July 31, 2012

Well.... hello there, handsome!  This guy was sunning himself on the rubble (from the weekend demo job) just outside my door.  I was surprised at how close he let me get to him and by how long he stuck around.
Kailua, Hawaii

July 30, 2012

Finally!!!!  After a year of tear down and construction work the orange and black fencing has come down to reveal a beautiful marina building.  It's not open just yet but should be by the end of August.  Both Zach and Nate are in the planning stages of their Eagle Scout projects that will benefit the youth sailing program and racing team, set up the classroom, built better boat storage racks and organized the sail lockers.  We're all very excited to see the shiny new facility opened for business!

Kaneohe, Hawaii

July 29, 2012

The forecast called for overcast skies and rain so I decided to spend some time in the kitchen.  Okay.... I don't really need an excuse to spend a few hours creating something new in the kitchen, especially when it involves peanut butter and chocolate!  I wanted a bit of a crunch to my treat and thought to use graham cracker crumbs until I realized I didn't have any.  Crushed Belgian Speculoos biscuits (known as Biscoff cookies in the US) were used instead.  Wow.  I remember as a kid hating when too much peanut butter got stuck on the roof of my mouth.  Well, not anymore!

Kailua, Hawaii

July 28, 2012

Remember that show "America's Funniest Home Videos" where every once in a while they would run a clip of some big backwoods guys who would tie one end of a rope to a tree stump and the other end to a bumper of some souped up 4 wheel drive truck and then take off like bandits?  They were so funny because the bumper usually would come clean off the truck while the stump stayed firmly planted in the ground.  That's the vision I had running through my head and really what I was expecting here with Dave doing the Hawaiian version, so.... I grabbed my camera to document the comedic occasion.   Alas, he successfully removed all the shrubbery remains without losing the bumper.  The rope did snap a couple of times, but that wasn't very entertaining.  The neighbors sure got a kick out of it!

Kailua, Hawaii

July 27, 2012

This is for all my Navy and/or aviation friends.  Yes, there are 2 new P8 Poseidons sitting out there on the tarmac next to the mighty (older) P-3 Orions.  They're here at Marine Corps Base Hawaii to take part in the annual Rim of the Pacific exercise.  RIMPAC is the world's largest multi-national maritime exercise lasting just over 4 weeks in and around the Hawaiian Islands.  This exercise provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.  

Dave noted the new P8 plane has flush toilets just like the regular airliners!  Thanks for that tidbit of info.  I don't think I needed to know that.

Kaneohe, Hawaii

July 26, 2012

One of my neighbors has a gorgeous front yard with a huge variety of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscape materials ranging from exotic tropical to common household.  Every time I walk by I notice something in bloom, new or different.  This is a simple red zinnia at the outer front edge of the flowerbed.  There are only two of these bright flowers amongst the bevy of blooms, but I think that makes it more dramatic.

Kailua, Hawaii

July 25, 2012

This is a tree in the neighborhood that I walk by once, sometimes twice a day when I'm out with the pups.  I'm always wondering what caused this tree to grow out and so low to the ground rather than up as most trees would?  I don't think there is anyone around still from when this tree was a young sapling so I'll never really know.  It's a good place to take a quick rest and ponder this question.....

Kailua, Hawaii

July 24, 2012

Downward facing dog.  I was so excited to learn yesterday that I could push my yoga practices from the iPad to our appleTV.  No more twisting my body and craning my neck (it's yoga.... I'm doing enough of that already!) to see new moves on a tiny screen and no more straining to hear instructions from the just not quite loud enough tiny speaker.  Now I need to train the pups to do the practice.  For now they're content with lying down on my mat underneath me while I'm in a downward facing dog position, keeping me from moving into chatarango....

Kailua, Hawaii

July 23, 2012

Just outside the apartment front door we're greeted with these colorful berries hanging from some of the palm trees.  Also mixed in there are several very tall bamboo stalks.  Both species are beautiful and provide an appealing environmentally friendly privacy barrier from our neighbors.
Kailua, Hawaii

July 22, 2012

Straight up sliced mango was getting boring for the boys so I changed things up a bit.   Instead of just plain old banana bread, I whipped up some whole wheat banana mango mini loaves.  Not just a hit but a home run with the boys.... all of them!  

Kailua, Hawaii 

July 21, 2012

While walking the beach this morning I noticed how far out I could see so I asked my husband, "How far out can we see?"  Let me preface this with, one of the many jobs the Navy has trained Dave to be is as a navigator.  He can read maps, charts, stars, skies and seas like nobody's business.  I will point out though, this doesn't not necessarily extend to cars and streets, roads, highways or byways.  And I most certainly have not acquired any navigational skills through marital osmosis. This last statement is usually a cheeky comment I make from the passenger seat of the car when we are hopelessly lost en route to some formal function in which we cannot be late.

I digress... Dave enthusiastically jumped in with a long (winded) and technical explanation using terms such as optimal temperatures, wind patterns, cloud coverage, curvature of the Earth and drawing angles off the line of horizon until he noticed I had that blank, far off stare going.  He quickly changed tactics and said, "About 12 miles." So when we went back later in the afternoon to take a cool off dip in the still calm waters of the Pacific Ocean, I spotted a sailboat on the horizon.   "So that boat is about 12 miles out?" I ask.  Dave lifts his head from his nap to get a look, glances at me, pauses and then chooses the easiest route.... "No, can't see the hull.... it's beyond 12 miles," drops his head down in the sand to go back to snoozing and soaking up the sun.   Thanks for the simplified lesson, dear.

Kailua Beach, Hawaii

July 20, 2012

With home schooling, sailing and scouts, I get so caught up in my all-boy world and forget how much I need to be with girlfriends on occasion.   Today I had lunch with a friend at the Kalapawai Cafe in Kailua town where this beach ready statue is placed.  It was so rejuvenating just to have a simple meal and normal conversation with another adult.  Thanks for a fun afternoon, Laura!  

Kailua, Hawaii

July 19, 2012

Around here, we take sun protection seriously.  That includes covering the smackers!  The two biggest problems I run into though are 1) the dryer and 2) the dogs.  Now, these lips balms don't have a problem with washing machine, but the dryer turns them in to liquid which then gets all over the closest garment or towel.  Sometimes, I catch them before they make the jump from washer to dryer but not as often as I would like.  The pups on the other hand, destroy the case and then proceed to eat the innards.  There's no real mess except a few pieces of mangled barely identifiable plastic.  Alas, I think these little EOS eggs are a good solution.  They're too large to fit discretely or comfortably in a pocket, therefore don't get left in the shorts or suits.  The egg shape also keeps the pups from getting a decent bite on them and they don't even pop open.  Cool.  Best of all, the boys like them and coat their lips on a regular basis.   And that's really the whole purpose of these things!  Apparently, they are a desired item in care packages as well.  

Kailua, Hawaii

July 18, 2012

This is my neighbors fig tree.  I love figs.  When we lived in Jacksonville (Florida) we had one of these in our backyard.  It was about 30 years old and produced pounds and pounds of figs every year.  I quickly learned how to cook with and preserve figs during that tour.  Fortunately for me, just yesterday a friend shared with me some clippings from her tree so that I can grow these juicy little morsels in my own yard.  Thank you Christy!

Kailua, Hawaii

July 17, 2012

Another rainy day here in Hawaii.  That's okay because the boys and I are doing some cooking and baking this week.  Today was perfect for baking bread and making soup.  There's nothing like fresh fruits, vegetables and grains from our latest town addition.
Kailua, Hawaii

July 16, 2012

Normally this is not what I like to see.  It is, however, exactly what I want on when I'm pulling into the Volvo dealership for my appointment to have the car hooked up to diagnostics to determine why  "Check Engine" light is illuminated.  Unfortunately for me (and Ruby the red Volvo), this was not the case.  I'm sure it's not possible but I think there is a hidden shut off scanner at the entrance of the dealership that keeps deactivating my sensor.  It makes me look crazy.

Honolulu, Hawaii

July 15, 2012

It's raining outside so I decided to whip up a few things in the in the kitchen for this week.  Our standard Cinnamon Peanut Almond Butter is on the right.  This amount lasts only about 2-3 days, but is eaten with breads, fruits and vegetables.   The little jar on the left is a new recipe for me.... Java Almond Butter.  I even splurged and used the Italian Kimbo espresso coffee grounds.   Very tasty on bananas for a quick pick-me-up in the afternoon.  I think I'll try to avoid it at night.  

Kailua, Hawaii

July 14, 2012

It's been a hot day with only a slight breeze.  A picturesque Hawaiian day.... except we don't have air conditioning at our house.  That makes it just hot and sticky to us.  When I did a beach call there was no resistance.  Here's our playground.  Not bad.
Kailua Beach, Hawaii

July 13, 2012

Another day of racing in Waikiki.  The winds were significantly gustier and the swells a tad bit higher so Sam's class sailed in the basin while Zach and Nate were out on the open ocean.  This time Zach took 3rd while Nate placed 4th, just the opposite of what happened yesterday.  Sam snatched up a 3rd place as well.  Here are Nate (2) and Zach (3) with Diamond Head in the background.  

Waikiki, Hawaii

July 12, 2012

Guess who came to sail with us today?!?!  A pod of about 10 spinner dolphins swam next to and under, sprayed water and jumped around the racing boats.   This was an amazing way to start the first El Toro race of the Junior Olympics.  A fabulous day on the water too.  More of the same for tomorrow!
Waikiki, Hawaii

July 11, 2012

Since the boys and I finished up the testing yesterday, we decided to reward ourselves with some time on the water.  Zach, Nate and Sam helped out with the sailing class while I got on a Stand Up Paddle board to take pictures.  Being the beginner's class, the young sailors were in shipwreck cove working on tacking in lighter winds.  It's pretty tight in the cove with four sailboats, 2 kayaks and 2 SUP boards moving around, so I stayed out of the way and in the shallow spots.  This bird is obviously used to being around people because I sat about 2 feet away from him for over 15 minutes before he finally flew off.  

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii  

July 10, 2012

This is for my brother, Dave.  Found right here in little Kailua town.
Kailua, Hawaii

July 9, 2012

In between rain showers and testing sections, the boys and I got out to stretch our legs and clear our brains.  As for the picture, I knew exactly what I was after and realized only this morning it was just around the corner from us.  I've seen this many time around the island lining the freeways, but never had a good opportunity to stop or even slow down to get the shot!  This is the yellow rainbow shower tree.  The masses of yellow and pink pea-shaped flowers are common in Honolulu and bloom from June through October. The brain clearing part comes from the boys being in the middle of their standardized tests. The yearly punishment is to make sure they're on track for their grade levels but  really it just measures my ability to teach.  So far, they're breezing through the exams and tomorrow will be a shorter version of today. 

Kailua, Hawaii 

July 8, 2012

A day at the beach will be fun!  Not for these three boys.  Here they are pouting, not enjoying the sand and surf because we "forced" them to go.   Silly boys....
Kailua, Hawaii

July 7, 2012

Driving home after dropping Jordan off at the airport to go back to Seattle.  The shot has so much movement pack in a still frame.   It's gloomy and melancholic and matches my mood for the day.   I hate when she has to leave.  
Kaneohe, Hawaii

July 6, 2012

Early morning walks with the pups allow me to experience this! The best way to start the day.  

A great, big, humongo-gongo elephant-hippo hug and happy birthday to my brother Dave.  Love you and hope you have a fabulous day!

Lanikai, Hawaii

July 5, 2012

Errands day.  Jordan and I spent most of the day in and around Honolulu taking care of business.  Her tourist passport had expired, needed renewing and could only be done at the downtown library.  The process wasn't as bad as it could have been and only took 30 minutes.  That's got to be a record for us!  Dropped Ruby the Volvo off for a service appointment at her spa, hit the Ala Moana Mall for a few necessary purchases..... and finally, a croissant and espresso to finish out the afternoon.   As I was driving home (in a freshly rejuvenated Ruby) I spotted this address "monument" and immediately decided every business should have one!  It makes it SO easy to find whatever address you're seeking!

Honolulu, Hawaii

July 4, 2012

We did some fun stuff today!  Sam and I marched with the Cub Scout troop in the Kailua town parade while Jordan, Zach and Nate stood on the sidelines to watch.  The Grana family joined us both marching and cheering.  Great job to our young men!  Then later in the afternoon, we hit the water with the Jernigan kids.  My boys have the Junior Olympic Regattas coming up next week and needed to get some time on the tiller, while their friends just needed some reaquainting with the boats.  My comment to the kids was, "I need some extreme sailing close up shots, so be sure to get close.... and SMILE!"  Well, here's Sam on one pass getting close.... about 2 inches from crossing over my stand up paddle board!  I like his look of, "Is that what you meant?"  It's good to be back on the water! Unfortunately for our area, the big fireworks display was cancelled due to lack of funding.  That must be why it's cloudy and raining this evening...

Kailua, Hawaii

July 3, 2012

My early morning walk through Kailua Beach Park with the pups this morning was unusually quiet.  I got the idea for this shot from a fellow photographer, Tish Newcomer.  I love all the available benches.... there are even a few on the edge of the beach for watching the sunrise.  After our stroll, I got out for a quick 4 mile jaunt around town, then the rains hit and it's been soggy ever since.  A definite (and very welcome) indoors kind of day!  Thanks Tish for the inspiration... I love your version!

Kailua, Hawaii

July 2, 2012

Back to the running circuit today.  I don't know how beneficial it is these days to take this much time off.... starting up is just so grueling!  Anyway, this is a shot of the ground cactus flower.  I saw this one both when I ran and when I walked the pups.  

Lanikai, Hawaii

July 1, 2012

Breaking through the clouds.  Glorious.
Kaneohe, Hawaii