Summertime Vignettes With a Wave of Patriotism

Hey everyone!  Can you believe the 4th of July is just a few days away?  I thought last year went by super-fast, but this year is just flying by!  I don't typically do a bunch of decorating for the "4th," for the simple fact that I don't have much in the way of "Patriotic" decor!  That being said, I kind of wanted to add a little something, at least to the kitchen, but didn't want to completely change up my simple summer decor.  Oh, and I also didn't want to spend any money to do this.  BTW, did you get my little play on words in my post title -- Summertime Vignettes With a Wave of Patriotism?  Get it......flags, wave....get it?  Of course you do!  Okay, I will let you be the judge......is it enough?

As you know from many previous posts, this is the view I see like a gazillion times a day, and I'm liking what I see.

I love that our island is big enough to have a nice vignette but still have plenty of room for prepping or serving meals.

This big old Rose Wood tray is from Indonesia via an importer that I discovered a few months ago.  It is the perfect setting for just about anything.  Here I simply rounded up some Fiesta dishes, a little basket that I've had for years, a red candle, some flags, and.........

The "Sassy Babes"......aka: Little Miss and Littliest Miss!

I had this tucked away for Fall, but what could be more American than "Apple Cinnamon," right?

Fiesta pitcher filled with small flags.

Color-appropriate napkins and mugs for morning coffee.

See my photo bomber.....my helper and sidekick!

Don't they look real?  Nope, this is as close to lilacs as I'm gonna get here in the desert.  I happened into Joann's a couple of weeks ago, and found all of their floral bunches on sale for 70% off!  I know,  pretty sweet that it made these beauties less than $3 each!

What are you using for filler, you might be asking?  Well, that would be silver Christmas ball filler,

I might answer.......keeping it real and using what I have on hand!

Can you smell them?  I can!  Well, okay, I can't but love 'em anyway!

I always have a wreath on my pantry door, don't you?  I made this a couple of years ago, and it is my official summer wreath......for the pantry door, anyway!

Do you want to see my simple summer mantel?

I wanted to have a very simple mantel for summer, because you know what is the next major 

season -- yep, that would be Fall, and I go just a tad bit crazy decorating for that and the following holiday.  So, anyway, my simple summer mantel is just that, simple.  The chalk art is a Free download from Erin at Home With the Boys.  

The natural patina copper tray is actually one I have used in the past for plants.  Now it holds some little jars (they use to hold faux flowers in my craft room), some shells from our summer vacay and what I think are suppose to be peonies -- something else that doesn't grow here in the desert!

Battery-operated candles flank each side of the tray.

More of those peony-ish faux florals in a sweet little turquoise bird planter.

Simple vignette on the game table.

However you are celebrating this 4th of July, please be safe, stay cool, have tons of fun with your families and friends, and remember why we get to celebrate this holiday!

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