Sunset Hodgepodge

Thanks so much to Joyce for the questions for Wednesday Hodgepodge. You can answer in the comments or you can answer on your own blog and link up at From This Side of the Pond. 

1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

Our youngest granddaughter turned two and we celebrated with all things Minnie Mouse. One of the many blessings was this group of young women. One, of course, is our daughter. The other two are part of the Fab Five and they all met at our house on random Tuesday nights and they have been friends ever since. There are normally five of them (Fab Five) and I give thanks for all of them! I wrote a little about them here. I know you said "small blessing" but this is what came to mind . . and it is actually a huge blessing.

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th...have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn't an issue) My passport is up to date. Can we leave tomorrow? I want to see it ALL!

3. A food associated with France that you love? 

I know this isn't the correct answer because . . .well, you will understand! French fries! I know they didn't originate in France but I sure do love them.

4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? I honestly can't remember the last time I used a paper coupon. I have used my Talbots discount and my Bed Bath and Beyond discount online. 

5. You have to give something away this week...what will it be? 

If we have any leftover cupcakes tonight, I plan to give those away!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Look at this sunset! Our friends live on a crest and we were together for dinner on Saturday night (which was glorious to be together around a dining room table!) and went on the porch to watch the sunset.

From this point to below
the horizon goes so
fast!!

the colors were even more brilliant
in person

this was at 8:30 and there was still a
hint of sunlight just on the horizon.

Photo Overload Hodgepodge

Thanks so much to Joyce for the questions! She does a great job EVERY week of asking the questions and we answer and then link up back over on her blog. You can answer the questions in my comments or you can connect with all of us at From This Side of the Pond.

 

1. July 5th is National Hawaii Day...have you ever been to Hawaii? Any desire to visit or make a return trip? Pineapple, mango, or guava...what's your pleasure? Mark and I went to Hawaii in 1987. Our twins were just 6 months old and we left them for a whole week which was hard and glorious all together. I would definitely go back especially if we had another free trip :-). I love pineapple! I remember shipping fresh pineapples home from our trip! ok - sorry for the photo overload but I had so much fun looking at these -- these are pictures of pictures so I apologize for the poor quality.

We stayed at the Mauna Kea and
it was a gorgeous property located
on the big island

The hallways of the hotel
were open air

There was obviously a "western" themed
night -- that is me with the dark hair and
red earrings and Mark with the dark
moustache!

It is hard to believe I was this young - younger
than my children are now!! We went out
on a catamaran to snorkel -- and I could NOT
snorkel - I panicked when that mask
was on my face.

Waikiki Beach with a view of Diamond Head

We flew over to Oahu one day and toured
Pearl Harbor and the memorial.
I remember being emotional
thinking about my daddy who
served elsewhere as a
Seabee

We went horseback riding on the
Parker Ranch

I think this was inside a volcano?? -- maybe 
a lava tunnel?

Dwight was evidently taking the photo because
his wife, Robin, is on the right.
Beginning at the left - both Cecil and
his wife, Linda, are no longer with us.

I wonder if the "touristy" places are now fancy
or if they have kept them small like this?

I remember thinking the
dancers were so amazing!

I did a search online for this banyan tree and
it is even bigger now and in photos,
I think there is a little fence around
the tree.

This is evidently the luau - I'm on the back
right

2. Last time you were 'thrown in at the deep end'? Explain. I'm sure there have been some times since the time I'm going to describe but I can't think of them right now! When I was hired to be on staff at our church, I was hired to work with our membership database. I was definitely thrown in the deep end at that point but I had someone who was a good trainer! Back in 2013, Mary was assistant to the senior pastor and she became sick. As her illness progressed, the senior minister realized she might be unable to work soon and he asked me to step into her job. I refused several times but he finally wore me down. To be honest, I had excellent experience and knew that I could "do" the job but I would have to work on Fridays plus I actually loved my job I was doing. Mary was able to train me for a couple of hours over a three day period (while on 100% oxygen!) but then was hospitalized again and she died. I literally moved into a job where I basically knew nothing. Mary did a million things that no one knew about so sometimes it took something not being done before I realized - oh! that might be my job now!! I've been doing this job since 2014 and guess what? I love it even more than my old job . . .but I also get to keep a finger in my old job every once in a while. I was definitely thrown into the deep end.

3. Sun, sea, sand, salt...your favorite when it comes to summer? May I have all four please? I ADORE the sun - too much actually. I love the sound of the waves as they crash against the beach. There is nothing like the feeling of sand between your toes. I know this isn't where you were going with this one but the salted rim of an ice cold margarita is totally yummy!! I actually do prefer the water of a pool over the gulf simply because I don't like things touching me in the water . . . and those little fishes just love to nibble on the toes! 

4. Bury your head in the sand, the sands of time, draw a line in the sand, pound sand, shifting sands...pick one and tell us how the phrase currently relates to your life in some way. On a humorous note, we will go with bury your head in the sand since we just got back from the beach and buried all but our granddaughter's head. I guess on a serious note it would be the sands of time. There are still so many things I want to do in life and that sand is running quickly.

5. On a scale of 1-10 (1 = make your own rules and 10=like a warden), how strict were your parents? If you're a parent where on the scale do you land? Our parents were pretty strict about many things but in hind sight, they definitely weren't a 10. Our kids would probably say I was a warden! I would like to say that I was maybe a 7 or 8. I'm a rule follower and I expect others to follow those rules, too. I like structure and since we had twins . . . our life needed structure.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  We will be celebrating our youngest granddaughter's 2nd birthday this weekend. Last year, we all had to wear masks and it was one of the first times we had even gathered with anyone other than our own family. Here is a cute picture from last year . . and this year's birthday theme is actually Minnie Mouse!

Beach Trip Recap #2

 On our trip, there was lots of beach sitting, beer drinking, hand holding, lap sitting, pool swimming, sandcastle making, eating, exercising, fishing (not catching), barbie playing, talking, and laughing! I'm just going to do a giant photo dump of memories - so feel free to scroll quickly by or linger and enjoy! Of the activities I listed, what would be your favorite vacation activity?

little cousins holding hands - melts
my heart

these girls adore their pops!

shrimp and grits at Luna

blackened mahi mahi served over
greens and grits topped
with crawfish etouffee at Luna

fried fish by Mark & Glenn

everyone crammed into our condo for dinner

Bob and our oldest granddaughter

Little E digging in the sand

another night - another meal together

more time in the sand

this is what I love - when we set up
"camp" and all hang out together

Scott teaching her how to fish

pool time!

yum yum!

yes-I went to the fitness center (room) 
everyday and rode the stationary
bike plus got in 10,000 steps every
day

Let me introduce you to Fred

He is majestic and has ruled
the pier for many years

frisbee game in progress

fishing

grandmother! (my mother-in-law)

pimento hushpuppies at Luna with 
blueberry pepper jelly

more lap sitting with pops -
if one got in his lap, they both
had to be in his lap

I love this picture - father and
son fishing - they've been doing
it for years and years

I'm never in the picture because
I'm usually taking the pictures - 
here are two pictures of us!

wild hair on the pier - don't care!

pops also happens to be the
best barbie player around -
according to the granddaughters

see - if one is in his lap - they
both were!

early one morning - sun
coming through the clouds

sunset one evening

Gmom and two of her
grandsons

I'm so very thankful that we made the effort to take this trip together. We couldn't all be there but there were enough of us for a fun time. Lots and lots of memories were made during the week!