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

Fourth of July, aka Independence Day 1776, is the day we commemorate the Thirteen Colonies legally becoming separated from what was then known as the Kingdom of Great Britain (today, officially recognized as the United Kingdom), and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.   Interestingly, history claims the 2nd of July, the 4th of July, as well as the 2nd of August, 1776 to be the correct date that Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence. While there still remains much controversy over the actual date of the Thirteen Colonies legally becoming separated .   .   . I say .   .   . that was, and is a debate best left to historians to duke it out! My calendar having already been penciled in way into the future reads .   .   .  July 4th circled in red, white, and blue.

Having imparted a mere sliver of our history, to those of you who may, and I repeat  may .   .   . But .   .   . not necessarily do need a refresher course in history trivia .   .   . I can now move on to the up coming festivities.

OK kids .   .   . here’s the part I revel in .   .   .  Tablescaping, and the event .   .   .  It makes no difference where this all comes to pass .   .   .  but .   .   . what does matter is HOW it all comes down! .   .   .
What to do, what to do ???

First off, have you figured out the venue? You know, where this great event is going to take place ? .   .   . No????? .   .   . Oh my .   .   . you really do need my expert advice! Easy .   .   .   breathe, go ahead take another deep breath .   .   .

Here are just a smidgen of your options .   .   . take it to the beach, put it in your own backyard, go crazy and do it up to the ‘casual nines,’ with a buffet on your kitchen counters, or potluck it from appetizers to dessert! Now I personally think that potluck is the winner for this 4th of July .    .   . for two reasons, the first being that everyone will feel as though they were totally involved in the 4th of July party, regardless of whose home it ultimately lands. My second reason, is for those of you who are now bordering on a panic attack!  It really doesn’t matter where this happens, but that it does happen, and it becomes what it is suppose to be .   .   . a celebration.

This part is so, so simple .   .   . Write out the menu wish list, on scraps of paper, crumple them up, throw the scraps into a bowl. Then everyone picks a scrap of paper out of the bowl  .   .   . that’s it .   .  . whatever, food dishes are written on the scrap of paper, becomes their share of this potluck dinner .   .   . Can’t do this in person .   .   . phone, fax, email, text, or carrier pigeon will do.  It could not be any simpler!!!!!!!!!!

Decorations .   .   . tons of candles, and pinwheels, of red, white, and blue stuck in buckets of sand, rocks, or the ground. Multiple strings of LED lights plugged in and filling as many  glass bowls as you can.  Add to that list of must haves .   .   . a great big bin filled with ice .   .   . lay a huge watermelon cut in half into the ice .   .   . put out several ice cream scoopers, for the best ice cold, hands on, watermelon scooping experience ever! Grab your camera, and catch everyone’s laughter!!!!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE !!!!!!!

Till next week…

Don’t forget to trim wicks to between 1/4-3/8” before each burn. Please burn candles responsibly.

MORE CANDLE TIPS NEXT TIME

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

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