Happy (Early) 4th of July 2024

Hi!

4th of July is this week in the United States and it always feels a little odd when it happens in the middle of the week and not on the weekend.

We’re not the ones to miss a celebration, so I am taking the week off of the blog to spend time with family. We’re going to have such a good time!

In the meantime, if you’d like something to read while I’m away from the blog, try one of these oldies but goodies.

DIY Cellophane Faux Sparklers (Mega Frill Picks)

I use these to dress up my ferns for the 4th of July. Even ferns need a little festive flare!

The faux sparkers are waterproof, but the sun will start to bleach the color out of the cellophane if you leave them out for weeks on end. Ask me how I know. Ha!

That Time I Painted a Flag On a Door

Much to my surprise, when I repainted the flag hanging on our little barn, I discovered it was an old door. The real question is where did that door come from? It matches the ones in the house, but we aren’t missing any doors.

Also, painting 50 stars on that flag really hurt my brain. My trick for painting them in reverse is in this blog post.

The American Flag Wreath I Made When We Live In Ireland

Expat life is weird. You’re so happy about your new adventures and broadened worldview, but you have this tether to your home country.

Maybe I needed more time, but I was never able to quite cut that tether.

All that to say, I am proud to be an American.

We live in a country where we are free to complain about how things could be better. Trust me, we all know they could be better. We also probably have different ideas of what “better” looks like.

My favorite quote of late is from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She said something to the effect that if you’re wringing your hands, you can’t roll up your sleeves.

Roll up your sleeves. Advocate for what you believe in. Look out for marginalized people. Take it to the polls, not the streets or social media to decide. Compromise. That’s democracy in action.

To my friends in the U.S., have a happy 4th of July.

To all of you, I’ll see you back here in a week!