Showing posts with label patriotic colors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label patriotic colors. Show all posts

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Independence Day 2020

~ July 4th ~ 
American Independence Day!
As we all have learned,
2020 is different.
I never miss the neighborhood 4th of July Parade,
though this year, there was no parade. 
Instead, neighbors were encouraged to decorate their
laws with a patriotic theme
I missed sitting on the curbside! 
It's always heart warming to see the hundreds of neighbors,
young and old, who come out on the 4th of July to 
participate in these little community parades.   
All parades were canceled because of COVID-19!
No large outdoor gatherings for family and friend meals!
No public parks open!
No Austin Symphony Orchestra concert along the 
grassy banks of Lady Bird Lake,
culminating with a spectacular fireworks display 
above the beautiful Austin skyline. 
None of the traditional festivities for the 4th this year!
Fortunately these two didn't let COVID-19 
dampen their patriotic spirit.
They had their own little solo parade!
There were no plans to join friends for a traditional gathering.
For us it was a quiet evening at home, dinner for two
with our sweet Sadie girl at our feet.
I kept the decor simple this July.  
Between our ongoing remodel and no entertaining 
at home, I hesitate to bring much out.
Though I am enjoying this new cachepot 
filled with summer blooms.
 A tray filled with flags and 
Uncle Sam figures sits on the buffet.
I couldn't resist these special 4th of July party crowns,
though admitedly they were strictly to add a festive touch.
These fun party crowns are by Bethany Lowe Designs.
They came in red and blue, each with a different sentiment.
Do you have a favorite?

They give a festive party feel to the stack of dishes,
Blue Pinstripe Chargers ~ Neiman Marcus
Royal Check Dinner ~ MacKenzie-Childs
Red Italian Salad ~ Spode
Royal Linens ~ Crown Linen Designs
Mother of Pearl Flatware ~ English Antique
I think a varried stack makes for an interesting table.
This one alternates the red and blue 
with a touch of black and white.
Love Letter Placemats ~ Hester and Cook
Black and White Ruffled Placemats ~ Crown Linen Designs
We are fans of colored glass, and these blue glass stemware and tumblers are pieces we have enjoyed for decades.
  What about you, do you like colored glass?
No fireworks here! 
Our finale was a Stars and Stripe 
cupcake with faux sparkler.
~ America the Beautiful ~
Happy 244th Birthday!

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Sunday, July 3, 2016

The Go To Guy For the Fourth of July


Who do you think of first 

for the 4th of July?




For me that would be

 Uncle Sam and his Lady Friend.




Uncle Sam as a patriotic figure

 dates back to the War of 1812.




A man by the name of Samuel Wilson 

from Troy, NY, contracted with

the government to provide beef to 

the troops during the war.





The barrels were stamped US, for country of origin,

but folks jokingly began to say the initials stood for

 Samuel Wilson, the meat purveyor. 




Soon the term "Uncle Sam" became

linked with national pride and the US government.



The symbolic character, when illustrated,

was generally featured with a goatee

and wore red striped pants, blue jacket, and a top hat.





As with collecting other holiday pieces,

I found that my collection grew as I came across

interesting pieces that had been hand carved from wood

or sculpted in paper maché or as a cloth doll.




Most basically remain true to the original tall, lean, and lanky

 cartoon character of political cartoonist, Thomas Nast.

I have come to appreciate the different personalities given each 

figure by the artist who created these patriotic guys.





As is often the case with collections, I didn't start out

to collect Uncle Sam figures, but somewhere along the way

they captured my interest and and one led to another.




Like this guy, faded and rather small,

and signed and dated 1940.

 I found him at an estate sale along

 with a companion piece of a carved army officer.

 How I wish I knew the story of the individual who 

 carved this wonderful piece of folk art. 




Normally my "guys" are at home

on a set of shelves in a guest bathroom,

but during the summer months they can be found

sitting about in vignettes in our home.





This summer I filled my Nantucket baskets with flowers

and gathered a few of the figures on a wicker tray.





They make a festive centerpiece 

on the dining room table.

I shared a complete post on my collection of Americana

 in July of 2011.  You can read more about each of the figures

 as well as other Americana I collect here.




My collection is not historically valuable, but simply 

pieces that appeal to me, picked up through the years.

If interested in starting a collection of your own

you might find this book of interest.

THE FOREMOST GUIDE TO UNCLE SAM COLLECTABLES, by Gerald Czulewicz, Sr. Available here at Amazon.





Wishing each of you a Happy 4th of July!




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Saturday, June 18, 2016

The Art of the Picnic


~ Picnics ~

June 18th is designated as International Picnic Day.





PICNIC, by Jane Pettigrew, was a lucky find on the sale

 cart of donated books at our local branch library.

It is a fun read and a perfect fit for this 

 girl who loves a good picnic. 




Filled with both charming illustrations and beautiful photos,

the author covers everything from the history of picnics, 

to setting the scene for one's own picnics with inspiration photos, 

as well as including wonderful recipes perfect for a picnic basket.






I adore the simple pleasures of alfresco dining,

and through the years, I have admired many 

of my blogging friends' picnic posts.

To offer up some inspiration and charm,

I've selected some choice picnic ideas to share here.

You can click on the individual links to view the post in full.



From E´douard Manet's iconic painting of a bourgeois picnic, 

Luncheon on the Grass, to Claude Monet's

more typical picnic scene in his, Luncheon on the Grass, 

forays to the countryside with alfresco dining in mind

have long been popular in both art and life.





For all the years we sailed our Hyacinths on Lake Travis,

our sailing forays most always included a picnic on board.





I admit our picnics on the lake were not as

creative and colorful as these of my blogging friends,

but they were delicious and a welcomed 

addition to a day of sailing.




Picnics and summertime seem to go hand-in-hand,

and the fourth of July is a perfect excuse for a patriotic picnic.





Watermelon and hot dogs ~

the perfect summer picnic fare.




The crisp fall days of autumn invite us to 

pack a basket and head out among the falling leaves.




A little impromptu picnic is always a good thing,

especially if it's in the beautiful countryside of Normandy, France.




Even a gaggle of witches can be found 

enjoying a picnic before flight on Halloween Night.



From tartan lined basket to a picnic spread atop her 

colorful tartan blanket, Michael Lee

has set the stage for a lovely riverside luncheon.



Meadow Picnic @ Home is Where the Boat Is

Mary chose this grassy meadow

 for her picnic outing.





One can do as Anita did here and set up a makeshift 

tent to escape the hot Texas sun .   .   .




Or simply spread a quilt under a shade tree.

Either way, Anita has the right idea for relaxing with

a cool lemonade and a stack of good books.




Linda's French inspired picnic 

is enjoyed on a grassy lawn where she 

found the perfect spot for some plein air painting.





If there is a picnic table available,

spread a pretty cloth and set the table in style.

Linda's Butterfly Garden MacKenzie-Childs enamel ware 

are perfect dishes for carting to a picnic.



Patti @ Pandora's Box


Patti, on the other hand, took her MacKenzie-Childs

 enamel ware to the beach for a picnic on the sand.




A Perfect Day for a Picnic @ A Quiet Life

 Planning ahead with a bit of entertainment is

 a good idea ~ kites, bikes, croquet, frisbee.




A Friend's Daughter ~ Jen Schow Photogrphy
Used With Permission

Real or make believe, a picnic is a 

 delightful way to entertain children outdoors.





And we all know that Teddy Bears

 are known to enjoy a good picnic.



A Ride With the Picnic Cookbook @ A Quiet Life

 Pack a picnic basket, grab a blanket or quilt,

 and head off to your favorite picnic spot to enjoy

 the pleasures of dining outdoors on a perfect day.

Ben Watching the Tartan Parade @ Normandy Life
"A picnic is more than eating a meal,
it's a pleasurable state of mind."
~ DeeDee Stovel, Picnic

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