Only in Bucks County: Flags and Flowers

I've always loved the Fourth of July.
Not necessarily attending the fireworks or the parades, but more the anticipation of the parades and fireworks. Dreaming up desserts to be made with fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries and whipped cream, being outside in the sun-warmed grass and clover, and the thought of America pulling together for the day. 

Independence Day is also a favorite time of year visually.

July sunsets are spectacular, and gardens are in full bloom. Fruit bushes are bursting with blueberries and black raspberries, and I absolutely love the color combination of red, white and blue. 

I've always been thrilled by the sight of a flag, even just a tiny paper flag on a wooden stick topping a vanilla cupcake, or a miniature one being carried by a child in a parade.



I love the white stars against a backdrop of navy blue. 

I love seeing the red and white stripes of the flag waving behind rows of powder blue hydrangeas.

I love seeing flags lined along a white picket fence, contrasting with green grass and orange tiger lilies. 

It is exciting to spot a huge American flag hung across the front of a barn, but also exciting to see a flag hanging above the the doorway of a pastel painted home.

It is such a grand icon. 

Patriotic, yes; but there is something about a red, white and blue flag placed in a bed of roses or planted amidst a raspberry bush, that to me, is also the embodiment of summer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       New Hope, PA

 

                                   

                          Newtown, PA

 

 

 

 

                                              

 

                                                                                   

 

Yardley, PA

 

 

                         

 

 

 

 

                                                                    

Newtown, PA

 

"And she's getting threadbare and she's wearing thin

But she's in good shape for the shape she's in

Cause she's been through the fire before

And I believe she can take a whole lot more

So we raise her up every morning, we take her down every night
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
On second thought, I do like to brag
'Cause I'm mighty proud of the Ragged Old Flag."

 

~Johnny Cash, Ragged Old Flag 

 

 

 

July 4, 2014

 

 

 

Only in Bucks County: The Summer I Discovered Country Music

Those of y'all that know me know that I'm a pretty positive person. I tend to see the bright side of things and I don't think I complain alot. But summer for me has become a time where I count the days down until the next season. I hate the heat. Hate. It.  
It's been constant and inescapable. We've been living with the air conditioning running non-stop since May, and between the heat and a busy work schedule, I feel like I've been living indoors more than ever this summer.
Just this week (of course timed perfectly with the start of school), although it still gets uncomfortably warm during the days, it has begun to cool off at night! We've begun to sleep with the windows open to the sounds of crickets and cicadas, and a few mornings have actually been crisp. Now that I feel assured that my favorite season is right around the corner, I reflected on the past few months.
Two great things happened, really.
I've had to make the trip to Upper Bucks a lot this summer for work. The beauty in this thirty minute drive through farms and small towns, past orchards and open land, showcases everything Bucks County has to offer. Hot or not, I put the top down on the convertible and I go. It's become a ride that I love and look forward to, and the catalyst for me exploring Bucks County again. I have talked Scott into getting in the car and exploring these back roads as the sun is setting on our Saturday night.
The other thing that happened is that I've discovered country music!
Don't ask.
Don't judge!
I am ALWAYS late to the party!
All I know is that I went 48 years without it, and suddenly I can't get enough. I can't answer the question why. It's inexplainable, but it goes hand in hand with the freedom and the beauty of driving around small towns, driving around exploring.
And so!
I will try to appreciate the the warmth, the light, even the heat, of the last days of the summer. With the top down, and some country music blasting, of course.

River Road, Erwinna PA

 

              

 A HOT summer day

 

       This one right here... she's the one that got me into country music ;)

 

                                                         Corn fields in Carversville, PA

 

 

 

"Well you can come as you are, there ain't no dress code

Just some rural route rules that you need to know

Don't mess with the bull

    He can get real mean

                      If it starts to rainin' will just head to the barn

We're country boys and girls gettin' down on the farm."

                                                  ~Tim McGraw, Down on The Farm

 Ottsville, PA

 

                                                                  Buckingham Valley

 

  Passing through Pipersville, PA

 

 

                                    

 

You never know what you'll hear on the radio...

 

Randy Houser's Running Outta Midnight

 

        You never know what you'll see in the sky

 (Yardley, PA)

 

 

Dog Days of Summer

This is the short and sweet "friends and family" edition of my blog. I hope everyone is having a nice summer so far, and that you'll keep me in mind if you're cruising to Alaska or taking a camel ride in Morocco.

I just wanted to let everyone know that Sloane graduated from high school, and already left for summer session at Penn State today. Once Sam goes back to Towson in August, Scott and I will be empty nesters!

The only other exciting news is that the organization I've been volunteering for, ReUseYourShoes, was on Fox 29's "Good Day Philly" this week. Here's the link; and if you look very closely you'll spot me and a few of my friends: http://bit.ly/kwkbQq   I'd like everyone to know about this wonderful cause!

 The Graduates!

Cody's Annual Irises.

Blue Bells.

 Not to be confused with blueberries!

 Enjoying the longer days at Tyler State Park.

 Roasted Asparagus.

 Summer Rose.

Just one of our mascots!