Today's the Fourth of July. 

(What a creative name. America became a nation on July fourth, and they decided  to name the holiday...wait for it...the Fourth of July! Could they really not find anything better?! Well, I know there's Independence Day, but it's not used as often as Fourth of July...moving right along.) 

It means barbequeing (BBQing? I have no idea how to spell it), swimming, time with friends and family, maybe going to a lake to relax for the long weekend. 

It means parades, fireworks, laughter, and relaxing. It means hot dogs, singing patriotic songs, and wearing red, white, and blue. It means freedom.

In the hustle and bustle of all the preparation and all the fun, it's easy to forget what this holiday is actually all about. 234 years ago today, some men signed the famous Deceleration of Independence, a document - written mainly by Thomas Jefferson - that stated the USA was now its own country.

Since then, so many, many men and women have fought and died to keep this country free. So many, many people have sacrificed everything they had to fight for our nation. 

So in the midst of eating, laughing, and spending time with loved ones this weekend, forget not what this holiday is actually all about. 

Happy birthday, America!

What are you doing this Fourth? 

-carlotta

A few shots from my dad's and Louis' birthday party yesterday. It was lovely. The food was amazing (The cake! Oh the cake.), the company incredible, the weather beautiful, the whole night was wonderful.

I was feeling in a bit of a vintage mood...hence the editing.

I wish I could have gotten some more shots, but I was having so much fun I rather forgot until later...and then it was dark :(

What did you do yesterday evening?

Alright...off to finish packing for Nashville (We leave Monday morning!)...what else is new? ;)

-carlotta

And no, I don't mean these coneheads. Snort.

I'm talking about these coneheads.

I can't stop looking at them. And now that it's pouring rain (on 4th of July weekend, no less), I'm even more obsessed with them.

Why is that I've never noticed them in previous years?

-carlotta

1. I gave myself a pedicure today...I haven't done that in a long time. It felt amazing :)

2. THREE DAYS until I leave to go to Nashville. I am insanely excited! I should probably start packing...

3. I may be addicted to blogging. That is all.

4. This is one of our neighbor's little girls. Is she not stunning?

5. Does anyone else think that June went by waaayy too fast?! I can't believe that it's already over. I think June is my favorite month...even though my birthday is in September. 

6. If you haven't already done so, you can still enter in my giveaway!

7. My siblings have taken to telling me, "Go get your camera, there's a _____ (fill in the blank) outside!" The last time they said that, it resulted in this...

Not too shabby, eh? 

What about you? What random musings have been filling your thoughts recently?

-carlotta