I just had to share the other stories the rest of the Lifestyle Channel shared for our latest bit of fun. This is in celebration of July 4th holidays in the US. There are a wide range of tales from the collective memories of all who blog for this channel, so enjoy:

Chloe of Tangled Thread shares a few festive fireworks and needlework patterns.

Kerri and Cory at Marriage Actually talk about why having a shared past is one of the best parts about being married.

Christine at Mad Cropper remembers Guy Fawkes Day, a day celebrated in New Zealand with lots of fireworks. Find out why Guy Fawkes is celebrated by the English and most commonwealth countries. It is indeed a blast from the past!

Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork, provides a quiz for her readers. See how many of the quilt designs you can connect with historical Americana – events, objects or people.

Marye at Baking Delights reflects on just how much menu’s have changed over the years while at Kettle and Cup she shares a modern twist that many are sure to love with her Non-Alcoholic Long Island Iced Tea.

Kelly Saunders at Thrifty Mommy shares her favorite 4th of July memory – I just can’t spoil the surprise – check it out.

Char and Christine continue Camp Weary Parent with this weeks Patriotic activities: Star Spangled Rocket and a week full of other fun projects.

Marcie and Mary Emma are blasting through books with Fourth of July and summer recommendations at One Book Two Book. Make sure to check out Fourth of July Books for Teens and The 10 Best Fourth of July Picture Books.

Linette at Robust Cooking shares 10 Healthy 4th of July Dessert Ideas. At Mother Earth’s Garden she calls out the old saying about corn – “Knee high by the fourth of July.”

At She Knows Parties, she shares fond memories of her summers and holidays as a child.

Karen at Thrifty Mommy probably has the most reason to celebrate the fourth as anyone I’ve heard – join Karen as she shares family photos of one of the most memorable nights in her families lives.

Sandy at All Holiday Cafe provides us with a list of when Independence Day is celebrated in various countries around the world.

Christina at SoloMother shares her own experiences of celebrating the 4th of July in the nations capital.

Susan at PlayLibrary shares her memories of playing the classic game of Zimm Zamm during her family’s annual July 4th barbecue celebration.

Eliza at Babylune reflects back on early holiday celebrations with baby on board and looks to this years celebration – their first out of the military.

Gayla at MomGadget – Without fail, each year my memories race back to an earlier time when life was much simpler and we’d celebrate our summer holiday with relatives down in the holler in the hills of Kentucky – this year – I share a Bluegrass Kinda Fourth of July.

I’m sure you’ll find something to write in your journal after reading some of those stories. Remember to share any links to your blog if you write something related to these entries. I’d love to read your stories, too.

Heather
Photo by Matthew Hull used with permission from Morguefile

Post from: Blisstree

Read More Blasts from the Past

The Lifestyle Channel is having another fun blogging event. This time it’s just like a cool journal writing prompt for you. The idea is to write about a memory that relates to the 4th of July holiday, fireworks, summer, etc. As I live in Australia, the date means little to me personally, although I’m fully aware of what it means to Americans. But I’m going with the fireworks idea, instead.

The first memory of firecrackers, as we used to call them, for me has to be Guy Fawkes night. For us it was simply cracker night and from all I can remember and research fell on the evening of November 5th. In the lead up to this event my older brother and I would spend whatever pocket money we could gather on throwdowns and tom thumbs. We left it up to dad to provide the more spectacular crackers that only he was allowed to set off in our backyard near the fireplace.

I remember the excitement that only comes from anticipation leading up to the night. With our pockets stuffed with our goodies to let off later in the night, we’d sprawl out on the grass on our tummies watching dad place the fat firecrackers into separate empty milk bottles, tie Catherine wheels onto the Hills Hoist clothes line and gather other assorted delights on top of the old brick barbie. Of course we always grew too restless and would set off some of our own stash while we waited.

The best part was watching the rockets shoot off into the night sky and explode into colourful flashes of light above us. Our neighbours also let off crackers. These joined in to make quite a show. The constant pop and crackle of the fireworks would always make me push my fingers into my ears to dull the sound. The beat of my heart would pump loud in my ears. At some stage the crackers would run out and we’d light sparklers, which we’d use to draw and write across the black velvet of the early summer night. We’d place the tom thumbs in an old canoe dad left in the backyard and pretend the army figures belonging to my brother were in a real war. I can’t recall having as much fun at any other time.

Sadly, because people aren’t always responsible and/or accidents happen there were often terrible burns, in particular of children, on that night and the event was eventually banned. This must’ve happened fairly early in NSW, where I lived as a child, because my memories are from when I was quite young. I do recall the deep disappointment of not being able to play with fire in our own backyard anymore.

So, what about you? Write up an entry about an event for the 4th of July or a similar celebration where you live or lived as a child. I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Morguefile

Post from: Blisstree

Blast from the Past Journal Writing Prompt