What kinds of things do you think of when you think about the 4th of July? Red, white and blue? Hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon? Hey….ME TOO!
Well you are in luck as these things are in the lineup for this week’s posts as we get closer and closer to America’s Patriotic Holiday!
When I was a teenager, I was able to visit Czechoslovakia when it was still considered behind the “Iron Curtain” and under a communist regime. I remember being very scared as we went over the border. We were in our travel bus but had to wait for the bus to be cleared. As we waited we were instructed not to take any pictures of the border. Coiled barbed wire topped the cement grey chain link fence. Soldiers that wielded guns took the guard dogs to sniff the bus for drugs. Our bus was relieved of our luggage as they laid out and opened all of our suitcases to check its contents.
I wanted to go home.
As a young and unseasoned traveler, this experience made me so grateful for the security, liberties and freedoms that I enjoyed in my home country. It was good for me to see how other people lived and to appreciate the country, as imperfect as it is, in which I grew up.
After my european trip was over, when the plane landed on the runway in the United States of America, I wanted to kiss the ground. Very few times since have I felt as patriotic as I did then. And every year when the 4th of July rolls around, this memory refreshes itself in my mind and makes me grateful once again for the life that I have been blessed to lead.
In preparing for the 4th, I was looking for some red, white, and blue food ideas when I found and pinned these 4th of July Strawberries from The Sisters Cafe. Don’t these just jump out at you?
Super easy to make, here is all you need:
Strawberries
White chocolate or vanilla candy melts. (I used candy melts)
Blue Sugar Crystals. Here is what I used:
Wash and thoroughly dry your strawberries.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt your white chocolate or candy melts until thoroughly melted. Make sure you don’t overcook and burn your chocolate.
Dip your strawberry but don’t dip all the way. Leave some of the red of the strawberry at the top so you can clearly see all three colors, red, white and blue.
This is no muy bueno. See how you can barely see any red at the top?
This is muy bueno. Make sure you leave a stripe of red berry at the top!
Drain off all excess white chocolate from the strawberry until it no longer drips and then dip into the blue sugar crystals. Place on waxed paper until dry.
These firmed up very quickly and made a beautiful presentation of red, white and blue!
Your guests will think that you slaved all day but I promise…with these you can impress without stress! They are so easy!
Easy AND impressive? Those two things alone ensure that This Pin Rocks!
Are you looking for some other ideas for the Fourth of July? You are? Then check out these great posts!
Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches.
Sand Candles are a quick craft.
Or try these Paper Whirligigs.
And every holiday needs it’s own wreath.
Partying with these great sites today:
Org Junkie – Mad in Crafts – Keeping it Simple – DIY Showoff – This Gal Cooks – I should be mopping the floor – A Pinch of Joy – Flour Me with Love – Southern Fairy Tale – Jembellish – Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
These are so cute! Perfect for the upcoming holiday. Pinned and sharing on Facebook. Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Mondays!
These look awesome! Great idea!
Allison @allisonskinnyjeans.com
Thanks Allison! Deb – The Oldest Sister
I totally know what you mean about coming home after a trip abroad to somewhere without the same freedoms we have. It makes you SO SO grateful for this amazing country we live in. Your strawberries turned out adorable, and your pictures are great! so glad you liked them. You have some other fun ideas, too. Have a fun 4th of July!
Hi Mindy! I LOVE your strawberries! I plan on making them for other holidays too! Thanks for stopping by! Deb – The Oldest Sister
P.S. Aren’t sisters GREAT?!?!
Oooohhhhh! I had the hardest time finding the blue sanding sugar, but once I did I made those strawberries for 4th of July last year and they were a huge hit! This pin definitely does rock!
Hi Kim! I know! That blue sanding sugar really makes these stand out and they were a huge hit with our family too! Deb – The Oldest Sister
Living overseas, as an Air Force brat, opened my eyes as well. We were always thrilled to come back home.
Happy July 4th!
Hi Rona, Yes, we are so blessed to live in our amazing country. Please thank your family members who serve so that I can enjoy my freedoms! Deb – The Oldest Sister
This looks wonderful! I hope you will come share at this week’s From the Farm Blog Hop hosted by 6 great blogs! https://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/06/from-farm-blog-hop-39.html
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
Oh yes, this is something I’ve also tried! It’s always a big hit and I’m doing it again this year! Its easy, pretty and yummy! I’ve learned that adding a tsp. of Crisco vegetable shortening to each cup of chocolate chips during the melting process really helps to thin out the chocolate and makes it easier to dip the fruit! Yours turned out beautifully! Great pics! =D
Hi Lillian! You are a genius! I should have added some shortening as the chocolate was a little globby. Thanks for the heads up! Deb – The Oldest Sister
These strawberries are so pretty! Thank you for sharing them at Marvelous Mondays this week! 🙂
I will be featuring them on my Facebook page today.
Yours turned out beautifully! Gotta love easy and delicious treats, especially for the holidays! Thank y’all for linking them up! Happy 4th!
Has anyone made these a day before? Do they store well over night in the refrigerator? I want to make tonight for tomorrow night..
Thanks!
Hi Carla! When I made these last year, they stayed very well for the next day. I don’t think you will have a problem. Happy 4th of July! Deb