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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Martha's Favorites 

Artful Affirmations 
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What To DO Weekends 

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

Yankee Doodle Afternoon

 I'm a Yankee Doodle dandy,
A Yankee Doodle, do or die;

July is here! This week everyone in the United States celebrates the founding of our nation, while over at Martha's Favorites there is also a celebration for Teacup Tuesday's 120th edition. 

Handyman (hubby), College Girl and I had a nice dinner outside. We are quite a patriotic family and have our own 20 foot tall telescoping flagpole in the backyard.

 A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam's,
Born on the Fourth of July

Veggie hot dogs with sour kraut and mustard, salad, baked beans, and corn on the cob was on the menu today.

 I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart,
She's my Yankee Doodle joy.

I used replicas of the Constitution as temporary place mats, and we spent some time reading the monumental document, as well as The Bill of Rights. When we were growing up, schools only briefly touched on the Constitution, and, because of this cursory treatment, I feel it is quite under-appreciated. It is a marvel!

I love quilts - have made a few myself! - and I thought this gorgeous red, white and blue wedding ring quilt would make a nice decoration while we dined, then a perfect lap covering during dessert and tea from Adagio. The Patriotic Blend from Adagio is a mix of blueberry, rooibos berry and Fujian White Pear. The Fujian is from China and tastes like a freshly baked pear: warm and aromatic. It went well with both the strawberry shortcake and apple pie.

 Yankee Doodle came to London,
Just to ride the ponies,

 
The cups we used are Victorian Chintz by Burleigh, made in England. The red rose print coordinated perfectly with the table colors!

This gives new meaning to 'tea candle'...I nestled little candles in small dishes of loose tea! But there was also a tall red candle ready for duty~

I love colorful bunting but we have no place on the front of the house to hang it. My solution: Hang it on the wrought iron fence in back with red ribbons. Can you spot the cozy-covered teapot? It is dressed up in strawberry fabric.

I am a Yankee Doodle boy

I think I'll have another cup of Patriotic Tea and settle back to watch Sergeant York with Gary Cooper, one of my favorite movies. Happy 4th of July!

Keeping all those affected by wildfire and inclement weather in thought and prayer...be safe!


sharing this post with:
Martha's Favorites 
Artful Affirmations 
Rose Chintz Cottage 
Mosaic Monday 
Antiques and Teacups 
Share Your Cup Thursday with Mrs. Olson 
Honey, We're Home 
Sunny Simple Life with Elaine