Sunday, July 4, 2010

The Star Spangled Banner


I grew up in an area filled with history!



And went on field trips, both growing up and with my own children, to places that shaped this country.



These buildings have tales to tell.



And history to share.  People even say that some of them are haunted!



Their grounds remind us of a simpler time, and majestic old trees pay homage to the men and women who once lived there.



This beautiful old building is known as Tudor Hall.  It is located in Leonardtown, Maryland and was once the home of Francis Scott Key's uncle.  As many of you know, it was Francis Scott Key who penned our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.  I have passed by this house a million times over the years, give or take a few, I've done research inside its walls, and it was even where I went to the library growing up.

We had heard those ghost stories from our friends when we were little, and so a trip to the library in Leonardtown was sometimes a little scary for a small child.  Today, this building houses our local Historical Society.  Ruth Hill, and the other wonderful people who run our historical society are fonts of knowledge and wonderful assets for keeping our history alive.



I have always loved the 4th of July and I tend to "over" decorate for this holiday!  Just ask Mr. Tide who had to hang my buntings twice this year since he accidentally hung them backwards the first time!



I sometimes wonder if growing up in an area so filled with history gave me an even greater love for the holiday that celebrates the birth of our nation!



Or maybe it's because it's smack dab in the middle of summer, my favorite season!



It could be because there's no pressure to buy gifts, or cook a fancy meal, just simple food like burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and apple pie will do just fine!



Or maybe it's because after a day of celebrating you are then treated to beautiful fireworks!



My favorite fireworks are the big weeping willow ones with the gold sparklies that seem to hang in the air and then slowly drift away with the breeze!



Children's eyes grow wide and people "ooh" and "ahh" in perfect unison!



And my dogs bark and howl at the sound of the booms off in the distance.  This is NOT their favorite holiday!



But what I think I love the most about the 4th of July is that no matter where you come from, or how rich you are, as the sun sets on that one day each year, we are all just Americans!  Proud and Free to call this place our home!

Happy 4th of July!

20 comments:

  1. Amen! Have a wonderful day...

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  2. Happy 4th of July! Your pictures are fantastic!

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  3. your home looks beautiful done up red...white...and blue.have a safe and happy 4th

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  4. I don't care for summertime much, but the 4th of July IS certainly an easy holiday without gifts and cards. Just celebration.

    Love your buntings and also the pillows on the bench.

    Happy 4th to you!
    Di

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  5. Hope you have a great day too and thanks for taking us on a tour of your front porch. It is lovely and festive. My hubby would love it!

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  6. Love your porch and all your fabulous decorations. I so agree, this is one of my favorite holidays, and I too am so proud to be an American. Hope your day is a super Blessed one. Hugs, Marty

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  7. Very eloquently said! I live on the west coast now but grew up on the east coast and miss the charm and history so much.
    Have a wonderful 4th on this very proud holiday.

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  8. We lived, for four years, on the mainline, just outside Philadelphia. That time gave me an appreciation for and understanding of the American love for the fourth of July and the beautiful buildings associated with the day. I hope you're having a wonderful day!

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  9. This is the best 4thof July post I have read. I so enjoyed every bit of it. I love to go back East and see all the historical sites. I am so glad that they have been perserved for us to enjoy and to learn from.The little gals singing were beyond fantastic. It is not often you hear such great harmonies. Thank you for sharing this!Happy 4th of July to YOU!! Kathysue

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  10. Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing your love of your local historic sites, on the West Coast we are totally bereft of any these fantastic places to visit - we're too new!

    Have a wonderful 4th!
    Caron

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  11. What a beautiful posting and I enjoyed the info of your local historical sites! The girls singing the National Anthemn was so sweet! Love it! Have a wonderful 4th to you and your family. Hugs!! ~ Laura

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  12. Love your happy patriotic porch. I wept as we pledged allegience to our flag in church this morning. Truly we are blessed. Thanks bunches for this post. ~olive

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  13. Happy Independence Day!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  14. I love summer as well and those are my favourite fireworks too ( water-fall style is such a nice description, as I always think they either look like princess ballgowns or lit-up brains). I love your July 4th decorations - so pretty. Do I detect a hint of France in the bunting over your front door?

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  15. I loved your post and thankful for sharing such wonderful pictures with us! Happy 4th to you and your family!

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  16. How beautiful everything looks Kat! And I enjoyed hearing about Leonardtown's historical landmark, what a treat to have had that as your library growing up! What a gorgeous post to see at the close of our Independence Day celebration and hear the Star Spangled Banner sung by those sweet voices in the most amazing harmony. ~Lili

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  17. Your home looks so festive, Kat! Looks like you have some wonderful historic sites nearby!

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  18. Your decor looks so great Kat! I hope that you had a wonderful 4th!

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  19. Beautiful post...what a rich heritage we all share and how fortunate you are to have lived among many of the historical places of our past.

    ~jermaine~

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  20. Beautiful! Your porch and grounds are lovely!

    Since 9/11 I have become a political and historical junkie...I read and watch anything I can get my hands on about this great country we live in! You are so lucky to be close to all of these wonderful markers of our past!

    Great post!

    Enjoy!
    Cathy

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