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Celebrating the 4th: Make them think

July 3, 2011 jennifer 4th of July

Our annual Fourth of July breakfast means a great deal to me. Over the years I’ve realized that one of the reasons I love it so much is the setting. Our breakfasts involve close friends we’ve made over the years and smaller groups. We always sit around the table which makes it more formal than a barbecue, which is often what we end up doing later in the day.

Why do I like this setting? It holds people still and lets me make my guests think. I often invite people to come prepared to share a quote, a thought, or something they appreciate about the United States of America. It’s a great way to start the day and sets the tone for our holiday.

Sometimes I place a card at each place setting with a quote or question intended to prompt discussion and make us think.

This 4th of July, why not start the day with a thoughtful breakfast? Even if it’s just cold cereal, take time to gather everyone together and talk about the holiday while you eat.

Some questions you might ask:

What do you think is the greatest moment in our nation’s history?

Who is your favorite historical figure in American history and why?

What leadership qualities did the Founding generation have and how can we develop them today?

Why was George Washington considered the greatest man in the world in his day?
(If you need help with this question, it’s because after winning the war he surrendered his position and went home. Much of the world expected him to seize power and reign over the new nation because this was how the world worked at that time, and still does in many parts of the world. Resigning his power to Congress was a mark of true greatness even in the eyes of King George.)

What do you think are the greatest problems facing our country today?

What can we do as individuals to be better Americans?

How can we prepare ourselves to protect our liberties in today’s world?

Trust me, thoughts like this set a great tone for the day. I hope yours is awesome.

Hopeful Homemaker

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Celebrating the 4th: Dress up the table

June 30, 2011 jennifer 4th of July, Entertaining

Holidays and food seem to go together. Every holiday is made festive by adding a few touches of personality to your table. Over the years I’ve learned to watch for items that will work for many occasions and holidays. I try to purchase dishes and decor that are one color plus white. This means I can mix and match for multiple occasions. I like to challenge myself to see new potential in the things I have on hand when I get ready for a party instead of feeling like I need to go shopping. It’s so much fun to survey what I already have and be creative.

Vintage tablecloths are a great way to set the mood and my red, white and blue tablecloths are among my favorite. I like the aqua touches in this one because they play well off the aqua table on my back porch. Notice the Pop Shoppe bottles are just red and white which makes them versatile enough to use year round.

I also used a blue and white tray, polka dot napkins in both blue/white and red/white topped by forks that are white with blue stars. None of these items is exclusively for the 4th of July, yet used together they’re perfect for my favorite holiday.

I have a talent for collecting tiny but adorable dishes when I visit Crate & Barrel. These small bowls are new this year; again two of them are just one color with only the third having red and blue stripes. They’re perfect for serving desserts or snacks.

A plain red serving bowl, white drink dispenser and some American flags complete the serving table. By mixing colors and patterns it’s a beautiful table.

A few other ideas: make a bouquet of flags for the center of your table, find some red and white striped fabric and make a table runner, hang stars above the table. Buy paper flags on toothpicks and stick them in one of your dishes. If you want to use plain white napkins try this idea with festive ribbon. I avoid paper plates and napkins with actual flags printed on them; it doesn’t sit well with me to be “eating” off the flag or wiping my mouth on it.

Dress up your table for the 4th of July, even if it’s a simple meal with your immediate family. This little dinner was just for my husband and children and it warmed my heart to observe how much they enjoyed and appreciated my efforts. It made them feel special and communicated my love to them. I hope you find something new and creative to do with what you’ve already got.

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Vintage Pop Shoppe Bottles

June 29, 2011 jennifer Entertaining, Happy Finds

A fun way to dress up any gathering is to serve food or drinks in unusual containers. It gets attention, looks festive, prompts conversation and generally makes everything more fun.

Don’t you love those red labels? They had me at first sight.

I bought these bottles at a yard sale years ago and we’ve used them countless times. They’re perfect for birthday parties, barbecues and the 4th of July. I bought an entire crate of them, 24 bottles in great condition.

I store them in my pantry with a towel over them to protect them from dust. They’re ready to pull out at a moment’s notice. After using them I simply run them through my dishwasher. I’ve learned that the easiest way to use them is to serve drinks in a large dispenser with a small spout for easy refills. We add straws and have fun!

A simple drink table becomes a festive spot with the addition of these bottles.