A Red, White, and Blue BBQ!!

Happy Fourth of July!!  We celebrated America last night with a backyard bbq with friends.  Even though rain threatened, we went ahead with our plans, but put up two additional tents just to be safe.  We provided pulled pork bbq, slaw, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and bite-sized desserts.  Beverages consisted of frozen margaritas, beer, wine, and of course, lots of cold water.  Upon entering the backyard, a lantern with a double mesh bow greeted guests.

I found these patriotic candles at Pier 1 as well as the lantern, which was on sale!!

Torches lined the sidewalk, with white candles adorned with red and blue mesh bows.

This is a view of the party venue coming in.

Another view of torches and sidewalk from the opposite side.

Lots of red, white, and blue accessories on the bistro table coming in.

I found these great pillows at Joanne fabrics for a reasonable price.

On my stone console, I used my little pails with fireworks-type decorations.  I love using quotes, so I added these with easels.

The cylinder globes held red and white marble fillers, red and blue wiry stuff with stars (I found this everywhere),  water and white floating candles.

I added lots of American flags to my flower pots.

I usually buy flowers from Kroger or Fresh Market, but they were sold out of red, white, and blue flowers, for the most part.  I did buy a few red and white carnations and some status.  I used lots of greenery from my backyard.

More quotes on the tables!

We set up a bar for self-serve.

I used a tray with a festive placemat, and these wine glasses.  The American flag container chilled the white wine.

Another table under the big tent was dressed with a blue-striped tablecloth, red runner, hydrangeas, and festive centerpiece.

Everyone brought a dish, so we needed lots of food tables.

My original thought was to use the round table for dessert, but we had to move desserts to make room for all the food!!

Plates, trays for hot dogs, and utensils wrapped in paper napkins tied with more of that wiry stuff that I don't know the name of.

Thank goodness for warming trays.  Luckily I have lots of outlets in my backyard, and I used two warming trays to keep the bbq and mac n cheese hot.

A picture of the table before all the food!

I found these tall candlesticks at an estate sale.  

I like using individual bags of chips for outdoor functions, because they don't get soggy.

A table for two . . .

Lots of lanterns, and even a fresh arrangement inside the house.

We had lots of fun, plenty of food, and when the rain came, we just congregated under the tents, moved the food under shelter, and kept the party going.

So, may God bless America, and bring unity, peace, and goodwill to our great country.

Have a happy Fourth, and be safe out there!!

Hugs,

               --Betsy

A Tranquil Lake Setting

It's been a while since I've posted, and I can't believe how fast the summer is moving along. So just a quick update, and a quick picture or two, and I'm off again!!
The owners of the antique mall where I have my booth have been late every month paying the vendors.  Just when I thought about pulling out, the doors were locked with all our stuff inside.  The owners owed the landlord thousands of dollars (three figures) in back rent, so the business was closed.  I lost all sales $$ for May and half of June, and also my rent checks.  The mall was opened back up the beginning of July with different owners, so I'm back in business.  It may take a month or two to recoup the losses, but I'm optimistic that the new owners are on the right track.  Every one's rent was reduced and hopefully we will receive our checks on time.

Also, the designer I was working with on the Richmond Symphony House did not get chosen. Just as well as far as I'm concerned, because I was stressing about the time that I was going to have to put in.
On a positive note, my children have been around this summer and we spent a wonderful week at the beach with close friends.  My daughter just finished a play in Williamsburg, and she received very positive reviews.  She is headed to New York this week for a workshop at Broadway Dance Center.  My son has been working at a local fitness club, and he is headed to Virginia Tech in August, where he will be a sophomore majoring in Communications.
We spent a quiet afternoon at our lake on the Fourth.  It's such a beautiful, tranquil setting, and we enjoyed boating, cooking on an open fire, and best of all, laughing at my daughter catching fish!!

Sticking with the red, white and blue theme, we set up a simple table near the lake, trying our best to get our camping table level!  

We stuck with just the basics.  

Queen Anne's lace is worth every chigger bite I get!

 A view from the boat ...

There's a tree on the hill behind the ones on the shore that we call the "Gone with the Wind" tree.  Maybe a lakehouse one day??  Right now I'd settle for a bathroom lol!  Take care, have a good week, and thanks for visiting!!

A Memorial Day Tribute

If you haven't entered my Mikasa giveaway, you still have time!  Go here to enter!  I will be randomly choosing a winner on May 31st!!

There have been many movies based on the Vietnam War.  A lot of us were touched by this and other wars in a personal way, and so it is with the movie We Were Soldiers.  This movie was based on the first major engagement of the Vietnam War, documented in the book We Were Soldiers Once...and Young by Lieutenant Gen. (Ret.) Hal Moore and reporter Joe Galloway.  It depicts the Battle of la Drang, in which 450 U.S. soldiers from the U.S. 7th Air Cavalry were dropped in the la Drang Valley to attack enemy North Vietnamese and are surrounded by 2000 enemy soldiers in what would become the worst battle of the Vietnam War.  Mel Gibson stars as Lt. Hal Moore and Chris Klein stars as John Lance "Jack" Geoghegan, a young infantry lieutenant who was killed during the battle while tending to a wounded fellow soldier, Willie Godboldt.  Jack Geoghegan, age 24 at the time of his death, was the only son of John & Camille D. Geoghegan.  He married Barbara Weathers on June 13, 1964 and his daughter, Camille Ann (Cammie), was born the following June, 1965.   Tragically, Cammie was only five months old at the time of her father's death.  Cammie is my next door neighbor and a dear friend.

Barbara, Jack, and Cammie Geoghegan, 1965

Lt. Geoghegan and Lt. Moore, portrayed by Chris Klein and Mel Gibson, talk and pray together before their deployment to Vietnam.  Geoghegan (Klein) wears a baby bracelet with the name of his daughter, Camille, on it.

Cammie and her Dad.

We Were Soldiers is a tribute to the loving fathers, brothers, and sons who sacrificed their lives that day and reflects their loyalty, valor, and love for one another while under fire.  I was invited by Cammie to view the premier of the movie in our hometown.  It was a very emotional experience for me, and it's hard to explain the feelings of loss I felt for my friend.  Fortunately, her mother, Barbara, went on to remarry John Johns, a devoted stepfather who honored Jack's memory.  Johns was also a military man, and became a Brigadier General in 1975.  I have had the pleasure of getting to know Cammie's mother, stepfather, and her sister and brother.  They are an amazing, loving family.

Barbara, with Cammie's two girls--Stephanie and Julie.

Cammie's mother is portrayed by Keri Russell.

Cammie, with her husband, Ray Olson, their two girls--Julie and Stephanie, and their dog, Reesie.

A beautiful oil painting of Cammie's paternal grandmother hangs in her dining room.  I can see the family resemblance.

Also in Cammie's dining room, a curio cabinet holds precious photos and memorabilia.  Her dad's picture is on the center right.

Her lovely dining room has a mirrored wall that makes the room so classy, and I love her gorgeous chandelier.

Another view...

So I just would like to say Thank You to all those who have served, are serving, and the families that have given their loved ones to protect our country and freedoms.

Feel free to sing along!  'And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up, next to you,

and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land!

God bless the

USA!!'

My own father served in World War II, as Chief Petty Officer in the navy.  Although he didn't speak much about his experience, I know that he was loyal to his country, and would have made the navy his career, if my mother would have agreed.  She did not want to leave her family, so he left the navy and they were married.

To read more about Cammie's dad, click here and read her mother's personal story.

A few years back, Cammie journeyed to Vietnam with other sons and daughters who had lost loved ones.  Read about their journey here.

Don't forget, you still have time to enter the giveaway to win a set of beautiful Mikasa dishes!!

If you haven't seen the movie We Were Soldiers, take some time to watch it.  You'll be glad you did.  Make sure you have tissues nearby!  :)  Thanks for visiting, I always appreciate your kind comments!!