Jubilee with BC Church Family

Jubilee with BCC Family
July 23, 2006

Jubliee Breakfast

Jubilee Breakfast
July 22, 2006

JUBILEE with Family

RJ's Jubilee Celebration with Family
July 21, 2006

Latest Virginia Trip

Here are some pictures from our recent trip to Viriginia to spend a week at Uncle Ken's vacation rental house in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Holiday Memories

July 4th -
When we were home the day started with a "special" breakfast - meaning either muffins or biscuits or pancakes, followed by family devotions and then it was time to hoist the flag! This was a family project - the men and boys went to locate the flag pole - Mom went to locate the flag - someone either played some patriotic music on piano/organ or whatever instrument happened to be around - once the flag was attached to the pole everyone marched along to the front door while Dad climbed on a ladder to officially hang the flag - I think we usually pledged allegiance and sang the Star Spangled Banner.

We were then free until it was time to get things ready for the 4th of July BBQ - and swim in the pool - in the evening Dad would take us to see fireworks.

Many 4th of July holidays I spent at Pilgrim Camp where Uncle Gordon celebrated in his own inimitable way! The day began with the trumpet blaring first "Holiness Unto the Lord" and then some patriotic hymn. He would wear a bow tie that looked like an american flag. Morning worship followed and after a few years of being embarrased - one learned to mark your Bible with the verse that was on the Liberty Bell - Leviticus 25:10 - "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof." He had a way of bellowing it out and making sure you remembered it for the next time he might ask the same question! He also usually gave some history lesson connected with "Godly heritage" of our forefathers. Patriotic music played over the sound system - and most people at the camp dressed in red/white/blue. Promptly at 2:00 p.m. Uncle Gordon would ring the bell - (it was used to summon campers and guest to meals) attached to the Palace the appropriate number of times in celebration of our countries birthday.
Fireworks could be seen and heard all around the lake as the day faded away. The most memorable year was 1976 - our country's 200th birhtday when the Gardiners dressed up as John and Abigail adams - full costume for the occasion - we had a parade of our own as well as decorations to be remembered!

4th of July now:
We still start the day with grand biscuits - little flags stuck in them and flags stuck all over the place - I crank up the patriotic music early in the day - We BBQ - salute the flag (usually a whippped cream cake) decorated as a flag with strawberries and blueberries. We all wear red/white/blue - some a little more decked out than others - and we usually end the day by attending a patriotic concert and fireworks - in case of rain or we're not up to it - the 2nd best thing is to watch the Macy's fireworks on TV - they do it up!

All in all we still celebrate and have a STAR SPANGLED FOURTH!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July!

Have a "Star-Spangled" 4th!

Rock and roll that patriotic music wave the flag - march around the house - BBQ - eat plenty - don't forget the ice cream cake - (decorated like a flag) and say the pledge of allegiance! Watch a parade - go see fireworks - or watch the NYC "Macy's fireworks - they're the best anyways! :-)

JUST GO AHEAD AND CELEBRATE!!!!!