“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”
Isaiah 40:28 ESV
So thankful to have had winter mornings that are cool, but not too uncomfortable for January. Change is now in the air and this week is predicted to be very cold, unseasonably cold for us. If Pam will have hot chocolate ready each morning (I’ve never had a cup of coffee) I might try for another sunrise one of these upcoming frigid mornings. Key word is “might”!
I will start with a throwback; late October…what a difference…
…a few inches of rain makes! The rain gauge showed almost 5 inches Monday night into Tuesday! Tornadoes were also a problem for folks to our south, but only rain here.
A slip and fall here would not be a good thing. I was on a bridge, but had thoughts like; how well was it built? how old is it? has water eroded it? has it been inspected lately?…so I hurried along!
The mist from the falls creates its own rainbows. It is hard to find color outside on winter days and this was a nice treat!
WL is right at home and in his element traveling the country road that leads up the hill from his house to “grandma’s” house. Using the term “grandma” might get me in trouble since Wyatt does not call either grandmother by that name! This boy loves the outdoors. I am puzzled by this and can’t imagine what would influence him in such a way!
We have seasons in our lives, and when winter arrives, it is common to entertain thoughts like; the beauty is gone, and the usefulness has waned. But it is not until the leaves are gone that the true architectural beauty and strong branches that supported all those leaves can be seen. I took notice of the interesting architecture of various trees as I roamed around last week!
This old tree supports a lot of mistletoe. Its beauty is not diminished because the leaves are gone and the true shape can finally be seen. These branches have been the birthplace to possibly millions of leaves, and served as their home until time to fall.
I have pics of this bald cypress in October, basking in the afternoon sun, and it is a stunning golden beauty. But, I think I would’ve missed some very interesting architecture if I had driven on by in winter as if it were lifeless. I’m not putting on many new leaves these days either, but I have decided true strength and real beauty is more than “leaf deep”!
Since a lot of cold air is settling in this week, I decided to include old frosty as a throwback from last January. Will we see more this week? Is it cold where you live? Here in Alabama it gets crazy if the weatherman even mentions the word “snow”. A local meteorologist stated we “might” get 9 snowflakes Monday night and the store shelves are emptying out. That may be a little exaggeration but not too much!
People are serious about their fishing when they sit for several hours in 30 degree weather and fish even when the fish aren’t biting. But people are beyond serious about fishing when they make sure that there is no reason to take out time to travel anywhere to undertake other serious business! This is serious!
January and February are the hardest months for me as far as blog posts are concerned. I love color and it is difficult in winter because my posts are mostly about the outdoors. I wanted to give you color this week and wondered how I would manage. Dandelions may be scoundrels most of the year, but how about this beauty along my walking trail last Thursday!
And if color is not available on the ground, there might be color in the sky, especially if a Southwest plane happens to fly over.
I suppose you’ve noticed that I have focused a lot this week on the neat and varied architecture found in trees. This tree near the house has always fascinated me, but there was something different about it last week that I couldn’t quite figure out!
I couldn’t leave out my favorite winter tree. I passed this sycamore as I took a walk along one of the trails beside the Coosa River. I miss my running and hiking, but I am so glad to be back outside and doing some walking!
Driving home after a walk isn’t so bad either when greeted by another of God’s promise symbols. And more winter color! (And I pulled over so as not to text or make photos while driving).
PJ and I thought the clouds and sky over Weiss Lake one afternoon last week looked like a watercolor!
The Sunshine Cottage lives up to the name, just before a winter sunset and viewed from the backside…the cottage gets a lot of sun year round!
For our readers who are south of the equator, we hope you have a pleasant and cool week. We wish all in the northern hemisphere a warm and cozy week.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Butch, I must admit that the tree with Pam and your cute grandson were my two favorite photos! I always enjoy the scriptures, photos, and descriptions! Hmm, no coffee, Butch? I can’t imagine life without it, but I’m all for hot cocoa! How fascinating you’ve never had coffee! Thank you for taking us back to the rainy days, sunsets, rivers, woods, and the absolutely beautiful pic of the cottage, too! This morning in MO we have a windchill of 30 below zero. I’m snuggled in (tell Pam with wonderful slippers). I love you all and have been praying daily for you, Pam’s Daddy, and the entire family! Many blessings!
And many blessings to you Karla. Most people think I’m crazy when I tell them I’ve not had a total of 1 oz. of coffee in my life. If I had to take on -30 wind chills I might change my mind about it. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday! We’ve gotten spoiled here in WV with the start of winter, but looks like we may have our first accumulation of snow this week. it wreaks havoc mostly on young working parents who must scramble for daycare when schools are closed amd work places are not. Glad you’re able to get out and walk, Butch. I always enjoy your outdoor observations. I, too, observed several dandelions just this past week. Let’s hope the freeze takes care of them going to seed! love that country road shot of Wyatt.
Thank you for your comments Rita. We’ve had a mild winter here but this week looks very cold. Looks like snow will be to our north, none likely at our house. The blooming dandelions will be history. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
It is always a delight to see your Sunday photos.
Thank you Carole. I’m glad you join us and that you enjoy. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I’m glad you are able to get out and about Butch, you and Wyatt love the outdoors! I like your vision of the tree architecture, it always fascinates me how trees change in the course of a year. I always enjoy your photos of the sky, the rainbow is so beautiful~ I am not excited about the weather right now, I hope the snow stays away! I hope you can both stay warm and cozy this week!
Thank you Jenna. I agree that the snow staying away would be a good thing. Cold and snow through the years never slowed me down but that story has changed. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The winter scenes aren’t as colorful but it’s interesting to see the bones of the trees. We’re so glad you’re out and about but the next few days may keep us all inside. Please take care. We’re to get several inches of snow, probably more than we’ve had in many years. The extreme cold may cause the struggling landscaping plants to not bloom again in the spring. I really miss our hydrangeas blooming! WL is really growing. It’s great that he has a love for the outdoors. The pic of Pam looking through the tree is so fun! Still praying for you, Pam’s daddy and the whole family. Enjoy your Sunday! Clara❤️❄️🥶
Thanks so much Clara. I like your “bones” description of the bare trees. It is their skeleton exposed. No snow here…maybe. Stay warm and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Peek a Boo I see Pam! And that picture of WL is a keeper… what a sweetheart!
I too love color but we must see through and find all of God’s beauty even if it is a Sepia color. You have done that! And you found lots of color! The cloud cover over the lake was gorgeous! It sure does look like a watercolor.
I’m glad you are getting out and feeling better. Prayers continue for you.
Happy Sunday!
Thank you Nancy. I didn’t know what to think about Pam sneaking in on my tree photo. And thanks for your prayers. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Your choice of Bible verses cheered me up. God is the king in control!
Love the tree w hole in it – hee hee
Gail, Thank you. God is in control. I hope you find many verses to cheer you all week long!
Butch and Pam
Now I’m going to call that tree Pam’s tree. But the picture I will carry with me all week will be the one of WL making his way to grandmas’ house. Butch his love of the outdoors was inherited from you and his dad. It’s a picture worry of a frame. This morning when I woke up it was -11. Praise God for a warm home. Going to church well wrapped up.
Alice, maybe we should have a sign made for Pam’s tree. We do love the outdoors and I love a Rocky Mountain High, but -11!!! Attempt to stay warm and have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning Pam and Butch. As always you capture the beauty in nature with your pictures. Butch I am not a coffee lover but I have to say I love the smell of it brewing. I have tried through the years to like coffee even with all the yummy things you can add to it but in the end it always tastes bitter to me. Hot Chocolate for me too. We are in the sub zeros and wind chills unbelievable negative 15. We up here in the midwest cannot even try to explain how it feels when you go out in these temps! Stay warm down by you. Hugs. Kris
My my Kris it is freezing everywhere it seems. I’m so glad I’m not the only non-coffee drinker on the planet, but I like the smell too. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Butch just seeing the world through your gifted eyes lifts any dismay that Winter can bring… Your photo of Wyatt is reminiscent a famous photo of two children going down a wooded path. Know it? Your selection of trees is eye-opening to the wonders that usually exist in the depth of things. Just love whimsical Pam peeking through the tree and your frosted Angel in the garden. Your earth, sky and water views are a Sabbath treat. Continued prayers for you, Sweet Daddy and Family. Guess we are all contributing to the empty shelves in the market, as we fortify ourselves for the frigid temps/snow ahead…. cocoa has been well stocked. Be cozy and warm, dear ones.
Mary you are so encouraging and very wise indeed as one who stocks up on cocoa! We plan for a photo of Pam and the girls holding hands and walking down our wooded path, but I think we wait for warmer days. Have a blessed week!!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful post as ever! Happy Sunday dear friends.
Thank you and a happy Sunday to you Maristella!!
Butch and Pam
Is that a little woodland imp I spied in that tree?!? I love seeing the changes in the landscape during the winter, especially the trees. Those raging waters are scary, seems like a bridge or two always washes out around here in these big storms. Butch, I am so happy you are out and about and finding beauty to share with us. Continuing prayers for you. BTW, when we sadly got off our ship in Regensburg for the very early ride to the Munich airport, we saw several rainbows as the sun rose…such a wonderful farewell to a great trip! Stay warm and stocked up on hot chocolate!!
Thank you Roxanne, you never know what might be hiding in a tree. You mention Regensburg, I thought the German farmland between there and Munich was as pretty as I’ve seen. One of my favorite parts of our entire trip! Hot chocolate it is. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Pam and Butch…it is even cold in Florida today and should be all week so saith the weatherman. Of course when I say cold I mean we woke up to 56 degree temps this morning so our ride to church was a little chilly as our car had not heated up yet. Of course we had to watch our football team (KC Chiefs) play until late last night (we won)…but it made it a little difficult to rise and shine and climb out of a warm bed at 5:45 a.m.! Our first church service is at 8 a.m. (the traditional service or should I say the old folks service?) So we get up early to stop off at our favorite Mom & Pop breakfast cafe before the service. Then at 9-ish, we have our Sunday School class which is another hour and the air was still chilly on the way home. 🥴 Thank you for the lovely photos and the sneaky pic of Pam and the sweet little Wyatt on the beautiful path, lined in leaves. I don’t blame you for moving quickly over the bridge…one never knows about those older bridges. Have a wonderful Sunday and stay warm. Now, I am going to make some hot chocolate for the Captain and me. Hugs Kari
Kari your Sunday mornings sound absolutely splendid, even at a frigid 56, Ha! I completely understand your thoughts on the 8 AM church service (but let’s just call it traditional for now). Prepare the Captain hot chocolate and have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Your frosty throwback is a stunner and so, too, is that winter rainbow. What a wonderful treat! Have a beautiful week, you two!
Thank you Jeanie. I’m thinking it’s really frosty at your place compared to what we experience. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
This was such a pleasure to find in my inbox this morning. I always enjoy every photo and word. Stay warm this week my friends. Regards, Gina
Thank you Gina. And warm wishes to you on a cold day!
Butch and Pam
Butch, the photos are lovely – I think there is a certain beauty in the starkness of winter (at least that’s what I tell myself). Wyatt is absolutely adorable making his way to Grandma’s house and I love Pam’s sneaky photo behind the tree. I am so glad to hear that you had some rain to replenish your stores and I hope the bad weather misses you. It has been brutally cold up here too. I’m also glad to hear you are out and about Butch. Have a wonderful week you two!
Thank you Kim for your comments. Some folks a few miles to our north and west received several inches of snow but only flurries at our house. What we think is very cold you would probably welcome as a nice warm up! Stay warm!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam! You have captured winter wonderfully with the gorgeous sunrises, sunsets, and pretty blue skies. The photo of the rainbow is beautiful! We have been in the deep freeze here in Oklahoma. We ave been below freezing for several days. Yesterday, we only made it to 11! We also received a little snow Sunday. There is a chance of an ice storm next week. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen. I hope you both are enjoying your week and staying warm!
Thanks Shannon. We pray you don’t get ice. That’s the worst. We hit a low of 8 degrees but some spots in Alabama were well below zero. Trying to keep warm and hoping you do!
Butch and Pam
You have captured nature at its loveliness! The bible verses were well chosen – thanks!
Wishing the two of you a beautiful Sunday filled with many blessings!
Thank you Mary. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I hope you are soon back to running and hiking. I’m sure it must be so hard to give up something you so enjoy doing. The rainbow was so beautiful and always brings so much comfort to me to see! God’s promise still stands after all these years and His faithfulness and mercies are still new each morning. May He bless you all today!
Cheryl, I so appreciate your comments. We witnessed another rainbow this week and it is always a reminder of God’s promises, all of them. Have a good weekend!
Butch and Pam