Patriotic Napkin Rings

via Martha Stewart Living, July 2007

Add a splash of patriotism to Independence Day place settings with our red, white, and blue napkin rings. The intricate accessories are simple to create.

All you need is colorful grosgrain ribbon, a handful of  buttons, fabric glue, and some covered elastic. 

To make the rings stand out, loop them around solid-colored napkins, such as the cobalt-blue linen ones we selected.

Napkin Ring How-To

You will need a 15-inch-long piece of 1/2-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon for each napkin ring. To begin, make a series of 1/2-inch accordion folds in the ribbon, holding them in place as you go. Push a threaded needle with a 1-inch tail through the gathered folds, along the bottom edge. Holding on to both ends of the thread, carefully slide the folds into the shape of a circle. Before closing the circle, tie the ends of the thread into a knot, snipping off any excess. Glue the ends of the ribbon together with fabric glue to create a full circle with a small hole in the middle. Thread 4 inches of covered elastic through 2 holes of a button, and tie the ends into a knot. Glue the button to the center of the bottom side of the burst.

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Happy Flag Day

Happya FlagaDay

I am the flag of the United States of America. I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.
My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.
My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.
My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people, for the people."
I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.
Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.
I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.

Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.
Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.
Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.
God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as "Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America.
                                                                    ~written by Melanie

Fly your Flag!

********************************

The American Flag:

source

Continental Colours
(Top left)

This 1776 flag reflects the sentiments of our forefathers: The British Union Jack acknowledged the colonies' origins; the stripes, their emerging independence.
Stars and Stripes
(Top right)
The Flag Resolution of 1777 specified that there should be one star for each state but did not specify configuration. Each flagmaker arranged the stars to his or her liking.

Star-Spangled Banner
(Bottom left)
Two stars and stripes were added in 1795 in recognition of Vermont and Kentucky. This version inspired the Francis Scott Key poem that became our national anthem.
Grand Old Flag
(Bottom right)
In 1912, President William Taft approved the first detailed standards for flag proportions. This flag, with 48 stars, was official until 1959 -- the longest-flying version.

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Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing you a

Happy Memorial Day!

Enjoy a relaxing day with family and loved ones♥ 

 How blessed we are to have our freedom♥

Please Vote

via Jones Design Company

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Patriotic Trifle

Patriotic Trifle published in Simple & Delicious July/August 2007, p15

Ingredients

• 1 package (3 ounces) berry blue gelatin
• 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup cold water
• 2 cups cold whole milk
• 2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
• 1 pint fresh blueberries
• 1 quart fresh strawberries, quartered
• 1 prepared angel food cake (8 to 10 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes

Directions

• In two small bowls, combine each gelatin flavor with 1 cup boiling water. Stir 1/2 cup cold water into each. Pour each into an ungreased 9-in. square pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
• In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in 2 cups whipped topping.
• Set aside 1/4 cup blueberries and 1/2 cup strawberries for garnish. Cut the gelatin into 1-in. cubes. In a 3-qt. trifle bowl or serving dish, layer the strawberry gelatin, half of the cake cubes, the remaining blueberries and half of the pudding mixture.
• Top with blue gelatin and remaining cake cubes, strawberries and pudding mixture. Garnish with reserved berries and remaining whipped topping. Serve immediately. Yield: 16-20 servings.

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Red, White and Blue Bunting

Patriotic Bunting for the 4th

Ignite your Fourth of July festivities with a fresh stars and stripes theme. We played out our patriotic style by updating traditional bunting with crisp polka-dot and stripe fabrics, then covered cushions in more stripes and checks to amplify the fun. Here’s how you can make your own bunting.

What you'll need: Fabrics in red, white, and blue. (For a bunting to fit a 72-inch wide window opening, you'll need 3-1/3 yards of fabric in each color.) Spring-loaded tension rod To make the bunting: 1.      Measure the width of the window or other opening where you plan to hang your bunting. This will be the total width for your bunting, and the drop will be half the width measurement. (Example: 72 inches wide divided by 2 = 36 inch drop.) To determine yardage, multiply the drop measurement by 3-1/4 + 2 extra inches to finish ends. Example:  36 x 3-1/4 = 117 + 2 = 119. So for this width, you will need 3-1/3 yards of fabric (119 divided by 36 = 3-1/3 yards).    2.      You will cut a total of 5 strips of fabric for bunting: two red, two white, and one blue. To determine the width of each strip of fabric, divide 5 into the drop measurement, add 1 inch to each white and blue strip of fabric for seam allowances, and add 1-1/2 inch to each of the two red outside strips for seam allowances and hem/finishing. (Example: 36-inch drop divided by 5 = 7-1/4 + 1 = 8-1/4 inch width strips for both white and blue fabrics.  36-inch drop divided by 5 = 7-1/4 + 1-1/2 = 8-3/4 inch width strips for red fabrics.) Cut out strips.   3.     Sew strips together in color sequence as per photo using 1/2-inch seam allowances. Clean finish or serge the seams. Narrow hem the bottom edge of one of the red strips.   4.       Mark the center of the top red strip of fabric and box-pleat toward center about 5 times to take up the fullness. Gather the pleated fabric at center, if needed, to take up more fullness, keeping piece smooth.    5.      Rod Pocket:  Cut a strip of red fabric to encase the spring tension rod, adding 1 inch for seam allowances. Encase raw ends of top of bunting/pleating into the rod pocket.     6.      Insert pressure rod into casing for hanging. *Option: Add grommets along casing for hanging.

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Tuesday Tip - Fly those Flags!

Today is Flag Day!

via Country Living

Flag Etiquette

Here are some tips to make sure your tribute is a respectful one: 

-Display the flag only between sunrise and sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs. The flag may be displayed for twenty-four hours if illuminated in darkness.
- Do not display the flag in inclement weather.
- Whether displaying the flag vertically or horizontally, make sure the canton of stars is visible on the upper left-hand side.
- Do not let the flag touch the ground.
- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- Before flying a flag at half-staff, hoist to its peak for an instant before lowering it.
- When displayed against a wall with another flag, their staffs crossed, the American flag should be on the right of the other flag (on the viewer's left), with its staff on top of that of the other flag.
- When flags of states, cities, or localities are flown on the same halyard with the United States flag, the national flag should always be at the top. No other flag should be placed above, or if on the same level, to the flag's right.
- When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be flown from separate staffs of equal height. The flags should be of approximately equal size.
- When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle, the canton should be placed at the peak of the staff.
- An unusable flag that is damaged and worn and can no longer be displayed should be destroyed in a dignified way by burning.
- When not on display, the flag should be respectfully folded into a triangle, symbolizing the tricorn hats worn by colonial soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

 

This porch displays red, white, and blue bunting (the fabric that flags are made from) that has been tacked to the eaves and tied with ribbon at the bottom. The trios of small flags are held up by aluminum brackets.

via Country Living

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Patriotic Place Setting

via Country Living

napkin holder

Newspaper's faded tones lend these projects vintage appeal. This hat is brightened by a glittery rosette, a blue band trimmed with pinking shears, and a simple name banner in a bold typeface.

GLUE TIP: When working with crepe paper, use a glue stick or transfer tape. Liquid glue can cause colors to run.

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Happy Birthday America!

To celebrate the   4th of July,  Pineapple Hill  is having a "Star Spangled Sale" 15% off entire purchase for the next 4 Days. Use Coupon Code: liberty  valid: 4/4 - 4/8

                                                                                                                  

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A Patriotic Breakfast

 Happy 4th of July!

Need an idea for breakfast ........ 

Berry Streusel Pankcakes

via Family Kitchen

Wake up your breakfast routine with a plate of pancakes packed with fresh berries, topped with a sweet, butter streusel crumble. This recipe begins with a basic Bisquick pancake mix, but is quickly transformed into pure heaven with the addition of a few basic ingredients. The streusel adds a soft crunch and great texture, and since it contains a bit of butter, it also stands in for the heap of butter you might otherwise douse your pancakes in. If you’re looking for something new and out of the ordinary, this is one plate of pancakes you simply must try.

Berry Streusel Pancakes

2 1/2 cups Bisquick
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup each fresh blackberries and/or raspberries
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 tablespoons melted butter
In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups of the Bisquick, milk, eggs, and 1 cup of the berries. Heat a cast-iron skillet to medium heat and cook the pancakes until golden brown on both sides. In a small bowl, use a fork to combine the last 1/2 cup of Bisquick, the powdered sugar, and the melted butter together until a crumbly streusel results.
Serve pancakes with topped with streusel and whole berries and real maple syrup.

and for next year how about......

Red Velvet Pancakes 

 w/Whipped Cream &  

Blueberries

via Family Kitchen

What you’ll need:
1 box of red velvet pancake mix {+ ingredients}
found HERE
whipped cream
fresh blueberries
maple syrup – optional
What to do:
1. Mix pancake mix according to package directions.
2. Spray a griddle with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Place approximately 2-3 tablespoons of batter onto center of pan and cook until pancake edges start to bubble. Using a spatula, carefully flip pancake and cook approximately 1-2 minutes until pancake is cooked through. Continue until you have desired amount of pancakes.
3. Top with whipped cream, fresh blueberries and maple syrup if desired.