Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 440

~ Simple + Southern Sunday, Spring

“Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭33‬:‭22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

My spot on the hill along the pasture fence continues to be a great place to be greeted by a new day. Pam visualized an angel, and I agreed…then I discovered she was referring to the clouds and not me!

I wasn’t the only early bird off the roost taking in this gorgeous morning event! I only wish the changes in formation and light moved at a slower pace.

While out roaming one day, we ran across this well kept church. The sign said it was established in 1867. We have no idea if any of the original structure remains.

It is fringe tree time in the woods around north Alabama. We have a few wild trees that I check on every year. It is a native tree in the olive family but the numbers are declining due to a beetle that seems to also have an interest in these trees!

When I was young I recall folks calling this tree a Grancy gray beard. It has quite a few common names. It does look a bit like fringe, but could pass for having a scraggly beard!

Sibling love is real. Not that they don’t have their moments, but all was well on Easter!
 

The bluebirds seem to have completed their nest and the activity has settled into a different routine. I stay clear as I think we have eggs, but no birds yet.

For my birthday, I had only one request; a red velvet cake. Before you get thoroughly confused, someone had the bright idea that we should also celebrate spring, therefore green was in and red was out. I wonder who came up with that idea? The grands did not understand why a red velvet cake was green and insisted it be called a green velvet cake. I think that makes sense. For certain, it was delicious and food coloring does not affect taste! (I had 3 pieces)

The wildflower garden is bursting forth and we are seeing some new plants that did not bloom last season. Left to right starting at the top…Sweet William, Sanddune wallflower, Cornflower, and a new one called Tidytips.

With an ample supply of imagination, I find myself in the desert southwest walking through cactus. It’s in miniature of course, but this southern or Virginia plantain reminds me of cactus. I know, probably more imagination than most people care to utilize! 

Throwback time today takes us to April of 2017, and our back pasture. A peacock became a regular visitor that spring and into the summer. We never knew where this visitor came from or what happened to it. This bird, or possibly a different peacock, also hung around for a few weeks a couple years later!
 

The yellow sea of a north Georgia canola field! Just a cell phone shot while traveling down the highway but quite a scene nevertheless!

This would be more typical of a “snow day” around our place. When the petals are fading and becoming loose, the grands love to stand under the viburnums while I shake the limbs. They find it so exciting. EM remembers from year to year, and recently asked if it was time for the snowfall. Sometimes it’s the simple things that are the most fun!

Lyreleaf sage graces our pastures this time of year. Although it is most definitely spring, I thought this sky one day last week had a summer look! 

I made my way one afternoon to a spot where I can often capture a nice sunset. But, as things go, a heavy layer of clouds moved in and blotted out the view. Such is everyday living. So, I will leave you with the crescent moon as seen just before sunrise yesterday through the fog! 

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

Comments

  1. I am amazed that mine is the first comment this early am. What a beautiful post, Butch. The Easter photo of the grands is precious. Wyatt looks more and more like Seth. The Viburnum is so gorgeous; I miss mine this spring, since we moved and left ours behind. Have a a wonderful day. Love to all.

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  2. The kiddos looked darling on Easter. What a wonderful photo. I saw an angel too in those clouds. Amazing how you had that peacock visitor. I hope it had a partner. What a treat. Not sure about that green velvet (lol). Happy Birthday and year ahead for another trip around the sun!

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  4. I see the angel too and of course she was referring to you too lol! Love the picture of the cuties all dressed for Easter. Always swoon over your beautiful pictures and what you see each day. God is so good. Have a beautiful week. Hugs. Kris

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  5. Loved the green velvet cake idea. Did Pam have something to do with that? Maybe you were a little shocked too? The picture of the grands was so precious. You are very blessed to have them so close by. I would gladly send some of the snow we get to them. It was in the 80’s three days last week but this morning it’s in the 20’s. I also saw the angel in the beautiful sky. I would so like to know how the peacocks came to be in your pasture. Have a blessed week.

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  6. I’ve never seen a “fringe” tree, so pretty! The sunrise was stunning and Happy Birthday Butch! The green velvet cake sounds wonderful! That Easter photo of the kids is a keeper, just adorable! Love the peacock, I used to live in Southern California and we had peacocks roaming freely, they are so beautiful! I hope you both have a great week ahead~

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  7. Sunrise – “Trailing in clouds of glory do we come from God, which is our Home.” I wager that impish little guy can really hold his own with his sisters. That church in its simplicity is majestic in its message..Would like to attend one service just to confirm. Seeing the cake, I thought it was St. Patrick’s Day all over again. Red or green, bet it was delicious. Many thanks for another Sabbath tour of sky and meadows and Butch’s inspired imagination.

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  8. The sunrise shot is gorgeous! The angel comment gave me a chuckle. Sounds like my husband. The children are so cute in their Easter outfits. All the spring shots are so pretty. The cake looks delicious and could be used for St. Patrick’s day as well. Enjoy your Sunday. Clara❤️

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  9. The morning sky is gorgeous Gods creation is always visible for the world to see. The children are growing so fast. This would be my favorite picture of them So precious! I had to laugh at your imagination of cactus. So funny my birthday is also in April. Asked for one big lobster but had to settle for two tiny ones so I understand you not getting your red velvet cake. That’s life. Have a lovely weekend with the grands

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  10. What a great picture of the grands, oh my! I love the idea of them standing beneath the viburnum for the snowfall. The wildflowers are terrific! I have some Sweet William I hope to grow. Love all the weekly observations, and your new sidebar intro to the two of you! (It may have been there sooner than this week, but reading on a mobile I didn’t see it until now).

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  12. Pam, I definitely saw that angel in the clouds! When we installed a new granite counter on our island, my sister spotted angel wings and a halo when I sent her a picture. It was like receiving a blessing! Love the picture of all the grands together. Happy Birthday Butch and remember, calories don’t count on your birthday!

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  14. Definitely a green velvet cake! And those little girls in their Easter Bonnets (and their brother too) — that one is a prizewinner! It looks like the world has come awake in your area and boy, it’s beautiful. Happy week to you!

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  16. The Easter photo of the littles is adorable! Such a sweet picture of them.
    I think I saw an angel as well.
    I love seeing all your flowers! They bring a smile to my face!
    Happy New Week to you both!

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  17. Morning Pam and Butch,
    Enjoyed all your lovely pictures, your grandies are so adorable………and I made a green velvet christmas tree cake when I was a young bride, and my red velvet recipe called for 2 bottles of red food coloring, so I used 2 bottles of green food coloring, It gave us quite the surprise!!
    You can read about it here if you’d like, funny story!!
    https://nelliescozyplace.blogspot.com/search?q=green+velvet+cake
    Hope you both had a lovely Easter!
    Blessings, Nellie

    Reply

  19. Oh my, that sunrise is gorgeous and I love the crescent moon too! The wildflowers are so pretty and how cool is having a peacock in your yard! The grands are so incredibly sweet – hope they had a lovely snowfall. Happy Birthday Butch and wishing you both a wonderful week!

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  20. I read the first paragraph to my husband and son, and we laughed out loud over the comment about thinking Pam thought you looked like an angel! So funny! The little grands looked so adorable on Easter. May God continue to bless all of you.

    Reply

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