August 31, 2012

The symmetry is astounding!
Kailua, Hawaii

August 30, 2012

Last week and this, the boys and I have been assisting with the new boat storage rack and mast shed construction.  Zach and Nate are also doing some work to prepare for their upcoming Eagle projects this weekend at the marina.  They're becoming very comfortable with power tools!

Kaneohe, Hawaii

August 29, 2012

I love that my boys can 'smell the ozone' before the rain hits.  Here on Oahu we leave our jalousie windows open almost every day of the year.  Only on the rare occasion do the temperatures drop (below 60°F is chilly here), the winds whip up, the rains go sideways and we need to batten down the hatches.  I fully appreciate and respect the power of Mother Nature.

Kailua, Hawaii

August 28, 2012

Kayaking on the bay on a windy day makes for a good, long workout.  I didn't go all the way out to Chinaman's Hat, but I did get the chance to zoom in on the mountains behind it.  I am always in awe of this gorgeous range!

Ka' a' Awa, Hawaii taken from Kaneohe Bay

August 27, 2012

Zach is our only child who needs glasses.  So, every year he gets an exam and (usually) new glasses.  The great new is, he's got perfect teeth and needs absolutely no orthodontia work!
Kailua, Hawaii

August 26, 2012

Two thumbs up from all the boys!  I have finally come up with my own recipe for Nutella that the kids (and I) really like.
Kailua, Hawaii

August 25, 2012

An afternoon trip to the beach was needed today.  These Beach Glories cover the ground along our path to the beach.  Many of the blooms are torn apart from the constantly whipping winds, but these are protected and still intact.

Kailua, Hawaii

August 24, 2012

We're still on our Summer holiday and, due to some construction at the marina, don't have sailing lessons until October.   No sitting around the house wasting our time doing nothing!   Today we drove north to the Kua'loa Beach Park to see Chinaman's Hat up close and to explore a new area.  The rain clouds built up all along the Ko'olau mountain range behind us and even let loose a few times, but not a drop fell on us.   The day was beautiful and the boys are now tired.  Mission accomplished!

Ka'a'Awa, Hawaii

 

August 23, 2012

How do you get three young men to stop sniping, bickering and yelling all morning?  Call for time on the water.  It's so funny how an hour or two of paddling and kayaking around Kaneohe Bay really does change the attitude!   Our afternoon has been friendly,  harmonious and pleasant.
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

August 22, 2012

The boys and I ran errands today.  Oh joy.  Thankfully, one stop was out at the marina, allowing a few minutes close to the water.  We strolled down to the boat ramp at shipwreck cove to check out the wildlife.  Immediately, the guys started poking, hunting and attempting to catch these little crab.  They gave up pretty quickly though because, well, the place is smelly and I told them I didn't want to ride around in the car for the rest of the morning with one, two or three smell(ier than usual) boys if any of them accidentally fell in.

Kaneohe, Hawaii  

August 21, 2012

I went out this afternoon to get some shots of my pineapple plant.  Well.... this is my neighbors little plant because mine STILL doesn't have any fruit growth.  These plants don't start producing pineapple until after two or three years.  That's nearly forever for the constantly moving family like ours!  It's a good thing we have another year here.  Hopefully I'll get one sweet, little globe before I have to pass it to the next  military family.

Kailua, Hawaii

August 20, 2012

I'm not one for supporting graffiti and vandalism, but I am tired of seeing all of the annoying campaign signs plastered on every semi-flat surface around the island.  I thought this was fitting....
Kailua, Hawaii

August 19, 2012

Several months back, Kailua City Council voted to ban all commercial businesses from taking up space in the beach park parking lots (or along the roads) to sell their wares.  This ban includes kite boarding, wind surfing and kayaking businesses, leaving our beaches somewhat quieter.  The few we still see venturing out onto the blue waters are usually locals or people who have shelled out the big bucks for private lessons.   I enjoyed seeing so many of the colorful and unique kites zipping through the air, but I think I like better the feel of this uncrowded beach.
Kailua, Hawaii

August 18, 2012

Peek-a-boo!  Remi has taken to crawling under the sofa to catch a few winks.  Since Levi no longer fits in this tight spot, I think Remi feels safer from surprise attacks.  It kind of freaked me out though when he stuck his nose out and licked my toes!
Kailua, Hawaii

August 17, 2012

We've been having roasted vegetables for lunch and/or dinner quite a bit lately.  Not only are they tasty and healthy for us, but it helps to keep the heat down in the house.  This evening, as I was preparing dinner  and talking about how good this meal was going to taste, Dave hollered out from the other room, "Will it taste just like Polish sausage?"   Yeah... just like it.  After dinner he conceded and said the roasted vegetables actually were very good.  Thank you.

Kailua, Hawaii

August 16, 2012

I think it's important for every young person to learn how to prepare foods.  Here Zach is dicing up potatoes to make mashed potatoes and baked potato soup.
Kailua, Hawaii

August 15, 2012

We went to see the opening of the new Marina building today.  I was surprised, shocked and so very honored to see about a third of the canvases adorning the walls are mine!  I happily gave them whatever photos they wanted, but I didn't think they would use so many of them.  The one over the door at the end of the room is from the post a did of Jordan sailing the laser.  SO COOL....  Thank you!

Kaneohe, Hawaii

August 14, 2012

I think this is called a slipper foot flower.  At first glance I thought it was a weed.  I now realize that it's a beautiful, delicate petite flower that is a great sloping hill ground cover.
Lanikai, Hawaii

August 13, 2012

You'll never guess what we did today?  Here's a hint... short and stylish.
Kailua, Hawaii

August 12, 2012

Zach volunteered to take the running leg of a sprint triathlon held early this morning at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.   He and his team didn't place, but they did finished the race.   This is a shot of Zach as he sprints the last 100 yards to the finish line.  Great job, team!

Kaneohe, Hawaii

August 11, 2012

An eerily calm red sky before a torrential downpour finally cleared out to bring us this.  Deep azure blue and a few wispy white puffs to set the background for this vibrant double rainbow.  A magnificent reminder of our wedding day 22 years ago.   Happy Anniversary, Babe.

Kailua, Hawaii

August 10, 2012

Well, those darn wildlife creatures didn't follow the rules again!  I decided to take the boys to the North Shore for some sun, sand and snorkeling.  We hit Shark's Cove first to get in the water and swim with some fish, manta ray and turtles.  The sun was bright and the water was clear (and a bit cold for us!) making it a perfect time for viewing from the snorkeling level.  We finally packed it up when the tour buses came in to drop off a few crowds.  We then went down to sit on the rocks to watch the Hawaii Green turtles feed.  We watched at least a dozen turtles foraging for algae and sea kelp in the surf.  This wild and crazy guy popped up right next to me to squirt me with some water to help cool things off.  Hawaii law prohibits people from coming within 6 feet of these beautiful endangered species.  

Lani'akea Beach, Hawaii

August 9, 2012

Not only are we bird sitting, but the boys scored a plant watering job.  Most, if not all, of our neighbors have gorgeous oasis like yards and this family is no exception.  They have a huge variety of orchids scattered throughout the front and back yards.  This delicate yellow orchid sits atop the front gate post welcoming any visitors.

Kailua, Hawaii

August 8, 2012

Remember Tank?  We're bird sitting again.  Although, this time we have dogs and they are VERY interested in birds.  Tank seems to be just fine with them and has already starting mimicking their bark.  In fact, Tank has been barking at everyone who walks or rides by the house.  Plus, he's slipped back into his French that we taught him the last time he was with us!

Kailua, Hawaii

August 7, 2012

Dave and I had our first day of TAP class.  What great wisdom did we come away with from today's experience?  I'm not a sit still and listen or stay inside kind of person.  We both felt the need to stay outside during our breaks and we enjoyed a light picnic lunch of fresh fruits and water under this beautiful shade tree.   

Honolulu, Hawaii

August 6, 2012

Let's get ready to RUMBLE!!!!!   From what I've witnessed the past couple of weeks I've decided it must be mating season for the anole.  These two guys were fighting on the driveway and didn't notice I was creeping up on them with my camera.  This round and round bit went on for only a minute or so until one of them got his chompers on the other one.  Soon thereafter they noticed me, released each other and ran to their separate corners.

Kailua, Hawaii

August 5, 2012

My favorite haunt is a little vegetarian market and restaurant called The Good Earth shop.  They carry a wide variety of locally grown, fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables allowing us to have so many different and colorful meals.  I've also started ordering from them my wheat berry (25 pound bags!) for grinding into flour for breads.  Here is a head of Romaine grown just down the road in Waimanalo.  While washing it to prep for dinner the leaves spread out, looking like a bright green flower.

Kailua, Hawaii 

August 4, 2012

I've been wandering around in my neighborhood again.  I didn't stay out very long though because it's an incredibly hot day with almost no breeze!  Back in the house and about 30 minutes of research later, I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is not a island flower.  I'm still uncertain as to what it is, but I do know it's not listed in any of my native Hawaiian plants books.  Feel free to venture a guess.....

Kailua, Hawaii

August 3, 2012

This is my daily thing lately.  The boys go through a loaf of bread EVERY SINGLE DAY!  Dave and I are having dinner at a friend's house so I decided to make focaccia to take with us.  Thanks Karen for the incredible recipe!
Kailua, Hawaii

August 2, 2012

Remi and Levi had their BIG surgery yesterday morning.  Our vet likes to keep her patients through the day to monitor their recovery, so they didn't come home until 5:00pm last night. The cones need to be worn for at least 2 days or until they stop pestering the incisions.  The ugly plastic devises are bulky, cumbersome and annoying making these boys pretty pathetic as they bump into everything.  I almost busted up laughing when Sam, in his dead serious voice said to all of us, "I think it would be best to keep them from barking at each other face to face because the cone will amplify it and could hurt their ears!"  

Kailua, Hawaii

August 1, 2012

By 8:00 am today Zach had submitted his final exam for Algebra and papers for English Literature and World History, marking the end of his school year.  We celebrated by walking up to Cinnamon's for breakfast.  Red Velvet pancakes, French toast and steak were some of the meals eaten.... and (of course!) cinnamon rolls.  Nate's important question during the walk home, "Is it okay to take a nap before 10:00 in the morning?"  Absolutely!

Kailua, Hawaii