Wow! What a trip! It is sooo nice to be back to our island home - and it really does feel like home.
Lori & Dave's wedding was absolutely perfect, with the two of them just beaming at eachother the whole time. It was really nice to see so many of you, my friends and family. It was just at that most ideal part of springtime when the lilac hedge is in full bloom and there are flowers just everywhere! Even the weather cooperated, just in time.
Moving out of our Idaho home was extremely hard and painful - but it's done now, and that's the end of that.
We found Kerry's cute little studio apartment in Seattle in only 3 days! Spent another week getting her moved in and set up. Managed to have some fun times, too, riding the bus, going into downtown, exploring some of the parks. She's now taking classes at the Bartending Academy, making new friends and connecting with old ones. Going through that hard time of adjusting to living on her own.
As soon as Mike and I landed on the Big Island, we knew we were in the right place, and as we drove to our hale and studio, the sense of coming home after an ordeal settled into our hearts. We wake up each morning thinking how amazing it is that we are living here! Everything was just as we left it, nothing gone amiss, only this: the grass was a foot high and going to seed, jungle-y vines were taking over the fences and creeping into the yard, and my fuzzy Mexican oregano was stretching far and wide along the entire back fence garden! Several days of weeding, mowing, and chopping have got the yard and garden looking well-maintained again.
The avocados and pineapples coming along nicely, making our mouths water in anticipation while just looking at them. Even the little cherry tomato I quickly stuck in the ground the day before we left has grown to a quite large plant and has little green tomatoes forming already! I bought a couple bell peppers, an eggplant, and another tomato and transplanted them all into containers. Also have a couple trays of various seeds started. I know it's pretty late in the season to begin a garden, but it's worth a try, and remember, we don't have a frost date here!
The weather has been beautiful here, although for those who rely on rain catchment systems, it isn't so nice. That's one of the reasons we bought in this particular subdivision: it has it's own water system. The ocean water has been so clear, just great for snorkeling and calm enough that I enjoy swimming out there too. Lovely tradewinds blowing gently.
Went to see the lava flow along the coastline for our Independence Day fireworks display, courtesy of Mother Nature and Madame Pele. There was a lot of fountaining and gushing lava into the ocean, which sends up huge billows of steam and sparks of molten rock. Don't worry, we were probably 1/2 mile away in the County viewing area. Lava was also pouring down the pali (cliffs) above the old Royal Gardens subdivision that has been inundated with flows since the 1980's. And the sky was lit up with the glow of reflected fire - so beautiful in this setting (as opposed to, say, the night-time glow of a forest fire).
Just got the word that the bins and crate that we shipped out of Seattle have arrived in Hilo already. Still have 7 media mail boxes to come.
Until next time,
Aloha, Liz
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Just Before We Go
Thought I'd better make one more entry here before we're back in Idaho (temporarily!) and on dial-up. I posted a few more photos, too:
*May Field Trips
*New Countertops
*A Walk Through the Garden
We've mostly been working on getting things wrapped up enough before heading back to Bonners Ferry for Lori and Dave's wedding. (Lots of planning and such for that, too, although I think we're pretty much as ready as we can be from a distance.) Many of our recent field trips were to do some of the things we always meant to do but never got around to, and to do them while Kerry is still with us. After the wedding, she'll be moving to Seattle, and we'll help her get started there before we head home again. This is definitely a working vacation. Already Mike and I are looking forward to coming back to the island!
I love the new countertops that Mike built for me. He had phone support from Matt but did all the work himself - and they turned out beautifully! And they are truly appreciated. The finished wood facing edge is so smooth. We'll install the door pulls after our return, and do trim-work throughout the studio, and paint the siding, and finish the outside trim, and repair the water pump, and..., and..., and... You know how it goes.
We've had a few guests staying at Hale Pomaika'i this spring, a party of 4 just left yesterday. It's so fun to be here to meet the people who choose our vacation rental, and to help them with planning their daily excursions. We have had very positive responses from every one of them. I find that I really enjoy playing hostess/concierge. I hope we will be able to continue doing this in spite of the downturn in tourist travel to Hawaii. It's about as exotic a location as you can get without a visa! If only the economy will get itself straightened out...
Mike and I have transplanted those that needed it: bouganvillea, ulu, hibiscus, Okinawan spinach. The latter is interesting: its leaves are lance-shaped and green on top, purple underneath; it's very mild, eaten as a salad green or in stir-fries.
Packing is proceeding apace. There are suitcases and duffle bags lining the floors, as is usual before a 5-week trip. And for Kerry it's a one-way trip, so ALL her stuff gets packed. Lists abound, you can be sure! We pick up a rental car tomorrow so we can just store our car here at home. Leaving early on Thursday, with an overnight at a hotel in Spokane (due to our midnight arrival). Jim is picking us up on Friday and letting us use his minivan while we're back in Bonners. Still no idea on the status of our house on the farm, or what we'll do with all our stuff there. But, wedding first, and lots of family coming for that! It'll be a great time!
Aloha, Liz
*May Field Trips
*New Countertops
*A Walk Through the Garden
We've mostly been working on getting things wrapped up enough before heading back to Bonners Ferry for Lori and Dave's wedding. (Lots of planning and such for that, too, although I think we're pretty much as ready as we can be from a distance.) Many of our recent field trips were to do some of the things we always meant to do but never got around to, and to do them while Kerry is still with us. After the wedding, she'll be moving to Seattle, and we'll help her get started there before we head home again. This is definitely a working vacation. Already Mike and I are looking forward to coming back to the island!
I love the new countertops that Mike built for me. He had phone support from Matt but did all the work himself - and they turned out beautifully! And they are truly appreciated. The finished wood facing edge is so smooth. We'll install the door pulls after our return, and do trim-work throughout the studio, and paint the siding, and finish the outside trim, and repair the water pump, and..., and..., and... You know how it goes.
We've had a few guests staying at Hale Pomaika'i this spring, a party of 4 just left yesterday. It's so fun to be here to meet the people who choose our vacation rental, and to help them with planning their daily excursions. We have had very positive responses from every one of them. I find that I really enjoy playing hostess/concierge. I hope we will be able to continue doing this in spite of the downturn in tourist travel to Hawaii. It's about as exotic a location as you can get without a visa! If only the economy will get itself straightened out...
Mike and I have transplanted those that needed it: bouganvillea, ulu, hibiscus, Okinawan spinach. The latter is interesting: its leaves are lance-shaped and green on top, purple underneath; it's very mild, eaten as a salad green or in stir-fries.
Packing is proceeding apace. There are suitcases and duffle bags lining the floors, as is usual before a 5-week trip. And for Kerry it's a one-way trip, so ALL her stuff gets packed. Lists abound, you can be sure! We pick up a rental car tomorrow so we can just store our car here at home. Leaving early on Thursday, with an overnight at a hotel in Spokane (due to our midnight arrival). Jim is picking us up on Friday and letting us use his minivan while we're back in Bonners. Still no idea on the status of our house on the farm, or what we'll do with all our stuff there. But, wedding first, and lots of family coming for that! It'll be a great time!
Aloha, Liz
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
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
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...
;-)
Okay, gotta go, time for the 'puter to be unplugged...
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