Spring is in the air!

Aloha !Happy Spring...Yesterday I worked in the garden for hours on end. The weather was so perfect, brilliant blue skies were inspiring me to plant my greens for the summer, to trim and shape and work on the koi pond.

The koi photo was shot by my guest, Linda Brooks from Richmond, Canada. Linda has captured some wonderful images, and the koi with the towering Norfolk pine branches reflected in the pond is no exception.

Linda also caught a whimsical angle of my large Chinese bananas being propped up by a lawn chair. It's an honest shot and represents the ease in my garden. I've heard my garden compared to a lazy English garden.

My Moscovy ducks gave me a huge surprise as well in the last couple of days. I thought the three females were setting on nests that held eggs that weren't fertile. Surprise, surprise...I guess there was a get together that I was not aware of. I have 10 new baby ducks who are so darn cute.. I'm holding my breath on the other two nests...hoping I don't end up with 20 more baby ducks!

Well..let's see what tomorrow brings..lots of promise and feelings of things anew this spring! Breathe deep and know "good's gonna happen" as my posted reminder tells me.
Much Aloha,

Cherie

Ono Giant Mangos!

How do your like these mangos!!?? Holy Cow, some of the biggest and sweetest ever!
I want to find out the name of this variety and plant a tree here. I have Golden Globe and Keete mangos, and they are close to this size, but, wow..I am dazzled..
Come eat!!
Aloha,
Cherie

Maui Real Estate

Aloha,

I just spent a lovely day showing property in Upcountry Maui. The sun was shining, light trade winds, and everything was sparkling clear. Wow, great day to be a Realtor. This was really a great line up as I was able to show some spectacular properties

One of my favorites was Casa Blanca Upcountry, in Kula. This is an elegant home reminiscent of Old Hawaii. It's an old property that was built on in the 1920's and the house was replaced in the 1990's. It has high ceilings, fireplaces for the chilly upcountry evenings, and an incredible bi-coastal view. It also had such a sweet courtyard area with a spectacular view of Haleakala and old trees.

We also visited a lovely home built in 1939 up on Olinda Rd with a saline swimming pool, a lovely lanai and all the character of time gone by. This home was remodeled and features a bright and open kitchen. It's just a short drive up the hill from Makawao town.

I could go on and on because I was in my element, the lovely older homes that make you just want to stay home and enjoy.

If you have any interest in purchasing a home on Maui, your timing could not be better. Inventory is moving now, and we are back to 2003 prices. Please contact me for any further information. You can cruise some listings from my website @ http://cherieattix.withwre.com/

My page at http://www.homesalesmaui.com/ will also give you a bit of information about Maui Real Estate.http://www.homesalesmaui.com/

Aloha for now, off for an afternoon swim!

Cherie

Kona Snow = Coffee Blossoms

Aloha,

I just returned from a sweet little vacation on the Big Island for my birthday. It was wonderful in every way. The weather was mostly sunny while the rest of the state was being flooded by a large storm. We had a couple of days of beach time, I got to see old friends, watch my granddaughter's water polo game and plain ol relax.

While in KonaI was rewarded with the site of "Kona Snow" The white blossoms covered the small coffee trees. These flowers will develope into the coffee cherries which will be hand picked between August and January.

Eighteen pounds of cherries will be dried and processed into 2 pounds of Kona Coffee. The slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa are cultivated in small coffee farms. There are an estimated 800 coffee farms in the Kona area. It's a labor intensive product, hence the high price it commands at market.

In 1828, coffee cuttings were brought in from Brazil and later in the 1800's an English merchant named Henry Greenwell established the coffee trade.

Maui coffee has been up and coming in these last years with with small boutique farms. Sometimes I wish I was a coffee drinker with all the lovely smells in the early morning as I am preparing breakfast.. My last batch of guests were serious about their love for my Maui coffee, we went through 3 pots by 8 am.

So, come on over to Maui, so you can really "wake up ,smell and drink our coffee!!"

With Aloha,

Cherie

Ono Fresh Food Maui Style

Aloha~

Spring is here and the delicious, fresh, juicy, organic food that is harvested on Maui these days is something to write home about..(seriously..post cards leave Hale Ho'okipa raving about breakfast) People take photos of my breakfast all the time..I guess it's astounding to some the size of the avocados, the taste of the mangos, the color of the papayas, the amount of juice in the tangelos..I could go on and on..

There is something special about going out and picking fruit early in the morning before serving it for breakfast..Sometimes the eggs are still warm when I bring them into the house..

I've also been getting into my salads big time again..Always feels so good to eat fresh daily.

The little Farmers Market in Makawao is a delight on Wed. My friend, Barbara, went early last week and brought me back a bouquet! Wow..everyone loved it, and I just had to snap a pic before I ate it..Look how beautiful!..it was yummy as well.

Maui is one of the best places in the world to eat well..Hawaii has really grown into the fresh and organic food priority in the last decade or so..Such a pleasure to get past macaroni salad smothered in mayo ( old school fare)..

Hope to see you soon..we are getting some Spring rain..yippee
With Aloha,
Cherie

Volunteer on Vacation in a Special Place

Aloha,

Today I had a reminder from the oh, so special, Flemming Arboretum about their volunteer program. I wanted to post their information for anybody considering a fun volunteer experience. Truely, a once in a lifetime experience , to get to see some rare species of native plants of Hawaii and to help to keep them thriving!!

D.T. FLEMING ARBORETUM AT PU‘U MAHOE
Events 2012-2013

Pu’u Mahoe Cinder Cone, Ulupalakua, Maui
FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS AND INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS.
Sponsored by Friends of D.T. Fleming Arboretum [FOFA]

VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS: The first Saturday of each month.8:00 AM to noon followed by a picnic lunch.Light work under professional instruction.Lunch & Refreshments provided. ARBORETUM TOURS: The last Saturday of each month.10:00 AM to noon followed by a BYO picnic lunch.Refreshments provided.

The Fleming Arboretum hosts special scheduled events on request throughout the month available to youth, school, church and community groups (8 years old to seniors).

For more information visit http://www.flemingarboretum.orgfor/ reservations call #808-572-1097 or email info@flemingarboretum.org

Check them out, hope I can get out there again soon..it's been too long. It's an experience and memory to cherish..

With Aloha,
Cherie