fill one’s spirit with renewal… EM’s spirit also sends renewal and hope that only a child’s heart can… she is so lovely. I highly recommend the elderberry for warding off colds and flu…a great immune builder. Butch captures so many illuminating aspects of your natural surroundings with his camera and knowledge and his weekly “lesson” is much appreciated and “catalogued”. Looking forward to the mercury’s descent and more comfortable existence this coming week…. Be well and blessed.
Mary, you are the proof that elderberry is an immune builder. Thank you for your sweet comments. We are hoping for rain this week!
Pam
Wonderful pictures my dear friends! Have a lovely week ahead. Blessings.
Thanks, Maristella!
Hugs,
Pam
It has been a very hot week. We got a tiny shower yesterday. Cooler today at 90. Hoping for rain on Tuesday.
Love the first pic of your zinnias and sunflowers. Yes, it made me smile.
Love EM in her costume. I’m sure she will have many more as well as sister.
Maybe Rita was thinking of May pops.
Have a good week.
Bonnie, still no rain here! Our water bill will be huge. Wishing you a good week!
Pam
Beautiful photos, but oh my, a skunk family nearby!! I hope they stay away from your place!
Carole, we have seen them occasionally through the years. But now more often! Yikes!
Pam
Such lovely photos! Rose of Sharon reminds me of my grandmother as she had lots of them in her yard. Poke weed reminds me of my grandparents farm. So here I am reminiscing as well!
EM is such a sweet one! Love her fun spirit.
Love, love, love all the beauty in your post!
Thank you, Nancy! I always love your visits!
Pam
I love the descriptions of each photo!
We don’t have Skunks here in Australia so that was a treat to see 😊
Blessings to you both,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer. Skunks are not animals that you want close by. Wishing you a wonderful week, my friend!
Pam
We have a visiting Australian Long-nosed Bandicoot in our backyard at the moment helping us with nasty lawn grubs & lawn aeration. 😊
I will have to look up the Bandicoot. It must be helpful of ridding your backyard. We have armadillos that are a menace by digging up the yard in search of grubs. Have a wonderful week, dear one!
They are only tiny so aren’t pests. Thank you Pam, you too! ❤️
Beautiful photos and so peaceful! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Beautiful photos, Butch. I especially love the photos of EM, the sunset, and the garden; all are beautiful. It is also hot and dry in Raleigh and Oak Island. We are expecting some rain mid week, thankfully. Have a great week.
Thanks so much, dear friend! Hopefully, we will have rain this week!
Pam
That us a great picture of Mt Rainier. We have relocated to Florida but it will always be OUR mountain
Thank you, Lori. That was a cross-country move. Have a wonderful day!
I thrill to the beauty of your Sundays!
Thank you and so happy you enjoy, Linda!
Love the photos – its always so interesting to see what Butch has come up with on his walkabouts! I did not know that elderberry was actually toxic! Many of those pesky plants aren’t a problem where I’m from but then we have our own share of invasive species – no getting away from it! The sunset is gorgeous and Queen E.M. is certainly looking the part. I can’t get quite as excited about the snow on Mt. Ranier lol. Your garden is stunning at night. Praying for some rain for you! Have a lovely week!
Thanks so much, Kim. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Good morning, Pam and Butch. Such wonderful photos. It has been quite warm here also. But we did have some rain which cooled things down. Love precious Ella and yes she is growing way too quickly. May she is destined to have a career on stage. I know you all don’t want her to grow up – but yet it will be so interesting to see where her interest are drawn to.
Have a great week and stay cool!
These are such beautiful pictures. I love the reminders you shared in between each one.
Thanks so much!
My father-in-law used to go out and pick “polk greens.” I wonder if that is what you are referring to. He loved to cook them and eat them. It’s funny how we are told not to eat certain things now, but it never killed us when we ate it growing up. Such as cake batter, etc. I guess ignorance is bliss! God bless you and your family, sweet friends.
I always loved eating the cake batter when I was growing up. My beloved Mother would always leave a little in the bowl so I could eat it. Sweet memories!