Fourth of July Traditions

Today I'm joining Kelly for SUYL

Fourth of July Traditions

This year is a little different due to scheduling conflicts, we will be having our

large extended family "Happy Birthday America" party on July 12th.

Today we will grill out and probably go to our daughter's development

for their 4th of July fireworks.  This year they're having a bike parade, apple pie contest and 

lots of food vendors.  It's fun but very crowded.

I may decide to stay home.

When thinking about what our traditions are for this holiday I will say it

changes from year to year now that my kids are grown.

When they were young we would always go to our downtown

park for fireworks and patriotic music.  That's what I did growning up also.

Living in an area that the population has multiplied 10 fold since I grew up,

fighting the crowds for parking and space to even put your chair down has

taken some of the joy out of it.  Not to mention the fact that

 it rains at least a little every year we go.  ha

We still go every three or four years

just for the tradition of it.

Sometimes we go to Gulf Shores, some years Disney or Epcot,

some years we go to our daughter's and even on occasion we even stay in.  

There are plenty of people in our neighborhood that shoot off fireworks.

I will admit I'm envious of those who live in small communities and have a good old fashion

cookout or picnic, games and ending the day with fireworks.  Just their family and locals 

who come year after year.  

There is one tradition that we always do no matter how other plans and activities turn change.

Watermelon Ice-cream

I make it every year and only once a year so it will stay special.

It's made out of lime sherbert, vanilla ice-cream, raspberry sherbert and 

semi-sweet chocolate chips.  I originally got the directions from a Woman's Day
magazine about 25 years ago and I've been making it ever since.
I'll show step-by-step directions the next time I make it.
Easy to make but just takes time.
But it's well worth it.

 Since our big celebration will be next weekend and I haven't finished decorating yet

I'll just add in a little of our Red, White and Blue until then.

Thanks Kelly for sharing your SUYL.

It's been so much fun seeing how others do this crazy life.

Happy Fourth

Fabulous Friday Finds

I'm sure most of you have seen Cotton Color products.

I've been pining over them for quite a while.

They are so cheerful, albeit expensive.  Hense the afore mentioned pining.

I want to choose something but I'm not  quite sure what yet.

I haven't been able to make a decision between the platter or cookie jar (large or mini)

that comes with seasonal attachments.

I also haven't been able to choose between the natural or  the colorful choice.

That leaves me with lots of indecision so until then I'll just admire from afar.

Here's a few of the choices:

I'm leaning toward the cookie jar (mini) in neutral but everytime I think I've made my decision

the colors call my name.  What's a girl to do.

And then I think about how cute the platter would be sitting on display for the holidays,

but I already have a Nora Flemming Platter with seasonal attachements

So you see my perdicament.  

Until then I'll be content with to look.

The picture above is my Nora Flemming Platter.

Really cute also.

Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday America

You're 238 years young.

"God Bless America, Land That I Love

Stand Beside Her, And Guide Her

Through The Light With The Light From Above

From The Mountains,

To The Praires,

To The Ocean, White With Foam

God Bless America

My Home Sweet Home

God Bless America

My Home Sweet Home"

                                                             Irving Berlin, 1938

I hope y'all have a very blessed 4th of July Holiday.

Whether you are having a cookout, going to a parade, family reunion, movies

beach trip, local fireworks or spending a peaceful day at home,

 let us be forever thankful of our brave forefathers

who penned our Declaration of Independence and then faught for our freedom.

We may not be perfect, but we are America and I love her.

Parades

Parades are one of my favorite things, especially patriotic parades.

Dylan's little pre-school put on a sweet parade.

Great way to put you in the right frame of mind for the 4th.

I love his school.  He's been there since he was 18 months old and it sadly only goes through

Pre-K.  He will be heading off to Kindergarten in the fall.

They do a great job with their Arts and Sports programs and always celebrate the holidays

(ie: Christmas, Valentines, Halloween....) with parties, performances, parades.

It's refreshing to see that some schools still do that.

all the boys and girls dressed out in their red-white-blue best

and patriotic music was proudly playing

Dylaln and his teacher

so cute!!!

We really enjoyed it.

For our second "adventure" of the day we headed off  to the long awaited opening

of (drum roll please) Trader Joe's.  Yes, it's true.

We finally have our very own Trader Joe's so I won't have to get my fix as I'm traveling 

through Atlanta or Tallahassee.

If you haven't been their before you must put it on your list if you have one locally.

For those of you who have been there  you know what I mean.

All products (including wine) is under their own label and a very large percentage is

organic at a very reasonable price, except the bananas I might add.

I think the main reason I go is for their famous cookie butter.  Yum!

Mike adores their ginger snap cookies.  I'm not a fan of gingersnaps so I'll have to

take his word for it.  I was hoping to score some peonies today but I was out of luck.

The walls are painted with murals of local points of interest.

The sell their reuseable grocery bags with fun prints for 99 cents.  If you

let them know it's your first visit, they'll give you one free. 

My treats for today

Love these french market lemonades.

Most Trader Joe's I've been to are not usually particularly busy but I went today (5 days after the

official opening) and it was crazy crowded.  We tried to park in the lot for 15 minutes before

giving up and heading down the street a couple of blocks and walking over.

I'm sure it's because it's just opened and will die down soon.  If you don't like crowds and

fighting for a parking space I'd give it a few weeks before going.

The employees are very friendly and helpful.

I have been hoping for a Trader Joe's for years and I may or may not have

called the company numerous a time or two asking about impending openings.

I found out last year that they were building two in central Florida.

This is the first to open and I'm a pretty happy camper I must say.

anyhow...

other happenings

Dylan and I had a date night last night for Family Fun Night at our local

Chick-fil-A.  We had lots of fun with face painting, 4th of July crafting, the 

playground of course and delicious nuggets, milk, waffle fries and ice-cream.

My handsome date

This was his choice.  I wanted a flag or fireworks.  

continuing to be grateful in all things:

977.  afternoon rain showers that keep our city green even with hot temperatures

978.  Makenzie's award for best smile at a national dance competition   How cool is that!

979.  a lunch and shopping date with my mom tomorrow

980.  date nights with grandkids

981.  Trader Joe's

982.  children's parades

983.  America

984.  loved ones finding jobs

985.  friends coming to visit

986.  disney merchandise operator, Edie, who is trying to help a desperate grandmother

987.  little dancing girls

988.  baseball playing boys (and girls)

989.  spending time crafting this week

Have a blessed day.