“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!””
1 Chronicles 16:31 (ESV)
There’s nothing magic about the number 500, but it is a milestone to us as it represents almost 10 years of Simple Southern Sunday. The first SSS was the last Sunday of October, 2014. Our everyday living today is incredibly different from those days, and I would venture to say yours is too. We are so blessed and extremely grateful that God, by His grace, has providentially allowed us to be here and share number 500!
Pam and I recently spent a few really nice days in the mountains. We talked about the upcoming number 500 post while we relaxed and enjoyed God’s creation. The conversations always found their way to the fact that our Sunday posts have not continued this long because of us, but because of you. Without your faithfulness and encouragement there would be no true motivation to carry on. We are here because you are there! Thank you!
Lizard tails are back and looking good. They grow in or near water. Pam would prefer these lizard tails over the lizard tails around the house. Lizards (and snakes) seem to be experiencing a population boom and many have chosen to live in and around our garden.
To commemorate 500 we decided to pull a few favorite pics from Simple Southern Sunday’s of summers past. That’s a tongue twister for me. This garden scene, framing the Sunshine Cottage, is one of our all time favorites!
PJ and WL’s big sisters had their annual “Peter Rabbit” tea party in the Sunshine Cottage on Thursday. Wyatt and I chose to do other things, you know, boy stuff. The girls dressed for the occasion which included pretty hats. Wyatt insisted on at least having a hat since we weren’t invited to the party. Emma loaned him her old straw hat. Our outing consisted of getting away from the girl stuff. I guess I was boring or we went at it too hard!
Let’s take a look at what’s yellow. Several species of wildflowers grow in our open disturbed places and many of them look very much alike, especially from a distance. I have to brush up on them and jog my memory every spring and summer. This looks a lot like our wild sunflowers, but they are not yet in bloom. This one is called greater tickseed, or forest tickseed, a coreopsis in the daisy/sunflower family. An added challenge is that so many grow in the same area and bloom at the same time!
This yellow standout, here among ferns, is roughstem Rosinweed, also in the sunflower family. There is a 100 foot utility easement that runs through a portion of our property and our neighbors on both sides. We probably have a mile or more of open land along the utility easement that is ours to freely travel (on foot or ATV). We could frown on the fact of a utility easement, but the open land that is bathed in sunshine is filled with plants and wildlife that only thrive in this type habitat.
And of course the more familiar black-eyed Susan (sunflower family also) is found in the same open areas, alongside, and often mixed with all the other members of the family. Yellow was everywhere last week, and the sunflowers aren’t blooming yet!
A favorite of favorites is this photo from the summer of ’21. It’s easy to guess why!
Cicadas have been here by the millions, many of our plants seem to be ahead of schedule, and wild blackberries are absolutely loaded with abundance like I’ve never seen. Blackberry cobbler anyone? These are sweeter and better than store-bought, but in southern English…I ain’t picking them! Why not you might ask?…the briers are torture, snakes, including the venomous variety hang out here, and it takes hundreds of the little berries to have enough to be worthwhile!
Vines are quite interesting and teach us a lot. Scripture says a lot about vines. Many have beautiful blooms and sweet fragrances while others have thorns and cause us to itch! Some have all these attributes, (if pricking and causing an itch is an attribute). I was thinking about how fast they grow too. This one has “twined” its way about 40 feet high near the top of a very old cedar tree in our yard. I think this one is called anglepod, climbing milkweed, and sometimes milkvine!
It is bee time here in NE Alabama. Our first Rose of Sharon blooms immediately captured the attention of bumble bees …
…while last week’s appearance of blooms on the popcorn tree (Chinese Tallow) instantly drew hundreds of honeybees. Even with my poor hearing, I can hear a steady and distinct chorus of humming while standing under this tree!
From last summer, a little later in June, as our crepe myrtles are typically late bloomers compared to some I see around the area. White crepe myrtles usually bloom ahead of other colors.
I am seeing more of this plant, including some growing in the corner of one of the pastures. It is called Indian hemp and found across the country. Pam says it reminds her of eucalyptus. It is highly toxic to humans if consumed. Interestingly, Native Americans used the plant’s fibers for making nets, bows, fishing line and other things. The plant yields useful fibers, hence the “hemp” name.
As the blooms fade on the nearby wild oak leaf hydrangeas, many are turning pink before going brown. The vanilla strawberry hydrangeas in our garden should display a nice strawberry/pink color as they mature, but our hot summers usually bring on brown before pink can really be showy!
Gibbs Gardens in north Georgia is a magical place and offers beauty and variety in all seasons. This is from the summer of 2020. We’ve visited the gardens several times and hope to take the grands over at some point. I think the girls would love it, WL…I’m not so sure!
As a summer sunset bids us farewell to a pleasant day, we bid you a very pleasant June week!
Thanks for joining us for number 500!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Congratulations on the big 500! It has been a pleasure all along the way to see your love of nature, family and God.
Thank you Ruthie. It’s been our pleasure to have you on the journey with us. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
FIVE HUNDRED is truly mind boggling! You all have brought so much beauty, scripture, and knowledge in that time…and dear friendship. Seeing the grands grow so much really makes time fly. By the way, I went blackberry picking just one time when I was about EM’s age with all the cousins and my uncle stumbled upon a rattlesnake! That was enough for me! It was down where the Yorktown is now berthed in Charleston, and there was zero development there 65 years ago. Much love always sweet Pam and Butch!
Thank you Roxanne. Love your story about blackberry picking. Reminded me of my last time some years ago. I encountered one non-poisonous snake but had dozens of bites crop up that I could only figure were chiggers. Misery. Even now with insect repellent, those briers keep me away. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
🎉🎉500, wow! 🎉🎉Congratulations!
I love your Douthern Sundays, amd hope for many more. The look backs were wonderful, and I bet I spent two or three minutes alone on that aerial shot before I even began reading! Love, love, love that shot and your beautiful layout. Pam, will you use Indian hemp in flower arrangements? I would think if Native Amwricans used it for all the things Butch mentioned, it surely would be safe enough for part of an arrangement.
Happy Sunday, Richardsons.
Thank you Rita. We use just about everything around here In arrangements so the Indian hemp might make it. It is very toxic and I read can cause cardiac arrest if ingested. It seems harmless to handle though. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What a wonderful visit today and a look back at some glorious photos. Thanks for that, Butch, and a happy 500 to you and Pam for all these beautiful Sundays!
Thank you Jeanie. So glad you join us on Sundays. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy 500 Butch and Pam. Much water has run over the dam in those 10 years. I didn’t find your post in that day but it wasn’t long before the Lord lead me here. I am awe struck that your part of the country has so many beautiful wild blooms. The Wild oak leave hydrangeas are beautiful much like the Rhododendrons in NC. I miss the South!
The last photo says hot summer day. I remember the smells, the sounds of the cicadas, the heat and humidity. And while the humidity isn’t missed here I miss the other.
How fast the grands are growing. WL is so precious sound asleep and safe with his granddaddy. And if it’s possible I would gladly watch for 500 more of your Sunday post Butch. It’s a wonderful way to start Sunday for me. Have a glorious day and week dear friends.
Thank you Alice. We are so glad you found us and can start your Sundays with us. It is one of those hot and humid days you mentioned here in Alabama today. The rhododendrons in NC a few days back were beautiful. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Happy 500th Simple Southern Sunday! What a milestone! I love your pics of the children and all the plants. The strawberry hydrangea is so beautiful.
I have a granddaughter visiting all week.
Happy Sunday! Bonnie
Thank you Bonnie. Enjoy that granddaughter. I wonder if it’s that “war eagle” girl? Hope y’all have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful flowers, and be happy the lizards have chosen your garden. They can eat a lot of bugs!
Thank you Carole. The lizards are helpful and the snakes too. Pam has adjusted to the lizards but not so much to the snakes. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on 500! We have enjoyed all the ones we have read. The drone shot is marvelous! WL wore himself out it appears. That’s a cute pic! The girls throwback pic is colorful and adorable! I wouldn’t be picking those blackberries either even though I love them! We have enough snakes and lizards in the flower beds! ugh! The yellow pics of the blooms are all happy looking. Have a wonderful day! Clara ❤️
Thanks so much Clara. WL was tired which means I was past tired but he is such fun. I can get blackberries with a camera and remain fairly safe. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
What a beautiful aerial shot of your property. All the blooms are so pretty and your grands of course are adorable. Have a great week ahead. Hugs Kris
Thanks Kris. I’m glad you and others like the drone shot. I’m not too confident flying it especially when I can’t see it and can only go by what the camera shows me. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Happy 500 SSS! I love the photos of the past and present~ WL looks worn out for sure, and it shows he must of had a great time with his grandpa! I’m looking forward to hearing more about the girls tea party, I would love to see their hats! I always enjoy my Sunday strolls with you Butch, you are so knowledgeable about plant names and details. Thank you for sharing your everyday living!
Thanks so much Jenna. I used to remember names and details about a lot of plants and animals but now need reminders. Thankful for good resources to jiggle my memory. You probably will hear about the tea party. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning, Butch and Pam! Congratulations on 500 SSS! Wow, how time flies! I always enjoy reading about the wonderful things you find in nature. Your grandbabies are beautiful! I can see why the opening photo with Sunshine Cottage in the background is one of your favorites. It is gorgeous! Happy Sunday, and have a wonderful week ahead!
Thank you Shannon and happy Sunday to you. Time really does seem to slip away, almost while we’re not looking, even though I try to pay attention. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on number 500! I have not been here very long but I do enjoy your blog. The girls look so pretty in their colorful dresses. Your grandson is so precious. Never knew the plant was called Indian Hemp, I see alot of it when cutting the grass. It isn’t very particular where it grows. Does anyone know why poison ivy likes to grow smack dab against wild raspberry bushes? Your blackeyed Susan are blooming already? Around here they are considered a fall plant. Have a nice week everyone.
Thanks so much Maryann. We are glad you discovered Sss.
Sorry Maryann. I hit send by accident and it’s not my first time. Glad you found SSS. Isn’t it amazing how poison ivy can find it’s way to attach itself to good things! Not sure where you are located but our wild black eyed Susan’s do start blooming early around here. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I am in Pennsylvania!
Thanks for sharing that. We’ve been privileged to visit Pennsylvania and enjoyed it very much. Being that far north I guess makes the black-eyed Susan’s later but maybe a different variety too?
Congratulations on the 500 SSS milestone and gratitude for all your love and effort
through the years. The aerial shot shows the great planning and execution that the whole
of your property entailed…. what an achievement. The girls just radiate charm in their
colorful dresses and WL seems to have had a strenuous day with his Grandpa. The photo of
Gibbs Garden is a virtual Eden…calm and soothing…and the sunset is almost surreal.
Butch’s botany lessons on the wild flora is always new and fresh. Hope the mountain getaway
enriched your lives as you have continued to enrich ours.
Thank you so much Mary. Thankful for these apps and reliable resources as help on identifying flora and fauna. I have a degree in biology from ancient days and I tell people I believe I memorized a lot of stuff just long enough back then to do well on tests. I sure struggle to remember now. Hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on 500! I’m one who truly appreciates your Simple Southern Sunday posts. Your photos are always delightful and inspiring. I love seeing your precious littles. A tea party is always in order. I think you guys need to insist on an invite!
Thank you Sarah. Your words are very encouraging. If the girls offer sweet iced tea in the future WL and I will drop by. It’s just a southern thing. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on 500, just amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such beauty, I love it.
Thank you Nonie for commenting and thank you for taking the time to be a part of SSS. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my goodness! 500!!! I’m so happy I was able to be here to celebrate. My favorite pics are of you two and of course, the grandkids. WL in the hat–I melted! The girls have grown so much, too. Your cottage, “homestead”, fauna and flowers, the view, your words and wisdom (Butch, I’ve always loved your quotes), and the truths from the Bible, make this one of my favorite places to visit. Always. Thank you for all the work you do to bring this to our “table” (no pun intended, because we know all the work Pam does to create the tablescapes!). I know it was a tongue twister, but you know how much I love alliteration!
This week we will celebrate my parents’ 60th anniversary. I’ll have my big PET scan on Thursday, and my “kids” and grands will be here next weekend and stay many days. If I don’t see you often, know you’re all in my heart and prayers. Thank you for praying for me, too. I’m sending all my love and best wishes! Happy 500th, again! God bless you all!
Thank you s much Karla. I typed a message to you but it disappeared. So, you may receive two. I realize when I read your kind and uplifting comments that I need your help with wording and any attempt at alliteration. We will be praying concerning your PET scan Thursday. So glad your “kids” and grands are coming. Keep us informed on how you’re doing as you feel up to it. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
500 – how exciting! When God gives you a passion, the work is joyful, so I know you have loved every minute of sharing these beautiful things with us. Thank you and Congratulations!
Leslie Anne, thank you for your comments. It can be a challenging work, but it is a labor of love. Health issues over past months made getting out and about a bit harder but better now, for which we are grateful. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations! I have been following your blog for a few years, and I especially love your Sunday versions that often have fond rememberances of the past. Thank you for sharing. JM
Thank you Jeannie. It is so good to hear from you. I guess my remembrances give away my age but it’s good for us all to share and relate to fond memories. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Ale
Says look forward to your posts and pics.
Thank you Kay. We are grateful you spend time with us on Sunday. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on this, your 500th Sunday post! It’s such a joy gathering with you, learning from you, sharing beauty and joy, your choice of scripture, and especially your sweet family. All the flora pictures are so interesting this week, as always. We have Iris and some yellow lilies in bloom! We are seeing some flooding and mudslides due to snowmelt. So much so that they have had to close Teton Pass, it’s going to be for awhile as there was quite a road failure. I thought you might be interested to know, remembering your besutiful posts of the area.
Thank you so much for inviting us to join you in such lovely Sunday (and more) adventures! Have a happy summer filled werk!
Thanks Sue. Your comments are kind and encouraging. We do love all things Rocky Mountains and the Teton area is a favorite. Interestingly, we were looking at the pictures of the mudslide at Teton Pass today. It will take a very long time to replace that road. This triggered our memories of the first time we saw the Tetons. We were on the Idaho side. We traveled over Teton Pass into Jackson Hole for our first ever visit there. It was November, snowy and cold. It was 49 years ago. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Butch and Pam
Congratulations
I look forward to your Sunday posts
Thank you Gail. We are certainly grateful you visit us on Sunday. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on reaching this milestone! I always look forward to my Sunday virtual visits in the country!
Thanks so much Nancy. We are thankful you choose to take country strolls with us. Have a splendid week!
Butch and Pam
What a milestone you’ve reached Pam and Butch. It is always a pleasure to visit you, such beautiful inspiration in your pictures and scripture. Congratulations…….
Thank you Emily. We are grateful for your visits and comments. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Here’s to 500 more!
I seem to get here on Mondays as of late but I thoroughly enjoy each and every picture and each and every post!
I loved seeing Sunshine Cottage peeking out behind the hydrangeas! And to see all the littles makes me happy as well.
Enjoy your coming week, my friends, and thanks for all the lovely posts!
Thank you Nancy. Your encouraging words are good on Monday or any day. Glad to know you arrived safely back in the northeast. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Thanks so much and congratulations on #500. I enjoyed it so much. gina
Thank you Gina. Glad you enjoyed and hope you enjoy the rest of this week!
Butch and Pam
Congrats on 500! I can see why these are some of your favorite photos. That sunset is incredible.
Thanks Joanne. That sunset was on the lake by the wildlife park where I walk a lot, usually earlier in the day. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on the big 500 Pam and Butch. Wow! I have so enjoyed them since I discovered them – my favorite part of Monday evening. I love the lizard tail and the strawberry hydrangea is gorgeous. The grands, of course, always steal the show. Have a wonderful week you two!
Thank you Kim. We are grateful that you include us in your Monday evenings. June in Calgary is no doubt gorgeous. Nice here today but upper 90’s expected late week. Hope your week is pleasant!
Butch and Pam
I totally agree with you about the motivation to carry on with our blogs. We all become friends even though we have never met and always look forward to visiting one another. Congratulations and here is to many more shared Sundays.
Thanks so much, Karen.
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on reaching your 500 milestone! That is just wonderful! Isn’t God so good to us? He gives us life and breath and so many things to make our sojourning here a pleasant journey. Yes, there are many trials, afflictions, inconveniences, and much trouble in this evil world, but walking with Jesus makes it all bearable, and He so faithfully sprinkles in so much goodness along the way. I am so thankful you ever started this blog. I don’t even know how I found you, but you have been an immeasurable blessing to me. Your stability, faithfulness to post, Godly and Scriptural content, normalcy, family bonds, and beautiful scenes are a source of comfort to me. Thanking God for you all and praying He gives you another 500 SSS posts, in Jesus’ name!
Cheryl, your words are very encouraging. Thank you. This journey can be tough and the road sometimes rough but Grace is always sufficient. I guess that’s the overall message that brought about the blog title and the song lyrics, “everyday living, Jesus understands“. Hope you have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam