Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity. Margaret D. Nadauld
Looking for a refreshing mock tail for the 4th? Something to whet your whistle while you watch the fireworks? Sparkling fruit juice is a perfect solution
Club soda, seltzer or ginger ale
Blue berries
Strawberries
Pineapple cut in star shapes (or just pineapple, period)
Dash of sugar
Put the fruit in a glass, add ice
Pour soda over it.
Serve
Drink
Enjoy
Every year, we get invited to the neighborhood cookout. The food is divided up by last name. by that measure, this year its dessert time. I am sure that there will be plenty of cake, ice cream and other confectionary delights. I decided to make a fruit tray as a healthier (but still tasty) alternative.
I sliced up strawberries and bananas and laid them out in stripes. In the corner, I put blueberries and voila! A fruit flag.
I made a tulle skirt for March for Babies a few years ago, and that started an obsession for me. I now need them (no really NEED) for the 5k’s I participate in. I run, very slowly, and am not going to break any records. I go out there and have fun. Hence, the skirt, which adds to the fun for me.
There is a free 5k every year on the 4th of July in downtown Sioux Falls, which kicks off the festivities. I had to make a patriotic skirt for this one, since I now have a growing collection (purple & white for march for babies, pink & white for the race against breast cancer & the race for the cure, plain white for the color run & color vibe, glow in the dark for the electric glow run…you get the picture).
I wear the skirt over my running pants, and depending on the weather and race course, compression socks.
For a patriotic contribution to my collection, I needed:
1 spool white glitter tulle
1 spool red tulle
1 spool blue tulle
Thin ribbon to go around my waist and tie
Measure waist. Add 6 inches to tie it. Mark off the tie areas. (I use a paper clip)
Cut ribbon.
Measure the length you want the skirt to be. I like mine right about the knees. Add 2 inches for the knot
Cut tulle strips. I use the whole roll for each. The more tulle strips, the fuller the skirt.
Knot tulle strips to the ribbon.
Wear your skirt and run your race
I love the 4th of July. It’s always been one of my favorite holidays. It’s the middle of summer. There are parades and fireworks. Cookouts. Family time. Red, white and blue.
Now that my son is older, he isn’t as willing to make crafts with me as he was a few years ago. In fact, there are times I have to bribe him into it, since he is ahem, a middle schooler. You know, all grown up and stuff.
That doesn’t stop me from trying.
Since he was little, we make a handprint flag t-shirt every year for the 4th.
Its super easy-blue handprint for the corner and red paint stripes, that’s it.
This year, our 4th of July celebration is going to be a bit more subdued.
My husband is still battling cellulitis. Right now, he still has to go to the hospital for twice daily infusions, which are exhausting.
He is slowing recovering, but its frustrating for him to be limited in what he can and can’t do physically. My mother is currently working on rebuilding her strength in a focused rehab offered by a local nursing home.
I am trying to preserve some sort of summer fun for my kiddo.
He and I will go to our city’s parade, and the fireworks that night.
Depending on the weather, we may go to the pool
or just hang out at home. In between all of that, I am a caregiver as well. This year, I don’t think we will be grilling since my BBQ King is laid up.
Instead, we will be having firecracker franks
1 package crescent rolls
1 package hot dogs
1 oz Queso fresco cheese, crumbled
1/2 c tomato sauce
½ tsp red pepper flakes
¼ c chopped green chilies
Preheat oven to 375. Unroll the crescents into triangles on a baking sheet. Mix tomato sauce, red pepper and chilies together. Brush onto crescent rolls. Crumble cheese over top. Roll hot dogs into crescent, starting at the widest point. Bake 15-20 minutes.
*if you want to get really festive, you can brush the rolled up crescent rolls with food coloring before baking, turning them red, white and blue!
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| my inspiration, from http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ |
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| photo from http://www.kaboose.com/ |
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| http://www.tinkerlab.com/ |
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| photo from google images |
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| photo from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
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| from google images |
