Round-Up Wednesday (July 1, 2015)
Many people count Christmas as their favorite holiday. Not this girl. Hands down my favorite holiday is the 4th of July. (Now don’t start sending me hate mail. It’s not that I don’t love Christmas, I just love the 4th slightly more.) As soon as Memorial Day hits out comes the patriotic decorations and music. I begin planning my 4th of July outfits around the same time. Yep, outfits. I wear multiple red, white, and blue themed outfits the week of the 4th. Todays #OOTD is a blue shirt, white skinny jeans, blue leather flip flops, and a red and gold necklace. The rest of the outfits are just as patriotic and one may even involve stars and stripes. LOL.
It’s only fitting that my favorite things this week are an ode to this country I love.
Things to Read
The Glorious Cause of America by David McCullough
This speech is a paired down version of David McCullough’s defining 1776 (which is on my recommended reading list) and may be a more doable read before Saturday. For years, this quote had adored the wall of my parents home: “Washington did what you sometimes have to do when everything is lost and all hope is gone. He attacked”. You can read the speech HERE.
John Adams by David McCullough
In the key players in the cause of Independence, John Adams is overshadowed by the more popular Jefferson, Franklin, and Washington. Yet, without the bullheaded determination of Adams, American Independence may not have transpired.
John, Paul, George, and Ben by Lane Smith
Telling the story of the five lads who became the Founding Fathers, this charming picture book is guaranteed to please children and adults alike. I’ve yet to meet a child who didn’t like the part about Paul Revere and the underwear.
Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis Founding Brothers picks up where 1776 leaves off. Ellis analysis 6 events and how those led to the creation of the America we’re familiar with.
Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts This book gives the women who helped with the founding their due.
Things to Watch
Who doesn’t love seeing Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin sing their way to Independence?
National Treasure This is my guilty pleasure on the last. It’s not very plausible, or even factual, but it’s just so much fun.
Johnny Tremain This movie takes me back to my childhood and boy did I think all the actors were so good looking. If joining the cause for independence meant hanging out with those guys, I was like sign me up. If you didn’t watch it as a child, Johnny Tremain gets drawn into the events of the revolution and must figure out what family and freedom mean.
If movies are more your thing, you should give this wonderful miniseries headlined by Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney based on David McCullough’s John Adams a try.
What to Make
Flag Jars
These cute jars from Mason de Pax are Americana without being kitschy (which can be hard). You can find the tutorial HERE.
Banana Sparklers
If you’re looking for something to take to the neighborhood BBQ and don’t want to do cookies or cupcakes? Try these cute Banana Fireworks from I Heart Naptime. You can find the tutorial HERE.
Sparkler Pictures
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where fireworks are allowed, a sparkler picture is a must. HERE is a great tutorial from One Good Thing by Jillee that walks you through how to get the perfect shot.