Hope's Room Makeover....Again

I hope this isn't going to be a yearly event. Last July

This July
.....coming soon!

Thank You Thursday

Tonight when the doorbell rang I wondered "who could this be" as I trotted down the stairs. What a pleasant surprise! It was Amy, one of the sweetest people on the planet. We have many things in common, one of which is that we both heart cupcakes. I was telling her how wonderful "The Sweet Tooth Fairy" Bakery in Provo is and how it was too bad that I wouldn't get to go back forever. She replied with encouragement, "have you been to Sprinkles? There's one in Dallas." I think she was shocked I'd never heard of it. Evidentally, I'm the only one.

This is what she brought.
Sprinkle's Strawberry Cupcakes,
that she made herself.
They are heavenly!

Here's the recipe if you want to make some for yourself.
Thank you so much Amy!

What I'm craving today

Creamy Lemonade Pie

via Southern Living
Recipe: Creamy Lemonade Pie

A Celebration

What a fabulous weekend we had.
Thanks for letting me steal some pictures Marci.

Saturday we celebrated the 4th at Marci and Mike's house.

Marci had quite a spread and we loved every bite.
Marci posted all the recipes on her Cooking Blog:
On My Menu
4th of July BBQ
Hot Dogs
Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken
Potato Chips w/Ranch Dip
Black Bean Salsa w/Tortilla Chips
Craisin and Sugared Pecan Salad
Classic Potato Salad
JELL-O cups for the kiddos (w/red & blue jello & cool whip)
Butterfinger Cheesecake Bites
Patriotic Poke Cake

After it got dark, we had a great fireworks show by the "Scotts".

The Millers joined us for the fun show. Everyone loved it except little Ella.

Nana and Ella went inside and watched from her bedroom window. We had such a sweet little conversation about celebrating America's Birthday and how fun it was to have so many aunts and uncles and grandparents there! Miss Ella is so wise for her 4 years! What a joy to share life with all these wonderful people. We were really missing Mack and Cheryl though:(.

Sunday was wonderful too. It was Preston's Blessing Day. I stole this picture from Chrissy's blog....I just love her pics.


Another picture from Marci's blog.
After wards we went back to Marci and Mike's for an incredible brunch.
Blessing Brunch:
Brunch Puff
Southwestern Quiche
Basic Breakfast Potatoes
Sausage
Fruit Salad
Breakfast Pastries


I'm afraid this weekend might be boring.
Do ya think?

Happy Independence Day

The Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Have you ever wondered what happened to those men who signed the

Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-seven fought and died from wounds or the hardships of the Revolutionary War.

What kind of men were they? 24 were lawyers and jurists. 11 were merchants, 9 were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they singed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in rags.

Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him and poverty his reward.

Vandals or soldiers, or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr. noted that the British General Cornwallis, had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire, which was done. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and soon after, she died.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and his grist mill were laid waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home after the war to find his wife dead, his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.

Morris and Livingston suffered similar fates.

Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft spoken men of means and education. They had a security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight and unwavering they pledged:

"For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor"

They gave us an Independent American
Can we keep it?

Primary Documents in American History
* Declaration of Independence
* U.S. Constitution
* The Bill of Rights
* The Federalist Papers
* Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789
* Guide to American Historical Documents Online
* Charters of Freedom from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

One day I came across

this wonderful blog, Crazy Lady on Road 80. Doesn't that title just make you want to know her! I love the way this girl thinks. Jan is truly an American Girl! Last Friday I happened by her blog for a little visit and she had an amazing give-away.


When I saw what it was, I thought of Mack immediately. I shared a little bit about him and she chose him to win the Parchment Founding Document set (constitution, declaration and bill of rights)!

I am so excited! I know he will love them.
Thank you so much Jan!

Thank You Thursday - AMERICA
Land that I l♥ve.