Kind of like the kitchen is the heart of the home, well, Independence Day is the heart of summer.  It’s a time for picnics, watermelon and small town parades.  Little’s dressed in red, white & blue that are adorned with silver stars and stripes of white.  An excuse to have an ‘Old Glory’ painted across your cheek as sign of pride for this great country that we live in!  But to me, it’s time for family, the ‘heart’ of my life! Watching the kids splash in the water and the older teenagers gather with their friends making preparations for the grand finale at the end of the day…Fireworks!  Booming so loudly in the night sky that you feel the vibration in your chest! And in between the thunder of each display, you hear the welcomed sound from a nearby citizen playing the Star Spangled Banner. To this day, for me, it’s a prideful sound!   It’s when the stranger in the crowd around you becomes more than just a stranger; suddenly, the phrase “fellow American” makes more sense to you than it has in the past.  The 4^th of July is a day that we celebrate our Freedom.  Freedom of a country that allows us to enjoy all the traditions that we look forward to year after year!  Above are some of my favorite traditions and as we are approaching the festivities of this holiday, it got me to thinking what your traditions may be?  Will you be with family or savoring a day of solitude?

Whatever your day consist of, my hope is that we all enjoy the simplicities of summer fun!  

These photos are a few of the fireworks display I took last year.

Look!  It's Pink! ...lol

Happy 4th Y'all!