Red, White and Blue

Of all the supervised conditions for life offered man, those under USA's

 constitution have proved the best.  Wherefore, be sure when you start modifying,

corrupting or abrogating it. 

Martin H. Fischer

Wishing you a safe and happy

4th of July! I can't wait to share photos of my recent trip to Texas with you. I even have tea pictures from my visit to the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. Until then, enjoy the holiday weekend!

America is another name for opportunity.  Our whole history appears like a

 last effort of divine providence on behalf of the human race. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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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Star Spangled Summer

Now that it's July it feels like summer to me. Here in California we experience an annual 'June Gloom' which means most days of summer school break until now have started out overcast and cool. But once July arrives we get long sunny days! 

 

  

The 4th Of July holiday brings back childhood memories of being allowed to stay up late, playing with my cousins, drinking hot chocolate after the fireworks were over, and warming my hands by the little charcoal fires my Dad made inside large coffee cans.

PHOTO FROM TIDALLIFE DOT COM

Me, around age 10, getting into our pool. Loved it when Dad set up the pool each summer!

 

  Are you going to a parade or firework show? The three of us are staying put and plan to spend some time in the backyard. While setting everything up, I finished my late morning cup of tea. This teacup, called Historic Colonial Scenes Old North Church, was made in England.

It has a scene of Paul Revere. I'm fond of transferware and really like blue and white, don't you?

I set up the patio table with games and snacks.

 College Girl made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. 

We have the board game called Sorry set up to play, with Scrabble, Yahtzee, and Othello stacked and waiting on the table.

 I cut up some watermelon.

 I found these bandana print napkins at Target. I like using fun printed napkins for personal use at the table or even to line serving dishes and platters.

  I also found this little wire lantern at Target and placed small red acrylic hearts from Michael's around the candle. A straw dispenser comes in handy.

Handyman won the first game of Sorry and College Girl won the first round of Othello - but don't worry - I'll catch up when we play Yahtzee! The sunflowers are blooming now and I was thrilled to see the first buds on our Gladiolus. Woohoo! They're going to be gorgeous.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday with your family and friends.

  

                                 

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The Emblem of the Land I Love

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You're the emblem of

The land I love.

The home of the free and the brave.

Ev'ry heart beats true

'neath the Red, White and Blue,

Where there's never a boast or brag.

But should auld acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the grand old flag.

 Proudly waving in our back yard