“but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:14 ESV
PJ and I were able to take a short drive last week and spend a little time in one of our north Alabama state parks. It was a cold clear morning and the rushing waterfalls made it feel even colder! There were very few people out and about so we had some spots all to ourselves!
This old house…there are neat places like this throughout the countryside if we take the side roads and keep ours eyes peeled. Without fail, I wonder about the stories of all who lived here. A couple of years ago I found an old home place further down this same gravel road but did not travel far enough to notice this one.
WL delights in all things outdoors. Dirt, leaves, grass, woods, pastures, and all the creatures that lurk in these places…he is right at home. Is it possible this is a trait related to genetics?
A walk in the garden one day last week was quite different from a spring or summer visit. Just after first light, a fog rolled in, and with the morning temp around 27, the rime ice started forming on everything.
The ice added a fitting “touch” to our soft touch holly!
I was glad we had not pruned the hydrangeas. They graced the garden all summer and autumn, and the show isn’t over! Maybe a plant for all seasons?
My nose and lips grew cold just looking at this guy.
Vanilla strawberry hydrangeas are also a nice resting place for freezing fog. To me, this just has a very vanilla-like appearance. I am a fan of vanilla anyway!
One of our boxwoods has not looked very healthy this winter, even somewhat autumnal instead of the normal all-green. We think the plant may die, but the leaves did offer a colorful background.
The winter red of the weeping yaupon holly berries are always a nice colorful extra to the winter landscape. Oddly, the ice formed on the leaves but did not appear on the ripe fruit.
With a little imagination (perhaps a lot), a gardenia is found blooming in January!
The white ice started forming on the coral bark maple and it was magical to me. A photo does not do it justice.
Moving on from the ice, it is time for dessert. The Bottega bar at Bottega Cafe was described to us by our waitress as a gourmet snickers. Believe me, that was a great description!
A much photographed boathouse just above the falls which we featured in the first photo…the tranquil green of a clear mountain lake is pleasing to the eyes. A scene like this fills up all our senses!
Just down the way sits a small, barn-red boathouse. Again, we had this entire area to ourselves. It is crowded here most months, mainly March through November.
Glad you could stop by. Pam and I wish you a joyful week. And be sure to say hello to February…can you believe that is upon us already?
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Beautiful Photographs. Love WL with bug bright blue eyes and the frosted Holly!
Thanks so much, Pamela!
This has been the most unusual winter…veering from freezing to warm, brilliant blue to dense fog and torrential rain. Butch has captured its beauty perfectly! The rime ice (good Scrabble word!) created such a magical effect. It is a hard pick between the coated statue, the brilliant green water, or the Snickers bar! And the pint size farmer with the brilliant blue eyes is always a winner!!
Thanks, sweet friend. His blue eyes get to me every time! You might say I am a pushover!
Thank you for this beautiful post. So peaceful. Have a lovely week ahead. Blessings.
Thank you sweet friend
Pam
A beautiful winter post. I am always fascinated with these old houses as I know they have stories to tell. Beautiful waterfall to go with your opening scripture. And, yes, I believe the beautiful blue eyed boy has inherited his grandparent’s genes. I know this is a special month for you. Take time to celebrate your beautiful life together.
Thanks so much, Dianne. Your sweet words always encourage!
Pam
Such great photos. Like you, I enjoy capturing the small details like the frost on a statue or a flower. Beautiful.
Thanks so much, Carole!
Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! The rime ice put on quite a beautiful show in you garden. Wyatt is an absolute doll! The photos of the lake are gorgeous. Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead!
Thanks so much, Shannon!
Pam
Numbers 6:24-26 back to you both with love. What a discerning eye to capture those mystical photos of nature’s taking frigid air and creating awesome beauty..if one but takes notice….How rewarding that little trip
seems to have been for you … but on to dessert …who can resist Snickers? Or Wyatt of the piercing blue eyes? Cherish one another in this month of your dedication to each other …You are role models in what
makes it work. Blessed Sabbath and week to come. Snuggle and keep warm.
It was a sweet drive and always fun to see interesting vistas! The bar was fabulous!
Pam
His bright blue eyes… gets me every time! WL is a sweetheart!
Butch… you have captured frozen beauty so wonderfully! Wow!
Waterfalls, old houses and barns are always a favorite for me!
Such a fabulous post! Thank you!
Enjoy your week, Friends!
Butch has a great eye for all that nature has to offer. Thank you, Nancy and I am a pushover for the blue eyes!
Pam
You captured some beautiful photos 🙂
Thank you, Claire!
Pam
Love your visuals! WL is adorable. Those eyes captivate!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
Pam
Beautiful pictures. Have a wonderful week.
Happy week to you, Kris
Pam
What a fun ride you took — and I love that you stopped for so many photos. All lovely. The frost on that statue — brilliant capture. Really beautiful. Happy week to you both!
Thanks so much, Jeanie. We love taking rides in the country!
I think it is definitely in the genes Butch, I love the seaside, water, waterfalls & while doing our family history found that my ancestors were all Mariners & Shipwrights!
I also enjoy dressmaking & found that the women in our family line were seamstesses! Amazing!
A lovely post today.
Bless you both, Jennifer
Interesting finds about your ancestors, Jennifer. As always, thank you sweet friend!
Pam
Ah Butch, beautiful pictures, as usual. The waterfall is so pretty! WL has the most gorgeous eyes and how sweet that he has his grand-daddy’s love for the outdoors. I don’t know if frost down there is typical, but it is here, and the capture of it on the statue is amazing. Love the hollies and the berries too, and the photos of the lake. Hoping you two are having a wonderful week!
Thanks so much, Kim for your sweet comments. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Awe Butch and Pam…what a wonderful virtual tour of all…the shot of WL is nothing short of adorable and mesmerizing. And the frost pics leads me to my usual dilemma of knowing the differences between radiation (hoar) frost, advection frost, window frost and rime frost. The Captain is always explaining the differences in early morning “dew”, frost, cloud formations and what causes this and what causes that (if you know what I mean, and I promptly forget it all) …but I will sum it up with one word….no matter what it is and what the actual causes are…your pics are “INCREDIBLE”. I will stick to my very small area of knowledge which is sports. Go KC Chiefs! Go Kansas Jayhawks! and Go KC Royals. LOL
Hello Kari! I am so glad you have figured out the dew, frost, rime (lol)! Best wishes for your Chiefs!
Such beautiful photos. Very nice.
Thank you so much!
Blessings, Pam