We summer in Maine!

I bet you didn't even know we were gone last week! Well, we were! Dynamo and I spent last week on an adventure! We decided about 2 weeks prior that we were going to take a vacation. We weren't sure where to go. We knew of many places we wanted to go. We finally narrowed it down to Boston and Maine. The plan was to fly into Boston to celebrate the 4th of July with the other 500,000 people!! We stayed the night and then picked up the rental car and drove to Bar Harbor, Maine, to spend 3 nights. After Maine, we would take our time driving back to Boston for our last night before flying back to Richmond! It was a fun, whirlwind trip. So, over the next few posts I'll share our adventure! All of the photos are on Flickr, so feel free to browse! And, I've provided links to the various things I mention with the hopes that you'll read further about each place or event!

On July 4th we rose at 4 a.m. to head to the airport to catch our flight. Mom and Dad were kind enough to drive us. So, Mom, Dad, Dynamo, the Steed, and I piled into the car for the airport!

When we got to Boston, Dynamo's first order of business was to get a Boston Creme donut.



Then, we caught a cab and headed to check-in at the hotel. Very nice hotel in an excellent location. And, Colette, was there to greet us when we got to our room!



It was barely 10 a.m. and we had the whole day to venture and explore Boston. And, explore we did. We must have walked 100 miles! Here are some sights from our walk!

The beautiful firehouse...



Fenway Park...(Dynamo was going to wear his Yankees jersey, but it wasn't advised) Let's just say that everyone in Boston wears Boston Red Sox gear! All. The. Time!



And, the Green Monster!



Swan boats in the Boston Public Garden...


The momma duck and her ducklings...





A lovely church...



And, this crazy squirrel eating at the Fenway Victory Gardens...



Lots of food and desserts!



We also took a short break on the steps at M.I.T. Yes, that's where all the smart people are! And, we were a short distance from Harvard too!

We knew we had to get to the bridge on Massachusetts Avenue early to claim our spot for the 10:30 p.m. fireworks extravaganza!



So, we sat on the bridge for 3.5 hours waiting for the fireworks to start. Here we are claiming our railing on the bridge!



Here is a pic of all the people getting ready!





While waiting we saw this guy on a really TALL bike and a girl on a smaller bike riding through the crowd. Can you see them?



It was well worth the wait. They were the highest, best fireworks I'd ever seen. Here are some photos! Enjoy!













It was so fantastic to be at the heart of it all. It was special to be there with Dynamo experiencing something so fantastic! There were hundreds of people all around us. It seemed like everyone was speaking a different language. The people on one side were hispanic and on the other side were from Ethiopia. It was amazing to see everyone coming together to celebrate! And, everyone was so pleasant and friendly.

No one does the 4th of July better and bigger than Boston!

Afterwards, Dynamo said..."All that's left is New Year's Eve in New York!" I'm thinking hard about that one! That's a whole lot more people! But, we'll see!

More on the next leg of the trip in my next post...

Firecracker Cake Betty Crocker Style

So, I saw this absolutely gorgeous festive cake out there in cyberspace from Betty Crocker. I just had to try it for myself. Here's how mine turned out...



I think it looked very 4th of July-ish and yummy! It was super easy and from what I hear it tasted pretty good. I sent it to work with Dynamo for his office friends!

I do like to share some type of goodie for each holiday to make our friends and co-workers feel special...Well, because they are!

Small town celebration

The Waverly Ruritan Club, of which my dad is a member, invited the members' families to come out for a fish fry pre-fireworks display yesterday evening. Dynamo and I left the big metropolis of Disputanta and headed  over to Waverly (about 20 minutes away) to meet Mom and Dad at the Waverly Ruritan ball field for dinner. We were welcomed with hugs by everyone, many of whom we have gone to church with for years. One thing I've learned is that no matter how long it has been since you've seen each other...1 week...1 day...1 month...you still get a hug! It's the standard greeting in a small town. Everyone is always so happy  to see you....truly! It makes you feel so good.


Many people discount the value of a small town. I'm guilty of it. I have always taken it for granted. I couldn't wait to get out and explore the big world as did many of my high school friends. I had to live and work somewhere other than here...so, Richmond it was. Why would I come back to Prince George? What would be here for me? After all...who wants to live where everyone knows everyone else? Who wants to be where everyone knows everyone else's business? Well, being that I'm a little older now, I have a little different perspective on it. I like knowing the people that live near me. I like feeling safe. I like knowing that if I ever needed anything they would be there. Dynamo and I have a support system. We have a community. I know you can "build" a sense of community wherever you are if you choose to, but it takes time.

So, here we are...back in Prince George. I certainly never thought we'd be back here, but it must be the plan to be here. Where everyone knows you! Even though it may take a little longer to get through the aisles at Ukrop's (It will always be Ukrop's to me), it's worth it. You know why? Because we'd miss it if it were gone. I'm thankful for what we have and for our community.

Now...onto the celebration! Here, the local volunteer fire department is wetting down the ballfield pre-fireworks.

Then, all the kids help to unload the fireworks and place them in the pre-determined position on the field...

Finally, the show...

What a beautiful sight it was. Dynamo and I watched the beautiful display that lit up the entire Town. I do think everyone in Waverly was there, all seated in their folding chairs, kids running around laughing, and patriotic music playing. It was beautiful.

Sunday Sermon - July 4th

Location: Suffolk, VA

Happy July 4th! Have a great day with your family! Thank God for today! Today or any day...thank a soldier for their service.

Thank you to Kristi Sutphin, Suffolk, VA, for contributing this photo.
If you have a "sermon" you'd like to share, email me!

Tag...you're it!

This is a chipboard tag that I made for a gift! I love stars, and want to incorporate them into my work, but they don't always fit. Too bad because they are awesome! The 4th of July is the perfect time for using them along with red, white, and blue! The 4th of July is just so sparkly!!!!

Here are a couple more closeups...

Materials used: Stampin' Up! - July 4th Clear Mount Stamp Set, Large Star Punch, Large Tag Punch, Designer Brads (stars), Brocade Blue Cardstock, Not Quite Navy Cardstock and Classic Stampin Pad, Real Red Textured Cardstock, Confetti White Cardstock

Other Items: Thrift Store Finds - Old sheet music, Gold Twine, Red and Blue Yarn

And the winner is...

 Congratulations, Jackie!  


 www.random.org selected comment number 3 as the winner and that's you!! Please email me your address and I'll get your catalog in the mail to you ASAP. 

Thanks to everyone for participating and sharing your 4th of July traditions!