Blisstree » Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!

Katelyn Thomas — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:20:38 +0000

Hope you have a wonderful Independence Day. As you are celebrating the rights and liberties you enjoy because some men decided to stand up for their rights many years ago, please take a moment to think about those who aren’t so fortunate.

Photo: SXC

Not sure what to do? Here are a few ideas:

You can head to freerice.com and donate some food to people in an underdeveloped nation.
Grownups can watch a movie like Beyond Rangoon that shows how hard it is to live in a country that doesn’t offer the freedom we have in the US. (This excellent movie starring Patricia Arquette is rated R and is not something I’d recommend for family viewing!)
Keep an eye on freedom’s progress by visiting a site like Freedom House to see where freedom is being threatened.

How do you help keep freedom alive?

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Independence Day!

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Patriotic Quilts

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:20 +0000

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?)

Clay’s Choice
Lincoln’s Platform
Little Giant
Old Tippecanoe
Union Square
Union Star
Whig Rose
Democrat Rose
President’s Wreath
Alexander Hamilton’s Quilt
Burgoyne Surrounded
Yankee Pride
Fifty-Four-Forty-or-Fight

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

Post from: Blisstree

Thursday Thirteen – 13 Patriotic Quilts

4th of July Events

Katelyn Thomas — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:38:21 +0000

I was checking out some of the different events that are going on this year around the 4th of July and was amazed by the variety of things that are happening. When I was a child, it was the parade and then a picnic in the park and fireworks. Now, there are so many more things we can do.

Photo: SXC

One Independence Day event that caught my eye was the Founder’s Favorites Fireworks and Fountains event at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. If you are in the area, it is well worth visiting. The fountains are beautiful even if fireworks aren’t shooting off. With the fireworks, they are breathtaking. The gardens themselves are quite lovely, too. You may remember the Mother’s Day trip we took to Longwood Gardens and all the lovely critters and flowers we saw there. I noticed a few other gardens were having July 4th events, so, if you aren’t in the Pennsylvania area, you may want to check local botanical garden event schedules.

Another event I noticed was the HollyWood Bowl July 4th Fireworks Spectacular. It looks like a lot of concert venues are doing similar shows, so if you like music and fireworks together, check your local venues.

Do you have a favorite July 4th event you attend?

Post from: Blisstree

4th of July Events

Happy Fourth of July from Quilting & Patchwork

Mary Emma Allen — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:00:48 +0000

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)

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Fourth of July from Quilting & Patchwork