“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13
HAPPY 4th of July Weekend!
We are thankful to reach a bit of a milestone today with 400 consecutive Simple Southern Sunday’s. It is a true blessing and also special since it coincides with the extended weekend of July 4th… celebrating 246 years since the Declaration of Independence!
I was elated recently to see this display on a rural Georgia courthouse. You either duck to enter or use a side entrance! I believe this community is making a statement.
These are beautiful spacious skies, after all, this is Montana, Big Sky Country!
I love amber waves of grain, wherever they happen to grow across this land!
It is easy to see where a viewer could be overwhelmed with the beauty of purple mountain majesty!
What are your plans for celebrating the 4th? Nearby Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater was quite busy last week as folks were getting a head start on the weekend. Our grands and their mom even dropped by the park one day for a few hours of water fun! PJ and I attended an event here and a balcony offered a birds eye view of the action.
We visited a dear friend on Sand Mountain last week and upon leaving, she insisted we stop by the corn field and pick whatever we might want…we accepted her offer. I grabbed a few ears since corn on the cob is a July 4th tradition in some households. We got an early start however, and it was so good we’ve already eaten every ear! So much for tradition. I will make it up with a freezer of homemade ice cream, another tradition.
The dozens of snowflake hydrangeas in a field next to the corn caught our attention as blooms are starting to take on their pink color. These will soon be ready to harvest and will eventually be shipped to Japan!
I’m not fond of using a photo of me in a post but with these added features I thought I might take a chance on it!
Growing up I always heard that sunflowers followed the sun. Sounded reasonable, but that is not the case with any of our sunflowers. What is true is that all the blooms face east, anticipating the sunrise and the start of each new day. God’s design and handiwork are beyond amazing!
I have realized that the leaf litter under our 40+ year old magnolia is about 14 inches deep. I am wondering if I should remove it all? Is it beneficial or could it be harmful? I need to research and get some expert advice.
There were a couple of nice days last week to fly the drone. I did a little sneaky flying while Pam was out photographing for tomorrow’s Monday Morning Blooms post. If you take a close look she is in the pic. I was looking straight down on the garden tablescape she had put together! Come by tomorrow for a much closer view!
I think there is an official name for these bands but I just call them rays. What I do know for certain is that no two sunsets are alike. This one almost didn’t look real as I stood in our yard, observing and battling mosquitoes for about half an hour as it was constantly changing. I think this sky looks eternal.
Have a great 4th and a peaceful week. Pray for America!
”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,
Gorgeous photos! I love the aerial views of your property!! Little Miss EM has the ballet turnout down pat in her curtsy behind you, Butch. That’s a great photo of the three of you. Celebrating freedom…..happy 4th weekend.
Butch appreciates your comments, Rita. Wishing you a beautiful day!
Pam
Number 400…what an amazing commitment! And I cannot think of a single one that I didn’t enjoy. The photos this week certainly captured the spirit of America. Love that Queen EM is posing in fourth position! My local farmstand has Milky Way corn coming in. Butch, I if you ever get to taste this variety, you are in for a treat. It is so sweet and tender, ours didn’t last until July 4th either!
Butch says thank you, Roxanne. I haven’t heard of Milky Way corn, the name alone sounds fabulous!
Pam
Lovely pictures and memories! What a great flag statement in Georgia! I understand that newer sunflowers do follow the sun to grow, but once matured they no longer do. Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July!
Butch says thank you, Maria 🇺🇸
Pam
Butch and Pam, The Sunshine Cottage is beautifully adorned for the 4th! That sunset is absolutely awesome and does look eternal. Your pic with the girls is so cute and the water park looks inviting on this hot, humid day. Your drone shots are always fabulous! I love the flag on the courthouse! Enjoy your 4th! Homemade ice cream sounds delicious! Clara❤️
Butch and I say thanks to you dear, Clara! I agree, the water park looks inviting!
The pics are gorgeous. That sunset is spectacular. The drone giving you the aerial view of your property is great.
The girls are adorable. Happy 4th. xoxo Kris
Butch said to thank you, Kris!
Pam xoxo
400 Simple Southern Sundays is awesome! What a commitment!
I love the aerial view and can’t wait to zoom with my iPad. Your garden is so beautiful!
The Sunshine Cottage is all decked out for the 4th. Hope y’all have a great celebration. Homemade ice cream sounds good.
I bought some corn and peaches yesterday in Clanton. I brought some peas to my daughter’s so we will have some southern dishes in the next few days.
The girls look adorable in their matching outfits!
Happy Fourth to you. I look forward to MMB tomorrow.
Thanks so much dear friend. Enjoy your family time!
Good morning, dear Pam and Butch. Glorious photos, especially of the girls and the sunrays. Just beautiful. Wishing all of you a wonderful Fourth of July and a great week ahead. I love your deep pink petunias. I know they enjoy your heat and humidity.
Thanks so much, Sandra. Happy 4th to you and Mike🇺🇸♥️
Beautiful pictures!
Butch is looking good…the girls are adorable. I can’t believe how big they are!
I just returned from 10 days in Idaho – it was simply gorgeous with blue skies and majestic mountains too, like Montana!
Haven’t been able to check in on your blog in a while! A lot going on. So happy to catch you today!
Thank you, Esther. Your trip sounds amazing. It is so good to hear from you, my friend!
Pam
What a fun post with so many beautiful pictures!
Last weekend we were in the Tetons, and Mt Moran was still snow capped, so pretty! The water is so low, the big tour boats have already been taken out of the water…just kayaks going in at Colter Bay. Around the corner there were a few boats in and around Leeks Marina. Still the “purple mountain majesty” always takes my breath away…
Homemade icecream (peanutbutter) for us too!
Happy 4th of July wishes to you and your sweet family ❣🇺🇸❣
Sue, we love the Tetons and Jackson Hole. We are
ready for a return trip. Peanut butter ice cream sounds wonderful. Thank you!
Pam
The Sunshine Cottage is so 4th festive! I always love the drone shots of your property, I love seeing the beautiful stone patterns of your patio and garden. Those two girls always have the cutest outfits on…there is nothing better than fresh summer corn and homemade ice cream, have a fabulous 4th!
Thank you, Jenna. Happy 4th🇺🇸
Pam
Butch, this is a fabulous tribute to America. The way you wove the words with the photos – perfection! Love the drone shot of your property. I knew your gardens were gorgeous, but this perspective is awesome. Eager to read Pam’s post tomorrow.
Congratulations of 400 posts. I adore this series! Cheers to the next 400.
Happy 4th of July. It will be a quiet day here.
Sarah, Butch says thank you for your kind comments. Looking forward to your post tomorrow!
Pam
Big, beautiful flag indeed entering the courthouse there. So proud of all it stands for. We will be taking in our local town parade with the grand girls. I am thinking some lavender ice cream made here at home and some oreo cookie ice cream too.
We had growing up a magnolia and it was a chore getting up the droppings from it. It never hurt ours. We did get a chance to get out all of the poison ivy that was growing underneath.
Such a pretty capture of the Heavenly golden sky.
Happy Forth of July
Thanks so much, Betsy. I would love lavender ice cream and Butch would enjoy oreo cookie ice cream. Wishing you a lovely 4th of July!
I will pray for America. She has seen some tough times in years past. That was when we stood my her and said “In God we Trust”. I love your magnolia tree. We used a leaf blower to clean up under the tree. Didn’t seem to hurt the tree. Your sunset pic seems to be saving no matter the sins of the fathers I God forgive if you turn to me.
Amen and Amen, Alice! Wishing you a wonderful day. Take care, dear one!
Pam you and Butch bring us the most joyful photos and I hope we see them for another 400 simple southern Sundays. the girls are adorable with grandpa and yes, I see you in the lovely drone shot. home made ice cream is always on my picnic and holiday menus….sigh and we have had wonderful sweet corn for quite some time now. btw, did you known you can cut off the end of the stock and pop the ear, shucks and all into the microwave for four minutes an ear…(two ears 8 minutes etc) and when you remove the ear, careful they are hot…use a paper towel to remove shucks and silks and all will come whistle clean. so much easier then shucking before you cook. Have a wonderful week-end my dear friend, Kari
Thank you, dear Kari. I agree that corn in shuck and placed in microwave is quick and easy. I hope you are having a great weekend!
Pam
Your pictures sing the Fourth, Butch, and what it is all about. I hope when I finally close my eyes I see a vision akin
to the rayed skies of your sunset…almost an entry to Paradise. And what a proud Grandfather beams between his
two adorable beauties. That drone shot is a beautiful mosaic of your garden and I spotted the queen of the realm….
I second Kari’s suggestion… a boon and whistle clean time saver in preparing corn… I do believe that those of good will will know an all-American Fourth , culminating in family togetherness, barbecuing with the fixings, home made ice cream and grateful hearts that we reside in the land of the free and the home of the brave…Prayers that we keep her so. God bless America ~
Thanks so much, Mary. Wishing you a blessed Independence Day. We must talk soon!
Always a pleasure stopping by! Beautiful pictures as ever. Those girls are the cuttest, adorable photo with Butch! Your garden is heavenly. Happy 4th!
Thank you, sweet Maristella.
Pam xoxo
Congratulations on the 400th SSS – I always look forward to these pictures Butch! The sunflowers are gorgeous! What a great pic with Butch and the grandgirls – they are adorable, and its a keeper for sure! I can zoom and see Pam in the aerial shot – ha! The Sunshine Cottage looks lovely all decked out for the holiday. Happy 4th to both of you!
Kim, you are so sweet. I looked terrible outside in that heat. So glad he was taking a photo from way up 😂
Pam
400! Wow! And as beautiful as every other one we have seen. I especially love the sunflowers, the cottage and always the girls! I hope your fourth was fabulous!
Thank you, Jeanie!
What beautiful photos! And number 400… wow! That’s an accomplishment for sure! I loved the photo where we can see Pam taking photos of her tablescape! And of course the Littles with you are just darling! And Sunshine Cottage all decked out. ❤️🤍💙
Thanks for sharing all the beauty that surrounds you.
Thank you, Nancy. Wishing you a wonderful day!
beautiful photos and you’re blessed to live in such beautiful place!
Thanks so much, it is a beautiful place to live!
Butch and Pam, I always look forward to your posts – especially the Simple Southern Sunday posts. Congratulations on your milestone. May the Lord bless you with many more years of writing and sharing.
Blessed to be one of your readers, Cindie
Thanks so much, Cindie. You are a blessing!