Today is America’s birthday. The birth of a nation, and the “American experiment” as many call it. We’re still a struggling nation and we have our problems, but we also enjoy more than most and we have so many to thank for that.

I’m celebrating our freedoms by enjoying the day outside (when it’s not raining) and some good old-fashioned strawberry shortcake. That typical summer dessert we enjoy when the strawberries are at their freshest.

With my red, white, and blue theme, the bistro table is set to display my red teacup & saucer, the red seat cushions, white teapot, a bouquet of white astilbe looking like fireworks and a few daisies that just appeared today in a wee blue jug and a blue plate of strawberry shortcake. My white Irish linen lace table cloth and linen napkin round out the setting. And of course some stars & stripes.

“Ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation to the prejudice and oppression of another is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy…An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy.”

Benjamin Franklin