Overdue

But better late than never (sadly, I'm using this mantra a little too often in my life these days). 

It has become a bit of a tradition with Joe's side of the family to take in the fireworks each year at Greenfield Village.  It is now something that I look forward to every year, if you are in the area and have attended, I'm sure you understand why.  

A picnic is packed and our blankets are laid on a hill in order to claim our spots for the evening (and we must get the same spots every year.  As soon as the gates open, we have the two fastest guys in our family run ahead of the crowd to claim our spot- victory!).  

This is from the Greenfield Village website, just so you have a better understanding of what it's all about:

"Entering Greenfield Village is like stepping into an 80-acre time machine. It takes you back to the sights, sounds and sensations of America’s past. There are 83 authentic, historic structures, from Noah Webster’s home, where he wrote the first American dictionary, to Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, to the courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. The buildings and the things to see are only the beginning. There’s the fun stuff, too. In Greenfield Village, you can ride in a genuine Model T or “pull” glass with world-class artisans; you can watch 1867 baseball or ride a train with a 19th-century steam engine. It’s a place where you can choose your lunch from an 1850s menu or spend a quiet moment pondering the home and workshop where the Wright brothers invented the airplane. Greenfield Village is a celebration of people — people whose unbridled optimism came to define modern-day America."

It really is one of the most charming places I have been to.  The fife band walks around entertaining the crowds before the DSO takes the main stage.

The kids love this stuff- they even have stations with old-fashion games for them to try:

Since it was one of the most beautiful evenings I can ever remember, Joe and I walked around to see some of the sights.  We were entertained with old-time patriotic melodies:

And inspired by Thomas Edison's goal to have one major invention every six months and one minor invention every 10 days. 

If only I could do this with knitting patterns!

We visited the oldest windmill in the US

And although the houses aren't open (like they are during normal park hours), they are still fun to look at.

And a stroll through the gardens on a beautiful evening only help to make things more perfect

As we settled into our seats...

 and took in the sounds of the DSO...

I grabbed my knitting and Joe made an observation.  The lady right in front of us was working on her own knitting project.  And what did I learn from this?  Knitters know how to have a good time:

She must have snuck that in!

Overall, a wonderful evening with wonderful company.  I know the Fourth of July isn't usually a 'tradition-type holiday', but do you have any?