4th of July...

Old Traditions and Some New

I've never done much as far as decorating for the little celebratory days, like the 4th.  I decided to give it a try.  A bit of my "quick, let's throw something together, boys, because tomorrow's the day" decor.

Found the subway art on pinterest.   The white chimneys are from Gold Canyon.  The red glass is something from mom.  Sadly, I don't remember the story.  Mom, if you are reading, please refresh my memory! 

The star-studded candle holder is from Gold Canyon, too (it's called the Changing Seasons candle holder, just in case you're interested).  The other things were quickly made in my craft room and throw-togethers.  Maybe next year I'll get the cloth ironed.  Maybe not...

The back patio this year is a mess.  So many things I wanted to do with it and it just didn't happen. I did manage to fill a couple of pots with patriotic colors, thanks to the help of JoJo and Mouse.  We planted these before Memorial Day.  And they haven't died yet due to the heat!  Although they did get pretty close to it once or twice.  I think I could hear their sighs of relief and thank-you when I drowned them with water from the hose.  Just before turning it on the boys!

A favorite turtle from my mom.  He look so cute sitting with the potted plants.  I love the simple grin on his face.

Hubby will grill steak tonight for supper.  I just got it in its marinade.  What a delicious marinade it is!  A good friend shared it with me years ago and we've been enjoying it on chicken and steak ever since.  Also on the menu: a mix of salad greens, some of which will be from my garden (!); baked beans; french herb bread from the bread machine.  The phrase "as American as apple pie" popped into my head this morning.  So I thought it would be appropriate to bake an apple pie to enjoy as well.  I decided this would become a new tradition for our family.  Any tradition that fills the tummys of my guys is a good tradition!

Hubs and the Boyos just returned from their second visit to the local firework stand in as many days.  That is an old tradition.  Every year they stock up on noise makers and they giggle and run and attempt to blow up unwanted toys.  I enjoy the fun they have.  As a kid I remember having snaps and black snakes once in a while.  Sparklers were a yearly tradition, as I think they are for everyone.  But actually setting off firecrackers was something my brother and I never did as kids.  Maybe it was not permitted in our neighborhood.  That's a possibility!  I do remember seeing big nighttime displays with family or friends.  At least they seemed big.  Everything seems big when you're a kid, though, doesn't it?  Whatever the tradition, it's always fun.

We talked around the lunch table today about celebrating the 4th.  The little boys did not know that our country is the only one to celebrate the 4th of July.  What a good teaching opportunity!  They found it kind of cool.  Happy Birthday to the US of A!

Happy Easter

Thought my poor blog needed a little cheering up. 

Happy Easter all!

Mouse and JoJo watch the magic happen, as if they'd never seen it before.

Our eggs soak in the pretty colors the way I like to soak up the warm sunshine in the spring.  I love to sit on the back patio and feel the warmth of it penetrate every sun deprived pore in my body...ahhhhh!

 Bud is our scientist.  He wanted to know what would happen if he drew on the egg with a sharpie marker first, then dunked it.  Mr. Egg looks pretty happy in his green bath!

 

Silly string in the Easter basket makes for a good time!  Messy, but what boy doesn't love a mess.

And last, but not least, here's my pretty Easter table.

The tulips are from my yard.  They stand in a bottle that once held Starbuck's iced coffee.  I have tealights sitting in cups on top of purple grass.  The china dishes are my mother's.  I love a pretty table.  I don't know if the men in my house appreciate it as much as I do, but I know they love me for the efforts I make in turning our house into a home.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day has never been a big deal in our home.  I decided to start changing that this year.  Not that it needs to be a "big deal", but I do want to observe it.  I've read about St. Valentine this year, here and there, catching bits and pieces off of blogs and the internet.  And it got me to thinking about the tremendous amount of love that has been shown throughout history.  Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways and sometimes in ways that weren't even known to the receiver.  Love shown in secret, more or less.  I want my boyos to know more about giving love to others.  We receive the love of Christ and they know that.  I want them to know more about sharing that love with others.  There are so many ways to do that.  In big and boisterous ways like wrestling on the living room floor. 

In small ways like homemade cinnamon rolls to share with others, and watching them enjoy!

 In secret ways like praying for a loved one who might be lonely. 

I saw a lot of ideas around Christmas time for "Random Acts of Kindness".  That might be something I incorporate into my new observance of Valentine's Day next year. 

Our Valentine's Day this year saw a few decorations around the house.  Vases filled with conversation hearts and tealight candles on top, a beautiful pink cyclamen in the window, paper doilies on the table to create a last minute runner, the good china at suppertime. 

Who knows if any of this meant anything to the boys.  But I've started something.  Something I hope will continue.  A simple observance of love.  Love that was first shown to us and that we can graciously show to others.
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And here is Mouse's Valentine monster he made for school to hold his valentines.  Do you remember making these boxes and bags?  I sure do.  It was Mouse's idea to make the teeth out of hearts.  We glued them to the inside of the box lid.  Cute huh?  We shared a lot of love working on this box together!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!