Ideas For The Fourth!

 If you're not from the US, I hope you'll still have fun reading this post!

Our nation's birthday is on Monday, and I thought I'd share a few ideas with you for food and decor!

I made these watermelon and blueberry skewers last year. I got the idea from Pinterest. I used a star shaped cookie cutter to cut the watermelon out and then simply slid the blueberries on the skewers! So easy and this was popular with our grands and everyone else!

I also make a jello salad using dry cherry jello powder, a large container of cottage cheese, and whipping cream. Typically I'd use a large box (I am able to find my jello in a bulk bag here from a Mennonite store), the large container of cottage cheese, and then I whip up my own whipping cream, so I'm guessing a pint or so. My mom would make this with a container of cool whip, if that helps.

In this photo the jello salad is in the blue bowl. And if you need to be careful of sugar you could use sugar free jello.

We did this for Rachel and Wes's small covid wedding in 2020. The fruit on top of buttercream frosting and cupcakes was wonderful. You could also use whipping cream on top!

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If you didn't want to make cupcakes but wanted cake instead this one wouldn't be hard and would be beautiful!

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We usually grill burgers, chicken, and hot dogs. Sometimes we do chicken patties from Costco rather than chicken thighs or drumsticks.

We like to put catalina dressing on the buns, a ring of pineapple and you're good to go, with the chicken patties. Of course you could just fix them up like you would a burger!

You know what? If it were just Tim and I we might just make homemade subs. Anything is fine!

I bought red, white and blue star plates and napkins at Aldi last week, and blue solo cups. We'll have a table out on the patio, and a pop up for shade. 

My dad has a horseshoe set, and we have the pool. It's always hot on the fourth here, so we always try to have something with water. A slip and slide or we've gone to the creek for a while.

Here is a link to making your own slip and slide! 

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Nate and his neighbor Randy have made some great ones where the live. They have an excellent hill for a waterslide!

I hope you have plans to gather to celebrate! Even if it is just a few people.  John Adams said to Abigail in a letter, 

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."

Here are a few more great quotes - 

“We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.” ~Robert J. McCracken

“It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.” ~Author unknown, sometimes attributed to M. Grundler