Happy Independece Day!!!

The American Flag at Work

It's Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 and I'm wishing you and yours the happiest Independence Day ever! How do you and your family celebrate? 💓⭐💙

At the Eagle Tree

I kind of got tickled yesterday because in my Monday post I stated that, since I had gone grocery shopping the day before, I wouldn't have to go to the store again for a long time. I had no more posted that when Amber called to invite me to go to Sam's with them in Joplin...which I did!

Amber was shopping for the holiday and an upcoming birthday; I didn't really need anything, but I rode along and had a great time! I hadn't been in a Sam's store in years! I picked up a few items that I run through pretty regularly , so saved quite a bit in the long run on those items and I, also, picked up a great big beautiful box of lucious, red, bing cherries. They are so good!

Big Cherries

Anyway, it was a fun outing and I greatly enjoyed it! (I obviously don't get out much! Can you tell?) 😉

The Grandlittles at Sam's

After I got home I got the turkey burger that I bought on Sunday divided, repackaged, and frozen, made turkey breakfast sausage, and got the red, white, and blue jello put together. This is something that I've done every year since my children were little.

Red, White, and Blue Jello

This morning I am enjoying the morning by listening to patriotic music and sermons on VCY America. Later I will join family for lunch and, most likely, will end up in Rich Hill tonight for their city fireworks display.

Have a great day and a Happy Fourth! 

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Patriotic Christmas Tree 2020

 Christmas Tree #1 of the 2020 season is finally up! 

It is a 3-foot white tree that features American flags (two minis at the top and one large wrapped around the bottom that serves as a tree skirt), red, white, and blue lights, and red, silver, and blue ornaments.  

The tree is in the kitchen (a.k.a. "the war room") where my husband and I pray, keep up with news of the election, and interceed on behalf of our president and the nation. 

Christmas Tree #2 is forthcoming, but it will be a while as I am still awaiting a couple of items that I ordered online to arrive. I will share photos as soon as it is complete.

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Celebrating The Red, White, and Blue

Tomorrow (Saturday, July 4, 2020) the United States of America will celebrate her 244th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! 🎂 

And HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to YOU AND YOURS! 🎆🎉🎇

Five of the Middle Granddaughters Back in 2013
My! How they've grown! 💗

How do you and your family celebrate the 4th of July at your house? Here are some of the ways that our family has celebrated at ours...

💓☆💙 Have a backyard barbecue and invite the neighbors or extended family over to join the fun!

💓☆💙 Make red, white, and blue Jell-O refrigerator cakes (also known as Jell-O poke cakes)! (I've got a white cake baking in the oven right now and will add the Jell-O and Dream Whip after I get home tonight.) For the recipe click HERE.

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

💓☆💙 Have a blast at your picnic by putting out table crackers, which look like giant firecrackers, but are actually cardboard tubes filled with treats. Save toilet paper rolls, and cover the tubes with red, white, and blue tissue paper. Before sealing ends, fill with such things as printed out patriotic sayings, small red, white, and blue toys, foil-wrapped candies, or other treats (use your imagination). Seal ends, adding a piece of gold starred and glittered wire garland on top for fuse.

💓☆💙 Make red, white, and blue fruit kabobs! 

Granddaughter, Abby, With Her Red, White,
and Blue Fruit Kabob Creations - 2014

💓☆💙 Make red, white, and blue Jello! (For recipe, click HERE.)

Red, White, and Blue Jello

💓☆💙 Put a patriotic spin on party games. For example, pin the name of an American icon on the back of each guest's shirt. Choose important people, places, symbols…even quotes found throughout our country's early history. For example…Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Francis Scott Key, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, Philadelphia,Boston, the Old North Church, Constitution Hall, American eagle, Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, "One if by land and two if by sea!", "Give me liberty or give me death!", "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.", etc. Each guest goes around and asks questions of the others, obtaining clues until they guess correctly who, or what, they are. Get creative with your selections and have fun!

💓☆💙 Wear red, white, and blue clothing, patriotic jewelry, and sparkly hair accessories.

💓☆💙 Watch The Patriot with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger.

💓☆💙 Give small children large pieces of bubble wrap to stomp on. When they stomp it sounds like firecrackers going off. The kids love it and…just think…no mess, no smell, and no danger!

💓☆💙 Make a patriotic pie!

Red, White, and Blue Cherry Berry Pie

💓☆💙 Read the Declaration of Independence aloud as a family. Talk about what it really means and discuss the men that signed it.

💓☆💙 Plant red, white, and blue flowers in your flowerbeds and window-boxes. Things like petunias, inpatients, salvia, alyssium, and geranium work well. If you have enough space, and the ambition, plant them to resemble a flag!

💓☆💙 Fly your flag!

💓☆💙 Make Minuteman Ice Cream Sandwiches by spooning ½ cup vanilla ice cream between 2 chocolate wafer cookies. Roll edges in red, white,and blue sprinkles. Freeze until time to serve.

The Grandsons - 2014

💓☆💙 Memorize this verse of scripture as a family...

💓☆💙 Attend parades and local firework displays in your area.

💓☆💙 Put on your own firework display.

Doing Snakes in the Front Yard - 2014

💓☆💙 Enjoy a big slice of cold watermelon!

💓☆💙 Help the children decorate their bikes, tricycles, and scooters with red, white, and blue streamers, flags, and other patriotic doo-dads and doo-hickeys and let them put on their own parade for the rest of the family.

💓☆💙 Watch Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney

💓☆💙 Have a red, white, and blue water balloon fight.

💓☆💙 Make a cool, patriotic dessert.

Photo Credit

AMERICAN BERRY NO-BAKE CHEESECAKE

2 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar

2 cups thawed Cool Whip Whipped Topping

1 ready to use graham cracker crust
2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
1/3 cup blueberries

Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Whisk in Cool Whip. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. Arrange berries in rows to resemble flag.

That's some of the things that we've done in the past to celebrate the 4th of July at our house. Now feel free to share some of the ways you do at yours!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

P.S. - Before I go, I just want to say...

Despite our current difficulties, the United States of America remains one of the strongest, most independent, and greatest nations on earth! May God's tender hand of mercy be over us and, through the cries and prayers of those that are called by His name, may He heal our land and restore her to her former glory. In Jesus' name I pray! 

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Recipe - Quick and Easy All-American Fruit Pie

My husband recently requested that I try my hand at making a flag pie and, while this pie is totally NOT made from scratch, it is a pie, it does resemble an American flag, and it was totally made with love, so, viola! 🍒🎆💓

(Plus it was fun, artistic, super easy to make, and went together in no time!) 😉

I started with a double, pre-made pie crust (the kind you find in the dairy case), three cans of pie filling (one blueberry and two cherry), and my grandma's nine-inch, deep-dish, glass pie pan.

I folded a piece of tin foil in such a way as to
section off approximately one-quarter of the pie and
make a compartment for the blueberry pie filling.

Next, I added the pie fillings...the can of
blueberry in the smaller compartment and
both cans of cherry in the larger one.

Then, I removed the strip of foil that divided the two.

Using a metal ruler and a pizza cutter, I cut
the top crust into half-inch strips, leaving a large margin along one edge from which to cut the stars.

From the margin and using a sharp knife
I free-handedly cut out five one-inch stars.

I laid the pieces over the pie-filling creating a
design that resembled an American flag. Then, I
gave the whole thing a nice sprinkle of sugar.

I baked the pie in a 400 degree oven until the filling
was bubbly and the crust was lightly browned.

Even though the pie was made from pre-packaged ingredients (which is not our norm) my husband was well-pleased with the end result. The pie was quite tasty and made a nice summer-holiday treat!

What kind of summer-holiday treats do you enjoy at your house?

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Happy Independence Day!

"On July 2, 1776, after months of deliberation and while directing battle in the colonies and Canada, the Second Continental Congress voted to declare the “united States of America” separate and independent from Britain. On July 4, the Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson. Copies were immediately printed and distributed throughout the colonies and the continental troops. On July 9, with the approval of the last colony, New York, the Declaration became the “unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America.” On August 2, 1776, the printed Declaration was signed by most of the congressional delegates, the final signature affixed in 1781 by the New Hampshire delegate."

(View Source)

When our children were small part of our annual Independence Day celebration included a reading of the Declaration of Independence in its entirety. May we, as Americans, never forget the story of and the reasons behind it. May we forever hold the freedoms that we enjoy dear and may we never forget those that bled and died to give them to us. 

Happy Independence Day, America!!! 

Until next time...
~Rebecca


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America celebrates her 241st birthday one week from today! How do you celebrate the 4th of July at your house? 

Here is a list of some of the things that our family has done over the years to celebrate Independence Day at our house...

* Have a backyard barbecue and invite the neighbors or extended family over to join the fun!

* Have a blast at your picnic by putting out table crackers, which look like giant firecrackers, but are actually cardboard tubes filled with treats. Save toilet paper rolls, and cover the tubes with red, white, and blue tissue paper. Before sealing ends, fill with such things as printed out patriotic sayings, small red, white, and blue toys, foil-wrapped candies, or other treats (use your imagination). Seal ends, adding a piece of gold starred and glittered wire garland on top for fuse.

* Layer pre-made blueberry Jell-O, Cool Whip Topping, and strawberry or cherry Jell-O in clear Solo cups. Top with a dollop of Cool Whip. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

* Put a patriotic spin on party games. For example, pin the name of an American icon on the back of each guest's shirt. Choose important people, places, symbols…even quotes found throughout our country's early history. For example…Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Francis Scott Key, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, Philadelphia,Boston, the Old North Church, Constitution Hall, American eagle, Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, "One if by land and two if by sea!", "Give me liberty or give me death!", "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.", etc. Each guest goes around and asks questions of the others, obtaining clues until they guess correctly who, or what, they are. Get creative with your selections and have fun!

* Give small children large pieces of bubble wrap to stomp on. When they stomp it sounds like firecrackers going off. The kids love it and…just think…no mess, no smell, and no danger!

*Plant red, white, and blue flowers in your flowerbeds and windowboxes. Things like petunias, impatiens, salvia, alyssum, and ageratum work well. If you have enough space, and the ambition, plant them to resemble a flag!

* Fly your flag!

* Make Minuteman Ice Cream Sandwiches by spooning ½ cup vanilla ice cream between 2 chocolate wafer cookies. Roll edges in red, white,and blue sprinkles. Freeze until time to serve.

* Attend parades and local firework displays in your area.

* Make an American Berry No Bake Cheesecake. (Prep time 15 minutes plus refrigerating.)

2 packages (8 oz. Each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip whipped topping thawed, divided

1 graham cracker piecrust

strawberry halves and blueberries

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. Spread Cool Whip on top. Arrange berries in rows to resemble flag.

From our family to yours...HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! <3

Until next time...

~Rebecca

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 239th Birthday, America!!!

"...proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof..." (Leviticus 25:10)

Happy Independence Day, Everyone!!! And Happy Birthday, America! ♥

Independence Day 2013

Four of our children were able to join us yesterday for an afternoon of Independence Day fun. Here are a few shots of our family....





 

Homemade Kansas City Style Barbeque Sauce

I found (and made) this recipe for Kansas City Style Barbeque Sauce and it is THE best!!! From now on I will be making my own!


HOMEMADE KANSAS CITY STYLE BARBECUE SAUCE

1 1/3 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup tomato paste
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup molasses (unsulfered)
2 tsp all natural hickory or mesquite liquid smoke (Colgin)
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp chili powder

In a large saucepan combine all the ingredients and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes stirring occassionally. Let cool and store in the fridge until ready to use. Makes 2 cups + 2 tbsp.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Happy Independence Day 2011

"...proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof..." (Leviticus 25:10)

Happy Independence Day, Everyone!!! And Happy Birthday, America! ♥

Another Cool And Easy Treat On A Hot Day

Jell-O Cake! And, oh! So easy to make! Bake a white cake according to package directions. While cake is still warm from the oven, and using the round end of a wooden spoon, poke holes, spacing them about an inch apart, all over the top of the cake. After cake is completely cool, mix one cup of hot water with whatever flavor of Jell-O brand gelatin you prefer (we like blueberry or strawberry). When gelatin is completely dissolved, add one cup cold water, and stir thoroughly. Ladle gelatin mixture over top of cake, making sure a little goes down into every hole. Top cake with one envelope of Dream Whip whipped topping mix, made according to package directions. Refrigerate cake until ready to serve.

A Holiday Tradition At Our Home

Red, white, and blue Jell-O! Cool...delicious...and so easy to make! Simply make up a box or two each of blueberry and cherry or strawberry flavored Jell-O, and let set for a few hours or overnight until set. Then, layer in clear cups, with a layer of Cool Whip in between. Viola!

Hooray For The Red, White, And Blue

Celebrate America's greatness by trying some of the following ideas this 4th of July:

*Have a backyard barbecue and invite over your neighbors or extended family.

*Have a blast at your picnic by putting out table crackers, which look like giant firecrackers, but are actually tubes filled with treats. Save cardboard from paper towel rolls, and cover the tubes with red tissue paper. Before sealing both ends, fill with such things as printed out patriotic sayings, small red, white, and blue toys, foil-wrapped candies, or other treats (use your imagination). Seal ends, adding a piece of gold starred and glittered wire garland on top for fuse.

*Layer pre-made blueberry Jell-O, Cool Whip Topping, and strawberry or cherry Jell-O in clear Solo cups. Top with a dollop of Cool Whip. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

*Put a patriotic spin on party games. For example, pin the name of an American icon on the back of each guest's shirt. Choose important people, places, symbols…even quotes found throughout our country's early history. For example…Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Francis Scott Key, Paul Revere, Patrick Henry, Philadelphia, Boston, the Old North Church, Constitution Hall, the American eagle, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, "One if by land and two if by sea!", "Give me liberty or give me death!", "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.", etc. Each guest goes around and asks questions of the others, obtaining clues until they guess correctly who, or what, they are. Get creative with your selections and have fun!

*Give small children large pieces of bubble wrap to stomp on. When they stomp…it sounds like firecrackers going off. The kids love it and…just think…no mess, no smell, and no danger!

*Plant red, white, and blue flowers in your flowerbeds and window boxes. Things like petunias, impatiens, salvia, alyssum, and ageratum work well. If you have enough space, and the ambition, plant them to resemble a flag!

*Fly your flag!

*Make Minuteman Ice Cream Sandwiches by spooning ½ cup vanilla ice cream between 2 chocolate wafer cookies. Roll edges in red, white, and blue sprinkles. Freeze until serving.

*Attend parades and local firework displays in your area.

*Make an American Berry No Bake Cheesecake. (Prep time 15 minutes plus refrigerating.)

2 packages (8 oz. Each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1/3-cup sugar

2 Tbsp. Lemon juice

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping thawed, divided

1 graham cracker piecrust

strawberry halves and blueberries

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2 cups of the whipped topping. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. Spread Cool Whip on top. Arrange berries in rows to resemble flag.