“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
Psalm 91:1-2 ESV
A rainbow and a promise might pop up in a place and at a time when least expected. Our skies have been filled with rainbows over the last few weeks and it is always a great experience to see one. This short bow gave us a surprise appearance and seemed to be across a clear sky, but no doubt there was moisture somewhere!
Our crepe myrtles are finally coming to full bloom. Most of the crepe myrtles around town have been blooming for weeks, but the fuchsia trees that are along the driveway are always slow.
I recently posted about our ginkgo tree now bearing fruit, which was not expected. Since the fruit is known to have a foul odor, I thought I would investigate. I expected to find seeds, but found only one immature seed inside the fruit. The smell was noticeable, but I don’t believe the worst odor will come until late in the season with mature, soft fruit, and then mostly when mashed. We shall see!
This is a nice spot to view the river from beside City Hall. I had stopped by the week before, but the flags nearby at half staff caught my attention, so I did not share this photo. We have a lot of fishing tournaments here and the river sees a lot of activity. I was surprised to catch a moment with no boats and no traffic below!
Dedicated to World War 1 heroes from our county, this bridge is 98 years old!
This Carolina buckthorn has been at our woods’ edge for years and always provides berries that the birds love when they ripen and turn dark. A few weeks back a thunderstorm brought down a portion of a tree and other brush (mainly large poison ivy vines) on top of it. I worked carefully to remove the invaders and I think the buckthorn will survive.
I bought these in order to have tomato sandwiches the rest of the year and beyond…just kidding, but isn’t this a nice display of locally grown maters! I told Pam that I was determined to travel down to the Peach Park in Chilton County, and have a fried peach pie and homemade peach ice cream, even though I try to eat high protein, low carb. The first thing we spotted however, were tomatoes!
But nothing to fear, we did not travel almost 100 miles one way to not find a peach…
…and fried peach pies…
…and peach ice cream over peach cobbler! When traveling in this area for work or just passing nearby, I would always stop and pick up a peach pie for Pam’s dad (Pawpaw). He loved them. We had to bring one home with us with this memory in mind. We ate it the next day! He would’ve loved it and so did we!
I decided, after last week’s all male gold finch cast, it was time to feature the ladies. This one says, “you guys can have those sunflowers, I prefer zinnias”!
And this lady was also claiming the zinnias as being the place to hang out. For now, no male hummers seem to be around!
This Pipevine swallowtail was a mover and a shaker, but I finally caught it still for a brief second. Butterflies have been in short supply so far this summer. We are beginning to see a few more.
A common butterfly for us and a zinnia lover is the gulf fritillary. That has not been true as far as multiple sightings, but it now appears a few may be in the area.
I was taking a look around the neighborhood with the drone. This was taken from straight above our garden. This is where I roam. No busy intersections. If I could fly a little higher on a clear day, Weiss Lake would be visible, with a good eye.
Another surprise in the sky. We were picking blueberries and happened to look up and across the pasture. I always say, keep looking up!
A look back…3 years ago this week, this little one graced our pasture just behind the garden. Fawns are born here in July and August!
The scene a few minutes before another July storm…I was on the cottage porch enjoying a hot, but sunny afternoon, thinking I would continue working in the garden. Within 10 minutes, lightening and rain halted my plans. Do your plans ever have to be adjusted? We know the answer!
Pam roams the garden after dark. It is cooler, and you never know what peaceful scenery might be found.
It is time to bid you “good day”, or maybe “g’day”, depending on where you live. But regardless of how you say it, we wish you a great Sunday and a fabulous week!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Happy Sunday! Weve had so much rain and, like your area, the storms just come out of nowhere, guven the heat and humidity. beautiful rainbow captures! I’ve collected 11″ of rain in my gauge already this month! I’m sad that I’ve not seen hummingbird, goldfinch and butterfly sightings except for one or two. My crepe myrtle is similar to yours, and has just begun blooming this week. I love all your observations, Butch. And boy, those peaches and maters sure do look yummy! Pam, your nighttime photo of the hydrangea is beautiful.
Thank you Rita. I was just outside pulling weeds and had no idea rain was anywhere and it came a good shower on me. Now the sun is out and we have our personal sauna. You’ve had a lot of rain in July. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning Butch and Pam, Great captures and photos of your flora and fauna! Love seeing Bambi, the wonderful hummingbird shot among the zinnias, butterflies and rainbows. Nothing says summer like homegrown tomatoes and fresh peaches! Your fried peach pie and cobbler with ice cream looks delicious. Happy Sunday, stay cool! ♥
Thank you Mary. Every season has an offering of tasty foods but summer has a lot. I struggle to maintain the discipline to not be constantly over indulging in something. I was rained on today but the cooling didn’t last but a few minutes. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Yum, peach pie and tomato sandwich. One would say driving 100 miles to get peach pie is a downright craving. The Palisade peaches have come in and this year they a huge and juicy. I haven’t seen a rainbow yet but a late afternoon walk if it was cool enough would definite bring a sighting. You are so blessed to have so many butterflies and hummingbirds. The hail storm we had destroyed my flowers so I have no hope of seeing them this year. Mane next year. Have a blessed day and week Richardsons.
Thank you Alice. Hail can be so destructive. We’ve had quite a few thunderstorms this month and a lot of places have received hail. So far we haven’t had hail here at our house. I did have a peach pie craving for sure. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The fried peach pie looks delicious and brings back lovely memories. We’ve hardly seen any butterflies as well, last summer and this summer. We do have several hummingbirds who all seem to be getting along. Maybe they’re all females? The males always seem to fight constantly over the feeder.
Thank you Rachel. Glad your current visitors are getting along. There can be a lot of competition when food is involved. I may have been tempted to slap a hand if someone had tried to get a bite of my peach pie. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Your travels reaped delicious summer goodies. The fried peach pie and homemade peach ice cream along with tomatoes sounds wonderful.
Thank you Karen. Traveling the interstate with traffic and construction was frustrating but the summer goodies were worth it. We hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
What a nice surprise to see a rainbow prism across the sky. Those tomatoes look divine! Now I want a tomato pie. Homemade peach ice cream in the summer is the best. I have memories of hand cranking an ice cream maker, taking turns as our arms got tired, with fresh peach ice cream. Nothing like it. Gorgeous photos of the birds and butterflies.
Thank you Carole. We still have a hand crank freezer but with no one around to take turns I usually opt to use the electric these days. Like you, as kids we always took turns cranking. That’s a good memory. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
We’ve had some really strong downdraft storms which took out trees, electric poles, and turned over an eighteen wheeler in our area. One minute the sun is shining and the next, it’s pouring down rain! It’s been a couple of days since we’ve had a downpour. Now that the temps are increasing next week, I hope we get a few showers. Watering with a hose isn’t quite as effective as a good rain and is a lot more work in the heat!🥵 It’s probably not as effective as I get hot and quit too early! 😂 The tomatoes and peaches look delicious! You’ve planted an idea in my brain but we’ll be closer than a 100 mile trip! We have a local peach farm. The limelights are beautiful! The lake is gorgeous! The birds, butterflies, and fawn are so cute. Have a great week and stay as cool as possible! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. Lot of folks are experiencing similar weather. I was out this afternoon and a pop up shower wet me but the sun is back out. I figure I will still need to drag the hoses around in a bit as I don’t believe it was enough to relieve the garden of needing water. You certainly had some strong wind gusts. Glad your peach farm is not too far away. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
What a lovely look at the cottage through the Annabelles! So very beautiful in your world this week with butterflies and blooms and baby deer! Don’t you love a good farm market? They’re just beginning to come into their own now up here. Soon we’ll see tomatoes like yours!
Thank you Jeanie. Yes, farm markets are just the thing. And it sounds like you will soon be able to enjoy them, including fresh tomatoes. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
So relieved you are sticking to your low-carb regimen, ho-ho. The photos of the
market tomatoes and peaches point up our blessings in abundance from above.
How dear that the peach pie echos the fond memories of sharing with Sweet Daddy.
The bridge/river photo is so placid and the rainbow shots attest to your keen observation.
Pam’s evening captures are hauntingly beautiful. Hummingbirds, gold finch, butterflies and fawn shots seem serendipitous, but probably were hard-won. No wonder you “camp out” to
capture just the right moment. Viewing this Sunday’s offering is like sitting quietly in the
pew and just contemplating the wonders of the Lord through your vision. Ever grateful.
Thank you Mary. Special occasions do call for abandonment of the low-carb regimen. My problem is lately I’ve been identifying too many outings as “special occasions “. So easy to proclaim everything a celebration and those events always demand good food. We think we’re going to plan another one of those next week. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful captures of the skies, birds and sweet deer! I especially like the close ups of the hungry butterflies. I bet the peach pie and ice cream from Clanton is amazing!
Thank you Jenna. Butterflies and hummingbirds stay such a brief moment at each spot I’m amazed they can take in anything. It takes me a little longer to get my nutrition when pie and ice cream are available. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Summer scenes! They’re all so gorgeous – and I especially love the display of ‘maters!
Thank you Leslie Anne. Those maters were displayed quite nicely. I’m thinking it’s time for more sandwiches this week. Have a good evening and a great week!
Butch and Pam
Yes, please, to the peach pie and peach ice cream! How delicious!
We have not had any butterfly visits, yet. We keep watching for them.
Your bird pictures are wonderful. I do also love the bridge.
Thanks for the Sunday Stroll!
PS. I am still thinking of that peach ice cream!
Thank you Nancy. So many have commented about the peach pie that I think the urge to drive back and get more is coming over me. Pam thinks I’m losing it but I’m betting she would still jump in and go. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good afternoon friends…lovely pictures as usual. Love the birds and butterflies. BTW, I love sitting in my Secret Garden but as of late, I have kept the covers on the furniture due to the daily rainfall. Every morning I check the weather to see if I am able to remove the covers and be able to sit and do my devotions and sip on coffee while watching the birds and butterflies but so far…we have had too many showers. Do you have that problem with your outdoor furniture? The Captain has been known to say…” leave them off…it won’t last long” but at times like that a soggy bottom is not desirable. LOL Have a Blessed day. Peach anything sounds good to me.
Thank you Kari. We kinda gave up on covering or moving things like cushions in and out. Some things weather ok. Our patio furniture has a lot of age, wear and tear, and really needs replacing. Still comfortable though. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I’m so glad you two indulged in the golden goodness of peach fried pie, perfectly complemented by sweet peach ice cream. A match made in dessert heaven! Love the flutter of blooms, birds, butterflies and of course the hint of the rainbow!
Thank you Mary. Maybe indulging in desserts so well matched is entirely permissible even on my low-carb routine. Another shower wet me today but no rainbow with that one. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
I look forward to your Sunday posts, full of gorgeous pictures and interesting commentary
Thank you Gail. There’s so much to see and it’s hard to really capture the true beauty. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy, very hot, Sunday! (I’m down in Charleston and the heat index was 112 this afternoon). Homemade peach ice cream is my absolute favorite. When I was a child we had one of those hand cranked churn. Mama would make cooked custard and Daddy would set up the churn with rock salt and ice. All the kids on the block thought it was great fun to crank…for about 5 minutes!! I seem to be growing a bumper crop of poison ivy this year. It’s a good thing my sweet tea is decaffeinated Luzianne bc I’m on my 4th or 5th glass today! Stay cool.
Thank you Roxanne. Now those SC peaches are hard to beat. We still have a crank freezer, but you are correct, about 5 minutes is enough of that fun for most people. We also had to go to decaffeinated tea because I drink too much late in the day. You wonder why vines like poison ivy and kudzu will outgrow everything. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Gorgeous pictures. Hope your weekend was wonderful. The peaches and tomatoes look so good. That peach pie with peach ice cream yum. Happy New Week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. We had a nice weekend and hope you did as well. I’m thinking a couple of tomato sandwiches will be a good idea for lunch. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Oh my, so many beautiful pictures of God’s magnificence in nature that you’ve shared. How sweet to enjoy PawPaw’s favorite peach dessert in his honor. Enjoy your week, Pam and Butch!
Thank you Kitty. It was great to have the peach pies but even much better to remember how much Pawpaw enjoyed them. We hope you enjoy your week as well!
Butch and Pam
Oh, those tomatoes do look amazing – I am craving a BLT now. The peaches look pretty amazing too and fried peach pie is new to me, but hey, why not? The photos of the birds and butterflies are gorgeous and love the hint of the rainbow. Pam’s night shot of the hydrangeas is so pretty. And, I think that today I was finally successful in subscribing after many years of trying! Yay! (It was through the pop-up). Have a wonderful week, Pam and Butch!
Thank you Kim. Glad you could subscribe and have no idea why you couldn’t before. Electronics can be very frustrating and strange things occur. We fry a lot of things here in the south. People love fried pies. My favorite is peach but many people love apple. I think apple is Pam’s favorite. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I loved the g’day Butch 😊. I’ve never had peach icecream but it sounds delicious! And those tomatoes look amazing too. Hubby & I d enjoy tomato & cheese toasted sandwiches occasionally.
Those butterfly shots are beautiful.
Yes, my morning this morning was interrupted by threatening showers to hang washing out on the line, hubby & I took the chance & so far they’re gently drying in the winter breeze.
Blessings to you & Pam, Jennifer
Thank you Jenn. Toasted tomato and cheese sounds great. We hope you might be able to try peach ice cream sometime. It was very hot here today but afternoon clouds drifted by and we had a nice breeze which helped a lot. We hope you have some pleasant winter days!
Butch and Pam
The photos are just stunning as always! It’s always such a blessing to visit with you here.
Thank you, Cheryl. We appreciate your visits!
Butch and Pam
Fried peach and fruit pies remind me of my childhood when my great aunt made the regularly in season. Yeah ice cream was always made by chuck folks for our regular Sunday night ice cream socials after vesper services. My daughter and family make it now for the family in season.
Thank you, Linda. Fresh fruit pies with homemade ice cream are the best!