2013: Happy Birthday, America!

July 4, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: NVT OfficeClips

Happy Birthday, America! Today, we celebrate all that America was, is, and is to come. This includes the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Not everything America has endured has been pretty. I think of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we have today.

Though all Americans will not see eye to eye on issues that surround us, we can come together to celebrate another year as the United States of America.

From my family to yours, I wish you a wonderful celebration on Independence Day because America the Beautiful lives another year united.

America the Beautiful

Words by Katharine Lee Bates,
Melody by Samuel Ward

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man’s avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

Happy Birthday, America!

Earth Fare: Heroes Eat Free – June 30, 2013

June 28, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: EarthFare

In celebrating our country’s independence, Earth Fare invites all Servicemen and Servicewomen to a Heroes Eat Free cookout on Sunday, June 30, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

By presenting your fire, police, military, or veteran’s identification, all heroes get a FREE Burgers for Bucks meal, up to $5, at participating Earth Fare locations.

Earth Fare Cookout Procedures

For those not familiar with the grocery store Earth Fare, you go to the deli section of the store, and the cookout is usually in front of the display cases.

You fill out a menu slip to place your order and give it to the employee. That employee will then fill your order and give you your food.

Then you proceed to checkout with your items and the ticket. At our local Earth Fare, seating is available.

Our Earth Fare Experience

Using coupons for FREE Burgers for Bucks meals, our family enjoyed lunch at Earth Fare last weekend. For the $5 price, we each received a good-size burger with lettuce and tomato and a generous helping of a side. Our choices of side included a large slice of watermelon, potato salad, or coleslaw.

The ticket indicated that adding cheese to the hamburger would cost an additional $.50, but at the cash register, we were not charged. I’m not sure if we were under the $5 limit, or if our Earth Fare is just generous.

To all Servicemen and Servicewomen, we thank you for serving our country. As a small token of appreciation, enjoy a FREE meal at Earth Fare as Heroes Eat Free on Sunday, June 30, 2013. Happy celebrating!

2013: Patriotic Crafts, Printables, and Recipes

June 25, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Celebrating the red, white, and blue with a family cookout comprises our July 4th festivities.

From hamburgers and hot dogs to bubbles and sparklers, our activities are small and quiet.

We watch the fireworks from our home windows and the televised displays which are always bigger than those around our town.

With so many creative patriotic crafts, printables, and recipes for painting your celebration red, white, and blue, I have gathered my favorites to share with you. Enjoy!

Patriotic Crafts

21 American Craft Projects e-book by All Free Kids Crafts

Fireworks in a jar by I Can Teach My Child

Picnic crate instructions by Simple Mom

Table lanterns with glow sticks by Creative Green Living

Printable Patriotic Packs

4th of July Pack based on the book America the Beautiful: Together We Stand by 3 Dinosaurs

4^th of July Printable Pack with 57 activities by Gift of Curiosity

Pledge of Allegiance pages by The Crafty Classroom

Why We Celebrate the 4^th of July by Free Homeschool Deals

Patriotic Recipes

Jello pudding pops by Number 2 Pencil

July 4^th layered drinks posted by Becentsable (lots of ideas on this Pinterest board)

Happy 4th of July, America!

2012: Happy Birthday, America!

July 4, 2012 by Tracy

In the midst of cookouts, softball games, and fireworks, remember the freedoms we experience today came at a great cost.

Thank you to all those who serve or have served in our Armed Forces to defend the freedoms we celebrate today.

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Happy Independence Day!

Independence Day Party: Celebrating July 4th

July 3, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Wow . . . is June over already? That means that our summer is a third of the way complete. Yikes! We still have much to explore, play, and do in the next 2 months.

One item on our bucket list is celebrating the freedoms we have because of the bravery and firm decisions made by the founders of the United States of America. As our country celebrates our Independence Day tomorrow on July 4, we will party with friends and family.

If you are seeking last-minute options for your celebration, let me point you to some helpful links:

1. 8 Simple Steps to Planning a 4^th of July Party by Sandy Coughlin

2. 4^th of July Party Plans by Holiday Party Ideas

3. July 4^th Recipe Round-Up by Erin Chase

4. 4^th of July Crafts and Recipes eBook by Favecrafts

5. Enjoy holiday sparklers without the fear of burns by the Krazy Coupon Lady

In addition to these ideas and suggestions, check your local newspaper for parades, demonstrations, and firework displays. Though many areas will bypass the fireworks due to the intense heat, dry woodlands, and high chance of fires, enjoy your celebration while letting freedom ring. Happy planning!

Question: How do you plan to celebrate July 4^th?