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Sunday, May 24, 2015

Flags, Traditions and Memorial Day


Welcome.  I am so happy that you stopped by.  My garden gate is always open for you to come in and sit and relax with a cup of tea while I share with you the inspirations for my art, garden, decorating and life in general. I am re-posting one of my most popular posts about Memorial Day traditions  at my home and garden and updating with some new photos of my flowers arranged with flags to honor our brave Service Men and Women who died serving our country.  Growing up  in my family Memorial Day meant it was time to open my Grandparents beach cottage where we spent summers at Wrightsville Beach, N.C. . . raise the American flag . . . set up rockers and wicker furniture on the front porch, fill  the mismatched blue and white china with flowers and get ready for a glorious summer.


All of the children at the beach cottage had little tasks to help out and my favorite was setting the table and gathering little bunches of flowers and arranging them in a jelly glass.  My Grandmother kept miniature flags in a kitchen drawer to be used for special occasions on Memorial day and Fourth of July . . . AND . . . . I still love picking tiny bunches of flowers and arranging them with little flags . . ,. AND I still love getting out my flags on Memorial day and leaving them out until Fall.

Let's join Bentley, my Studio Assistant, and we will show you our flags.















This year I decided to fill my vintage market basket  with flags.



Memorial Day for me means getting out my flag pillows and using them until Fall.


This year I pared the flag pillows with the blue and white toile in my dining room and  love the contrast.
I also like paring the flag pillows with florals - guess I just plain ole like flags!!!

I hang a wooden vintage flag outside the living room window - you can just see a little of it in this photo. 



My guest room becomes "The Nantucket" room on Memorial Day with the addition of a few flags and a painting with a flag and will stay that way until I warm it back up with some golds and yellows in the Fall.









"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all."  Titus 2:11



Even though Memorial Day is a time I  like to switch over to a more casual style filled with flags, whimsy and more color - I always  remember that Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day,  is a day of remembrances for those who died in our nation's service.  It is also a wonderful time to say thank you  to our  Service Men and Women who have given up so much to protect our freedoms both hear and abroad. 

THANK YOU.

Thank you for stopping by.  Wishing you and your family a Happy and Peaceful Memorial Day.

Blessings, Erin






15 comments:

Susan said...

Ohhh, everything looks great, Erin. Very light, bright, cheery, and patriotic! Congratulations. Love all your paintings, too. Susan

Sonia said...

Beautiful patriotic displays! Your garden is always so pretty! I love your touches of red, white and blue in your home too! Just gorgeous! Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
Miss Bloomers

Ruth Welter said...

Good morning Erin, your house looks beautifully decked out for the upcoming holiday.

I hope you have a safe and happy memorial day weekend.

Ruth

Mary said...

I can't believe so much time has passed since we 'visited' Erin. I'm embarrassed to have been away for so long. Have missed your beautiful posts, your art, and of course Bentley!

Life just seemed to get in the way - I've been traveling the world almost non-stop for over a year! Not done yet either, leaving soon on another big adventure, so had to pop by when I suddenly saw you had come back on my Followers list - thank you dear.

I see the colors are still brilliant and beautiful, your home as always, colorful and comfy and so inviting. Hope life is good Erin..........enjoy this special holiday weekend - great post!

Woof to Bentley. Hugs to you.
Your old pal, Mary X

Vicki Boster said...

Erin- your flag decor is so lovely. Your home truly reflects your beautiful tastes -- the painting is beautiful-- I do love that flag in the picture-- it is just fabulous!
Love
Vicki

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh, such beautiful work and your home is amazing beautiful, love the white with the beautiful colors of your art!!!Your art is amazing,
thankyou so much for your kind words today, thankyou so much,

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

I just found you through Pinterst.
Your paintings are wonderful and even more special because I can see you get much inspiration from your own home.
I love your style and is so much like mine when we had our home. Due to the economy we now live in an RV, but are remodeling an older trailer to be much like my home was.
I will be back often for inspiration and will continue to read and admire pictures of your home.
Hope you are having a great Memorial Day.

Anonymous said...

Love love your pictures of your gardens and your paintings!!
Red geraniums are my favorites! :)
Enjoy your summer!
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Lovely setting

Anonymous said...

Oh my, Erin, LOVE your home and how you've displayed our colors, especially by grouping the miniature flags. I must remember this for July. I hope you don't mind if I do "sit long, talk much, and laugh a lot" because I have a feeling I will browse through this post several times. :)
PS-I see you're a straw hat lover too. Your entry is gorgeous.
Enjoy the rest of this special day.

Kathryn Bechen said...

Your home is looking so pretty these days Erin! Love all the bright colors. Happy Summer. :)

Anonymous said...

I just adore your paintings! Your house is so pretty and your painting just highlight and bring your entire house together. They tell wonderful stories.

Anonymous said...

Everything you have posted is everything I love. Your world seems so pretty as is mine. Thanks for allowing me to visit from Canada. Phyllis

http://deezie-sunshinedeezines.blogspot.com/ said...

I always enjoy when you have a new blog post. I just adore your paintings and of course your sweet pup. Love all your flag decor. You arrange it all so nicely, love it all. Have a great Memorial day
deezie

Sue Kosec said...

Just beautiful. I wouldn't mind laying my head down in your guest room!

Happy Summering
SuZeQ