“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Timothy 1:17 ESV
It was 28 degrees with a heavy frost one morning last, week when just before sunrise, I noticed the eastern sky turn a fiery orange. Knowing how quickly light changes at sunrise and sunset, I grabbed the camera off the counter and rushed outside. I don’t know that I ended up with a great sunrise pic, but after running out into the pasture in shorts, tee shirt, and bare feet, this sunrise had to be a keeper!
I noticed that our selection of photos this week included a few blessed by a background of beautiful blue skies…that special blue that is only found in autumn and winter. A church steeple standing tall and bearing a cross pointing toward the heavens is simply a scene that reminds me of all God’s promises!
Every day however, does not promise perfect conditions. We have not determined what started a fire in a neighboring section of woods, but dry and windy conditions were not our friends last week. Fortunately the forestry commission brought in a bulldozer and plowed lanes that contained the blaze somewhat and only a few acres of the wooded area I roam in was burned. Rain finally came through and that also gave us relief.
Pam kept WL (and his big sisters) yesterday morning while their mommy was running a half marathon. And since I brought that up, she won her division. Congratulations mommy! PJ said WL has a chocolate milk mouth. I wonder who would give him chocolate milk? (I am guessing it’s the same “softy” who gives grands most anything they ask for!) Truth be known…I am the chief of “softies”.
A stately old red oak leaf escaped the fire and fluttered down next to me so I figured I’d give it a little recognition in it’s final days. I thought the leaf was kinda pretty too!
Groundseltree is a November and December bloomer native to our area. It is very prominent and noticeable this time of year along our roadsides. While mostly a bush or shrub, one variety is the only eastern species of the aster family that reaches tree size.
Several bluebirds dropped by last week to rest up and refresh, spending a lot of time at an old bird bath that belonged to Pam’s mom. It is special to have a few things which she enjoyed in her yard for years, that now find a place in PJ’s garden.
I am not sure what kind of birds these are, but clearly they are magicians. How else can I explain them being perched on a suspended twig?!
This unusual and awesome covering of gingko leaves and the way they settled like snow on everything beneath the mother tree really caught our eye. And of all places, Pam and I were riding through a cemetery!
I couldn’t help but kneel down and get a better view of this green and gold display graced by a backdrop of blue from a cool, clear, November sky.
It is easy to overlook a sight like this tree, determining that is has no aesthetic value once the summer green and autumn color is gone and the limbs are bare. Pam asked me to stop at this spot as we were riding along a couple of days ago. She pointed out the architectural beauty of this old deciduous hardwood. A lot of changes take place during the seasons of life but in God’s eyes we are always valuable to Him!
As kids, me and the neighborhood guys would have been in paradise if our China berry trees had been this loaded. The trees were good to climb and the berries, whether green or dried like these, worked so well in a slingshot or just throwing them at a villain. I probably didn’t appreciate a cobalt sky back in those days…too busy playing!
I had decided I would slip around and put up our first Christmas decoration this year, but low and behold, PJ beat me to it. The inside of the Sunshine Cottage has won first place. Between the table linens that she gets from April Cornell and the fact that she wants the grands to have a cottage tree to enjoy, I didn’t stand a chance
I was a day late but here is our first outdoor decoration. I’m claiming 1st in something. Just a puny old wreath on a new fence, but it is a start!
Several of our Japanese Maples are hanging on to color and have been slow to lose their leaves, offering us more time to enjoy the season.
The weeping Yaupon Holly is a native plant to the U.S. Loaded with red berries that hang around well into the winter, it is very popular with the birds. A couple of weeks ago, numbers of blue jays started showing up around our place. They loved this tree, and there were often 3 or 4 birds in and out, attacking the berries. We watched the jays for about a week and then they were gone!
I hope you enjoyed this post and that you have a wonderful week.
By The Way – Pam and I wish you a Blessed Thanksgiving
”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 boy and his baby blues. Breathtaking surroundings. You are such a wonderful photographer and love to teach us things about nature which I appreciate. Happy Sunday.
Ruth, Pam and I thank you so much for your comments. That blue-eyed boy has certainly captured our hearts. I love the outdoors but I credit Pam with being a much better photographer!
Amazing pictures…Just breathtaking!!! A favorite post! God bless you and yours, my precious friends.
Maristella – Pam and I are most grateful for your comments. Glad you really liked this post. Blessings to you!
Wyatt is a cutie! Love those blue eyes.
Talking about China Berries reminded of my Dad. He evidently played in them too in Alabama. He would not eat green peas. He always call them China Berries.😀
Nancy- Pam and I thank you so much for your comments and yes, Mr. blue eyes has our hearts captured. I never thought about how much those China Berries in the summer look like big green peas!
Wyatt is such a sweet little handsome man. Love those baby blues. We are seeing snow and cold up here in the midwest. Enjoy those beautiful temps. Sorry about the fire wow I bet that is scary to see. Glad they could contain it. Happy Sunday. Have a great week leading to Thanksgiving. xoxo Kris
Kris- Pam and I are grateful for your comments. The little blue-eyed guy does have us wrapped up. Thankfully the fire is out and our weather now feels a bit more like Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Beautiful photos as usual, Happy Thanksgiving to you both.
Carole- Pam and I thank you for your comments and wish you a happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for sharing all of these wonderful photos. They are so appreciative. I enjoy all of God’s wonders.
By the way your grandson is quite handsome.
Della- Pam and I thank you for your kind and encouraging comments. God’s creation is truly awesome.
Your sunrise shot was worth running out in the cold with bare feet. It’s lovely! Wyatt is so handsome and his eyes are mesmerizing. The Sunshine Cottage is beautifully decked out for Christmas. Love that tablecloth! I must get started on decorating. That oak leaf is so pretty. Glad the fire was stopped! The blue skies are fabulous this time of year. We’ve had such cold weather recently that I’m ready for the warmer temps which is more normal this time of year. Our temps are running 20 degrees lower than normal. Enjoyed all the pics and the narrative. Enjoy your Sunday! Happy Thanksgiving. Clara❤️
Clara- Pam and I so appreciate your kind and encouraging comments. I suffered no ills from being barefoot in the cold. You are so right, the temps are now below normal. I like it warmer too! Pam is at work decorating the Sunshine Cottage. Still much to do. Have a great Thanksgiving!
What a lesson in Gods blessings this morning! Praise Him in all things. Thankful the fire was put out so quickly. WL is so beautiful. You have many reasons to be Thankful love your photography !
Alice, Pam and I are grateful for your comments. WL has our hearts for certain and you are so right…we are tremendously blessed.
That beautiful sunrise shot was well worth the effort and health risk..brrr. Wyatt grows more the charmer every day. Relieved that fire was contained.. troubling. The birds on the twig demand a reasonable explanation…cannot figure that one out; unless being held by them in suspension.. The gingko blanketing is so picturesque, almost “planned” in design. The Sunshine cottage dressed for Christmas is so lovely and inspiring.. Cannot help but smile
at Pam’s creativity and sense of happy color, but you, Butch, captured a Christmas card
worthy with your wreath on the fence in the garden. You both enrich our lives. Have a most
blessed Thanksgiving, filled with peace, joy and delicious.
Mary, Pam and I are truly thankful for your kind words and so encouraged by them! I suffered no ills from a barefoot venture in the cold. Pam is definitely the creative one in our household. Have a wonderful and blessed time of Thanksgiving.
Your beautiful photos and stories capture a true testament of God’s love and your love for each other! Thank you for sharing with us! A treasure trove of God’s goodness for generations to come!
Elaine, Pam and I are truly thankful for your comments. God has been so good to us. May all who come behind us find us faithful!
I look forward to your Simple Southern Sunday posts. So much wisdom in your words, and beauty in your photos! Happy Thanksgiving!
Nancy, Pam and I so appreciate your kind words. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Nice post
Thank you so much!!
love your Sunday musings….photos and narrative are inspirational as you share God’s Glory with your readers. Thank you and God Bless.
Kari, Pam and I thank you so much for your kind comments. God bless you and happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks for another beautiful stroll through your area. I loved the church cross against the blue sky! And your littlest little is getting bigger… so adorable!
I’m so sorry about the fire… how scary! Glad they got it contained.
Thank you for such beautiful pictures in your gardens and neighborhood!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nancy, Pam allows me to stroll the woods and thankfully the fire resulted in little harm. Little man is growing for sure. Thanks for commenting and have a great Thanksgiving!
Butch and Pam, your sunrise shot is beautiful! I love the winter skies…the trees block our sunrise, but the fiery sunsets over our pond are spectacular. The fire must have been so frightening. Congratulations to your daughter-in-love! Christmas with the grands will be so much fun. Hope your Thanksgiving is wonderful. I am very grateful for your friendship!
Thank you Roxanne. Pam and I appreciate your encouraging words. BTW- We are eating a lot of wonderful grits! Would love to see one of your pond sunsets. Have a great Thanksgiving!!
I love your appreciation of all God’s creations.
Thanks. His creation is indeed indescribable !
Better luck next time with winning the “first” — but the cottage looks great! And your wreath is just beautiful. Every photo a gem. So glad the fire was controlled! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week.
Jeanie, Pam definitely beat me out with her cottage decor but at least I was able to come up with something! Thanks for your comments and Happy Thanksgiving
Those skies are definitely a beautiful blue! And what a handsome little guy WL is, and oh my, those eyes – so precious and what a great pic! I didn’t know that there were November and December bloomers and I’ve never heard of a Groundsel tree, but how cool is that? I always learn something here. The Sunshine Cottage looks gorgeous all decked out for Christmas and the wreath is lovely too. Have a great week you two!
Thank you Kim and we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving week. Pam is always at work in the Sunshine Cottage. And yes, WL has eyes like those skies!
I appreciate you for pointing out the different hues of blue and their correlation to seasons. I guess I have never noticed that connection. Speaking of blue…WL’s eyes! So very sky blue! Keep right on being a softy with those grands…some day they will look back on their lives and remember your love and all of the special things you did for and with them. They’ll tell stories to their children and their children’s children–you’re building a legacy of love.
I’m sorry to read about the fire, but rejoice with you that damage was held at bay.
Thank you, Butch and Pam for your always inspiring posts. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Cindie, your comments are always encouraging. Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Pam
Grateful that God was with you in the fire. Literally. And protected you! As always I love a peek into the Cottage … that table setting shines! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with rest, hope, and celebration, friend. I’m grateful that we get to do this blogging life together …
Thank you, Linda. Wishing you and yours a joy-filled Thanksgiving!
Pam
A delightful post as always! I especially enjoyed the beautiful skies & flora this week.
My hubby may share the throne with you Butch in being a softie where our grandchildren are concerned. 😉
Bless you both, Jennifer 😊
Blessings, Jennifer. We so appreciate your visits!
Pam
This was such an interesting post, as are each of your posts here! May God bless you and yours with a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
Thank you dear one. I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving!