A Mid-Summer Hodgepodge

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?
(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)

8 - It's been pleasant. We took a cruise earlier in the year so no prospects yet for a summer vacation. We have had two short weekend trips that were fun family times. The rest of the time we have spent here at home, relaxing at the lake or pool, having grand kids with us, or spending time with friends. I'm good with all that. We've had weekly doctor appointments for DH. I have had time to cook with Blue Apron, work on Bible studies and there have also been some enjoyable rains. So while it hasn't been super exciting, it has been pleasant just enjoying life.

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).

I had several aunts and uncles, but only a couple that I feel some closeness to and that was at different stages of my life. We didn't live in the same town as they did, so our visits with them were short and sweet. As a child, I loved going to visit my aunt Opal and my cousins, Charlene and Debbie. Opal made lookalike outfits for Charlene and me. We had fun playing at her house and she was an easy going, easy to laugh person. Easter fell right about the time my brother was born, so Aunt Opal made Easter outfits for my sister and me. I still remember them, how the fabric felt, how they fit, but don't have any photos. They were a pale yellow, lightweight, floral print with gold dusters made of a heavier fabric to wear over them. (Do you remember dusters?) When I was a teen, I felt a closeness to my mother's younger sister, Nancy, because she was only 10 years older than me and it was easier to relate to her as friend. Nancy is my last living aunt and she and her husband recently visited us. 

Charlene and me wearing matching dresses

made by her mom, my Aunt Opal

And I am aunt to two beautiful nieces, Robyn and Jacqueline, and two handsome nephews, Chase and Billy. So proud of each one of them and their unique personalities and accomplishments.

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? Maybe strawberries. What's your favorite food dipped in cheese? 

Hot, crispy tortilla chips ... if they count as food!

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain.

Well, in thinking it over, I have to say the recent birth of our great-nephew which I told about here. It was a pretty amazing story. I also recently told the saga of my husband's lost wallet and the miracle of its return to us. That was truly a work of God watching out for us.

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered?

Ironing board. I ironed 3 shirts and my favorite capri pants just last Friday.

6. What's your favorite story from scripture? 

To pick a favorite story from Scripture is almost an impossibility for me because I love the Bible and it's filled with so many stories I can relate to and identify with and learn from. But just for this little question, I will say the story of Hagar in the wilderness when the Angel of the Lord appeared to her. Why that story? Because she, a desperate outcast, a slave, a foreigner, a woman, a mother with no husband, was visited by the pre-incarnate Christ, and she named Him the "God who sees" recognizing that God sees and God cares even for the outcast. God saw me in my time of need and He rescued me. I know He continues to watch over me, no matter how desperate the situation.

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?

Williamsburg, Gatlinburg, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My Aunt Nancy was married in 1955 at the age of 16. She made a great choice of a husband and they are still together after all these years. After she married, my sister and I inherited all her 45 records: Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Paul Anka, the Platters! All the early 50's records. We also inherited the 78 record collection from my Aunt Dolly, who was married to my mother's brother, Sonny. Hers were Les Paul and Mary Ford, Patti Page, Glenn Miller and we played those over and over, too. Those were good sounds, but I have no idea whatever happened to all those records. 

Here is one of our favorites!