jennifer, Author at Hopeful Homemaker

Celebrate the 4th: Spruce up the porch

June 28, 2011 jennifer 4th of July, Decorating

A festive place to gather is always appreciated. In anticipation of Independence Day, why not spruce up your front or back porch for the holiday?

Remember last week’s ladder ? Well, the other half leans on the opposite side of our back porch and for this holiday I got out my treasured vintage tablecloths in patriotic colors and hung them on the rungs.

Instant charm! Can you believe how beautiful they are? Every year I marvel all over again at the designs and colors.

I wrapped another damaged cloth (a beautiful Wilendur) around the cushion on the wicker rocker.

Blue delphinium in an urn, flags and a smaller vintage cloth on the cabinet.

We’re ready for the holiday!

HH

Marshmallow Salad (the ONLY one I’ll eat)

June 27, 2011 jennifer Sides and Salads

A couple of years ago I tasted a salad at an adorable birthday party. It’s the only marshmallow salad I’ve ever tasted that I like (thanks Tiffani!). It’s been on our summer menu ever since.

Ingredients:

32 ounces strawberry or raspberry yogurt 8 ounces cool whip 1 bag small marshmallows fresh strawberries fresh blueberries Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and enjoy!

What I love about this salad is the yogurt. It adds just enough tartness that I can handle the marshmallows. My children, of course, gobble it up. Sometimes it’s fun to serve it in small dishes with an extra strawberry and blueberries as garnish. It’s also a nice addition to the table at a barbecue or potluck.

I hope you try it!

Jennifer

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Celebrate the 4th: Fly the flag!

June 27, 2011 jennifer 4th of July

There is no better sight in July than that of our sacred U.S. flag fluttering on the breeze.

This week, fly the flag! Fly it wherever you are and do it with gratitude and pride. Read more here to be certain you are also doing it with proper respect. (It never hurts to get a brush-up course in proper flag etiquette.) The entire U.S. Flag Code can also be found here .

While you’re flying it, why not add some of the following ideas?

– Organize a family flag ceremony. Find a flag and flagpole you can use. Plan something for every family member to do.
– Say the pledge of allegiance.
– Sing the National Anthem. It really doesn’t take very long. My daughter’s second grade class sang two verses every morning.
– Play patriotic music. Sing some of our nation’s great patriotic hymns. Better yet, choose one to memorize as a family.
– Familiarize yourself with the stories of family members and ancestors who have served valiantly in America’s Armed Forces.
– If you have young children, plan a bike parade. Provide streamers, flags and tape for them to decorate with. Teach them the basics of flag etiquette and let them parade up and down the street while you blast Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA”. Have all the parents come and cheer.
– Have you ever wondered how our flag got the name “Old Glory”? A great re-telling of the story is found here . Share it with your family.

Jennifer