T-14 Days...

...and counting.

Or not.

Fourteen days until our country's sesquicentennial.

Like everything else these days, it seems to have snuck up quickly.

Or is it just me?

I have no plans for the 4th and I'm not necessarily sad about that.

Most years, I have tried to spend the holiday at the lake.

However, given that one whole level of the house is uninhabitable (and said level contains the laundry area as well as the main closet where all manner of necessary things (batteries, toolbox, spare paper towel, etc.) are kept and said closet no longer exists), it's not going to happen this year.

It would have been nice to sneak one last holiday in up there with the kids before the new "little" arrives, but it is what it is. Besides, I am certain that the entire area will be a complete and utter zoo.

Even on normal years, fireworks (and other ruckusing) start many days ahead of the actual holiday and continue many days after (with essentially no break).

It is also extremely over-peopley.

In addition to the many resorts and cabin rentals, there are several "residences" in the area that have been built soley as rentals and they are overflowing with tourists.  And those people who are actually residents there most usually have their own parties...and guests.

Consequently, the lake is full of pontoons, speed boats pulling giant tubes, jets skis, water skiers, and the shores are full of other people's music and squealing children.

At dusk, the fireworks will begin and the adult parties and music kick in.

That's on a normal year. On this auspicious Independence Day (that just happens to land on a Saturday, go figure?) I don't care to know what it will be like.

In other words, it's no place for the likes of me.

So, instead, I have decided to "over-decorate" for the occasion and, since no one else will be seeing it, I thought I would share a few snippets of it with you.

{A few of my vintage and antique parade horns on the cabinet in the front entry.}

{Fresh peonies nestled in an old crock in the drysink...guarded by a vintage eagle cookie cutter and drinking straws.}

{An out-of-print Blackbird Designs pattern "Home of the Brave" stitched last year and finally fully finished atop the mantel.}

{Stitched on 40-ct "Old Linen" by xJu Designs}

{Top of the pie safe.}

{Poor photo, but this is an old child's/youth's woolen naval jacket, with greens and flag tucked in a very large gourd container}

There's more...perhaps I'll manage another post within the next couple of weeks and share more.

Among all the dressings and hoopla, however, there is one particular treasure.

{Teresa Kogut's "250th Celebration" with modifications}

Beautifully stitched and beautifully finished onto a little wood shaker box.

An amazing gift from a dear friend.

At a time when my spirit - and heart - desperately needed a lift, it arrived with a fanfare all its own...sweet handmade paper birds, wonderfully packaged...and some of the best chocolates I've ever had.

I intended to photograph the wrappings, paper birds, chocolates, etc. but the latter disappeared too quickly and missed the photo shoot...and then, of course, I felt guilty.

My heart will hold the joy this brought for many, many, seasons to come.

Thank you

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