”May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!“
Psalm 115:15 (ESV)
The final days of February brought a variety of weather and skies, a roller coaster of sorts when it comes to sun and clouds, warm and cool. This is typical for February and March here in Alabama. A late February sunrise last week was spectacular in an unusual kind of way, with colors swirling and changing reminding me of the times I’ve been privileged to witness the dancing skies of the Aurora Borealis! Maybe this was a show of the “eastern lights”?
The sage in the cottage garden has fared well through the winter and it appears a lady bug is happy about it. I had never observed the sage close enough to note the intricate stitching around the leaf edges. I found this truly amazing when I uploaded the photo! The Creator’s designs are profound and endless!
A neighbor allowed me to drop by and enjoy a close up view of a beautiful tree I had spotted from the highway, the highway being some distance from her house. It was so eye catching from a ways off because everything else around the tree is yet to show signs of spring, making it a standout!
I decided to take a closer look in order to determine what kind of tree was showing off such a display of pink this early in the season. Bradford (Callery) Pear trees bloom in February but have white blooms. I learned that this was planted by a previous owner, which I had assumed, because of its location.
I suppose it is debatable, but I’m calling this an ornamental plum tree. I went back and forth between cherry and plum. I am still in school when it comes to plant and animal identity! If I should hear from an authority on the subject regarding this tree, I will report the results in a later post!
Little boys look at a big metal road grader like this one that belonged to WL’s daddy as if they are the real deal. WL can play all day in a dirt pile with his construction equipment, but to load it on a real trailer and strap it down to head to the next job is just beyond exciting for a soon to be 3 year old! He hooked the strap and held it in place to be tightened and was very much involved in the entire process. It was fun for both of us!
Autumn Fire Sedum gives its best show in late summer and fall, but has emerged among daffodils to offer a green greeting to March!
Can’t say enough about Bottega Restaurant where they say, “The American south meets the Italian countryside”. And how about Red Snapper fresh from the Gulf of Mexico! Pam was delighted!
Many of our readers who live further north have a little time yet before spring starts showing signs. We have Southern Hemisphere readers who are headed toward Autumn. Let us cheer you with the fact that we are not all sunshine and flowers yet either. This was a cold leap day on the lake last week.
A very wintry looking shoreline. Can we blame it on being February 29 for the first time in 4 years?
OK. I didn’t allow winter to remain for long. The daffodils are blooming everywhere but what I have noticed about all of them is this…they basically always face east. You can see from their shadows that the sun has passed behind them, but they are still looking at me. I was standing east of this group. I found a few growing on their own at the edge of the woods that were also facing east! They love to see the sunrise. Can’t blame them!
When I see this nice green new growth with petite white flowers I get excited..but not in ways you might think. It is hairy bittercress, a weed that comes up all over the place! At least it does pull up easy.
Pam and I were so thrilled to spend several hours last week hanging out at a coffee shop with Dr. Allen McClellan. And, as many of you know, I don’t even drink coffee. Al is a lifelong friend and is one of the best listeners and encouragers you could ever sit and talk with. We wanted you to meet Allen and ask you to pray for him. We are aware many of our readers pray for each other and we are grateful for that. He and his wife Ruth have served for many years in several areas of SE Asia. Allen will be returning to Asia later this month!
I apologize for a bit of glare in this photo, but the doves are shy and I had to take this through the kitchen window. For two weeks a couple of doves have dropped by this spot where I toss out wild bird seed. Always just the two “love-birds”, you can just tell. I guess their friends were notified of the meal because one day last week 14 showed up. I think only 12 were close enough together to be in the photo. They even saw my movement in the window and flew away. In the days to follow, only two have come back together. Perhaps the others were only part of the wedding party?
While out to catch a sunset, I was totally distracted by these twin clouds. I never remember seeing clouds that formed beside each other and looked so much alike. Not only twins but a third one just out of the picture looked like a small version of these two. I didn’t think my pic of all 3 was very good, but maybe I should’ve displayed it anyway. It was quite a phenomenon to me, but maybe not to everyone!
I did manage a nice view of a February sunset. I’ve located a new spot that may give a different unobstructed look at the western horizon over the next month or so, and it is fairly easy to access.
Have a pleasant and peaceful week!
”May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.“
Psalm 67:1-2 (ESV)
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Rita C at Panoply says
Happy first Sunday of March, Butch and Pam! Those clouds are spectacular. the pair look like old man winter blowing (moving those to the southern Hemisphere, let’s hope!). Wyatt’s hair is getting so dark, he’s such a beautiful boy. Watch out for that loving couple of doves…last year a pair nested in my gutter. Hairy cress and its edible relative – upland cress (poor man’s salad) – have been the bane of my existence this winter, finding it seeded in the paid for compost I had put all.over.my.landscape and new grass sown last fall. Have a great week!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Oh Rita, and I thought my aggravation with some weeds springing up was a serious thing but I didn’t pay for our weeds. I never thought about the old man winter personification either but that does fit those clouds. Thanks and have a great week.
Butch and Pam
Maryann says
A joyful Sunday to everyone. It is a beautiful sunny morning 🌄 here in PA. The edging on the sage reminds me of a single crochet stitch. The daffodils have not made their appearance yet but the crocuses have appeared. I imagine they were planted sometime in the 1980s by the previous owner. Same goes for the tulips and daffodils. We get some type of a low growing weed here that has yellow flowers. The grass is starting to grow, so it is just about time to get the mowers out of hibernation. Your grandson is precious. Thank you for the beautiful pictures.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Glad your week is starting off with sunshine Maryann. I don’t know a thing about sewing but those edges on the sage are really neat. I need to look at a crochet stitch. Thanks for your comments and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Carole @ From My Carolina Home says
Stunning photos as usual, so nice to start my Sunday reading. Have a great week. The red snapper looks delicious!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Carole. We hope your entire Sunday was a good one. Pam loves fish and so do I…but don’t tell anyone…I like it fried. Blessings
Butch and Pam
Nancy Sharp says
Beautiful nature pictures as always. I am always amazed and in awe of things like you saw on the sage. God’s creations were made in such detail!❤️
Pam @ Everyday Living says
I agree Nancy, so much detail in Creation. There’s so much out there to see and wonder at. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I was always delighted when the daffodils started to bloom in spring when we lived in New England. Such a happy flower with its bright yellow color after the browns of winter. So true about the sage and the designs that we often miss in nature.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks Karen. Daffodils do have happy faces and are a welcome sight. I’m sure they were in New England. The sage was a surprise that I only took a photo of because the lady bug was sitting there. There’s a lot to see. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Clara says
The sunrise is gorgeous! Those clouds are so unusual and quite spectacular! They look like some air worthy machine out of a Star Wars movie. Wyatt is truly mesmerized making certain his toy is properly tied down to the trailer. What a great idea! I love the daffodils and the lady bug on the sage. I have no idea what species the tree is, but it’s beautiful! Will be praying for your friend as he goes back to SE Asia. Enjoy your week. Clara❤️
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks for sharing Clara. WL was being sure we didn’t lose that road grader. I’m still not sure about that tree either but hoping to learn more. I know Allen appreciates your prayers. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Jenna says
The sunrise in the first photo is amazing! Definitely worth getting up early for! All the sky captures are beautiful~ Of course my favorite photo was WL playing with his truck, brings back fond memories of my sons and grandsons, boys and their toys! Interesting about daffodils always facing east~I hope you both have a great week!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks Jenna, some of us older “boys” still love our toys. The memories are wonderful, we can relate to that. That sunrise was very different than most as those colors kept moving about. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
How great you are seeing daffodils already. Ours are confused here starting to pop up but it still is a little early. We have been having your temps but we still need to get through March and April up here before we see flowers. Have a great new week ahead. Hugs Kris
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Kris, glad you are having some nice temps but maybe the flowers are safer if they don’t get tricked into coming up too soon. Seems maybe many parts of the country have experienced a milder winter than some of our recent years, or am I imagining that?? Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Heritage Hall says
Gobsmacked by that sunrise…incredible. Can you imagine all those angels being kept busy blanket stitching around the sage leaves in time for Spring? I never noticed and now will never forget this
particular wonder, merci Butch. The pink ornamental and daffodils sing out Spring. WL is quite
diligent in his trucking duties, bless him. The stop at Bottega’s taste of the South in Italy had to
delight Pam (can almost taste it from here….yum). The cloud formations look almost rock-like…
like the Cliffs of Dover….Wonder what atmospheric conditions formed them…. Prayers for Dr. Allen
and Ruth for safety and a rewarding experience in their SE Asian endeavor. Blessed Sabbath to all…
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Mary, I do wonder how long it would take to stitch a few trillion sage leaves? And, having seen the Cliffs of Dover, I agree, and only wish my imagination had thought of it. I’m jealous. Dr. Allen and Ruth will appreciate your prayers. A blessed Sabbath to you and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Maristella says
Beautiful pictures! Wyatt is so cute. Friendships are precious. God bless you and yours.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you for sharing Maristella, and you are correct concerning friendships, especially those of many, many years. God bless you as well and have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says
Happy Sunday, Butch and Pam! This is such a beautiful post to read as I sip iced tea and rest from pulling tons of that same pesky weed. It is everywhere! We joke and call it our ground cover. Wyatt is absolutely precious, and he looks like his is having so much fun. The opening sunset photo is gorgeous, and the photo of the clouds is amazing. Wishing you both a blessed week ahead!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Wow Shannon, I had no idea so many people had the pesky cress popping up everywhere. I could tolerate it better knowing a sweet iced tea was waiting. Thanks for your comments and have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Alice Genzlinger says
Praying for Dr Allen. Safety and prosperity. He will need it.
I would love to help WL play with the tractors. Dirt is my favorite washable. I think I’ve lived this long because I loved playing in the dirt. It fed my imagination.
Oh to see the dancing clouds. As a child we saw the aurora borealis often but haven’t been blessed to see it in a very long time. A cousin called to say there will be an eclipse of the sun soon. Will have to check that out. Happy Sunday🙏
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Alice, “dirt is my favorite washable” got my attention. I love that phrase. WL would play all day with you if you have a tractor. I thought you might on occasion see the aurora from where you live. It is very rare for us in Alabama. I’ve mostly observed the lights when I was visiting Montana and places further north. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Kari Rogers-Miller says
Love the cloud formations and the beautiful sunset pic. Our God is amazing as He gives us such beautiful scenery at no cost to us. The sage is so unique. WL is adorable and so full of life. How fortunate you are to have the grands live so close to you and Pam.Your meal at Bottega’s looked yummy. Prayers for Dr. Allen McClellan and his return to Asia…Today was Missionary Sunday at our church and we mustn’t forget all the sacrifices they make and the dangers they encounter. We take so much for granted here in the U.S. Blessings to you and Pam
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Kari, thank you for sharing. We are blessed to have the children near. God’s creation, even in a fallen world, is absolutely awesome. And as you point out, we enjoy it at no charge. Thanks for praying for Dr McClellan. Blessings to you!
Butch and Pam
Nancy Brantley says
That Asian lady bug will eat your plants/flowers. Asian bug is orange/yellow in color.The red lady bug is not harmful.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Nancy. I was intrigued with the sage and have not looked closely at the lady bug but will do that. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
jeanie says
So many beautiful images (daffodils! sunsets! Wow!) but my favorite was the sweet ladybug on the leaf. A lovely photo. Happy new week, you two!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thanks so much, Jeanie. Happy new week to you!
Karla Hale says
Happy March, Butch, and Pam,
Before I could carry on, I HAD to jump on my PC to comment on these glorious pics and events! My favorite pic was WL, of course! 🙂 Kids ALWAYS have my heart. Last night I thought of you both, and prayed, as I attempted to capture the glorious sunset. Our Creator is indeed a masterful artist! It blows me away (more than these 40-50 mph gusts we’ve had in MO!)! The daffodils, greens (and pesty ones, too :-), sunsets and sunrises, and yummy food, remind me of how good our God is all the time! There’s so much “proof” right in front of our eyes! I will be attempting another post as I prepare this week to head back to Maryland next week. For many friends, here, (whom I hope to visit on their pages), “Thank you for praying for me!” It warms my heart. This is such as wonderful community and Pam, you, and Butch, ADD so much beauty and truth here! Please let Dr. Allen know that he and his wife also have my prayers! God bless them for their continued work in being the “hands and feet of Jesus”! I love you and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Karla for such encouraging words for us all. I Ike your Masterful Artist title, one of an inexhaustible list of profound attributes of our Creator. Pam tells me you were able to post today. We will check that out. You are in our prayers and thanks for praying for the McClellans. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Roxanne Bernard says
It seems almost overnight the earth has come alive! And yes, I see pesky weeds poking through everywhere. In the picture of the twin clouds, I saw “birds in flight”! My friend Mickey and I have a contest every year to see who gets the first hummingbirds (she usually wins!), but it has been so warm I decided to put some feeders out today. Hubby astronomer John tells me we are at the solar maximum for the 11 year cycle of the Northern Lights…you may actually see them in AL! Witnessing that spectacular is on our bucket list. Thank you for asking us to pray for Dr. Allen and Ruth. Enjoy your week ahead, Pam and Butch.
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Roxanne and especially for the 11 year cycle info. I need John to teach me some of that astronomy stuff. The rest of our week looks cloudy so maybe not much nighttime viewing this week. It’s been a lot of years since I have personally witnessed the lights here in AL. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
PatinCal says
Hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta)–The first time I saw it, I said, “Oh, what a cute little plant”. Now when I see it, I run screaming for the teakettle of boiling water. It takes over my gravel paths in the blink of a hummingbird’s eye. ARRRRGGGGH!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Pat I thought the same about the bittercress when we first established a garden. The gravel paths now seem to be a favorite for the pesky weed. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Kim says
Beautiful sunrise photo Butch and the twin clouds are amazing – I’ve never seen anything like that either. Sorry about the hairy bittercress (and ohmygosh for Rita too) but the daffodils are gorgeous. I never knew they faced east – don’t sunflowers do the same thing? WL is so precious with his big machines; of my 3 sons, the middle one was equally fascinated with them so the picture brings back fond memories. The red snapper looks fabulous and I hope Pam enjoyed it. Wishing you both a wonderful week!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Thank you Kim. I wonder if you are getting buried in snow like a lot of folks to our north and west? I don’t know if all daffodils mostly face east but ours sure do. I’ve always heard sunflowers follow the sun but we’ve found they face east and remain that way all day. There’s a few exceptions but not many. Thankful for your fond memories too. Wishing you a great week!
Butch and Pam
Cheryl says
Those two twin clouds were amazing! The handiwork of our Almighty God, and how often we miss it because we don’t stop and look up! Thank you for capturing so much of it here and sharing it with us. I can’t believe how big WL is getting and how dark his hair is now. It is amazing how quickly they change at that age!
Pam @ Everyday Living says
Yes Cheryl, God’s creation is forever amazing and looking up is a grand thing. Thanks for your comments and we wish you a great week!
Butch and Pam