The temperature is rising, the pool is filled with splashing water and laughter and I didn’t hear the school bus drive by…it Must be Summer. That magical season that felt endless as a child and much too short as an adult. Time for shorts, picnics, lazy afternoons and a week of day camp (for the Princess, camping is just not my thing), white shoes and the first stage of Patriotic decor…don’t worry it progresses with the Summer Days.

Isn’t it amazing how a few flags in colored glass bottles can make your heart skip with Patriotic pride?

An enamelware coffee pot on the mantel? Yes please! With lots of flags!

I love when the garden has perfect timing with blooming flowers!

My Hero and I, in our patriotic finest.

Our Princess and the greatest of Summer treats! Ice cream for dinner on the last day of school.

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I was a featured Blogger on Create and celebrate! Join me at this great month long party. 

I love primitive style…soft old quilts, wooden crates, industrial metals…make my heart sing. I was really excited to discover another soul who appreciates the old and imperfect. I love the tips Junque Cottage shared in her Primative decor blog posts. Beautiful!

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by Christian Lacdael

Flowers so colourful and bright, In their glory in the sun’s light,

At home amid the summer’s heat,

Giving out a perfume so sweet,

The summer flowers seem perfect,

In near enough every aspect,

So effortlessly they distract,

As one’s attention they attract,

Countless different kinds carve their mark,

Throughout every meadow and park,

There for us to enjoy and pick,

While we waste our days and frolic,

As gifts more poetic than speech,

When lovers and their loves meet,

One of nature’s finer artworks,

Saving scenes from seeming bleak.

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What a delight to have my Strawberry Ode featured on this beautiful blog

Morning Cup of Joe@ The Cottage Market

After posting about our great strawberry weekend, I suddenly realized how many ice cream lovers are out in the world. You asked…I answered…here is the recipe.  We used a Cuisinart ice cream maker to create this loveliness.

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 1/8 cups granulated sugar

3 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups chopped strawberries. We froze the berries overnight to keep the juice from bleeding into the ice cream.

1. Mix above ingredients except for the strawberries and pour into ice cream maker.

2. When the mixture begins to thicken, slowly add the strawberries.  Continue to mix until creamy.  Pour into a plastic container and freeze a few more hours if you like a firmer ice cream.   Enjoy!

 

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Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

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…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!

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It is that time again!  Spring days turn over to sweet summer-time….Guess what treat we are enjoying!

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Christine at Light and Savvy – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Maisy at Becoming Alice – FB | G+ | Pin

Sheree at Stage Presents – Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Kelly at Under a Texas Sky – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

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By Beth Sycamore

Plump Strawberries.

Ripe Strawberries.

Bright red heart-shaped Strawberries.

Hiding under leafy greens.

Pluck the berry.

In the summer sun.

Pinch the stem.

Have some fun.

Twist the stem.

Almost done.

Put the berry in a cup.

Better yet, just eat it up!

(Or  even better…make ice cream!)

Show and share. Inspire me Monday. The scoop. Inspire me Tuesday. Make it pretty. Art of homemaking. Made by you. Metamorphosis You are the star. Tuesday with a twist let’s talk vintage. Wonderful Wednesday. Share it. Brag about it. Wow us. Talk of the town. Moonlight and Mason jars. Share your cup  welcome home      Share your style. Home and garden. Thursday Favorites. Waste not. Coffee and conversations. Vintage charm. Friday features.  Home sweet home. Feather nest. Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at home. Morning cup of joe. Home matters. Sweet inspiration. Vintage chic.  Best of the weekend.  Create bake grow. Snickerdoodle    Share it one more time. Create with joy.  Silver pennies. DI&DI. Amaze me Monday. Inspiration Monday. Proverbs 31.

 Pleased as can be to be featured at this amazing blog!

Friday’s Five Features@ DIY Vintage Chic