Apex, North Carolina 4th of July Parade Celebration 2012

Hope you all had a Happy 4th of July!  "She's a Grand Ole Flag....!" We sang, we celebrated and it was so wonderful.

We were blessed to spend it with family and friends right here in North Carolina.  Let me tell you it was a hot time but it wasn't anything that a cold watermelon and some sprinklers couldn't cure.  We celebrated along with many others... :) 

Here are a few sites from town.... the Balloon Clown.

The Cake Walk....

Our boys decorated their bicycles again and rode in the parade.  This blesses my heart.  So I wonder... when they have their mountain bikes with gears ... will they ride again next year?  

One thing is for sure, I know they will climb the rock climbing wall! :)  I love this. It was cute one of them said. "Mom, it was hard last year,  I wonder if we can do it again?"  I had no doubt reminded my Cherubs, "Boys, you are a year older, stronger and taller this year! You've got this!"  And they did! :) 

They cruised right to the top.  I am thankful as can be for strength and stamina in the every day. 

Of course, Carolina Mama couldn't resist Fashion even on the 4th! Look at these deals. Love the red dress.

Uncle Sam made an appearance.

The Town Fire Trucks Sprayed... soaked the kids after the parade! 

They is surely a highlight!  

Um, you think the Tigers LOVED it?!  No doubt!  

Then it was the water slide.... Celebrate. And cool off!  Southern style. 

How was your 4th?  How did you celebrate/

God Bless America!!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Happy 4th of July from Carolina Country

Happy 4th of July to you from Carolina Country! 

We Rocked the Rock Climbing Wall! 

Again and again!

We listened to and sang Patriotic Music and said the Pledge of Allegiance! 

We waved our Flags Proudly with Great Friends! 

And smiled together and laughed together with Great Friends! 

... and rode the the Bike Parade! 

Oh, yea, I made an amazing and simple Blueberry Pie *recipe here!  Handmade in the USA! 

We will be making this one again and again! I feel a tradition setting in! :)

We watched an awesome and long Fireworks Show! with more Great Friends! 

It was a blessed and enjoyed FREEDOM this three day weekend! Thank you to all who have fought for our freedom! 

WE do not take it for granted.  We are a blessed Nation under God! God Bless America! 

Amen! 

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Happy 4th! God Bless America

Happy 4th of July to you and your family!

We have had a continual and blessed celebration already! We are thankful for family and friends! God Bless America, Let Freedom Ring!

You know I love the Chapman family - Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth are amazing believers- and I saw this video clip recently and just wanted to share it. As we celebrate our country, this great land, and freedom. I just wanted to share this amazing clip of the Chapmans sharing about the grief process after losing our daughter, 5 year old, Maria in a tragic accident.

This Sunday I love that it speaks of great hope and healing through Christ and that is what I wanted to share. So indulge me please - we have celebrated (already) the 4th of July to the hilt in the most of American ways including fireworks, hot dogs, ice cream, bbq, friends, swimming, sparklers, watermelon, children and laughter and more. Yet this video blesses me each time I see it. And you know walking through grief well is something that resonates with me. By well, I mean with the great hope in Christ alone.



How are you spending this lovely Holiday weekend!?
God Bless!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

Freedom, Safety and Berry Patriotic Cupcakes

We love 4th of July...and Labor Day...! We love our Freedom and the USA! Let's Celebrate!

Loved getting this email from Kraft for a new patriotic spin on their Flag Cake that we have loved on 4th of July's past! You can get the Kraft emails and information too. Just go to the link above and sign up for all this goodness.

These are cute and look really easy. We have a couple of fun parties going this weekend, and other festivities! :) So these will be a quick and convivial addition.



Kraft's Berry Patriotic Cupcakes

What you need
12 chocolate cupcakes, cooled
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
12 small strawberries, stems removed, each cut into 5 slices
1/4 cup blueberries
make it

SPREAD cupcakes evenly with whipped topping.

ARRANGE 5 of the strawberry slices on top of each cupcake to form a star.

FILL center of stars evenly with blueberries. Store in refrigerator.

Here is a little Carolina Mama Tip: Working with whip creams can be tricky. To look like the picture, I would decorate just before serving. And then store the extra in the refrigerator immediately. While it looks pretty, the lightness of whip cream can compromise the look. Otherwise, they are a guilt free option. They have great fat-free whip cream now. Or ate least Lite. Let me know what you decide.

What are some of your favorites? We love grilled corn so that will have to be on the plate! What's cooking at your home this 4th of July ? Have fun and keep safe! I am so excited to have a three-part safety series coming from the amazing media event at Underwriters Laboratories, North Carolina! UL is one great company working for safety at home - your home! Let me know if you have safety questions you would like to have answered and yes, we will have GiveawayS! See y'all soon!

*This recipe published at "Tasty Tuesday!" Check it out for more great recipes and tips!


Warmly, Carolina Mama

Happy 4th of July All Y'all!

Ole' Glory American Flag

Happy Fourth of July! We're happy "this Land is your land, this land is my Land, from California, to the Gulf Stream waters, this land was made for you and me!"

God Bless the land of the free and the brave!

We're right in the middle of festivities so enjoy your weekend and we'll see ya soon!

God Bless America!

Warmly,

Fourth Family Fun

The fourth was a great time with my family here. Here is a little glimpse of "Wave the Flag Cheesecake!" My niece did an awesome job. I think ours turned out better than Kraft. And the Paula Deen BBQ was great even with many of my own touches added. So it would accurately be called the Carolina Mama Deen BBQ! I know, flatter myself. It works. Really I think Ms. Deen would approve. I know my entire full house did.

We were able to see Fireworks even in between the rain and storms here. It was a double treat in that one of the Tigers, said the lightning is "God's fireworks!" Isn't it something how the children can make it real for us.

Grateful for my country, family and the God I love.

P.S. Register for Win It Wednesday Giveaway in my sidebar and Good Luck!