Sunday, April 27, 2008

Finally, Photos!

Okay, here's what you've been waiting for... the latest pics of our studio that we're now living in.
There are 4 new folders on my Picasa site:
**March Studio Progress
**New Driveway
**My Garden and Beyond
**Merrie Monarch Parade 2008

The tradewinds are back and clearing away the vog. Actually, it never did get bad here in Pahoa, but on the days we were in Hilo and Kona, it was pretty awful. It does affect me more than Mike; I had a bad sinus headache the day after that 2-days-in-a-row ordeal. Better now with our lovely fresh air. The volcano keeps puffing away up at the craters, and oozing out down by the ocean entry in the Kaimu-Kalapana area. Isn't it interesting what one gets used to?

We enjoyed the Maku'u Farmer's market this morning. Hadn't been there in a couple months or so, and it was really fun rubbing elbows with the locals and tourists, meeting friends and neighbors, gathering veggies for the week. I'm also gathering veggies from my garden: chayote, green beans, basil, oregano and parsley every day! You know I'm happy with that! :-)

Earth Day was a big to-do in Hilo. Up at the University there were a hundred booths, loads of entertainment and music, lots of freebies and info. Very much fun! And then last week, we met up with the homeschool group to do the Panaewa Rainforst Zoo. Also a good time. This is a little local zoo just outside Hilo that focuses on rainforest animals. They have a big white tiger named Namaste who was a no-show the day we were there. He was probably sleeping under the bamboo. ;-)

Aloha for now,
Liz

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Lovin' It!

Okay, so it's been 2-1/2 weeks since we moved into our little studio addition... and we love it! :-)
I think Kerry was on to something when she said it's because we built this place ourselves. We've always lived in houses we designed and built ourselves, and now we are again, and truly, it does feel like home. I love the way the light plays across the walls and fills the entire space with a glow. I love the view of the ohia and kukui trees and looking over the top of the viney jungle ferns. I love sitting outside on our deck right at tree level, and the birds that break out into song and dance every morning and throughout the day. I love the smooth bamboo floors. I love being further from the road and the lesser amount of road noise. It's working out well with our paying guests in the hale, and it's so much fun to be here to greet them when they first arrive. And I'm having fun creating a new entry garden for our new entry.

But it is small. The biggest problem is that the countertops are not in yet. I'm working off of a 2'x18" piece of plywood that is now warped from humidity... so we'll be remedying this asap. I think we'll fly Matt over from Maui to take advantage of his professional expertise in finish-work; it'd be cheaper than hiring the local firm to install it the way we want. Plus, we get an extra visit in this way! I've picked out the laminate I want already and we'll get that locally, of course. After that, it'll pretty much just be trim and finishing touches to do... but since I've never had that done anyway, it'll really feel like home. ;-)

I plan on posting several more lots of photos as soon as I have enough time to download about 150 pics from my camera and sort them all out. Hopefully this weekend, maybe later today... unless we decide to go do something fun - swimming, take a hike, get the bikes down for a ride... Anyway, I'll let you know when they're ready.

Wedding plans are proceeding and things are coming together on that front. We had to completely rearrange our tickets to the mainland after all the airplane collapses in the last weeks. But fortunately Mike got us all rescheduled, refunded and rebooked - and we're arriving in Bonners on the same day as originally planned! That's a relief! Kerry's bridesmaid gown arrived in yesterday's mail. It fits perfectly and is absolutely gorgeous! We're very happy with the company we used. (Let me know if any of you need a lead on custom-made formals for a low price.) Now Mike and I have to find our wedding day outfits...

Mostly, we are relaxing and enjoying our new home and island life. We're taking a breather, now that the building rush is over and before the next flurry of activity. There's only a month before we go back to Idaho for the wedding and moving the rest of our stuff and getting Kerry set up in Seattle and all that. Until then, we hope to enjoy our tropical surroundings to the fullest and especially to do 'all the fun stuff' with Kerry while we still have her with us.

Aloha, Liz

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

It's Moving day!

I'll catch you all up later, but wanted to say: we're officially moving in to the studio today!! I got to use my new kitchen for the first time last night :-) And we'll be sleeping in our new bed tonight! Paying guests are arriving tomorrow... and it looks like we'll make our deadline after all! Whew.
;-)
Okay, gotta go, time for the 'puter to be unplugged...