Sunday, June 12, 2016

She's A Grand Ole Flag ~ 2016




This post was first published here in June 2014.

This happens to be one of my favorite posts,

so like picking up a good book to read again, 

I'm reposting this one.  





 Celebrating National Flag Week





Honoring the red, white, and blue.



 Patriotic holidays and the colors of our country's flag

 have always given me a sense of pride and happiness.



I'm proud to be American!





As an elementary teacher for 30 years,

patriotism was an important component

throughout the year's curriculum.




It wasn't an isolated unit, 

but rather a theme that was woven into

various activities and integrated across the curriculum.





I believe it is important to teach children respect 

for our country's flag and other patriotic symbols and .   .   .





That instilling patriotism at an early 

age enables young children to understand 

the responsibilities of good citizenship.





It makes my heart sing to drive 

through my neighborhood and .   .   .






See families proudly 

display the flag of our country.



It reminds me that the US is a country united, 

one of liberty and justice for all.




THE STARS AND STRIPES




THE RED, WHITE,  AND BLUE






OLD GLORY






LONG MAY SHE WAVE





If you are an American,

 pay tribute to our flag this week.

 "She's A Grand Ole Flag"

 Flag Day ~ June 14


All photos were taken by me and enhanced through the Waterlogue App.



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Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Eat Dessert First


"Eat Dessert First"

Well, that's always been my motto!





offered a copy of her recently published family cookbook

to two of her readers.  I'm happy to say, I was one of the lucky two.

This beautiful book arrived in my mailbox.




Photos, Purple Chocolate Home

I'm a fan and long time follower of Purple Chocolate Home 

and admire Jacqueline's creative talents.

Not only is she an amazing cook, she is also very creative

and dramatic with the way she styles and presents food.

Jacqueline's talent also extends to the 

 beautiful tablescapes she creates when she  

 entertains her large family or friends.




Jacqueline's book is full of wonderful recipes 

 collected from family and friends through the years.

 It begins, as the title proclaims, with desserts.  

 Lots of delicious desserts!

Recipes for appetizers, entrées, and soups and salads

  follow up to complete the book.



                             Hyacinths for the Soul                                           More Fun Less Laundry

My friend and fellow blogger, Linda @ More Fun Less Laundry,

 also received a copy of Eat Dessert First.

 We thought it would be fun to each share a special post on

 one of the recipes in this fun cookbook.





My choice was Jackie's amazing

 Key Lime Pie



Photo Collage, Purple Chocolate Home


You'll find Jacqueline's original post on this 

 dessert complete with recipe here.



Noted as "a southern comfort food", Jacqueline used her recipe

 to spotlight  her review of Michael Lee West's

 Gone With A Handsomer Man.





The recipe works just as well for individual tarts.

 Just make the graham cracker crusts in individual muffin tins.

 Key Lime Tarts are the perfect summertime treat!





I took my tray of summer treats over to a friend's home.

 She has a bright purple bench on her porch.

 Perfect spot for honoring Purple Chocolate Home!





As Jacqueline points out in her post,

 key limes are "tiny little devils".

 One has to squeeze a bag full of key limes for the cup 

 of fresh lime juice needed for the recipe.





Oh, the wonderful 

 fragrance of fresh limes!





The stack of vintage porcelain plates are 

 Wkdbrzych, made in Poland,

 and the flatware is Sir Christopher by Wallace.





The reproduction jadeite cup and cake stand were

 recent finds when shopping in the quaint village of Gruene, TX.

 I wish I could tell you who makes these, but they are unmarked.

 I found four of the cups and the cake stand on a sale table.

 They were too charming to leave behind!





Sweet whipped cream and fresh lime slices

 finish off these delectable little desserts.





To quote Jacqueline's husband,

 "The texture ranks right up there with the flavor!"

 Thank you, Jacqueline for the gift of this wonderful cookbook.

 I'll make certain to Eat Dessert First!


Flourless Chocolate Cake

 Click here to view Linda's post @

 More Fun Less Laundry.


Vist Jacqueline here @ Purple Chocolate Home.


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Friday, June 3, 2016

June 2016



June 4, 2016 ~ National Trails Day 



Butler Trail and Lady Bird Lake ~ Austin, TX

National Trails Day is held the first Saturday in June.

It's a day in which the American Hiking Society 

sponsors events all across the country, including

hiking, biking, horseback riding, paddling trips,

 birdwatching, geocaching, stewardship projects, and more.

I plan to take to the trails at the Lady Bird Wildflower Center 

or perhaps walk the Butler Trail around Lady Bird Lake.



June 9, 2016 ~ National Celebration of Reading



Book and Author Luncheon Quilt 
Displayed in New Braunfels, Texas, 2012


A special National Celebration of Reading,

 sponsored by the 

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, 

will be held on June 9th to celebrate 

the power of literacy and to commemorate the 

25th Anniversary of the National Literacy Act

signed into law by President George H. W. Bush.

You can find details here.


June 14th ~ National Flag Day



Although many states had designated a special

day to honor the US flag each year,

it wasn't until 1949 that President Truman signed an 

Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as 

National Flag Day.


June 18th ~ International Picnic Day



June 19th ~ Father's Day
Pack your picnic basket and head out to your favorite park or lake.

When we had our sailboat, we always packed a picnic basket

for a little alfresco dining on the water.

The basket above is the one my dad gave to me 

when I headed off to attend the University of Texas.

With all the public parks and lakes in and around Austin,

it was a perfect "send off" gift.  That was 50 years ago!

Father's Day would be the perfect time to

pack a picnic basket, spread a blanket, and treat your dad to 

a special picnic in the beautiful outdoors.


June 20th ~ Summer Solstice



The summer solstice is the longest day of the year

and marks the beginning of summer.

Happy Summer All!

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