Appreciating the charm of Independence Day through the Little Things

July 4th is upon us, and I have to say, it’s my most favorite time of the year. The All-American celebration of Independence Day is something I look forward to with great anticipation. What does it mean to me? Well, let me share my thoughts through my designer, All-American, agriculture enthusiast, Fourth of July-loving brain and eyes.

American Apple Pie

Not to be cliché, but it's all about American apple pie. I picture it sitting on a windowsill cooling off, while little kids in Oshkosh overalls, with their mosquito-bitten arms and barefoot toes, stare up at the pie as it cools in Granny's window. Gosh, that sounds so cheesy, but that’s me! Reality check: we can all make it happen, it’s so simple! That’s what I love, and that’s what I have found here in Round Top.

The American Flag

I absolutely adore the American flag, with its beautiful stars and red, white, and blue stripes. The flag that Betsy Ross first made with the round circle of stars, a tea-stained American flag to look old, bunting adorning businesses, Fourth of July parades, small neighborhood parades with kids riding their bikes down the middle of the street with streamers, flags, and cards clothespinned to the spokes of their bike tires to make that ever-so-amazing sound that reminds me of summer.

Homemade Ice Cream

The tradition of homemade ice cream is another fond memory. On the back porch, we would set up ice cream makers, load them with ice and rock salt, stack newspapers on top with a towel, and all the kids would take turns turning the handles all day! Throw out or donate your automatic ice cream makers; they are not fun and don’t give you the same excitement. Knowing you turned and turned for hours with family and friends, and at the end of the day, you get to open that frozen cold pot and see the beautiful golden ice cream you all made together.

Charcoal Barbeque

The smell of a charcoal barbecue is quintessential Fourth of July. Who doesn’t love a good old American hotdog burned to a crisp on a soft bun with mustard? I can smell it now! It’s so good, so, so good.

Fireworks

Let’s not forget the fireworks. Of course, they’re dangerous, and some people are afraid of them. But here in Texas, fireworks stands line the streets, and towns and cities come alive with displays. The Lions Club, Chambers, Boy Scouts, high school fundraising groups, and baseball teams all sell fireworks. If you have kids, please get them sparklers and snakes. Let them run the streets barefoot, get a bee sting, or step on a hot sparkler. Let them play and use the ashes to write funny things on each other’s faces. These moments will create memories they will cherish forever.

Hometown old-school fun

Activities like playing in the sprinkler, makeshift slip-and-slides out of plastic or an old tarp, burning ants with a magnifying glass, carving soap with an old knife, sidewalk chalk, hopscotch, and don’t forget Red Rover—this is what makes the summer season and the Fourth of July special. The American dream, the American way of living. Whether we’re in the city, the country, a high-rise, suburbs, or a country home, we can all don the American flag, fill up a bucket of water balloons, join the community block party, and celebrate good old America, the USA, the American dream. Red, white, and blue forever—I bleed it.

I have been waiting to live in the west since I was 15 years old; my parents always said I was born in the wrong state, and I have been wearing cowboy boots my entire life! Moving to the Round Top area four years ago was a dream come true, and I truly adore the area. I love small-town living and all-American pie!

"Don’t stress, call Les!”