Celebrate Flag Day With “Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes” & "Strawberry Champagne Slushy" On This "Tip Tuesday"

Welcome to my blog…come on in, I have a refreshing Strawberry Champagne Slushy cocktail  for you to try. The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week” and June 14th is "Flag Day!" This day honors the American flag, encourages citizens to fly the flag, and study its traditions. The “Pledge Of Allegiance,” in the United States is an expression of allegiance to the Flag of the United States and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Colonel George Balch in 1887, later revised by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942. The official name of The Pledge of Allegiance was adopted in 1945. 

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

The Fourth of July is traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag was very American. The First Official United States Flag had 13-Stars and became the Official United States Flag on June14th, 1777. This was a result of the congressional action that took place on that date. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design. The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This Flag was to last for a period of 18 years.

Each STAR represented a Colony of which there were thirteen, united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen Colonies are listed below with the date that each ratified the Constitution and became a State.

Betsy Ross House, PA

(1st) Delaware December 7th, 1787
(2nd) Pennsylvania December 12th, 1787
(3rd) New Jersey December18th, 1787
(4th) Georgia January 2nd, 1788
(5th) Connecticut January 9th, 1788
(6th) Massachusetts February 6th, 1788
(7th) Maryland April 28th, 1788
(8th) South Carolina May 23rd, 1788
(9th) New Hampshire June 21st, 1788
(10th) Virginia June 25th, 1788
(11th) New York July 25th, 1788
(12th) North Carolina November 21st, 1789
(13th) Rhode Island May 29th, 1790

“Tip Tuesday”

There is definitely “Flag Etiquette,” standards of respect towards the flag. The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. 
They are as follows:

• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

• The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff.

• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman, and members of patriotic organizations.

• The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

***Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.

• Raising and Lowering the Flag: The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.

The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

• The Salute: To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.

• The Flag in Mourning is placed at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset. The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

                              
Now that we learned about The Flag, it is time to share 2 special Flag themed recipes. So “easy peasy” as my blogger friend Louise from “Months Of Edible Celebrations,” says. A very decorative and delicious dessert for your Flag Day or July 4th. “Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes” and a “Strawberry Champagne Slushy”

“Red, White, and Blue Cupcakes”

Ingredients:
1 white cake mix, prepared as per instructions (as cupcakes)
1 Cup of water to boil
1-3oz box red Jello (Strawberry or Cherry)
Whipped cream
Blueberries

Instructions:
Bake cupcakes as directed on the box of white cake mix. Let cupcakes cool. Poke several small holes in the cupcakes using a small stick, fork, or chopstick.

Boil 1 cup of water. Add a 3 oz Cherry or Strawberry gelatin packet to boiling water. Stir it until it dissolves. Pour or spoon the gelatin into the cupcake holes. Chill the cupcakes in the refrigerator for 2 hours. 

“Frost” with whipped cream topping and add blueberries. Take off the cupcake wrapper and you’ve got one festive little cupcake. Doesn’t it look like a flag?
  

Refreshing and delicious, and nothing sounds more attractive than frozen cocktails when it's over 90 degrees! 

“Strawberry Champagne Slushy”

What you need for 2 Slushy drinks:
1 cup (roughly) Frozen Strawberries
1 cup Champagne
Blender

All you have to do is combine the champagne and the strawberries in the blender until they reach Slushy consistency! Add a cut strawberry to the rim of the champagne for garnish. Yummy! Nice and refreshing and tasty too!

 
“Please Drink Responsibly”

 

Till Next Time…..

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