Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce, who blogs at From This Side of The Pond.  Each week she'll pose some questions for us to answer. What a great way to journal life.

1. The Olympics kick off this coming weekend. Will you be watching? I think we'll watch some things.  If you could watch just one event in person, which one would you choose? Oh, this is tough...it's going to be either gymnastics or soccer. I'm thinking we might watch surfing since my daughter is interested in it. One of the gymnastics members is from a neighboring city, Jordan Chiles. 

2. Have you ever been to Paris? I have never been there. Is this a city you'd like to visit? I think I would visit it, but it's not necessarily on my must visit list. My youngest daughter is visiting next year. What's your favorite 'French thing'? Oh boy..I like crepes, macaron's croissant...it's all food...haha. Now I'm trying to think of what other "french things" there. I love french braids. 

3. Macaron, creme brulee, chocolate soufle, mille feuille, or an eclair...your favorite French patisserie from the ones listed? creme brulee for sure. I love a macaron or eclair too. 

4. July 24th is National Cousins Day...do you have many cousins? I have a lot of cousins. Are you close to them? I guess I would say I'm somewhat close to a few and are more casual "acquaintenances with others"..haha. I don't live near any of them. They are almost all on the east coast and I'm on the west coast. I have one about 8 hours from me and another in California. Most of our interactions are on social media and that has been great, really...it has kept us connected somehow, and I'm happy for that. Will you see any of your cousins on July 24th? No. Like I said, we all live too far apart. My moms family is fairly large, so there are quite a few cousins who are close in age to me, even my second cousins. Out of her immediate family I have 8ish. My uncle had several step kids, but I never really knew any of them. 

I'm in the purple. In 2018 most of us met in Florida to celebrate my grandmas 90th birthday. Missing here are my sister and another cousin. One other passed away quite a few years ago. I'm in the purple shirt. 

Group of cousins (above and below) at a Christmas gathering at my great grandmas. Most here are my second cousins. I'm on the far left, first row. 

More cousins...my sister is second from left, I'm the 4th from the left. The guy on far right was a friend of my cousins. All the others are cousins. 1987ish.

My sister is front left, I'm right behind her, the rest are cousins...sometime in the 80's.

200? when my grandma visited us. My sister in the back. My cousin and his wife. 

When I was in Ohio in June, I briefly connected with two cousins who are older than I am, probably by 7-10 years. They are the kids of my grandpas sister. So that would make them my second cousins. They do remember me when I was little, and I remember them a bit. They travel to the island regularly, so I've seen them a few times when I've visited. 

5.  Last time you went somewhere that felt like 'everyone and his cousin' was there? Last Saturday we went to the Farmers Market and it definitely felt like everyone and their cousin was there...I mean I'm glad lots of people are going to Farmers Markets, but sheesh. SO. MANY. PEOPLE!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm so happy...I finally feel like I caught up on commenting on the link parties I participate in. It's been a struggle for me and I hate when I don't get around to it. 

I've also started keeping a page in my notes on my phone to jot down thoughts regarding the books I'm reading, so when I'm done, it's easier to write a review or my post for #WOYBS. 

In August we are taking a week off and instead of going anywhere, we are going to stay home and get some lingering "to do's " knocked out and also do some things locally, take grandkids to zoo, maybe go on a hike or two, etc. I've started a list of what I want to accomplish, but I also want to take time to read or do another fun craft or embroidery...something like that. 

For Fun: Grandkids and I made ice cream today in my Pampered chef ice cream maker. They can't do dairy so it's coconut and almond milk based and we added Oreos to it. It was actually really good. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin