“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”
Psalm 29:2 ESV
Last week offered us a little fall tease with a couple of low 60’s at night and low humidity. Maybe it’s only my imagination due to the brief break in the heat, but a look across the cottage garden had a slight autumn look to me. With today’s prediction at 96, and higher predictions for later in the week, I suppose it was only a dream!
Seth and I discovered this cairn on top of an old mossy rock, high on a ridge along one of our trails. We are supposed to be the only folks along this trail, but neither of us placed this small stack of rocks here. Cairns are man-made piles of stones that are usually for a memorial or a trail/route marker. (Cairns is also a city in Australia that I would love to visit). This method of marking a path or a memorial has been around for centuries, noted several times in scripture even. Many modern era trails are marked with cairns, as it is not always convenient or necessarily a nice feature in a wild landscape to put up signs!! This little pile is no problem, but don’t make one without knowing the rules where you are hiking! Many National and State parks for example, prohibit hikers from building cairns. Rangers often mark trails in this manner for safety and direction for the benefit of all hikers.
Pop up thunderstorms early last week and the week prior brought needed rain, and several pleasant reminders of God’s promise and purpose for rainbows!
Smooth hydrangea is a wild hydrangea that grows here, typically in moist areas like stream banks. I am finding quite a few growing along the creek below the house. This particular bloom has a visitor…have you noticed?
After a recent tea party in the Sunshine Cottage, EM and EK announced the air conditioning had made them cold. PJ prepared a cozy spot to warm them up, and EM offered to read a story to everyone. EK requested “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, and so, it was read. Was the air conditioning so cold that it brought on thoughts of Christmas? Maybe it is a hereditary thing. Their dad always watched “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”…in July! We rented movies at the local store in those days and I would get very strange looks when I rented that movie several times during the summer months!
Flowers add a lot of nice color to my posts this time of year, but I must say Bottega Cafe’s Tuscan panzanella is extremely colorful…and extremely delicious. PJ indulged with color and taste with this appetizer on a recent visit. She gave me a bite too!
I believe I am seeing more results of our late freeze that occurred in April. Our persimmon trees are usually loaded with fruit with limbs hanging low from the weight. There are only a few limbs like this one with 4 or 5 persimmons together. Those cold nights are the only explanation I can come up with, and we definitely know other plants were affected.
There’s not a sweeter smell than that which can usually be enjoyed by walking or riding beside a kudzu patch in August. An invasive vine that is not welcome everywhere, but the fragrance is really wonderful. However, as I mentioned above concerning the slim amount of fruit, there are also very few kudzu blooms where I always find an abundance. A few blooms were possibly protected on vines that were under pine trees. Kudzu is very sensitive to cold.
From one year ago, today’s look back is a favorite spot high in the Appalachian Mountains…the top of Gooseberry Knob at The Swag. This is only steps away from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary!
Did you realize trees have wings? We have flying squirrels, so why can’t trees have wings! The winged sumac can’t fly, but birds and deer are glad it produces a lot of berries. Sumac is said to have a lot of health benefits for humans too, but I am sticking with red seedless grapes personally. Remember, sumac that has white or light green berries is poisonous!
The winged elm has “wings” that are a bit more noticeable which makes it fairly easy to identify. And for the record, I do know squirrels don’t have real wings either, but some can glide. Some of you remember Rocky the flying squirrel! Admitting so gives away our age!
I am always in a search this time of year for vines that have the purple passion flower. It can grow in the strangest places and is often overlooked. This vine was in the edge of one of the hay fields and came up after the last cutting. Many different vines offer unique and beautiful flowers!
Some very interesting clouds rolled across Lookout Mountain one afternoon ahead of one of several thunderstorms that came our way early last week.
As it moved closer with lightning all around, I decided it was past time to go inside. This turned out to have a scary look but was not a bad storm. Like the “bark” that was worse than the “bite”, for which we were grateful !
Our back pasture is very popular these days for wild turkeys. It is interesting to watch, but also funny because of their mannerisms. By this time in the summer season, bahiagrass is dominant and has gone to seed, producing “V” shaped seedheads about “turkey high”. The locals know exactly when dinner is ready and spend the day pecking the tops of the grass stems for the seeds. It appears to be a lot of work (and it’s amusing) for a meal…but what else do they have to do! Sometimes there are birds scattered all over making their way through the tall grass!
After a brief late evening thunderstorm, with dusk settling in, the strangest glow appeared and momentarily brightened up our surroundings. There was something about the high clouds and afterglow from the sunset that produced a reflection like a giant orange spotlight was shining on us!
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 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Really enjoyed all the photos and commentary.
We had a flying squirrel in my childhood backyard
The storm clouds look like a big ocean wave crashing on shore
Thank you, Gail. Your observation of the clouds is lovely and I hadn’t thought of that. Happy Sunday!
That is interesting about the Cairns. You and Pam are certainly surrounded by some of God’s most beautiful work. Ha Ha about the girls and wanting to watch Christmas movie in July. I guess that is where the statement Christmas in July comes from. Where we are staying in Michigan this week there are wild Turkeys roaming the wooded areas here. They have a flock of babies and they are so cute to watch. The Mom marches them across the areas and Dad stays back to watch and protect from the rear. Then when they are safely across the road he comes to join them. Have a great new week. Hugs. Kris
Kris, enjoy your vacation. The turkeys are delightful to observe. Happy Sunday!
Pam
Thank you Butch for the blessing. The picture of the girls is precious and I noticed EK’s pretty freckles. When it’s so very hot it’s a good thing to dream of Christmas. Interesting cairn story. And the pictures of the sky are telling a story too. Most loved is Gods rainbow! He provides for all creatures. May God bless you and keep you safe this week and always.
Thank you, Alice. Our few cooler days were short lived but much needed. Happy Sunday!
Pam
So, someone built a cairn on your property? Does the trail connect to public land? Your photos of nature are lovely, as usual.
The cairn is on private property which is maintained and managed by my husband and son. It is not connected to any public land, only private. Thank you, Carole.
Pam
I enjoyed reading about the cairns, so interesting. I love the beautiful cloud photos today, and those cooler temps we had last week really were a tease as we are back to the high 90s again. How the Grinch Stole Christmas was my daughter’s favorite, she watched it again and again all year long! The girls look so sweet cozied up in the blanket~ The last photo with the orange glow is stunning!
Thank you, Jenna. It is funny how children love Christmas books anytime! Happy Sunday!
Pam
It seems like the late spring cold in our area affected our horticulture, especially hydrangeas. They are unusually late blooming.
We have experienced a lot of late bloomers and some not at all. Happy Sunday!
Pam
What a talented photographer you are. A beautiful way to honor God’s creation. Thank you for sharing every week!
‘
Thanks so much, Ellen. Happy Sunday!
Pam
The last pic is lovely. The storm clouds are interesting. The girls are cute all bundled up. Christmas in August may be the cool respite we get this week. The temps are predicted to be quite brutal. The cairn is interesting but troubling at the same time. Trying to prevent trespassing is a never ending issue. These days you never know what they’re doing. We have issues with illegal drug growing and illegal hunting. All the pics are enjoyable. The Swag scene is beautiful. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. Stay in this week and be careful in the brutal heat. Happy Sunday ♥️
Pam
I love the glimpse preview to fall. There are definitely signs. That second cloud photo is amazing, as is the final shot toward the Su shine Cottage. Like you, we’ve enjoyed a few nights of cooler temps, but this week looks to be hot and dry for us.
Have a wonderful week. Thanks for your past week’s recap.
Thank you, Rita. This past week’s tease is officially over today, but was so nice while it lasted! Happy Sunday!
Pam
Good morning, another glorious set of photos! Some of those storm clouds looked downright dangerous. But Sunshine Cottage in that golden glow is spectacular! I am with the girls…crank down the AC, cover up with my blankie, and watch a Hallmark Christmas movie! Wonder who built the cairn? We found a homemade deer stand constructed on our property a few years ago, way back in the woods. Do you have “writing spiders”? At least that’s what I call them! They are usually my earliest indicator of Fall coming…I spotted the first one recently with a huge web right outside the garage. Stay cool!!
Thank you, Roxanne. Someone constructed a deer stand on your property, that takes nerve. Yes, writing spiders are at work. Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
You called it … that first photo just sings Autumnal… The girls look so healthy, tanned and
snug enjoying all that blessed cottage has to offer, with gifted Christmas readings, no less.
One of the cloud pictures looks like a string of white weeping willows across the sky.. The rainbow echoing God’s promise is beautiful to behold. Fascinating cairn observation..perhaps
also the need to leave evidence of one’s having been there…like the flag on a summit… so glad to know its purpose in tracking. Love the turkey visitation… are they not interesting characters? Love the enchanted cottage bathed in golden light.. Shoring up for the hot and
humid days ahead. Bless the one who dreamed up and made air conditioning a reality.
A blessed Sabbath and week to come.
Mary, thank you for your keen observations. Wishing you a lovely week, stay cool!
Pam
Lovely, as usual. I enjoyed learning about the Cairns. The photo of the girls is precious, and I agree with being cold from AC! Love to all.
Thank you dear friend! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Passion flowers are just the coolest thing! Well, maybe a venus flytrap is cooler, but that’s all.
Passion flowers are amazing with their intricate detail! Wishing you a lovely week!
Pam
Just when I think we have seen your beautiful gardens in every way possible…Butch comes up with a new pic that is magazine worthy. Thanks for sharing and yes, I did see the visitor on the hydrangea altho I would not want to be surprised by him (or her) if I were wanting to smell the flowers. LOL Have a Blessed and wonderful week. Hugs
Thank you, Kari. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
Pam, there is so much loveliness and natural beauty in your images. Christmas stories – we feel them in our hearts. And your sweet granddaughters are creating Christmas magic this time of the year . . . so very special!
Have a week of many blessings.
Mary, thank you for visiting and for your sweet comments!
Pam
Thank You for the beautiful photos. Love the photo of the girls reading the Christmas book. Christmas in July is a a popular event .
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Thanks so much, sweet friends!
Pam
A beautiful post my friends! I especially love the storm cloud shots, absolutely amazing cloud formations.
I remember Rocky the Squirrel, I watched that cartoon as a child too lol! We don’t have squirrels here in Australia but we do have Sugar Gliders, very cute indeed. And yes Cairns is one of our top end tropical towns on the East Coast, one I haven’t visited.
Blessing for a great week Pam & Butch, Jennifer 😊
Thank you, Jennifer. We want to visit your beautiful country.
Pam
Thank you for another stroll through your area and the beautiful Bible blessing at the end.
We see cairns in the AZ desert quite often, but I do not see them here in Pennsylvania.
The orange glow on Sunshine Cottage was gorgeous… looks like fall! And EK and EM are just adorable. I, too, will put a blanket on me when the air conditioning g gets too cold. It could be 90 degrees outside, but I will have a covering on. 😄
The clouds were also amazing!
Thank you so much for your lovely strolls and so much excellent information! God Bless you both!
Thank you, Nancy. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Pam
And you as well dear friend.☺️
Thank you for the hint of Fall! Here in southern California we just got done with a rare tropical storm. Storm has passed and its nice and cool outside. Just like you I look forward to Fall…my favorite time of year. Blessings!
Thank you, Karen. I am so glad you had no damage with the storm. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Beautiful pictures and those cloud formations are amazing – they look like they might bring a nasty storm and so glad that they didn’t! The girls look darling all snuggled up in the blanket and reading Christmas stories is so cute. I guess that’s why the Hallmark channel has Christmas in July. The Sunshine Cottage bathed in orange light looks stunning. Happy new week you two!
Thank you, Kim! Happy week to you.
Pam
The mystery of the cairn and who placed it in a place that only you walk is so intriguing! And those cloud formations were so amazing! It never ceases to draw me in to think of the ever-changing positioning of clouds and how quickly God can transform the whole sky into something completely different. The last phone looks ethereal—just so beautiful! So wonderful to visit with you this morning. God bless you!
Stunning pictures! Have a lovely week ahead!
Thank you and same to you!
Pam