This week we are preparing for ten glorious days on the river over the fourth of July. It’s always such a fun two weekends. Fireworks going off, boats all over the river, and everyone enjoying the outdoors.
In the mornings, I’ll go lay in our hammock along the riverbank or sit on our swing off the deck that overlooks the river. The mountains stand tall overlooking the river, and high on the one mountain in the very far distance flies an American flag. A boat drives by, and I am mesmerized by the wave ripple effect as they start crashing upon the shore.
The sound of the waves as they wash over the stone and river muck is one of my favorite sounds. Give me that over the ocean any day! The sun is warm on my skin, and I can hear the “hot bugs” already making noise so early in the day. I know it’s going to be a hot one, and I can hardly wait to jump in the cool river.
As we anchor in the boat, I take it all in. There’s this one spot we found last year where water runs off the mountain. I included a picture of our little oasis! The river was so low that it made the water run over river rocks that flowed into the river. The water running down from the mountain is so cold, but on a hot day, so refreshing! I lay on the rocks listening to the water run across them as my husband tied a raft to our boat and floated into the deeper water.
Our kids were along the bank, seeing how many golf balls they could find. If you are a river rat, you know all about the golf balls in the river. Let’s just say people like to practice their drive from the riverbanks. (Is that what’s it called? Drive? My father-in-law, Bob Rook, would know. He is my avid golfer and one of the sweetest men you will ever meet! Hi Pappy!)
Laying along that bank, the view is breathtaking. Nothing says America like valleys, rivers, and mountains. It’s incredible how God made rivers run along the edges of mountains. All the bends and turns. It’s amazing. We seriously live in a beautiful area.
Our vacation in North Carolina was so flat but still beautiful, of course. It just made me really appreciate the mountains when we got home. But this view, especially over America’s birthday in hot July, really makes me appreciate where we live. Fireworks while floating on the river surrounded by the beautiful mountains, starry skies, and being in the valley gives me all the feels. Especially when the song “God Bless America” comes on.
Some evenings we will take the boat up around the bend in the river towards Jersey Shore. The sunsets are unreal. The best sunsets are on the river or riding down the highway on a motorcycle into the sunset. Porch sunsets are my next favorite.
But seriously, God gave us things like sunsets, starry nights, mountains, open fields, and rivers. These are things we can enjoy if we just open our eyes to them. This world is such a beautiful place, and there is so much of that beauty in America, where we live.
Go out and enjoy somewhere you haven’t been. Have a picnic in an open field, hike up a mountain, go to the beach up Pine Creek, float on the Susquehanna River, or simply walk the riverwalk in Williamsport.
As we celebrate America’s birthday, let’s appreciate what she gives us each and every day. Open your eyes and hearts and see just how beautiful America really is. Have a happy Fourth of July and Happy Birthday, America The Beautiful!!
Patriotic Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg
• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Red and Blue Coloring
Directions:
Mix sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and almond extract, and egg. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until well incorporated. Divide dough in three equal parts. Leave one part uncolored for the white dough; color one part of dough with red coloring; color another part of dough with blue coloring. Form all three dough parts into rounds. Then flatten into disks. and cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. or place the rounds in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Take dough and combine the three colors to make a cookie, about tablespoon size or a little larger. Place cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and flatten slightly with the bottom of a drinking glass. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for about 5 minutes.
Notes: I loaded my colors into a cookie scoop, but you could just press the colors together to make them. If you do use a cookie scoop, make sure you clean the scoop out, with a paper towel, after you form each cookie so that the colors won’t transfer.
This recipe is from an Old Betty Crocker Cookbook, but I love the recipe!!
