”Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.“
Psalm 90:14 (ESV)
I had on socks and shoes for this particular morning stroll last week, and was definitely more comfortable than when I ventured out recently without shoes or long sleeves. A coyote walked very close to me before the sun popped above the horizon and of course, trying not to be discovered, I attempted a quick photo, but it was too dark. The coyote never knew I was anywhere around, so no doubt the wind was in my favor!
I think clouds can bring great beauty, interest, and uniqueness to sunrises and sunsets, but watching the sun continuing to rise to illuminate a clear sky on this pleasant March morning was indeed very awesome!
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and since Pam and I both have some Irish ancestry, I thought a look at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland would be a nice throwback to our visit to Ireland in 2015. This medieval cathedral was founded in 1191. It was restored in the 19th century by the famed Guinness family! We revisited our trip to Ireland in a post last Thursday. If you missed it click here.
In an effort to spotlight “green” today, our snowball viburnum cooperated by providing a major show of budding. Soon to be all white blooms unless a late frost has a negative impact, we are glad this tree has shown life. We did lose the mate to this snowball last season, and after constant woodpecker harassment, it was questionable if this one would make another year!
Redbuds are one of the first bloomers of the late winter, early spring season in NE Alabama. You can see why this legume is so easy to spot as it stands out against the surroundings that are yet to make a spring showing.
I found a few smaller redbuds with lower limbs as I rode one of our trails, so I provided some cuttings for Pam. She used redbuds and tulips as part of the table she will feature in this Tuesday’s Spring Tablescape Blog Hop. Since I risked life and limb (not really) to provide the redbud cuttings for the table, she graciously loaned me a photo. It definitely demonstrates how tree limbs from the nearby woods, when placed in the right container and setting, can get your attention!
EM dropped by and was admiring PJ’s Easter table-setting in the dining room. I requested PJ get a photo of our brown-eyed, former Princess, now Queen, before they finished their table tour. Thankfully they both cooperated!
I discovered a small area of periwinkle blooming in the edge of the woods just beyond the yard. It is considered invasive and would not normally be growing where I found it. I am thinking we grew it at one time, maybe in pots, and after the growing season, tossed the spent plants into the woods. I will leave it alone. It is nice to look at, and can’t hurt a thing where it is located. I’ll show it to EK, since it’s her favorite color!
The sun always shines, but the clouds sometimes come between us. A long, dark shelf drifted over the pasture, slowly pulling the blinds down across the southeast horizon. I was out to enjoy the clouds after a rain, but noticed a couple of turkeys had the same idea and were determined to be a part of my photograph.
There are a number of plants, vines, shrubs, and trees that remain a part of the area around the old home place that once stood on the farm. The original house was built around the beginning of the Civil War. I always find it gratifying to get photos of the survivors, many of which have been here many, many years, and continue to return each season at their appropriate time. This is the only remaining Carolina Jessamine (Jasmine). It began blooming last week.
Very near the Jasmine, under a large oak, are grape hyacinths, which return year after year. And, since it is St. Patrick’s Day, I though it timely to find the hyacinths growing in a sea of very green clover! Shamrock means “young clover”. The 3 leaf clover (Shamrock) is said to have been used as a metaphor or symbol of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) by St. Patrick!
I convinced Pam to take a woods ride with me in the Ranger. She was reluctant since some of the trails are pretty rough and steep, but I was a kind driver and avoided the worst places and took it slow. I say this because to her credit, she spotted this unusual tree and had me stop. How in the world did this tree get in this condition and even more fascinating…how has it managed to stay alive and upright, although it looks like the leaning tower of Pisa?
Since there has been a couple of weeks of attention given to the Bradford pears gone rogue, I decided to take a pic of a young one on an embankment by the highway. At this stage you can see the blooms, the new, St. Patrick’s Day green leaves, and what is likely to be 2 or 3 inch long thorns when leaves fall away in autumn. One of our faithful readers in Canada wondered about this tree and its ability to live in Canada. I read it is hearty as far north as USDA Zone 2. Maybe it is good that it will not grow in Alberta!
A friend gave us some bulbs several years ago before we had really created much garden space, and I planted them under a crepe myrtle near my shop. Every year they bloom, but always much later than our other daffodils. I learned they are called Poet’s narcissus or Poet’s daffodil, supposedly the narcissus which was celebrated in ancient literature and art.
With rain coming and a predicted low of 28-30 for tomorrow night, our lone tulip magnolia may lose its display of petals, so I am giving it a final showing. And, it stands on a carpet of green, our color of the day!
I am so proud of Pam who spotted this perennial wildflower while on our trail ride. This is a cutleaf toothwort, a native to the eastern US, it is a member of the same family as cabbage and mustard.
While observing the clouds as shown earlier in this post, I saw what I thought was a bald eagle flying in the distance near the river. I hurriedly made my way across our pasture and into the next to hopefully see it again a bit closer. There are several birds in this photo but none close enough to verify. The river is just below the trees in the foreground and the scenery and hike was worth the time, eagle or not!
A little later that same day, when I was sure dark would settle in without any evidence of the sun above…this glow appeared very suddenly and everything around was golden for 3 or 4 minutes.
The sun always shines! Have a great 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
Good morning, Butch and Pam! The opening sunrise and closing sunset photos are gorgeous. Both the redbud tree and tulip tree are beautiful. The redbud trees are so pretty right now and such a wonderful sight to see after a long winter. Wishing you both a blessed day and week ahead! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!☘️
And a good afternoon to you Shannon. The redbuds do present a nice display and help get us geared up for warmer days. Hope St Patrick’s Day is going well and that you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I cannot get over that tree!! Glad Pam went for the ride. Spring awakening where you are and ever so pretty. Gives us the sense of renewal. Thank you for sharing the beauty in all seasons.
Good afternoon Ruth. I like your thought, “the sense of renewal”. Things are waking up and truly there is beauty in every season. Have a great day and a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I love your spring photos and, again, we seem to be right in sync with timing of flora observed here in our region. I think Pam should ride shotgun with you more often, given her keen observations. Two heads are most always better than one, and we all know you two make a great team! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Good afternoon Rita. I do like Pam taking to the trails with me but I don’t think she likes my driving so much regardless of what we are riding in. I did stay away from the scary places though. Enjoy your day and the coming week!
Butch and Pam
All of your pictures of the sky are beautiful but the one I concentrated on was the one you thought to have seen eagles. The layers of color, sky, trees, and grasses appear to be a painting, you have the eye. The tree Pam saw is fascinating, I see trees here growing out of rocks and wonder at the determination of that little seed to seek light and grow. Are we not to do the same? I love grape
hyacinth and that they still grow under an old oak tree on the home place. I have planted periwinkle several times in places where nothing else would grow. They make great ground cover. Red bud is a favorite and when I moved to Colorado the only thing I wanted to take with me was my red bud. The last time I was back there I saw someone had cut it down.😢EM is growing so fast. Thanks for the picture. Looking forward to MMB’s.
Hello Alice. It is amazing where a seed will germinate and grow, especially a tree. I think that’s what happened to the periwinkle, odd place, but chose to grow where it was planted. Hope some of that snow is melting. I follow a photographer in Estes that had about 40 inches. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Hello everyone, always look forward to your beautiful pictures. I found it interesting that your Redbud is blooming. Our’s doesn’t bloom until sometime in May. The vine with the violet flowers (also one of my favorite colors) is indeed invasive! It is a three way competition with the Queen Anne’s Lace and the Trumpet Vine in my garden. My daffodils have started to appear. Hope they survive the freezing temperatures that are arriving early next week. Have a blessed day and beyond.
Hello Maryann. We have a lot of trumpet vine around as well as Queen Anne’s a little later in the season. The periwinkle is quite invasive I understand but hopefully we can allow it to be a ground cover where it’s located. Have a good day and a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
Hello, sweet folks!
What a lovely spring walk with you today, and the green was so inviting. Living in the desert I am always happy to see green!
All the flowering bushes are beautiful. The sunrise and sunset are spectacular!
But the grape hyacinth with the clover was my favorite along with seeing EM. She is getting so big.
I have a question… I see you are walking through the forest and tall grass. Do you ever have to worry about ticks? In Pennsylvania, it’s a worry for many when on nature walks. I have several friends who live on farms that have already been bitten this season. They send the tick somewhere to get analyzed to see if it has Lyme disease. If so, they have to get to a doctor quickly for an antibiotic regimen. Not fun.
Thanks for a lovely Sunday morning start! Have a great week!
And a good afternoon to you Nancy. Thanks for your comments. To answer your question, ticks are a big problem here and tall grasses seem to be where they love to hang out. Even now on warm days I have to be on the lookout and check clothing and body after roaming around. We use sprays too, especially in warmer weather. I’ve not been bitten this season but did find a tick recently when I came in. Have a pleasant afternoon and a great week!
Butch and Pam
Such beautiful flowers, spring is truly on the way.
Good afternoon Carole. It may not feel like spring for everyone just yet but it will arrive everywhere in time. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I love to spend my Sunday mornings with you, Pam and Butch, observing nature’s beauty and finding joy everywhere! The sunrise is indeed breathtaking! The redbud branches do look pretty in that vase against the green background and I’m looking forward to your and all the other spring tables on Tuesday. I think EM is going to be a tablescaper like her grandmother! Spring provides so many sweet surprises with things starting to bloom everywhere🌼🌷🌺 Have a lovely Sunday!
And happy St Patrick’s to you Jenna. Spring does bring beauty and surprises. EM is very observant of tables and decorating etc. and notices even the smallest change. You should enjoy Tuesday and we hope you enjoy your entire week!
Butch and Pam
Those redbuds are taking my breath away and so, too, is St Patrick’s Cathedral. How fabulous! I love it all. Happy St. Pat’s Day!
Good afternoon Jeanie, and happy St Patrick’s to you. The cathedral was fabulous and the acoustics and choir that sang while we were present is a fond memory. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
St. Patrick’s cathedral is beautiful! The tree hanging on by that small trunk is so odd. Our redbuds are all blooming as well. I always enjoy seeing their pretty colors. All the nature shots are showing lovely signs of Spring! I’m hoping the freeze tonight and tomorrow night won’t do too much damage to the landscaping. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Clara❤️
Good afternoon and happy St Patrick’s to you. We have a freeze warning for tomorrow night but clouds here will keep us ok tonight. That old tree may be on its last leg but it is still standing. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Wishing you two a wee bit o’ fun and a glorious St. Patrick’s Day! Your nature images are embracing the beauty of spring!
And “wee” wish you a happy St Patrick’s as well. I embrace meteorological spring which lets us count all of March but I guess the official first day is this week. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful pics. Love the tree you discovered. Happy Sunday. Happy St. Paddy’s Day. Have a wonderful week ahead. Hugs. Kris
Happy St Patrick’s Sunday to you Kris. There’s always something out there to discover and I love being able to get out and about. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Butch and Pam! Spring is definitely “springing” at your house! The world is greening up here also. I am fascinated by Pam’s tree…it looks almost like a creature standing on two legs! I love the redbud branches in that beautiful bottle and can’t wait to see what Pam has planned for her next tablescape.
Good afternoon and happy St Patrick’s Day to you Roxanne. That old tree has the slumps but still standing so I guess I count that as encouragement. Pam’s bottle was a perfect fit/setting for those redbud branches. I figure you are about the same as us as far as spring’s progress. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Pam and Butch! I really enjoyed my lovely tour with you to see all the Springtime beauty. EM is darling flower herself, sitting at the table. My late beloved and I visited Ireland in 2009 on our dream vacation….such wonderful memories!
Wishing you a happy St Patrick’s Day Kitty. So glad you were able to visit Ireland when you did and those memories are everything. Have a beautiful first week of spring!
Butch and Pam
From the tiny to the large, all are beautiful in their own way. My satsuma tree has hundreds of tiny white blossoms that will smell fabulous in a few days. Its nice to notice the small things.
Good afternoon Leslie Anne. We had to do a leaf collection in high school one year. My grandmother was raised in Florida. She brought me Satsuma leaves and my collection was the only one with a Satsuma. No one knew what a Satsuma was. Does yours bear fruit? Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I enjoy all your photos, Butch, as well as your commentary! The grape hyacinths and shamrocks growing together is neat!
That sunrise was indeed awesome.
I hope your tulip tree won’t be affected by the low temps. Your temperatures are always lower than ours but you can grow peonies and I can’t.
Enjoy your week, Butch and Pam. Bonnie
Thank you so much Bonnie. We do have peonies that are up and growing, some 6-8inches tall. With upper 20’s tonight and the wind calming after midnight I had to cover them. Our blueberries are almost too big to cover but I made an attempt. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I just love reading your blog. It always lifts my spirit. Just a note about Bradford Pear. They are an invasive plant and will kill anything native around it. We have an abundance of them here in Tennessee and I have watched them take over areas just over the last five years. Here’s a video you may want to watch.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful area with us.
Thank you for your comments Lisa and thanks for the video. Those trees will crowd out everything else over a short time since they grow very fast. Looks like they are hard to deal with once they get established. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
The Poet’s daffodil reminds me of an orchid. What a great tour of the day…pictures
to wake the senses. Glorious sunrise and sunset, a gracious queen overseeing the
Easter table setting, botanical lessons galore and who could not be humbled by
the impressive solemnity and grandeur of St. Patrick’s Cathedral? …Where would
we find such inspired builders this day? You outdid yourself in wearin’ the green.
Grateful for you comments Mary. I’m not aware of anything modern that can rival the craftsmanship and builders of old, and we are talking centuries past. I hadn’t thought of an orchid when viewing the Poet’s daffodil but something about it is orchid-like. All the grands were wearin’ the green big time yesterday and put me to shame. Hoping you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
There is SO Much to love here–it almost makes me cry! There are miracles all around and you ALWAYS capture them and share them so exquisitely. Always, EM and the grandkids (or any of Pam) are my favorite photos :-). That EM is a queen indeed! From the glow of the sunrises and sunsets, the Irish history (I’m 30% Irish and dream of visiting there!), the redbuds (we have them here in MO), tulips, wildflowers (nice eye, Pam!), and the leaning tree…to shamrocks and the everlasting love of the Holy Trinity, …God blesses us in so many ways if we only look and see! God bless you both! Give Pam my love and prayers too! 💚🙏🌺💛 ps–it’s a cold day here in MO and tomorrow, a 20 degree warm up!
You have our prayers Karla and thank you for your kind comments. I am about 40 % Irish and Pam has Irish ancestry as well. We are having a couple of cold days so I know it’s even colder in MO. Maybe when it warms up I can get Pam back out on the trail. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I came to my PC so I could respond! Thank you so much, Butch and Pam! I knew were were probably related, tee hee! May Pam and I both find trails in this warmer weather. Happy Spring!
Butch, beautiful pictures and a wonderful tribute to St. Patrick’s Day green! The sunrise and sunset photos are gorgeous. And that tree – oh my goodness – I can’t believe that it is still standing either. I love the periwinkle as it’s such a pretty color but sorry to hear that its invasive. And speaking of invasive, that Bradford pear – how can a tree with such pretty flowers smell like rotting fish? And, the seeds are apparently laced with cyanide (according to Wikipedia). Calgary moved from a 3a/b hardiness zone to a 4b in 2016 so it could potentially grow here. Would it be alright if I said no thanks lol? Thanks for the beautiful pictures and I hope two you are having a lovely week! P.S. Loved the sneak peak of the table.
Good evening Kim and thanks for your comments. I had no idea Calgary was in that hardiness zone. I planned to dig up trees tomorrow to ship to you. I guess I imagined you as living at the North Pole. But, since you said “no thanks”, we’ll keep the pear trees here. Pam and I were in Calgary once in October and it was quite pleasant. We hope you have a lovely week as well!
Butch and Pam
That golden hour photo at the end is absolutely stunning! And I love your redbuds! They made me miss seeing them bloom each spring in our yard in SC. I still miss our yard, especially the beautiful rose garden my dear husband so painstakingly planted and built for me over the years. I often wonder if the new owner is keeping up with it like my sweet husband was so faithful to do. Life changes, and we move on, but the plants and trees remain and keep coming back year after year, as you mentioned. Seedtime and harvest continue, and our God is ever faithful. May He bless you both.
Thank you Cheryl. I often wonder about what will happen to all the garden, yard and other outdoor things when I’m unable or gone. I just remind myself that I need to live in the present as far as that type thing, do what I can and enjoy what I can while I can. God has been gracious to allow me a lot of seasons of seed and harvest as you mention. If another day doesn’t come for me, I’m more than blessed. Blessings to you!
Butch and Pam