Welcome and Happy Tuesday, friends! It is always a joy to see you here!
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Galatians 5:13 (ESV)
In honor of America’s 250th birthday, I set a red, white, and blue table in the garden. Let the celebration begin!
I am joining fifteen bloggers for a Summer Tablescape Blog Hop hosted by my friend Rita from Panoply! You will find the bloggers’ links at the bottom of this post!
RM has been hanging the bunting around the cottage porch for several years and always assists me in holiday decorating! After 53 years, I think he is definitely a Keeper!
Long-time readers know that my sweet Daddy fought in the Korean War and was wounded in battle. He was awarded the Purple Heart that I now have in my safekeeping. I grew up in a Christian home that taught me the love of God and family. We honored and flew the flag, sang the National Anthem with pride, and stood with our hand over our heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Growing up in this atmosphere, I am extremely patriotic and still get misty-eyed when I sing The Star Spangled Banner!
“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”
~Peter Marshall
“America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”
~ Katharine Lee Bates
“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
~President John F. Kennedy
“This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
~Abraham Lincoln
For this patriotic table, my only purchase was the red carnations. An April Cornell ‘berry plaid’ tablecloth and navy napkins were my inspiration for the table. Navy placemats, chippy white chargers, my beloved Mother’s Churchill ‘blue Willow’ dinner plates, American Atelier, ‘Baroque’ salad plates, and vintage Johnson Bros ‘Coaching Scenes’ bread and butter plates complete the stack! Hammered stainless steel flatware, thrifted napkin rings, and Mother’s red stemware complete the table!
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
~Ronald Reagan
It’s been fifty years since America’s Bicentennial on July 4, 1976. I am sorry to say that I don’t remember many details of the events from that summer. There were celebrations across the country, from large scale events to local parades in small towns. For those of you who were old enough in 1976, I would love for you to share any memories you have from the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Gerald Ford was president and presided over the display in Washington, D.C., which was televised nationally!
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Proverbs 14:34 (ESV)
A red watering can is filled with hydrangeas…Nikko Blue…Snowflake…Annabelle and red carnations!
God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with a light from above
From the mountains to the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home
God bless America, my home sweet home
~Irving Berlin
My Renaissance Man’s drone shot of the table!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
~The Declaration of Independence, In Congress, July 4, 1776
For beautiful and inspiring summer and patriotic tablescapes, please visit the links below!
Panoply – Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Home is Where the Boat Is – Oh My Stars & Stripes
Hyacinths for the Soul – Celebrate With a Patriotic Heart
Olla-Podrida – Night of the Iguana Tablescape
Everyday Living – America is 250: Let’s Celebrate!
Me and My Captain – Belmont Stakes, The Last Race of Triple Crown
The Cats Whiskerz – A Gardener’s Tablescape
Pandora’s Box – Summer Patriotic Tablescape and Kitchen Cart
Life and Linda – A Whimsical Elegant Pastel Summer Table
The Bookish Dilettante – Tablescape for America 250
My Thrift Store Addiction – Summer Serenity in the Garden: Elegant Breakfast For One
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Celebrating America’s Favorite Pastime
Thrifting Wonderland – Searching for Summer: A Thrifted Tablescape
Red Cottage Chronicles – From Antiquing to Dinner: A Simple Summer Gathering with Friends
Dinner at Eight – A Casual Summer Table Inspired by Island Daydreams
Mantel and Table – Blue and White Tablescape – How to Enjoy a Beautiful Summer
Do you have special plans for celebrating America’s 250th birthday?
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch,Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Pam I love the drone shot Butch was able to get…and I did see a few photos of your lovely gardens in the background that I had not seen before so thank you for that. I LOVE each and every quote and the Bible verses…how fitting for this 250th celebration of our beautiful and wonderful country. Yes, sometimes she limps a bit but she is still the best there is.. because she was built on Christian Faith by our Founding Fathers. I adore the red watering can as your centerpiece holding the red, white and blue flowers and your precious mother’s red stemmed glass ware and her Churchill blue willow plates. I always smile at the sentiments for both your Mother and Daddy. I’m sorry to say I don’t remember much about our 1976 celebration…that is so strange, I need to think about that today. Hugs and Blessings my dear friend…as always Phil 1:3
Oh Pam, thank you for all your Bible verses and quotes interspersed throughout your patriotic post. I love your choice of dishes and especially the plaid tablecloth. Your cheerful red sprinkling can overflowing with gorgeous blooms is the perfect centerpiece to celebrate America’s 250th celebration. Thank you for your inspiration and for Butch’s drone shot. It looks like a patriotic cross! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Great drone shot from above! Your patriotic quotes are a great reminder of a positivity and hope in our country. Your table is bright and cheery ~ I adore your red stemware! And your dad received a Purple Heart? Fascinating yet also sad, but so thankful for his service.
Pam, your table is a beautiful and elegant celebration of America’s 250th birthday! I love the bunting decorating your Sunshine Cottage in the background. I love how you combined patriotic touches with your signature style, creating a setting that feels both festive and welcoming. The layers of red, white, and blue are perfectly balanced, and your watering can centerpiece adds such a festive focal point to the table. As always, every detail is thoughtfully chosen and beautifully presented, from the coordinated place settings to the lovely decorative accents that make the table feel so warm and inviting. Love Butch’s overhead drone shot too! As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Happy Tuesday❤️🤍💙
This is a delightful arrangement, Pam. Very fun and festive, as is your table! I’ve always liked bunting — it’s such fun1