As we celebrate the Fourth of July, I think of other years…of my childhood and with my daughter and grandchildren.  Although most of us in this multi-generational household have work schedules (four of us work at a supermarket), we still have time to engage in patriotic activities.

Image: sxc.hu

There are fireworks in a neighboring town on Friday night.

A parade also is held there on Saturday morning.

We prepare special foods that have become a family tradition, including a barbeque. 

If the weather is good, we also may hold a yard sale this weekend.  Yard sales have become traditional over summer holiday weekends in our town.

I’ll see what photos and memories I can find from my childhood, my daughter’s and the grandchildren.  I should begin compiling them into a scrapbook/journal. 

When I was growning up, my mother’s family always gathered on July 4th.  In later years, as the older generation passed away, my parents established traditions at our home.  I shouldn’t let these family heritage memories disappear into the past.

What do you do to save Fourth of July memories?

You may not be a big American history buff, but you can still appreciate the wonderful cultural tradition that is the Fourth of July.  Holidays like this are a great time for meaningful bonding with friends and family.

I love American holidays for their celebration of families and traditions.  National holidays provide a day off so hopefully there can be that one special day when fathers and mothers get to spend time with their children, and friends and family can travel across long distances to see each other for a special weekend.

If you have are having a Fourth of July celebration, make a special effort to include friends who may not have anyone else to celebrate with.  The summer is finally here and we should all just relax for a day and embrace the happiness that surrounds a social atmosphere.

I think Fourth of July traditions have a lot to do with open-mindedness and everyone coming together to appreciate the country that we share.

Image: Flickr Jesse Michael Nix

Many of the traditional quilt patterns of yesteryear carried names of  patriotic events or people.  As a celebration of the Fourth of July (sometimes called Independence Day), let’s discover these.

Image: sxc.hu

(From your knowledge of American history, do you recognize these patriots’ names or the event?)

1. Clay’s Choice
2. Lincoln’s Platform
3. Little Giant
4. Old Tippecanoe
5. Union Square
6. Union Star
7. Whig Rose
8. Democrat Rose
9. President’s Wreath
10. Alexander Hamilton’s Quilt
11. Burgoyne Surrounded
12. Yankee Pride
13. Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight

Do you have favorite patriotic quilt patterns…those of yesteryear or today?

July 4th memories often entertain the Alzheimer’s parent and help you preserve your family heritage…for yourself, your children and future generations.  Since Alzheimer’s patients like to reminisce, you may be able to do this with them about memories of this holiday.

Image: sxc.hu

• Record the memories
• Jot them down
• Pull out pictures and have the patient tell you about them (if they’re able)
• Make some scrapbook pages with these memories
• Involve the whole family so they can have memories of doing this with  the Alzheimer’s family member
• Take the patient to July 4th events if they’re capable
• Prepare foods the family member did or enjoyed on these occasions in earlier years
• Join in any July 4th activities at the nursing home, if your family member resides there.

What do you do to remember the Fourth of July as you parent your parent?

The Fourth of July is our theme for this week, in our summer series of activities for my posts under the Blisstree Parenting section. 

July 4th - Image: sxc.hu

What are you doing for this holiday weekend, which in our tourist area of New Hampshire, constitutes the beginning of the summer season?

What family memories are you creating?

How are you recording these memories for your family history? 

• Scrapbooking,
• Making photo CDs
• Journaling,
• Taking videos
• Developing special traditions
• Incorporating family members of all ages into these activities

Share with us your Fourth of July traditions!

As we prepare for barbecues and fireworks this Fourth of July, The American Kennel Club has offered up some tips on how to keep your pets safe and calm during this noisy celebration.

Does your dog freak out at fireworks? Our Honey does, but Chip is usually fine after he figures out where the noise is coming from. We’ve several of the techniques below for Honey, including keeping her in her crate with a towel over it and keeping the television on so she’s got other, “regular” noise to distract her.

~ It’s safer to keep your pets at home during Forth of July celebrations instead of bringing him to your neighbor’s party. Keep your pets in the house, rather than in your yard; he’ll be a lot happier indoors, and not tempted to leap over a fence to find you.

~ Dogs can be startled by the loud noise of fireworks. Once the festivities begin, keep your pet in a safe room where he can feel comfortable. If he’s crate trained put him in his crate covered with a blanket to make him feel secure.

~ Block outside sights and sounds by lowering the blinds and turning on the television. Play soothing music in the background to counteract the cacophony during the “rockets’ red glare.”

~ If your pet seems overly anxious, spend some time with your pet, speaking soothingly to help them to relax.

~ Avoid scraps from the grill. While tempting to our pets, any sudden change to your pets’ diet can cause stomach upset. In addition, some certain foods like onions, avocado, grapes and raisins can be toxic.

~ Human products can be dangerous to animals. Avoid spraying your pet with insect repellent and only use special sunscreen that is intended for animal use. Keep your pets away from matches and lighter fluid. They can be extremely irritating to the stomach, lungs and central nervous system if ingested.

[image: flickr]

With the Fourth of July just over a week away, it’s time to start putting together a menu plan for those who are going to be getting together for more than just firework-watching! What barbecue/picnic/get-together is complete without some cool, refreshing drinks?

Whether you’re wanting to keep things non-alcoholic or plan to imbibe over the holiday weekend, you can still keep a festive theme going with tons of summery, delicious drinks. (Just remember that anyone drinking the harder stuff should not be the ones setting off the fireworks!)

Firecrackers
from sofakingdrunk.com

1 1/2 oz Tequila
Cracked ice
Tonic water
Lime wedge

Pour tequila over the ice in a highball glass. Fill with tonic. Stir and garnish with lime wedge.

…..

4th of July Holiday Punch non-alcoholic
from garvick.com

6 c Orange juice
20 oz Frozen strawberries in syrup
2 c Cranberry juice cocktail
3 c Ginger ale

Blend together the orange juice, strawberries, and cranberry juice cocktail. Add ginger ale immediately before serving drinks. Makes 18 servings.

…..

July Passion Cocktail Recipe
from drinkswap.com

1 oz Strawberry Liqueur
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Passion-fruit Juice
1 oz Lemonade

Shake and strain into an old-fashioned glass three-quarters filled with broken ice. Add lemonade, garnish with a sugar-dipped strawberry, and serve.

…..

Red, White and Blue Shooter
from hubpages

1/2 oz grenadine
1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz blue curaçao

“The layered effect of this shot will only work if the ingredients are poured in the given order: grenadine, vodka then blue curaçao. Use a spoon to deflect the pouring of the liquor because otherwise the force of each pour will inadvertantly mix all three liquors (and colors!) together.”

[image: flickr]

I’m not usually one to dress up my dogs, and even less so if there’s the possibility they’ll be seen by other people (unless it’s Halloween!).

This little patriotic dog costume is too cute, though, and if we had plans to leave the house on the Fourth of July (currently we plan to be sitting on the patio with some barbecue in the backyard) I might consider getting one of these for Chip.

The outfit is fully lined and made from cotton. It features little tuxedo tails, a matching removable bowtie collar and top hat.

Tails by the Lake has the cute one pictured above for $34 each and unfortunately are out of all sizes but XS, Large, and XL. BuyCostumes.com has a set that’s quite a bit cheaper but not quite as cute (here’s a bigger pic) for $15.

[image: tailsbythelake]

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

 In the United States, we’re celebrating Fourth of July, or Independence Day. There are parades, fireworks, community activities, and for many a weekend off from work.  You may be involved in a craft or quilting show since come towns often feature such events.

When I was growing up, we couldn’t take a day off from the dairy farm. However, we usually visited relatives for a holiday meal, a family reunion type of gathering, then returned home for the evening chores. Then as dusk descended, we watched fireworks from the “Big Hill,” a hay field on a hill top from which we could see for miles. Bursts of fireworks were visible in the darkening sky.

How do you celebrate Fourth of July?

If you don’t live in the United States, do you have a similar holiday? Share with us.

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com

As the Fourth of July approaches, many communities will hold parades and fireworks. However, you also may want quieter activities for youngsters at home.

Why not check out some of those at One Book Two Book, where I’m a co-blogger.

• Fourth of July Craft Ideas
• 10 Best Fourth of July Picture Books
• All American Week
• Fourth of July Books for Teens

What ideas do you have for celebrating Fourth of July?

(Amazon image;click on flag for details)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen