Sunday, July 5, 2009

Happy July!

Did you have a nice 4th? :-)

It's become one of my favorite holidays. Seems like it's always an extra hot and hazy day, which makes the dip in Mom's pool exceptionally refreshing. And by "dip", I mean the kind that leaves your hands alarmingly wrinkly, and your nails cleaner than you ever thought possible.
This year, thanks to both of our Mom's, there were piles of fried chicken & porkchops, platters of corn on the cob & watermelon. Big bowls full of broccoli slaw and baked beans, and even a metal pie pan full of the best homemade peach cobbler I've ever eaten.
Kevin and I also caught a parade this year- live, in person- not just on TV, like we usually do.
The outpouring of American spirit was incredibly inspiring. I don't know if it was the way the Elvis impersonator sporting a red, white and blue polyester jumpsuit, singing "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love" made the whole crowd wanna dance, or if it was the kids with American flags painted on their cheeks, throwing candy to other kids from elaborately decorated floats that did it- but it really got me. I just sat there and smiled, while tears of complete joy pooled inside of my sunglasses.
On the night of the 4th, we all sat under the stars, on a blanket & lawn chairs, eagerly staring up at the night sky. There's something so fascinating and hypnotic about giant, colorful, sparkly art- exploding against an inky black canvas.

Next year, I'm buying Sparklers. :-)

We had a wonderful holiday with our families, and hope you all did too!
I'll post some photos and video here tomorrow.

Mr.LC and I also picked up a very old, seven foot long bench at a roadside antique store on the way home. (Exit 85 off the I-10 interstate in Florida, to be exact) The shop owner told us it originally came from a beer garden in Germany. Kevin is going to spruce it up and blog about it here this week sometime.

Stay tuned! :-)

16 comments:

Pony Girl said...

I love the 4th too....your description was perfect, even without pictures! :) I've always wanted to have a huge down-home family 4th of July celebration on a big farm...someday!
Can't wait to see the new bench!

Elaine said...

Sounds like you had a great 4th! I know I get misty- eyed at these things sometimes too, and I fall in love with our great country all over again. Can't wait to see what you do with your new "find". :)

Lynn Kellan said...

I agree, Layla! Small town July 4th parades always fill me with emotion and pride for the USA.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

What a lovely post. For me, here in the U.K. it really painted a picture of your 4th of July celebrations.We have been to the U.S. many times, and I did say, on someone elses blog, that I hadn't been there on Independence Day but ( it's my age. you know ) I now remember that we were there once on the 4th of July. We were on Smith Mountain Lake, somewhere along the Appelachian mountains, on a catermaran and I remember the fireworks. Wonderful. I'm so pleased that you and your family had such a wonderful day. XXXX

truly blessed said...

Sounds like a fabulous 4th! It's one of our favorite holidays as well. For the last several years we've gone to stay with some friends who live on a lake and spend the week swimming, tubing, sunning, eating...you get the picture. Then it's all topped off by fabulous fireworks. I always love to see peoples patriotic side proudly on display.
On another note...can't wait to see your new bench! :)

Jo said...

Sounds like you had the perfect All American 4th of July ~ what fun!

Jo

Chris said...

I wondered where you went! Sounds like you both had an awesome holiday! Welcome back!

Brigid Devney-Rye said...

Yes, I had a wonderful 4th of July. we went to the Cherry Creek Art Festival in Denver over the weekend as planned. Purchases were made! I will be excited to show you our Modern Room as it comes together. Thanks for the advice, it made shopping EZ!

Shannan Martin said...

Thank you for describing the food! You have no idea how much this trait endears me to people. :)

Kurtzhals said...

I highly suggest "weekend after 4th of July" sparklers.
We always grab some up that week at the store and have another little celebration of summer the next weekend.
Why let the fun stop just because the "holiday" is over?!
Happy 4th to you also, and thanks for the wonderful blog read this morning Layla.

Deserae said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful 4th of July :o) Can't wait to see the bench so don't keep us hanging too long!!!! Have a great week!
~Des

Laurel said...

Yes, isn't there something so magical about fireworks! They are one of my most favorite things. Glad to hear you had a great day and got to spend it with your hubby. Can't wait to see what he does with the bench.

Tina Schiefer said...

I always have to wear sunglasses too or hope for enough rain to hide the "tears" of patriotism. I posted this same exact emotion on my blog the other day too!

Sounds like you had a great Holiday!

Can't wait to see the German bench. That would be a real treasure at our Schiefer house.

Just posted a couple of weekend treasures over at my blog. Come take a look. Happy Day!

http://patinamarie.blogspot.com/2009/07/avocado-green.html

Tina Schiefer said...

I mean "bench" not table! I guess a bench could be used as a table..right?

Denise said...

Hey, Layla - the 4th is wonderful and relaxing, isn't it? We went to my mom's for burgers, beans and potato salad, and had watermelon and a fruit-filled flag cake. We love to go downtown to the small town parade, and never miss the fireworks at the Civic Center field. That bench find sounds great - can't wait to see it!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

LUCKY YOU! The German benches from beer gardens and restaurants (where they eat family style) are wonderful!!!! Sounds like you had a great fourth!