[Flags, Fireworks, Family, Friends..]

It's the biggest weekend during the summer, the Fourth of July! Living in a small town, the day

always started with the 10k race followed by a pancake breakfast. Brunches, lunches, and cocktails all set up lakeside. Family and friends come together to celebrate Independence Day! Love, love, love prepping for this holiday. Give me red, white and blue!

Themes:: stars, mini flags, or nautical

Flowers: The garden is bursting with blooms. In the blue family select from blue pansies, salvia, delphinium, bachelor buttons, hydrangea and allium (they look like fire-crackers) Gerber daisies, mini carnations, red berries are a good choice for red. Then, the whites include

daisies, mini carnations, and geraniums.

Vases: Look around your home, there is always something there that you can use. I love a white look so, I always go to my milk glass collection to find something. Milk glass was popular in the 1950’s and there are many varieties. Also, many copy cats! Look for the thick, solid glass the “color of milk”. There are many patterns to choose from; hobnail, patchwork and grapes are my favorites.

Table Linens: Lot’s of choices here. I like using napkin, ribbons, and paper runners and placemats. If you have a little ones, paper placemats are the best!