Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Remembering....A Daughter's Love



My beloved father passed away on Tuesday.  And while he was 88 years old, it was quite unexpected.  He and we were blessed that he was active and enjoyed life right up until the end. He was often gathered to our table for celebrations and holidays.   


He was a most amazing man, and wonderful father and was loved by many.  He and our mother shared 50 years of marriage, raised four children and he showed what true commitment and love he had for her when he lovingly cared for her through Alzheimer's until her death almost 11 years ago.  He was one of eight children raised on a Virginia farm, a WWII veteran and a true southern gentleman.  He never met a stranger and had a great love of his family, his church, his fellowman and his beloved team the Chicago Cubs.

I will miss him greatly, but I cannot be sorrowful that he did not suffer any sort of long lingering illness.  Oh he had his health issues, but died suddenly at home rather than at the conclusion of a long decline.  Who can possibly regret that?  We were certainly blessed and for years I have spent Sunday afternoons with him discussing events and solving the world's problems.  Early next week our family will gather together and tell stories and laugh and cry remembering him and all he has meant to us and we will toast him with a bottle of "Sweet Walter" wine that he bought several years ago especially for that occasion.  While he often said that growing old was not for sissies....he did so with tremendous grace. Forever and always, I will love this man dearly.  He was greatly loved in this life and I am certain welcomed with great celebration into the next!

 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!

It's no secret that I LOVE the 4th of July!  I always have....so I invite you to join me.....

 

....at my star spangled table.

I found these cute little bowls at the dollarish spot at Target this year...


 

I found four different styles


 
Just perfect for.....

those red, white and blue holidays.


 
Michaels had these red and blue pinwheel straws this year.  I took one to work and when I take it to the kitchen to fill my glass with water, while I'm walking it spins around and makes me smile......yes, I'm easily amused.

We always had sparklers growing up as part of our celebration....so they became part of my centerpiece along with Lady Liberty.....

....I love this vase I found last year....perfect for holding flags.....

.....my little wooden Uncle Sam.....

....this year's Sam from Michaels at 50% off.
How about a view from the flagpole?
....so what are you doing for the 4th?
Wishing you a safe and wonderful 4th of July!  Here's a few tables from years past.

 

An "old fashioned" 4th from 2010

 
...a tabletop parade from 2011.....
....evidently I have a thing for pinwheels - July 2012


See ya!

I'm joining Cuisine Kathleen at http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/2013/07/america-beautiful-happy-birthday-lets.html" -- check out all her fun tables.  Stop by "Between Naps on the Porch" and see her patriotic tables as well.http://betweennapsontheporch.net/dining-on-the-porch-for-the-4th-of-july/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29http://betweennapsontheporch.net/dining-on-the-porch-for-the-4th-of-july/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29