Memorial Day. How Many American Flags Will You See Today?

It would be hard to live through an entire Memorial Day in the US without seeing a single American flag. Whether they are waving in the wind, printed on the paper plates at a party, or imprinted on the t-shirt of a friend, there will be lots of American flags displayed today.

American flags on Memorial Day are more than just a festive patriotic touch to a three-day weekend. They are a symbol of every freedom Americans enjoy and are a reminder to honor all the individuals who have kept our country free.  A three-day weekend is fun, but Memorial Day is not a happy event.

My perfect world is one where there is no need for the military. Humans work everything out with words and

Red, White, and Blue. Add an Easy Patriotic Touch to Any Treat!

I have a little tip for adding an easy patriotic or festive touch to almost any dessert.  A simple homemade red, white, and blue candy garnish can make any dessert more American, or you can use the colors of whatever country/event/club/organization that you are celebrating.

Treats such as cherry pie, strawberry-rhubarb pie, a flag cake, or red, white, and blue muffins are always a hit on an American holiday such as Memorial Day, July 4th or Labor Day. 

However, you are not limited by these choices. You can make almost any dessert special for the occasion with a quick little candy treat. Cakes, pies, cookies, and bars can all be made patriotic and festive with them, and you can even place a candy garnish or two gently on the top of a pudding or custard (or on a plate beside them.)

I decorated individual servings of white chocolate mousse with snowflake candy decorations for a fancy winter party.

Even if you buy a dessert instead of making one, you can make it more special with this decorating trick!

How to Make Candy Garnishes for Desserts

All that you need is a few minutes and:

Memorial Day: Remembering Lives and Time Spent for Us.

The rights and privileges of living in a free country are the result of the sacrifice of many moments.

May 26, 2014  #Memorial Day

Lynne Cobb clearly explains this, in her article What is the Ultimate Sacrifice?  My friend Lana linked this article in her blog post on Saturday.  Lana encouraged her readers to take a minute this weekend to remember, and think about the meaning of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day, according to the United States Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, “commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service.”  As Lynne suggests, it seems fitting to also honor everyone who has sacrificed (or is currently sacrificing) time from their lives for Americans and our country.  This includes family and friends who have spent time separated from their military loved ones.  

Not wasting time and making our “moments count,” according to Lynne, is a way of thanking and honoring the people who have been instrumental in our freedom.  Memorial Day seems to be a good time to do just that.

Reading Lynne's moving article is time well spent.  Then I suggest heading on over to Lana's blog, Two Teens and Their Mama,  and browsing there a bit. It is one of my favorite blogs to read.  I also humbly suggest that you might find some inspiration here - as making “the most - - of every moment” is what this blog is all about.

I am not the most red-blooded American you will ever meet.  Born in Canada, I never even lived in the US until I was 17, though I haven't called Canada home since I became an adult.  I have dual citizenship because my mother is an American, and I grew up always proud to be a Canadian-American.  I am equally moved when either anthem plays, and I have always valued my “mixed-breed” status. Today, though, as I watch our American flag waving in the breeze, I am as grateful as any full-blooded American for the sacrifice of time and life it represents.  

If there is someone special you remember or honor this weekend, I invite you to mention them in a comment below.

Words to Live By: MORE and LESS. Week 9

If you are new to my blog, this is what this weekly series is all about:

One of my notepads lists some ways we should live more and live less.  Inspired by this message on Friday, March 28th, 2014 I wrote a post about "Words to Live By."  I decided to make weekly updates to this post, until I start repeating myself!  I promise each weekly update will contain more information than just the five new phrases though!

Readers are invited to use the comment section below, if they have new ideas of "words to live by" which would complete the phrase _____________ more. ______________ less."  

(Any time I use an idea that is not mine, I will credit the contributor and their blog, if they have one. Just keep it family friendly, please!)

HERE ARE THE IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK :

(There’s sort of a happiness theme to these.)

1. Count our blessings more.  Feel ungrateful less.
This is something we probably should do every day, but this advice seems especially fitting during Memorial Day weekend in the United States. Freedom and opportunities should never be taken for granted.  

Facebook reminded me today not to forget the reason behind this three-day weekend. There was a picture posted of a crying woman being hugged by a toddler, beside a grave with an American flag.  The poignant caption read: “Memorial Day. In case you thought it was about a 3 day weekend, parties or the beach.”  

2. Make friends more.  Make enemies less.
Right now, I'm thinking about this in the context of Memorial Day.  If we all work towards better global friendships and more tolerance, wars may end ... and not get started. Political leaders of every country - please make this your mantra!

3.“Dance to our own tune”more.  Conform less.


4. Vacation more.  Work overtime less. 
While overtime-pay on a holiday weekend is a bonus, it is beneficial to try and strike a good balance between work and leisure time.

5. Sing more. Cry less.

Last night I attended a lovely Senior Recital.  Instead of using this event to showcase her own voice, this graduating high school senior chose to celebrate the connections she has made through music.  She invited friends, mentors, her voice teacher, and her mother to sing with her. 

I got choked up during many of these bitter-sweet farewell duets, but my eyes are watering again remembering her heartfelt solo, “Danny Boy,” followed by “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” sung as a duet with her mom.  Not really sad tears - just emotion evoked by life. Those tears are sometimes okay.

“... Sail on, silvergirl

Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind”

© 1969 Words and Music by Paul Simon

Think of a mother you know, singing these lyrics (beautifully) to her daughter as she is about leave home for college. See what I mean? My children would not want to hear their tone-deaf mother singing in public, but I hope they know I sing these sentiments to them every day in my heart.

I'm trying to live more, not less.  How about you?  

What suggestions do you have?

To view ideas from previous posts please click on the page tab “Words to Live By” at the top of this blog .  The list has grown too large to include here!

This notepad is from the Eccolo World Traveler "Lofty Thinking" collection.  The author of the words is unknown.