“But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge.”
Psalm 71:14-15 ESV
Today marks a special Sunday as we reach SSS number 600. We wondered what things were like for such previous milestones and decided to take a look back at a few to refresh our memories. From SSS 500, this aerial shows the garden after some changes and additions from the previous year, yet today, another aerial would definitely reveal a few more differences. SSS 500 was posted in June, 2024!
We have had some unseasonably cool nights lately, but no, this was not last week. From SSS 300, a different view of the garden, one not often seen around these parts. SSS 300 was posted in August of 2020. It has never snowed here in August either, but our milestone posts always have select photos from prior years. Since our high is predicted to be around 90 today, maybe this will cool us off a bit!
This old home place stands in Cherokee County, a few miles to our northeast. It is one of those places that has a story that we will likely never hear. Hopefully someone decided it was worthy of restoration. We’ve not been in this particular part of our neighboring county in a long time and had forgotten about this old house. Maybe it is time to revisit since this photo was in SSS number 200, September, 2018!
Looking ahead to America’s 250th birthday, we chose this pic from July 3, 2022 and SSS number 400. The Sunshine Cottage has since taken on a new color scheme, but will likely be decorated in a similar fashion for this year’s special 4th of July.
Our guests were called home for dinner. They had all driven separate vehicles. The grands, except little Daniel, are old enough now to jump on a bike and ride over to see us. They might show up any time and we absolutely love it. It is rarely a visit by only one. Once it is discovered by the remaining two that one has headed to our house, it’s only a matter of time before all have joined us!
For several years we attempted to have a wildflower area away from the house beside the pasture to the east. The soil was not the best and deer were also fond of it so I gave up on that spot about 3 years ago. As you can see, there’s a lot of bare ground here, not much growth except for one lone larkspur. After all this time we have a survivor!
Our coneflowers have already completely outgrown their space this season. I’ve watered them well since we’ve had a dry spring and that seems to have been to their liking! Some are as tall as we are. We aren’t very tall, but still…!
Our firstborn, sweet EM turned 10 last week. EM wanted a cowgirl theme. Her mom and siblings made the neatest banner and everyone, including Ella Mae, participated in the coloring. In the words as sung by George Strait, “How ’bout them cowgirls, boys ain’t they something”! One definitely is!
EM also requested a “Cookie Cake”…and of course her mom made one. It was so good, buttercream icing too!
Little boys love dinosaurs and apparently older boys do too. It was time for me to bring out some of my garden creatures. I placed the T-rex in a new place but WL had no problem finding him…well, maybe a hint from his PJ helped!
I did not see this blooming on Monday, but by Wednesday a large patch of everlasting peas was on display alongside the walking trail I use often. Also called sweet pea or perennial pea, don’t let the beautiful bloom or the fact that it is truly a member of the pea family fool you into taking a bite. It is toxic to people and pets! It is not native and I do not recall ever seeing it here before. Parks and Recreation mows between the trail and the lake but so far this season they have only mowed a narrow path beside the trail. I’m thinking this has allowed the peas to grow and bloom?
Pam checked on the blueberries this past week and her findings and report is good. There may be more berries than ever. I had to find ways to support the bushes to keep the berries/limbs off the ground. Once they are ripe, there are two culprits that we must protect the berries from…birds and Wyatt.
Wild “Susan’s” started blooming last week. The black-eyed Susan’s in our garden have buds and will soon bloom but the wild version is a bit ahead of our “Swag” garden variety. Ours were gifted to us a few years back by the gardener at The Swag in North Carolina!
Herons usually don’t allow me to stop this close without flying away. This encounter was an exception. They are fine as long as I keep moving but become suspicious when I stop. I notice this behavior in a lot of wildlife. Pam said this was definitely a girl because she was wearing a frilly skirt!
Blooming now is another invasive weed, at least in most peoples mind. I discovered a sea of white that from a distance I thought was surely daisy fleabane. But when I ventured closer the foliage reminded me of parsley and the blooms were somewhat different from anything daisy-like, more like Queen Anne’s lace. It looked like parsley because it is indeed spreading hedge parsley, a native of Eurasia and a member of the carrot family…which leads us to this…
…Queen Anne’s lace. Wild carrot, as it is sometimes called, is a member of the carrot/parsley family. No wonder ‘lace’ and the hedge parsley appear so similar. Queen Anne’s is also not native, but naturalized across the country, and significantly more abundant than wild parsley. Queen Anne’s is seemingly a favorable, acceptable, and popular roadside adornment that folks love. I took this photo yesterday on the roadside near our house.
The various stages of the bloom of Queen Anne’s lace seems to have no end to unique and unusual presentations, this just one example. As we were thinking about the 600+ weeks of Everyday Living, Pam reminded me that she did a complete post on Queen Anne’s lace, and that post remains as one of our all time most viewed!
We had some very pleasant spring days last week. I spotted a hummingbird visiting these million bells so I decided to get close and remain as still as possible. Of course she didn’t return, but this sulphur butterfly stopped by exactly where I was hoping the hummer would come. I was thinking a photo of a hummingbird would be a good way to close out today’s post. But, you take what is offered and the butterfly turned out nice!
The hummingbird did not show up as hoped, but later in the day, this did. Looking in an uncommon direction for sunset beauty, this sky appeared as I faced northeast, gazing over the Appalachian foothills and Lookout Mountain. Following the mountain would eventually lead me to Chattanooga, Tennessee!
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
You are providing such a lovely home and way of life for your family! It is always inspiring to visit here and see the photographs! The blueberry plant looks great! Ours are just starting to show little leaves as it wakes up from a Vermont winter! God bless you!
Thank you Mrs. White. We may be slightly ahead because of warmer temperatures but it must be a wonderful time of the year in Vermont. Every season and every place has its unique beauty. All God’s gifts. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Thank you for blessing me for years with your beautiful pictures and informative write ups
And thank you Gail for spending time with us and for these gracious words. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
600 weeks of Everyday Living Sunday Strolls! Congratulations! I have been blessed to have read almost all of them. What a joy it has been. I love your garden views, your woodland views, river views, city views, waterfall views, cloud views, vacation views, and family fun views. And so much more, Thank you for having us over each Sunday.
Enjoy your Sunday! Maybe there will be a cake with 600 on it to celebrate.
Thank you Nancy. We are grateful you come over each Sunday. It’s a joy to share what we experience and to see and hear what others experience. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
You both are such amazing people. Thank you for sharing God’s beauty. Sll we have to do is stop and look. It’s everywhere and always present.
Happy 10th birthday, Em. Such a precious child.
Thank you Lisa. I’m still working on not being in a hurry, stopping and looking is everything. We just arrived home from watching EM in a ballet and contemporary dance performance. She’s been a busy girl. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Quite a milestone, congratulations! The photos are wonderful.
Thank you Carole. We’re all on a journey. Hope your week goes well!
Butch and Pam
Happy Birthday to your sweet EM. Our oldest grand girl will turn 16 tomorrow wow when did that happen. She is very excited to get her official license. All your pictures of the beautiful nature around you are lovely as always. Have a wonderful new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. My, my, 16…doesn’t it happen in a blink! I guess most of us remember that excitement surrounding the driver’s license thing. It’s a big deal. We wish you a wonderful week as well!
Butch and Pam
Oh memories. My favorite picture is the convoy of the grands all in a row going back home. How sweet to have them close by and if one shows up there will be two more. Oh to be so blessed. There will be no food from our gardens here this year as the temperature of the ground hasn’t warmed up. Therefore My garden still has not been planted and we already have a short growing season. This very coming week we are expecting a low of 32. I know my God knows this. And so I will trust He will feed all of His children. Today I am tuned in to TBN to watch the re- dedication of the United States to God. Praise Him🙏🏻
Thank you Alice. Our growing season is no doubt warmer and longer than yours but cool nights have hindered growth and planting here too. It is 92 today so it does feel like summer. We are blessed to have the kids nearby and they love to come here. We probably won’t see 32 for quite a while. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Happy belated Birthday to EM! I can’t believe that many years have passed! She’s a beautiful young girl. I love her birthday sign! The artists are talented! Congratulations on 600 SSS posts! I always look forward to them as they are interesting, colorful and I generally learn something new from them! That snow pic will look really inviting about noon today because the heat and humidity have returned with a vengeance. I can truly say that we’ve enjoyed the Spring weather with low humidity and cooler temps. We don’t always get as many days some years. I love the shot of the grands headed home. Wyatt is hanging in there with his little legs pumping! Your overhead shot of the cottage and landscaping is beautiful. Everything is organized and thriving. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you Clara. We were sitting out yesterday and talking about the cool and pleasant days we’ve had this spring, including yesterday. Today is a different story and we are inside with the AC on, but I won’t stay in very long. Wyatt brings up the rear for now but that won’t last long. Have a joyful week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations to you both…what a milestone. Your photos are always so beautiful and the grands on their trail is touching. It makes me wish mine lived closer…but not enough to actually move up there full time but to consider perhaps a second home. We shall see.
EM is 10…wow! It seems we were looking at pics of her just yesterday when she was tiny. Those pics and your sunset photo reminds me of the old song…”Sunrise, Sunset” One of my favorites and one that can bring tears and smiles to and for me.
Is this the little girl I carried
Is this the little boy at play?
I don’t remember growing older
When did they?
Have a blessed and glorious week end as I am sure you will!🥰🙏🏻 Hugs to you both.
Thank you Kari. We remember that song very well. It definitely describes how fleeting time and life is. I remember we sang that song when I was part of an ensemble in high school. Guess it’s been around for a few decades. We do love having our family near. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on your SSS milestone and Happy belated Birthday to EM! Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead. ❤️
Thank you Mary. It’s a blessing to be around and be able to post each week, opportunities we are grateful for. We hope you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on #600, WOW! And very happy birthday #10 to EM.
Thank you Rita. Time marches on, technically always at the same speed but doesn’t it seem to keep getting faster!! Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Cheers to 600 weeks of dedicated inspiration! You two are blogging royalty!!! I’m so pleased the grands can ride over to visit with you two. Best Sunday wishes!
Thank you Mary. We do actually live in an area known as Turkeytown and I tell Pam she is the Queen of Turkeytown. I think she might prefer your more than kind notion of royalty. Have a great evening and a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Whether it’s a photo from Sundays past or the past week, I’m always loving these posts! Such a treat. That heron photo — WOW. It’s magnificent. And Ella Mae is so beautiful. Happy birthday to your favorite ballerina!
Thank you Jeanie. We just arrived home from our second ballet and contemporary dance performance of the weekend. Our girls have been busy and keeping us busy. If we have any good photos I probably won’t be able to help it, I’ll just have to show a couple next week. It’s our wish that you have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on this big milestone! We appreciate your dedication, and I have learned so much from both of you. And a very happy birthday to Queen EM. The Grands are so blessed to enjoy such a magical childhood (much like we did back in the 50s) that most children today do not. George Strait and 90,000+ of his closest friends visited Clemson a couple of weeks ago. I did not attend, thank goodness, because it was still gridlock at 3 AM!!
Thank you Roxanne. We saw a YouTube thing where George was at Clemson and we thought we spotted you in the crowd, guess not. Childhood back then (50’s) was magical, a wonderful decade to be small. We really try to bring a lot of that into what we do with the grands. We just finished a dance weekend and now settling in to recover. The girls danced, we watched-didn’t want any confusion about that. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on 600 posts and Happy Birthday to adorable EM! Her theme was too cute and that cookie cake lovingly made by her mom looked so great. I love all your nature pictures and that sunset was so spectacular. Have a joyful week!
Thank you Kitty. I had never had a cookie cake but it was quite tasty. It was the size of a regular cake and had buttercream icing which I love. Alli makes the best cakes and they are whatever the kids request, not always easy but she gets it done. Summer-like temps arrived here today and I figure maybe out your way too. We wish you a joyful week as well!
Butch and Pam
Such a lovely post! I enjoyed all the photos and the little stories that came with them. I was especially interested in the blueberries – I’ve put them in the garden for the first time this year and am not sure what to expect. Any tips?
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia. I remembered there were always blueberries to pick in the summer at my great grandparents old home place in north Florida. So, I decided to plant 3 bushes a few years ago, not knowing what to expect either. We did not get much from them until the 3rd growing season. Seems it just takes time for them to get established. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations on your 600th SSS! That’s quite an achievement. And happy birthday to sweet EM – that cake looks so yummy – and I hope she enjoyed every moment of her special day. That heron is magnificent. And oh my, it looks like a bumper crop of blueberries… so many cobblers to look forward too. The sunset shot is beautiful. We’ve had very unsettled weather the past week with snow on Saturday and a frost advisory for tonight – we’ve been bringing the annuals in the house at night. Enjoy your beautiful weather and wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Thank you Kim. Snow and frost would not be kind to those annuals so bringing them in is a must. Hopefully your weather will moderate and settle into spring. We’ve had a few hot days now but nights are still pleasant. Rain is needed badly here and I think we have a chance mid week. Yes indeed, a lot of cobblers are needed in order not to be wasteful (that’s my strategy). Have a great week and hopefully warm up a bit!
Butch and Pam
Happy Belated Birthday to EM! Ten years old… Time flies… Thank you for your always encouragement in wonderful posts at SSS!!! You have brighten up my years,especially at difficult moments and I am grateful for such beauty, inspiration and faith. God bless you and yours.
Thank you Maristella. We appreciate your kind words which are an encouragement to us. It does seem time does fly so we seek to cherish each day. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Congratulations Butch & Pam, 600 weeks that is a milestone! And EM 10 years old already, goodness time flies.
That sunset is stunning Butch, I love how God paints His sunsets & they’re all different, no two sunsets are ever the same.
blessings to you both, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. You are so right, the Creator of the sun and sky is just not going to make any two sunsets exactly the same. When I see how the little ones are changing I do wish we could slow things down but time doesn’t wait. We hope you had a good week and that you are having a wonderful weekend!
Butch and Pam