Come sit with me for awhile…
and see what I’m bringing to the table

As a kid of school age, Memorial Day, marked the long awaited summer vacation .   .   .   and .   .   .  no more school for three whole months .   .   .YAY !!! *

It was a time for outdoor Bar-B-Ques, beach picnics .   .   .  endless days to bike ride, roller skate, swim, go off to camp, see old friends, and make new ones.

I know some of you may be saying .   .   . “nothing stays the same” .   .   . I say.  .  . that’s not necessarily so. True, today’s summer recess has unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which side of the age fence you are viewing it from, been shortened.   .   . skate boards, and roller blades, have become more favored than roller skates, while surfboarding, and parasailing have moved way up the list of preferred fun. But .   .   . of course, there is my proverbial but .   .   .  bikes are still being ridden, bodies of water are still for swimming,  there are more camps available than ever before, and friendships will still be sealed for life, as well as new bonds will be formed .   .   . and of course there will always be.   .   . those great outdoor gatherings.

Now about those great gatherings .   .   . bringing old and new friends together.   .   . catching up on day to day happenings, future plans, and recounting past pleasures. These wonderful, and memorable gatherings can be made to pop-up on your front porch, backyard, kitchen, park, lakeside, at the beach, or just maybe your ready to step out of the box, and add a new place to the list! Please let me know. Where you create this fun happening is only a piece of the American pie, so to speak. How, to me, is as important as where this get together takes place.

As part of my Memorial Day gathering theme, shown in the photo above, I have commandeered my U S flag for a table cover, holding silverware, napkins, plates, etc.. I then added one of  a stack of pillows with hand stitched miniature flags, found at a church bazaar several years ago, for table accent. All food will be placed on a vintage red, white, and blue striped tablecloth, while keeping my flag away from the food traffic. My patriotic pillows will be stacked in an extra, extra large wicker basket, and available to anyone who wants extra comfy seating.

Add potato salad, corn on the cob, green salad with .   .   . so, so easy to make homemade dressing, chicken, ribs, burgers, and/or hot dogs .  .   . AND .   .   . lots, and lots of votives**  everywhere !!! Don’t forget to trim all wicks to between 1/4”- 3/8” before burning.

*As an adult, I am keenly aware of the underlying reason of Memorial Day, and the importance of paying tribute to all the fallen men, and women, who have given their service, and lives for our country. One needs to take a moment of pause, and reflect on what could have been, or would be  .   .   . if not for those that have fallen.

**Please burn candles responsibly.

I WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS and QUESTIONS  .   .   . sharons3@me.com

Sharon Insul is the former owner of the popular Beverly Hills boutique Candle light and…