“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2
Summer mornings are nice when the flowers open up and the garden welcomes a new day. I didn’t venture too far from home last week. I suppose most of my everyday living was done outside and around the house. Even the 4th was spent with family at our house. We did catch a nice fireworks display up on the lake last Sunday evening. Did you have an eventful week?
Sometimes when I am out and about doing routine yard work I do remember to stop and take notice of something besides the grass and weeds! I am trying to train myself to slow the pace and observe more of my surroundings. The heat and humidity last week assisted me in the slowing effort!
Recently, when our golden raintree was in bloom, I used it in a Sunday post. This is a popular ornamental because of appealing leaves and colorful blooms. But, I am learning that many people also like the tree because of these unusual seedpods. The pods look like paper lanterns. Many have blown off but hundreds remain on the tree. I learned that a variety called Stradher’s Hill is very popular as the pods turn red and some stay on the tree through fall and even winter!
We are beginning to see a variety of color and texture as a lot of the summer garden is maturing and looking “seasonal”. I crawled between the rows of sunflowers that you see in the background, planting more sunflowers, hoping for a late summer show. When I emerged from underneath on my hands and knees, I was greeted by…
…several gobblers that apparently thought I was just another animal roaming through the brush. There were 7 of them very close so I stayed low and allowed them to walk away. These wild birds typically will not tolerate me coming near. They prefer to keep their distance most times!
For some reason a lot of birds are feeling the need to hang out nearby. We mainly see cardinals in the winter but are seeing more this summer than normal, especially the last couple of weeks. PJ was only 3 or 4 feet from this guy and he remained content on the perch for the longest. Possibly the turkeys have communicated by their actions that we are harmless!
I believe EK is claiming her title as the Zinnia Princess!
We only have 2 tomato plants but I am now picking quite a few every day. I have always had problems growing tomatoes. They always turned black on the bottom and would rot. A friend told me he used Ferti-lome, spraying the plants and the young fruit occasionally. I bought this product and discovered that it does work! We are getting some really good tomatoes this year!
Speaking of good tomatoes…Pam enjoyed this heirloom tomato salad that included cucumbers, nicoise olives, onions, basil, and chevre. The cheese was fresh from a Kentucky farm. The olives are grown in southeastern France. Since we didn’t have time to go to Kentucky or France, she had the salad at Chez Fonfon in Birmingham!
Researching the origin of the olives reminded us of a trip to the south of France in 2010. Our throwback for this week, Roussillon, France. And btw, this photo looks like a painting but it is indeed a pic we made of the countryside. We could only figure that the pic was slightly out of focus which created this appearance. And, whatever the cause, we liked the uniqueness.
There is a story here concerning these blooms. I planted a section of a raised bed with a packet of wildflower seeds. The seeds were tiny and difficult to plant and cover properly. Nothing seemed to be working so I kept buying more seeds. I planted this spot 3 different times and finally gave up on anything happening, thinking I possibly covered the seeds too deep. But over the past couple of weeks, all kinds of plants are coming up and the Plains coreopsis started blooming almost overnight.
I found 6 different wildflowers blooming yesterday. This is sweet alyssum. There are also quite a number of different looking plants that I believe will eventually bloom. I am reluctant to pull weeds from this area because I might be removing a wildflower! Maybe all is not lost!
Various shades of green along with a variety of plant growth patterns and features give the garden a very interesting look this time of year. It is perhaps easier to take notice of spring flowers and autumn color but every season has something to offer.
PJ looked out and noticed this cloud formation and called me to have a look. It was very late, almost dark, but I was able to get a few pics. Our local meteorologist calls similar clouds mammatus clouds but I’m not sure if these qualify?
The sun sets in the west, but at times, looking east at sundown is not a bad idea!
Wishing you a pleasant week!
”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,
Lovely walk around your world this morning. I have some wild turkeys that will come to the sidewalk for a bite of whole grain bread. They come by from time to time, mostly in the fall.
Thanks, Carole. I have seen your photos of the wild turkeys!
Summer is in full bloom! Everything looks like it’s thriving. Your photo from France does look like a painting. Maybe you should have it printed on canvas! We are seeing a lot of cardinals and finally the hummingbirds are hitting my feeders. More thunderstorms predicted here, the humidity is off the charts. Ahhhh, summer in the South!
Thank you, Roxanne. Yes, we can expect this humidity, but it is still hard to adjust to it.
Pam
Such an enjoyable post hearing about your week and discoveries in the garden and skies. I love your open spaces.
Your tomatoes look so good. There is nothing better than a BLT sandwich!
Pam’s salad from Chez Fon Fon looks delicious. Pam and I met there and had a delightful long lunch getting to know one another. I must look up the year.
Roussillon is a charming area. I like your picture and agree it looks like a painting. We were in Provence in 2013.
EK looks so pretty in the zinnias.
Have a good week.
I remember that lovely lunch we enjoyed at Chez Fonfon. The tomato salad was delicious. I would love to return to Provence! Have a great week!
Pam
What a beautiful post! I was so glad to know about Ferti-Lomé for the tomatoes. We have been grinding up egg shells and putting around them. What a harvest from two plants. Emma is beautiful among the zinnias. The photo in France is really something special. It is all just a feast for the eyes. I love the verses from Psalms. I feel you are enjoying your retirement with the beautiful Pam.
Thanks so much, Dianne. I finally think Butch is enjoying his retirement!
Pam
I have to ask the Lord to forgive my jealousy every time I see your property.😀 (kidding, sort of) But I so admire your hard work especially in the heat! At my age and health issues, I can’t even be outside in this heat. Your posts showing God’s beautiful world show me things I would not even see otherwise. Thank you once again.
It is our pleasure to share, Nancy. The heat and humidity have been oppressive over the past couple of weeks. Thank you for your sweet comments.
Pam
Butch you never need and excuse to show us the smallest detail. I love it all. And your hard work in the garden is very appreciated. My how fast EK is growing. Children don’t need much, just bare feet in summer, ice cream, a swimming hole to play in and love and caring parents and grandparents. The sunsets you show are Gods way of showing His glory in heaven, think.
Have a blessed week.
Thank you, Alice. You are correct, bare feet, ice cream, and a little swimming pool is enough to make them happy. Take care, give me a report from your doctor’s visit on Tuesday.
Pam
The doctor said I can take the braces off for an hour at a time to gain strength in my neck and back. Also I am allowed to sleep without them. I was so thankful that I’ve healed so well. Praise Jesus🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
What a lovely Sunday Morning Stroll. What beauty that surrounds you. Your gardens are such a delight to see. I have to go places to see sunflowers as we are not here in Pennsylvania early enough to plant them and if we are… the rabbits eat them.
Seeing your cardinal is always a reminder of a visitor from heaven smiling at you. They also love sunflower seeds!
EK is the perfect Zinnia princess! What a lovie!
I thought for sure the picture was a painting. Or you had done it on a painting app. It’s quite beautiful!
Happy Sunday my friends! Enjoy your week to come. Stay cool… I hear it’s quite hot your way.
Nancy, I always look forward to your strolls. It has been so hot, a little cooler today! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
When we were on vacation in Michigan we had a stray wild Turkey that would come on the lawn every morning. They are interesting birds. Your sky pics are just gorgeous. Happy Sunday.
Thank you, Kris. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Butch and Pam, You’re surrounded by beautiful color and wonderful nature. All your hard work has paid off once again. EK is a cutie and really growing! Love the France pic. It does indeed look like a painting. How unique! Hope you guys get a respite from the heat and humidity soon. Today we’re going to be near normal temps which will be our respite. Happy Sunday! Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. The heat and humidity have been lower today, and it has been a nice break. Wishing you a good week ♥️
Pam
Love your pics and enjoy your penchant for details. I am so glad to learn about your solution for tomato rot. I will have to try it! Thank you! Enjoy the beautiful day!
Thank you, Maria. Our tomatoes have been great this year, it really works!
Pam
I so enjoyed this post, Butch. The tomatoes look delicious; I wish we were close enough to share in your bounty. Such a sweet photo of EK.
I wish you were closer, dear one!
Pam
When one waits upon the Lord, it is amazing what emerges…Your gardens are a testimony to your faith and trust
that in waiting upon Him, what you reap will mirror His splendor. There is a light and composition to your photos
that are unique and so edifying that one surmises His Hand helped to till and sow. Want to talk about tomatoes…..
think New Jersey…. That Roussillon image is so beautiful. Ever grateful for your Sabbath gift to us…..
Thank you, Mary. We appreciate your sweet comments ♥️
Pam
Beautiful pictures dear friends! E.K. is a cutie! Have a lovely week ahead. Blessings.
Thank you so much, dear one!
Pam
Beautiful photographs and scripture for this lovely Sunday. EK looks precious standing in front of the pretty zinnias. At first, I thought the stunning photograph taken in France was a painting. It is gorgeous! Wishing you both a blessed week ahead!
Thank you, Shannon. Wishing you a wonderful week, sweet friend.
Pam
I love reading your simple southern Sundays. Have a great week!
Thank you, Rita
Pam
I love that the birds are hanging out — and that you are looking up! That food looks so delicious. I just finished dinner and wish I had been dining with you! Happy week!
Thank you, Jeanie. Have a good week!
Pam
Beautiful photos! There’s nothing better than the taste of homegrown tomatoes. I hope you guys have a wonderful week! 😊
Thanks so much, Michelle!
Pam
Your raintree photo reminded me of the ones we’d see in FL during the 40 years we lived there. They were our nod to fall color, though they turned more salmon than orange or red. Not nearly as impactful as the maples in our current home state, Ohio. / I’ve never seen such well-behaved sunflowers, perfectly turned out and standing so straight!./ Those mammatus clouds look like a bowl of whipped cream–upside down! Thank you for a delightful, virtual respite in your garden, Pam!
Nancy, you are so sweet to visit and comment. Wishing you a lovely week!
Sorry to hear about all the heat and humidity but the pics are gorgeous! I love the one of the mammatus clouds – I had to google that – it almost looks like it might organize itself into a tornado, but apparently they don’t typically. Very cool. EK is a true princess of the zinnias – so cute! Have a lovely week!
Summer in the South can be brutal. Thank you so much, Kim!
You and Butch have created your own paradise made even better when shared with your son and his adorable family.
Thanks so much, Linda. We have lived here 43 years and love it!
Your beautiful garden makes me smile, and gives me a bit of hope and inspiration that I may be able to create a tiny bit of something similar in my own garden.
I just read the comment above, 43 years of love in one place. How wonderful.
Thank you, Elizabeth. Our garden has definitely been trial and error. My husband has retired recently and has done most of the work this spring and summer.
Wow! It is truly amazing how much that one photo looks like a painting! So beautiful! Your whole place is just gorgeous and brings so much joy to all who come here. May God grace you with His continual presence and blessings!
Thank you, Cheryl for your continuing encouragement. You are a blessing, dear one!