Sunday Morning Sunshine: Happy Labor Day!

 I hope you have a wonderful, safe and Happy Day! 

Celebrate, enjoy, and give thanks! 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: 4th of July Celebration

 Let Freedom Ring

Amen!

Rambling Friday: July 4th Tidbits and a Recipe

I thought it would be fun to share some things about July 4th! 

Enjoy! 

* The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies.

* The average age of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence was 45. 

The youngest was Thomas Lynch, Jr (27) of South Carolina.  

The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin (70) of Pennsylvania. 

The lead author of The Declaration, Thomas Jefferson, was 33.

* The stars on the original American flag were in a circle

 so all the Colonies would appear equal.

Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird

but was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, 

who recommended the bald eagle.

 Every 4th of July the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped 

(not actually rung)

 thirteen times in honor of the original thirteen colonies.

And for fun, a great recipe you may enjoy this Fourth! 

Recipe:  

2 pkg (8 oz each) of cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup of sugar

2 Tbsp of lemon juice

1 tub (8 oz) of Cool Whip, thawed, divided

1 graham cracker crust pie shell lining

Strawberry halves for stripes

Blueberries for stars

Beat cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice in large bowl

 with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. 

Gently stir in 2 cups of Cool Whip.

Spoon into pie crust.

Refrigerate 3 hrs or until set.

Spread remaining cool whip over top.

Arrange berries in rows to resemble flag.

Enjoy! 

Happy July 4th! 

Rambling Friday: Christmas is Over!

We celebrated Christmas on December 24th this year. Our youngest son and his family couldn't be
here on Christmas eve or day, so our oldest son and a friend enjoyed a great meal and unwrapping gifts on December 24th.

You'd think Christmas was over, right?

Not so fast. For a person who LOVES Christmas, I don't let go until forced to by a forbearing hubby who finally (in February) insists that the live tree must go. Sigh.

So...with my devious mind (ha!), I made plans to enjoy another Christmas celebration this coming Saturday with both my sons present, another meal, laughing, unwrapping packages and whatever else we can cook up!

I began today making a new dessert. Ordering a coconut cream pie tomorrow, removing the frozen ham from the freezer tomorrow, and, hopefully, prepare more desserts tomorrow, along with finishing the wrapping a few more gifts.

To say the least, I'm certainly looking forward to Saturday, another day to be with family, be thankful Jesus came as a babe many years ago, and that, so far we're all fairly healthy.

And I figure, that as long as I keep Christmas in my heart--the real meaning of Christmas--then I can celebrate the season as long as I want. Sounds good to me! :)

How much do you love Christmas?

Have a blessed New Year!

What is Flag Day All About?

Today is Flag Day! 

• On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation establishing a national Flag Day on June 14. 

Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses. The day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

Do you know the flag's history? 

• According to American legend, in June 1776, George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, to create a flag for the new nation in anticipation of a declaration of its independence.

• On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He said, "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation." 

There have been twenty-seven official versions of the flag so far; stars have been added to it as states have entered the Union. The current version dates to July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state.''

Do you say the Pledge of Allegiance at your school, perhaps with your hand over your heart? Or sing "The Star Spangled Banner," the national anthem, before a baseball game? Many Americans sing, pledge, and pay respect to the flag, "Old Glory," as a symbol of the country's democracy and independence. Saluting the flag is a way to celebrate and honor the United States of America.

Happy Flag Day to you!

I'll Love You Forever!

What makes a true husband?

• kindness. All men should be kind both to humans and animals. A huge plus!
• polite. Who doesn't love a man who uses manners like it's second nature to him? 
• a born champion of the underdog. True, it can get him in trouble, but it doesn't stop him.
• knows his own mind. Yeah, I love a man who doesn't have to follow the crowd. 
• well dressed. And I'm not saying expensive clothes. I'm saying, a man who dresses well whether he's working or playing.
• confident. A man who can handle situations and who is trustworthy when needed..
• thoughtful, even when busy. Who thinks to write love notes, or pass out a compliment, who picks wildflowers and still holds my hand.

Hubby Brown, I still love you and will . . . forever and forever.

Happy anniversary!

Sunday Morning Peace: Our Declaration of Independence--Coming UP!

JUST REMEMBER!

OH, Say, Can you see,

by the dawn's early light . . .

Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;

Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land

Praise the power that hath made 

and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto:

"IN GOD IS OUR TRUST!"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,

O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

--Francis Scott Key

Just remember!

Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes: Holidays and Celebrations

Veteran's Day: time to salute our men and women who've served
A nice service honoring our veterans
That I can salute members of my own family who've served for me.
Remembrance.


That God has given me yet another opportunity to pass on a book to wonderful readers!
That Sabotaged Christmas is making it's debut appearance!
For all those who help: brainstormers, critique partners, readers, endorsers, reviewers, those who interview and invite me to guest post. Thank you!

Blessings!

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman Contest!

Celebrating the release of . . .

The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman!

(September, 2013)

May is Mothers month. Caralynne in The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, is a loving and caring mother. She feels like a nobody in lots of ways, but she adores her two remaining daughters.

So, tell me, in your own words:

What makes a good mother?

Who's been an influence in your life and why?

Doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate,

doesn't have to be a birth mother,

but it needs to catch my attention.

Bring tears to my eyes,

or laughter to my lips!

Touch my heart with your comments!

You might be the winner of this:

4-piece tumbled stone butterfly magnets
1 diecut three-layer notepad and pen
1 pack of sticky note folio
a set of six butterfly garden stone coasters
1 large gourmet bamboo cutting board

End date: May 31, 2013.

Blessings!