“We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks, for your name is near. We recount your wondrous deeds.”
Psalm 75:1 ESV
A summer sunrise is certainly a wondrous deed, and something to always be thankful for. It is the close of the holiday weekend and I understand today is a very busy travel day. It was estimated that 71 million people would be traveling for the fourth of July, which is why we stayed close to home!
Our blueberries have done well in spite of the heat. The various colors of the changing fruit gives the nearby garden a little competition as far a getting noticed. I started picking on the 4th. There were a lot of ripe berries, but more than that, picking blueberries and the 4th of July just seemed to belong together!
I waited until 10:00 AM to start picking in order for the temperature to be around 90. This too would be part of the celebration, making it officially feel like the Fourth of July!
As the day progressed, some of the the blueberries found their way into freezer bags. A portion however, remained in Pam’s kitchen and eventually turned into this…cobbler! Along with ice cream, this was shared with family later in the afternoon, supporting the idea of farm-to-table, in only a few hours. Yummy! Note: This is a full size casserole dish and with family scattered in different places for the evening, there were only 5 of us to indulge. Not a single crumb was left!
We tried a new type marigold this season, planting from seed. We’ve not found the typical “store bought” marigolds to provide much lasting color. But, this giant yellow variety has produced a tall, abundantly flowering, sea of bright blooms that bees love and which seem to last and last! We will definitely order these seeds again.
This Adagio Maiden grass is our North Alabama version of sea oats. With a large imagination, we could find ourselves sitting beside the ocean!
Speaking of imagination, the members of this crew are the champions of imagining. We finally spent some time on the river in one of the paddle boats you may have seen in a previous post. It was fun, but hard work, and hot. I was Captain and PJ started out as Co-Captain and fellow pedaler, but yielded her position to EM very soon after we set sail. This fine crew made me proud to be the Captain, even if it was captain of a large plastic duck!
I observed a group of zinnias and had admired the orange coloring. When I passed by the next day and happened to notice the presence of a very orange gulf fritillary butterfly, and with the comparison, I decided the zinnia looked peachy!
This was the smallest little green anole I had ever seen and it seemed to follow me. I would move a few feet and the lizard would scurry and hop to the next plant. This went on several times before I decided it was too hot to be out playing games with a baby reptile!
I would say this spider is a master in the art of camouflage, yet not totally invisible. I thought of a verse, Hebrews 4:13, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account”. A sobering thought!
The previous photo is a prime example of the Creator’s perfect design of camouflage for His creatures according to His choosing. I, on the other hand, don’t blend in so well with the surroundings. My set-up here is in one of my new hiding spots. My hideouts, along with patience, help to get a few closeup pics of our garden visitors, like hummingbirds, butterflies, and other shy, on the move creatures. As noted in a previous post, this year’s changes to certain plants in the garden caused me to lose my best hiding places. I think this one will be cooler than another place I tried last week, but I’m guessing it will only be effective if my attire is green and white. I am needing to look like a hydrangea!
Eeyore was very curious about my work as I was cleaning up limbs and brush along the fence. Sometimes if I am fairly still (no quick moves), patient, and keep talking to him, he will get close enough for a nose rub. Not last week however, he kept a few feet away, and I ran out of patience!
When your work is complete, you’ve served well, and been a bright spot to greet the summer mornings, the right to bow out gracefully has been earned. I prefer to consider it that way than to conclude this sunflower is more like me; just old, tired, and worn out! And besides, this may be the most important chapter in the life of a sunflower…look at all those seeds!
I wanted to include a throwback today, as we have fond memories of seeing this bull elk in velvet in the Cataloochee Valley of North Carolina, July, 2022!
We’ve had to water daily for weeks in order to maintain the garden, earlier in the season than usual. Thankfully we received about 1 inch of rain Friday afternoon, and another 1-3/4 inches yesterday which will at least give me a day or two off from a daily morning chore!
I have a couple of off days from watering, but I have been placed on chicken duty for a few days, gathering eggs and such. They are really easy if I drop by the coop about 15-20 minutes before dark. I let them out, gather eggs, and check water and feed while they roam. And in 10 minutes, it is dark enough that they return to the coop to roost. Pam says they mind better than I do?
Friday’s sunset after a nice rain! A lot of vivid oranges in the morning and evening skies last week.
We pray you have a wonderful week!
”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
I did not know you have chickens!
I’m a bit jealous of your rain! We got projections for storms (strong), and they literally broke apart and went around us twice! I am still watering daily.. but it is still a beautiful season. The grands looked to have a lot of fun on the water with you. ❤️
Rita, we were surprised by the rain. It came over a short time but we are grateful to get it. Actually our son has the chickens and they were away for a few days. I volunteer for chicken duty at times when they are gone. Hopefully a little rain comes your way soon. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Love your posts. Fellow gardener here, what type of marigolds did you grow from seed? Always looking for flowers that last, and last.
Thanks!
Thank you Merilynn. The marigolds are just called giant yellow marigolds and we ordered seeds from Johnny’s Seeds. It’s our first year to try the marigolds. We order a lot of seeds from Johnny’s. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Marigolds from seed are always more successful it seems. Zinnias are the same way from my experience. The grands seem to enjoy the water and in this weather, that’s a good thing! I’m with Pam, let the youngsters do the work! They have way more energy than the adults. We appreciate your efforts to get the nature pics. It’s difficult to imagine bull elk in NC. I always think of them as being exclusive to the western states. I’m glad they are there as they are beautiful creatures! The sunrise is so pretty. We stayed home too as it’s too hot to travel! We got a little rain, too, for which we were thankful. The blueberry cobbler looks delicious and didn’t last long which is what every good cook likes to see. Have a wonderful day! Clara❤️
Clara, we certainly agree about more success by growing some things from seeds. All our zinnias are from seed too. It is good to see elk returning to areas of the country where they once roamed. I’m waiting on more blueberries to ripen because I have the promise of another cobbler. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
All pics are gorgeous as ever. Love your shy donkey friend. The kids look like they were enjoying being out on the river. Happy New Week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. The donkey is moody it seems. Hope you have a good Sunday and a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
The photos of the sunrise and sunset are gorgeous! That blueberry cobbler looks scrumptious! I can see why it went so quickly. The grands look like they are having lots of fun. All of your garden blooms are beautiful! Wishing you both a blessed and wonderful week ahead! Happy Sunday!
And happy Sunday to you Shannon. I’m hoping another cobbler is coming soon even though I need to stay away from the calories. Birds haven’t bothered the blueberries very much which is a surprise. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Praise the Lord for answered prayers🙏 it also rained at my sisters house but not as much as you received. Butch I’m not sure the hydrangea bush is going to be a good camouflage but if it offers shade from the hot sun it’s really all that’s needed. But I’m thinking you’ve been in the sun too long when you said you waited to pick blueberries until the temperature was 90! The cobbler looks delicious. The water is the ideal place to be in those temperatures. The old mule has good sense. No nose rubbing. Who knows who’s been in poison Ivey. I didn’t know you and Pam had chickens or are you helping out someone? Love those fresh eggs. Blessing to both of you and prayers for more rain.
Alice I think you’re right, the hydrangea is not going to be a secluded hideaway, but maybe a nice spot to sip iced tea. The chickens live down the hill at our son’s place. I’m a chicken duty volunteer when they are away. We do love the fresh eggs though, so much better than store bought. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful post, Butch. The grands are growing so fast! And the cobbler looks delicious! Love to all.
Thanks Patti. As you certainly know, little folks don’t remain little very long. Love to you all as well and have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
When we lived in New Hampshire we had 26 wild blueberry bushes around our orchard and I would always pick blueberries on the 4th of July. They were so tiny that I barely got enough for a topping on a lemon curd tart. Loved your photos and now understand why they are world class, that is some camera but it is still the photographer that makes them special.
Karen, you’re too kind about the photographer. I tell folks I’m just a camera owner. The long lens helps. 26 blueberry bushes requires a lot of picking patience, especially if they were small. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Fun story of you playing with the little lizard. Beautiful photos.
Thank you Carole. Creatures do funny things at times. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I always look forward to your Sunday posts!
Thanks Nancy. I’m blessed to be able to get out and about some each week. Hope your week is a good one!
Butch and Pam
thanks again for a wonderful view of your home and surroundings. Your photos should be in a magazine as they are so detailed. Love the ‘scope’ on your camera. I think the first question I will ask our Father in Heaven is to explain Hebrews 4:13 in regards to pesky mosquitos and flies. LOL I am hoping He gives us instant recollections and understandings as the line to the question answering would be long. At that time, I am sure we will say..’.oh yeah! Makes perfect sense’ as His ways are not our ways as Isaiah tells us in Chapter 55. Or perhaps it will be as many times in our lives…it really doesn’t matter now. Happy July my friends and stay cool.
Great thoughts Kari. We got a chuckle about mosquitoes and flies too. I figure all the questions we think about now will probably fade away in eternity and we won’t even think about them then. The long camera lens is helpful but heavy. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my, those miniature sailors are really sprouting… just yesterday they were tots…. Your ongoing
exchange with Eeyore is charming and the bull elk is such a splendid creature….did you get to rub
noses with him? The sunrise/sunset photos are magnificent and a testament to your prowess… The
happy sunflowers’ “bowing out” after a season of giving their all, ends it with the grace and dignity that
beautiful flower shared with you and your garden. Fresh, healthy, vibrant blueberries left to the devices of your Pam, champion baker, make for a mouth-watering treat on a Summer’s day. May your hiding place cover you in coolness and grand photo opportunities…. A blessed week to come.
Thank you Mary for your thoughts and observations. Eeyore is approachable, just very moody, but I will not consider any nose rubbing with the elk. He requires keeping your distance. I’m planning on more blueberries to reach Pam’s bakery quite soon. More are ripening and there are some in the freezer if all else fails. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I love both the sunrise and the sunset. So gorgeous. And I like the peachy zinnia.
The kids are growing so fast.
Your blueberries look so healthy. I know the cobbler was delicious.
We were thankful not to travel anywhere for the fourth. My sister and her husband came here and we were thankful. On Father’s Day we had a wreck on 65 north. There was a sudden slowdown and we managed to miss the car in front of us but the car behind us hit us. We were all ok and we were relieved but their car was a mess since it was small and we had bumper damage. There is something to say for larger cars in terms of safety. I still feel somewhat spooked and don’t want to travel on holidays for a while.
Bonnie, so sorry to hear of the accident but glad to know everyone is ok. That would tend to make you spooky for a while. We are finding it les and less exciting to get out on the busy highways, especially interstates. The cobbler, I hope, was an appetizer which means more to come. Have a wonderful and safe week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam! That blueberry cobbler sure grabbed my attention! Could Pam be persuaded to share her recipe? I am looking at a very blue sky but the weatherman claims we will have heavy showers today. That marigold is beautiful, I’ll have to order some next year. Life these days seems to be lugging the hose around the yard!
Roxanne, I can identify with dragging a hose around the yard. Not good for your back so hopefully you will get rain. We’ve had enough that I have left the hoses alone for the weekend but I’m thinking the break will be a short one. I’m sure you can have that cobbler recipe. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful blueberries and the cobbler looks wonderful! So many great captures of the wonder of Mother Nature Butch~ I didn’t know you had chickens! We just got back from the beach, traffic was terrible, it took a long time…you were smart to stay close to home! Glad you got some rain, watering the garden is hot hard work! The paddle boat riders look very happy! I hope you both have a great week ahead~
Glad you made it back through all the traffic Jenna. The cobbler was wonderful and I’m hoping for another one. Our son has the chickens and I help out a little when they are away for a few days. That’s where we get all our eggs these days and they are so much better than the store. Hope you have a great week as well!
Butch and Pam
The Blueberry Cobbler looks delicious! Now I am hungry for Cobbler!
I always enjoy going on a stroll with you.
We stayed close to home as well for the 4th. Great decision! And your littles are getting so big. I bet they had fun out on the lake.
Have a great week!
Thanks Nancy. Our little folks were away on the 4th so we had an outing or two earlier in the week. We quickly demolished the cobbler. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Well, I’m back to Sunday on Monday, but visiting here is a joy no matter what the day. Chickens — I don’t think I knew you had chicks! And love those smiling kid faces, too! Happy new week!
Glad you are back Jeanie and Monday is good. Thanks for you kind comments, those are nice any day. The chickens actually belong to our son but I get to entertain them sometimes when our folks are out of town. A happy new week to you as well!
Butch and Pam
Oh, glad you had some rain! We had a surprise rain Saturday evening, a nice soaking rain. We much needed it. The garden perked up immediately. I was hopeful that the hurricane would send some rain this way, but absolutely none reached Austin. Your gardens are lovely and I so enjoy all these photos!
Glad you did get some rain Sarah. I thought the hurricane would bring a lot to you but I guess it went east of you. We are actually getting a nice shower this evening. Things do perk up almost immediately after a rain. Have a good week!
Butch and Pam
Such a happy post, full of love and nature! The cobbler looks wonderful, by the way. I didn’t know you had chickens. My youngest son and DIL had them for awhile and I always loved getting the eggs from them.
Thank you Kitty. Actually it’s our son and DIL who have the chickens and I tend them when they are away. Pam made another cobbler Saturday and it has also disappeared. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Such a wonderful post! The blueberry cobbler sounds amazing! I’ve been thinking of making a peach cobbler, and you may have just convinced me to! God bless you all!