“You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.”
Psalm 65:11-13
We are blessed to live in an area with beautiful farm country as well as mountains and lakes. Thanks to Appalachian Media (AM), who recently worked an event in our neighboring county, we have a few scenes to share. It seems appropriate that AM shares this view since the mountain in the background is Lookout Mountain… near the southern end of the Applachian chain. Weiss Lake is also visible!
Harvest time is here as we transition from summer to fall, however we have predictions of mid to high 90’s this week so it may not feel like autumn. A lot of corn has now been harvested but it is a little too early for most cotton. This particular farm also raises sod.
Glowing skies add something special to the already down home country feeling you experience when hanging out on the farm!
It’s almost pumpkin time. I say almost because we weren’t quite ready to go into fall mode completely and the pumpkins will be hard pressed to last through October in the heat. But, you get ’em when they become available. Our friends with the pumpkin farm had a big day last week. We joined in on what I thought could be clamor for some of the first of this year’s harvest!
With hundreds of pumpkins like these and dozens of people picking through them, you can see why I feared “clamor”! In all honesty, it was well organized and folks were kind and helpful. No injuries! Just a peaceful pumpkin pickin’.
Our sweet first grader enjoyed the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. She has learned how to identify a number of plants and flowers and is standing by one of her favorites…black-eyed Susan’s.
While watering last week I happened to notice how this vanilla strawberry hydrangea had experienced a growth spurt. I am in the garden every day and somehow had never seen the new addition right in the center. It is easy to think it belongs but a close look says not so! The tallest portion is a persimmon tree! Needless to say, it can’t remain here.
I was amazed that a persimmon tree managed to join a hydrangea and to grow that much in one season. Then I happened to notice young trees in the back pasture, some at least 3 feet tall. And yes, if you are guessing all these are persimmons you would be correct. This field was cut in late June so these trees are only about 3 months old. What’s going on with the persimmon outbreak?? Johnny Persimmonseed no doubt!
I caught some early autumn color on a maple with a nice blue sky background. I didn’t notice until later that the waning gibbous moon was also in the pic.
How about some lobster & shrimp rigatoni with garlic, capers, parsley, and lemon. This was Pam’s entree but I was given a bite…a small bite but delicious nonetheless!
We think of pine cones as those gray or brown open things with stickers that lay around on the ground and make our lawnmower go crazy. But they have a long life cycle and it takes time for them to get to that stage, evidenced by all the tight green ones that remain in the tree tops!
The United Kingdom has certainly been on the minds of many due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen did lie in state in St. Gile’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland for a time last week. I thought it good for today’s throwback to use a photo of St. Gile’s, made on our visit to Edinburgh in 2015.
Pam was busy doing some neat things in the garden preparing for her teatime post coming up Tuesday. I was granted special permission to use one photo as she gave me a sneak peek. It brought about a little “autumnal feeling”. And I ate one of the fuji apples!
My drone work does not compare with Appalachian Media but I still get it out and fly occasionally. You know…big boys and their toys. The pasture had been mown the evening before and there is something about the look and smell of freshly mown hay. I have to go on memory now as far as the smell but I do remember. With concentration and no distractions I can still get a sense of what it smells like.
The fields look so clean now that all the mowing is complete. The final hay crop will soon be in the barn or stored somewhere which signals that summer is moving on and it is time for change.
I hope your week is a good one!
”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,
You are so blessed to live where you do. God’s beauty is all around you. Happy Sunday to both of you. May you both have a great start to the new week. xoxo Kris
Thanks so much, Kris. Wishing you a beautiful week,
Pam
A lovely autumn post. I especially love the photo of EM! Have a great week.
Thank you dear friend. I guess you arrived in KW!
Pam
The aerial photos are stunning Butch and Pam! Alabama is such a beautiful state, from the mountains to the beaches~ It looks like you picked some great pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, I have 5 I bought last week from Trader Joe’s that I’m going to bring inside for the hot week ahead to try to keep them happy. St. Giles Cathedral is incredible, how fortunate you are to have been there. I love seeing recently plowed fields with the hay rolls, and I’m sorry to hear you still can’t smell Butch…I wish you both a wonderful week ahead!
Jenna, Alabama is beautiful and we are planning on seeing more of its natural beauty since Butch has retired. Have a wonderful week!
Pam
How well you portray the moving of the cycles of seasons….today’s is especially profound in color and subjects. The skies are glorious, the land is splendid in its planned order and EM’s lovely dress echoes the deep hues of pumpkins. That persimmon tree explosion… is that a common phenomenon? Thank you for that lovely photo of St. Giles’ Cathedral. The shot of the garden expansion testifies to your skill in planning and implementing a vision….we just wonder at it all as we catch our collective breaths revisiting that first photo before signing off. Have a blessed week to come… and keep cool, dear friends.
The persimmons is a new phenomenon. Enjoy your week, our friend!
Blessings,
Pam
Butch and Pam, The skies are gorgeous! Our farm land is vital and precious. Every time I see such pretty shots of farm land, I am thankful for those who tend it and provide food/clothing to all of us. EM is really growing and her dress matches the pumpkins. The pumpkins are so colorful. I can’t get into them just yet due to the heat. We’re going to be near 100 this week! The basket of apples and pillow are pretty too. Enjoy your Sunday. Clara ❤️
Clara, we definitely owe farmers gratitude for what they do. Enjoy your week,
Pam
Dear friends, it is a pleasure to visit your posts. Nature in full swing, beautiful fields, your eldest granddaughter and a beautiful young lady…what more could you ask for in a weekend?…
I’m still doing well because I’m in the south. The people are very friendly and I enjoy the presence of my two grandchildren: Gonzalo, 6 years old, and Manuel, 9 years old. A serene life although I still haven’t figured out what to do with the house in Majadahonda…I assure you it’s a nightmare.
A big hug to all
Dolores
Estimada Dolores, siempre es un placer saber de usted y gracias por sus dulces comentarios. Sé que te encanta pasar tiempo con Gonzalo y Manuel. Me alegra que te guste la gente amable de allí y espero que tengas paz en tu hogar. Bendiciones y abrazos Pam
Dear Pam and Butch. This post is just gorgeous. Especially the magnificence of the sky. Certainly God’s brush strokes. Ella is getting to be such a big girl and so pretty. I guess I don’t have to say she is growing too fast.
Wishing you all a lovely day and week ahead. We are to have warm days this week as well, so I will wait on the pumpkins.
Thank you, Sandra. Have a wonderful week!
Pam
You guys have had a very busy week! The pictures are fabulous. I love the AM and your drone work, Butch! Your garden and field behind look amazingly gorgeous, always! We had our first dry week in I don’t know how long this past week, with cool, dewy mornings. Like you, we’re heating back up. I have been working on nurturing new grass and transplants in the landscape. Have a great week.
It sounds like you have been busy with gardening. I know it will look great!
Blessings,
Pam
The drone shots are so pretty. The sky is beautiful! Great captures.
It has warmed up here also. I was loving the cooler mornings.
Sounds like a busy time at the pumpkin patch and getting home and lifting them to the picnic table. Maybe a job for the golf cart!
Interesting post. Loving EM and St. Giles.
Thanks so much, Bonnie. The cool mornings have been nice.
Blessings,
Pam
What beautiful aerial shots, and the glorious photos of the skies are always spectacular. Queen EM is looking stylishly dressed for Fall in her orange! Just read the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a particularly bitter January for the South, complete with snow and ice.
Thanks so much, Roxanne. Yikes, I don’t want ice, but a nice snowfall I would love. But, no power outages!
Blessings,
Pam
What beautiful sky shots you have shared here today, along with all the delicious food and lovely sights. So fall — I think it has landed in your world!
Thank you, Jeanie. Have a wonderful week, Pam
The AM shot is really beautiful as well as your drone shot. Yes, fall is on its way. Looks like you and Pam chose beautiful pumpkins. EM looks so beautiful and grown up. The church in Edinburg is so appropriate today. Really beautiful!
Thanks so much, Dianne! Wishing you a beautiful week,
Pam
I am so ready for it to cool off and the color to come into the trees!! Can’t wait to see what Pam does with that golden leaf pillow.
Yes, it is hot here!
Pam
A lovely post Butch! I enjoyed joining you both in the tour of your area ☺️.
We have a peach sapling in our Azealas at the moment! Of course it won’t be staying there either!
Blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thanks so much, Jennifer.
Blessings,
Pam
Beautiful pictures! Blessings dear friends!
Thank you, dear one!
Blessings,
Pam
What a glorious Autumnal feeling with this Sunday Stroll.
Pumpkins! Persimmon trees! Apples! And EM in a beautiful fall dress!
Your drone shots are fabulous. The new fence is beautiful!
I’m so sorry your smell is still not back…
Happy Sunday to you both!
Thanks so much, Nancy. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Lovely pics Butch – that maple against the blue sky is stunning. And the aerial views are beautiful – but not as beautiful as that sweet first-grader of course! The aerial of the new arbor and garden expansion is gorgeous – what a fabulous job you have done! Have a lovely week you two!
Thanks so much, Kim. Wishing you a lovely week!
Blessings,
Pam
Beautiful photos and perfect for Fall. I have had trees, particularly carrotwood trees which are super invasive down here in Florida growing up in the middle of hibiscus plants. Ugh…they are a bear to get rid of even at an early age. Love the drone pics. thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Kari!
Hugs,
Pam
I agree with EM. I love black-eyed susans, too! Kevin mingled some in our rose garden at our old home. I loved them so much! Of course, I never met a flower of any sort that I don’t love. May God bless you and your family!
May God bless you and your family, Cheryl!