Preparations are underway for a
Stars & Stripes Salute for Indespendence Day~
a day with family enjoying food, fun, and fireworks!
We’re pulling out all the flags
for this High-Flying Holiday!
Excerpt from “I am the Flag” by Ruth Apperson Rous:
“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.”
Our Stars & Stripes celebration wouldn’t be complete without something sweet on the menu.
I had some left over Funfetti Cupcakes from my nephews’ visit.
I crumbled and layered them in a jar with red & blue frosting~
A great way to use cupcakes slightly past their peak of freshness, moistened and layered with whipped cream, pudding, frosting, or a combination of two or three!
Light a Sparkler and Serve~
Happy Birthday America!
Patriotic Pinwheels, Plates & Napkins / Kohl’s
Tray & Flatware / HomeGoods
Flag Pillow / World Market
However you celebrate, spend a few moments to remember and give thanks for our military men, women, and their families whose sacrifice and service allows us to live in freedom!
Wishing you a Safe and
Happy Independence Day!
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Metamorphosis Monday
Happy Independence Day to you Mary! Loving everything patriotic on your blog!
I hope you enjoy the week, Mary! I love your Funfetti cake in a jar with the sparklers. SO cute!!! :D
What a terrific way to use the cupcakes. Does each person get their own jar of sweetness or is it shared? I’m thinking about how many jars I have to collect!
Wonderful, Mary! Have a great time on the 4th!!!
Mary,
Looks as if the festivities are under way! Love the use of your red, white and blue decor. Pillow choices are gorgeous and the trayscape is stunning! Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July, dear friend!
Fondly,
Pat
Mary, this is terrific — more wonderful patriotic decorations!! Your pillows are so perfect, and the cupcakes-in-a-jar look yummy. :) I really like the round flag thingys; are they pinwheels? Everything looks great, as always, but I think my favorite is the BEAUTIFUL basket of red, white and blue flowers sporting the little American flags. Hooray for the red, white and blue!
Denise
Mary, looks like your lakeside party is ready to begin. This is a beautiful salute to America and the heros who serve our country. Makes me want to stand at attention.
Thanks for the good wishes this morning and the same back to you and your family as you celebrate the 4th. Cooler temps here the last few days and a spot of rain yesterday. ;-)
4th of July Hugs ~ sarah
Hi there, Mary! This is beautifully done, and I really love the mix of pillows. The profusion of flags makes it really festive!!!!! The cupcakes in a jar sounds really good, but my family scarfs everything up so there are never any leftovers! Oh, well! Have a safe and Happy 4th!
Happy Fourth of July to you too! Your post is beautiful and so wonderfully patriotic. I adore your red, white and blue presentation. The pillows are beautiful and the basket of flowers with the flags is gorgeous.
I have had a house full of company and have been taking some time off but I’m hoping to post again later in the week.
I understand it’s quite warm in your part of the country. I bet you will celebrate on the water or at lakeside.
I hope you all have a festive and safe Independence Day celebration.
Beautiful, patriotic and fun!
Mary…this 4th of July setting is so beautiful….I so love when you decorate the bench and table with the watering cans…so beautiful…love the cake in a jar!!…makes me smile!!…Have a wonderful and safe 4th!!!
Sparklers….that is so brilliant. Happy 4th Mary.
I love the cupcakes in a jar idea! A very festive post!
I am so crazy about that bench and your vignette is so totally the 4th, it is just fabulous. Love it all. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
hope you are keeping cool in your floating palace of red white and blue! i so adore your sparkler pics, i have not seen one since i was a kid, outlawed due to fire danger. we had a large one right across from us this weekend, we always stay home on the 4th, the fear of fire is to great from strangers, enjoy the water, fun and firewroks for us, happy holdiday and of course i always enjoy my visit deep in your fun and beauty~
Mary, everything is beautiful, as always. Love this patriotic post, especially the cupcake dessert with the sparkler!
Very pretty Mary! I always love these little settings on your porch, it’s such a cozy spot! Great round decorations too! Happy 4th of July Week-enjoy:@)
Simply spectacular Independence Day post!
Beautiful! I love the added sparkler for our countries celebration.
Dee
http://alapinlife.blogspot.com/
Beautiful Mary. Love the white bench pieces and your Independence Day decor. You have had so many stunning patriotic posts, I have enjoyed each and every one of them, you have so much talent to share with us.
It looks like you’re ready for the 4th. I LOVE sparklers and especially the way you used them on the Funfetti cupcake dessert. Hope you have a fabulous 4th.
Happy 4th! Love how festive this is – especially the sparklers!
Just amazing! I showed my husband your picture of the lit sparkler and told him “I love THAT!” He told me we can’t light sparklers because we live in S. California, and how we just had a fire a mile away this week, and that I would get in trouble with the fire department…I was disgusted by the time he was done….I just wanted him to oooh and aaaah…but he knows me and what I was thinking….I wanted my own sparkler! Hahahaha…
I love your blog, love your ideas and all you do. I’m amazed everytime I visit, and see what you have done! We must be soul sisters without meeting because I love all you do and create. Have a great 4th!
Blessings,
Debbie
Mary, This is such a fun, fun, fun post! You have so many very creative ideas here! I really hope to meet you someday! I would love to sit and just brainstorm together! Your images and creativity really connects with me!
Thanks for bringing the sparklers and sweetness to TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS!
I loved your patriotic post, Mary! I wish I had a bite of your beautiful jarred dessert right about now. Happy 4th!
Mary,
I just love the sparklers in the desserts. I see a few home -made flags there, so pretty. You have some of the best ideas for entertaining.
Happy 4th 2012.
Pat
Love it all! Come link up to Centerpiece Wednesday!
Karin
Lovely post with all of your very Patriotic accessories. The sparklers are great with the desserts. Love the basket.
Mary, I’m back! I love to sit lakeside and take in all your patriotic beauty. ;-)
Hope your 4th was filled with good times, good food, and lots of fireworks. ~ Sarah and Sadie
How fun. What a pretty setting and I love your “dazzling” dessert!
Your patriotic colors are a lovely sort! Great display on your porch!
What I like about your posts, Mary, is that you always use fresh flowers and great food along with special poems or songs that are so appropriate. Your vignette is stunning and a jump start to a great celebration. We are so blessed to live in a wonderful country and great heritage.
Your posts are always Tops!
Mary, Iam just going to say WOW, it is all great! I am going to try that cake.
You did so many wonderful things for the fourth! Wow. Your cake in a jar is adorable and the perfect finish! (Love your photos…)
Looks so festive! My gkids would love your dessert!
I remember sparklers from when I was a kid, now we can’t get them in NY.
They are killing us with laws and taxes. :(. I think that was what happened in 1776!
Thanks for linking your great post to Let’s Dish!
Hi Mary, I shared your site with my friend who is a Gold Star Mom, she loved it and we both appreciate your honor for our military. Thank you.
I love the confetti cake in the jar! Everything looks so patriotic!
Your ‘salute’ is wonderful. Love every red, white and blue detail!
Thanks for sharing,
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
PS-Would love to have you link this up to Saturday Sparks. Links open till Friday.
Love it all!! Did you make that flag pillow? It is perfect!!