Patriotic Musings

Happy Independence Day, my dear family and friends! 

I have put a few patriotic touches in my 'kitschy kitchen'

in honor of the 4th. 

Just a few little flags..........

The kitchen is already proudly wearing her red, white and blue! 

I didn't really plan it that way, but it's working for me! :)

It has been a very cool and damp start to summer, 

 so I thought the bright colors would perk things up. 

I took down the 'Siesta Fiesta' theme, 

and now I am enjoying an 'Indoor Picnic' sort of vibe. 

The colors are so patriotic. 

xx

I've had this painting for quite some time, 

but didn't have a place for it. 

It was very bright.......

I had almost forgotten that I had it! 

All of these things were 'orphans'; 

things I had brought home because I liked them, 

but didn't know how to use them. 

Now they are all happy together! 

The bright crochet doily belonged to my dear Mom-in-law

and created by a special friend of hers. 

You can see how bright the painting is. 

It was painted by this elegant hand.....

I found it at a flea-market

and almost passed it by. 

All the bright color makes everything so cheerful!

xoxo

My Patriotic display. 

I like to find any excuse to use the 

wonderful photo holder :)

I have used it for recipes, vintage post-cards and 

it's great for family photos at birthday celebrations, too.

Scrapbook paper postcards. 

A sweet hand-made card from a dear friend. 

I haven't had a chance to do much patriotic decorating
this year, although I am very Patriotic.

My Father, Ramblin' Man's Father, 

and many, many family members have served 

in our Armed Forces, fighting for freedom.

The maternal side of my Father's family

 came to this country in the 16th century

from England during the time of the Pilgrims. 

There is a small section of Plymouth, Massachusetts, 

 named after these ancestors. 

The paternal side came from Scotland, also in the 16th 

century, and settled in Salem, Massachusetts. 

There might be a witch or two in my lineage! 

My Mother's and Ramblin' Man's Father's family 

came to this country during 

the Irish potato famine in the 1850's

and settled in South Boston. 

They were from the same county in Ireland. 

Sometimes we joke that we are distant cousins. 

Ramblin' Man's Grandmother was a Swiss orphan

who came to this country at 16 after WWI

 and had to work very hard 

for her living, as did all of our ancestor's.  

I would love to thank all of my ancestor's 

who fled chaos, poverty and tyranny 

to give themselves and their children's 

  children a chance at a better life. 

I'm sure life was not much better for them, in many ways, 

than what they left behind, 

but it is the divine spirit that moves 

our hearts and compels our souls to seek 

and defend liberty and freedom, if not 

for ourselves, but for those we leave behind. 

We usually stay home for the holiday 

because of our two dogs. 

They are big sissies. Oh, did I say that out loud?

Shhhhhh! 

Here comes Kai. 

I am having fun using all 

of my red, white and blue dishes, 

though. 

A light lunch. 

Fresh blueberries and cottage cheese. 

I found these sweet berry strainers last fall in the 

'end of season' sale at my local department store. 

I couldn't wait until berry season to use them. 

I have a strawberry dish, too. 

It's just me, myself and I, so I can sneak as many blueberries

as I want! :)

I found this wonderful book at Barnes and Nobles 

recently. It is full of patriotic quotes and interesting facts 

from our Founding Fathers. 

Here are a few gems......

"I would define Liberty to be a power

 to do as we would be done by" 

-John Adams- 

To J.H. Tiffany, March 31, 1819

******

"Liberty cannot be preserved without

 general knowledge among people"

-John Adams-

Dissertation on The Canon and Feudal Law, 1765

******

"Those who abuse Liberty

 when they possess it 

would abuse power 

could they obtain it"

-Thomas Paine-

To the Citizens of The United States, 1802

******

"Liberty is the power to do everything that does not interfere

 with the rights of others: Thus, the exercise

 of the natural rights of every individual 

has no limits save those that assure 

to other members of society 

the enjoyment of the same rights" 

-Thomas Paine-

Plan of Declaration of Rights, 1792

******

"Guard against the postures of pretended patriotism"

-George Washington-

Farewell Address, September 17, 1796

xoxo

Happy Independence Day!