This week I ended my 35th year of teaching and the Princess finished 3rd grade. How this happened I don’t know, but I am ready for the summer. It has been a week of sleepovers, pool parties, ice cream and pool dates. It has also been a week of Red, White and Blue decorating. This house instantly looks more festive, crisp and bright as soon as I put it out and it is something I look forward to every year. Flags are plentiful, stars are abundant and there may even be an Uncle Sam or two! Is your summer shaping up to be busy or more chill this year? Are you ready for the hot weather and summer breezes? Enjoy my home ready for the 4th of July…

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Senior Salon@ Esme Salon

Senior Salon@Esme Salon

Share Your Style@ French Ethereal

Saturday Sparks@pieced pastimes

Pink Saturday@How Sweet the sound

Silver Sunday@The House on Silverado

Is there anything more moving than an American flag flying in a warm breeze or red, white and blue touches on a sun dappled porch? I love patriotic decor in the summer! It just matches the more casual, laidback attitude of the season. I love everything about summer: lazy mornings, fresh fruits and vegetables, and especially, time spent on my front porch watching and listening to the world go by. Time seems to slow down and laughter floats through the air. Come on by and enjoy a cold beverage of your choice. The rocking chair awaits you!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Fantastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Senior Salon@Esme Salon

Link up potpourri@My Bijou Life

…this happened!

We honored our newest military officers…

…and we honored those who served before them.

We celebrated our nation’s freedom…

…as Blue Angels thundered right over our house!

We gave thanks for all of God’s bounty and blessings…

…and then this happened! It can happen in your house as well…

The Best Ever Shortcake

Ingredients

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup shortening ( I have used butter as well but shortening seems to give the cake a bit more bounce)

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.Grease and set aside a shortcake pan (or large muffin pan)

3.Measure  flour, salt, and baking powder into a small bowl and set aside.

4.Cream sugar, shortening, egg and vanilla. I use my kitchen aide

5. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and mix slowly.
6. Add milk slowly to batter. Combine until just smooth.
7. Spoon into greased pan and bake for 20-25 minutes
8. Cool and remove from pan.

9.Smother cake with fresh strawberries and real whipped cream…you made the effort with the cake, you might as well do the cream right!

10.Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri. Full Plate what’s for dinner

I was featured!

Vintage Charm Party@Our Hopeful Home

Morning Cup of Joe@The Country Cottage

What’s for Dinner@The Lazy Gastronome

It is that time of year! Our annual strawberry picking adventure was yesterday. It was hot, like really hot but we managed to pick six pounds of berry goodness. Of course a strawberry treat always follows. This year it is Strawberry scones…but I think some ice cream will soon follow.

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup roughly chopped strawberries

1. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Dice the butter into small cubes and toss with the flour mixture. Work the butter into the flour with a fork or pastry cutter until it looks like coarse bread crumbs.
2. Whisk together the sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour the sour cream mixture into the well. Using a wooden spoon or stiff spatula, mix and fold the sour cream mixture into the flour mixture. Be as gentle as possible.
3. When almost all the flour has been incorporated (it’s ok if there’s still loose flour at the bottom of the bowl), turn the dough out onto the counter. Pat it into a wide rectangle and sprinkle half of the strawberries over half the dough. Fold the dough over onto itself and pat again into a wide rectangle. Sprinkle the remaining strawberries over half the dough and fold it over itself again. Fold it once or twice more to work in the strawberries, being as gentle as possible so as not to smoosh the strawberries. If any strawberries fall out, press them into the top.
4. Press dough in a scone pan or form a disc and cut into 8 wedges. Refrigerate for one hour.
5. A half hour before baking, heat the oven to 400°F.
6. Remove the scones from the refrigerator. Bake for 18-20 minutes until the scones are firm on the sides and golden-brown on the top. Let the scones cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Perfect on a spring day!

Fresh as can be!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri. Full plate. What’s for Dinner

I was featured!

Encouraging Hearts and Homes@Slices of Life

Traffic Jam@My Bijou Life

All About Home@Common Ground

All About Home@Common Ground

All About Home@Common Ground

Karins cottage Linky party@Karins Kottage

Thursday Favorites@Shoestring Elegance

Crafty Creations@Life as a Leo Wife

Friendship Friday@Create with Joy