“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Good morning, or good day, should you be viewing at another time. Some of you have been experiencing extremely hot weather, but our past week, while certainly not cool, was a bit cooler than normal for mid-July. We hope to visit the mountains next month. One day the website for our destination showed 69 degrees, and it was well up in the day. That would be a welcome change!
A scarcity this season has been the presence of butterflies. The hummingbirds have been numerous but butterflies have been few. Pam chased this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and finally had it stop long enough for a pic. I saw a Black Swallowtail later in the day. Maybe it’s a sign of many more to come!
I was pulling weeds near the picnic table and then planning to clean debris off the table and from underneath. As I began to look at weeds under the table I realized everything on the table was not debris from the trees. This little thrush had blended in so well that I hadn’t even noticed. I asked where the parents were but received no reply, at least not from the little one. Mom however, showed up just above, landed in the Rose of Sharon, and was very vocal. Too young to think I might be danger, but old enough to understand mom’s instruction, the young one made a wobbly flight into the bushes! Mom was poised to attack me I do believe!
Still managing to keep some things blooming and bringing color to the garden, but July and August can be very challenging. Heat and the need to water everything daily can get to me and the garden by early, or at best, mid-August, and that’s when I say…autumn come on! Considering our friends that have experienced wildfires and smoke from wildfires, and the floods in the Texas Hill Country, I am working hard to have zero complaints!
Tuesday was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A, and our daughter-in-love went all out to be sure our little folks had the bestest and funest time. Wearing something to celebrate earned everyone free food too! Note: No children were harmed in the taking of this photo and WL did not attempt to ride the calf!
This has no interest as a stand alone, but I wanted you to notice the green leafy twig lying on the rock. I wish I had taken a photo before I pulled it up but never gave that a thought. The leaves on top were barely visible as the plant was growing well underneath the evergreen, hardly noticeable. I saw it as I passed by and realized it was literally a small oak tree. Before I tossed it, I happened to notice something that was interesting, at least to me. I’ll show you what I mean…
…The acorn below ground that was the seed for this new life was in tact and still looked very much like, well…an acorn! It germinated and opened up on one end, sending roots downward and a tree upward. This was obviously an acorn from last season and almost certainly was planted in this spot by a squirrel. I never cease to be amazed at creation and the Creator’s world! I look up, I look down, it’s awesome all around!
With no more room in the freezer, and after giving away quite a few blueberries, I found myself facing a dilemma. Then suddenly, from some unknown place, a solution came to me…
…and with total agreement and cooperation from Pam, my idea was put into motion, and a few hours later the problem was completely resolved!
What a treat when something travels from the bushes in our garden to the dinner table all in the same afternoon. I mainly eat low carb, high protein but there comes a time to take a break from that foolishness. It was one of the best cobblers I’ve ever had, mostly because of the main ingredient…love. You can just tell when something is prepared with love. I do think a few calories were also included! (We had it for breakfast the next morning too!)
We went a long time without rain and without rainbows but have experienced several over the past few days. This kind I love, although it’s not the common way we see one, a short strand against white clouds surrounded by blue sky. A nice site indeed while standing by the Sunshine Cottage.
This rainbow is more typical and was nice and bright. Photos, even with today’s technology, simply cannot do justice and bring reality to our eyes. We had days with rainbows, but on those days we didn’t get any rain!
We had so much trouble getting vinca to survive and look like anything this year, I pulled up a bunch and replaced it. You’ve probably seen the million bells that continues to thrive in a crack on our patio? Well, I now have vinca, coming up in the pea gravel walk behind my shop, sharing a space with poison ivy! I was so frustrated trying to get vinca to grow in nice pots most of the spring! Where does this stuff come from and how does it survive? Again, the natural world is a wonderful yet perplexing mystery!
Town Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River, runs through High Falls Park which is about one hour from us. This was from the summer of 2022. We had hoped to visit last week, but that didn’t work out. Retirement simply keeps us too busy. The next couple of weeks didn’t look promising as far as a trip so a memory from the past must suffice for now! These bridge piers are over 100 years old. Supporting a footbridge today, they once supported a covered bridge!
We remembered being surprised to see swimmers climbing on the rocks, but it was no doubt a great spot to cool off. It was a beautiful place, even though High Falls is not very high at 35 feet, there is much history in the area. I read that people on horses, mules, or with horse and buggy used the crossing just above the falls where the footbridge is now to reach a local mercantile which was located just over the ridge!
Sometimes there is no need to travel any distance to enjoy the closing of the day and get a sunset photo, not even to the yard or nearby pasture…this from the kitchen porch!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Such beautiful photos! Such a cutie pie family photo, my goodness, the grands are growing up!
Seeing the acorn attached was so interesting, I’ve only seen acorns all polished up for sale in stores. Always loved the stories and folklore about the acorn…
Perfect idea for blueberries from your bushes!! Pam is so full of love, even the dishes that served your delight are special.
We’ve been melting here, it’s been very hot and kind of muggy, which we aren’t used to at all. Knowing the winter will bring cold and slippery ice, I don’t dare complain though. Especially enjoyed the photo of the falls and kids having fun on the rocks. The walking bridge was a pretty site…the stories those stones could tell!
Enjoy your time in the cooler mountains! God bless you all…thanks for the fascinating joy of creation and all the love this morning.
Thank you Sue. We don’t get the snow and ice much but I think I still tolerate the heat better than the cold. So me too, I try not to complain. Humidity does make a huge difference though. If you need acorns don’t buy any, we can send you a variety box with all kinds. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Aww, love you guys!
Love the national cow day and the family’s cute outfits. The waterfall is gorgeous. All your photos are so pretty. Happy Sunday and have a beautiful new week. Hugs. Kris
Thank you Kris. The kids enjoy all that dressing up stuff and they love the food too so it’s a treat. We are having a good Sunday and “might” get a needed rain. Hoping you also have a happy Sunday!
Butch and Pam
The last sunset picture is gorgeous. Your DIL and grands looked so cute in their cow costumes. Is that their calf? We got several inches of much needed rain this week and it definitely cooled things down temporarily. Two days we never got out of the 70’s and it was 69 at 2:00 pm one day. Unheard of for us in mid-July! Praying you get rain this week, not a deluge, just a slow, gentle rain. I was so thankful to not have to water my million plants this week! 😊
Thank you Rachel. 69 in Texas on a July afternoon is rare stuff. We hear thunder in the distance but it may mean nothing for us, we’ll see. That was not their calf but did belong to friends who brought it. The rain in the hill country has been so devastating, slow and gentle would be a blessing. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
OH, those blueberries look wonderful! Great solution for the abundance. I am not seeing butterflies either, and only once have I seen a hummingbird all summer. It is hot here in the mountains too, several days hit 90, and we just don’t usually see that.
Sad news here this morning, the pot holding the wren nest was on the ground this morning, and the baby birds are gone. Something got them overnight.
Thank you Carole. Don’t tell anyone but we (just the 2 of us) ate the entire blueberry cobbler in two sittings. We had a wren build a nest under and in a large hydrangea in a pot. I had to water it from only one side until they hatched and escaped the nest. They’ve been gone several weeks now. Hope you have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Your sunrise and sunset shots are beautiful! That little calf with the family looks like Norman from the movie City Slickers! Chick Fil A is always a good choice! The family looks so cute, happy and healthy. The butterflies haven’t been too plentiful here either. Of course, with the heat, I haven’t been outside much! We were going to travel last week to a nearby destination but decided against it because of the frequent storms in the afternoon. It was a good decision because it poured rained just about every day and the heat index was high. The mountains sound wonderful! We could all use a break from the heat! Hope you get to go and have a nice break. Enjoy your day. Clara ❤️
Thank you Clara. We’ve had those pop up afternoon storms all around for a week but it has not rained at our house for many days now. Same thing so far this afternoon. Pam told me to do a rain dance but I told her no thing nor any person wishes to see me dancing. Have a pleasant week!
Butch and Pam
Good morning, Pam, I always enjoy starting my Sunday by catching up with you and Butch. Your garden is looking beautiful, and I loved all the summer blooms and peaceful moments you shared this week, including the rainbows. I had to smile at your photos from Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A—everyone looked so cute in their cow attire! 🐄😂
Thank you Mary. Pam and I don’t go to Chick-fil-A on cow appreciation because we retired our cow outfits a long time ago but the kids get to go and love it. It’s really hard to keep the blooms happy this time of year and this year has been no exception. We hope you will have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Our Creator so loves His world and His children that He tells us through all His creations daily. Your ability to see it and know it in the must small things and the heavens is your gift to us. Now the blueberry cobbler is a treat or a tease and I’m feeling the need to make one. It looks delicious! The picture of your DIL, calf and grands is favorite. WL could wrangle the calf easily. So precious. Haven’t seen a butterfly or hunkering bird this year. We’re having Alabama temperatures, 96 today and 100 tomorrow. A weird grass is invading my lawn and it loves this heat. The sprinkler system can’t keep up and I have resolved to spray vinegar on that bad grass. Hello lawn. You have brown spots. The mountains are cooler here if you go up to Pikes Peak. It’s Summer so I’m thankful I’m not falling on ice. Blessing and peace to you Richardson’s.
Thank you Alice. My grandparents took me up on Pikes Peak in late June when I was 11. I had on shorts and a tee shirt and it snowed. For a boy who had never been anywhere it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. I’ve loved the Rocky Mountains ever since that trip. Pam and I ( mostly me) ate that entire cobbler. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
All, lovely! So cute with the “eat more chicken” gang too! The Cobbler looks delicious, what a sweet ending to the day.
Be blessed!
Thank you Betty. The cobbler was delicious and I can’t believe we finished it off the next morning at breakfast. Had to skip lunch that day. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Hello Butch and Pam, your rainbows continue to amaze me! I love the Chick Fil A contingent. Allison is so creative!! I am convinced their lemonade has healing properties and always request it when I’m not feeling well. Not many butterflies here either. But I have been thoroughly entertained by dozens of baby house sparrows; I set a giant dog water bowl in the shade on our porch where I can watch them splash around and drink. Being stuck at home has made me appreciate the beauty my surroundings so much. Stay cool!!!
Thank you Roxanne. We keep hearing thunder and enjoying rainbows but it doesn’t rain right here. Maybe I’m like Jonah was on that ship and Pam needs to toss me off the premises to receive a needed provision. Allison is quite creative in many ways. She’s a wonderful mommy. I get antsy when stuck inside very long but sitting and watching the surroundings isn’t a bad thing but I do know what you’re experiencing. We hope you have a splendid week!
Butch and Pam
That butterfly is perfectly color coordinated with the zinnias. I love your little cow family and that blueberry cobbler looks to die for. Have a beautiful week!
Thank you Jeanie. I ate so much cobbler I was sluggish for probably 8 hours, but it was worth it. Butterflies have been rather scarce and I’m reading comments that say the same thing for other places. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
That herd of sweet little children dressed up for Cow Appreciation Day is priceless!!! You must be feeling berry blessed today have enjoying those sweet blueberries!!! Happy Summer you two!
Thank you Mary. Those little children keep us running which is a good thing since the blueberry cobbler has added a lot of extra calories. We are blessed and hope you have a wonderful and blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Awe…those cow appreciation outfits are so cute…as are the grands and Allison. It is too bad you and Pam didn’t join the fray…a free meal is a free meal. LOL. However, I think I would have preferred the cobbler loaded with all those blueberries…yummy. Look at it this way Butch…the antioxidants overruled the sugar and calories. I know there are some who might disagree with my evaluation but when one gets to be my age…people quit arguing and respectfully say..”.yes ma’am! yes ma’am!”…it is one of the delights of aging. And my younger inner voice is laughing and chuckling saying…”fooled you’!! 🥰
Loved the sunrise/sunset photos…saw animals in the clouds but will spare you my visions. I had to shudder at the poison ivy growing so close to walking feet…for me, just being in the general vicinity is enough to give me a blister or two. UGH!
I can just see Pam chasing down that Eastern Tiger Swallowtail…I did that the other day on my way back from the mailbox and after half jogging and half brisk walking…jigging and jogging and generally looking like a woman who has lost her mind, I gave up on the Monarch when the neighbor yelled…”Everything ok Kari?” I smiled and said “I’m fine…just exercising a bit”.
Have a blessed and glorious week and I hope is rains soon. 🥰💕
Thank you Kari. Our Ella Mae gets poison ivy just by walking close it seems so I try to rid the garden and main areas of it but it pops up everywhere. Thinking of the antioxidants has already removed the guilt and worry over the sugar and calories. Good reminder. We aren’t seeing many butterflies and probably won’t see a monarch until October. We did get one eighth inch of rain this afternoon. At least it was enough that I didn’t have to water today. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Flowers, a butterfly, a birdie, and acorn growing into a tree, cute family, a blueberry cobbler, and a gorgeous sunset…. What more can you ask for?
We had a pleasant week, temperature wise, this past week, but things are heating up! It was wonderful while it lasted, that’s for sure.
Enjoy your new week of blessings and joys!
Thank you Kitty. Not many pleasant temperature weeks come around in July for us or you but it was nice while it lasted. We are going near a place that is well known for peach pies, cobblers and ice cream on Wednesday so that may turn into another temptation. Have a great week!
Butch and Pam
Lovely post Butch! How cute your family look. And that Cobbler looks really delicious too!
And the rainbow photos are amazing as is that Sunset. I was astonished at the size of the waterfall & that people were climbing up there on a rope!
blessings to you & Pam, Jennifer
Thank you Jennifer. I don’t think even when I was young I would’ve climbed up a rope and dove off those rocks, not that I didn’t do plenty of foolish things. Now my foolishness comes in ways like eating an entire cobbler in two days. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
Such a happy post – that butterfly is amazing, and the sky and your beautiful garden. And, best of all, those big smiles!
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia. We do love to see those smiles. The grands keep us smiling too…smiles are contagious. Have a wonderful week!
Butch and Pam
Love the rainbows and garden photos. I’ve started seeing hummingbirds and butterflied more, now that my grow garden annuals and butterfly bushes are in blooms. I first saw the hummers on my crocosmia, but now they’re hitting my cardinal flowers (which I’d hoped they would) and annuals. The family dressed for cow appreciation was great! I have been dealing with the lettuce parasite since 7/10 and I honestly think it was from CFA because I always get a salad there and Will never does. That won’t stop me from going to my favorite fast food place though! Just trying to get over it with antbx now, but I’m allergic to the drug of choice (sulfa-based). Prayers appreciated.
Thank you Rita. We too enjoy a salad from CFA but neither of us have had one in quite a while. And, I think we will hold off a bit longer about getting one! Cardinal flower grows wild here especially down by the creek. I guess it’s the same flower you mentioned but I think ours usually blooms in late July and August, I need to check on it. Hope you get better soon!!
Butch and Pam
I sure did enjoy the family of cows! They are the sweetest!
Your rainbows are always such a treat. I made a cobbler this week, too. Mine was peach, but I know I would have made a blueberry one if I had blueberries. The butterfly is darling. I am seeing some now as summer carries on.
Loved that sunset!
Happy New Week to You!
Thank you Nancy. Our cobbler was almost peach/blueberry but Pam opted for blueberry only. We visit the peach park this week so peach or a combo is in the future. WL came by today and ate a nice bunch of blueberries right off the bushes. A happy week to you as well!
Butch and Pam
Oh my gosh, the cow appreciation day gang had me smiling – what a great pic! The garden looks lovely and kudos to Pam for her persistence in catching a shot of the butterfly. You may already know this but I recently read that a puddling station attracts butterflies – I haven’t tried it so I can’t say it works for sure but thought I’d share the idea. The rainbows are marvelous and we’ve had very little rain here as well with lots of heat, although nothing unusual for July. The blueberry cobbler looks absolutely delicious and you’ve given me an idea; there is a u-pick farm about 20 minutes south of us. It’s not blueberries but rather Saskatoon berries (very tasty) and I’m going to go get some and make a cobbler for hubby’s upcoming birthday. Thanks for the inspiration and have a wonderful week you two!
Thank you Kim. I hadn’t read anything about a puddling station but will check that out. We hope the fires have not been a problem in your area. Seems that’s been well to your east. Saskatoon berries are also something we will research as I’m not familiar. I’ll bet those berries are equally as good as blueberries and others and will make a great cobbler. Let us know how that turns out. Have a blessed week!
Butch and Pam
YOur garden is beautiful! We see many yellow swallowtail butterflies her ein Colorado. CFA apprediation day is a fun event–my grandchildren enjoy it too!
Hi Pat, thanks so much. I am glad your grands enjoy CFA day, it is fun!
Pam
Oh, how I love your story of the acorn! Seeing the photo and reading your description, my mind immediately went to Isaiah 37:31, “And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” Isn’t that a beautiful promise? I just love that verse so much, and it gives me so much hope! Thank you for always inspiring me here.
Thank you for sharing the verse from Isaiah. It is a beautiful promise!
Your photos are always good but the one with the butterfly is fantastic. And I do know what it is like trying to capture one on a beautiful flower.