Happy Birthday America!

This month we celebrate our country’s birthday! Now, how old is the United States? Well… that depends on what you consider the birth of the U.S. If you measure from the Declaration of Independence (1776), then it’s 229 years old. However, what followed the war for independence was actually a loose and ill-fated confederacy that fell apart because nothing compelled the states to cooperate and, say, fund an army. The United States as we know it today really started with the Constitution, which went into effect in 1789, making the current republic 216 years old. England recognized the United States in 1783, so if you ask them the U.S. is 222 years old. Nonetheless, whichever date you choose, we are well over 200 years old and what a wonderful country we live in, but I don’t need to remind you of that!

To help celebrate the birthday of our country, Mulberry Cottage is celebrating two American icons this month! First, is one of America’s most beloved and talented artists, Jim Shore! His intricate and colorful sculptures borrow from traditional American folk-art to create gorgeous works of art. In his honor, all Jim Shore items are on sale ALL MONTH LONG! Now, here’s the exciting part! I’ve acquired 4 beautiful exclusives signed by Jim Shore himself! Now I’ve been told, Jim Shore doesn’t do much signing any longer, so we’re very fortunate to have these. To thank our wonderful customers, we’re going to give them away! Each week in July, we will raffle off a different piece to one lucky customer. We like to call this “Christmas in July” since each of these wonderful collectibles are Christmas themed. Now, to get your name in the raffle all you have to do is purchase any Jim Shore piece. That’s it! Since all Jim Shore items are on sale, this is your chance to pick up some early Christmas presents or that special piece you’ve been eying. You’ll get 1 raffle ticket free with every Jim Shore piece you purchase. So if you by 2, your name will go in twice for that week’s drawing. Each week is a new raffle, so you many chances to win!

The second American icon, we’re celebrating this month is the beloved Teddy Bear! This cuddly stuffed animal has been around for a very long time. Do you know how the Teddy Bear got it’s name? Well… the beloved toy we’ve all come to know was named after the 26th President of the United States, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. According to legend, Roosevelt was settling a border dispute between Louisiana and Mississippi in 1902. During this trip, he attended a bear hunt in Mississippi where a fellow hunter captured an injured bear, tied it to a tree and asked Roosevelt to shoot it. But Roosevelt didn’t have the heart to kill the defenseless bear. The Washington Post ran an editorial cartoon by the cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman that illustrated the event called “Drawing the Line in Mississippi” which was became popular all over the country. American Jewish immigrants, Morris and Rose Michtom of New York saw the cartoon and made a few small stuffed bears to sell in their store. Morris wrote to Roosevelt requesting his permission to call them “Teddy’s Bear”. President Roosevelt granted them usage of his nickname, but added that he didn’t think his name would help sell the bears. The bears proved to be a hit and rest is history. To celebrate the “Teddy Bear” all stuffed Teddy Bears from Boyd’s, Bearrington, and others at 20% off! Personally, I just can’t seem to have too many Teddy Bears in my life!

As I sit here writing this letter about the birth of our nation, I reflect back on the many who gave their lives to give us our freedom and the many struggles this country has gone through to keep our freedom and it’s citizens safe. I think of my father, and his father who both served our country, and of my uncles who gave their lives for our country. I think of all of the soldiers who have served and those that currently serve our country to keep us safe and free. The first thought that comes to my mind is gratitude and love. My humble gratitude and thankfulness and love for all that have given and continue to give for all of us in these United States. God bless them all and God bless these United States of America!

All my love,

Jamie