July 5th ?

Because we were invited to a friend's home for the Fourth, we had our family celebration today. After a wonderful patriotic church service we had a relaxing afternoon.  I threw together some red, white and blue linens and dishes.  It's really not too difficult at my house, since these are the colors I usually use.  You can tell I didn't put a lot of creativity into this table.  But, it was definitely festive.  

My husband enjoyed these 3-D glasses that I got from work.  They are for watching the fireworks.  Unfortunately, we didn't get to watch fireworks this year.  Isn't he a good sport for letting me take a picture of him?  I didn't promise not to post it.  He didn't ask.  

He took a picture of the lights over my island through the glasses.  This is what you see.  They're fun for big and little kids.  

My husband loves to watch movies to commemorate holidays.  For Independence Day it is The Patriot.  Independence Day is on at the moment.  I think he's watching.  He also found the XM Station that played patriotic music today.  It was a very interesting mix of music.  I'm certain I've never heard some of them before.  One of them was something about an American Cowboy.  

We had cheeseburgers and homemade potato chips.  DH got baked beans.  No thank you.  The chip recipe is from Ina Garten.  They are delicious.  They are Rori's Potato Chips from Barefoot Contessa PARTIES!  I could've made more food, but we couldn't have eaten it.  It's just all too much.

We made homemade ice cream and firecrackers just like last year.  

I used some "sparkler" candles.  You can't see the sparks, but they were very entertaining.  We tried to see who could hold on to theirs the longest.  I won.  

I hope you made special memories this Independence Day.

Happy Independence Day

Detroit Target Fireworks, originally uploaded by mandj98.

Happy Independence Day Everyone. Be safe and enjoy your friends and family!  Click on this great photo to see the entire thing.  I can't fix the problem for some reason.  

I Heart Red

{country living}

{coastal living}

{coastal living}

{southern living}

Some Red, Some Blue

{country living}

There doesn't have to be any red for a patriotic setting. The star is a very simple, but very effective design element.  I think that's the right effect/affect.  Now they both look strange.

{country living}

Maybe there doesn't have to be any blue either for that matter.  This may not be patriotic, but its beautiful! Okay, so it's not patriotic.  

{country living}

A subtle nod to the nautical with black and red.  

{country living}

Love this!

How is it that some people find just the perfect thing for that spot that needs something?  Does that make sense?  I think it definitely helps to live in the same house forever.  When you move, nothing fits where it was originally intended. 

{coastal living}

Crisp, bright and beachy and the blue leaning toward aqua.

{Country Home}

Country Home gives instructions for making this bunting.  

Hmmm, where could I put a porch swing? I love it in blue.

Patriotic Decor

I found some more patriotic inspiration.

{country home}

This photo reminds me of Martha's Vineyard.  It may very well be.

{country living}

I know, there's no blue.  But it's so cozy. 

The biggest investment would be to paint the floors.

I love the framed hankie.  I actually did a similar thing in my DD2's former bedroom.  It looks like the bedspread is made out of a vintage tablecloth.  It's fabulous!

{last four photos, coastal living}

I love a bright and cheery kitchen.  Funny that mine isn't so bright and cheery.  I really wanted a red kitchen, but the tile and granite choices I made in such a flurry didn't work with that idea.  So, I use red as accents.  Can you tell I like red?

Going Home

If anyone actually consistently reads my blog you know that recently I had to go home for some scary reasons. See why here. Home is Kansas City. Those who are familiar with KC know to ask whether I'm from the Kansas or Missouri side. If you're from there, that's an important question. Each region/county has it's pride. I recently found a nice article from Country Living about Kansas City. I haven't been to all their suggested locations, but personally recommend several of their suggestions and more.  The photo above is one of the famous fountains by the Country Club Plaza.  Our first date was on the Plaza 30 years ago on June 24th.  I know, it's crazy that I remember that.  My husband was not a big spender that night.  It didn't matter.  I was just taken with him.  He has since made up for that many times.

Many husbands (mine especially) would be interested in a baseball game at the beautiful Kaufman Stadium to watch the Kansas City Royals. Even if they don't usually win, it's a fun evening.  There could also be a fun day for the family at Worlds of Fun. Lawrence, KS is home to KU and is a fun college town with good restaurants, antiques and shops. Say hello to my DD1 and SIL for me.  

{Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium, originally uploaded by TeresaHsu.}

Country Living mentioned some wonderful shops and antique malls but failed to mention two of the best shops in the area, Curious Sofa and Mary Carol Garrity's stores, Nell Hill's, Garrity's and Nell Hill's at Briarcliff Village.

You absolutely cannot go to Kansas City without eating some BBQ.  There are many to choose from, but my favorite is Fiorella's Jack Stack.  The most interesting location is the downtown Freight House.  You can also order their yummy sauces and more online.  I recommend their cheesy corn bake and burnt ends.  Okay, this is making me hungry and it's only 9:00 a.m! 

I know there are many other fabulous places to visit in Kansas City.  These are a few to get you started.  Enjoy!

Am I A Quitter?

Last Christmas when we were at a party in Santa Monica I took the opportunity to visit Wild Fiber.  I didn't really have a plan as to what I wanted to buy until the night before.  It seems every Christmas when I attend business parties, I end up wishing for a dressy wrap for the cool evenings.  So, yet again, I think of these things when I need them instead of way before.  

I also like to challenge myself with something a little more difficult in each project, for the most part.  So, I chose this beautiful, soft lace wrap by Blue Sky Alpacas.  It's called the Rectangle Shawl.  It has a 10 row pattern and seems fairly simple.  

I bought this beautiful yarn by Twisted Sisters.  It is Petite Voodoo a silk and merino wool blend that is slightly variegated.    
I started it in March, I think.  And this is only as far as I have gotten.  I have had to start over several times.  I think I've taken out more than I've knitted.  You can see a problem here that I had to go back to.  For some reason, I just can't seem to stop making mistakes no matter how careful I think I am.  I am very frustrated.  At this rate, it won't be finished till Christmas of 2010.  
Maybe I should put it down and work on something else.  But then, it really won't get finished by Christmas.  Maybe I should go work on socks that I started and never finished.  This really isn't a habit of mine, really it isn't! Really.  Are you a quitter or do you stick with it till it's finished?  

Let it Wave

I thought I'd share some more July 4th inspiration.  These would be seriously easy to do.

{martha stewart}

{martha stewart}

{southern living, I think}

{martha stewart for sure}

More Red White and Blue

Here are more simple ideas for July 4th entertaining.  I actually have a dark blue colander that would be cute, though it's not old.  Hmmm.  The silverware organized with rubber bands is a fabulously simple idea.  Love it!  

{southern living}

I love this colander used as a flower pot.  

{southern living}

So simple and effective.  

Leave it to Pottery Barn to give us some cozy patio options.  Not sure where to come up with that cute anchor.  Do you suppose there is ever a rush on Ebay for things we spy in magazines and catalogs?  I bet there is.  The price of anchors just skyrocketed!  

Patriotic Bent

I've just gathered a few flags and strawberries.

Then I pulled out more blue china and glass.

{country living}

Country Living has instructions for these poppers and crowns here.  I should invite people over just so I can make these cute things.  

{country living}

I should be planning ahead for the festivities.  When we lived in the Midwest we'd go home where we could actually buy fireworks and use them in our own yards.  We don't have much family around now, so we need to find some friends that are alone for the Fourth.  I guess it would be good to first find out if I have to work. That would be a serious disappointment.  I'm thinking homemade ice cream is for sure.  You can see my favorite recipe here and the firecrackers that are an easy kid snack here.  My girls loved these and we made them for years.  They're SO easy.