In this issue:

• Fourth of July Fun-Filled Trivia Facts

• Flower Arranging – Basic Tools Of The Trade

• July 4th Flower Arrangement to Make

• Tell us what you think

• Become an affiliate and earn 50% Commission

Fourth Of July Fun-Filled Trivia Facts 

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, it might be nice to take a look at what the holiday really stands for.  Yes, it is the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which is why it is also called Independence Day.  However, the Fourth of July is also linked to a lot of interesting trivia.   So, let's delve deeper into what it all means. 

The Fourth, Really? 

No, not really!  The Declaration of Independence was not even really signed on the Fourth of July.   Well, it was, but only by John Hancock, who also has the biggest signature on the document.  The real signing took place in August, when about 50 people signed the document. 

The first Independence Day celebration was in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.   Colonel John Nixon read the Declaration of Independence for the first time publicly that day.  The citizens knew to gather for that reading because the Liberty Bell chimed to summon them. 

The funny thing about all that is that the US government has really stuck to the holiday falling on July 4.  In fact, it is one of the only government holidays that has been on the correct day since it began.   Most other government holidays have been moved to either a Friday or a Monday to accommodate workers wanting 3-day weekends. 

1776, Really? 

No, not really!  The first public reading may have been in 1776, but Independence Day did not really exist officially as a Federal holiday until 1941.  In fact, it wasn't even regularly celebrated in some areas. 

When Lewis and Clark traveled west of the Mississippi, Independence Day still had not been celebrated over there and that was in 1805.  So, they held the first Independence Day celebration in the West at that time. 

Meanwhile, Bristol, Rhode Island was several celebrations into things by then.  They held their first Independence Day celebration in 1785 and they have had one each year since.  That makes them home to the oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration in the country. 

Even the White House didn't hold a public Independence Day celebration until the early 1800's.  So, it's a bit strange to think of it being the most patriotic of all holidays now.  It certainly has evolved! 

Patriotism: 

Speaking of patriotism, did you know that Independence and Freedom are more than just key values in the USA?  They're also places!   There are five places named Freedom, including one in California, and eleven places named Independence. 

Of all of them, Independence, Missouri is the one that is the most famous.  It also has the most residents.  A recent poll listed the total at 113,288, but it grows every day. 

In other patriotic news, to ensure that all colonies were equal, the stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle. 

As for good ol' Uncle Sam, he is thought to have been created in 1812 when a meat packer named Samuel Wilson and a friend of his made a joke about the meat shipments, which were stamped “U.S.” being from “Uncle Sam”. 

Odd Fun Facts: 

The majority of the US flags and other patriotic decorations are actually made in China. 

The Star Spangled Banner has the same tune as an old drinking song from England 

Benjamin Franklin really wanted the National bird to be the turkey, but he was out voted by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.  The really strange thing is that, even though both Jefferson and Adams won that small battle, they both lost a larger War.  They each died on July, 4, 1826, which was exactly 50 years to the day after John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence!

Flower Arranging – Basic Tools Of The Trade

If you're planning to make a lot of flower arrangements, you are going to need a lot of basic tools of the trade.  That will include a vase or container and some flowers, of course, but it goes a bit beyond that.  So, here are some things that any good flower arranger should have, even a first-timer.

Sheers/Scissors:

Perhaps the most important tool of the floral trade is a good pair of sheers or  scissors.  Now, you could cut stems with almost anything.  You could even break them by hand, if you really want to.  However, it's never as easy or neat looking as when you use the same reliable scissors every time.  You can also use those scissors to cut thin wires and twist ties, as needed.

That being said, you can't just reach for any pair of scissors because you don't know where they've been.  You don't want bits of leaves all over your mail or in your food, for instance.  Nor do you want bits of fabric from your sewing table or bits of food from your kitchen accidentally moved to your floral arrangements.  That's why it's best to have a pair of scissors that is only for your flowers.

Floral Foam:

Another handy tool of the trade is floral foam.  It's sort of like a sponge, but it is meant for lining the bottoms of any containers holding flowers.  It serves two main purposes.  The first is that it helps to hold flower stems in place.  All you have to do is cut small “x” patterns in it and poke the stems through.

The other important purpose of floral foam is to keep the stems hydrated.  The spongy substance soaks up water and keeps flower stems moist longer.  That means that the flowers maintain freshness longer than they otherwise might.

There are a couple keys to using floral foam.  One is that you absolutely have to saturate the foam with water before you add the flowers.  The other is that you have to use the right type of foam. 

Use the denser foam for heavier stems and bigger arrangements.  The instant foam, on the other hand, is easy to use and should work for small table arrangements.  It simply doesn't have the strength to hold larger stems.

Floral Tapes:

There are two main types of floral tape that are usually used in flower arrangement.  The green color, obviously, blends in with flower leaves and stems.  So, it can help you to create just the right shapes and hold your arrangement together in a cohesive way.

The clear floral tape is fairly multipurpose, as far as function goes.  It is practically invisible, so you can pull off all sorts of tricks with it.  For example, let's say that you want your flowers to stay in place better than they otherwise might.  Well, you can crisscross floral tape all across the mouth of the container and then stick flowers through the gaps.

Anyone viewing a taped floral arrangement, especially at a distance, won't have any idea that you even used floral tape.  You can even arrange the flowers in such a way that leaves or blossoms completely cover it.  That can give you more versatility and flexibility while doing certain arrangements.

Extras:

Of course, every good florist needs extras.  Those are things that make your arrangements fun or unique.  You might use ribbons, bows, framework of some kind or any other bits and pieces that appeal to you.  So, don't be afraid to experiment a bit and go beyond the basics of floral arrangement.

A 4th of July Arrangement for you to Make

Get the instructions to make this arrangement here.