God Bless America!

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America.  Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies, 

To the oceans, white with foam.

God Bless America, My home sweet home.

God Bless America, My home sweet home.

Good Bless America and those who served and are serving to keep us free!

The Betsy Ross flag I made by tea dying a piece of canvas drop cloth with strawberry tea for the red stripes and blueberry for the blue area.  The words to  God Bless America are hand written in permanent fabric ink.  There are grommets at each upper corner with knotted cotton rope for hanging.   The flag measures 26 x 38 inches.  I'll be listing this item for sale tomorrow in my Etsy shop! 

Happy Memorial Day!

Linking today's post at:

In the Good Old Summer Time

There's a time in each year    That we always hold dear,

Good old summer time;    With the birds and the trees'es

And sweet scented breezes,

Good old summer time,

When your day's work is over    Then you are in clover,

And life is one beautiful rhyme,    No trouble annoying,

Each one is enjoying,

The good old summer time.

In the good old summer time,    In the good old summer time,

Strolling thru a shady lane    With your baby mine

You hold her hand and she holds yours, 

And that's a very good sign

That she's your tootsie wootsie

In the good old summer time.

In the Good Old Summer Time was first published in 1902 with music by George Evans and lyrics by Ren Shields.  The song is featured in the film by the same name starring Judy Garland.  

Enjoying the beautiful summertime weather!  Have a blessed weekend!


                               The bike was my sister's Schwinn from the 1960's.  




Linking today's post at:

Fresh Berries!

When I first spotted this crate at a local antiques shop, I wasn't sure what it was.  On closer inspection, I found it was full of old berry boxes!  It wasn't too hard to figure out that it was a berry crate used by farmers to transport their precious cargo to market!  

The crate holds three layers of quart berry boxes.  The wood berry boxes were all there, but some were pretty broken up and the crate and contents were disgustingly dirty!  I carefully cleaned the crate and berry boxes and the wood on the crate turned out to be beautiful!   That's Oreo the cat inspecting the berry crate!

I know some of you will remember the "Fresh Berries" sign made by Miss Mustard Seed.  You can see it here (I can't believe that this post goes back to 2010).   So, when I found this berry crate, all I could think about was that design and how perfect it would look on the lid!

I tried to reinvent the wheel and make my own design for the lid of this berry crate, but in the end, decided to go with something close to the original.  It's not the exact same font as Marian's, but it has the same feel and I love it!   In the very small chance that Marian would find her way to my lowly newbie blog, I would like to say, "Thank You!   Love your style and the inspiration you generously share!"

On another note, today is our son's birthday!  Happy 20th Caleb!  Love you and I am so proud of you!

The BEST Strawberry Pie!

I haven't really shared a recipe yet on my blog.   Fresh strawberry pie is a favorite at our home this time of year.  I have even made this pie for teacher appreciation gifts baked in a nice stoneware pie plate for the teacher to keep.  So, I hope you all think this is the BEST strawberry pie, just like my family.  It is super easy and you only need a few ingredients!  

I made two pies today, so I just doubled everything.  

Ingredients:

2 quarts fresh strawberries

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

4 oz. cream cheese

homemade or refrigerator pie crust from the grocery

1.  Prepare your pie crusts.  Flute edges, pierce the crust with a fork to prevent bubbling, and bake in oven for the amount of time for a single crust pie.  

2.  Let the baked crust cool for about ten minutes.  Carefully spread the cream cheese onto the sides and bottom of the baked crust.  

3. Wash, hull, and cut strawberries in half.  Reserve 1 cup strawberries.  Layer the remaining berries in the pie crust.

4.  In a medium saucepan, mix together 1 cup strawberries and 2/3 cup water.  Simmer for four minutes.   In a separate container with a lid, mix together 1 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1/3 cup water.  I shake it up thoroughly so all three ingredients mix together.  Add the mixture to the simmered strawberries and water and bring to a boil.  Boil for one minute until it thickens to a strawberry glaze.  

5.  Pour the glaze over the strawberry pie.  Chill in refrigerator until completely set. 

6. Of course, serve with whipped cream!

Enjoy!  

Today's post being shared at:
 

My Three Sons!

I think it's time to introduce you to My 3 Sons!   Really, at times, raising three boys has been like a sitcom!  Do I have stories to share!  My friends have told me for years that I would have a best seller if I would write about some of the hair-raising adventures (or everyday life at our home) we have had over the years!   So, I've decided to document some of those stories here on my blog!   Today, I'll mostly just give you an introduction to the cast of characters!

 The oldest - Josh, 22.

 

                  5  Fun Facts About Josh -


1.  Avid reader


2.  Favorite Childhood Toy -  Optimus Prime transformer


3.  Can ride a unicycle!


4.  College Major:  Nanofabrication Engineering


5.  Loves Curly's fries at the Ocean City boardwalk!

This past winter with girlfriend,  Sarah!

The middle - Caleb, 20.

                5  Fun Facts About Caleb - 

1.  Played football and soccer, but now              plays electric guitar!

2.  In a Christian band - The Road to Milestone.

3.  Broke both collar bones in the same year!

4.  Traveled cross country to California last 

summer with 6 of his best friends.

5.  If he can't make a career being a "Rock Star", will go to college and major in Criminal Justice!

Smilebooth fun with girlfriend, Paige!

The  Youngest - Seth, 16.

                      5  Fun Facts About Seth

1.  Can do a double back flip on the trampoline!


2.  On the high school swim team and track team.


3.  Loves nachos!


4.  Had an appendectomy when he was 3.


5.  Can do a mean moonwalk!

Butterfly!

Well, there they are -  My 3 Sons!  Stay tuned for the premier episode!