“The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.”
Psalm 89:11 ESV
Are you ready to welcome 2026? No rush, there’s still 4 days (counting today) to get prepared. In 1788, Robert Burns took a traditional Scottish song and re-wrote it. His poem became the text, and in 1799, the poem was set to music using a traditional tune which became the standard. The song, “Auld Lang Syne”, is now sung to welcome in the new year in most English speaking countries around the world. In a loose literal interpretation, “For Auld Lang Syne” means “for the sake of old times”!
Some of the older oaks are very stubborn about giving up their leaves. Based on that assessment, Pam would compare me to an older oak. She thinks I’m stubborn and I have no idea what gives her such thoughts. Stubborn, in the case of the oaks by the barn, isn’t a bad thing. It makes for a nice winter photo at least! And it could be, that the oaks, like many of us, are enjoying hanging on to days gone by for as long as possible.
Winter is cardinal time around here. It’s not that we don’t see them year round, but they bring their Christmas red in late December and are numerous in January. Maybe we just notice them more because the winter surroundings make them stand out. We are hoping to see one in the snow sometime. Not likely, but stranger things have happened.
Some weeks ago I placed one lone pumpkin from the pumpkin graveyard on this post to make it at least a little harder for critters to get to. It was an experiment in survival as I was thinking all those on the ground would be discovered and plundered quickly. But to my surprise…
…not a single pumpkin has been bothered by creatures. They are looking a bit rough for the most part, but some remain very solid.
PJ and the girls had their Nutcracker tea party early last week. Princess EM and little sister come dressed for the occasion which is now held annually in the Sunshine Cottage.
Princess EK was all decked out in Christmas colors. The tea party is a big deal to the girls, the younger, as well as, shall I say…the more mature one!
WL and I were not officially invited to tea, but we were allowed a brief cottage visit. He likes the “t” word, but only as it applies to tractors!
Another annual activity/tradition is the making of gingerbread cookies. Pam started this tradition with Seth about 35 years ago. The exact same recipe has always been used. The same recipe prepared by the same loving hands, yet now shaped and formed by different little hands…that could be a story within itself.
Daniel is not into tea or making cookies just yet. He’s probably wondering what’s going on with these silly adults and such commotion as is typical during the holidays. To tell the truth, I’ve been wondering too! The look on that face … “is it safe to come out now”?
Being sick since Monday, there wasn’t a lot of roaming around the countryside for me last week. I couldn’t talk beginning late Christmas Eve, but was finally able to speak in a limited way yesterday. I imagine everyone was glad! I did however, take a walk out back to discover that a very warm week had played tricks on the garden. The Christmas wildflower garden, as I will call it, has cornflower growing and looking like spring. The cold will come again this week, so it will never make any blooms; at least I don’t think that will happen!
Autumn Fire Sedum only completed its showy fall look in November, but hidden underneath what’s gone on before, new life is emerging.
These particular irises (stairway to heaven) grew heartily last season but did not bloom. The plants were gifted to Pam some years ago by a WV blogging friend who has since passed away. It is strange that these only bloom every other year, so perhaps this early start will not be harmful as much cold weather is yet to come! Pam thinks the plants need a new location where they are not crowded.
The blueberry bushes are still hanging on to autumn color while also showing signs of new growth. Walking by, I could just taste blueberry cobbler. With knee replacement surgery coming up next week, the last thing I need is more sweets around the house. Limited exercise plus unlimited dessert is a formula that could yield trouble, an explosion of sorts! Nevertheless, just as a reminder, I mentioned to Pam that we have frozen blueberries that should be used!
We normally don’t use a throwback to close things out, but today is an exception. On Christmas Eve, 2019, while headed to a family gathering, this unexpected, phenomenal sunset made us pause along the way to try and take it all in before it quickly faded into the evening. This photo was taken with an older cell phone and has not been edited in any way. It is perhaps one of the most awesome sunsets we have ever witnessed. Pam’s dad (Pawpaw) was with us and he talked about this sunset often. It was unforgettable!
Happy New Year!!!
“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 grands are beautiful! Daniel looks a lot like EK, amd I love how the grils dressed for the Nutcracker tea occasion.
Butch, good luck with your knee replacement. I hope your caregiver doesn’t get the sickness you’ve had, as you both will need your energy for what’s ahead. Those first two weeks may be the hardest, but with the hard work of PT, you’ll feel much better overall before spring.
As we wind down 2025, I count my many blessings, and Everyday Living is among them. Happy New Year!
Thank you Rita. Daniel looks just like EK at that age, comparing photos is amazing. I did choose January for the surgery with the hope of recovery by spring. We wish you a wonderful ending to December and a happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
Such a sweet post…the making of and the recalling of memories…in our beloved traditions and in the gift of creation is so beautiful and special…
My Mr Bill has some of the oak tree’s characteristics too and a mug that reads…You can always tell a Swede, but you can’t tell him much! 🤣
Love the thoughts of Robert Burns and the comfort of Auld Lang Syne being sung together as well as Butch’s beautiful quote. These reminders being forever true. It’s so nice to take a moment to remember, to ponder…
Still a fascination that the creatures are not interested in the pumpkins this year, perhaps they too like how beautiful they look still…
Hope you are feeling well now. I’m thinking that might be very hard on you not to sing for a Christmas Eve or Christmas service as music is so much a part of you and those who look forward to and love hearing you and Pam (again, so enjoyed your U Tube video) sing.
Wishing you continued blessings and a most Happy and Healthy New Year, thank you and your beautiful family for all that you share with us throughout the year[s]…
And, just FYI, it is finally snowing here in Idaho!
Thank you Sue. We love the saying on the mug, that’s a good one. Even today I’m not talking much so I’ve had to become mostly a listener. Probably not a good listener, just a listener. And you finally have snow. We hope you have a great week and Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch, I echo Rita’s comments about your grands! I would love to pull up a chair and join the girls in the cottage for the annual Nutcracker tea. Love seeing all the hands in the gingerbread. 😊 Our warm weather is going to cause a lot of plant confusion and early budding I’m afraid. I will be keeping Butch in my thoughts and prayers with his knee surgery. Glorious sunset to end on. Happy last days of 2025. ❤️
Thank you Mary. The girls do love their tea parties and other cottage activities. I appreciate those prayers. The knee thing is going to make collecting photos for our Sunday posts quite challenging I fear. Have a blessed week and Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
We’ll be praying for a good outcome on your knee surgery. At least you’ll have the winter months to recover and do your PT. Hopefully, by spring you’ll be ready to take a few short walks, etc. That sunset is magical. All the colors are so pretty. The children are making wonderful memories with you and Pam. The children are all so cute! Daniel will soon be joining in more. He is still enjoying the traditions from the floor it seems. Time really flies! Happy 2026! Clara❤️
Butch, praying for quick recovery from your knee surgery next week. Pam and the grands are making cookies, but also memories for years to come. Daniel is so cute with his red hair and cautious look. Our chickens would not eat our leftover pumpkins this year which is strange. They are normally a great treat. Our recent warm spell has our plants all confused. I noticed yesterday our angel trumpet plant has put on all new leaves only to get burned by the cold this week. Blessings to you and your family throughout 2026. Happy New Year!
Thank you Rachel. Funny about your chickens. We took a few pumpkins down to the grands for the chickens and the chickens really went for them. Guess we should carry some more. We too have plants that will take a hit as I see cold is on the way. Most usually recover though. Have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
Thank you Clara. I have needed the surgery for a long time but finally decided it had to be done. Choosing winter was definitely intentional. Little Daniel will be in the middle of everything before we can blink. Time seems to fly. Have a good finish to 2025 and Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
That is a phenomenal sunset indeed! Best wishes on your upcoming surgery.
Thank you Carole. Hoping to get past the current bout with the crud so I can go forward with the dreaded surgery. We hope you have a great week and a Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
Butch you always ‘make my Lord’s Day’ even more special with your beautiful photos of sunrises and sunsets and of course your sweet grands. WL’s eyes never cease to make me smile…what a joy! The girls are growing so fast and becoming quite the young ladies. It won’t be long before Daniel joins in the fray. My favorite photo is the one with the hands and gingerbread. Love the 35 year old gingerbread tradition and I know Pam has to be pleased as punch that the little ones love it too. The weather here requires a jacket in the a.m. but by noon, one feels the sun’s heat and Florida is back to normal. Stay well Pam and Butch take care. I have another friend in the mountains of GA who is suffering from what she calls a ‘super bad’ case of the flu and it is going around in her Rabun Gap area. Have a Blessed last few days of 2025 as we all look forward to 2026 and new beginnings.🥂🔔🙏🏻🍜
Thank you Kari. We know Rabun Gap, beautiful area. I tested negative for the flu Saturday but it is on the rise in many places. Daniel is busy doing his own thing right now but it won’t be long. Glad you are having typical weather now in FL. As soon as January arrives, I’m ready for spring, not crazy about the cold these days. Have a blessed week and a Happy 2026!
Butch and Pam
Happy New Year But h and Pam! 2025 seems like the fastest year ever…or is that just a sign of advancing age? EK and EM have become young ladies, not little girls anymore. I appreciate people who “dress” for the occasion! Perhaps Pam could share her recipe with us at some point. We visited the new American Garden in Charleston while I was home for Christmas. It is stunning and felt like we were in a Paris park. Located between King and Meeting Streets, it was created from a former parking lot. Any readers who visit Charleston, put it on your list to visit. Wishing you much luck and prayers for you and your medical team. Everyone I know that has had hip or knee replacements say “why didn’t I do that sooner”.
Thank you Roxanne. We are glad you were home for Christmas and it sounds like you had a memorable holiday. It does seem that 2025 passed in a flash and I think you are on to something with this advancing age thing. Somehow that sounds slightly better than “getting old”. Maybe we will get back to Charleston one day, a great place to visit. We hope you enjoy the week and have a Happy 2025!
Butch and Pam
A lovely post. Love seeing the girls enjoying the tea party and the boys just enjoying being part of the gang. What a lovely tradition to make gingerbreads. Prayers for good healing after you have your knee surgery. With how much you love to walk this will truly be a blessing to have a new knee. Happy last week of the old year and happy partial week for the new year. hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. I’ve known about the knee and what had to be done for 3 years but put it off, but it’s time. I’m trying to figure out how to manage everything for our Sunday post as rehab will take a while. It’s been a hindrance and slowed me down a lot anyway over the past year but we’ll figure something out. We wish you a great week and a Happy 2026!
Butch and Pam
Goodness Butch, you need a good tea to drink and keep sickness away. It’s one orange sliced, 5 whole cloves, 2 anise and a knob of ginger. Boil this in 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes then drain and drink. Enjoy. That sunset is the most beautiful yet. We had about 2 weeks of very warm weather and the trees began to bud but last night we had a low of 17 and snow flurries. So I’m bundled up and ready to go to church to worship the king. Hopefully we will all have a happy and healthy new year,
Thank you Alice. Colorado weather definitely takes on a wider range of change than ours. Pam has made me a lot of tea with honey and things but I don’t think it contained all the ingredients you mentioned. Maybe we can add those. The tea has helped laryngitis a lot. Trying to get well so I don’t have to postpone my knee surgery. Have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
You’ve had a boatload on your plate, Butch, and I hope things ease soon (though the knee isn’t exactly fun.) I loved every photo — especially the ones of the grands. Sending you healing wishes to knock the rest of that out and more wishes for the new year!
Thank you Jeanie. They’re treating me for pneumonia but I’m better today. Maybe 2 more days on the meds will get me up and going so this dreaded surgery can happen. Ready to get it behind me. Wishing you a great week and a wonderful 2026!
Butch and Pam
What a wonderful post. So much like a letter from home. The sweet memories. The memories yet to be made.
Happy New Year friends.
Thank you Nonie. Letters from home…good thought. I know the internet can be useful and we are on it at the moment but I also think we are missing out on a lot. Hope you have a wonderful week and a Happy New Year !
Butch and Pam
Sweet little tea party with the grands, where the tea is warm, the laughter is endless, and the gingerbread is well mostly edible! 💕💕💕
Thank you Mary. I just had hot tea and honey served by Pam so I’ve had a tea party. I’m not crazy about gingerbread but our son and the grands love it. Have a great week and a happy 2026!
Butch and Pam
Such lovely traditions with the grandies!
That Sunset is definitely a breathtaking winner Butch, I love that no earthly painting of a sunset can ever come close to what our Heavenly Father sends us in reality!
We will be praying for your surgery & for a speedy recovery Butch.
Blessings to you & Pam, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. So true, no painting or photo can come close to the real beauty of Creation, even in this fallen world. Hope your summer is off to a good start. We do love our simple traditions. Have a great week and a blessed 2026!
Butch and Pam
Thank you!
Our Summer has strangely disappeared we’re back in cold Autumn temperatures, we even had heavy snowfalls in the state of Tasmania over Christmas, a white Christmas is absolutely unheard of here!
Our Australian Summer’s are normally sweltering hot. Very, very strange indeed!
Hello, dear friends! Your Christmas festivities with the Grands kept you all busy, which is fun and fantastic! They are all getting so big.
I enjoyed all the wonderful pictures you shared, and I can see why you still talk about that sunset. It was spectacular!
I know you all had a lovely Christmas. We did too.
I want to wish you all a Blessed Happy New Year!
Thank you Nancy. Glad you had a lovely Christmas. Growing up and/or growing old seems to define us but it’s all a blessing. 2026 is knocking on the door. Where does time go? We hope you have a great New Year!
Butch and Pam
Your grandchildren are so beautiful each in their own way! How fun for tea parties and gingerbread cookie baking. That sunset is soooo amazing. Thank you for sharing it again.
Prayers for Butch and his upcoming surgery.
Happy New Year blessings to both of you.
Thank you Kitty. We sent all the cookies home with the grands. I don’t need any sweet easy access temptations here. Have a pleasant rest of the week and Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
As always, beautiful photos.
Wishing you a Happy Healthy New Year. Best of luck on surgery.
As We think about a better New Year, I am reminded of a sign I saw:
“Someone else would be happy to have what you have”
Thank you Myrna. That sign shared a good thought. The gift of a new year is only a few hours away. We hope you have a Happy 2026!
Butch and Pam
Wonderful post… Made me smile! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear friends! Thank You for your encouragement. God bless you and yours.
Thank you Maristella. God bless you. Have a wonderful 2026! I think I’ve said 2025 to some folks. Hard to adjust to a new year sometimes.
Butch and Pam
What a lovely post, that is everything except you being sick as you prepare for your knee surgery. We have several friends who have had one and were really surprised how quickly they healed. Hope the same goes for you. Wishing your lovely family a very happy and healthy new year.
Thank you Karen. I’m better and can hopefully stay well for the surgery next week. We wish you a Happy New Year!
Butch and Pam
Wow! That sunset! God’s coloring book at its finest! I’m sorry to hear you have been so sick and I pray your knee surgery goes perfectly and results in relief and better quality of life. Praying for you all!
Thank you Cheryl and thanks especially for your prayers. Hoping you have a wonderful New Year!
Butch and Pam