A couple of things, First and foremost HAPPY 4th OF JULY

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Congress approved the wording of the Declaration on July 4 and then sent it to the printer. Whether John Hancock, as the elected President of the Second Continental Congress, or anyone else signed the document that day is unknown, because that document has been lost — presumably destroyed in the printing process.[1] Hancock's name and that of a witness do appear on the typeset broadside that was published within a few days. On August 2 in the following month, an engrossed document in script form[2] was signed by Hancock and other delegates.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but is often also viewed as simply a summer festival, apart from its patriotic overtones.

If you all saw the series John Adams, this will appeal to you… A miniseries on the life of John Adams and the first 50 years of the United States. A FABULOUS watch we thought!

Check The Video OUT! Worth getting the DVD!

In 1776, John Adams declared, "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."[3]

Neat site for more Information!

ALSO a MUST to check!!!!!!!!!! West Virginia Wild Game and Fish Recipes

Also recpies on this site as well

As for here, we do our part as well…

work like HECK then picnic with burgers and dogs….

NOT THE PUPS mind you… a few Innocent fireworks, then sit back and recount our blessings.

Who knows a midnight dip in the farm pond… ;)

This particular flower I am showing here seemed too perfect not to share for the 4th! Enjoy…

Here is a recipe we shall try this weekend.

~~~~~~~~~~ Curried Rice with Apricots 4 cups (1 L) chicken stock or water

2 cups (500 ml) uncooked white rice

1/2 cup (125 ml) dried apricots, chopped

2 tsp (10 ml) curry powder

Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a saucepan over moderate heat.

Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and simmer tightly covered for 20 minutes - do not remove the lid.

Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

Serves 4 to 6. This elegant but simple dish can also be made with raisins, dried peaches, or chopped dates.

Crocosmia 'Lucifer'.

Cousins to the gladiola, these are hardy plants that produce clumps of green sword-shaped leaves, with tall, arching spikes of funnel-shaped blossoms appearing in mid to late summer.

Crocosmia (J.E. Planchon, 1851), is a small genus of perennial species in the iris family Iridaceae, native to the grasslands of Cape Floristic Region, South Africa.

They are commonly known in the United States as coppertips or falling stars, and in Britain as montbretia. Other names, for hybrids and cultivars, include antholyza, and curtonus.

The name is derived from the Greek words krokos (saffron) and osme (smell), referring to the saffron-like scent, when dried flowers are dipped in water. Crocosmia are winter-hardy in temperate regions. They can be propagated through division, removing offsets from the corm in spring.