Monday, July 3, 2017

Happy Independence Day!


Hello, my friends, I hope that your 
weekend was a good one! 
Here we are in July already, and 
in the United States of America we are 
celebrating our patriotic holiday of 
Independence from foreign rule, 
and the birth of our great country, on July 4th, 1776. 

Of course, this day falls on a Tuesday, 
which is quite inconvenient for having a party, 
so most of us had our family celebrations
over the weekend. 


With Ramblin' Man recovering from surgery, 
we had a quiet celebration - just the two of us. 
(And the dogs :)

I wanted to make it special, so I gathered 
together some simple patriotic accessories, 
and set the table for two on the deck. 


Most things I had on hand, but I did 
find the flag printed cloth napkins and 
Starbucks coffee mugs recently. 


I saw the cute idea to use cupcake liners as 
drink cozies on Pinterest to keep out unwanted sippers :)

The napkins are actually kerchiefs! 


I wrapped a more traditional kerchief around 
a pot of geraniums and wrapped the umbrella pole
 with three colors of crepe paper. 




The umbrella is actually a large rain umbrella 
taped to a 6 ft. dowel with packing tape. 

I taped the dowel to the railing in 2 places to secure it. 

I've used this idea before, for bridal and baby showers.


The chair pads are actually doilies made 
with chenille yarn. 

They were Ramblin' Man's Mom's and 
were given to me, after she passed away 
last December, by my sweet Sis-in-law. 

She knew that I would cherish them :)

The apron was a gift from my daughter, Jennie. 


I had so much fun putting together our 
special table for our celebration for two! 



On the menu: 

Pineapple - Teriyaki chicken ka-bobs.....


Rice (with extra sauce) and spinach, pineapple, 
 and sunflower seed salad with balsamic vinaigrette. 

We had a wonderful conversation about how 
fortunate we were to live in this great country, 
despite the many challenges our country faces
at this time. 

We have faith that our forefather's designed a 
constitution that would withstand the tests of time, 
and that truth and justice is the American way. 


Our Declaration of Independence reminds us 
of why this country was founded. 


Signed by the founders of our country. 


Here, in part, is what our Declaration of Independence states:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights,
that among those are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness-
that to pursue these rights, governments are instituted among men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,-that
whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends,
it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute
new government, laying its foundation on such principles and 
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their 
safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should 
not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly all experience hath shown, 
that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and 
usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide
new guards for their future security. 

Wise men, indeed. 


Our celebration ended with some patriotic 
cupcakes and a nice, hot cup of coffee.
Starbucks, of course! 
Seattle is the official home-town 
of Starbucks.  


Carrot cake cupcakes with cream-cheese frosting. 


xoxo


Cheers! Here's to truth, justice and the American way! 



All too soon our celebration was over. 

Some days, life truly is a bowl full of cherries :)


I'll leave my patriotic pretties out for a couple of days
until after the actual 4th. 


I still have some cupcakes left! 

A dear blogger friend sent me this wonderful, 
hand-made card. 

I might add some pages to my 'Stories of Summer'! 



And as the hills beyond turn gold in the evening light, 
we count our many blessings on this anniversary 
of our country's independence, and pray 
that we can uphold the declarations of our 
founding fathers through these uncertain times. 



Thank you for joining me, dear friends, and thank you 
for your continued well-wishes for Ramblin' Man's recovery. 

He is doing very well, and is almost back to his old self -
or so he insists, as I say 'No, you cannot go out and mow the lawn, 
or clean the gutters, or chop any firewood for the winter, right now!'

It's hard to keep a good man down :) 

xoxo



31 comments:

  1. Your decorations are so pretty and USA looking :) Btw you are lucky having your independence day in the summer! Ours is on the 6th of December - no garden party then.

    Enjoy your celebration day!

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  2. Hello, sending my prayers for your hubby's recovery. Your 4th of July celebration looks great. I like all your decorations and the food looks yummy. Great shot of the mountain. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead! Wishing you and yours a happy 4th of July!

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  3. Such a wonderful post Karen. Love your sweet decor and celebration for two. My 4th table is actually similar to yours. :) Amen to your comments about our country.

    Sorry to hear rambling man had surgery but wishing him well. When my hubby had surgery a few months ago, stopping him from doing all those things was the most difficult. They are challenged when compelled to sit still, lol.

    Happy Independence Day!

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  4. Dear Karen, my sweet friend,
    you have made everything so lovely for this special day!
    Thank you for this wonderful post and HAppy Independence day!
    Have a wonderful week,
    sending Love and HUgs and Blessings, Claudia xo

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  5. I love what you did out on the patio. Those extra touches made lunch that much more special even if was just the two of you. It all looks so pretty. Happy 4th to you too Karen.
    xx Beca

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  6. Perfect Independence Day post! God bless our country! Glad your hubby is on the mend. Have a great week.

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  7. What wonderful décor and meal for your celebration. Glad to hear Rambling man is on the mend.

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  8. Oh Karen, the sweet touches made it so special :0) and yes, our founding fathers were indeed wise men! God Bless our United States of America! Thank you so much for sharing and enjoy the week :D mari

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  9. Your fourth of July table is simply wonderful, Karen. I love everything about it. You really did a creative job making it so special by adding all your personal touches. The blue and white doilies are treasures from your mother-in-law. I just love when things are passed down to us by our loved ones. These teriyaki chicken ka-bobs look so delicious. The Starbuck's cups are delightful. I wish I would have seen them in the stores, as I would have gotten myself one. The cherries are a nice centerpiece. And the coffee and cupcakes are perfect to end the meal.

    Your fourth of July post was heartwarming, Karen, it truly was.

    ~Sheri

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  10. Very colourful and Patriotic decoration. Glad you had a fun time. I admit I don't celebrate it. I used to take the kids to their grandma's picnic and to watch the fireworks when they were little. I think hubby and I are going to plan a day at the zoo.

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  11. How festive! Have a great day tomorrow on the 4th. One good thing about having a quiet celebration is that you have cupcakes left over, most unusual in your house I'm sure!

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  12. Karen, I'm so glad your sweet husband is on the mend. I love your romantic celebration for 2! You made things so pretty. Love the cupcake liner idea for glasses. Love your Starbuck red, white, and blue mugs. And your menu - yum! I'm so happy your card arrived on time. I was worried it wouldn't. Our celebration is tomorrow. xo

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  13. It has been awhile since I have read so much of The Declaration, and I found it heartening to read it now. Your celebration decor is a very clever and cheering melding of old and new and a great reminder of the robust energy that draws us together as a nation aimed to pursue freedom and happiness for all. So glad to know Ramblin' Man is making good progress in healing! Half of our household is headed over to a friend's house tomorrow and some other friends are coming here for hamburgers and hotdogs and a few fireworks. You have helped me look forward to the celebration more, Karen. Thanks! xx

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  14. I love your decor and the food looks delicious!!!

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  15. One of my ancestors, Benjamin Rush (to the left of John Hancock and down one), signed the Declaration of Independence. If I were to trace back my direct lineage, he would be a brother to one, so that would make him a however-many-greats uncle. My other grandfather is an Adams, so there might be some connection there, too. My cousin Rhonda traced the Rush lineage of which I have copies. They were done before computers and include mimeographs and bad copy machines, but the information is there.

    Now, if we can just get past this presidency, we might be fine. I have never seen a president who just. couldn't. let. it. slide.! I have been called plenty of names, and I can let it go. Oh, well...

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  16. "Happy Independence Day Karen."
    Your decorations are perfect. Have a wonderful day xx

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  17. What a wonderful celebration for two! I love that you put all that love and creativity into it although it was a small party. I would love one of your carrot cupcakes! We are having a quiet celebration in our side yard today with store bought subs and salads. No fuss, no work for me today!

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  18. How I love seeing all the effort you made to celebrate with just the two of you. Beautifully done.

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  19. Hi Karen, I love your sweet table setting for the 4th of July! It is very cute and charming, but also very intimate, just right for two.
    Wishing all the best for the recovery of your husband!
    Warm regards,
    Christina

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  20. Dearest Karen,
    JIT = Just In Time for wishing you both a Happy 4th of July! Glad to read that your husband is recovering at home. Lovely setting for a tête-à-tête dinner!
    Did you have any idea about this enormous Dutch influence such as the American Declaration of Independence and the Federal Constitution of the United States and one, the Declaration, is based almost entirely upon the Declaration of Independence of the United Republic of the Netherlands....
    {1903 Ladies Home Journal by Edward Bok - The Mother of America & Dutch American Heritage Day}
    Of course I'm feeling proud of the above!
    Wishing your dear other half a steady recovery and sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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  21. It looks like you and your sweetie had a wonderful 4th together, Karen! Your meal looked perfect, and your table so pretty. I was celebrating my mom's 88th birthday last week, and missed knowing about Ramblin' Man's surgery. I hope he's feeling better!
    I love your gold hair color. I had dark brown hair, and had to go lighter myself, in order that the roots wouldn't show that much!! Oh, what we do...Lol!! It was fun catching up with you. Hope you have a happy week! xo

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  22. Very hard to keep a man down for sure! I love love love your table for two and all your added touches. Fun! Hope the rest and healing continues to go well.

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  23. Hello Dearest! Sorry I have been a bit MIA. Personal life has been taking over quite a bit. I wanted to share that I've been catching up on all of your recent posts though. I hate missing even a one. ;) I'm so happy to hear that Ramblin Man is feeling better and things went ok! I love your July 4th celebration! So festive and you make everything so special. That's why I love this blog and all you share. You're a heck of a Gal Karen. ;)

    Blessings on the rest of your week. xoxo

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  24. You sure made a wonderful table for a great celebration of our country... I like your idea for the doilies and using the umbrella. So good to hear your hubby is doing so well, it is hard to stay calm when you are starting to feel better but you don't want to over due it either, good thing he has you to keep him down :)

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  25. You are amazing Karen! What gorgeous and creative decorations you made for the two of you! The umbrella, the cozies, everything looks like it could be on the cover of a magazine. I used napkins as placemats and I thought I had it goin' on, but damn girl, you rocked it big time!

    Your deck has such a pretty view too, it's easy to feel grateful and inspired every day I'm sure.

    xxx

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  26. What a sweet spot to dine al fresco!! And what Mountain is that? Just gorgeous!!

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  27. A beautiful table. I hope you had a great Fourth, nice and relaxed.
    Amalia
    xo

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  28. What a wonderful little celebration you had for you and your honey!! Everything looks so pretty and patriotic!! I'm not a fan of Starbucks but I definitely would've purchased those mugs if I had seen them. We do live in such a wonderful country. I worry about times ahead of us too. I have faith that something much bigger than we are will watch over us and protect us. I believe we are being pushed in the direction of simpler times again. Staying home with friends. Planting our own food. Counting our pennies. Things are just so far out of control and it's scary. Blogs like yours remind me that there is so much more goodness in this world than there is bad stuff!! xo

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  29. Your 4th of July looks lovely, Karen! I've never thought of decorating the umbrella before...so fun! I've been catching up with your posts...I love your hair...I, too, am a natural dark brunette that went blond as I grayed.
    Glad your husband is recuperating well!

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  30. Looks like a wonderful time to enjoy between two people in love :-) Happy to hear he is recovering well. My husband is a hard one to convince to sit still and recover from surgeries too....lol. He's not a good patient. ;-) Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

    Blessings,
    Jill

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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