{Happy 4th Of July and Musings}

Happy 4th of July!

WOW! Where did the month of June go? Matter of fact, where did half a year go already? We will be celebrating July 4th this week and I'm just curious. How do you celebrate? Fireworks? Picnic? Beach trip? Yard and home decorated with red, white and blue? Family and friends? Or simply quiet time?

As most of you know I am a coffee drinker in the mornings. Oh I must have COFFEE!  But, sometimes in the afternoons I simply want a cup a tea. If you are a tea drinker and have never tried Vanilla Bean Macaroon then it's a must try. Taste like dessert! YUM! I must admit that 4th of July decor for me was not on the table this year. I've been too busy doing other things and just haven't taken the time to get my decor out. I do keep flags out all year round that stick in various plants I have outside but I did decide to do a little vignette for my looking pleasure.  Maybe on July 4th I will be inspired to at least set a table. LOL!
 

However you celebrate I do hope that you have a wonderful July 4th celebration and a safe one. 

My middle daughter Melissa recently bought herself a nice camera and is in photograph mode. Her oldest daughter has shown an interest in photography and my oldest granddaughter will be taking a photography class. Needless to say this make ME SO HAPPY as I have always enjoyed photography. Though now I only shoot pictures for my grands but I still enjoy it from time to time. I had fun watching my girl snap pictures of her girls.

I can't wait to see how her pictures turn out. Her girls are involved in various activities so now she has a good camera to catch those special moments.

BUT....you know me...NANA couldn't stand it so I had to snap just a couple of pictures of the girls. Our Mallory Grace just got braces. Of course Nana had to make her some potato soup to help that sore mouth you know....
 

Kyleigh got new glasses this week so she will be sporting those in her next pictures I am sure. Don't you just adore the girls tops?

Do any of you have or use an Instapot? When they first came out I was hesitant but then my daughter's bought me one for a gift a few years ago. I am truly the CROCK POT QUEEN because I love slow cooking.  But, the Instapot sure helps out when I am in a hurry. Or when I want to boil peanuts! YES!  BEST boiled peanuts ever! I have made lots of things in my Instapot but recently whipped up a cabbage, sausage and potato dish. I added a few carrots and peppers and needless to say my husband loved it. 
 

I was raised with a pressure cooker so the Instapot doesn't frightened me in the least. 
Mine is a large one so I keep it in the cabinet and pull it out when I use it. But, then the only appliance I leave out on the counter is my COFFEE POT! LOL!
I have made all sorts of things in the Instapot. It just takes a little time to learn it.

These three sweet girls surprised Nana one day by coming by my office to see me. Sure made me smile.

I made a pineapple upside cake for a dear friend recently who started chemo on Thursday of last week. I added a dollop of butter cream icing with pineapple juice to the top of the cherries and around the cake and made a few pieces of dark chocolate just because I wanted too. LOL! YEP, I kept a bowl of the dark chocolate for myself....After all, dark chocolate is good for you. RIGHT?

Well I will end today with this. 4th of July is a great time to celebrate with fireworks, maybe hamburgers, hot dogs or grilled ribs and let's don't forget, that patriotic dessert. It's a time to for us to display our red, white and blue flags proudly and I do because Old Glory is a beautiful sight to me. Maybe even wear our patriotic shirts and who knows, I might even get up singing the National Anthem! Well, chances of that happening before coffee is like ZERO! Or in front of anyone either......LOL! 
But with all that....FREEDOM is what comes to mind for me. And Freedom to me means my freedom in Christ Jesus.  

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Happy 4th of July to you all. 

Hugs and blessings, Cindy