“How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.”
Psalm 36:7-8 ESV
Happy Veterans Day weekend! I hope your day is going well. The red, white, and blue sure looks good waving in the breeze backdropped by fall color and green grass. The grass is only green compliments of a rather large $$$ water bill!
Even in a tough season for normal color, our Coral Bark maple is finally stepping up to the plate!
Pam and I haven’t hit the road as much this fall, but relied on the garden and the nearby surroundings to fill in the gap for autumn scenery!
Last week’s 2 light frosts took a toll on almost everything we had in bloom. This holdout mum was in a protected spot and continues to provide some cheerful color…and apparently a home for a green anole.
EK, in her fall attire, is giving us an autumnal smile and inviting everyone to celebrate the season with her. Celebrating from a child’s perspective just might be the best!
Spiced pork tenderloin, polenta, and sauteed escarole was very instrumental in helping me continue to celebrate Pam’s birthday! I ate every bite. We sacrifice for our loved one’s! I do love polenta and the best I’ve found is at Bottega Birmingham!
The White Pelican flyover! These birds were never seen in northeast Alabama until recent years. I typically find them in the cooler months, mainly in December or January on the lake by the wildlife park and walking trail I frequent. As we made our way home from church last Sunday, I spotted a large group of pelicans circling high over the wildlife park area. This was a surprise. With that in mind, on Tuesday, I decided to head to the lake to see if possibly the group had found something to their liking and were still hanging around. I wasn’t optimistic. I stepped out on the porch to load up and head for the lake when I looked to the sky and I was even more surprised to discover the pelicans were not at the wildlife park, but circling directly over our house!
The birds put on a nice display against a blue sky for quite a while. This could’ve saved me a 25 mile round trip, but I was curious to see what might still be at the wildlife park…
…and when I arrived I realized why the pelicans were at our house and not here at their normal hangout. Mostly a mud flat. The swimming and fishing isn’t so good right now! We do live near the river and about 5 minutes, as a pelican flies, from Weiss Lake.
Our throwback this week is somewhat different, maybe because it is a comparison, similar to a before and after. This was 2022, and this maple is always a fall favorite. It is usually a standout, but…
…this is the same tree last week. While still clearly a pleasant fall sight, I don’t think it will compare to previous years. I continue my thinking that our weather this year has made a significant difference.??? Maybe I should ride by in a few days and give it another look! Another factor just might be that the season’s color is later this year. We were finally blessed with a little rain the last couple of days. We’ve been in an extreme drought category so even light showers were welcome.
Looking downstream and toward the Appalachian foothills is a nice view most any time of the year. Again, I am thinking our fall color may not be as striking as other years, or am I only impatient???
I have eliminated several Chinese Tallow trees (popcorn trees) as they are very invasive and have destructive, above ground root systems. I did leave a couple that were some distance from the house and driveway. Although there are things I do not like about the trees, I must admit their fall color is amazing…and the “popcorn” will be a delight for birds this winter!
I dropped by the Veterans Day parade held in our downtown last Wednesday. It was a nice event attended by many flag waving folks, honoring and supporting our Veterans. And, since we’ve owned a few mustangs, and I’m a mustang fan, this convertible got my attention.
We’re thinking a lot about gratefulness this month as Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Evil despises truth and freedom. That battle will always exist. We are very thankful for all Veterans! God bless you!
If you missed our special post last Friday about our favorite Veteran, we invite you to check it out here!
“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,
Life and Linda
Good morning Pam and Butch, this is crazy weather for sure. No wonder the trees are confused. We got almost no color and the leaves are dropping quickly. There is now a 500 acre wildfire near my dearest friend Mickey’s house. We had about 12 hours of drizzle, but please pray we get more rain. Princess EK is a beautiful pop of color for sure!
Good morning, Roxanne. Praying for Mickey and all those nearby 🙏🏻
When we have drought such as now and such was true when a wind came up and toppled power lines that turned a fire into a furious furnace in late 2021 where entire developments were burned to the ground then we turn to the One who holds the world in the palm of His hand. Oh Autumn 🍂. How sweet the smell, the falling leaves , the warm days that follow the frost.
Thank you, Alice. I remember those fires in 2021. Wishing you a lovely Sunday ♥️
Pam
Nice shots! The trees are pretty but not vibrant here too. The water levels are seriously low here and there. Great shot of the birds. EK is cute in her fall dress. Pretty Mustang! Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara and Happy Sunday ♥️
Pam
I agree that our colors aren’t as vibrant this year, there is a group of trees that always take my breath away with fall color, but this year not so much…I know much of the South is experiencing dangerously dry conditions, but a wet winter is predicted. EK is adorable! My first car was a burgundy mustang, I loved it 🙂 I hope you both ave a great week~
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna. Butch has always loved mustangs. His first car was a 67 mustang! Have a wonderful Sunday!
Our color has been much the same, later and gone too quickly. I think it is the dry weather, drought for us, so the leaves turn later and fall faster. Love the photos of the birds, and looks like a great meal.
Yes, we are in a severe drought condition. We had a little Friday and yesterday, but desperately need more!
The hues of Autumn have certainly dimmed…trees that used to radiate color are
somewhat quiet…but our carrot-top, EK, in her Fall attire, remedied that. The pelican formation is exciting against the blue sky, as is the shot of Old Glory.
The picture of the parade is heartwarming and a blessed reminder of those who
preserved our freedom and of those who continue to be grateful… When my
beloved Mother retired, she treated herself to one of the first Mustangs coming off the line and decided it had to be pale yellow…and so it was. What a car !!!
Those were the days, my friends…. Blessed Sabbath. heritage
Thank you, Mary. I know Butch would have loved your mother’s pale yellow mustang. His was pale blue. Yes, those were the days…
Pam
We finally got a tiny bit of rain and more is expected this week when our roof is scheduled to be replaced! We will see how things play out. Hope we don’t have any problems.
Our trees in our neighborhood are close to the usual schedule. The pretty yellow leaves on our hickory trees will drop when the rain comes.
Enjoyed seeing the pelicans, EK, and your pretty trees in your yard.
Have a blessed week.
Thank you, Bonnie. We enjoyed watching the pelicans flying over our house and they were flying low. Wishing you a blessed week, my friend!
Pam
Oh wow, I see what you mean by the contrast in your different years’ fall looks, but it’s all still beautiful in your landscape. Ours has been good this year, and precipitation has been about average overall. EK is adorable. Have a good start to the new week.
Thank you, Rita. Happy week to you!
Happy Sunday. Yes, our fall is different too — and not quite so lovely as those previous. I do love those golden trees. And that’s a fabulous photo of EK!
Thank you, Jeanie!
Just amazing photos! Adorable EK and beautiful Fall colors. Happy November dear friends.
Thanks so much, Maristella!
Pam
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! Our fall color was late to arrive, but it has been windy and the leaves are starting to fall. That is so wonderful to see the Pelicans. EK is an absolute doll! Your coral bark Japanese maples are beautiful. I have been studying our yard trying to find just the right spot for one. Wishing you both a peaceful and wonderful week ahead!
Thanks sweet friend. Happy week to you!
Pam
The Fall pics are gorgeous. We are in full bloom here in the midwest. Love this time of year.
Have a good week ahead. Little EK’s fall outfit is adorable like her. Hugs. Kris
Thanks so much, Kris. I know your autumn is beautiful!
How beauteous are your sweet Fall pics of wondrous colors. I do mourn the Fall seasons we had in Birmingham so much!!! Living in The Villages, Florida we don’t get much of the fall weather or vivid colors. So I lovingly gaze on your dear pictures of our Appalachian foothills🤩🤩
We agree Bottega is the BEST & we celebrated our anniversary there & adored it. Every bite full was heavenly & the surroundings were divine as well as superb service!!
I do relish seeing your darling grands grow so much in your photos!!
Have a BLESSED Happy Thanksgiving with your beloved family & friends❤️❤️❤️❤️
Penny, I always enjoy your visits. I miss seeing your sweet posts since I left Facebook. Wishing you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving season ♥️♥️
This is so sweet and true – “Celebrating from a child’s perspective just might be the best.” Your granddaughters little fall outfit looks so charming, did you purchase it for her!
Thank you, Mary! I didn’t purchase that darling dress.
Beautiful pictures Butch, in spite of your ongoing drought that is probably impacting the color of the leaves this year – at least that is what they are saying in Canada. The difference in the maple between last year and this year is indeed striking. EK is adorable and the pelicans against the blue sky are so pretty. I am so glad for you that you finally got some much-needed rain. Wishing you both a lovely week ahead and happy Veteran’s day weekend.
your photos, as ever, capture the beauty of the season. we’re pretty much all brown and gray with a bunch of evergreen thrown in. but when the sky turns blue and the sun is shining? what a vision!
Brown and gray with a bunch of evergreen can be stunning!
Thanks Butch for your always beautiful photos. EK is adorable and perhaps the colors of Fall are just a bit slower this year. LOL Love the pelicans which are a common site here in Florida. Bless you and Pam and all your family.
Thank you, Kari. Blessings, sweet friend!
Pam
There is just nothing like the colors of autumn! I am so sad to see it flying by so quickly. It was hard taking down our fall decor yesterday. Even though I dearly love Christmas and so enjoy the lights and decor, it just felt like we didn’t get to enjoy fall long enough. Time seems to fly by even more quickly the older I get. God bless you all.
Christmas time is here and it seems it came upon us suddenly. Blessings on you Cheryl and all of your family!