“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.””
Isaiah 41:13
Sunlight glowing behind and through the pines on a completely clear 40 degree October morning. An owl was giving me a good day hoot, which I guess would be like saying goodnight since it was about his bedtime. Not a bad way for me or the owl to start our morning!
I wanted to make room today for the additional murals I mentioned last week. Murals can be about almost anything I guess, but I notice that many give a captivating visual glimpse into an area’s history!
The artist did such a masterful job that after standing here a few moments looking closely at this scene, I felt as if I was walking along the pier…and found myself wondering what was in those barrels?
We had decided that the autumn arrival of the monarchs was not going to occur this year. We had seen monarchs around the area but none in our gardens. But on Saturday the 18th, Pam spotted this one from the kitchen and off she went with her camera. I think it’s the latest October arrival for us, at least as best we can remember.
We both set out to get some photos and especially wanted to determine if this was a male or female. For us to figure it out, we needed a good look at the upper side of those wings. We were only getting quick glimpses as the butterfly would open the wings occasionally but quickly fold them back up!
Finally, as Pam stood still and waited patiently, the opportunity arrived for a photo, as a monarch settled on a zinnia. Whether this is the same butterfly or not we cannot be absolutely sure, but this one appears to be a female!
The eastern monarch winters in Mexico. This well known and iconic North American butterfly travels great distances. There is concern that monarch numbers have been declining in recent years.
This one clearly does not have any noticeable pouches or black spots along the veins of the hind wings, indicating a female.
Again, another photo of a female. We realized upon looking through photos later, we only had pictures of females. As you have surely noticed, our zinnias are in very bad condition. This did not seem to hinder the monarchs. We have a few other things blooming, but in October, monarchs almost exclusively come to the zinnias!
In case you haven’t seen enough orange today, let’s have a look at 4 pumpkins selected for the upcoming annual pumpkin carving.
Everyone brought a drawing of the face they hoped to see on their pumpkin. Daniel was happy with his. It seems to meet his approval. I imagine big sister assisted with the sketch, indicating he wanted a pumpkin without teeth since he doesn’t have any just yet! Mom and EM posed with nice smiles for photographer PJ, but Daniel had his focus on something else!
WL assisted me in carving his. He was not given a sharp tool, but was assigned the job of cleaning out the insides. If you happen to notice the drawing on the table, then observe the pink spot on it. I was told this was to be a tongue. Honestly, I haven’t figured out how to do that just yet. WL was understanding!
EK was our lid specialist and lid cleaner. She wanted to save all the inside parts and carved out pieces for their chickens. Chickens apparently love pumpkin!
Their daddy was the head carver this year and the rest of us assisted. EM had a tricky drawing so I was happy her daddy was working on hers. She likes to do a bit of clowning, taking up a habit she learned from some unmentioned older person. I see her daddy didn’t let it go by without participating also. Who in the world shows these grands all this silly stuff?
I’m out of sight and messing with EM, but Daniel along with EK and WL were not the least bit distracted. Daniel was having fun with those slimy funny feeling insides!
After filling up on pizza, with darkness settling in, we decided to let the boys and girls have time to themselves while continuing to light up our evening!
Nandina usually provides nice autumn colors, as can be seen here. But the colors are not the main reason for our photo. As we looked across the landscape a little after sunrise on Wednesday, there was a glowing reflection on the surface of everything which looked exactly like a heavy frost. But the outdoor thermometer showed 50 degrees? I grabbed a camera and headed outside to investigate. This is an example of the way water droplets were patterned on all types of foliage, limbs, spider webs, grass, etc. Add the low angle morning sunlight…what a display!
It was a perfectly clear and still morning but a low fog formed just after daylight, then dissipated quickly. The fog was a thin layer right at the ground. As this cleared and the sun joined us, we looked across the garden and thought surely we have been surprised by our first frost of the season. Then Pam glanced at the thermometer and we knew…not possible!
Everything was wearing beads. We get rime ice and hoar frost when it’s below freezing and the conditions are just right. These phenomenons are beautiful, but this show was equally interesting, beautiful, yet quite different. I’m not sure I understand the science behind such an intricate and precise design of millions of water droplets, but I do know the Designer!
A peaceful close to a mild October day last week. October weather is usually the very best of the twelve and this year has been no exception!
We may have more food to show next week…there is an upcoming birthday this week!
Have a blessed 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
The water droplets on the foliage is interesting. I would have quessed frost as well. Our temperatures will finally cool down this week. And we’v had much needed rain this weekend. The grands are growing so fast. EK will be a teenager before you know it! O know you and PJ are so thankful they live close by.
Well I guess I need better glasses to type this morning! Lots of mistakes in my comment above. 😂
Thank you Rachel. We are blessed to have the little folks close. We are finally getting a light rain this afternoon with more to come tonight I think. It is needed. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Good Morning Butch and Pam! Love the monarch visitors to your garden. We saw scads of them at the SC coast several weeks ago, it looked like a butterfly highway! Love your cute pumpkin carvers, it looks like a good time was had by all. Beautiful captures of the water droplets on your foliage! Happy Sunday ♥
Thank you Mary. I know there are places where a lot of monarchs gather, getting ready to make that long journey together I guess. We did have a fun pumpkin day. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
The morning shot is magical! The monarchs are beautiful as are the historical murals. It looks like everyone was having fun at the pumpkin carving event. The grands are adorable! The water droplets make everything so pretty. Enjoy your birthday Pam! Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We are finally getting some different water droplets in the form of rain. We do need it. Thanks for Pam’s birthday wish. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Oh this post made me smile. The kids and their pumpkins how sweet and little Daniel just loving getting his hands down in his pumpkin. Oh the memories you are making with your grands. Super fun. Love the info on monarchs. The female is so pretty. Have a beatiful week ahead. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. Daniel loved having his hands in the slimy insides of the pumpkin. Had to watch him or he would be eating the seeds. Our monarchs are gone now. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Looks like all the grandchildren had fun craving the pumpkins. Maybe even the adults too. Thanks for sharing your fun times with the grands.
Thank you Della. The kids did enjoy themselves. It’s a simple tradition and I admit I enjoy it too. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
I always look forward to your pumpkin carving and today was special with Daniel smiling as he reaches into his pumpkin to get slime all over his hands. I have a feeling those precious hand had a taste of the slime,
I haven’t seen a single butterfly this year. Are you ready for Pam’s birthday? Gotta hustle..
Thank you Alice. Daniel did love that slimy feel and as one that age will do, he would’ve eaten the slime and seeds without a close eye on him. Ready for the birthday, keeping it simple these days. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Those butterfly images are fantastic. Your patience paid off — they’re perfection. Also perfection, those wonderful smiles — both human and pumpkin! This looks like the most wonderful day.
Thank you Jeanie. I guess pumpkin smiles prompt human smiles. Hadn’t thought of it in just that way. Good point. Hope you have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Orange on orange, nature is so lovely. I’m glad the monarchs are making a visit.
Thank you Karen. The monarchs came briefly and now it seems they have headed further south. Orange is a biggie in October. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Love your photos of the pumpkin carving and I believe each grand matches their own pumpkin design…with the exception of WL’s “tongue” request …LOL. I love the monarchs and we have some in our area…most likely getting ready for their journey south. I am sure you all have a special day planned for PJ’s birthday…and will share pics with us because ‘inquiring minds’ want to know. Happy October to you’all.
Kari
Thank you Kari. Like every occasion, birthdays require special food and dessert. That’s mostly the plan. And yeah, how do you carve out a tongue? I’ll have to get more creative I suppose. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Blessed Sunday morning, Butch and Pam! That photo of sweet little Daniel beside a pumpkin as big as he…photo of the week! My Min Pin, Poppy, loves pumpkin and gets some every morning. Your photo of the nandina leaves was fascinating. Tomorrow our weather lady says rain and temps will struggle to get out of the 40s! I’ve waited all summer for this moment!!
Thank you Roxanne. I’m not a personal fan of the pumpkin taste but the chickens love it. We have a cool rain and 52 this afternoon. More rain tonight they predict. Haven’t seen this in a long while. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Thank You Pam for sharing these beautiful and fun photos. Your grandchildren are lovely.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Marilyn and Marion
Thank you ladies. We did have a fun time with the grands. We hope you have a lovely week!
Pam and Butch
The water droplets are gorgeous! How wonderful for you both to see it.
The kids looked so happy with their jack-o’-lanterns. What a fun night for all of you. Great family fun! They are all getting so big!
I think it’s Pam’s birthday that is coming up. I just had mine. I am pretty sure we both have October Birthdays. Happy Birthday Pam!💐🎉
Thank you Nancy. It is Pam with a birthday. Thanks for the birthday wish and a happy belated birthday to you. The grands are growing much too fast it seems but we are trying to enjoy each age with them. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Oh what a fun day with the adorable grands!! Aren’t they so happy with their carved by daddy pumpkins? The beaded droplets are amazing! I know their Creator, too, and his artistry is perfection. Happy Sunday blessings!
Thank you Kitty. Those beaded droplets were fascinating, placed here by the Artist of perfection. It was a fun pumpkin day with no injuries like sliced fingers etc. We hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Yes, to making memories with the grandkids one pumpkin at a time! Wishing you two and the grands pumpkin kisses and harvest filled with many blessings! 🎃🎃🎃🎃
Thank you Mary. It’s all about the memories and there’s nothing better it seems than making them with the grands. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Oh, Butch and Pam! I think I forgot EVERYTHING you shared once I saw the pics of the kids, you, and the pumpkins! Such a delight to read and see on this cold and dreary Monday!
Oh, yes,…Monarch butterflies! Those were gorgeous photos! I saw monarchs when I visited Silver Dollar City with my best friend from college! I didn’t think I’d see any this year too. I love murals! Perhaps the barrels were carrying dry good as well as liquids? I’d like to think it was something good!
Like you, I don’t always understand all the intricate ways of the foliage, flora (and fauna, lol). But I know OUR CREATOR too! Praise God!
Is it Pam’s birthday this week? Yours? Sons? One of the grands? Oh, what a celebration!
I’m headed to Kansas City tomorrow. More scans this week to see how the chemo is working on the tumors. AND to celebrate Halloween!
I’m expecting good treats and good results! We serve a Mighty Savior!
Truly, your photos and family make the world a better place. You are blessings to us all!
Much love and continued prayers for all of you, Karla & family 💚❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🎃🦋🦋
Thank you Karla. So good to hear from you. It’s Pam with the big day this Thursday. She’s a day shy of being a Halloween girl and that’s a good thing. Cool and rainy here too for a change. Our gauge shows just over 2 inches. Long time since we’ve seen that. Prayers for good results from the scans. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Beautiful sunrise and sunset shots Butch! The monarchs are magnificent indeed. It looks like a great time was had by all at the annual pumpkin carving event – little Daniel has grown so much! Such great pictures of the family. The water droplets are amazing but I have no idea what could have caused it. Happy Halloween and happy upcoming birthday to Pam!
Thank you Kim. Thanks for the birthday wish too. Daniel is growing. He had a pumpkin last year but wasn’t quite here so he didn’t get into the action. Those droplets were amazing strings of beads around everything. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Pam, how fun to see your gang in action! Those sweet kiddos are growing so quickly and I know you enjoy every single minute with them. Have fun!
Thank you, Linda. As you know, spending time with grandchildren is the best!
A most blessed Birthday to our beloved Pam. My Halloween now is complete with the
photos of the Grands and their Pumpkins…What a treasure of memories you are
creating with them. Really appreciate the Monarch lesson.. that is a wonderful
photo capture…..Again, those murals are exceptional and what a gift they are
to the community. Starting to experience the lower temps here and appreciate
why many souls are driven South for the Winter. Who can deny a Divinely
ordained order in those droplets??..exquisite artistry. Happy Halloween ~
Thank you Mary and special thanks for the birthday wish. We do hope to create sweet memories that remain well beyond our lifetimes. We certainly have good memories and they truly are a treasure. Much cooler here also and the monarchs have moved on, but we are left with a lot of pumpkins and now, falling leaves. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
I swear I feel my blood pressure drop significantly when I read this post. Thank you for the beauty, the devotion and the sweet fun of family that you share with us.
Thank you Michele. Preparing for family fun can sometimes have me in a frenzy and temporarily raise my blood pressure but then enjoying the little ones brings it back to a good level. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Such a lovely time of family togetherness Pam & Butch! And your photos are breathtaking!
Blessings, Jennifer
Aw, your grands look like they were having an amazing time with the pumpkins. Children make everything so much better and brighter! May the Lord continue to bless all of you!
Thank you Cheryl. It was a fun time. Kids keep us young or at least trying to be. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam