The Beach

The epitomy of summer. 

The sights. 

The sounds.

The movement. 

The mix of warm and cool.

The enticing welcome. 

Summer.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!

Americana Baseballs

When I was young, I learned a song about being American, and one of the lines was "What's more American that Baseball?"  For some reason, Baseball is associated with Independence Day for me.  I love the way these baseballs look all paitned to look like flags.  I may have to do this some day.  What a great use for old baseballs!  Love it.

Via {Better Homes & Gardens}

Red White and Blue Drinks

I am so in love with these awesome non-alcoholic drinks I saw on {Moore Minutes}! 

Aren't they just the coolest!!?  She says she got the idea at {The Sister's Cafe} and seriously, possibilities are endless!!  What a great party idea!

Wall of Glory

Loving this wall of flags.  Seen at {Apartment Therapy}.

The Pledge of Allegiance

So sad.  I don't remember where I found this.  But, I love it.  Just a wooden plaque painted white and sanded around the edges, with stickers or rub ons or really good handwriting of the Pledge of Allegiance, with three little stars at the bottom.  Simple, and very cute.  AND, I really like proclaiming this pledge that is often unused today in a world where God is not always recognized.

Flag Wreath

I really like this.  I think I like it so much because it reminds me of one of those nautical inner tubes.  Super cute, and super easy.  Just wrapping yard around a pre-made wreath, and attaching some stars.  Visit {Nap Time Crafts} for details.

Patriotic Cake

Doesn't this look Delish!!  And it's so festive!  Visit {Unusual to Tasty} for the recipe.

Rag Flag

Cute idea!  Make a rag quilt flag.  You can get the pattern at {Americana Patterns}

20 Ways to Play with Pool Noodles

I saw this post on {Design Dazzle} and thought it had a lot of fun summer ideas!!  My favorite was this race track built out of a pool noodle. :)

Happy Birthday America!

Whenever I look at this picture, I just think "What is more American than that?"

May your day be filled with wonderful Patriotism and Americana!

Flower Flag

The moment I saw this potterybarn image, posted about {here}, I fell in love with that carnation flag decoration!

So much so that I immediately began my plans for recreating it.  It looked simple enough, and boy was it ever! 

All it took was a shallow rectangle basket, a foam board, and a bunch of patriotic carnations. 

I just stuck em into the board in the pattern of a flag. 

Oh, and I guess I used some small white flowers as stars.  Those are hot glued onto the blue carnations. 

All in all, I'm super happy with it! 

I used fake flowers so I could pull it out year after year, but I'm sure it's even more stunning with real carnations!

American Fillers

I seriously think this is SUCH a cute idea!  Fill a vase with patriotic beans! haha. 

Cheap, and easy!  Check out {Mushki Loves} for even more great ideas!

Along these same lines, you could also make them edible:

Check out these edible firecrackers from {Moore Minutes} made using dried cranberries and blueberries, and yogurt covered raisins.  Healthy to boot!

4th of July Party Ideas

Love this sweet and simple Patriotic Party.

Cute idea to serve red, white and blue Jones sodas!

I love the diasies, too!!  And those star cupcake toppers are adorable!  Look at all the fun things you can make!! 

I love this cute and healthy flag snack! 

And seriously, is this not the cutest idea ever!!?  I love it!!!

{Lisa Storms} is so clever! 

And here's another cute idea I picked up somewhere.

Red, white and blue strawberries!

Just dip them in white chocolate followed by blue sprinkles.

So cute!

Patriotic Pillows

Don't you just love the way these look!!?  Visit {Crafting Chicks} for the tutorial.

Watermelon Pie

Looking at this just makes my mouth water!  I saw it on {Make and Takes} and had to post the recipe here for safe keeping.

Ingredients:

- Lime Sherbet
- Vanilla ice cream or Pineapple sherbet
- Red/Pink-colored sherbet
- mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. For each flavor, you’ll let the sherbet/ice cream soften for a few minutes before using. The red sherbet should be mixed with the mini chocolate chips.

2. Use a round springform pan. You may want to line the bottom of the pan with wax paper or parchment paper if you plan to transfer the entire “pie” to another dish before serving. I served the slices on plates straight out of the freezer, so I didn’t line the pan. It’s actually cuter sliced!

3. Starting with lime, spread a ring of sherbet around the edge of the springform pan – about 2 inches high (or taller if you want!), and about 1-2 inches wide from the outside edge of the pan.

4. Put pan in freezer to harden lime layer.

5. Repeat step 3 with the vanilla, but make the layer much thinner – maybe 1/2 inch. Use a butter knife to flatten the top, even-ing out the lime with the vanilla. Put pan in freezer to harden again.

6. Repeat step 3 with the red/chocolate chip sherbet. Fill the rest of the pan, then use a butter knife to flatten the top. Freeze!

7. When it’s time to eat, run a knife around the edge of the pan before popping off the outside of the springform pan. Use a nice thin-blade knife to slice.

Yum!!





Lovely Lakeside

Late summer always reminds me of lakes....or lakes always remind me of late summer.

They go hand in hand.

Living by a lake, you could have a dining area on your own private dock... 

Perfect for those lazy nights...after boating all day.

You could decorate it with twinkle lights...

Living by a lake would be so great, wouldn't it?

You could have a dock of your own...complete with a seating area on the end.  Doesn't that just scream late summer?! 

Yes.  Yes, it does.

Happy Camper Scavenger Hunt

Love this idea from {The Creative Homemaker}

What a great way to entertain kids while they're camping or any other time, too!!

Flag Food

Treats aren't the only thing you can make in the image of a flag.

How about these cute little fruit kababs found {here}

Fun taco salad idea...or bean dip found at {Taste of Home}

I'm really loving this pizza idea from the same site, above...I'd maybe do olives for the stars...  You could eat flags all day! 

Happy 4th~!

Flag Treats

I saw this cute little cake last year on {Crafting Chicks}

I think the sparklers just make it pop, don't you!!?

Check out their blog for the recipe.

I do this every year, but I made a {fruit pizza} in the form of a flag.  I have a very good recipe, I might add, and I use banana's as white the stripes, so it looks more like this:

 

It's a hit, every time!!

Here's another cute idea where everyone gets some of the blueberries.  (that's always been a problem with my flag cakes)  Find the recipe {here} or just use this picture as inspiration for decorating your cupcakes or cookies. :)