Stars and Stripes

Happy Independence Day!

Are you going to a parade, picnic or barbecue? Plans for a firework display? 

'Blanche'  dressed for the 4th of July. She stands watch over my sister's alpine garden.

We like a low key day away from crowds. From our backyard, which is on a hill, we can see four to six public firework shows each year. No need to look for parking or a place to sit, we need only go outside after dark and enjoy the patriotic show! College Girl and I had fun in the kitchen this morning making yummy things to eat: first up, smoothies!

We don't use a recipe- we improvise.(all measurements are approximates) We blended one cup of frozen strawberries, 1/2 cup fresh raspberries, 1/2 cup chopped peaches, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 TB flax oil, 2 TB rice protein powder. Yielded two glasses.

 

The next thing we made was 

Broccoli Orzo Salad 

This salad is great cold or at room temperature. 

Dressing: 2 Tb olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice and balsamic vinegar, 1 medium clove of pressed garlic, fresh ground pepper, 2 tsp dried Basil. Mix and pour over salad ingredients.

Salad: 3 cups steamed broccoli, 8 oz. cooked orzo, 2 green onions (I use onion powder), 1/4 minced fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped black olives, 2 chopped tomatoes or 1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes (optional).

And my tea of choice today? Why, it's The Whistling Kettle's 1776 Blend. It's a combination of Assam and Ceylon teas infused with strawberry and maple.

Have a lovely holiday~

If we ever forget we are one nation under God,

 then we will be a nation gone under.

Ronald Reagan

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Snapdragon Sprite

Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.

C. S. Lewis

Summer is in full bloom and I am amazed to think that Independence Day is upon us and we are halfway to Christmas!

 Staying out of the heat, I made a card this week using the Snapdragon Sprite image from 

AuroraWings Stamps 

They have a new challenge on the third Monday of each month using different themes. 

When I was looking through the variety of images available I immediately was drawn to this adorable Sprite! The icing on the cake is that she is holding a baby dragon in her arms...awww! College Girl belongs to a co-ed professional fraternity which has a dragon as their mascot, so I know I will get a lot of use from this cute pair.

This is an easel style card which folds flat for mailing. I cut the frame mattings from Graphic 45 paper with my Cricut and used lots of foam adhesive between the layers for dimension. The photo above gives a good look at the side view and you can see how different parts of the card 'pop' out from the background.

The front of the card slides forward which allows it to fit inside an envelope for mailing. I used Stampendous Aged Gold Embossing Powder on the baby dragon's back for texture. (thanks, Patty!)

I colored the Snapdragon Sprite and her friend with Distress Inks and my Zig Water Pen.

Perhaps on the 4th of July, if you are outside at dusk and look carefully in a flower garden, you'll catch a glimpse of a Snapdragon Sprite. Wishing you a safe and magical celebration!

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