Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!!!! ...and a Couple Easy Re-do's

Today is the day Americans celebrate the 13 colonies who came together and signed America's first treasonous document, overthrowing King George III. I'm paraphrasing, but this is how I heard it described on the History channel this morning. Did you know that Benjamin Franklin's son was imprisoned for two years afterward? He continued to support King George and, apparently, Benjamin Franklin and his son never reconciled. It was an interesting documentary. For a little history refresher course, check this out: Sparknotes

Meanwhile, have a safe and happy Independence Day. I would also like to thank everyone, past and present, who has ever served in our U.S. military for keeping our country FREE! I have several publications from the National Education Association (the one below is from April, 1945) that I have for sale. Can you see the writing on the front cover? It is a prayer written by Stephen Vincent Benet, read by President Roosevelt at the United Nations Day Ceremony at the White House on June 15, 1942. The bottom caption next to the photograph states, "This prayer may well be used at every commencement program this year. Here's my political statement for the year as well as for the rest of my life: I SUPPORT THE RETURN OF PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS! And now, completely changing the subject: This now shabby flower pot used to be a very boring looking terracotta pot: All it needs now is a cool looking plant to go inside. I'm kinda leaning toward a fern - what do you think? But, before I get sidetracked on choosing a plant, let me tell you how easy this transformation was! It was really a simple decoupage project involving spare paper pieces (wallpaper and craft papers), glue and glaze. I had some of this textured wallpaper that I think added a little special something to it. (Don't pay attention to the pot-in-progress in the background. It's not the same pot. In fact, after I started attaching the torn pieces to the background pot, I decided I didn't like the direction it was taking and tore the pieces off.) After I attached the papers and made sure the glue was thoroughly dry, I glazed it. Glazing isn't really all that necessary. I did it to protect the papers because I know myself - I will, at some time, either spill water on it or leave it outside and forget about it until a torrential rain beats the paper to bits. In other words, if you're like me in this sense, maybe you should also consider glazing. Modpodge would probably also be a good choice. Cost to complete: Next to $0. On to Simple Project #2: Sweet Hubby found this GLASS and MARBLE lamp curbside!!! Someone had thrown it aside because the shade was trashed - the fabric had dry rotted, was dirty, torn - you get the picture. But, the lamp (except for the finial part being a little bent) was in great shape. I ripped every shred removed all remnants of the old fabric and simply hand stitched strips of eyelet lace (I've had the eyelet lace for at least five or six years) vertically on the frame. Voila! The lamp is now in one of our spots at the Corner Nest (Elizabethton, TN) and sits in front of an ornamental metal thingy stretched across the window that separates this booth from the one next to us. Cost to complete: Next to $0. Until next time: Wishing you and yours many Blessings and happiness!