White House Down for Active Military and Veterans

I recently received an email saying that on IndependenceDay July 2, 2013, to thank America’s troops for their sacrifice and service, active military personnel and veterans will be admitted with one guest to see Columbia Pictures’ White House Down for free at any Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Theaters, Cine-mark Theaters, or Car-mike Cinemas theater by showing proper military identification. The special invitation to America’s military personnel and veterans is valid only on the 4th of July and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis at each participating location.

Rory Bruer, president of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures, said, “We think White House Down is the summer’s best action movie, so on July 4th, we’re inviting all active duty and veteran military personnel to bring a guest and see it for free. It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday and to honor and thank the troops for their service to our country.”

OK OMG one word CHANNING TATUM! I saw him in person at the premier of Dear John at FORT BRAGG! WOW! I totally wish I would have been invited to the premiere here in DC, b/c I was in the area!

In White House Down, Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation’s government falling into chaos and time running out, it’s up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.

Berries, Beans and Eagles

So my best friend and her family came down for the 4th to celebrate with us, it is sort of a tradition for the last 4 years we have been celebrating together, a few years ago we went to White Lake for the 4th, and this weekend we had a backyard BBQ. So I may not be a Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker but I am definately a mix between the two. Next year will be even better!!!!Hopefully the entire family will be together for the backyard shindig!!!

SO I wanted to give my home a patriotic feel by designing craft projects to adorn the rooms or serve as festive decorations for a Fourth of July party. Just because the party is liable to take place outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t decorate. The 4th of July is all about the red, white and blue, so be sure to display the American flag and decorate in the colors of the U.S.A.

I went all out and purchased Independence Day cups and plates, and encourage guests to wear red, white and blue to the party.That was the theme!

So if you don’t want to be creative, just visit the local party store and purchase some red, white and blue balloons.

Independence Day festivities are for people of all ages, so if you are hosting you should have something for everyone. Adults may appreciate a cold beer to accompany their hamburgers and fireworks, but be sure to have plenty of other cold beverages on hand as well. Stock up on soda, ice water and other popular non-alcoholic beverages

Gather inexpensive red, white and blue craft supplies and enlist the kids to help you create the handmade decorations. Determine how you’ll use the completed crafts and consider your time limit and budget when choosing Fourth of July decorating ideas to suit your needs. Make decorations for the buffet, dinner or gift table by creating a simple arrangement in tall glass cylinder vase.

So this 4th of July I did a little more decoration and became more creative! So the first thing I did was create a centerpiece with red, white and black beans. WOW it turned out better than I thought it would, how CUTE! As you can see I though it was so festive I did the smaller cannisters the same way, it actually gave my fireplace a really CUTE feel!

CAKE POPS

With pops, traditional favorites like cake, cookies, brownies and cereal treats break away from the plate and stand up to join the celebration.If you can stick it on a stick—it’s a pop! Your favorite sweet treats are more fun to eat when you can just grab them and enjoy. The fun factor really goes off the charts when you decorate them with colorful candy and sprinkles! Get ready for the most stick-tacular treats that ever popped up at a party! It’s time for pops — grabbable goodies on a stick you’ll love to dip, decorate and devour.  I thought what a neat idea to make the pops on a plate and decorate them in like a flag design! Red, White and Blue Pops! See from my picture they aren’t like some profession picture, this is what I snapped with my iPhone, so if I can make it you can too!!!

NEST OF BALD EAGLES

Next I made Bald Eagles, who knew that these treats WOULD be so easy to make and SO exciting for them to turn out! Cute, delicious, and easy to make, these bald eagle treats will be enjoyed at Fourth of July celebrations, or for any occasion where you’d like to make treats with a nature theme.

PATROTIC COOLER (below)  Among the more patriotic days on the American calendar, the 4th of July is also among the most festive. Fireworks displays occur across the country, and backyard barbecues commonly begin in the afternoon and last well into the night. I wanted to ensure my guests that  4th of July parties go off without a hitch can consider the following tips

Check out my red, white and blue cooler. I didn’t think it would work, the key is ICE!!! It won’t work unless you have ice!!!

So if you couldn’t make your drink blend properly you always have a back up.

RED AND BLUE FIZZERS (to the right)

What I did was use decroative ice trays and freeze different colors of ice and once they were finished I put them in a glass and pour clear soda on them. Taking about how the kids loved this drink! This was another one! TOTALLY happy kids, they were excited because I was giving them such cool stuff.

REVOLUNTIONARY BERRIES

So my day doesn’t stop there with the drinks, my KIDS loved them! It turned out PERFECT! I tried both with edible glitter and sprinkles, either way it was fun for the kids to eat, and not to mention delicious!

So I’ll end with my main man, BraWonka!

It is getting close to my FAVORITE time of the Year

Oh My Gosh I don’t know how many times I have blogged about this being my favorite season because we have just about all the patriotic holidays within a 4 month time frame…check out my red, white and blue tips…. Being an Army Spouse, Independence Day means a lot more to me now than when I was a child. I have seen my husband deploy and train up for missions around this holiday. I always get an overwhelming since of pride when I see the fireworks and hear the national anthem played. The 4^th of July is the day to celebrate our nation, and because I love this Country, I am glad I am an American, and I celebrate it proudly. Do you know how much goosebumps I get when I hear the music playing…I think I might just have to get out the cd of army cadence and play some for work today!!!

This year I am up here in the most influential place in the US, Washington DC. I am super excited to see the fireworks on the Potomac, and close to the Washington Monument. They even have a PARADE!


Washington, DC’s Independence Day ParadeParade Start Time: 11:45 a.m.
Parade Route: Constitution Avenue and 7th to 17th Sts. See a map of the parade route


Washington, DC’s 4th of July Parade features marching bands, military and specialty units, floats, and VIP’s. The parade draws a large crowd, so plan to arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot. Read more about the National Independence Day Parade


We are also up here at Ft. Belvoir and Quantico this year, I might just have to go hang out with my marine spouses and celebrate it there! But I will post pictures of my red, white and blue patio!!!

Here is what I usually cook plus the usually hamburgers and hotdogs…I can’t wait!!! I am going to totally have historic themes this summer WOO HOO!!!

– Creamy Red Potato Salad
– Grilled Marinated Vegetables with Fresh Mozzarella
– North Carolina Pulled-Pork Barbecue Sandwich
– Watermelonade
– Blueberry Hill Cupcakes
– Watermelon, Lemonade and Blueberry Ice Pops


Who wouldn’t want the chance to celebrate the 4th here in the Nationals Capital….