Thursday, November 19, 2009

The sun sets on the largest Oak Tree in the County

Last week while at my parents house I looked out the back door and caught sight of a spectacular cotton candy sky.


Usually it's a better view from out in front of the house so that's where I went next.

I looked around and around ... where am I going to capture this? Everywhere I looked were lines, poles, traffic.


Sometimes you have to just go with what you have, like it or not



In my parents front yard sits the largest Oak tree in the county and I believe the 2nd largest Oak tree in the state. Each year they are very blessed with about a million acorns. So are the squirrels!


Mom and Dad's home dates back to the 1800's though it has been completely renovated top to bottom, inside and out. The only original part of the structure still remaining are the main beams that run through the center of the home. When they first bought it the plans were to renovate it, but not to the extent they did. The more Dad tore out, the more he found needed to be replaced. He tried to stay as true to the original home as possible, while making it into modern structure.

How much longer they'll stay there I don't know. It's a big home, too big for two people, but dad can't bare the thought of giving up his barn!




* I wanted to add a brief update about my mom. Every few days she seems to be making a little progress. Yesterday she and dad made supper together, which gave her a sense of accomplishment. The day before she was able to go upstairs, with assistance, to take her first real shower in a week. Finally healing can be seen. I never dreamed her back surgery would be so difficult to recover from. Neither did she. Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, and kind words. It has meant the world to me.


47 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

Gorgeous Sharon! Hope everyone is doing well!!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Beautiful! You did a great job of capturing it.
Glad to hear your Mother is doing better.

PinkCat said...

Such a gorgeous sky and so beautifully captured.

I'm so pleased to read your Mum is doing better and better each day. x

aspiritofsimplicity said...

A beautiful sunset and a beautiful home and barn. I'm glad to hear that your mother is doing better.

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

I just about melted when I saw the sky..but double melted when I saw the house..then triple melted when I saw the barn.....OH, how I wish......beautiful.

And sending best wishes to you and your mom...you'll be in my thoughts and prayers...

Kary

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

That sky sure is beautiful and it casts such a lovely glow on your parent's home.
Healing wishes for your mom.

Lorac said...

I love the reflection in the house windows and the cotton candy sky! You have captured some wonderful photos!

My name is Riet said...

Goegeous slies and what a beautiful home and barn. Glad your mother is getting better little by little

Donna said...

What a lovely house! That's neat that they have such a big oak tree in the yard. I'm glad to hear that things are going better with your mother.

Chris Petrak said...

I especially am taken by the "pink" home - and as always, with your eye for what could be ho-hum, everyday scenes - not so. Thanks.

JC said...

Your photos are lovely ...

FO - 2 said...

Wonderful series,
painted in pink tones.
Lovely! :)

Sylvia K said...

First of all let me wish a speedy recovery for your Mom. Back surgery is never easy!

Secondly, your photos are breathtaking and the shades of pink are simply gorgeous. And the tree! Incredible! And what a lovely house!
Thanks for sharing the beauty with us!

Have a great weekend!

Sylvia

Country Girl said...

That third photo down? That's the prize. It's gorgeous, Sharon.

Glad to hear your mom is making some progress. It is painfully slow. Maddening.

And hey, your page looks awesome on Firefox.

Martha Z said...

A great series the sky through the trees and the color reflected in the window, I don't know which I like best.

Lucy said...

The pic of your parents' house is my favorite. What a great front porch!

Laura said...

First, I'm glad your Mom is making progress, even if it seems slow. And I love their house - especially that wonderful front porch! Beautiful sky - we have been having some pretty skies this fall too!

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Beautiful sky and wonderful captures.

The Gathering Place said...

Once again your photos are amazing! I'm glad that your mother is improving. My mother-in-law is in a similar situation. She keeps falling. It is hard to see them get older!
Joann

Larry D said...

Really wonderful series, cotton candy is a great description.

Unknown said...

a stunning sunset! the tree silhouettes are beautiful, and the gold reflections on the windows are absolutely gorgeous!

Loree said...

Glad your mum is doing better. The photos of the sky are beautiful.

Dawn Fine said...

Stunning photos Sharon..love the sunset thru the oak and the pink shining on the home..just lovely.
Glad to hear your mom is doing better.

Jane said...

Those are some really wonderful photos, I like your parents house too very pretty. Thankafir sharing:)

Jayne said...

What a beautiful home Sharon. I can see why they don't want to leave there! So glad to hear your mom is improving day by day!

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful sky, home and barn! i hope your mom keeps moving forward even if it is little bits at a time.

Sea Witch said...

God has shown his smile on your mom and dad's house with that loving shade of pink. Glad to hear she is doing better. It takes so much longer to recover from anything the more we age. I wish all the best for your mom and your family. Sea Witch

Mervat said...

Hi there. I really like the look of your blog!

Both my mother (very recently) and my then 14 year old son underwent spinal fusion surgery and I vertainly know what it is like as far as progress is concerned. The links to our experience are here (http://thewritinginstinct.blogspot.com/2009/06/beautiful-inside-and-out.html) for my son and here (http://thewritinginstinct.blogspot.com/2009/09/surgery.html)for my mother.

Best wishes to your mother for her recovery.
Mervat.

www.thewritinginstinct.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love that you call it a cotton candy sky! I love the photos of the reflection off the buildings. Beautiful as always.

Kerri Farley said...

So glad to hear your Mom is doing better! That is Wonderful News!

Jay Albert said...

You did a great job capturing the sky! And the barn absobing the sky colors is wonderful! But what's best is the news of your mom's recovery!

The Retired One said...

I love the description of the sky being like cotton candy. And the shots were wonderful, powerlines and all.
Loved your parents house, too.

I had back surgery about 17 years ago..it was one of the hardest things I ever had to recover from, and I was a lot younger than your mom. The best thing is what she is doing..beginning to move...slow but sure.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your parents!

Shirleyanne said...

Please to hear things are starting to improve for your Mother, eventhough the healing is slow.
A blessing she has you & your Father.

Sensational photo's of the sky!
Really love the colours.

Regards to you all & take care!

Mary said...

Oh Sharon, what a gorgeous sky! And I just love your parents' house and barn, too. So very lovely! I'm happy to hear that your mom is on the road to recovery. :)

Pat said...

I love the soft pink light bathing the barn, house and everything else in the yard. Beautiful reflections in the windows.

Glad to hear your mom is coming along, albeit slow.

Donna said...

Sharon, what a relief that your poor mom is finally starting to really get around a bit. It's certainly been a long haul, hasn't it... What a gorgeous sunset you captured at your parents' home. Love the house and the barn. I'd have trouble parting with that, too! Have a happy Thanksgiving!... Donna

The Curious Cat said...

Simply breath-taking photos...wonderful colours! Isn't nature so alarmingly beautiful sometimes? I can't imagine the sense of awe you must have felt witnessing this! Glad to hear your mother is making some progress - if only a little - step by step, day by day, you'll see...she'll soon mend with support, understanding, love and encouragement xxx

Judy said...

I love all the colours of the sunset, and the silhouettes of the trees!!
So glad your mum is making progress! Recovery is sometimes so frustratingly slow, but better slow than not at all!

Anonymous said...

Sharon such petty pictures and I can understand why your Dad would not want to leave that barn, it's a beauty !!!

Great news about your Mother !!!

Warmest wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving...

All the best,
Kathy :)

Balisha said...

Beautiful pictures. It does take longer for people to heal as they age. A small step at a time. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Balisha

Jeanette said...

Really beautiful pictures!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures of the sky...purple haze...it must have been breathtaking.
I hope your mom heals quickly. It must be so hard to be in so much pain.

Päivin päivät said...

Warm greetings from the cold and rainy Finland! I hope your mom is getting better. Again: Take heart, Sharon!
Warmly Päivi

Donna said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you sweetie!!hughugs

Cindy said...

Wow! Goregeous Tree and really beautiful with the sunlight shining on it. Love the new blog design.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Cindy

Allison said...

Sharon, it has been a while since I popped over--new banner, lovely, sky watch photos--gorgeous as usual. The front porch on your parent's home is grand--I have always loved a porch like that. I am glad to hear that your Mom is having good days. I wish you and yours a lovely Thanksgiving. Best, Allison

Erica Houskeeper said...

What a lovely home your parents have. The barn is incredible! Glad to hear your mom is doing better, although I am sure this must be an incredibly challenging time for all of you.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

Erica