Sunday, October 9, 2011

::kaiya turns two::

Little Miss Kaiya turned TWO on September 14! I know, it was almost a month ago. We didn't have a big party, just some cupcakes with the family and a little celebration later in the week at potluck. She scored with the presents and got an art table, a tricycle and helmet, a bunch of clothes, and a ton of books. And a whole assortment of Hello Kitty loot! I'm not sure she totally understood the whole birthday ordeal, but she sure enjoyed the Happy Birthday song and present opening! And when you ask her how old she is she says three. For some reason, she can't grasp the concept of the number two. Even when she counts, she says one...three...five...haha.

I started an email address for kaiya...no she will not be sending out emails any time soon...but I will be the one emailing her about the happenings of her life and the important events in the world. So when she's old enough, she can read through them and watch videos and see pictures. If you would like to join me and write something to kaiya that she will see in 15-20 years, let me know and i will give you the address. I'm sure she will be thrilled when she comes across your e-mail in the future. Fun idea huh?

Thursday, July 14, 2011

::who doesn't love all things mini::

Mini tabasco, mini ketchup, mini hand sanitizer, Tide ToGo...I LOVE all things mini/to-go. So when I came across this post on DIY single use antibiotic packs (via Brian's Backpacking Blog) on pinterest...I had to pin it. And I have to try it. I'm just trying to figure out what I want to make into single use packs first! BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

Monday, July 11, 2011

::manic miscellany monday::

Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters
this is my first time actually linking up to another blog...I'm so unfamiliar with it, is that even what it's called?!?

anyway, I'm not sure how I found lowercase letters or miscellany monday...but I like the idea of random postings to kick off the start of a new week. So here is my first (possibly, but hopefully not the last)...

::one::

Today, july 11, 2011, is quite the milestone in my life. A short 20 years ago (I can't believe I can say 20 years ago and actually remember...the reality of getting older) my family moved from southern California to the beautiful island of Kauai. I am the first to admit...this did not make the then-10 year old happy one bit. Who wouldn't want to live in paradise right? Well...20 years later (and having spent 10 years after high school on 'the mainland')...I now have a new appreciation for the once loathed slow-paced Garden Island. I mean, one look at the photo above of Kalalau and anyone in their right mind would love to make this place their home...I blame it on being 10.

::two::

Warning: Do not let this cute little girl fool you!! Karma is biting me in the ass...with a vengeance! The terrible twos. Kaiya is lucky she's so cute. She is and has been in her terrible twos I swear before she turned one. She thinks EVERYTHING is hers..."hey, that's mine!". She beats up her cousin. Her favorite word is, of course, NO! She throws a mean tantrum. She does not have an inkling of an inside voice. The list goes on. BUT...she is the cutest and smartest little 22 month going on 15 year old I know! She also loves to give hugs and kisses. She loves playing in the water. She loves her family. She loves her dogs, "FafyLennox"...Foxxy and Lennox. She loves animals and knows a lot of them of you show her a picture. She loves to go riding and shopping. She loves to hear herself talk. She is simply THE BEST!!

::three::

potlucks. Ever since I can remember my family has gathered every week for potluck. The picture above is our Mother's Day spread...I think. Maybe it was Father's Day? Either way...this is a typical Saturday or Sunday at Grandma's house. A tradition that will hopefully continue for generations and generations. The little kids...going around hugging and saying hi to everyone, and hugs all around again before leaving. The food...Lauya, Chicken Papaya, Baked Spaghetti, Uncle Sonny's Adobo, Aunty Flo's 'Adobo', Aunty Aileen's Sesame Chicken, and much much more...the staples that we could eat week after week. If only every family did this, the world may be just that much better.

::four::

S'mores Candy. I came across this recipe for s'mores cracker candy and decided I had to try it. Super simple. Super quick. Super yummy. Try it...now. FYI...super sweet too.

::five::
One-piece swimsuits. It never crossed my mind that I would be wearing a one-piece bathing suit. But...after trying on numerous bikinis and not being happy with what was staring back at me in the mirror...I saw one at Macy's that was actually cute. So I thought, what the hell...tried it on and not only liked what I saw...I LOVED it. And may possibly never go back to buying another bikini again. It miraculously sucked everything in and kept it there. Amazing after having a baby! I am now a one-piecer convert.

::six::

The Box Lunch. Gotta love it. Is this just a Hawaii thing? It has to be. Look at the variety of foods. Great for school field trips.

So that is my random miscellany monday rant. Hopefully I'll see you again next week with more miscellany manic monday madness... 

Friday, July 8, 2011

::kamehameha parade::

...this is an old post that I'm just now getting around to posting...

Last week, I mentioned we had a Kamehameha Day Holiday. This weekend, they celebrated with a Kamehameha Parade which started pretty much right outside our front door on Rice Street. There aren't nearly as many people that attend as the Lights on Rice Parade, but since it's right outside we figured we would check it out.

The parade was a first for us all. We were greeted with the Royal Court, princesses representing each island, pageant queens, the Mayor, Uncle Avery, and Kaiya's fav...horsies. Speaking of the Mayor, he came right up to us to say hi to Kaiya!! All in all...a great cultural experience for us all. BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

::deborah lippmann::

On our weeklong vacay in Honolulu...I stumbled upon the Deborah Lippmann collection. Helloooo. It's kind of expensive for nail polish and stuff, but I reasoned with myself by vowing to give myself pedi/manis if I tried it out. I am so.glad.I.did.



Without hesitation I immediately bought Happy Birthday (a super glittery fabulous polish) and Steppin Out (a foot cream). I wanted to buy Get Off (a callus softener) but they were out. Bummer. The lady said to check Nordstrom..but they were out as well, but a shipment was coming in. So I put my name on a waiting list.


In the meantime..I also got this starter kit and I'm convinced I'll never buy cheap-o nail products again. So either I'm a sucker...or Deborah Lippmann is truly a nail polish/mani/pedi genius.

The nordstrom lady just called saying Get Off was in...so I placed my order, along with The Stripper (polish remover) and the Anniversary Special "Get This Party Started". Sooo excited!! Who gets excited for nail polish...I'm getting old.

If you ever come across Deborah Lippmann products...at Nieman Marcus (which we only went in originally to change Kaiya's diaper) and Nordstroms...I would splurge, treat yourself and try it out. BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

::back to life. back to reality::

We've been on vacay mode for the past two weeks. The entire family...Barsness, Taba, Nagamine, Querubin, Raralio and Agcaoili clans headed over to Oahu to celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs. Chris Q!! It was so much fun having everyone together at such a beautiful happy occasion. We (Barsness/Taba/Nagamine's) took advantage of the opportunity and took up residence at the Ala Moana Hotel for the entire week. Let me just say...I could 100% get used to having Ala Moana as my backyard!! So convenient and much needed after shopping at the oh-so-big 1 main department store Kukui Grove for months. I enjoyed every minute and failed to eat healthy or keep up with my marathon training. I'm still paying for it. So yes, we mostly spent time shopping and eating. But we also went to the Honolulu Zoo and Pearl Harbor. Eric and I treated ourselves to a 3rd Anniversary dinner at Morimotos Waikiki. Kaiya and I spent an afternoon catching up with old OSU girlies. Simply said...it was a fabulous vacation! I didn't take many pictures, but when I get around to uploading them I will post them. Here is one of Eric and Kaiya on the loooong 20 minute flight over marking the start of the vacay. And here is Kaiya and Yasuboy as we wait for our rides to arrive at the airport. BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

Friday, June 17, 2011

::cold brew::

I recently came across this pin for 'the perfect iced coffee' on pinterest and it automatically made me want to try out some cold brewing myself.

It just so happens on that same night, Eric brought home a large gallon glass jar telling me that this is what he's been using at work to cold brew coffee (which he mentioned to me last week). So awesome how we are on the same wavelength!! Unfortunately...we had no coffee in the house. The start of iced coffee had to wait for another day.

So we got some coffee...and added some vanilla beans and let it do it's magic...after a good stir of course.

24 hours later...more like 30, really...and a quick strain through some filters gave us a gallon of cold brewed coffee goodness. We then transferred it to chill in the refrigerator. Then some added ice, and a couple of tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk (shooting for the Vietnamese version)...and voila..a great morning pick-me-up after a sleepless night due to 104+ Kaiya temperatures. Poor baby girl. BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

Thursday, June 16, 2011

::keepin it local:: {two}

We try to make it to the Farmer's Markets whenever we can.  There's always great produce there, and the best part is that it's grown right here on Kauai.  It always tastes better when it hasn't traveled thousands of miles to get here...And it helps to have a chef in the family that knows how to prepare it, and make it taste delicious!

And although the weather has been pretty ugly lately...there are more days that start out like this than rainy/overcast skies.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

:bologna + tea rice:

Name change. Change is good. It's hard to think of a blog title...and the last one just wasn't cutting it. So I changed. Not saying that this is the last time, but I like it as :bologna + tea rice:.

So what the hell is bologna and tea rice? Only the best combination of food that my Grandma ever invented! When I was younger, I swear I could eat this all.day.every.day. So maybe I shouldn't get so mad when Kaiya asks me for egg + rice everytime I ask her what she wants to eat.

So for now...:bologna + tea rice: it is. BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop

:puddles and plumerias:

It was another three day weekend here in Hawaii due to Kamehameha Day. The weather has been a little crappy lately...rainy and overcast, hot and humid, and windy at times. It's definitely not summer weather! But we can't complain...we live on Kauai. Such a tough life.

On Saturday we headed over to Kukuiula to hit up Bubbas Burgers for lunch. We walked around for a bit, bought some local produce at Living Foods to make Guacamole...and took advantage of the weather and had Kaiya do some puddle splashing!! She LOVED it.
Later that night we had a wedding to go to and Kaiya walked around with Aunty Dawn and Uncle Wes. They checked out goats, peacocks, and found plumerias. Look at my girl...happy as can be with a flower in her hair.  

Sunday, June 12, 2011

:knockoff chick-fil-a:

yes please!  i just came across this recipe for chick-fil-a nugs that i found through pinterest.  access to chick-fil-a since moving to hawaii...20 years ago!...has been few and far between.  if this recipe turns out to be like the real deal...oh.em.gee.  we'll just have to find out.  and if not...the search continues...until the next trip to new mexico or california.


must.try ------>

Thursday, June 9, 2011

::keepin it local:: {one}

It's been a while...again...no excuses.

Recently I've been on a "keeping it local" "going green" kick. From buying local produce to experimenting with making my own cleaning products...makes me feel like I'm contributing to boosting the local economy and saving mother earth and teaching Kaiya how to be more "sustainable".

I'll try to post recipes for homemade cleaners and what not...key word:try. But for now...I want to highlight Machine Machine. The designer, Shannon, is my classmate and has the.most.awesome designs...from hats to dresses to note cards to baby rompers...she even does custom designs. One thing (so hard to pick just one!) I love love love about Shannon's pieces is that she re-purposes vintage fabrics...such as an old muu muu, or sheets...yes, sheets.

I recently purchased this dress from her etsy shop... themachinestops
...what's not to LOVE right?

If you haven't checked out Machine Machine on etsy or one of many retail shops carrying her line throughout the islands...you better run quick for your opportunity to snag her one-of-a-kind designs! 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

.what's happenin.

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I was pretty busy at work preparing for Relay for Life that took place on April 30-May 1. And we recently started a wellness program, "work it." that consists of twice-a-week 1/2 hour workouts during lunch. And I've also started marathon training...only FOUR more months! I'm determined to finish...and I know I will. I've actually been running since the beginning of the year, but I'm now following a schedule...which I hate to say I skipped todays run. But I can easily make it up tomorrow.

On top of all that...I have discovered a new site called Pinterest. Oh.em.gee. Pinterest is like crack...well I'm not positive about that, but it's pretty addicting. It's a site where you can create 'boards' and then you 'pin' images you come across on the Internet. You have to be invited, and a lot of people I've read have been waiting for weeks (they have a waiting list). But all I had to deal with was an overnight wait. Lucky me.  Pinterest is a must check out thats worth the wait. It's sort of a social networking site as well...you can follow people and they can follow you. You just have to check it out for yourself.  I'm off to find more pinteresting things...I know, so lame.  
 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

.baby beach.

 Amazingly...I've lived on Kauai for 1/3 of my life, and just a short two weeks ago was my first time going to Baby Beach.  I...love...it...there.  How did I not discover this gem years ago.  Especially since the water isn't very deep (is that why they call it baby beach...or is it because there isn't much beach...hmmm?)...which is a MUST for this mama who can't swim.  Yes...another amazing fact...I've lived on an island in the middle of the pacific for 1/3 of my life...and I can't swim.  I've had friends try to teach me to swim.  I even had swimming lessons when I was younger.  Yet...I am confident in saying that I will drown if I can't touch the bottom!  So...please do not throw me in the pool in the deep end unless you plan on playing lifeguard and saving me. 

Kaiya also loves.baby.beach!  She loves any beach actually.  She loves the water.  She loves the sand.  She loves the sun.  She LOVES the sand.  This past weekend I caught her dumping handfuls of sand all over herself and laughing away. 

I love it so much I would become a Baby Beach junkie if I didn't have to work.  But I will try my best to convince Eric to go every chance we get.  Baby Beach is where it's at.  But there's so much more of Kauai that we have yet to explore.  So lucky we live here!  When I was in high school, even college, I would have never thought I would be back living on Kauai.  But now that I'm here, and older, soooo much to appreciate.  Kauai does have it's drawbacks (no shopping! no museums! no zoos!)...but the beauty outweighs it all.  When I think about it...tons of people dream of coming to Kauai for vacation...and we live here!  Amazing.

.chalkboard pages.

A few posts back, I mentioned how I found this amazing tutorial on Attempting Aloha on how to make your own chalkboard paint in ANY COLOR!  Luckily, I found the secret ingredient  (dry non-sanded grout) at Ace (and it was under $5!) and mixed up a batch of an aqua/teal-ish shade. I used the majority of the paint to cover a broken table so the kids could do chalk art whenever they wanted, rain or shine, day or night...however, I still need to apply a final coat, so I'll post about that when it's finished.

I had just a little left (obviously not enough for a final table coat), so I thought it would be a great medium to add to my forever-work-in-progress art journal! I don't find much time to work on the art journal...but I LOVE how it looks thanks to a Composition Book Art Journal Tutorial from Lil Blue Boo.  Her journals are 5000x more creative, my pages are seriously lacking some creative content.  But...with the addition of the chalkboard paint, it adds yet another dimension...that can be worked, erased, and re-worked...over and over again! Who needs a fancy schmancy journal when you can make one like this out of a cheap-o $.99 composition book! It's a lot of work to prepare the journal, but so worth it! I will definitely be making other colors of chalkboard paint and adding them to random pages in the journal.

Monday, April 18, 2011

.spray bottle painting.

We absolutely love taking advantage of the beautiful Garden Isle that we call home.  Since it was a nice day out, why not get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine.  I had made a homemade bubble solution and dyed them a few different colors with the intent of having the kids blow bubbles onto a big sheet of butcher paper and creating bubble art.  However...the bubble solution was horrible.  Not to mention that the color was almost transparent.  Big fat fail for bubble art.

So, we improvised.  I filled a spray bottle with water and food coloring so they could do some spray painting.  Well, only Kaytin is capable of actually pressing the spray bottle trigger, so she had a LOT of fun with it.  She even got creative and took a paintbrush that was sitting in some bubble solution, drew some letters, then sprayed over it...she had discovered her own invisible ink!  I can't wait until Kaiya gets to be Kaytins age...cause every time Kaytin comes over she tells me, "Aunty Kelli, I haven't done any art yet."  Although sometimes it drives me crazy...Aunty Kelli, Aunty Kelli, Aunty Kelli, Aunty Kelli, art, art, art, art, art...Love that girl!

Kaiya and Caleb played with the bubble solution and bubble wands while Kaytin spray painted.  They had no idea that the original art project didn't turn out as planned!  I guess art day wasn't a fail after all.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

.marker holder.



Another quick project from MaryAnn Kohl's First Art Book.  A fabulous marker holder!!  It solves the problem of lost marker caps, especially with the little ones.  Although...they can't really take the markers out.  I even had a hard time getting them out at first!  Ooops!!!  But, it's a great way to keep the markers all in one place and keeps the markers from drying out...provided they put them back in their caps (unlike Kaiya who will just ditch out on the markers and leave them laying on the floor since she can't put them back in the cap totally defeating the purpose of the marker holder!).  

This project is super simple and fast to make.  I used one of Kaiya's Hello Kitty lunchboxes as a holder since it had a flat bottom...and it was broken anyway.  I made a batch of plaster of paris, poured it into the tin, and arranged the markers in rows, making sure the cap was in at least half-way.  I left it to dry overnight and by morning...a handy dandy marker holder was born.  I have to admit that a few days later, one of the marker caps came flying out when I tugged on the marker to get it out for Kaiya...but a few drops of gorilla glue and some drying time and that's probably the most secure marker in that bad boy. 

Now...to teach Kaiya how to take the marker out herself, and replace them into the cap.

*Warning...if you have never used plaster of paris before, it gets HOT after a while, so don't be alarmed.  Also, do not pour the leftover plaster of paris down the drain, it'll clog the drain for sure.  I just left it in the container I mixed it in and when crumbled it in the trash when it dried.*

Thursday, April 14, 2011

.homemade playdough.

First of all, I have to consider this project a somewhat disaster. I took a basic homemade playdough recipe, however, I substituted wheat flour. What was I thinking? I mean, it came out okay, and the kids do love it...but the color was definitely affected by the darker flour. Vibrant greens and blues turned out blah and not so fun. And although the recipe says kids won't eat it because of all the salt (1/2 cup!), guess whose daughter thought it was snack time. Yes...little miss Kaiya was munching away as the other kids sat there playdoughing away. Oyyy.  

I used the Playclay recipe from MaryAnn Kohl's First Art book.  I did a bunch of batches of the single serving recipe.  All you need is:
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 cup flour (totally using white next time!)
food coloring
Just combine the water, salt, cream of tartar and food coloring in a large pot over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon.  As the mixture heats up, stir in the oil, and then slowly add in the flour.  Keep stirring until the mixture starts looking dry and pulling away from the sides of the pot.  Remove from heat.  When you pinch a little piece with your fingers, it should NOT be sticky.  If it is, keep stirring over heat.  Place the dough on a flat surface and need until smooth.  Voila...playdough!  Or Playclay.  Whatevs.
 I made around 5 different colors, thats all that I could get out of the tiny cream of tartar container I bought from WalMart.  I made them about a month ago, and the kids just played with them last week.  So like she says in the book, it lasts quite a while.  Actually...Kaytin and Caleb played with the dough and Kaiya drew with markers because as we learned earlier...she's the play dough eating monster. 

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

.because you can never have too many kids art books.

Blog Tour: Teach Yourself Visually Crafting With Kids & Giveaway!


The Crafty Crow...another absolutely fabulous blog on my google reader...just posted this giveaway for a signed copy of a new book by Jennifer Casa called Teach Yourself Visually Crafting with Kids.  Looks like a great book with all sorts of fun for the kids (and adults).  And I figured since Borders is closing on Kauai (yes, we will soon only have a small mom & pop bookstore in Hanapepe and the trusty library to choose from), this would be great if I won...as if I actually win anything.  :)

So go on over to The Crafty Crow and check it out.

{chalkboard paint}

In recent months, I've gone toddler arts, DIY, crafts blog crazy!  I find myself constantly adding blog after blog to my Google Reader list.  So glad that I have been doing this, though, as I would have NEVER even known about half of these creative, DIY crafts and projects that you could do with a lot of basic ingredients that you already have....not to mention the joy of repurposing items that would normally be looked at as "trash".  One of the blogs on my list is tatertots & jello, and today she featured a guest blogger, Charlie of Attempting Aloha...who lives right "next door" on Oahu.  Anyway, I browsed on over to Charlie's site, and I came across a tutorial on DIY Chalkboard Paint!  Seriously?  So you're telling me not only can I make my own chalkboard paint, but I can make it in practically ANY COLOR that I choose?!?  Must.try.soon.  What a fab.u.lous find this tutorial is....especially to this island-bound mama that has only come across the basic black chalkboard paint...no, I haven't even come across the old school green.

Now let's all cross our fingers that Kauai's trusty craft stores: WalMart or Home Depot or Ace will have the necessary ingredients--->acrylic craft paints and dry non-sanded grout.  Yeah, you like how we have all of those "craft stores" to choose from...tell me about it! At least I'm sure they have acrylic craft paint, and luckily I have a few on hand from my art journal...it's the dry non-sanded grout I'm worried about.  Once I track down this item...surely, they must have it, right...all I have to do is figure out what color I want to use start with, and what I want to use it on.  Mason Jar labels...a mini chalkboard for Kaiya...oh the possiblities.  So it's off to the usual stores I go...and according to Charlie, her dry non-sanded grout cost her under $2, so I'm hoping $5 AT MOST with the special hike in price for only Kauai. 
{via Attempting Aloha}
Here is the link if you want to make an attempt on making your own chalkboard paint.  Check it!!
Attempting Aloha's Chalkboard Paint How-To
{via Attempting Aloha...how cute are these chinese take-out boxes decked out with chalkboard paint that she made!}

And finally...speaking of special hike in price for only Kauai...how's this for gas?

Really?!?  Again...the price of paradise.

Monday, April 4, 2011

{succulent terrarium}

I have been on a hunt to find a plant for my office and I recently came across a few DIY terrariums. Immediate thought...perfect for the office...if I could find the materials. Over the course of the next few days, I hunted down my materials, most which I found at the trusty WalMart.  Home Depot failed in the succulent department, but luckily Wally World had two cute mini succulents for only .99 a piece.  I also picked up some white aquarium rocks, cactus soil, and a clear vase to pot my soon-to-be cute little terrarium.  I searched high and low for the activated charcoal at WalMart, as well, but couldn't find it, so I went home and did a quick internet search and figured that maybe I could check the nearest pet store.  A quick call to Lihue Pet Store...and bingo...activated carbon was a quick trip away (I thought I would have to ultimately order it on the internet).

So..the work began.  My two little succulents wasn't quite the look I was shooting for, so I went across to my Grandma's house and what do you know...she had just planted some succulents and said I could take whatever ones I wanted.  I searched for a couple mini ones and she even gave me some to take for future terrariums.  She even gave me some tips on succulents.  Score!  Bonus having a garden savvy g-ma!  In the end...gathering of the materials took the most time, as building the terrarium was done in about 10 minutes or less.  And here she is....isn't she a beauty!



My next project inspiration {via in words and pictures}  A tabletop water garden.  How cute is it?!  All I have to do is find some time to head over to Kauai Nursery to see if they have water plants.  They have to have taro right?  After all...we do live in Hawaii.  Guess I'll have to wait and see.  

If you want to make your own terrarium, just do a quick search on the internet for inspiration.  The materials you need are pretty cheap...I'd say less than $20 (only because the activated charcoal was probably overpriced at $12.99...the hike in price you pay to live in paradise, where everything has to be shipped over).  Here are a list of materials I used....and the order that they're layered in:
  • Glass Container (doesn't have to be a vase...a cup, bowl, mason jar, etc. will also work well)
  • Rocks or Pebbles (which I found by the pet supply)
  • Activated Charcoal
  • Cactus Soil
  • Succulents
Easy as pie!  Good luck!

{marching for babies}

This past Saturday, we marched for babies! It was our first time participating in the March of Dimes walk, but I'm sure it definitely won't be the last. I'm makes me happy to think that we are involving Kaiya in all of these events that benefit our community. I guess she has no choice...whether she likes it or not. But just think about it, if she continues to participate, by the time she graduates high school, she can say that she's been involved for 18 years! I wish I could say that.

This year, MOD took place at Kukui Grove and they teamed up with the DOE STEPS program and held a Parent and Child Fair. There was entertainment and all sorts of activities for the keiki. The walk itself was a 3 mile walk, or 2 laps around Kukui Grove. Such a great event and it's always good to know that the monies raised comes back to our local community.



Sunday, April 3, 2011

i want....

BOAT SHOES!!!  Not necessarily the ones pictured, but something pretty similar.  And I wouldn't mind these ones, actually, I'd just have to try them on first.  The problem about living on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean...selection is extremely limited!  The shoe selection we have to choose from...go ahead and feel free to chuckle...Macy's, Famous Footwear, Foot Locker, Payless, Kmart, Walmart.  Right?!?!?  
Which would possibly explain why these ----->  are the go-to footwear of choice.  Zappos or some other online shopping source is another option.  The only problem with that...you can't try before you buy.  

Another problem that I, personally, come across...small feet.  A lot of brands start at size 6, and while some shoe types I can get away with getting a whole size larger, closed shoe-types like these boat shoes...not happening.  I haven't even checked to see, just my luck these Sperry's start at size 6 as well.  The search continues...and since we are headed to Oahu (for a week...can't WAIT!) in June for my cousins wedding, I have a few months to figure out what kind of boat shoe that I want.  Of course, by that time, I'll probably want something else. 

.help fight cancer.

Once again, we are participating in American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.  This year, however, we're actually trying to raise funds, instead of just walking.  We look forward to this event every year, as it's so inspiring (and heartbreaking) to see so many that are affected by cancer.  Please help us raise funds!!

RELAY FOR LIFE!!!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

.mason jars.


Mason Jars have always caught my eye when we pass them in the stores, and I've always thought how fun it would be to make our own jelly and jams. Eric tells me how his Grandma used to always make her own with berries she would grow in her yard. I'm hoping that one day...when we have our own house...we, too, will be able to make jams and jellies, pickles, vinegars, etc from our own garden.

They come in an assortment of sizes and vintage one have different colors. I've discovered there are numerous alternative uses for these handy dandy little jars. The possibilities are endless. I finally bought a case of the wide mouth jars at WalMart...and a set of the little 2oz ones. I can't wait to figure out what I want to do with them. Here are a few things I've found scouring the internet the past couple of days for ideas.


Mason Jar Terrarium

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser via Country Living

via weddinglovely.blogspot.com
craft organizer via numerous blogs...couldn't find the original post
Sewing Kit in a Jar
There are LOTS more that have me inspired, but the formatting is starting to go all wacky and I'm not too computer savvy regarding html. So...I'm off to find more uses for these jars that I just LOVE. If you see any at thrift stores or garage sales...pick them up and put them to good use! BlogBooster-The most productive way for mobile blogging. BlogBooster is a multi-service blog editor for iPhone, Android, WebOs and your desktop
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