Thursday, July 5, 2012

THREE CHEERS FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE REVEAL


HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE,




This is my view of the world when I first wake up.

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This particular day started with a beautiful, sunny, peaceful morning.




Brunch on the porch...




REVEAL...Slowly, the Secret Garden reveals a little more.

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Every year there is a parade honoring America's independence.  The townships of Grass Valley and Nevada City share this experience.  This year it was Nevada City's turn.




After the parade, families scatter to take part in their own celebrations.  This is how we are doing it this year.

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REVEAL...Another small piece of the Secret Garden.




REVEAL...The view from the gazebo of the Secret Garden.  



REVEAL...The view from the porch of the Secret Garden.




REVEAL...The Secret Garden, Part Two,
The Magic is Still Working.

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As you can see, the Captain is enjoying his Father's Day present.




And now you see Buddy enjoying his spot in the shade....



And now you don't....

I can still see you!

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We fired up the barbie and threw on a couple of steaks...



Cut up some tomatoes and mixed in some balsamic vinaigrette and basil...



Added a heaping portion of spaghetti with olive oil, basil, garlic and parmesan...




Some delicious, fresh, green beans with onions and bacon from the Farmer's Market...




And.....Dinner is served.

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As the day was drawing to a close, we loaded Buddy in the car and drove to a spot where we could see the fireworks clearly.




They are always so pretty and such a good ending to a perfect, simple celebration.

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Speaking of good endings....




Lemonade Pie

Thank you Barbara, at 21 Rosemary Lane, who posted about this delicious pie Recipe Here.
I'm so glad I tried it - you will be too!

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Good night and sweet dreams....Judy



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Tomorrow we are leaving for the Breast Cancer Walk in San Francisco.
I will be participating in the Walk in honor of all the men and women who are fighting cancer, who have fought cancer and won, and in memory of those who have lost their lives to the disease.

This post is dedicated to my dear friend of many years, Jeannie.
I'm gonna miss you, Girlie!


















































16 comments:

  1. Judy I would love a "secret garden" like yours! Great furniture, beautiful flowers, comfy quilts, welcoming accessories. Love it!

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  2. Judy,

    Your day looked so much better than my day did! Your dinner looked delicious. Buddy as cute as ever. And your secret garden beautiful... I am so sorry about the loss of your friend.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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  3. Happy day to you Judy. What fabulous festivities you had. I sure love that table setting. The parade looks fun too!

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  4. Hi Judy...
    It looks like you had a wonderful day!
    Good food, great company, fun activities :)

    Love your gardens!! How peaceful and welcoming!!

    Best of luck on the walk, and how thoughtful of you to dedicate it to your friend.


    {{hugs}}
    Kerin

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  5. Judy,
    Your Fourth looks as if it turned out to be a wonderful day! Our little city does a parade on Labor and Memorial Days but not the 4th! Your porch and gazebo look to to be the perfect place to relax after a parade! Sending you well wishes on your walk this weekend. Be safe.
    dee dee

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  6. Hello Judy,
    What an enjoyable post ..... great photos ..... great food ..... relax in your hammock ....... coffee and cake .... what does a man want more Judy! !
    I'd like to come along but a bit too far .... pity!!
    Have a nice evening & warm greetings,
    Silvia
    XXXX

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  7. Hello Judy
    What a lovely post, loved it all, your little porch looked so inviting, wonderful parade,
    Good luck with your walk, Good friends are like Stars, you don't always see them, but you know they are always there x
    Thea x

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  8. Lovely post. I enjoyed looking at all of your decorations and beautiful fireworks pictures.
    Great dinner idea for hot days, I love pasta and tomatoes especially.
    Gonna try the lemonade pie, thanks for posting.
    We spent our day on Fort Lee where my daughter lives and watched the fireworks.
    A day that truly deserves to be celebrated by all.
    Betsy

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  9. Lovely post Judy, I wish I could experience a good old fashioned patriotic 4th July parade, it looks like so much fun and dinner looked even better!

    Paul

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  10. Hi Judy, Buddy looks so sweet and content in the shade! Blessings, Jean

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  11. Judy, it looks like you had a wonderful 4th of July. Ours was pretty quiet except for the booming of fireworks which frightened the dogs! My chihuahua's heart was beating so hard and fast I thought she was going to have a heart attack. I'm glad people were celebrating though because we have a wonderful country. If you would like to do a guest post about Buddy take a look at my Friday feature, Paws and Claws. He looks like he would have lots of interesting escapades to tell about. Have a very nice weekend. -------------Shannon

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  12. LOL...you finally made one of my recipes and it looks great!!! This is such a fantastic post Judy...love all of your beautiful photos! And the Captain is a very handsome man!!! It looks like you had an awesome 4th...hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!

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  13. Seems as you had a great 4th of July. I wish we had more of celebrating at our 6th of June, but it's mostly some flags and singing, and that's it! We're having our fireworks on April last when we invite summer. I guess it's because we didn't have to go out and fight in the wars as your people did.
    So sad to read about your dear friend. Not an easy illness to get and I agree with you, those who works with cancer are heroes!
    Hope you enjoyed your walk in San Fransisco!
    Love Elzie

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  14. Hi Judy,happy belated 4th of July,I really enjoyed all of your photos,truly wonderful.Love the secret garden. Good luck with the walk and happy Sunday,lots of love juliex

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  15. Your photos of the 4th of July and your secret garden are so inviting Judy. It all looks so lovely. You trully have a cosy home. Captain looked just fine and relaxed on his new present. Buddy looks very relaxed and happy indeed.
    Your meal looks scrumptious.. and delicious. Your table so beautiful.. its all so nice Judy.
    As you know, I am not American, but one thing I can tell you. I love everything about America and all it stands for.

    For your brave young soldiers who fight alongside ours in Afghanistan and other countries. America is a fine fine country with fine fine people.
    Hope that your walk went off well.
    sending best wishes
    val x x x

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  16. your table, garden, food--the whole day looked magical, judy:) what a great memory maker it was!

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy