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Thursday, July 1, 2010

A Yankee Doodle Table and A Pitcher Named Molly



Yankee Doodle went to town, riding on a pony. Stuck a feather in his cap, and called it macaroni.
Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Mind the music and the step, and with the girls be handy.

And this, boys and girls, is why macaroni salad is traditionally served
at Fourth of July backyard barbecues all across the United States.


I just now made that up.

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It's the Fourth of July (almost -- use your imagination!) so what else is there to do
but put together a table setting in the red, white and blue of Old Glory?

Come on, sit down . . . .

It's a lovely cool day, no need to put the air conditioning on in the sunroom.
Open windows and soft breezes, that's summer.


The white cabbage pedestal plate from Goodwill is playing host to a Dollar Tree pillar candle,
some Party City floating flaming stars, and daisies and hydrangeas from the garden.



The Liberty Blue Staffordshire china dishes -- a legacy from the Bicentennial -- rest on
our red party plates, with antique monogrammed linen lapkins (eBay) tucked underneath.

Big summer wine glasses -- because summer is a thirsty time -- Dollar Tree.
Blue swirled votive cups -- also Dollar Tree.

The Liberty Bell is here, crack and dust and all . . . just in case we want to ring for the servants.
We'll be ringing for a long, long time.


And George and Martha Washington have come to lend a little spice to the table.
If George looks a little disgusted with Martha, it's because she just can't help making a spectacle of herself at parties. If it's not a lampshade on her head, it's a frilly flag toothpick.
The girl's got game.

So set yourself down.

I have not a clue what I'll be serving for our Fourth of July jamboree,
but I'll do my best
to serve it in style. With maybe a frilly flag toothpick in my hair.
Me and Martha, sisters under the skin.

Speaking of sisters . . .

. . . the fine sister manning (womanning?) that cannon is Molly Pitcher -- whose real name was not
Molly Pitcher, but she went down in history with that nickname.

At the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey she buzzed around, dodging bullets and cannonballs, bringing water to thirsty troops (it was June and blazing hot). When her husband collapsed at his artillery post, she took over the cannon and helped to win the day for the Patriots.

Yay, Molly. She might have lived in Pennsylvania, but she was born in New Jersey, and became the stuff of legend here. She died the year That Old House was built -- 1832.

Well, golly, it is after 7:00 in the evening, and I am just getting around to my Thursday post.

Ye gods and little fishes!

Go visit the following blogs for more posts and parties! Click on the logos below. -- Cass


37 comments:

  1. Happy 4th!!
    and tablescape Thursday~~~~

    Have a blessed weekend!!
    Let freedom ring!!

    Kay Ellen

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  2. THis is beautiful! I love the old bell, the Martha and George set...really the table is so lovely!

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  3. What an interesting post!........and a gorgeous table!

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  4. Fun table, love your plates-Happy 4th!

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  5. Pretty table! Way to go Molly!

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  6. I am just sitting here giggling. Love Martha and George and the bell. No way the votives were a dollar! Hollar!! You better be serving macaroni after that shameful start at the post. Finally, I WANT A HYDRANGEA PLANT! I have asked for the last two Mother's Days. I guess I will buy them for myself. Happy fourth.

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  7. So glad to see Molly Pitcher! I remember being so interested in her when I was in grade school. Your blue plates are so pretty. Happy 4th!

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  8. I love all your patriotic treasures! Isn't it fun to use them and pull out the red, white and blue?? : )
    I just love your home and your pretty tablescapes!!
    Love,
    Sue

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  9. What a gorgeous table. Love the salt and pepper and the liberty bell. Just so pretty. Hugs, Marty

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  10. Is this in the sun room I spied on the side of your home?
    Everytime I see the picture of That Old House that room catches my eye.
    If only houses could talk. 1832 What history lies
    behind those doors.
    Happy 4th to you & yours.

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  11. Cass, I just came across your blog and am now a new follower :) I love what you did with your table! It is gorgeous!! I look forward to following to see all your new adventures ~ Laura

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  12. Looks like fun. Thanks for the invite, love the bicentenial plates.
    Kat

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  13. I love your tablescape. Love the liberty bell and the salt and pepper shakers. Really cute and festive. Happy Fourth!

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  14. I adore Red, White, and Blue together. You did a fab job of pulling it all together, Cass!
    Am I invited?!

    xo, misha

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  15. Love the reds, white and blues! Have a great VTT!

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  16. What a fun and festive table!
    Happy 4th!!

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  17. Cass, I can't get past the beautiful china! You have done a wonderful tablescape this week! Thanks for sharing.
    ~Holly

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  18. Lovely table setting. I was just looking at those blue plates at the junkstore today. Very pretty. I didn't know they were from the bicentennial.
    Kathy

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  19. Oh Cass,
    You got out your liberty blues! Love the table, it looks so inviting. I can feel the soft breeze and smell the hydrangea. And the salt and pepper are just perfect!
    Happy 4th!
    Cindy

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  20. Well I had never heard the second line from Yankee Doodle. See what I learn here. I always love coming over here to visit. Lovely table. Way to go Molly.

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  21. Beautiful Yankee Doodle table! ~Happy 4th of July! ~

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  22. Your Liberty Blue looks great on the red charger plates!
    Have a great weekend.

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  23. Happy 4th! I love your festive table! I do love your Liberty Blue plates and George and Martha S&P shakers....too cute!

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  24. Your humor always makes me smile, Cass!
    Great post!

    Have a Happy 4th of July!
    Rett
    The Gazebo House

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  25. What a cute tablescape. Not fussy at all but a lot of fun. Just like the 4th.
    I'm going to have to look for those votive cups--I really need more votive cups--like I need a hole in my head but......
    Go Martha! Love the firework in her hair!

    Happy day.

    Melinda

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  26. You know, I would have believe you about the macaroni salad. We always had macaroni salad on the 4th! Traditionas have to come from somewhere, right?? :)

    Happy Birthday, America!!

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  27. Hi Cass,
    You did have me going for a minute with that macaroni business ... almost. Well, OK ... you got me! I had no idea that Martha was such a party girl. I DO hope you post a picture of you on the 4th with that festive hairdo you described!

    OH, great table, by the way. Almost forgot to mention the table ... ;)

    Happy 4th!
    -bill

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  28. Very enjoyable post. I'm SOOOOOO glad you showed us a little of your house. I've been dying to see it. It's so beautiful from the outside. Happy 4th.
    D

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  29. Happy 4th! my son is in Washington DC and is enjoying his stay and is happy to be there on that day! i saw your little bell in Philadelphia. Hugs catherine

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  30. Great post Cass! Your table setting is so festive right down to the liberty bell. I love seeing that center piece floating on those gorgeous hydrangeas. Thanks for injecting your great sense of humor...gave me my morning chuckle.

    -Rene

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  31. What an fabulous festive table four the 4th! Love the plates...I have a set from my Mom and they are some of my favorites! Have a wonderful Holiday!

    Miss Bloomers

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  32. Go George and Martha! It's always good to see Martha get equal time as George. Behind every good man....

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  33. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your comment! I love your blog and will check in with you often. We also live in an older home and I like seeing the trials and tribulations of others!
    Have a great Fourth!
    Paige

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  34. Beautiful tablescape, but what took my breath away is the picture of your house. So lovely! I'm pretty sure my mansion in heaven will be an old Southern one with big front porch where I can sit and drink iced tea. Blessings for a lovely 4th.

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  35. Happy 4th. of July Cass!!.....love your George and MArtha shakers...I do think Bob would be a great name for "that old house"...or may "That Old Bob".....have a great weekend up there in the Motherland...Daughter is celebrating Yankee Doodle by driving down to Virginia to buy Miss B a "LabraDoodle"....so you know a trip back up will be in order to see the new dog...I really need to just bite the bullet and move back to Jersey..

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  36. Yes, Miss Cass- we WERE seperated at birth! :) LOVE the Liberty Blue! Have a wonderful 4th! We're here in Florida with the kids and the babies have us in stitches half the day.
    xoxo Pattie

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  37. Hi! I'm a new follower. :)

    This is a great looking table. I'd love to have lunch there!

    I read your parlor post and that's gorgeous too. The character of old home's just can't be beat! I've told my hubby that I don't think I can live in any less than a hundred years old now (our current home is a 1892 colonial in Maine).

    Alison

    http://welcomesunshinehome.blogspot.com/

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