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.
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 …read more

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.
(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?

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.

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 …read more

I grew up in Memphis, which means my appreciation for ribs is in my bone marrow. I spent many-a-summer sizzling at Memphis in May just to catch a sniff of the contestants’ entries in the annual barbecue rib contest.
Memphis’ Rendezvous serves up a great dry rib. Folks from Alabama will argue that Dreamland is the best. I prefer Rendezvous to Dreamland. I especially like eating at Rendezvous restaurant because they give you get a complimentary bowl of Red Beans and Rice and no matter how much you beg they will not give you the recipe.
My ribs are far from award-winning, …read more

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

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 …read more