Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day, Dear Friends! 

This is the day we celebrate 

what freedom means to all of us

here in America! 

Except for our beloved Native Americans, 

most Americans can trace their 

ancestry to those seeking freedom

and sanctuary from all over the world. 

In honor of our country's freedoms, 

I have added five patriotic 

touches here and there. 

Come inside......

My Dear Father made the 'Watermelon Man' 

whirly-gig. 

The cherries are Washington State grown. 

When Ramblin' Man and I were newly married,

we rented a tiny cottage in the middle of a cherry orchard

in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. 

It was a magical place, not only in the springtime

when the cherry trees were in bloom, 

but also when the cherries were ripe. 

The farmer gave us one tree to harvest

in exchange for watching the orchard. 

This little tree had the most 

delicious cherries we have ever tasted,

before or since. 

We began our family in that little cottage

and every time I buy cherries, 

we are reminded of that special time

in our lives. 

Craft store flags in a galvanized bucket

of baby's breath make the 3rd patriotic scene.

The grain sack pillows 

have red stripes. 

Step out onto the deck and I will show 

you my 'Kitchen Garden'

decorated for the 4th. 

Here some 'kitchen' drawers

have been planted with sweet alyssum

and red verbena. 

These are heat lovers. 

It has been dangerously hot

and dry here in Washington State, 

and we are under constant fire watch. 

We have had no measurable rain

since early May and it has 

been in the 90's all week. 

We will be staying home on 

the holiday to keep watch 

on our pets and home,

so I wanted to make things festive. 

Our own private celebration :)

I painted all the pots with exterior 

porch paint one hot afternoon :)

My baker's rack has a blue enamel 

teakettle planter. 

I used it on my stove until 

a large, heavy herb jar fell onto it 

from a shelf above and left a big round chip! 

Oh, I was upset, 

as I loved that chubby teakettle - 

 it was a gift

from my daughter.

But I can continue to enjoy

this kettle's portly charms in 

my 'kitchen garden'. 

The octagonal window 

illuminates the stair landing inside. 

Both the plant stand and cast iron

medallion were found at 

a local vintage market a few years ago. 

Patriotic flowers in red, white, 

And blue. 

I planted 'Crystal Blue' lobelia 

in a blue ceramic pot. 

My basket of miniature roses 

provides a few fireworks! 

The cheery red verbena reminds 

 me of fireworks, too! 

These are newly planted, so 

 are not in full bloom yet, 

but when they are, I will 

give you a peek! 

As long as I keep these well-watered, 

they don't seem to mind the heat. 

When the sweet alyssum are in full

bloom, the air will be filled

with their honey scent. 

I have one more patriotic scene to show you. 

Let's step down off the deck

and around to the side of the house.....

Here it is shady and cool and 

I can grow impatiens on the 

ledge below the living room window. 

The pots become wonderfully mossy

here after a few years. 

I love red flowers against our chocolate

colored house. 

We can see these bright beauties from 

inside, too! 

I thought they would look so festive

with a few little flags. 

The Mr. has taken a few days 

off from his rambling ways, so 

we are going to enjoy a simple

'stay-cation'. 

I hope you all have a wonderful 4th, 

my friends! 

xoxo

Today I am joining:

Ivy and Elephants - What's it Wednesday

Rooted in Thyme - Simple and Sweet Fridays

 Love Made My Home - Five on Friday