April 30, 2012

Look what came it the mail for me today!  Yes, I know, we get mail 6 days per week, blah, blah, blah...  But this is special for 2 reasons; 1) It's from the girl.  She's a single college student, living the student life, studying, sleeping, sailing and socializing.  They don't always think to send stuff to others.  Thanks for thinking of me, girlie!  and 2) It's packaged in recycled cardboard.  A Lucky Charms cereal box to be exact.  Sealed up with neon splotchy duct tape.  I love the creativity that went into this.  And it's for me!  Thanks again, baby!

A special birthday recognition for my mom.  I miss being able to tell you how much I love you.

Kailua, Hawaii

April 29, 2012

The pups and I did another two mile walk this morning, but returned via the beach.  The was the first time they weren't terrified of the waves and seemed to enjoy digging in the sand.  Our return route brought us to our regular beach trail with this beautiful double blossom oleander bush in full bloom.  The fragrance was light, but the colors were vibrant.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 28, 2012

Two miles is a long walk for these guys.  They wouldn't get up even when I called for a treat.  The tile is nice and cool.  I think the nap will go on until late into the day!
Kailua, Hawaii

April 27, 2012

Gorgeous day to be out on the water.  While the boys were finishing up their final drafts for composition (and not needing my help), I decided to hit the bay with Angela to do some stand up paddling.  Blue water, bright sunshine, a brisk wind and a little bit of chop in the waves made for the perfect 3 hour circuit around Coconut Island.  The dolphins were jumping in their pen at the research center, the turtles popped up their heads to say hi just feet away from us, the water was refreshing when a rouge wave knocked me off my board (ok, twice!) and the only thing I didn't have enough of was sunscreen.  Ouch!  Just a bit pinker than I like.  Yes, I think we earned a little bit of junk food this evening.  Thanks for the call up Angela!

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

April 26, 2012

The military aircraft around here (and at all airfields) do this bit referred to as bouncing, in which pilots practice different approaches for landings and then take off again.  This is obviously not a military aircraft and I don't think we can call this bouncing.  I'd say it's more like 'splashing' and then taking off again.  This nimble pilot did 4 or 5 passes in the bay before flying out of the area and incoming rain.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

April 25, 2012

I must be honest and say my finger was hovering over the delete button ready to execute when Nate breezed by and made a comment.  It's really a difference in perspective.  Working in close up mode this morning, I was attempting to get a clear shot of the dark red of the new growth leaves.   Obviously, despite my best efforts, I did not succeed.  Many of my shots were vaporized before anyone else could see them.  Nate's view though..... "It's the second and third layer that I see. The veins and fine lines peeking out from various spots around the edges and the dark maroon of the center stem."  Good eye, Nate.  We should try to look beyond the first impression.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 24, 2012

We've recently had several days with cloudy, overcast skies for our little island of Oahu.  Being that I claim the Pacific Northwest as home, this doesn't really bother me much.  But I was excited to see the brightness of the picket fence and foliage on the ground as the bright sun momentarily burned through the morning clouds.   I say momentarily because a dark storm has moved in already.

Kailua, Hawaii

April 23, 2012

I was hoping to be able to get up and say, "I've made the turn and I'm back to 100%!"  Well, not quite.  And now I've got company.  Monday is usually a down day with only school work to accomplish, so we decided a baked good might do the trick to putting us on the road to recovery.  Plus, we're in a testing session, so we need to stall a smidge.  Cupboard check.  Given the choice between the partially eaten, then shoved back in the fridge Greek style lime flavored yogurt or the Dorito nacho cheese spice laced sour cream, I went with the former.  Lime scones with a citrus glaze and honeyed ginger mint warm tea.  I think we're now ready to get our test series completed.  Thanks for the recipe Kelly!
Kailua, Hawaii

April 22, 2012

Blustery, rainy day.  Nasty cough and sore throat.  Chicken broth, Thera-Flu and rest.  I need to be back normal tomorrow.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 21, 2012

I was determined to share a snapshot of our newly opened (nearly a year behind schedule -- welcome to Hawaii) Whole Foods Market today.  Unfortunately, after just 5 minutes of being jostled and nudged around in the 'busting at the seams' crowded store I was so overwhelmed I had to just get out.  To settle my nerves, I strolled down the street to my favorite book store, Bookends.  I find it cozy that every flat surface and, in the case, lots of the floor space is covered and/or piled high with books.  The entire store is a jumble of books everywhere with their own method of organization.  It's enticing maze-like atmosphere reminds me a little of The Shakespeare & Company in the Latin Quarter of the 5th arrondissement of Paris.  Plus, they don't mind people sitting down amongst the stacks to peruse the books.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 20, 2012

Because of the display of color and explosion of fragrance when these bloomed late last night, I'm reminded of Independence Day starburst fireworks.  What a pleasant night and start to the morning with this subtle, but sweet aroma wafting through the house on a light breeze.  I hope it lasts for a while.

Kailua, Hawaii

April 19, 2012

Guess what I did today?  Yep.  Out on the bay in a kayak while the boys sailed.  Since the boys so generously shared their chest cold with me this week, I've been taking it a bit easier with the workouts and decided to stay close to the marina.  Here I paddled over by the coral beach and under some of the low hanging trees to enjoy the shade and get out of the winds.  Not too much time on the water, but enjoyable just the same.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

April 18, 2012

I saw this along our every day route just off Kalaheo Drive and felt the need to stop.  Initially, it was the vibrant fire-orange lantana that caught my eye. Upon closer observation though, I discovered a slightly patinated (and rusty) musically inclined garden toad.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 17, 2012

I'm not sure what these are, but they're big, bright, buoyant and barnacle covered.  Last week I saw only one lone float.  This week, as you can see,  there are three.  How many will be tied up at the pier by next week?!?!  It was a perfect sailing day on the bay for the boys.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

April 16, 2012

This reminds me of our Summer trip driving through a good number of countries in Europe; The Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Germany.  My camera was a relatively new purchase and we were just getting acquainted.  I took hundreds, if not thousands, of pictures during that month of everything I saw, experienced or deemed (possibly) interesting.  I essentially was trying to capture EVERY moment without actually having a video camera in my hand 24/7.  After the holiday and my picture taking marathon, the family decided I had enough shots to create an entire book just of doors, doorways and street bicycles from that small corner of Europe.  Here is a shot of a local Hawaiian cruiser.

Lanikai, Hawaii

April 15, 2012

I thought I might have found a chamomile patch to harvest for home use.  Wrong.  It's just a weed.  Even the weeds are pretty in Hawaii.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 14, 2012

Outrigger canoe rowing teams getting ready for a weekend race.  From what I could see before they got out on the water these are the youth teams.   Even though the sun hasn't come up over the mountain range for the shot, it proved to be a gorgeous sunshiny day.  Just perfect for being on the water or at the beach!
Happy, happy birthday to my youngest brother Tyler!
Lanikai, Hawaii

April 13, 2012

Straight from his lesson manual.... make Aztec Chocolate Drink.  That was History.  I reinforced the Science lesson for the week of solution density with our kitchen (lab) time. Composition was to draw a book cover for your upcoming book report.  And  for Reading?  You guessed it..... read your book for the upcoming book report assignment for Composition.  Math was 'accidentally' completed yesterday, so it turned into a light day for Sam.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 12, 2012

Here are the boys hard at work finishing up their lessons for today.  It's been another long, strenuous week and they seem a bit worn out.  Plus, Nate was up in the middle of the night with some ear pain.  All better now though.  Where's Sam?  He's tucked up in his bed with his free read book.  Also asleep.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 11, 2012

Yes, the morning was spent paddling out on the water while the boys were sailing.  A full trip around Coconut Island for me.  I'm so thankful for NOT taking my camera out with me though because I most certainly would have lost it today.  I had white cap after white cap and strong currents to battle throughout the entire voyage.   Three full hours of non-stop stoking was more of a workout than I had planned.  Anyway.... this is a shot of a fiddlehead fern in my front flowerbed I've been meaning to capture.  By the time I remembered again the lighting was perfect.  Lucky me!
Kailua, Hawaii

April 10, 2012

Selma Carlton Heitsch
6 March, 1920 - 3 April, 2012
Kakou ha'awi ke Akua ke aloha kaikamahine, kena'e hana ke 'uhane hana ho'iho'i na 'oukou papa lani a me aumakua.  Aloha wau ia 'oe.  A hui kaua.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

April 9, 2012

First visit to the dog grooming spa for puppy cuts.  They were starting to look pretty shaggy and appeared to be having a difficult time seeing through all that hair!  Our goals was to get them cleaned up but not looking too much like French poodles.  Apparently, the groomer put bows on their collars (just to indicate they were finished), but they immediately removed each others and chewed them to ribbons before I arrived.   "No frilly adornments for us....we're men!"
Kailua, Hawaii

April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!

Kailua, Hawaii

April 7, 2012

Egg dying time!  This year we tried a new concept, tye dying.  I'm still undecided about whether or not I like it.  They look cool, but it was a messier than usual process.  The boys enjoyed doing something different, but really are only interested in eating the candy version.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 6, 2012

It's been a long, difficult week and a visit to the beach was needed.   The weather was not favorable, but the boys and pups never really noticed.  Here Zach is testing to see how far each wave with carry him.  He's amazing in his ability to trust and be patient with the ways of nature.  He sat just like this through 4 or 5 waves, letting them push and wash over him until he finally anchored up on the beach.  I love how the water is running off his face and hair.
Kailua, Hawaii

March 5, 2012

Switchy winds are great for practicing various race starts!  These clouds are amazing for me to photograph.  All day long I've been snapping off shots of these puffy characters, but I though everyone would like to see more than just the sky.  I got this shot as I was picking up my crew at the marina.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

April 4, 2012

Look who tried to sneak up on me today!  Well, actually, they did surprise me just a bit.  This is the second one.  I like the helicopter doing it's thing off in the distance as well.  It was a busy morning in the air over Marine Corps Base Hawaii this morning!  All said, I got a little bit of rain, a lot of chop, some much needed solitude and only 2 phone calls on my mobile phone.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

March 3, 2012

Our marina just happens to be responsible to renting, cleaning and maintaining these blow-up bounce contraptions.  With Spring in full swing and temperatures climbing, the frequency of these coming and going increases significantly.  Yes, I know, my Statistics professor is the iconic devil (or possibly angel) on my shoulder asking about the numbers and calculations that go along with my use of the word significantly.   When I arrived at the marina to drop the boys for sailing practice I saw this and thought, "That would be so cool to slide down and into the water, but probably unlikely due to some not so obscure insurance clause!"  But then the instructors came by and told me to grab my camera because they were going to let the kids ride!  There was some trepidation at first...... it didn't last long.  Woo Hoo!!!  I kind of wanted to join them, but I didn't have a suit.  Oh, well.  I guess it's best not to have to explain any kind of injury I most likely would have brought upon myself....
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

April 2, 2012

Nate's ability to concentrate on the task at hand is impressive.  Here he's working on drawing his daily surroundings.  All my kids have a passion for the Arts and an eloquent creative streak within them.  Nate's talent leans more toward reproducing the finest details in his pieces. He, by far, prefers working with pencil and charcoal.
Kailua, Hawaii

April 1, 2012

Another beautiful morning for a beach run.  Despite it's plumeria-like appearance, this is really the white single flowered Oleander shrub. This variety is sometimes referred to as the Singapore plumeria oleander, further confusing the self proclaimed amateur botanist such as myself.   It's a sturdy, reliable bush able to grow up to 20 feet tall and withstand ragged windy conditions.  Unlike the plumeria, every part of the oleander is poisonous.  Best to steer clear of eating, using or burning anything that remotely resembles in any way this plant.
Lanikai , Hawaii