July Fourth Party at Louie and Cece's

When we were gadding about in Cleveland County over the Fourth of July weekend, we attended a party hosted by my niece and her husband, Cece and Louie at their lovely home on Chatfield Rd.  It was a great opportunity to visit with family and friends.

Louie welcoming guests. 

Dan and Andy (my grand nephew).

Cece and Louie's daughter Laura.

Sisters: Kelly and Cece.

 And to have some delicious barbecue prepared by my brother-in-law, Hal.

Barbecue and other delicious food.

The children especially enjoyed the pool, and even the smallest ones were able to float around safely and some of the small ones were already jumping off the diving board.

Brayton enjoying the water.

Cason ready to jump. 

Kristen and Brayton (my great grand nephew).

Cason (my great grand nephew) out of the pool.

What's a party without a game of cornhole?

Thank you Cece and Louie.  We had a marvelous time!

Fourth of July Parade in Small Town America

Lattimore is a small town in Cleveland County, North Carolina, and each year the town has an old-fashioned Fourth of July parade.  I'm partial to this little town, because that is where I attended school for twelve years.  Back then I'm pretty sure they didn't have a parade on the Fourth, but for some time now this has been a tradition.

PJ waiting for parade.

I happened to be in Cleveland County this year for the Fourth, and my friend PJ and I found us a shady spot along Main Street to view the parade.  Folks began lining up along the parade route early in the morning anticipating the 9:00 am event.

This pretty little miss is decked out in patriotic colors.

The Fites waiting for the parade in front of The Depot restaurant.

Many folks from the older to the very young were decked out in patriotic colors.  It was great for "people watching" even before the parade began.

I love this hat.

The youth from Lattimore Baptist Church were selling biscuits along Main Street before the parade began, and I had my opportunity to have a livermush biscuit.  So good!!!!!

My livermush biscuit.

And then a little after nine along came the parade.  

Here comes the parade.

There was the color guard and then vehicles of all kinds--- vintage cars, lawn mowers, tractors---, people walking and those on horseback.

Huge tractor from the Greene Farms.  (Photo by Peggy Rhyne.)

Fire truck. (Photo from Lattimore Historical Society.)

Vintage car. (Photo from Lattimore Historical Society.)

What's a parade without horses?

After the parade folks gathered over at the ball field for food, games, and more celebration.

Ginger.in red, white and blue. (She was one of Martha Mason's caretakers)

Ann, Steve and grandaughter Caroline.

Libby with her grands.

Mrs. Cooper the grand marshal of the parade. (Photo from Lattimore Historical Society.)

This is the perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Zach and the Aussies (Part One): Zach in Australia

Zach and Claire with hats and books at  the Bon Voyage Party.  Ready for the Aussie trip.

This past summer grandson, Zach, had the wonderful experience of traveling with Claire and Jeanette (Claire's mom who is from Australia) to Australia.  About half the time was spent visiting family and the other half as tourists.  Jeanette is a seasoned world traveler and did a wonderful job planning their itinerary. 

On the way they spent a few days in California before departing for Australia.

Zach and Claire in California on way to Australia.

Their first stop was Sydney where they rented an apartment looking out over Sydney Harbor.

Arriving in Sydney.

Zach and Claire with Sydney Harbor in background.

They visited the zoo in Sydney.

Claire and koala.

Claire and kangaroo.

From Sydney they visited relatives in Canberra.

Zach and Claire's little cousin playing the piano.

Then off to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef for several days.

Zach, Claire and Claire's mom, Jeanette on Great Barrier Reef.

Their hats came in handy.

Enjoying the beach at Great Barrier Reef.

Visited more relatives in Melbourne.

A night out with relatives in Melbourne.

Claire with little cousin Lachlan.  Zach and Uncle Bob look a little "too happy".

Uncle Bob's MG.

Zach drives Uncle Bob's MG. Uncle Bob had to instruct Zach on use of straight shift.

Uncle Bob and Zach with Australian football.  They went to an Australian football game.

Chrismas in July dinner.

Fourth of July at Aunt Di and Uncle Bob's.

Zach and Claire went to the Edge in the Eureka Tower in Melbourne.  Eureka is the second highest building in Australia.  'The Edge' - a glass cube which projects 3 meters out from the building - with you in it - is suspended almost 300 meters above the ground on the 88th floor.

Zach and Claire in the Edge 300 meters above the city in Melbourne.

Zach and Claire flew home from Melbourne when Zach had to attend Orientation for Freshman at NC State University where he is now a Freshman.

Flying home out of Melbourne. 

Several of Claire's family are currently visiting here in Raleigh, so stay tuned for Zach and the Aussies (Part Two):  The Aussies in Raleigh

Photos by Jeanette Salisbury.

Red, White, and Blue for July 4th

If you're celebrating the Fourth of July and would like to make a festive dish, try this red, white and blue Jello. This recipe was submitted to Allrecipes.com by Madel Yoder.
I made this last night, and we will enjoy having this today to celebrate the Fourth.

Red, white and blue Jello.

 Ingredients

• 1 (3 ounce) package berry blue gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water, divided
• 1/2 cup cold water, divided
• 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry gelatin
• 1 (15 ounce) can pear halves, drained and cubed

Directions 

In a bowl, dissolve the gelatin in 1 cup boiling water. Stir in 1/4 cup cold water. Pour into an ungreased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan. Refrigerate until firm. Repeat with strawberry gelatin and remaining boiling and cold water. When gelatin is set, cut into cubes. Just before serving, gently combine gelatin cubes and pears in a large glass bowl or individual dishes. 

 Happy Fourth everyone.