Coffee and July 4th tree

I normally do tea posts, so why coffee today? Well, after all, it was the infamous Boston Tea Party that turned us into a nation of coffee drinkers. In honor of those early patriots, I'm drinking a cup of coffee today, and celebrating the freedoms that our Founders fought for.

from George Washington's handwritten copybook

As I've been on vacation, and indulging a great deal, I have none of the usual cookies or scones to go with my coffee. When I was growing up, and we had a particularly big feast or had indulged ourselves, my mother would say that the next day would be just "coffee and conversation." I guess that would be to make up for eating so much. Has anyone else heard this phrase? (And yes, of course she would feed us; it was just an expression!) Anyway, for me, it will be just coffee and a book.

We have lots and lots of books on American history, the Founders and various presidents, and on politics, as we are all history lovers and spend lots of time discussing politics. No dearth of information around here. Witness the "presents"  I have placed around my Patriotic Tree . . .

I bought a little silvery accent tree in January during the sales, only a few weeks after telling my family that I really preferred real Christmas trees, and abhorred all the fake, made in China Christmas junk. What can I say? The tree reminded me of my husband's stories of the aluminum tree from his childhood, which came complete with a light that sat on the floor next to it, changing the tree's colors from red to green, blue, and yellow.

 So I bought it, even though, thankfully, it isn't made of aluminum. My husband said those branches cut his hands when he was helping put it up! I really couldn't wait until Christmas to use it, so the 4th of July was a perfect excuse.

And since our youngest son is running a campaign here out of the house this summer for our local senator, I thought a little red, white, and blue ambiance would be perfect for all the campaign interns and volunteers coming in and out of our house. Good excuse to keep it up a little longer than just through the holiday weekend, too.

I found these vintage-looking ornaments a few years ago, and was glad to be able to finally use them.

A red Christmas ornament works well, too . . .

I had a picture on the wall that didn't really go with the tree, so I just took a jacket off a book and carefully placed a few strategic pieces of tape on it and covered the picture . . . 

My sister- and brother-in-law send us the official White House ornament every Christmas. Several of them worked very well on my tree . . . 

The top of the grandfather clock gets a sand bucket with a couple flags and some small sparklers poking out of it.

How about another cup of coffee? There's more books to look at . . . 

I'm thankful for the sacrifices made so that we can live in freedom and peace. May it always be so.

Linking with these parties . . . Tea Time Tuesday * A Return to Loveliness * Make It Pretty Monday * Feathered Nest Friday * History and Home * Home Sweet Home * Show and Tell Friday * Anything Blue Friday * Amaze Me Monday * Pink Saturday * Share Your Cup Thursday