What's red, white, and blue, easier-than-easy to make, and looks and tastes great? Here's a hint:
I like to give credit where credit is due, but in this case, unfortunately I can't. I saw the idea for these patriotic fruit and marshmallow kabobs...
And while we're on the subject of celebrating the Fourth, here are a few quick book recommendations, ones that the boys and I have enjoyed recently because of the mix of history and story:
~ Happy Birthday, America - Mary Pope Osborne (one of the reviews on the back cover of this book says "A surprisingly emotional story," and that's so true; although there's nothing terribly dramatic in it, I can't get through it without a big lump in my throat, at the very least...and at the very most, literal tears rolling down my face)
~ The Scarlet Stockings Spy - Trinka Hakes Noble (the main character's brother dies while fighting in General Washington's army...emotional? yes!...my tender-hearted Josiah, after reading it once, said in a choked voice, "I don't think I want to read it again because it's too sad")
~ Almost to Freedom - Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (about the Underground Railroad...told from the perspective of a doll...I didn't cry in this one!) :)
~ New York's Bravest - Mary Pope Osborne (about New York firefighters...who can say "New York firefighters" and "September 11" in one sentence without getting a little catch in the voice?..well, don't answer that, because probably a lot of less-emotional people can...but this book, too, gets me a little bit, even though it's about a New York firefighter folk hero from way back when and not specifically about September 11)
A little eating, a little reading, a little crying...what else does a good Independence Day need? Whatever that may be--parades, fireworks, picnics with people you love, and more--may you find that today!
Hooray for the red, white, and blue!!!
6 comments:
Yum! This looks great!
happy 4th to you & your sweet boys, friend!! and send me one of those kabobs, pleaseandthankyou?? ;)
Your Josiah must be like our wee guy. He has that reaction to sad stories too :(
Gorgeous photos - with I'd had these before today and I'd have made some.
Happy Independence day to you all (even though *we* are the ones you left :( ...!
I love the symbolism in the new header. And yes, I cried when I read your analogy to the army boots. I also cried at our little neighborhood parade this morning, for no other reason than there was a fire truck rolling by festooned in flags and smiling firefighters. And the sky was blue and there were puffy clouds and my kids and husband were in front of me...
I am also 100% certain all of these books you've suggested would WRECK me. My latest tear-inducer is a sweet book titled John Philip Duck (named after Sousa) by Patricia Polacco. A little boy who works at an Atlanta hotel during the Depression finds a duckling, raises it, and teaches it to march to Sousa tunes! I was fine until the end, which shows the boy as an old man, still drawing flocks of ducks by playing his Sousa marches. I could not finish I was so choked up, and the kids were thoroughly perplexed.
That was me! I guess I accidentally hit "Anonymous".
Patti - I knew it was you. You're definitely my kindred spirit, in regards to getting emotional from children's books. I OFTEN think of you when I find myself getting choked up. ;-)
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