October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween from Hawaii!  Nate is a Commando from the Cold War, Sam is a TV news reporter inside a TV and Zach is (wait for it.....)  pumpkin pi(e).  We'll be trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood after we hang out with our friends from the former hood on base.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 30, 2011

It was a pumpkin carving kind of morning.  Since our weather is still breezy, sprinkly and overcast (not very good for beach going) the boys decided to get cutting on their jack-o-lanterns.  They always start out with grand plans, but then settle on the old reliable toothy smile faces.  The roasted seeds and candle lit grinning globes in the dark are the best part for them anyway.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 29, 2011

Leftovers for lunch.  Curried carrot soup and avocado, pear and blue cheese topped salad.  We're having some chilly weather here on the island.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 28, 2011

I went out back to check on the progress of our grass and discovered that it's still dead.  Choosing to ignore this for the moment, I looked skyward and this is what I saw.  It's a spindly Rowan tree.  In European folklore it was thought to be a magical tree and protection against witches and malevolent beings.  Good to know this so close to All Hallows Eve.  In Celtic mythology the Rowan was called the Traveller's Tree because it prevented people from getting lost.  GPS.... no worries there.  In Finland and Sweden, the number of fruit on the tree was used as a predictor of the snow cover during the winter.  Not likely here.  It was said in England that this was the tree which the Devil hanged his mother.  Huh... really?  Nothing in my research about coaxing the grass to grow thick, green and lush.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 27, 2011

I had to drive by this a couple of times to catch it.  The military police (mp) on Marine Corps Base Hawaii do have a lighter side.  Thanks for watching out for us!
Kailua, Hawaii

October 26, 2011

The boys are still at sailing and I just finished the scouring process.  Clean house for at least 1 full hour this week!  I think that's earned me a cup of hot mulled cider....
Kailua, Hawaii

October 25, 2011

Our last papaya of the season.  It's not very large, only about the size of a softball, but it will do nicely for our mixed fruit salad tonight at dinner.  I'm not sad about the end of the papaya season because I can already see new leaf and flower production occurring.  We are in a tropical region.... if only the mango tree would take on the same attitude.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 24, 2011

We had a lot of rain last night and late into this morning.  It makes the boys want to drink hot chocolate or spiced warm cider with breakfast even though the temperatures are still in the mid 70's.  Silly boys.  This is a shot of the neighbors Rose-flowered Jatropha tree in their front yard.  This one happens to be the size of a large (towering over my head) draping type tree, which is considered unusual.  On Oahu, this tree is kept small (shrub size) and used around the Malls and hotels to liven up these areas with it's vibrant pink blossoms.  It took me a while to come up with the species name because I was researching under red flower blossoms.....
Kailua, Hawaii

October 23, 2011

Pumpkin patches in Hawaii?  Yes, we do have them on the islands, but most of the good pumpkins have been picked and taken to the markets already.  So instead of trudging around in red clay mud just to find (and pay too much!) for undesirable, partially decomposed gourds trying to pass as a pumpkin we went to the base commissary.  Their stock was pretty low as well.  The trio had a difficult inspecting the bunch until the bigger, stronger brothers decided to hoist the smallest (youngest and less likely to put up a fight) brother into the bins for a close look.  Sam did his job well and found three suitable, fresh globes that will make the perfect jack-o-lanterns sometime next week.  I'm sure we'll see more of this story.....
Kailua, Hawaii

October 22, 2011

I had the honor of attending the 17th Annual Joint Spouses' Conference in Honolulu today.  This is a conference in which spouses of all ranks and rates from all our services on the island come together to experience a fun and informative day filled with workshops, lectures, meals and memories.  Here is a sample of some of the things I learned today.... the Way of the Lei and Chocolate Creations.  I also learned some beginner hula (no pictures needed there!), gardening in Hawaii, and Mai Tai and other drink mixing.  I even won the best original cocktail for my workshop group and for the entire conference.  This means I won lunch for 2 at the Koko Cafe, an over night at the Hale Koa Hotel and dinner for 2 at BIBAS in Honolulu.  Plus, the drink will be the featured beverage for November AND December..... and I get the bragging rights that go with it!  I think the most profound aspect was meeting and listening to CBS News Correspondent Kimberly Dozier.  She is a remarkable woman who has so much to offer to us, especially other military spouses.
Honolulu, Hawaii

October 21, 2011

Fall foliage in Hawaii.  It's not as vibrant, colorful, breathtaking or heart stopping as one would see in the North East.  I've found that if I burn a Pumpkin Spice Yankee Candle I can kind of (sort of) get the Autumnal arrival feeling.  That's only in the broadest sense.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 20, 2011

Today is one of those days in which I am not concerned with researching the botany world.  I'm just sitting back, smelling and admiring the flowers... drinking them in, along with a nice, smooth glass of port wine.  I'll stumble across the information eventually and report back later.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 19, 2011

Since the boys have gone back to sailing 3 days per week and I did the house cleaning yesterday, I thought I would get out on the water with them today.  The seas started out calm and the winds were only about 7 knots.  Very nice conditions for kayaking.  As I left the protected marina and entered the bay, things picked up a bit.  Not too bad,  kind of nice getting a little push over to Coconut Island.  At times it even felt as if I was surfing some of the waves over that way.  Kind of fun!  This shot was taken right as I was paddling into the calm area between the island and the mainland of Kaneohe.  Some pretty big clouds were forming and rain was falling over the Ko'olau Mountains and into the valley.  No worries for me though, still pleasant on the water.  I even crossed paths with the kids sailing around the island in the other direction!   Emerging from the shallow waters of the coral reef I, all of the sudden, felt as if I was a Coast Guard Cutter plowing through some hefty waves, with sea spray even splashing in my face!  By the time I reached the cove where our marina is nestled (45 minutes later) I had legs and arms of spaghetti and it felt as if I had been tossed around in the perpetually flushing toilet!  No rain on me and a great workout so, all in all, it was another good morning afloat!
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

October 18, 2011

My first cup for the day.   It didn't come along until after a 5 mile beach run, cleaning of the house (in between) school lessons for the boys, 5 loads of laundry, sailing drop off, library run and a quick grocery shop.   2:18pm, sitting in Starbucks, reading my latest library find, waiting to do the kid pick up in 42 minutes. Aaaaahhhh......
Kailua, Hawaii

October 17, 2011

We lounged around today because Grandma and Grandpa head back to Colorado and the boys have 1 more day off from school.  A trip up to Lanikai obelisk for Grandma to take in the sights inspired my photo for today.  The flowing green and blue hues of the water were mesmerizing.  There were several kayakers, surfers and stand up paddlers out enjoying the magnificent day.  In the background you can see the rifle and shooting range of Marine Corps Base Hawaii tucked into the crater.
Lanikai, Hawaii

October 16, 2011

I had a lot of fun, active and humorous shots today, but I like this one best.  The Ramsden, St. Laurent and Cutter families rented 2 Fiesta boats and headed out to the sandbar for the afternoon.  Here are the three Grandmas taking their turn on the paddle board.  They weren't fighting, pushing and knocking each other off the board the way the kids do.  Very civilized.  All three ladies comment about how the Hawaiian waters are not exactly like the New England Coastal waters.....  I'd say that's was the understatement of the day.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

October 15, 2011

The weather was agreeable today so we decided to take a picnic lunch out to the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe for Botany lessons.  It's a beautiful park with many, many, many different plant and tree varieties from all around the world.  This is the Egg Fruit tree indigenous of Malaysia, but cultivated in the Hawaiian islands in the 1940's.  It is sometimes referred to as the Wonder Fruit tree because when ripe not only is the taste of the egg fruit rich, unique, sweet and highly nutritious, with high amounts of carotene and vitamin A, but it's also a great source of protein and vitamin C.  Regardless, I think we'll have to visit the park a few more times so we can take in all of it's magnificent beauty!
Kaneohe, Hawaii

October 14, 2011

I took this on the way back from the beach.  I've seen this type of bumble bee flying around for a while now, but just never had the opportunity to get off a few shots.  I think it's called the Black Bumble Bee.  He's very large, about 1.5 inches long, and interested only in gathering pollen.  He didn't seem to be bothered by me or my camera getting up close and personal with him. That's good because bees and their stingers make me a bit nervous.  It stems from a run-in with some not so distant relations in the not so distant past.....
Kailua, Hawaii

October 13, 2011

Today was a day of many important milestones within our community.  Happy 236th Birthday to the United States Navy!  This day marks the end of a year long celebration of the 100th year of Naval Aviation.  Of those 100 years, 50 of them have seen the mighty P-3 Orion patrolling the worlds skies and seas.  More significant to us here at Kaneohe Bay, we celebrated the Changing of Command from Captain David Cutter to Captain Chris Ramsden for Command Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

October 12, 2011

Our small first party (78 guests) at the new house was this evening.  It turned out to be a magical Greek themed night with deep blue skies and not a drop of rain in sight.  Here's a snapshot of the backyard set up just as the guest were arriving.  Drinks and cocktail tables under a canopy of twinkling lights.  The menu was Greek salad, spanikopita, kephtedes with tsatziki sauce, naan and hummus, lemon dill orzo pasta with artichoke hearts, mini creme puffs and dark chocolate cherry brownies.  Amazing food done up by GinnyBerries....  Thank you!
Kailua, Hawaii

October 11, 2011

I fully intended on posting an awesome picture of the moon this morning.   I got a little side tracked.  The moon was beautiful, but the skies were so clear I also got off some amazing shots of the constellation Orion.  Since this weeks schedule happens to be consumed by the "Man Wedding" between Dave and Chris, I thought this would be a fitting tribute.  Orion, the mighty hunter patrolling from the skies, is the symbol of the U.S. Naval aircraft P-3.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 10, 2011

One of my favorite dinners.  Spinach salad with candied slivered almonds, cucumber and strawberries topped with a balsamic vinaigrette and fresh corn on the cob sprinkled with lemon pepper.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 9, 2011

One day this brood is going to slow down and take a breather!  Not today though.  We were down at the marina by 8:00am and on the water by 9:00am.   A full day regatta on a choppy Kaneohe Bay with about 30 single man boats.  Since the water was so rough, this was not a day for Sam to race, but he did go along in the chase boat to assist.  Here the boys are being towed backed to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii Marina at the end of the day.  After returning to land, they still had to haul out, de-rig, rinse sails and put everything away.  Despite all the hard work, the boys truly enjoy the thrill of being on the water and racing.  With the smaller participant numbers, Zach, Nate and Spencer all placed in their racing classes.  Great job gentlemen!
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

October 8, 2011

We traveled all day (again) to get home from San Diego.  The whole family is enjoying the newly respected and much appreciated warmth of Hawaii.  I overheard Nate telling his brothers he hopes to never have to leave Hawaii.... ever again!  After a quick unpacking of suitcases and run on the beach, Dave and I had to turn around and head back over to Waikiki for the 236th Navy Birthday Ball.  Fun formal evening seeing the sharp uniforms and beautiful, sparkly gowns, but now I'm kind of tired.
Waikiki, Hawaii

October 7, 2011

I bet you'll never guess where we went today!  The boys have now had their lifelong dream of spending a day at Legoland fulfilled.  Only one (very large) bag of Lego sets purchased.... not too bad.
Carlsbad, California

October 6, 2011

Now today was a true San Diego day!  We took the boys to SeaWorld for some Shamu time.  Little tidbit we learned today is that Shamu is a last name, not a first name.  All of the current killer whales at San Diego SeaWorld are the offspring of the original Shamu.  We had some much needed beautiful weather for the shows, exhibits and rides.
San Diego, California

October 5, 2011

Come on San Diego, we're shivering in our slippers and shorts.  If we wanted Seattle weather we would have gone there!
San Diego, California

October 4, 2011

We traveled most of the day yesterday just to get up at O dark thirty this morning (really just 5:45 pacific time) to get ready for an official Navy conference here in San Diego.  After a full day in session, we got back to our cottage just in time for a stroll on the beach.  We had planes and helicopters flying over head, various birds roosting and hovering on the beach, the Hotel del Coronado in the background and an amazing few minutes on the beach.  I truly mean only minutes though because it was COLD!  At least cold for the Hawaiian girl!  Sad, wimp, pathetic..... whatever!
Coronado Beach, California

October 3, 2011

Another beautiful, delicate flowering plant I found in the backyard.  For the life of me, I cannot figure out what it is.  I just hope it isn't a weed because it's growing crazy out of control around and underneath several of the other plants.  I don't want to have to work on removing it.  Besides, I like it.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 2, 2011

I went to the beach twice today.  The first time was early in the morning for a 5 mile barefoot run in the soft sand and surf.  Awesome run!  The second time was in the late afternoon.  We were all hot and tired from a busy Boy and Cub Scout activities day.  This was at about 4:30 just as we were packing up to go home to fix up some breakfast for dinner.
Kailua, Hawaii

October 1, 2011

The older boys had "their first ever in this house" guys sleep over last night.  10 young men, 6 pepperoni pizzas, 4 bags of chips, 3 apples, 1 dozen sodas and 1 single box of twinkies.  They ate their way through all the food, watched teen flicks, played various game station games, made backyard action movies and did general boy things.  Here's the aftermath.  Not too bad, just lots of bag stuffing.  I was surprised to see a bag of chips unopened!  Oh... wait a minute.... their eating them now as an after breakfast snack.
Kailua, Hawaii