Celebrating America's Birthday!

As we all know, yesterday was America's Birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with patriotically appropriate food and family adventures!

Starting with Americana Breakfast:

Then soaking up a non-hurried, loungy morning of coffee-sipping and game-playing, where my youngest schooled me at Memory :)

A neighborhood bike-ride transported our family to the 'good ol' days' when block parties welcomed all neighbors, checkered tablecloths held heaps of homemade food, stars and stripes danced on lawns, flags furled, and door decorations cheered on the 4th of July!

It truly was the 'good ol' days', today!
 
Strangers smiled as we rode past. Young and old sat on their front lawns, icy drinks in hand, talking in comfortable conversation while kids played, their faces painted in colors of America.

Our hearts were full and thankful, grateful to celebrate America's birthday, all the nation adorned in red, white, and blue.
A Norman Rockwell moment, if there ever were one!

The day continued to expand, making room for backyard bbq's and families gathered around food ~ an off season Thanksgiving!

Naturally, I opted to bring a dessert, and thus, the Freedom Trifle was created, a patriotic take on my mom-in-laws Chocolate Trifle. The night before, Bryan helped me bake, whip, and sprinkle berries in our dimly-lit kitchen.

It was a hit, and will absolutely be my 4th of July standard!

Layers of homemade white cake, cream cheese vanilla pudding mixture, whipped creme, berries... a refreshing fruit meets sweet treat!

 

Yummmmmm!!

After dessert, a family photo...

Take 1

 

 Take 2...

 {that'll do}

Then, a photo opportunity to capture all the cute kiddos 

{what you are not seeing, are us crazy parents attempting to get even one child to look at the camera!}

Then, out to the front, where the driveway served as our stage for "sparkler" magic.

Happy Birthday America! 

Thank you for the freedom you give us, and your reminder to re-live Norman Rockwell moments with family, block parties, and Freedom Trifle.

Freedom Trifle Recipe

1 box White Cake Mix
1/2 cup of water
1 {3 oz.} package creme cheese
2 cups whipping creme, whipped
10-15 strawberries, cut in small pieces, washed and dried
1 small package of fresh blueberries, washed and dried
1 {3.9 oz.} package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 {14 oz.} can sweetened condensed milk

Prepare white cake mix according to box directions {in 9x13pan} and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, add softened creme cheese, then fold in 1 cup whipped creme until no streaks remain.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the cake cubes, half of the pudding mixture, and half of the remaining whipped creme. Add a layer of strawberry pieces and blueberries. Repeat layers. Refrigerate for 8 hours before serving.

Happy 4th of July to your tastebuds!