Happy Independence Day!

There are all kinds of wonderful things in this world, but to me, the American Summer is just one of the best. It's fitting that celebrating America is right there in the middle of it.  Whatever your political views may be, come July 4th, we're all celebrating the same thing:  we are blessed to live in the United States of America.  

Here, we roll in a birthday celebration with our patriotic festivities ...

because Aaron's birthday is July 3rd.  

My "little guy", also affectionately known as The Boppy, turned 12.  Twelve!  This cannot be possible!  

This boy loves his watermelon.  Thus ... a watermelon cake :o)  Last year, there may or may not have been a birthday cake oversight because of all the July 4th festivities which may or may not have been saved 

by half a watermelon with candles in it.  

But that was last year.  

This year it was a three layer extravaganza with mango stars and blueberry embellishments.  So easy ... just cut three circles of graduating sizes from your watermelon and stack them (I used two watermelons to make this one).  Use cookie cutters to make the embellishing shapes and stick them on with toothpics.  Cut and serve just like a cake.

 Your teenagers will look at you with great admiration and tell you that you're brilliant and your friends will ask if you've been on Pinterest.

WIN!

We had a lovely evening celebrating family, friends, and our great country ... in the country :o)  

the happiest porch has coolers, fireworks, lots of extra chairs and music cranked up loud.

But when the sun goes down,

the chairs are assembled on the sidewalk for a good view.

There were crazy basketball games,

and even the most unlikely shots scored.

The littlest guy ...

 went exploring.

There was young love ...

and later, a little dancing.

We love country life ... 

friends laughing on the front porch, fans going, breezes blowing, horse grazing on the front lawn 

(I use the term lawn quite loosely).  

Do you also have a horse grazing on your front lawn?  No?  

You probably don't have horsefeed in your pantry either, I guess.  

 The livestock may wander a little close to the house, but there is one very big bonus of life in the country ...

fireworks in your front yard :o)

God bless America ... and all our American service men and women and their families!