“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord…”
John 12:13
Welcome to April and Palm Sunday!!
We took a short stroll through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens last week as Pam and I had occasion to be in the area. It is a bit early in the season for many of the garden varieties, but was nevertheless a nice visit. And, it is free with no charge for parking. Now where do you find that these days? We had never visited, but definitely hope to return.
No two sunrises are alike, but all have their own Creator beauty. You can’t see them in this pic, and I decided to not go any closer, but several wild turkeys were roosting in the large pines. They had a nice chorus going on between hens and toms!
As the morning progressed and the light changed quickly, it became clear that the turkeys were headed my way. I thought I would be nice and move away and give them their space…loan them our pasture for the morning for what would likely be a little courtship!
Yarrow, a perennial planted last year, is really taking off. I guess a good root system developed . Such an eye catching shade of yellow.
Did I mention “eye catching”? Our Princess EK turned 4 last Sunday.
It is a treat when taking a woodland stroll and I find two wild ones growing side by side and getting along just fine…trillium and phlox! When I examined the pic closer, I also spotted Virginia Creeper (no blooms) in the mix. It is a vine in the grape family. I hit a triple and didn’t even realize it!
It was also quite a treat to stroll to Bottega Cafe and find two Strawberry Semifreddo’s together. Pam and I both had one…I do not believe in sharing dessert! That would be a crime.
We did discover this plant at the botanical gardens and thought it fitting to include today at the beginning of what is called Holy Week. This is called Crown of Thorns or Christ Crown. Many people believe this plant was used to make the crown placed on Jesus’ head, hence the name. I thought it was surely a cactus when I spotted those thorns. It is not a cactus, but a shrub in the Spurge family.
The snowballs survived a light scattered frost last week and are at their peak now!
These blooms are heavy and branches sag under the weight. When they all turn brown, it isn’t such a pretty sight…but the show is worth it!
I had no intention of a moon pic this week, but snapped 4 or 5 through the branches of a crepe myrtle (the shadows you see at the bottom left) as I was walking through the yard. Just something to do. When I viewed the pics I discovered all were invaded by one or more of our turkey vulture clan. Sorry about showing buzzards two weeks in a row! They must be seeking the spotlight.
Palm Sunday calls for a 2011 throwback… in Jerusalem, as we look toward the Mount of Olives and the path that Jesus would have traveled. The garden of Gethsemane lies to the far left just above the center of the photo!
I hadn’t the opportunity to make a long trek through the woods in a couple of weeks and this time of year brings daily changes. I thought I might have missed the wild azaleas but was pleased to find that I was on time!
I can envision a theme park ride called the “wild azalea”, designed after this flower, spinning, rotating around an axis, and going up and down at the same time. I’m not riding!
This odd shaped rock has caught my eye several times when water in the creek is clear and low. I originally named it “pulled tooth rock”, but later decided to settle on “molar rock”. I thought that name had a smoother flow. What does it remind you of? I create names for a lot of things I discover, maybe a strange thing to do, but fun!
Have a wonderful week!!!!
“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
Wow! What a range of pictures but number one is your precious grandchild EK. So sweet. Number two might be dessert. Just kidding. Love the pictures from your walk as always. The molar rock does look exactly like a molar. Nothing blooming here so I enjoy seeing what’s blooming in Alabama. Hope the storms that did so much damage escaped your area. Do you have a basement?
Palm Sunday is a reminder of what Jesus did for us. He loved us first. God bless both of you this Sunday.
Thank you dearest Alice. The storms did escape us and we do not have a basement, but fortunately our son has a safe room and he is only 2 minutes away. Wishing you a lovely week!
Happy belated birthday to sweet EK. four yr olds are so much fun. Butch, you have a very creative mind. I immediately thought of a tooth when I saw that rock, and the idea of a wild azalea ride is perfect for that flower. The thought behind crown of thorns is very sobering, whether that was the actual plant used or not.
Have a beautiful week.
Thank you, Rita. Butch has a very creative mind, I sometimes marvel at this gift! Wishing you a beautiful week!
Why am I crying? Oh I’m so happy! Butch ~you’re writing, walking, taking pics, not sharing desserts (tee hee). Praise God! EK is my favorite pic, but everything in this post makes me happy! Such beautiful captures! Hosanna to our King on this Palm Sunday!
Karla, my sweet friend, it is so good to see you here this morning. Love and prayers for you ♥️🙏🏻🥰 Hosanna to our King 🙌🏻
Happy Holy Monday, Pam. It’s SO good to be here. My platelets are up enough to have treatment on April 13th. My hemoglobin is still just at a 9 and red and white blood cell counts still low. I’m expecting a call from my Dr today; perhaps an infusion can make me stronger. It’s a trade-off~shrinking tumors and the fact my bone marrow has taken irreversible damage (I had a blood disorder already 🙃). I hurt my back after my trip (injuries from many years and now, tumors). With all that said, I’m praising God for EVERY hour! I have my house as cozy as possible (some friends helped me with a cute basket wall you’d love I think). As I go throughout my week please know that I pray for you and Butch (I do hope you’re ok) every day. Much love and hugs!💕🙏🏻💐
Karla, I am glad to hear your platelets are up enough for chemo on the 13th. You are always in our prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I am happy to hear your house is cozy and you have such fabulous friends that love and serve you so well.
Sending love and hugs ♥️🤗
Thank you, Pam. So so much. ❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻
How is it possible EK, looking every inch a Princess, has turned 4! I’ve never seen Crown of Thorns. Like Rita said above, it is a very sobering thought as we begin Holy Week. My first thought with that rock was Dinosaur Tooth! Tell Butch I hired a strapping Clemson student from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to tackle my honeysuckle mess!
Good to hire a young man to tackle the job, Roxanne.
Just finished a tribute to Butch, hit the wrong key and it went off into cyberspace…
Cannot recall it all… suffice it to say it was gratitude for his unique imagination so
graciously shared each Sabbath.
Mary, I am so sorry that happens. It has happened to me many times. Thank you!
Dear friends, a pleasure, as always, to be in your things. Everything you have shown is really beautiful. Nature is beautiful but you know how to show it very well… I love it.
I love your granddaughter, she is a very beautiful girl, she is already four years old! My God how time flies…
A big hug from my southern Spain…
Querida Dolores, estoy muy feliz de saber de ti. El tiempo pasa tan rápido querido. ¿Vas a volver a bloguear? ¿Sabías que falleció Sandra de Maison De Jardin? Sé que lees su blog. Estaba tan triste. ¡Envío mi amor y abrazos desde el sur de los EE. UU.!
EK is such a pretty young lady in her cute dress. Her blue eyes and copper hair are just gorgeous. I can’t believe she’s 4 already! That crown of thorns is a reminder of all the pain Jesus bore for us and is a very sobering picture. The wild azalea ride does not sound like fun! The plant is beautiful though! That tooth rock is amazing! Enjoyed all the pics. The botanical garden is interesting and looks beautiful. The dessert looks delicious! Clara ❤️
Thank you, Clara. She is a sweet girl. The dessert is fabulous and wish I had a recipe for it!
Blessings, Pam
Adorable EK! Happy Belated Birthday to her! Beautiful pictures as ever. Thank you for your encouragement and kindness, dear friends. Happy Palm Sunday.
Sending love and hugs!
Pam
As always, dazzling. I especially love the wild azaleas. I’ve not seen those before, just the cultivated ones.
Thank you, Jeanie. The wild azaleas are really beautiful!
Your sweet little EK is adorable. Happy Birthday to that sweet princess. Ohhh I cannot wait to see us start to bloom. The sunsets are gorgeous. Happy Easter Week. Wishing you and your family a glorious week and Happy Easter. Hugs. Kris
Wishing you a blessed Easter, Kris and thank you.
Pam
EK is the star today. She looks beautiful. Happy Birthday, Emma Kennedy!
I’m loving your huge snowball tree, wild azalea, yellow yarrow, dessert at Bottega, crown of thorns, Jerusalem picture,molar rock, sunrise, and moon shot!
My yarrow dies down in the winter and is slower this year to come up. It has a more delicate feathery leaf and has a white bloom. It was a pass along plant from my friends grandmother. I’ve had it a long time.
Thank you, Bonnie. EK is so sweet.
Pam
I’ve always wanted one of the orangey-yellowish wild azaleas. But if you plant one, is it still “wild?” Happy Sunday.
Yes, it will still be wild sort of!
Pam
Happy belated Birthday wishes to your sweet granddaughter! Lovely spring flowers too.
Thanks so much, Mary!
Pam
Happy Palm Sunday!
EK is 4?? What a sweet little one!
I saw a tooth right away so calling it molar is perfect.
I never saw a Crown of Thorns before… it’s beautiful.
Beautiful stroll once again… and the dessert looked delicious!
Have a wonderful week ahead friends!
Thanks for joining the stroll and the dessert was fabulous!
Pam
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are such a treasure, I love to go there! I’ve not seen a Crown of Thorns plant, wow…the snowballs are gorgeous, love those. Happy belated birthday to EK, she is such a cutie! I just got back from a week at the beach and everything looks so green!! Happy April and Easter week, sounds like Easter weekend is going to be rainy…
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna! Happy Easter week!
Pam
The rock reminded me also opening of the tomb. Because of Easter…
Wishing you a blessed Easter, Nancy!
Four already! Goodness time goes so fast! So cute in her Spring dress too.
A lovely melody of photos Butch & Pam.
I didn’t realise wild azaleas were so pretty…our Azaleas are just flowering now, they seem to come into flower twice a year in Spring & now in Autumn, such beauty!
Bless you both, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer! Our wild azaleas are scattered all through our woods!
Blessings,
Pam
Beautiful pictures Butch as always. I’ve never seen wild azalea before and I love to see the different flowers where you are. Love the molar tooth too – what a great find! EK has definitely stolen the show and she is every bit a sweet little princess – wishing her a happy belated birthday and wishing you two a wonderful week!
As always, thank you for your lovely comments, Kim!
P.S. I forgot to mention those gorgeous snowballs – they are stunning!
We love them!
Pam
Dear Pam a Butch, I enjoyed strolling around the grounds with you and enjoying the beautiful blooms, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Crown of Thorns plant so thank you for sharing this. The snowballs are amazing. I love the pic from you trip to Jerusalem and seeing the path Jesus walked, a special photo, which I’ve saved to enjoy. Wishing your little darling grand a belated Happy Birthday. Wishing you both a blessed Easter….
Thanks so much, Emily. Wishing you and yours a blessed Easter ✝️
I was brought to tears as I looked at your photo of the path Jesus walked up to the Garden of Gethsemane. It was also so moving to think of that plant possibly being what was used in His crown of thorns. I feel so ashamed to think that it was my sins that caused Him such awful torment and grief! I will never be able to thank Him enough for all He suffered for me. Princess EK looked so precious in her birthday photo! I hope she had an amazing birthday.
You are so sweet, my friend.