I hope you all had a great Independence Day! We enjoyed some “safe” entertaining over the weekend which gave me a fun reason to decorate a little. Nothing too fussy–just flags, flowers, and chalkboards!
White crepe myrtles and flags tucked in blue and white vases were just enough!
I added flags and patriotic ribbon to old wreaths. Pretty simple!
This one is in the front hall by my front door. I snatched the blue bow from my lemon wreath.
And this one sits on my mantle.
The night before the 4th, we had some friends over for hot dogs and fireworks! Most of our time was going to be spent outside so we cleaned up the backyard and put out a few festive pieces.
Recently, a friend brought me a sack full of tablecloths that don’t fit her new kitchen table. Lucky for me, they fit my kitchen table and my picnic table! Isn’t this striped one so cute!
I used to have this chalkboard attached to a wall in my kitchen, but the last time I took it down to give it a fresh coat of paint, I decided to keep it down so it can be moved around to wherever the party is. Barney moves around to wherever the party is too….unless there are fireworks at the party, and then he’s running to hide!!
The meal was kept pretty simple: hot dogs, chips, watermelon, and s’mores.
After eating, we enjoyed s’mores, looking through the telescope, lots of play time for the kiddos, and Crazy Joel’s fireworks! What fun!
The next evening was actually the 4th so we knew there would be many more fireworks in our neighborhood. Some neighbor friends of ours walked down to watch with us from our drive. Since we’d already used up all of our fireworks the night before, I put out sparklers, silly string, glow crowns, flags, and Bomb Pops for the kids.
Okay, the Bomb Pops were for the grown ups too. They are a tradition with fireworks!
My friend is a wonderful photographer and she took the photo below on her husband’s phone!
On Sunday, we had our traditional BBQ meal. Joel’s mom had given him his dad’s smoker recently, which we were thrilled to receive! He smoked a brisket so we invited his mom to eat it with us. I was hoping to enjoy this meal in picnic style on the patio, but the heat and humidity were too much, so I moved the picnic to the dining room.
The brisket was delicious!! I can not wait for him to make it again! We also prepared baked beans, potato salad, antipasta salad, watermelon, and my MIL brought deviled eggs. Yum! I also had slaw that I forgot about!
It’s been a tradition since my girls were very little to make a flag cake on the 4th! Not every single year, but most years. We use Ina Garten’s recipe and it’s our fave. It’s almost like a pound cake! And that cream cheese icing with the berries–soooo good! This year my younger daughter made it from start to finish, and I just ate it!! Not a bad deal for mom!
Thank you so much for stopping by my little blog! Have a blessed day!
We love your blog and look forward each time. Although we don’t see y’all often we think of you and pray for you. Awesome parents, kiddos with beautiful hearts beaming a Christ centered life. Hope to see y’all as soon as this Covid is over. 🙏❤️🙏
You are too, tooo kind! Thank you so much for those generous words and thank you also for reading my blog. It’s very humbling to think that anyone would be interested; I just want it to be an encouragement to others. We love and miss y’all too! Lots of catching up to be done when this is over!!!