Did you know?

That you can get a "local style" breakfast at Mc Donald's in Hawaii? (above can also come with Spam)

Oh. Yes you can!

Brandon soars to Eagle

Last night I attended a Court of Honor for Brandon. He's a neighbor of ours, an outstanding athlete and just an all around great kid. I remember when Geoff was in scouting, always getting the "mom's pins".

Brandon had a lot of great examples showing him the way

Congrats Brandon on a job well done!

Christmas in July

A few weeks ago we had our RS Activity Night. The theme was "Christmas in July". Since our ward is so diverse, there are many hidden talents. This was the perfect opportunity to share those talents. We made Christmas ornaments using lauhala, a native Hawaiian plant.

The lauhala candy cane was by far the hardest, since you were actually weaving four pieces around a pipe cleaner (to give it shape)
Sometimes it actually took to sets of hands to get it right

the lauhala wreath was easy, quick and fun

I think the fish may have been my favorite. Some were left plain and others were decorated with glitter.

Can't wait to see these ornaments on the Christmas tree. Not only are they Hawaiian style, but they look great, were pretty easy to make but also very inexpensive...lauhala can be found in a lot of yards or growing wild.

New Best of Summer...

Water is so calm, you can talk on your cell phone beautiful early morning sunrises


water and sky so blue

Green Tea Hawaii, my new fav

I had been hearing a lot about this... On Saturday, after hula I headed home. I found out that our street was still blocked (due to re-surfacing). I decided to go here for lunch...

so with my Sunset Salad, I had a glass of the "original" flavor.

I have to tell you...I was pleasantly surprised. Not too sweet, like juice. Lighter tasting like a really, really good homemade summer drink. Refreshing!

So Sunset Salad and Green Tea Hawaii

my new favorite combo!

Charlotte's Change of Command

Last Friday I flew to Hilo to attend our friend and neighbor, Charlotte's Change of Command ceremony. Charlotte was giving up her command of the Kiska. I was glad that I got to go over and witness this wonderful ceremony. It was very bittersweet for her, she's giving up a ship that she loves to attend school in Maryland. From one extreme to the other.Charlotte held her ceremony on Coconut Island, in Hilo Bay. It was a beautiful setting. No rain at all, which was very strange.

Charlotte prsented each member of her crew with a ti leaf lei. The new commander is walking behind her during this inspection.

She had her family fly in from the mainland. She was surprised by her girlfriend Amy and her daughter, who came for the ceremony.

After a wonderful dinner of "local" food, YUM, everyone that was left relaxed and carried on some traditions of their own.

The end of a perfect day, at the end of a tour filled with ups and downs, what better thing to do than jump into Hilo Bay?

Mahalo nui loa, Charlotte for inviting me to such a special day.

Surprise treasure in...Wahiawa!

Quite by accident yesterday I found this little treasure in Wahiawa, right off of busy Kam Hiway. It's a freshwater lake that actually has fish in it. The best part though were the full grown trees and plants. Even in the hottest part of the day, there was a lot of cool shade and it was so quiet. Which was a surprise, since it was so close to the highway and the end of the H2.

This really was a "hidden treasure"

More Best of Summer...

talking story after sunset, Alii Beach Park
no traffic, Haleiwa morning

early morning Kaiaka

Best of Summer...

Rainbow Shower trees, Weed Circle, HaleiwaBon Dance Season

Oh, the wonders in our yard...

(I had to get a pic off the web, our guy is too high up in the tree, but he looks like this one)

Hubby has been trimming (nothing new) in our yard. He called me out to see what he'd found in our Crown Flower tree. We called the neighbor girls over and Ash, our resident tree expert.

It was a "short nosed chameleon"

We have lots of brown geckos, green geckos, all kinds of stuff turn up, never anything like this.

He's about 8 inches long and seems very happy to stay high up in the tree. Which is fine with me.

Oh, the country life!

We think they have gills...

we can't check because it tickles too much!

Three!

This guy turned 3 during our visit here. He's such a BIG boy now.

He's fully potty trained, in the big kids class at his school, has such a sunny personality it makes us laugh and seems to be really excited to meet his sister in September.

Grey's birthday party was supposed to have been a fun beach day, but with this "June Gloom" that never cleared up, it was changed at the last minute to a fun pool party! It was sunny, pool was perfect and so mellow I think everyone had a great time.

Good thing he loves the water!

these were cupcakes that were frosted to look like a cake

The 3 Moysa Men

Happy 3 Greyson! We love you!