********Happy Birthday America - Series Vol 1 STYLING THE OUTSIDE

                               

Source:  Pinterest

Source:  Marti through Pinterest

I have been collecting Pinterest ideas for our annual July 4th party for years and I have even blogged about our past parties, but this year with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I thought it might be fun to share some of those ideas with you.

I will be posting a series of blogs to share some outstanding style ideas that you can use to host a memorable Indenpendence Day event.   I am starting with outdoor decor, which will be followed by table settings, centerpieces, napkins, party favors, BUFFETS, charcuterie (both savory and sweet), food that is patriotic in design, desserts and finally crafts.

I think outdoor decor is pretty simple, but there are some lovely ideas to share.  Whether you are on land or in a boat, these are keepers.

ENGAGING ENTRYWAYS

Source:  Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Pinterst

Source: Pinterst

Source: Pinterest

Source:  Bridal Vine

Source;  Pinterest

Source:  Pinterest

Source:  Mark D. Sikes through Pinterest

PRETTY DOORS

Source: Etsy

Source: Pinterest

Source:  Jayne's Wreath Designs via Pinterest

Source: Srirup mazumdar through Pinterest

Source: Jenny Steffens Hobick through Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

THIS DOOR DESIGN BY "HOME IS WHERE THE BOAT IS" IS A FAVORITE OF MINE BECAUSE SHE USES AN ANTIQUE PLATTER IN THE BASKET.

Source:  Home Is Where The Boat Is

WREATHS ARE POPULAR DECOR FOR THE HOLIDAY.

Source:  Vicki Wittstruck via Pinterest

Source:  Pottery Barn

Source:  Pinterest

Source:  Pinterest

Sourse Housewife via Pinterest

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Source: Gluestick.blog.com via Pinterest

Source:  Etsy

WREATHS ARE VERY POPULAR BECAUSE YOU CAN JUST INSERT A FLAG, OR YOU COULD USE A VARIETY OF RIBBONS  TO CREATE A "RIBBON TASSEL" WHICH IS A RELATIVELY NEW NEW IDEA.  I HAVE SEEN THE "TASSEL" AT THE TOP OF A WREATH OR AT THE BOTTOM AS A MONOGRAMED "MAN'S TIE."

Source: Pinterst

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE "TIE."

Source: Etsy

Source:  Etsy

Source:  Walmart Holloyiver 4th of July Wreat Sash

Source:  Make Me Mate through Pinterest

OTHER WREATHS ARE PRETTY TOO.

Source: Pinterest

Source: Antique Farmhouse through Pinterest

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Source Sarahscoop.com

Source: Pinterest

Source: Etsy through Pinterest

Source:  Walmart through Pinterest

Source:  Etsy

Source:  That Cute Little Cake via Pinterest

Source:  Thrill Seekers Gifts through Pinterest

EVEN THIS DOOR MONOGRAM SHOWS THE FREEDOM SPIRIT.

Source: Pinterest

DECOR DOESN'T HAVE BE TO BE A WREATH TO BE INTERESTING DOOR DECOR.

Source: Home in New England via Pinterest

Source:  Etsy

Source:  The Style Garden

Source:  Garden Hacks

Source: Michele Broder Battesta via Pinterest

Source: Southern Homestead Mercantile via Pinterest

PRETTY PORCHES AND OUTDOOR SPACES.

Source:  On Sutton Place

Source: The Garden Style via Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Source: Clough Farm Antiques

Source:  Sea Debris

Melinda Jeanne Pehanick via Pinterest

Source:  Pinterest

Source:  Pinterest

PUT THE LITTLE ONES TO WORK ON THIS DECOR.

Source:  Pinterest

Source:  Etsy

Source: Pinterest

Source I luve it via Pinterest

Source:  Martha Stewart via Pinterest

I LOVE VINTAGE CONTAINERS FOR 4TH OF JULY DECOR.

Source:  Pinterest

Source: Pinterest

Source: Common Ground via Pinterest

Source:  Pinterest

Source:  Flikr through Pinterst

BY THE SEA, BY THE SEA, BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA....AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

I have missed blogging!  I was occupied with a volunteer job that was time consuming the past four years.  I have been giving my time and attention to THE QUESTERS. (questers1944.org) which is a wonderful organization!

Now I want to return to what I love most:  decorating, entertaining and sharing that with you.

 I have been out shopping in the past two weeks and were surprised to see how many lobster items were tied with our July 4th celebration.  The lobster motif has been around forever, but now I am seeing it everywhere from Marshalls, Michaels, Home Goods, J Crew Factory and in my social media feeds.

 Here is the wonderful J Crew sweater:

Wooden Ships did several lobster motif sweaters with our American flag colors.

These patriotic lobster napkins were are Home Goods.

More from Wooden Ships knits:

Here are other lobster items that I have seen at Home Goods.

World Market also had lots of lobster items.  They even had lobster flavored potato chips!

Here are a few of their items.  To see more go to Worldmarket.com.

These two fun lobster purses are from Marshalls!

The woven purse, above,  is from Tommy Bahama at Marshalls.

If you are into lobster entertaining, you can find items like these paper plates online:

The bottom line is you do not have to live at the shore to enjoy these lobster themed items.  I would use them on the Fourth of July and beyond!

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HOW KARAOKE BROUGHT BACK MY JOY!

 When I was a sophomore in high school, I took private voice lessons from the high school music teacher.

This was a rare occurrence!  He only coached two of the Sophomores. and two of the Juniors.  I must have disappointed him, because when it came time to try out for the Concert Choir as a Junior, I was not selected.  I auditioned again as a senior and was not selected, again.

This hurt my heart so badly that I didn't sing again until I was in my 60's!  Yes, I sang along to the radio and our CD's occasionally, but I could not (and still can't) sing in church.  My throat closes up!  

When I was in my mid 50's, my husband and I built a home in Arizona.  After a few winters there, the restaurant at the golf club started hosting Karaoke night.  I would go up there and sing.  I only had a few songs that I liked to sing, but then we bought a portable Karaoke machine and more CD's and I started just singing in the privacy of our own home.  And you know what?  I didn't sound too bad!

Then our community center in Arizona started a Karaoke club.  Now I have a repertoire of favorites that I sing.  I don't know if I am any good, but I do get encouraged to sing each month and some of my friends have even requested songs.

We don't document many of the months, but here are a few photos from those fun Karaoke nights that friends have taken and posted.

The above photo is from our 40th anniversary in 2009.  My girlfriend, Marcia, and I sang a duet.

The photo above is from the 70's night at our Karaoke Club.

This is April 2018, at Waddell's Longhorn bar.  The one below was within the past four years.

Valentine's Theme karaoke!  Singing 'My Valentine" , by Martina McBride, to my sweetie, below. 

February 1, 2018.   We were the club hosts that night.

The one below was in Feb. 2020

Another country themed Karaoke Club night.  Don and I were the emcees  Our daughter Katherine was visiting and sang the first song!  

These photos are from January 2018, the theme was denim and diamonds.

Singing at a private St. Patrick's Day party in 2015.

St. Patrick's Day theme for our  Karaoke Club.  More singing!

The above photo is from an impromptu get together many years ago in Arizona.  Below is another Karaoke Club country night.

Another winter night at our Karaoke Club.

Occasionally friends get swept up in the moment!  Our dear friend, Elaine!

 Occasionally!, Don sings, too.  This was in a bar in Sturgis, SD on our way to the bike rally.

Can you guess which month the above photo was taken at the Karaoke Club?

The man in black usually sings songs from The Man in Black (Johnny Cash.)

The above photo is from our resort in Cabo San Lucas.  Don singing with the band!  (Ring of Fire!)

This was Don joining our resident songbird, Dawn Latronica, at a private karaoke party the during the winter of 2022.

This last photo was the Karaoke Club night on November 2022.

Not that flattering!

I am looking forward to December 2022, when I will be emcee Karaoke Club again!  At least I am able to enjoy singing once again.

Dec. 2019