“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.”
1 Samuel 12:24 ESV
Tennessee’s Little River, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was remarkably peaceful and beautiful last week. We didn’t make the trip but our sweet grands were treated to a few days of camping by Dad and Mom. They returned home just in time to spend a wonderful Thanksgiving with family! Even in a difficult and troubled world there is so much to be grateful for, even though circumstances can make gratefulness hard to find as it can be smothered beneath heartaches!
Over the past few days our coral bark maple changed from typical gold to an autumn orange as fall was still getting in its final ‘end of the round’ punches. The little tree has been a garden standout this year!
On another note, our largest ginkgo is also making a final pose for the year, but has not quite been as showy as in the past…
…but I found this one downtown which never disappoints (not that our small one disappointed). The end of November seems very late for such color and even a bit of lingering green!
A sure sign of the season is when the time arrives for me to make a couple of trips out and about to gather the green. This load was a mix of pine and cedar. I normally use artificial garland on the mantle, but this year I did use fresh cedar. I will probably be second guessing that decision in the days to come when the cedar is dry and brittle and must be changed out!
Even without the weather predictions from local meteorologists, when the blackbirds show up in large flocks, it is a certain sign that change is coming. And sure enough, our first freeze occurred Friday night, and cold days and nights are going to be around for a while!
Pam and I have not had the opportunity to make many short trips or even day trips this fall as we have in the past. But, we are happy that Appalachian Media and crew can get away once in a while and share their adventures with us! This brings back memories, Clingmans Dome, in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a spot Pam and I visited together during our early years of marriage. It is an uphill hike of a half mile to get to this point from the parking area.
The Cherokee name for the mountain is Kuwohi, meaning “mulberry place”. This is the highest point in Tennessee and the second highest point east of the Mississppi River. It was a fairly clear day when our kids made this hike, but you can still see why the name Smoky Mountains is fitting! The Appalachian Trail crosses the mountain here as well as the Tennessee, North Carolina state line!
Abrams Falls, accessed from Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains National Park, is a popular hike covering just over 5 miles. In peak season, this trail can see 1000 or more hikers each day! We were able to witness how the falls looked last week without making the trek, although I would’ve enjoyed the hike!
A look back one year ago as PJ and I had a memorable evening in Nashville celebrating Christmas and enjoying a tribute to John Denver. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a beautiful venue and was especially so, decorated for Christmas!
I’m careful not to elevate creation above the Creator; however, I do enjoy lessons, thoughts, and ideas that come to me at times when I look about the natural world that God created and placed us in. This may seem like a strange one but here it is…Goldenrod is mainly noticed when in full bloom, majestic and golden, dominating the countryside. Those would be considered the “glory days”. As I passed this goldenrod I remembered how yellow it was some weeks back. As I looked across this field while on a walk, I realized it probably goes unnoticed to most everyone, now that it is older and grey. Maybe it has undergone changes, but it still offers much to the landscape, protecting the land from the coming harsh winter, providing shelter and a shield for the tender young plants that lie beneath…having the knowledge that spring will come again!
It is likely quite winter-like where many of you live (not all of course). This was Friday in our garden. We always have volunteer zinnias come forth each spring from seed from the previous year’s garden. But we’ve not had zinnias germinate, grow, and bloom in November from the current year’s seeds! And the chaste tree is still blooming. I decided to show these because we had a prediction of 24 degrees for both last night and Friday night.
I was shocked to find several zinnias blooming and a number of new plants with buds. The mandevilla has provided Christmas color…who would’ve ever thought? But then…
…about 20 hours later! After a morning that the weather folks say they recorded 22 F (-5.5 C) at our location, everything was looking a bit sad!
For somewhere around 35-40 years or so (we don’t remember for certain) I have put together a Williamsburg fan and decorated above my shop door for Christmas. I’ve not missed a year since the beginning. Last year, for the first time, ‘possums discovered the apples and began to climb up at night and help themselves to a few apples. We set traps and replaced apples throughout December, but I finally gave up on adding apples and repairing lights and greenery where the intruder’s climbing damaged everything!
The finished product, as far as the fan goes, has always looked exactly the same, with some variation in wreaths and door posts greenery. I have decided to retire from making the fan. Pam is sad about it and I too feel like something is missing, but there comes a time for all things. The work, expense, critters, and not being able to find the particular wax coating that I always used on the magnolia leaves and fruit are all contributing factors!
Pam has the Sunshine Cottage looking very festive and I knew she also had her table set for tomorrow’s Monday Morning Blooms, so I dropped in for a visit. The cottage tree triggered something inside me and I realized two things. It has turned cold, and I’ve not had hot chocolate this season. Pam could do nothing about the cold but she blessed me with my first cup of hot chocolate, all thanks to this little reminder!
Wishing you a wonderful first week of December!
“And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”
Luke 1:30-31 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
I can see why with all the work you would say farewell to the fan, but boy — I also see why it is a sad time. That is incredibly beautiful and I know it takes a tremendous amount of work to do. I suspect the critters might have been the last straw! You have more color now than we do — in fact, we’re gently blanketed in white. Our up-north house has 25 inches of snow. Fortunately, we just have a few. Enough to be pretty, not enough to be a pain! Happy December — it’s time for cocoa!
Thank you Jeanie. We’ve been seeing a lot of photos of snow up your way and other parts of the country as well. It’s finally turned cold here, at least cold for us. We agree, it’s cocoa time; had another cup this afternoon. Have a great week and stay warm!
Butch and Pam
Butch, with your story on the goldenrod, I honestly felt like you were continuing with an analogy of those of us growing older and grey, yet still offering protection to the tender young. it’s true!
We also had our first hard frost on Friday, a bit of snow on the ground today.
Enjoy the season, no matter how scaled back the decor and activity. Happy December!
Thank you Rita. I definitely had those thoughts as I passed the fading goldenrod. It’s supposed to be unseasonably cold here this week but no snow for us. I’m trying to scale back but seems like I keep thinking we need to do “one more thing”, so where does it end? Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The color of the leaves looks stunningly beautiful! I love that waterfall. I have been to Cades Cove, but did not realize how much it has to offer. We were only there for a short time. Tennessee is a beautiful state. I hope you enjoyed the hot chocolate!
Thank you Mrs White. We enjoyed more hot chocolate today. A lot of those leaves disappeared overnight as we had temps in the low 20’s. We are about an hour and a half from Tennessee. TN dose have so much to offer. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Your Williamsburg fan is always beautiful. However, when something begins to feel like a chore instead of fun, it’s probably time to quit. 😊 More than likely the critters will be back for their nightly meal. Can’t wait to see the rest of your Christmas decorations. I’m wrapping mine up after starting the last week of October!
Thanks Rachel. It seems like we are slower about getting the decorations completed this year yet we started earlier. Putting that fan together every year became a tradition quickly and was fun. The maintenance last season did become a chore. We wish you a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful photos of Fall color Butch, the coral bark maple, wow! I always love your fresh greenery creations, and I know you will miss the beautiful Williamsburg fan over your door, but not worth it if the critters continue to mess it up! Hot chocolate sure sounds good on this very cold morning and I’m looking forward to seeing the Sunshine Cottage decorated for Christmas tomorrow! Happy December!
Thank you Jenna. I do miss seeing that fan over the door and just today was trying to come up with some other ideas. It’s really time to complete everything, find a stopping place, and enjoy the season. The cold nights have wiped out the maple and ginkgo leaves. Have a pleasant December week!
Butch and Pam
It brings me joy to read your post on Sunday, your observations of nature, the world and the scripture warms my heart.
In this season of joy and wonder I hope that letting go of your Williamsburg fan and the stress of the critters leaves you room to enjoy so many more little things, like a cup of homemade cocoa from the woman you love.
Well thank you Elizabeth. Good advice from you about enjoying the season and the little things. That sweet woman I love made us hot chocolate again this afternoon. We wish you a wonderful first week of December!
Butch and Pam
The fan is indeed fabulous! Lovely fall leaves and photos of our natural world.
Thank you Carole. I’m kinda missing that fan, looks a bit bare out there. We hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
AMEN Elizabeth. I look forward to something each day that will bring me joy and Sunday with Everyday Living is guaranteed to do just that. Nature is Gods way of showing us life’s changes. Oh how pretty the first blooms of Spring and how pretty the trees as they turn Golden. Butch I’m sad that the Williamsburg fan will not hang over your workshop this year. It’s so beautiful and I personally know how much work and expense it is to create. I only did it only once even so it was worth it. A thing of beauty that brought me joy. Happy December folks🎄
Thanks so much Alice. I always dipped the magnolia, apples, and pineapple for that fan in the old fashioned Johnson’s clear floor wax. My local places stopped carrying it, telling us it was discontinued. I looked online and some places had it for outrageous prices. There’s other things I can use of course but I had my routine. Happy December to you and have a great first week!
Butch and Pam
Oh your cedar …. Such heartiness and luster…. you nurture well …. especially our spirits with your musings upon nature and your comments on the goldenrod
Schermerhorn can rival many a European opera house. It takes pride of place in
Nashville. A time ago we gave up the fresh Williamsburg fan over the front door and opted for quite realistic artificial trimmings….from a short distance no one
is the wiser. However, I held out for a real Pineapple to assuage my guilt. Another Sabbath filled with your beautiful photos, thoughtful comments and
Scripture, Butch …. a prelude to Pam’s giftedness tomorrow. Blessings ~
Thank you Mary. At first, many years back, I wanted everything on the fan to be real. I did finally give in to using artificial greenery behind the fruit and leaving the greenery in place on the form year after year, which was a help. I considered artificial fruit so as to disappoint the nightly fruit bandits but I just couldn’t go that far in abandoning fresh and real…so we understand your need for a real pineapple. Have a blessed first week of December!
Butch and Pam
“not to elevate the creation above the creator.” – a very insightful and good thought! Thank you for that. Also, I made a Williamsburg fan one year . . ONE year. It was very hard and I kept thinking I would get nailed on the noggin with an apple when the door slammed. I think the addition of a hungry possum is hilarious – although irritating to you!
Thanks Leslie Anne. We have had a few times where apples did fall when I closed the door too hard. And it’s a mystery why so many years passed without possum interference. We’ve always had hungry possums around. We wish you a joy filled week!
Butch and Pam
The fan was always beautiful which the critters were so happy you took all the time to make.
The fall colors for you are beautiful. Glad your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Have a beautiful new week as we slide on down to Christmas. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. The fall colors are slipping away and as you say it is time to slide toward Christmas. Seems December came on in a flurry. Yes, the critters are always appreciative of an easy fresh meal. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The Smokies are always beautiful in the fall it seems. We were able to make a trip at the end of October. Your fan was gorgeous. It was labor intensive and animals attacking it can make it frustrating. The Sunshine Cottage tree preview looks festive. Our outside plants are history now with a hard freeze but the deer are finishing them off. We have a fawn that visits our flower beds all alone and I just don’t have the heart to run it off as we haven’t seen it’s mom. We hope she’s in the background somewhere but we’re not running off the little one even if we have to replant a few items. Happy December! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. That mama deer is probably around somewhere close. I plant a long strip of winter rye and clover along a fence line about 100 yards behind the sunshine cottage and that seems to keep the deer out there instead of in the garden. I counted 9 out there this afternoon. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy December 1st, Butch and Pam! I agree with Alice about the goldenrod analogy. “They” say older people become invisible…but we Baby Boomers need to change that! I’m not going down without a fight. Your Williamsburg fans were stunning, but I can appreciate wanting to spend your energy on other things. Who knows…next year you might feel differently. Enjoyed seeing all the shots of TN by Appalachian Media. My sister and I were driving home at sunset on Friday and could see the Blue Ridge way in the distance. They were outlined absolutely black against the pink sky. Magnificent!
Thank you Roxanne. We were sitting here using our imagination on how wonderful a sunset behind the Blue Ridge would be. It occurred to me tonight that last year I could no longer find the old Johnson’s clear floor wax that I used on all the live elements of that Williamsburg fan and I ordered a substitute. I just told Pam that I recall not liking it or thinking it worked well. Maybe the Johnson’s kept the possums away all those years? Maybe I shouldn’t give up the fan without a fight. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Dear Butch (and Pam, hello!),
I enjoyed this, as always. Not only do you share such beautiful creation pictures, but also, wisdom, Butch. I’ve never known you to put creation above the Creator. The Smoky Mountains are so majestic. The dome is somewhere I haven’t visited in years. I’m ready to visit the Smokies again. I miss it.
It’s crazy to me how long my flowers lasted here! Up until Friday, mine still had blooms, too! The maple you have is gorgeous and how neat to see the Gingko so huge and wonderful in town (and at your place).
I’m sorry about the Williamsburg Fan situation. Yet, I understand the reasons! You have many memories and pictures you can still share, too!
I had a hike in the woods yesterday and thought of you all–and prayed, like I do each day so you got two yesterday! Would you please tell Pam that I thank you both for your GENEROUS gift and card. That was unexpected and unnecessary–so thank you so much. I’m sorry I haven’t thanked you before today!
This morning at church we celebrated Advent beginning a series called, “Arrival”. Hope has a name–JESUS. In the midst of heartaches, pain, and trials, I will always have hope. When it’s God’s will, I can’t force anything. If it’s God’s will, I can’t stop it. One day the trumpet will sound. Because of living and blessed hope, HE is coming again! In this season of celebrating, I’m so thankful.
Butch and Pam, thank you for all you do to share light and goodness with the world!
Pam, I can only imagine how divine the cottage is shaping up to be! Yummy hot chocolate is a great idea.
Love, Karla and Finley
Thank you Karla and thanks always for your prayers. Glad you got in a hike. I was able to get out a bit yesterday as well, it was a cold morning. We started an Advent book at home today that we’ve not previously read, called Come Let Us Adore Him. We think it will be great. Our flowers are gone now after two nights in the low 20’s and predicted unseasonably cold all this week. The maple and ginkgo leaves are dropping quickly now. What a difference a day makes. We pray you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Such a wonderful message and photos every Sunday. I grew up not far from Williamsburg and love the fan and garland. Williamsburg and William and Mary college is so beautiful at Christmas. I put cloves out to deter some critters, and minced garlic from the dollar store for others.
I am so allergic to fresh pine and cedar. I would bring home the clippings to make it smell good, and wonder why I was sick every Christmas. Slow learner !
Pam, how is your father ?
Thank you Myrna and thanks for asking about Pam’s dad. He is better and stronger now, caregivers are with him 24/7 but he has definitely improved. I may try cloves and garlic for critter deterrent. I thought about moth balls too. We would love to visit Williamsburg this time of year, only been there in the summer. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Butch, what a beautiful tradition. I know you and Pam will miss having this beauty this year, but your reasons ring true for me. I deal with critters too! It takes talent to create such a gorgeous display. I’m glad you have the memories of making these and enjoying them each season. Your photos today are stunning! As always, thank you!
Thank you Sarah. We all have our traditions I suppose, even when we don’t even realize it until we don’t (or can’t) do them anymore. But it’s all about making memories. The critters can be frustrating but I “try” to remember they are just out there trying to survive. We hope you have a great first week of December!
Butch and Pam
For everything there is a season. I fell off a step stool and broke my femur in September. My husband is worried about me using it but I am only 5’1″ and I reminded him that I have climbed stools for nearly 75 years without accidents. I know you have experienced worse. I hope you have a blessed Christmas .
Thanks Vicky. Truly there is a season for all things and you have been experiencing one with that fall. Hope you are recovering well. By God’s grace I have recovered from a few things through the years and as long as God allows I just keep getting back up on the stool so to speak…as long as I can. Pam definitely cautions me often about things. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam