STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER

Happy Fourth, Friends!

Just here to let you know that at 19 years old, I'm still terrified of fireworks. I had high hopes that this would be my year. No earplugs. No anxiety attacks. No hiding in the Laundry room with the puppies. Just me embracing the home of the brave stanza of the song and actually, going outside. 

Which I sort of did, so on second thought, this year was a mild success. I was outside and handled it semi-ok. Plus I didn't have waterproof mascara on so bursting into tears was not an option! Beauty is pain, or whatever they say.

Despite my aversion to loud noises, this was a very good fourth of July. Because any day that starts at Chick-Fil-A is going to be a good day, am I right or am I right?

PS: Previous 4th celebrations HERE.

TOP: Anthro

SKIRT: Shein.com

SHOES: WalMart 

(I'm a classy woman, yes.)

NEWS FLASH: Still scared of fireworks

I can't tell if this face is cute or more along the lines of "Omg I'm about to kill the neighbors because they bought everything in the freaking Phantom Fireworks store."

Your call.

TO A SPARKLY FIFTH

I tell you, there is nothing more depressing than a rainy 4th of July! Actually wait! The only thing more depressing than a rainy 4th is a rainy 4th with thunder and lighting . I mean, on the quintessential summer holiday, where picnics and sunscreen are required by unspoken law! Rain can really dampen the mood, if you know what I mean.

So on July 5th, the sparklers were lit. And on July 6th, a blog post was written!

I'm so glad I have my priorities straight.

As for the rest of you, hope your holiday was slightly less rainy and that you got your sparkler sparkle going ON the appropriate day. Or really either way, I hope you ate a hot dog in my honor!

BOOM. CLAP. THE SOUND OF MY HEART. 
(YOU CAN FINISH THE REST....)

A peek into 4th's past! {2011} {2012} {2013}

A very dry Fourth of July!

While telling a friends mom about my 4th of July habits which include a.) covering my ears b.) hiding under blankets c.) cowering in closets or d.)all of the above. And her response? "I've heard of dogs like that."

So yep, me and the dogs.

That's why this 4th of July was monumental! I was outside! All night! On a boat for that matter, so of course I really had nowhere to go. But then again, there was always the option of a swan dive into the river. However, after much internal debate I decided that a dive would mess up my hair, so I opted for the air dry fireworks view. And so what if I was a basket case....at least my hair still looked good.

And huge kudos to Emily for letting me use her camera for a bit since I was too lazy to bring mine. Nothing like an honest friendship right?

And now, some pictures of me looking like an alien/Frankenstein half breed. Sorry not sorry, I was desperate. Then again, maybe I should have revisited my swan dive plan?

and that kid's, is a Fourth of July well done. So happy I have this blogdidty to remember 4th of July's past. Kudos and Kit Kats to you!

(whatever.)

And a flashback to {2012} and {2011}

PS: And see Emily's 4th pics HERE.

Positions (and Ice Cream!)

 The fireworks just started, which means soon I'll be assuming my anual Forth of July position of hands over ears. It's also my movie theater and when motorcycles drive by pose. I do it to be cool. And I don't want to disappoint tonight!

We are the most unfestive people on the planet. We didn't wear red white or blue. We didn't go to a bbq, and we don't even have fireworks (although, not that I'm sad.) But I made Ice Cream! Which is very festive. Growing up we would always go to my grandparents for 4th of July and my grandpa always made ice cream. Lots of lemon velvet. I diverted onto a diffrent path...

Blackberry! I'm an ice cream rebel. It was delish - but not totally ice cream. More like melted-ice cream even though it's been in the freezer for 5 hours - ice cream. I still love it...whatever it was.

I love America. I love it's values and freedom and I'm SO blessed to live here. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. The more I learn about our founders and what they wanted for our nation, the more I love this country and hope it can stay this way forever. Well, their way forever. I just love this place. Red, White and Blue are still my colors.

And If you'll excuse me.....(you'll know what I'll be doing!)

PS:

During dinner the pups began to freak out about the firecrackers we heard. This involved them trying to climb on our laps while we were eating. Needless to say, if they had arms they'd be covering their ears too. But since they don't, I suspect they expect us too. Excuse me Bubbles, but I've got my OWN ears that need covering.

Eensy weensy

Lets start off with a 4th of July re-cap. They do not involve those bars. We'll get to those buggers later. Anyway, we went to a function. It was a good function. There was good food there. Lots and Lots. I partied like it was 1776. Actually, I spent most of my time playing with people half my age. I played badminton with a 6 year old, and he was actually quite good.
Function Volleyball game. I did not participate. And that was a good thing. You'll also notice some curious cows in the back of the picture.My chalk garden. Katie was impressed. Katie is 6. But I think its very cute.I can honestly say, this is the 1st year I enjoyed fireworks. I usually hide. But this year I went outside without my hands over my ears. It was such a celebration! I actually stayed out longer than several of my family members. I was greatly pleased, and I get why people like them now. I enjoyed my 4th of July immensely.
E and C came over for the day. They were both sporting Aeropostale and E even had Converse. I was most pleased. These are the girls I'll be going to camp with next week. I go to camp Monday, Omygoodness.

E tried my bars. She said they were disgusting. She hated them.See what I mean? I thought they were bad too. But Dad liked them. I don't get it. But this recipe is going in the trash. Goodbye forever.

I am very tierd right now, so I wont go into lengthy detail of my celebration. I don't wear bikini's and I wont ever. I think that sums up my celebrating. I have a video of me in a ballerina outfit dancing around my friend who was wrapped in a tablecloth sitting on a chair in the middle of our driveway. I was singing the "Eeensy weensy teensie weensie yellow polka dot bikini" song. I heard if from a Yoplait commercial. And in case you were wondering, you will never see it.

Sincerely,
But I have a neighbor who practically does, and He's a he.

Fireworks and Cupcakes

Happy 4th of July to all you Americans. This is so vintage, I love it.

I absolutely love the 4th of July. I dont like the fireworks, but I love that we are celebrating the birthday of our country. I love that today the Declaration of Independence was signed. I have seen that document with my own two eyes. I really have. I have pranced on the lawn of the capitol too. I'll show you the pictures sometime.

I just finished making cookies and cream bars. I've never made them before, and I have to bring them to a BBQ, my fingers are crossed. (btw, our youth pastor mentioned several times in church how much he liked bbq's because of the food, he'll probably like my bars.) I'm not going to enjoy the fireworks tonight. I have sensitive ears. I usually stay inside. Who knows, I might blog then.

Here are some patriotic things....Bomb Pops are extremely patriotic, this is from my June 30th celebration.


The sticker says, fireworks and cupcakes. I could not agree more. And Red Velvet is terribly patriotic.

I'm talking about the flags here. I have a funny story about these exact flags. Maybe even that exact one. Anyway, when we were in D.C, we went here, to the Washington Monument. And while Dad and KJ were walking up (Mom and I were visiting the constitution) KJ walked right into one of these flagpoles. He banged his head. I think that if you have to run into a flag pole, the Washington Monument is a good place to do it.

Of course, I did not get out of that city without embarrassing myself either. We were touring the National Mint and I tripped and fell flat on my face. It was terribly embarrassing. But rather Patriotic, so I'm glad I tripped there. I can always say I’ve tripped in the Mint. I bet I’m the only person who has accomplished that feat.

Puppy dogs with bandanas are patriotic.

Here’s Google’s logo for the day. I don’t think it accurately represents and captures the American Spirit. It looks more like a coloring book.

And with that, Happy 4th of July. I am so grateful for this Nation. I am so grateful for the freedom we all have. I am so grateful for Americans, the best people on earth.
Cheers to the founders, fireworks and cupcakes.

Sincerely,
Red, white and blue are my colors

PS: Attention Celebrators: I finally have the official list from Kate Beard. I am trying to find another day for June 14, but its not looking promising. If you want to celebrate the same days as me, please look at the "This Months Celebrations" section of this blog.