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! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Thank you dearest Kitty for your sweet comments 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
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
Thank you Jeanie! I enjoy the bunting.
Good morning Pam, I love how so many more people are getting into the spirit of decorating patriotically (just look at the aisles in HL!). I start out now for Memorial Day, then we go into Flag Day and Independence Day. For all of us who collect blue and white, it works spectacularly for the red, white, and blue. Your table is such a beautiful example!! It is lovely! And Butch’s drone shot really showcases it. The service of your dear father and those like him must never be forgotten. Ronald Reagan’s quote is one of my very favorites. Looks like we may get some tstorms today and the humidity is about 1000%…summer in the South has arrived and is not for the faint hearted! Love you!!
I would love to see your patriotic decor, it must be beautiful! ❤️🤍💙As always, thank you for your sweet comments. We have received a lot of rain. I would say our humidity today is also at 1000% Love you!
The memory I have of 1976 is going to the celebrations at Valley Forge with my parents. I also remember wooden nickels being handed out, wish they were stil in my possession. I have one Coaching scene dinner plate from a thrift store, maybe some day I will stumble across more of them.
I am sure you have wonderful memories of Valley Forge for America’s 200th birthday. How fun that wooden nickels were passed out. Thank you for sharing those memories, Joellyn!
Hi, I’m only about a year old to your blog. The scriptures are what drew me here. The photography and drone shots are fantastic and I’m learning so much about the nature around us through your posts. You have a lovely garden and set beautiful tablescapes. Thanks for sharing!
Vivian, thank you for commenting and sharing it was the scripture that drew you in. It is important to us to share God’s Word! Wishing you a lovely summer!
The patriotism of your tablescape and sentiments around it are wonderful, Pam. I also get emotional when our national anthem is sung. My father also received a purple heart from combat action in WWII (loss of leg while guarding in foxhole). Your table certainly displays honor to our fathers, as well as to love of home and garden and, by extension, our country. Butch’s drone shot is beautiful. It’s those close views of the plate stack, the flowers, and sunlight captured in the background that really attracts my attention for their beauty.
As for the bicentennial, one of my sisters was married on July 31 of that year, and we joke to this day of her husband of 50 years having a bicentennial man-cold at the time. Not a very patriotic memory, yet memorable for many of us in the family.
Thank you for participating in this hop and consistently sharing faith, family, home and garden!
Pam every inch of this Tablescape is just beautiful. I love the watering can, tablecloth, plates well just all of it. Have a great week. Hugs. Kris
Kris, you are so sweet! Thank you.
Such a classic combination that I love! I’m preparing a post on my site about my Liberty Blue Patriotic dishes – but I haven’t set a pretty table like this! You are an inspiration!
Thank you Leslie Anne. I will be looking forward to seeing your Liberty Blue 💙
I was glad to see that that overhead photo was taken by a drone and not your hanging off of a top branch in a tree. How lovely this entire setting is. Not just the table, but the surrounding area. I miss outdoor dining. My parents used to have a party every Fourth of July and, weather permitting, we would dine outside. My mother used to go to a lot of work, making the table cloths, setting up hurricanes with candles in them all over the yard, making center pieces with sparklers, pretty much the type of thing that you have done here. I am really waxing nostalgic today. I love everything, including those top plates that serve to prove that you can set a patriotic table without always using stars and stripes.
Pam, your table is lovely and a perfect way to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. Your April Cornell ‘berry plaid’ tablecloth and navy napkins are so perfect for this table. The watering can is so pretty filled with beautiful flowers. Love the drone shot of the table overhead.your daddy/s service to our country is so appreciated. The bunting loos so patriotic and festive. Always a pleasure joining you. Happy summer.❤️🤍💙
Good morning Pam! What a lovely table set for our 250th Birthday Celebration. I enjoy seeing glassware and dinnerware from your Mother—such sweet memories for you. Your centerpiece, with the red, white, and blue banners in the background, is nothing short of perfection. I may add a few blue-and-white Johnson Brothers plates to my Red and White Cabinet in the sunroom. Thank you for the inspiration.
I graduated from high school in ‘76. Our yearbook was decked out in red, white, and blue, and we took photos of ourselves all celebrating the USA birthday throughout the year, and most made the yearbook. I remember parades and such. I have decorated the outside of our summer home in red, white, and blue.
I am off to enjoy the blog hop! ❤️🤍💙
Enjoy your day, sweet friend!
Thank you, Nancy! What sweet memories preserved in your yearbook! Thank you for sharing those memories ❤️🤍💙
Oh, I forgot to mention, I enjoyed all the Quotes and Bible verses. Thank you!
I am happy you enjoyed!
Pam, it’s always such a treat to see your settings outside. Alfresco summer entertaining is always my preference, but our recent rains had me inside for my casual hot dog meal. Now the humidity is miserable, so we’d be on the sunporch anyway. Nice to have the options. I pinned your mosaic first thing. So much inspiration. Love the big red watering can filled with flowers. Perfect centerpiece! Of course the linen and plate stack bring the perfect vibe, and I always appreciate your sentimental touches and comments. You know patriotic things are dear to my heart. Yes, 1976 was a memorable celebration. We were out on the lake celebrating with a patriotic picnic. Happy 250th!
Pam, your table is indeed a celebration! It’s always a pleasure to pull up a chair to the table in your beautiful garden and I adore watering can floral arrangements. Have a lovely summer, Cecilia – My Thrift Store Addiction
Pam, I remember the bi-centennial celebration in 1976, because President Gerald Ford came to our little town, Conroe, Texas, and participated in the parade. (Conroe has grown exponentially since 1976!) It was a BIG deal for our little town back then. The town square was spiffed up and decorated for weeks. A store on the square tragically burned completely down a few months before the parade and president’s visit. The fire left a gapping hole, but a large, beautiful bi-centennial mural was put across the opening to cover the damage. The mural stayed in place for a few years until an expansion of the courthouse was put there. The day of the parade, my parents, me, my sister, and other family members proudly stood on the street and waved as the presidential motorcade passed by. The 21 gun salute (I think that number is correct) was extremely loud! (One of my cousins, who had been shot by the sniper at UT Austin a few years previously, had to leave the crowd as the gunfire brought back horrible memories.) 1976 was a very memorable day and year for me. Thank God for the privilege of being born and raised in the United States of America.
Your table is beautiful!
Rachel, what wonderful memories you have of the Bicentennial! That is a memory to share with children and grandchildren! Thank you for sharing it on this post. Yes I am thankful for the blessing of being born and raised in the USA 🇺🇸
1976 was a year of extreme transition for me but I do remember how proud I was of our country. I too always tear up when listening to our National anthem. I had an uncle that was in Korea and almost lost his life but was saved by the fact that he refused to sleep in a sleeping bag. All of his Conrad’s lost their lives because they couldn’t escape the attack because they were in a sleeping bag. My uncle dove into a rice patty and breathed through a straw until the enemy left but by that time the rice patty was frozen over. When he was found he had frost bite and was shipped to a hospital in Australia to recover. I am so proud of the men that had to walk through hell and high water to save the world. I love your red white and blue and proud of you precious daddy.
Alice, thank you for sharing the amazing story about your uncle! Yes, I often think of the sacrifices made and the lives lost to keep us free! Take care dear one!
So lovely Pam! The Red White and Blue is so gorgeous, the little Uncle Sam hat pick in the bouquet is so cute! I love the patriotic heart napkin rings! I always appreciate the scripture and quotes you share with us, and want to place them on our family’s table on the 4th, thank you.
Usually my mother-in-law would have everyone over after the parade for her delicious oven baked chicken and warm German Potato Salad and sides of veggies from their garden. It was tradition to have Peanutbutter Icecream! It sounds crazy, but everyone always loves it! We all took turns cranking the icecream maker. Everyone just had fun until dark, when we all headed down to the river for fireworks.
The 1976 celebrations were different though…the Teton Dam broke in June and flooded and destroyed many communities. There was so much to do and clean up. Everyone helped and pulled together for years…American spirit and Can do…
We too are always at attention as the flag passes, or as the National anthem is sung…holding in our hearts all the generations that have served. Butch’s drone photo is so nice too…as others mentioned, I saw a cross too…
Everthing was such a beautifil treat 🇺🇲 thank you❣️
Sue, I always enjoy your visits. Your comments are so sweet. The celebrations at your mother-in-law’s home sound wonderful! I remember having home-made peanut butter ice cream and everyone taking their turn cranking the ice cream maker. Butch remembers the Teton Dam break, but I don’t. It piqued my interest and I spent some time late afternoon reading many articles about it. What devastation it caused and that is a memory that will last a lifetime. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙🇺🇸
Pam, it’s always a pleasure to join you at the table and this patriotic celebration is no exception. Love your use of red, white and blue from the checked tablecloth to the beautiful bouquet of flowers as your centerpiece. The blue and white plates are a favorite.
It was so nice to hear stories of your Father and his service to our country. It’s important to remember that freedom is paid for by the sacrifice of our loved ones.
Your garden is such a peaceful place to set a table and enjoy the day. Have a wonderful Summer!
Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Pam, your patriotic table looks idyllic in front of your cottage adorned with the buntings!! For that matter, in front of the picket garden fence with the gardening hat hanging on it in the background!! Beautiful photos!! And while we are in the topic!! That drone photo!!! So nice!!! Your table is a beautiful, cheerful tribute to your patriotism. I love the bright red watering can filled with such a lovely arrangement for your centerpiece. I have to admit, I cry at parades when they are lead off by the Color Guard and our American Flag. I hope you have a wonderful summer☀️❤️💙🇺🇸
Hi Pam,
I love these these Tablescape Blog Hops, and I always enjoy landing on your spot. My beautiful friend Patti from Pandora’s Box introduced me to all of these wonderful Blogs. I always get a Blessing from your sweet posts that are filed with your Joyful Spirit and love for our Lord. Thank you for sharing the perfect Bible Verses.
Your table is so festive and that red watering can inspired me to find uses for simple items, it’s perfect for an outdoor dining centerpiece! I do remember or Bicentennial, I was 13 and my hometown had a huge celebration. Have a Wonderful 4th!
Kathy from TN
Thank you Kathy for your sweet comments. I am thrilled that you found me through Patti and the blog hops. I am especially thankful that you enjoy the Bible verses. When we started the blog, we knew that sharing God’s love and His Word would be of the upmost importance. Thank you for sharing a Bicentennial memory!
Blessings dear one,
Pam
Pam, your table is beautiful as always. I love the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue and how they look in combination. The red watering can is darling holding your gorgeous flowers and I love the addition of the patriotic top hat and star sprays. How wonderful to use your mother’s glassware and blue willow dinners plates that hold such memories. The Johnson Bros. bread and butter plates are really pretty. The AC Berry Plaid tablecloth is perfect for your table. I couldn’t quite make out the napkin rings on my laptop – are they cupcakes by chance? Butch’s drone shot is great and the whole table looks fabulous in the garden with the Sunshine Cottage all decorated in the background. I hope you have a wonderful summer and happy July 4th celebrations!
O Pam dear your memory-laden table setting amidst the idealic setting of your property
Just sings out the fourth. The spiritual reminders of the very heart of our beloved Nation
Butch’s Heaven sent photo of the cross,….and recalling the price your sweet daddy and other heroes paid to assure our safetyandfreedom only makes the 250th a more sanctified remembrance.Bless you for opening eyes and hearts to the privilege of being American.
My eyes misted over when I saw your comment! I have missed you so very much. You along with others have been encouragers that have kept me going! Thank you for your sweet comments that are always heart warming! Take care of yourself dear friend!
What a pretty table, and I love your tabelscapes set in your garden! Your centerpiece is absolutely stunning. The red glasses are fun, and my very favorite things are your layered tablecloths. I also like your blue and white plate stacks. Happy summer and Independence Day 250!
1976 was memorable. We were a young married couple and booked our first tour with Tauck tours. It was a historical tour from Topeka, KS. we flew into Boston, toured Philadelphia, NY, Williamsburg, D.C. It was memorable. We got hooked on traveling and I was blessed to travel for 57 yrs. with my beloved hubby. He fell last yr. near the 4th, passed away from complications with that. So grateful for traveling memories. Thanks for this beautiful post and the quotes and scripture.
Myrna, I am so glad that you and your husband had the opportunity to travel and make so many wonderful memories. That 1976 trip sounds perfect! I am so sorry to read of his passing. I can’t even begin to imagine how much you miss him. My husband had a bad accident in 2007 and after his recovery we began traveling and have slowed down a little the last couple of years. Those traveling memories are precious! Take care of yourself.
Looks like you have set the stage for a spectacular 4th of July celebration! I appreciate that every piece tells a story and that a few are family heirlooms! Red, white and beautifully gathered!!!!
Thank you, Mary. I love a table with memories!
Absolutely gorgeous! God bless America!
Thank you sweet friend!
Pam your bright red watering can was the first thing that jumped right out at my with this lovely table! (And the flowers of course!) How fun to have such a perfect vase for your concept. You’ve inspired me to add to my collection so I can have more fun too! Love the bunting – yes that guy sounds like a keeper to me! I love the Johnson Bros transferware, and your Blue Willow plates. How great that they were your mother’s. I always love using things that have a history. Wow – love the drone shot. That almost makes me want to get one so I could stop standing on chairs and reaching out as far as I can for those overhead shots! And I love the pictures that include your beautiful yard. What a calm gorgeous place to be able to wander and just sit in. I bet it renews your spirit every day. Thanks for sharing it with us – and sharing your lovely table ideas too. Always a joy to see your work!
Pam, I love your table and Butch’s drone shot. Your table is so colorful and pretty. I don’t remember much about the 1976 celebration except for the commemorative things. There were drinking glasses and plates. I remember certain food products celebrating the occasion on their labels or on their glass jars. I don’t see much of that at all this time. I have a small set of amber glasses from 1976 that my Mom had. I also remember the clothes that resembled the flag and the controversy it stirred up! Remember the flag jeans that people thought you shouldn’t wear because they thought it didn’t honor the flag? I do remember some red, white, and blue striped jeans I had. They were the patriotic colors but not designed like a flag exactly. Times have certainly changed! It looks as though you’re ready for the occasion. I’m sure the children will enjoy sparklers to celebrate the occasion. Enjoy your day. Clara❤️
Thank you, Clara. Thank you for sharing your memories of the Bicentennial. You have many more memories than I do. Wishing you a wonderful week ❤️🤍💙
The drone shot reminds me of a cross. So beautiful!
Thank you my friend!
Thank you my friend!9