Monday, July 4, 2011

The Grand Old Flag... and a visit!

Happy Fourth of July to our American friends! I lived in America as a small girl and enormously enjoyed the Bincentenial celebrations, although it was a little bit difficult being the only English child in a class of American 6 year-olds who all thought they might still be at war with the redcoats!As our home is increasingly decorated in red, white and blue (it all started with the Royal Wedding), I decided to make this week properly American, at least as much as I can. The excellent vintage history of the USA (in French, of course), is a good start. And I'll be posting more red, white and blue each day this week. If you'd like to join me, let me know in the comments and I'll put a link to your red, white and blue post in my sidebar for the week.
In other news, we celebrated my birthday yesterday, with a visit to a very special Festival at the Jardin des Martels - we went to the gardens last September for Ben's birthday and when I heard about this festival I decided there and then to hold off my birthday celebrations until July!
We travelled there in style, parking and picnicking near a little station which runs a miniature railway to the gardens. This meant that Son 1, still on crutches following a successful operation on his knee, got some entertainment even though he wasn't able to walk much round the gardens. Above you can see the two boys listening to the conductor giving a highly personalised history of the little railway!
The festival spirit was in evidence at the gardens...
But Son 2 and I still spotted some undisturbed wildlife...
Although it spotted us, too!
Son 1 found a shady place to sit and enjoy a view, and the rest of us wended our way down through winding paths to the focus of the festival...
... the lotus lake!
And here is a lotus, the star of the festival.
It was a beautiful day, and we're hoping to go again next year - and perhaps get a taste of the lotus cuisine next time!

9 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Hi Floss! Thanks for the Happy Fourth of July wishes! Just the other day, I dug out my bicentennial plate! That WAS a big deal! Happy Birthday! I hope it was special like YOU!

Angela said...

Floss- I am overwhelmed at your kindness in publicing my run. Thank you SO much - you have so many followers, and if just one of them gives a little to this good cause, that would be wonderful.
bless you!

VintageVicki said...

One of the themes for the Photo Hunt this month is red/white/blue - like you I shalln't struggle to find that around the house.

Has Son1 got much longer on his crutches?? I remember how much my arms ached and I only used them for a couple of weeks.

Tina said...

Hi Floss, first of all, Happy Birthday!!
And let me say, what a long legged frog!! Hahaha!!
xx

count it all joy said...

Hi Floss, Happy Birthday!! What a perfectly wonderful way to meet you...wandering through be-flagged gardens on your birthday:) Meredy xo

polkadotpeticoat said...

What a wonderful family outing those lotus flowers were beautiful!

helen tilston said...

A beautiful family outing. The lotus is a stunning flower. I am curious as to what lotus cuisine is.Sounds fascinating.
My best
Helen

Sherri B. said...

Thank you for the special red, white and blue for the USA! I didn't know you lived in the States, would love to know where.

Happy Birthday! It looks like you had a very nice one at that.

I hope the knee repair went well and that he is on the mend.

Catherine said...

Happy Birthday! Hoping you had a lovely day in which you were thoroughly spoiled by your men!! Cx