Independence Day

What We’re Reading–The Fourth of July

Every summer around Independence Day, I like to make sure that the children are learning about the time of the American Revolution (and the time from about the French and Indian War until about the time of the War of 1812, just to provide some context), even if we’re also doing something else in summer school. We’ve found quite a few books that we all enjoy that focus on that period of time, as well as American symbolism and history in general:

Of course, we have to add a few DVDs to our studies:

And a few CDs, as well:

While we don’t have lots of special activities and crafts in school for this holiday like we do for Thanksgiving or Christmas, it is one of my five favorite holidays of the year, so I like to make sure we’re at least doing a little something special! Stay tuned for details on our Fourth of July tea party!

Quote of the Day

How true this is!

It seems it always happens. Whenever we get too high-hat and too sophisticated for flag-waving, some thug nation decides we’re a push-over all ready to be blackjacked. And it isn’t long before we’re looking up, mighty anxiously, to be sure the flag’s still waving over us. James Cagney as George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy

A Feast for the Fourth

Pretty standard Fourth of July fare…beef brisket, corn on the cob, potato salad, and watermelon:

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Dessert was special…no funfetti this year! Vanilla ice cream topped with cinnamon-sugar baked peaches (that Turkey and I picked this morning), and drizzled with a homemade blackberry sauce (made from berries also picked this morning).

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Tasty Tuesday–Braised Beef Brisket

I make this Pioneer Woman recipe every year on the Fourth of July, and I also made it for our big Markelparty on Sunday. It’s definitely a family favorite!

  • 2 cans Beef Consomme
  • 1/2 cup Lemon Juice
  • 1-1/2 cup Soy Sauce
  • 5 cloves Chopped Garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons Liquid Smoke
  • 10-15 pounds Beef Brisket

Combine first five ingredients in large roasting pan (a disposable is just fine). Place brisket in the marinade, fat side up. Cover tightly with foil. Marinate in refrigerator for 48 hours. When ready to cook, place pan covered in foil into a 300-degree oven. Cook brisket for approximately 40 minutes per pound.

When fork-tender, transfer whole brisket to a cutting board. Slice against the grain and place slices back into the cooking liquid. Alternatively, shred the meat for sandwiches. Serve immediately, spooning juice over the meat. Barbeque sauce may be used, if preferred.

You may store pan in fridge for up to two days or freeze for use at a later date. If fat collects and hardens at the top, remove and discard.

The Legacy of George Cohan

If you haven’t watched the musical Yankee Doodle Dandy recently, there’s a good chance you don’t even know who George Cohan was. Among other things, he was an actor, composer, singer and producer. He is comparable to Irving Berlin, in that he wrote many familiar, catchy, and often patriotic songs; however, for some reason, he doesn’t seem to be as well-known.

In 1936, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to WWI morale. In particular, he’s remembered for writing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Over There.” Given that both of these songs are still sung today, I’d say that he was quite deserving of the medal!

The movie Yankee Doodle Dandy is actually a biographical musical about George Cohan’s life. It won several Academy Awards, and was nominated for many more. It has also been recognized by the American Film Institute as both one of the top 100 movies of all time and one of the top 100 musicals, as well as containing one the of the top 100 quotes, (“My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you.”), and songs (“The Yankee Doodle Boy”).

Whenever you hear the songs “The Yankee Doodle Boy,” (more commonly known simply as “Yankee Doodle Dandy”), “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” or “Over There,” (as well as other familiar, although less patriotic songs, like “Give My Regards to Broadway”), think of their writer, George Cohan, and the contributions he made to American morale during the Great War, without ever going into battle himself. He’s a perfect example of embracing one’s vocation, and serving where best able to serve, a legacy which his children also embraced.

“Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums rum-tumming everywhere.
So prepare, say a prayer,
Send the word, send the word to beware –
We’ll be over, we’re coming over,
And we won’t come back till it’s over, over there.”

A Feast Fit For A…Patriot

You didn’t think I’d say king on Independence Day, did you?

Over the past few years, I’ve developed our family’s traditional Fourth of July dinner. The main course is the Pioneer Woman’s beef brisket. It is, without a doubt, the best meat dish I have ever prepared. I think the real secret to the success of this dish is the liquid smoke…I look for any reason to use that stuff, and it is simply amazing as part of the marinade for a very slow roasted brisket.

We, of course, had all of the traditional side dishes. Corn on the cob, baked beans, and potato salad.  I have, in the past, attempted to make my own baked beans…they were OK, but not really worth the effort in my opinion. And Bush’s has that secret sauce that the dog’s always trying to give away, so I don’t feel too bad using canned beans. I sometimes make the potato salad from scratch, but not this year…sometimes it’s nice to just relax and enjoy the holiday without making yourself crazy with preparing and cooking!

The beverages of choice for this holiday were root beer, and regular beer. OK, not regular, because it was a fancy Schlafly brew, but still, beer. The children think it’s very exciting any time they get to have soda with a meal, and what’s more American than root beer?

Of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without a little patriotic Funfetti! It may just be a box mix, but there’s something charming about the sprinkle-laden cupcakes. Plus, it’s another tradition…so it’s a necessity, no matter how corny it is!

A Prayer for Independence Day

From the LCMS “LetUsPray” Resource:

“O merciful Father in heaven, on this anniversary of our nation’s Declaration of Independence, keep this nation under Your care. Protect our land from danger and instability. Abide with our military who courageously keep our country safe. Guide President Obama, our federal and state legislators, our governors, our county and city government officials, and all who serve them. Grant all public servants the understanding that You work through them to keep our country stable and safe.

Eternal God, the country You have given to us is indeed a good land, a land in which freedom reigns. Give us faith, however, to look beyond this land and into the eternal home which You give to us for Jesus’ sake.

God of peace, You know that we live in a world plagued with war and uprising. By Your Word and Sacraments, strengthen our faith so that we can endure this world while remaining confident of Your eventual return, when war will cease and peace will sustain the new creation. Amen.”