Big Island Giving Thanks

Aloha,

Ahhh, home from my own personal Thanksgiving, a week early. My grandson, Aukai, just turned 9 years old, and we had a great weekend celebration. This is my Thanksgiving, and on this particular weekend, I have alot to give thanks for.

Aukai turned 9 with several classmates in attendance. We had a water slide castle set up with "No More Tears" shampoo making it extra fun, a giant bubble bath and water slide. The boys got pretty wild and had a grand time.

Kona on the Big Island often has to contend with vog, which is volcanic smog from the active volcano down south. This weekend was clear, and that alone is reason to celebrate. Check out the nearly full moon rising over Hualalai at the end of my first day. This happens to be one of my favorite views, a super special sight since it is often covered in clouds by the afternoon.

In the morning we went for an early hike up this beautiful mountain that towers above the coastal town of Kailua Kona. The native forest of ohia lehua and koa trees are always so comforting . Each old twisted silver tree trunk supoorting deep red blossoms always leaves me smiling and reaching for my camera. We hiked to the peak where we could see my home island of Maui just across the Alenuehaha Channel.

The weekend was not complete without our customary beach day. The weather was absolutely perfect, clear, light breeze and beautiful little waves. Main bonus, for some reason the weatherman reported no swell, and the beach was quiet without competition for the waves. Yipee! I was even enticed to go out.

I used to charge the waves quite a bit in my younger years. Now I have a bit of an inner ear issue due to a surfing mishap many years ago that keeps me from anything but mellow waves. The first fifteen minutes in the water were spent helping out a certain 9 year old who had a wipe out and lost his boogie board and his brand new surf trunks as well. Classic.

Family, freinds and nature at it's finest, I have much to be grateful for. Each and every day and night I give thanks for my sweet life. ....life is good.

With great wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday week spent with loved ones, I send Aloha out far and wide, and an invitation to come visit Maui and give thanks as well!

Mahalo for everything wonderful!

Cherie

Designing Life in Hawaii

Aloha E Komo mai!

I am in an inspired mood right now. Usually a woodblock or watercolor image is sifting to the top of my thoughts with creativity calling for my attention. For many years my creative focus was a very large canvas called the " Old House." This wonderful old house was my subject matter, my inspiration, my muse, my headache and my challenge. Having little prior experience and a tiny budget, it became clear that my project was going to be "on going," forever it seemed.

The design and decor aspect of the bed and breakfast has been great fun. However, the sanding and scraping, roof repair, plumbing and dirty work, not so much fun.

My eclectic style was born from my Bay Area roots. I grew up around arts and crafts, and still hold it dear. I've never been drawn to the overwhelming bright tropical look that many Hawaii condos sport. Too much fluff, and not enough soul. Antique dealing was a passion for many years, and I still dabble on occasion. Great vintage items, that are good deals, always find their way to my door. Recently, I've been helping a friend with her Hawaiiana search, and her home shows the fruits of our labor. Our love of all things old Hawaiiana began with her purchase of my antique koa dining set, and has grown from there.

Today's design excitement was prompted by a visit from a guest and her daughter this last weekend. Cara Greenberg and Zoe spent a couple of days upcountry Maui at Hale Ho'okipa Inn. Cara's wonderful blog, "CasaCara Old Homes for Fun and Profit" brought her to my hale which she thoroughly enjoyed. In her words on her last post, MAUI Upcountry Ramble, the "homey hilltop b&b" was a perfect home base for their Haleakala explorations.

My heart started beating faster reading her posts--from salon style picture hanging to beach cottages. Cara is my kinda woman, one who enjoys punching out holes in walls to make a room more airy and pleasant. I always think like that when showing homes to prospective buyers, how to open up a space and add more light. In Hawaii, it is all about inviting the outdoors in!

OK, I've got my creative energy flowing, now to put it to work today, hmm, garden? My fall fruit and flowers are really coming on now that we've had some rain.

If you are thinking about a little time off to regenerate and relax, and maybe looking for some inspiration for your art or life, this is a beautiful time of year to visit the islands. I always say, in Hawaii, inspiration abounds!

Hele mai, come on, give me a call. I look forward to it!

Aloha,
Cherie

Dine Out for Hospice Maui

Help raise money for Hospice Maui.
Click this image for the large version.

Maui Photographer Tom Mckinlay

Aloha Folks,

Today is a photo tribute to a great friend and a creative artist/ writer/ photographer.

Tom Mckinlay: Rest in Peace, brother.

Tom 's motto in his photography and in his life was simply:

Observe

Appreciate

Celebrate

I am happy to share some of Tom's work, and I will add what he told me when I first asked about posting his work...His message was : Enjoy!


Aloha to a good person. We had some fun outdoors in our kayaks and hikes..

In recognition of Maui's talented artists and craftspeople, I want to post this link..check it out. The Maui Crafts Guild is in Paia, and always worth a visit.

Cherie