tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33899460640524238182024-03-12T21:27:09.930-04:00lulus lovesPieces of life. Moments in time. Remembering.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.comBlogger241125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-62973440390677135812013-01-01T23:14:00.001-05:002013-01-01T23:14:25.220-05:00Hello<p>I’ve been away. Too long. Far too long. No reason. Just life. But now? Well, now….</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A_GjtEIN_dw/UOO0HAjGSbI/AAAAAAAA3l0/uh3Mz86eBa0/s1600-h/photo%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CIgnXwRvMkw/UOO0HyQNIRI/AAAAAAAA3l8/liPAFe2ZRnY/photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="700"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>This is my <a href="http://aliedwards.com/2012/12/one-little-word-2013.html" target="_blank">One Little Word for 2013</a>. This is also my only <a href="http://projectlife365.com/blog/" target="_blank">2013 Resolution</a>. Kinda covers lots of stuff don’t you think?</p> <p>More later.</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-18807410106811511592012-09-30T20:25:00.000-04:002012-10-01T00:33:26.557-04:00Autumn | Part 1<p>Today is September 30. Really? Time has truly flown by and there’s so much to pack in the next 3 months. Trips, holidays, the arrival of a new little one, etc. But today, well today, we celebrated the beginning of autumn. </p> <p>This was our second annual trip to <a href="http://oldmcdonaldsfarm.net/" target="_blank">Old McDonald’s Farm</a>. These folks really know how to do it up right! Corn maze, hay maze, sheep shearing, petting zoo, mining for gems and of course, the hayride out to the grand pumpkin patch. What a great place to get you in the fall-kinda-mood!</p> <p>I have so many pictures to share folks, so I decided to break up the post. Enjoy part 1!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UlnBHxClzDs/UGkbYI6NkrI/AAAAAAAA0us/d7hxwmVJsCM/s1600-h/DSC_4397%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4397" border="0" alt="DSC_4397" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iVgrfPzdsVs/UGkbZVuTQgI/AAAAAAAA0u0/F7xixE-wIr8/DSC_4397_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0rtjW1rYZt4/UGkba7K6P7I/AAAAAAAA0u8/WDkIZr0QmSk/s1600-h/DSC_4400%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4400" border="0" alt="DSC_4400" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g85_hfJprME/UGkbcIa48sI/AAAAAAAA0vE/_guXkKYuHrU/DSC_4400_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5eJkwnoaZFU/UGkbdQAUHNI/AAAAAAAA0vM/4dR13NwKAa0/s1600-h/DSC_4437%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4437" border="0" alt="DSC_4437" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RRDucEEFINA/UGkbe1Zw-RI/AAAAAAAA0vU/Yi_X6wfc-3o/DSC_4437_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Time for a little gem mining! Cupcake Girl loved it. And so did the two grown-ups!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fm6ngd1mbPg/UGkbgJ5ufGI/AAAAAAAA0vc/r4HXzFnGwNo/s1600-h/DSC_4401%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4401" border="0" alt="DSC_4401" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gNMmSym3rAQ/UGkbhVanV2I/AAAAAAAA0vk/0waW5drliOg/DSC_4401_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9VNlNtaA638/UGkbiYF8xuI/AAAAAAAA0vs/dVFea6zmvaU/s1600-h/DSC_4418%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4418" border="0" alt="DSC_4418" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_498NNX9z4g/UGkbjjv-byI/AAAAAAAA0v0/LlbZ83a1adQ/DSC_4418_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Si_aFmJ_PNY/UGkbkzI11cI/AAAAAAAA0v8/I6viV02cyFk/s1600-h/DSC_4406%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4406" border="0" alt="DSC_4406" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kWhvPzftHkg/UGkbmMHMdSI/AAAAAAAA0wE/8kFLWRJ3bNk/DSC_4406_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R7B9Yd9vvGs/UGkbnnMGcZI/AAAAAAAA0wM/UCFybSMwvv8/s1600-h/DSC_4407%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4407" border="0" alt="DSC_4407" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CrR6LHvBWgY/UGkbpM1EspI/AAAAAAAA0wU/cTXTS8NB-xc/DSC_4407_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zdoMU-SqOnA/UGkbqbXctAI/AAAAAAAA0wc/JZb6ke_Q-LE/s1600-h/DSC_4408%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4408" border="0" alt="DSC_4408" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eb1Kz0zIKIA/UGkbr49LhbI/AAAAAAAA0wk/8sMOt1WBiMI/DSC_4408_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sach0XcWpOE/UGkbtcUH-iI/AAAAAAAA0ws/94FHIZ92HjU/s1600-h/DSC_4409%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4409" border="0" alt="DSC_4409" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HlQ8ndhwBkQ/UGkbuqjxMaI/AAAAAAAA0w0/VLDiEtW2EGk/DSC_4409_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4y6I4ZjOB2w/UGkbv426owI/AAAAAAAA0w8/vub7N8OU7EY/s1600-h/DSC_4410%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4410" border="0" alt="DSC_4410" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B7oDVPEgfRE/UGkbxdhqotI/AAAAAAAA0xE/K4yHrm9Abxo/DSC_4410_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6vQLQC3MMRE/UGkbyqi-yCI/AAAAAAAA0xM/gejZ2CftpVg/s1600-h/DSC_4417%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4417" border="0" alt="DSC_4417" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FjDkirss7_w/UGkbz1HnEtI/AAAAAAAA0xU/n5g2zJGNpLM/DSC_4417_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="260"></a></p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oVXQq8MnPlc/UGkb1eWy5GI/AAAAAAAA0xc/Qpwzxpz1qI4/s1600-h/DSC_4415%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4415" border="0" alt="DSC_4415" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TvN2ZQEq6k8/UGkb2vfliXI/AAAAAAAA0xk/_JxHYt1Hh54/DSC_4415_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a><br clear="all"><br>A little ladybug friend decided to join us.<br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0vEOPUed_nU/UGkb3u38q4I/AAAAAAAA0xs/mvrXgK4m7wQ/s1600-h/DSC_4421%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4421" border="0" alt="DSC_4421" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uW-tpjQpGIA/UGkb44toZiI/AAAAAAAA0x0/20sPxK8wWpY/DSC_4421_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="233"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7Is3mpE4st8/UGkb6cl74GI/AAAAAAAA0x8/S-P0MV2bqDU/s1600-h/DSC_4422%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4422" border="0" alt="DSC_4422" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Je12pAp06pA/UGkb7nnXkxI/AAAAAAAA0yE/q_H5VPvnsBg/DSC_4422_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="228"></a><br clear="all"><br>Now time for some sheep shearing. It was this little guys first time being sheared. He was baaaa-ing like crazy, but we were reassured he was not being hurt. Just a bit scared of the noise and the fact that it tickles their skin a little bit. After a couple times of shearing the sheep will be more calm.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RqZIOSVA-ss/UGkb9E9IPVI/AAAAAAAA0yM/Fd_ahBNDBeI/s1600-h/DSC_4440%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4440" border="0" alt="DSC_4440" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gDkFbSLQrf8/UGkb_Cfo-pI/AAAAAAAA0yU/kEz_5FLdbzA/DSC_4440_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1KvsvVRZgzc/UGkcAXg1aZI/AAAAAAAA0yc/hINFOqOS9hk/s1600-h/DSC_4441%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4441" border="0" alt="DSC_4441" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-44-6DeLi318/UGkcBwS1ixI/AAAAAAAA0yk/PpVzdXPGJl8/DSC_4441_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A3TyVXgE3BA/UGkcDIqZtYI/AAAAAAAA0ys/LIsBaM5REYo/s1600-h/DSC_4529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4529" border="0" alt="DSC_4529" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UFem8yQ6cPU/UGkcEba4_5I/AAAAAAAA0y0/F2jGwS45z08/DSC_4529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Guess who’s next??</em></p> <p>Sweet moms and babies in the petting zoo!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_2kKU-ZTZDk/UGkcFsxcA3I/AAAAAAAA0y8/UYRLWiuZmC0/s1600-h/DSC_4438%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4438" border="0" alt="DSC_4438" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pj4EXEGa1Ao/UGkcG3q1ItI/AAAAAAAA0zE/xHCm9VyWqZQ/DSC_4438_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IAWlx1XBUSE/UGkcHzce09I/AAAAAAAA0zM/ARYs4vhb3p8/s1600-h/DSC_4442%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4442" border="0" alt="DSC_4442" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XpyrxOahGtw/UGkcJFwSGWI/AAAAAAAA0zU/T3ah9Br0AZ0/DSC_4442_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i0nxlSN6e1E/UGkcKE8pKVI/AAAAAAAA0zc/p_n3MVzkbgU/s1600-h/DSC_4445%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4445" border="0" alt="DSC_4445" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sViHc-9E84U/UGkcLlMWqLI/AAAAAAAA0zk/9SnnClOPtn8/DSC_4445_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cPDtFi00c7o/UGkcMsPVY8I/AAAAAAAA0zs/gQbVkvTH1Mc/s1600-h/DSC_4449%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4449" border="0" alt="DSC_4449" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u6mO8h8wbBE/UGkcONhuVDI/AAAAAAAA0z0/kMx4Vhrz59o/DSC_4449_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="330"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6TnX4neZkys/UGkcPGM2CwI/AAAAAAAA0z8/35cF0A0lrdU/s1600-h/DSC_4455%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4455" border="0" alt="DSC_4455" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JP8WVw9CrP8/UGkcQoP5VAI/AAAAAAAA00E/BZDb2yh-dgU/DSC_4455_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="330"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Let’s find our way through the mazes. Up first the hay maze.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y_6gW80h4CU/UGkcRk0ci-I/AAAAAAAA00M/MuUjQ1cov88/s1600-h/DSC_4458%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4458" border="0" alt="DSC_4458" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W1DpLqNCmCQ/UGkcSxOlTsI/AAAAAAAA00U/yGaafxLi7bU/DSC_4458_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GFGCwIs_bkU/UGkcTzjfK-I/AAAAAAAA00c/sAJYI-lbyV0/s1600-h/DSC_4459%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4459" border="0" alt="DSC_4459" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZoaOTUgu9i0/UGkcVF87pQI/AAAAAAAA00k/kh4zGesNA9Y/DSC_4459_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vhHhpp5GLzk/UGkcWal5EkI/AAAAAAAA00s/kUpeYoyah5M/s1600-h/DSC_4460%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4460" border="0" alt="DSC_4460" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-azVNFGBYmVc/UGkcXuUry-I/AAAAAAAA000/BXQ2bf5W8wM/DSC_4460_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_pl3R3kjGBM/UGkcZe4-7XI/AAAAAAAA008/tspJx6b-JoA/s1600-h/DSC_4461%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4461" border="0" alt="DSC_4461" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ph_g3BMT_U4/UGkcbcRz25I/AAAAAAAA01E/eLchftj_jGM/DSC_4461_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vuAvm5SJYL0/UGkccfydwfI/AAAAAAAA01M/JOJfXjQzlnQ/s1600-h/DSC_4462%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4462" border="0" alt="DSC_4462" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0Jt10cZjT3g/UGkcdhwl5KI/AAAAAAAA01U/BY5vD-MPpj8/DSC_4462_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-miUC-F8idPo/UGkcen6KcXI/AAAAAAAA01c/0hMiiGP6q28/s1600-h/DSC_4463%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4463" border="0" alt="DSC_4463" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--RWg6u5T7rI/UGkcf4SS_zI/AAAAAAAA01k/_fTob9nClOM/DSC_4463_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0s17ujTV49M/UGkche3xuiI/AAAAAAAA01s/-KFsWBAvoDY/s1600-h/DSC_4466%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4466" border="0" alt="DSC_4466" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o9WP5PFKViw/UGkciWw2XyI/AAAAAAAA010/yI0V9YsAfXw/DSC_4466_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U455LxbDWDw/UGkcjbUKdtI/AAAAAAAA018/MoX7f3EJMhU/s1600-h/DSC_4467%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4467" border="0" alt="DSC_4467" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z7n8yaRrsiU/UGkck9lJ7rI/AAAAAAAA02E/_mZNwTfoOmU/DSC_4467_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="704" height="466"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Success!</em></p> <p>Time for the wonderful corn maze. You really should take a look at the <a href="http://oldmcdonaldsfarm.net/" target="_blank">aerial view</a>. I just don’t know how they do it. We only made it through about 1/4 of the maze.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lZxhzfZI6qs/UGkcmASo2kI/AAAAAAAA02M/tqSrzvdeXsQ/s1600-h/DSC_4531%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4531" border="0" alt="DSC_4531" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HeXVj264xVQ/UGkcoHFlqCI/AAAAAAAA02U/2fDbD4D5XLc/DSC_4531_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZsFOHY0Z-mE/UGkcpDriz8I/AAAAAAAA02c/l8AQfjssAMs/s1600-h/DSC_4539%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4539" border="0" alt="DSC_4539" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5TYWqUQumUM/UGkcqkBkNBI/AAAAAAAA02k/PdSjkkeuzu0/DSC_4539_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vu-I4V80xII/UGkcrjITB0I/AAAAAAAA02s/QQb_QZLqQ3s/s1600-h/DSC_4540%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4540" border="0" alt="DSC_4540" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SO_lPXfGGkw/UGkcs9TZJpI/AAAAAAAA020/B-qExhCFNok/DSC_4540_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FYFnNLeVyaM/UGkcuP0Aj6I/AAAAAAAA028/aXY3oKVk-60/s1600-h/DSC_4541%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4541" border="0" alt="DSC_4541" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ja-cBTAR4wU/UGkcvtF2BwI/AAAAAAAA03E/aqP83nlhZqo/DSC_4541_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SwsxLmpJyaw/UGkcwseHJ7I/AAAAAAAA03M/AfPdKN-r0bg/s1600-h/DSC_4542%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4542" border="0" alt="DSC_4542" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--HbTza5XlgQ/UGkcyAjxeZI/AAAAAAAA03U/9L9Vf2rvfGM/DSC_4542_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fDjyosqloVU/UGkcz2rfldI/AAAAAAAA03c/ISPiFsU3wOo/s1600-h/DSC_4557%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4557" border="0" alt="DSC_4557" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NqzJDsTlkCk/UGkc0wqjqOI/AAAAAAAA03k/fmKuE1KhVVs/DSC_4557_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="347"></a></p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wMijMm-mTYk/UGkc2P30tSI/AAAAAAAA03s/XEKQEJAYa70/s1600-h/DSC_4537%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4537" border="0" alt="DSC_4537" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KINDEvz-Tdo/UGkc3M76RAI/AAAAAAAA030/MCUExkNC_1M/DSC_4537_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="333"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0JbnHw7-rAQ/UGkc4O6bXFI/AAAAAAAA038/Ksqjg2pPlSM/s1600-h/DSC_4538%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4538" border="0" alt="DSC_4538" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k1hsPmWYNBs/UGkc5iL_5YI/AAAAAAAA04E/DIPepqfyVIs/DSC_4538_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="480" height="333"></a> <br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ns-xl2jR0j0/UGkc6pmj9LI/AAAAAAAA04M/oymT2hFoH90/s1600-h/DSC_4555%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4555" border="0" alt="DSC_4555" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cytmd-CfKaQ/UGkc8IC4wDI/AAAAAAAA04U/8WvlO28xllE/DSC_4555_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="322"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3KcmiEnypCM/UGkc9ddRxfI/AAAAAAAA04c/pjCSEIM2KrU/s1600-h/DSC_4550%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4550" border="0" alt="DSC_4550" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l1UNaDtXYso/UGkc-VbWL7I/AAAAAAAA04k/XAMWL1D5XjY/DSC_4550_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" height="322"></a><br clear="all"> <p><br>A few more farm animals.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ES149zwq-1o/UGkc_aFjE7I/AAAAAAAA04s/76BQzwkcY0c/s1600-h/DSC_4566%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4566" border="0" alt="DSC_4566" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BlJhdqFiqDs/UGkdAnVBnlI/AAAAAAAA040/mU2n1q-2tqY/DSC_4566_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" height="322"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ciQKeRL0VN8/UGkdB4CelDI/AAAAAAAA048/kWW_5DdYFAw/s1600-h/DSC_4563%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4563" border="0" alt="DSC_4563" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UVyX_TeMpcI/UGkdC3sVEAI/AAAAAAAA05E/-HiWyZ69hmc/DSC_4563_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="486" height="322"></a><br clear="all"><br>Stayed tuned tomorrow for part 2. Pumpkin patch, slides and maybe another round through the hay maze.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ldZtgP4hTy0/UGkdEETgeBI/AAAAAAAA05M/j7R5dIXR-dM/s1600-h/DSC_4570%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_4570" border="0" alt="DSC_4570" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L2qrqxGCOXk/UGkdFNe8XGI/AAAAAAAA05U/h9LH8ILsVCw/DSC_4570_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-47621197519829302032012-09-17T22:57:00.000-04:002012-09-18T00:15:39.368-04:00Time Out for a Train Ride<p>Gosh, I was doing so well at blogging regularly. Then? Well then a whole darn week went by and now it’s the 17th. September is flying by folks!</p> <p>I wanted to take time out from the Hawaii pictures to post about a recent play date with Cupcake Girl. We took advantage of the recent <a href="http://www.tvrail.com/pages/railfest" target="_blank">Tennessee Valley Railfest</a>. This was the 51st Anniversary celebration of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. The Museum is the largest operating historical museum in the Southeast. We had the privilege of riding round-trip on a <em>21st Century Steam</em> engine from Grand Junction Station to Cleveland, Tennessee. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-azqXV76h-Eo/UFfxNJ1aR2I/AAAAAAAA0do/s05U1J40KcM/s1600-h/DSC_3925-2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3925-2" border="0" alt="DSC_3925-2" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kGt_UmBkOFE/UFfxOLwgqfI/AAAAAAAA0dw/VwNlfc8Fx8E/DSC_3925-2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a><br clear="all"><br>It was so cool hearing that steam engine whistle blowing and seeing the steam puffing out the smokestack. As we rounded a corner you could catch a glimpse of the engine pulling the passenger cars. It was hard to capture with the camera but awesome to look at!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--Xc7TLK_mac/UFfxPHotXKI/AAAAAAAA0d4/RrGC4kxni6M/s1600-h/DSC_3829%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3829" border="0" alt="DSC_3829" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gW0KgiHg8wc/UFfxP4LJsmI/AAAAAAAA0eA/hik54tDpuBE/DSC_3829_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>The view from the back was just as breathtaking. See the steam in the picture on the right?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VCQX0xaIKB4/UFfxQopuY3I/AAAAAAAA0eI/tYhu_Reb7P8/s1600-h/DSC_3810%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3810" border="0" alt="DSC_3810" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7zkQDZZLUBM/UFfxRdddqYI/AAAAAAAA0eQ/9Tiq6XUgSro/DSC_3810_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Wut6lPpA3w/UFfxSL9u6wI/AAAAAAAA0eY/DDj-yUd_-Jo/s1600-h/DSC_3815%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3815" border="0" alt="DSC_3815" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oBfs7oBWxfg/UFfxS_repDI/AAAAAAAA0eg/ojqLNUNARC8/DSC_3815_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><br clear="all"><br>I wandered around the train cars taking in all the little details. Crossing from car to car was a little intimidating at times, even though it was all enclosed. Yes, some of the crossings had openings. Crazy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Ed69EEd4vo/UFfxTjoYQpI/AAAAAAAA0eo/AX4Mi-OSLro/s1600-h/DSC_3848%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3848" border="0" alt="DSC_3848" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9R1PZm8PjJE/UFfxUbSeXQI/AAAAAAAA0ew/OLCM_lkKuSA/DSC_3848_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ddNNVCRB_lU/UFfxVLy6OLI/AAAAAAAA0e4/moJfO-qIEMU/s1600-h/DSC_3854%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3854" border="0" alt="DSC_3854" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bf0B6TghJZg/UFfxV7nsXGI/AAAAAAAA0fA/2xcxDS1ahIg/DSC_3854_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QWzJMRbRS4o/UFfxW1OAovI/AAAAAAAA0fI/6s53WxhJuXA/s1600-h/DSC_3841%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3841" border="0" alt="DSC_3841" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zKChaLLE-cE/UFfxXhem6nI/AAAAAAAA0fQ/rftRvuPNQgE/DSC_3841_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dnqFcz8HXjI/UFfxYYnPa_I/AAAAAAAA0fY/3f00e7BtXRE/s1600-h/DSC_3844%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3844" border="0" alt="DSC_3844" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aUdDbAh4TIE/UFfxZU460RI/AAAAAAAA0fg/VxU0HmjEngA/DSC_3844_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C4__OknoNOA/UFfxaDzjMMI/AAAAAAAA0fo/GS6mAml2n_w/s1600-h/DSC_3847%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3847" border="0" alt="DSC_3847" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lnCK4mDbw_M/UFfxbq5N5tI/AAAAAAAA0fw/RlF7ql2IjGg/DSC_3847_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M9YRnniEdDg/UFfxcWjjsvI/AAAAAAAA0f4/_ailjzHCj2w/s1600-h/DSC_3850%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3850" border="0" alt="DSC_3850" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gD00tOr8VLk/UFfxdIk_hmI/AAAAAAAA0gA/KwWe_6Yp6Fc/DSC_3850_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>I was amazed to find out that the former “kitchen car” actually housed military personnel. I’m sure there would be some great stories about this car.</p> <p>A couple of times we crossed paths with a freight train. Golly trains sure pass close to each other. I absolutely love the graffiti on trains. I realize that I don’t know the meaning behind some of the graffiti and may not want to know, but I do think it is beautiful art. Compiling a Graffiti Train book is on my photography bucket list. I’m sure it’s probably already been done, but I would still love to create one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gdmj7BmsoCk/UFfxd9aVruI/AAAAAAAA0gI/5XUVmQNJqMk/s1600-h/DSC_3893%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3893" border="0" alt="DSC_3893" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aOpWdHe-Ads/UFfxe4jDgHI/AAAAAAAA0gQ/Wizz7BNIBpU/DSC_3893_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SVbOXTHX6ZY/UFfxftpVWnI/AAAAAAAA0gY/UKwWrcLX4ro/s1600-h/DSC_3898%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3898" border="0" alt="DSC_3898" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vpbda1FzPS8/UFfxgRh7guI/AAAAAAAA0gg/2s0rYqciykA/DSC_3898_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dTLf3GUBc-A/UFfxg41bxoI/AAAAAAAA0go/7vkePBG2yK0/s1600-h/DSC_3899%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3899" border="0" alt="DSC_3899" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PRdZxyK1zxA/UFfxh1JQ5FI/AAAAAAAA0gw/ri3_mUcofs4/DSC_3899_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MKZ_VYB50c0/UFfximbogcI/AAAAAAAA0g4/ODkLxKOIcy4/s1600-h/DSC_3900%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3900" border="0" alt="DSC_3900" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R_uA3R0h5iY/UFfxjVze5_I/AAAAAAAA0hA/mRa6Vk1Dpvc/DSC_3900_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>The happenings inside the train were quiet and relaxing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SekJlKTUjwU/UFfxkfL1hoI/AAAAAAAA0hI/u2t0eDak4L8/s1600-h/DSC_3913%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3913" border="0" alt="DSC_3913" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QEna6_swOkU/UFfxlDHnxkI/AAAAAAAA0hQ/mr0sldz1X8s/DSC_3913_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lHD9Q8meFtQ/UFfxmD_D0AI/AAAAAAAA0hY/FeA6eEJWyYg/s1600-h/DSC_3824%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 2px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3824" border="0" alt="DSC_3824" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-752COuQBPnU/UFfxmuJJh0I/AAAAAAAA0hg/KATD6NG8X4U/DSC_3824_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4SI3Q1MvBFo/UFfxnb2WE-I/AAAAAAAA0ho/LQ8InVu-U78/s1600-h/DSC_3915%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 2px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3915" border="0" alt="DSC_3915" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rZNFPUFGLco/UFfxoGbLtmI/AAAAAAAA0hw/4wDoD-OJraY/DSC_3915_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="232"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>And a little funny too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-27dfvKcHxWw/UFfxo5G6sMI/AAAAAAAA0h4/5zUJFbsz2DE/s1600-h/DSC_3870%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3870" border="0" alt="DSC_3870" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YgpaKJ2JWP0/UFfxpp6P0uI/AAAAAAAA0iA/KUbB5AWRFGM/DSC_3870_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="514"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LAY1yn_OuPA/UFfxqcM0dqI/AAAAAAAA0iI/OqSCcQM3uOY/s1600-h/DSC_3872%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3872" border="0" alt="DSC_3872" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SV0chsy7q9A/UFfxrrz4HdI/AAAAAAAA0iQ/EU3qRRITDWY/DSC_3872_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="250"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7wfzg1WmR_8/UFfxsVqTZYI/AAAAAAAA0iY/xSwgCjlZPn4/s1600-h/DSC_3874%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3874" border="0" alt="DSC_3874" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oz_gUybm8ug/UFfxtClv6hI/AAAAAAAA0ig/_GbQcYcaOKE/DSC_3874_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="250"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J4bp9UG7ffY/UFfxt-W25UI/AAAAAAAA0io/BLPZ77z2FLI/s1600-h/DSC_3876%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 2px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3876" border="0" alt="DSC_3876" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MYcCNnoyjqI/UFfxubSpJoI/AAAAAAAA0iw/N2NpfLnIlvE/DSC_3876_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a><br clear="all"><em>I believe she was impersonating her Aunt Reb here. Not sure why. Just was.</em></p> <p><em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8S8nEuONJq8/UFfxvsCML8I/AAAAAAAA0i4/mg-_COjaqy8/s1600-h/DSC_3877%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3877" border="0" alt="DSC_3877" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lqqY0dEQba8/UFfxwSbu7fI/AAAAAAAA0jA/sFYg_KpDC8E/DSC_3877_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="264"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-euTOI_PI0fk/UFfxw4ijhnI/AAAAAAAA0jI/iARZcsME7MY/s1600-h/DSC_3878%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3878" border="0" alt="DSC_3878" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-byRuUOGlvN4/UFfxxqxg6QI/AAAAAAAA0jQ/X0obqjQlBlk/DSC_3878_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="264"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ota96Nib1ac/UFfxydywDoI/AAAAAAAA0jY/V8YIW2T0ed0/s1600-h/DSC_3882%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3882" border="0" alt="DSC_3882" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fTTL-APgQ84/UFfxzGHdQFI/AAAAAAAA0jg/ZCZvvj8L1bk/DSC_3882_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="264"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I5AQ3HAOjKY/UFfxz3JbAvI/AAAAAAAA0jo/GJXkp7zgJgM/s1600-h/DSC_3884%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 2px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3884" border="0" alt="DSC_3884" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5JO9i75EZaU/UFfx0oxW-8I/AAAAAAAA0jw/Wr0C5zRTuPo/DSC_3884_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="264"></a></em></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>One of the interesting things about this little train trip were the <em>train chasers</em>. I believe there are not many running steam engines around, so when there is an event, folks come from all over. The festival was a two day event and the steam engine ran twice daily. Folks would map out the route then go from crossing to crossing or any good stopping point in order to get a picture. There were some folks that just camped out at certain points. We saw lots of chasers!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kRQrKrxZOII/UFfx1uKaBqI/AAAAAAAA0j4/H4lHvjRZULY/s1600-h/DSC_3923%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3923" border="0" alt="DSC_3923" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-INbmrDKhWJ0/UFfx2cYUXpI/AAAAAAAA0kA/3Z2zTINPcw0/DSC_3923_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a><br clear="all"><em>It was difficult to take pictures of them taking pictures of us because we were moving so fast.<br clear="all"></em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XQMf4zd8NLo/UFfx27SZl0I/AAAAAAAA0kI/PoDLGmAh9Dg/s1600-h/DSC_3864%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3864" border="0" alt="DSC_3864" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KF1VzTmZJzI/UFfx3k9oeVI/AAAAAAAA0kQ/AZhRSDFZ0WQ/DSC_3864_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="497"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mf_SCEWuxNM/UFfx4dZqPSI/AAAAAAAA0kY/0VqjZQmeW74/s1600-h/DSC_3909%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3909" border="0" alt="DSC_3909" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VYasoARU4Ho/UFfx5BUzuRI/AAAAAAAA0kg/C09wBjlxGXw/DSC_3909_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="242"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xzELcBsQ_Ns/UFfx5_xkW6I/AAAAAAAA0ko/-6BT3ofXGlk/s1600-h/DSC_3912%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px 0px 0px 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3912" border="0" alt="DSC_3912" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B80bdz9m6eg/UFfx6s-8yXI/AAAAAAAA0kw/jzCXuBiuWtc/DSC_3912_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="242"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ejijDdo1prA/UFfx7du_T8I/AAAAAAAA0k4/iqpcYlvI9_4/s1600-h/DSC_3800-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3800-2" border="0" alt="DSC_3800-2" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v_9uBdFMRnQ/UFfx8Px59AI/AAAAAAAA0lA/CDBW6AkAXFk/DSC_3800-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PZcUYrWnW-g/UFfx89Ug_DI/AAAAAAAA0lI/HHwoTG-ID4k/s1600-h/DSC_3903%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3903" border="0" alt="DSC_3903" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fadNNFrys_s/UFfx9qUe0sI/AAAAAAAA0lQ/oQOc1uVa1BQ/DSC_3903_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><br clear="all"><br>After the ride, there were a few things at the railroad museum for kids to do. Cupcake sure had fun!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wQ5DWZYVM8g/UFfx-sdCGjI/AAAAAAAA0lY/9ZOGdEr9E8c/s1600-h/DSC_3933%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3933" border="0" alt="DSC_3933" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7bBYbAaVaFA/UFfx_cXr0YI/AAAAAAAA0lg/iAxV-R-_wjc/DSC_3933_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="497"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eyxRB4qU8h0/UFfyALJgEDI/AAAAAAAA0lo/v5-VPso15XE/s1600-h/DSC_3934%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3934" border="0" alt="DSC_3934" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kNVy_3aJOz8/UFfyA00m1GI/AAAAAAAA0lw/3eeMRK8UKe8/DSC_3934_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="242"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RLDrBZtg8As/UFfyBqDP7DI/AAAAAAAA0l4/7Mn8K3qRmCI/s1600-h/DSC_3937%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3937" border="0" alt="DSC_3937" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cODubIvbpLI/UFfyCgPK4cI/AAAAAAAA0mA/buic1nVEaDw/DSC_3937_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="242"></a><br clear="all"><br clear="all">What a great place to spend a few hours!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EbcMFtC8cuw/UFfyDUY0TdI/AAAAAAAA0mI/fr62iZOZCuQ/s1600-h/DSC_3941%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3941" border="0" alt="DSC_3941" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-deuO5U8nyKQ/UFfyEolTtII/AAAAAAAA0mQ/EaQxcKePpwQ/DSC_3941_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hnXNahBDhcE/UFfyFU8ghQI/AAAAAAAA0mY/k_NJHttGnBs/s1600-h/DSC_3852%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3852" border="0" alt="DSC_3852" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q3lSMTAKqgg/UFfyGLlYyyI/AAAAAAAA0mg/bfr51x_Rlcw/DSC_3852_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kVyj-UH8Be0/UFfyG0n31YI/AAAAAAAA0mo/YmTX-5OMUPM/s1600-h/DSC_3920%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3920" border="0" alt="DSC_3920" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7SVLVGp14So/UFfyHrLO03I/AAAAAAAA0mw/ahx6yXliO84/DSC_3920_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="528"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QoNgDpAqjQ4/UFfyIeovoYI/AAAAAAAA0m4/fXfkZlXPfn0/s1600-h/DSC_3942%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3942" border="0" alt="DSC_3942" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mcxmSHCn_EA/UFfyJEwonyI/AAAAAAAA0nA/w-ytiA0eOd8/DSC_3942_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="470"></a><br clear="all"></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-9612868570834411462012-09-06T22:24:00.000-04:002012-09-07T10:23:29.262-04:00Natalie<p>Sometime during the early summer of 2009 I was browsing the blogosphere. One particular night I came across 3 blogs. Photography blogs. As strange as it may sound, I started a relationship with these blogs. I started following them. </p> <p>One of the blogs was a photographer in Hawaii. I found her by Googling or Yahooing or something of the sort. I discovered <a href="http://natalienortonblog.com/" target="_blank">Natalie Norton</a>. This is Natalie’s <a href="http://www.natalienortonphoto.com/" target="_blank">old blog</a>, the one I was originally taken with, but her new blog and information can be found <a href="http://natalienortonblog.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p> <p>I remember thinking that night, <em>wouldn’t it be awesome to have her photograph the two of us or all of us or some of us</em>? See, even in 2009 I was planning a future family trip. Following our summer 2010 trip to Maui, I began planning for the summer of 2012 and I knew in my heart I wanted Natalie to be a part of this event. I loved her style. Her photography spoke to me. It spoke to my heart. I admired her artful eye and knew she could capture us beautifully. I always kept her in my thoughts, but in the summer of 2011 I was crushed. You see, Natalie lived on Oahu but was moving to Arizona. Moving! I was so disappointed.</p> <p>I didn’t think there would be any chance that Natalie would journey to Maui or that we could even afford it if she could. As the planning continued, I searched other photographers on Maui and even some on the other islands. As I searched, nothing compared. Sure, other photographers were good, with pretty pictures, and some were even amazing. They just weren’t Natalie. As 2011 was ending I knew I needed to get serious or just forget it. Finally, toward the end of January, I thought, what the heck. Just email her and see. See if there is a possibility. See if it fits the budget. Just see.</p> <p>I did. She gave me information and said she may be going back to Oahu during the summer and it just might work. As things progressed in the planning, a travel agent helped me with all of our flight arrangements and lo and behold, she was able to save me mega bucks versus me booking everything myself. Really? It was like finding money in the sofa or your pockets just when you need something. It was joy! I contacted Natalie and booked her. That was in March. Only 4 months prior to our trip. This doesn’t happen folks, this just doesn’t always happen this way. </p> <p>Finally everything was in place. Everything was planned. Everything was happening! On Thursday, July 12, day 6 of our trip, we finally met. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was. As she drove up I ran, yes, I ran, to meet her in the driveway of the house. We hugged. We talked. We laughed. As we made our way into the house, she met Cupcake Girl first, in her undies I might add. Cupcake, not Natalie! She made the rounds and met the rest of the BBB (Blended Brady Bunch). Then Natalie poured out her sweet love and started the magic. It was truly wonderful. I watched her when I could and tried to learn. Learn her secret to getting that beautiful smile or that sweet look. Learn how to coax out the inner child we all have inside. She was amazing! A few weeks after our trip a sweet little package came in the mail. Natalie provided us with a little over 150 photographs and there is absolutely no way I could even begin to pick a few favorites. They are <em>all </em>my favorites! </p> <p>Natalie captured ALL of us beautifully. The beauty as Beanie holds her round belly. A belly that holds her little baby girl. The love in Trone’s eyes as he looks at Beanie and embraces her. The admiration and loving playfulness shown between Reb and Josh. They have such beautiful smiles and contagious laughs! I see my baby, Kayla, all grown up. Photographs will do that, you know? All 23 years of her rolled up into a lovely young woman. Her pretty eyes and bright smile light up my heart. As I look at Traci I see the woman, the wife and the mom that she has become. Her inner beauty has evolved and matured as her life has evolved and matured. Her beautiful blue eyes are filled with joy as she looks at her sweet husband, Zak and their adorable daughter, Cupcake Girl. When I look at Zak’s photographs I see so much love and devotion for his girls. He adores them! When you see the photographs of Cupcake Girl, well, you will see her as I see her. The gentle side of her and the silly side of her. Her love for each of us has no limit and you see it in her eyes. You see it in the way she touches and embraces. As for my sweet husband, The Captain, there is so much joy in his eyes and in his sweet smile. He way he grins when he is in the presence of his girls and their husbands. The way he embraces them with so much love, affection and admiration. He is so proud of them. He is proud of all of us and loves each of us. I see the spark in his eyes when Cupcake Girl holds his hand or gives him a kiss. I can almost hear his heart bursting with joy when she smiles at him or laughs at his silliness. I have immense love for this man and am so grateful he has an abounding love to share with all of us. I adore him endlessly.</p> <p>And finally a personal note to Natalie. <em>I am so grateful to you Natalie. You shared your gift and your passion with us. You made us laugh, feel at ease and again, you captured us beautifully. Thank you for sharing you time and thank you for sharing a little bit of yourself with me. I will always treasure those few moments we had together, sitting in the grass under the West Maui Mountains, talking and sharing. Thank you for loving what you do and your willingness to share it with others, especially us.</em></p> <p>Enjoy this little glimpse of us, courtesy of <a href="http://natalienortonblog.com/" target="_blank">Natalie</a>.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 410px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:f0a25c76-b9ba-44ad-b4fb-6c4a6c1fc531" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:410px;border-collapse:collapse;'><tbody><tr><td style='margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;width:auto'><a style="outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;" target="_blank" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=007117e35d78df6c&page=play&resid=7117E35D78DF6C!348&type=5&authkey=!AB5vMwdA4nrgTLs&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" alt="View album" title="View album" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LFgnuWGDFGc/UEoDX1sR8fI/AAAAAAAA0Nc/0NYNfqmmn78/Maui%2525202012%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style='width:410px;text-align:center;overflow:visible;padding:0px;margin:0px;'> <div style='width:410px;overflow:visible;'><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=007117e35d78df6c&page=browse&resid=7117E35D78DF6C!348&type=5&authkey=!AB5vMwdA4nrgTLs&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:1.26em;padding:0px;width:410px;font-size:26pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" defaultText="Enter album name here">Maui 2012</span></a></div> <div style="text-align:center;padding:9px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;"> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style="text-align:center;width:auto;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;border-collapse:collapse;"> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 12px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=007117e35d78df6c&page=play&resid=7117E35D78DF6C!348&type=5&authkey=!AB5vMwdA4nrgTLs&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">VIEW SLIDE SHOW</a></td> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 0px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=007117e35d78df6c&page=downloadphotos&resid=7117E35D78DF6C!348&type=5&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AB5vMwdA4nrgTLs" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">DOWNLOAD ALL</a></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p>P.S. Special thanks to my little BBB. I particularly love our “attitude” photo. You know the one! Thanks for letting me do that!</p> <p><strong><em>All photographs posted with permission from Natalie Norton. All images are copyright protected by the individual photographer and owner of this blog. DO NOT use images for commercial purposes. </em></strong><strong><em>Images may not be copied, printed or otherwise disseminated without express written permission.</em></strong></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-47547748407994188622012-09-05T22:40:00.001-04:002012-09-05T22:48:51.420-04:00Day 6 | Favorites<p>We were closing out our time on Maui and I made plans for a photographer to come and take family pictures at the house. I didn’t pick up my camera(s) very often that particular day, but here are a few of my favorites.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7c3WKuL9Ye8/UEgMuvxM7MI/AAAAAAAA0G4/z9GtnOCSJBY/s1600-h/IMG_2573%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2573" border="0" alt="IMG_2573" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PG28VIYGsXw/UEgMvBb-cxI/AAAAAAAA0HA/3StAhea0LEs/IMG_2573_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="526"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qmRofEfOcS4/UEgMwCSTRII/AAAAAAAA0HI/6LhSH7j6fts/s1600-h/IMG_2575%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2575" border="0" alt="IMG_2575" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vQ1Kcbo_0qk/UEgMxVImH0I/AAAAAAAA0HQ/klZTP3Sb-0M/IMG_2575_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oajOGGe0iMc/UEgMyOl8cpI/AAAAAAAA0HY/4c9in-I_ECY/s1600-h/IMG_2576%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 1px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2576" border="0" alt="IMG_2576" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GqJ4wy9VcOw/UEgMzKlYCyI/AAAAAAAA0Hg/izeEjhQxWmY/IMG_2576_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="260"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eKvOUMUhfcM/UEgMzx97HJI/AAAAAAAA0Ho/xZRCIOzfouI/s1600-h/IMG_2577%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2577" border="0" alt="IMG_2577" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8aosz_OpZlA/UEgM0hTvKoI/AAAAAAAA0Hw/qVdxIOJn8lM/IMG_2577_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PA478Gb4udY/UEgM1Xuo4PI/AAAAAAAA0H4/C1inVtLXUZE/s1600-h/IMG_2578%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2578" border="0" alt="IMG_2578" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jknf0mpPaD4/UEgM10Lw3BI/AAAAAAAA0IA/Nf8Euo-HLKU/IMG_2578_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Someone finally got the hang of jumping off the side!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KTl4efBIylo/UEgM2qjhoEI/AAAAAAAA0II/PPRC3yiFuB0/s1600-h/IMG_2599%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2599" border="0" alt="IMG_2599" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-icsaa9wKx9U/UEgM3cHtpFI/AAAAAAAA0IQ/Pv7qeaCATqk/IMG_2599_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jh3UFkhcTHk/UEgM4C-WYvI/AAAAAAAA0IY/VRyzm3C4LXk/s1600-h/IMG_2600%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2600" border="0" alt="IMG_2600" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VvB4CbGHkSw/UEgM48qbATI/AAAAAAAA0Ig/4PGERFuYmiE/IMG_2600_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Each of the 4 bedrooms and the media room/our bedroom had outdoor showers. I totally loved these outdoor showers and believe me, if I lived in Hawaii, I would have one! </em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZBObR8fwY_s/UEgM5lLNRQI/AAAAAAAA0Io/u6RCC-Jej8E/s1600-h/DSC_2950%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2950" border="0" alt="DSC_2950" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qeLYMu1WvyA/UEgM6F9rJPI/AAAAAAAA0Iw/5-uc4RMtzhg/DSC_2950_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="550"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7bJ13ZxYIps/UEgM60UXbRI/AAAAAAAA0I4/GWyg17tFntU/s1600-h/DSC_2949%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2949" border="0" alt="DSC_2949" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KbE7-Ahc480/UEgM7vVKdcI/AAAAAAAA0JA/lHqma4_nfOo/DSC_2949_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="550"></a><br clear="all"><em>While our amazing photographer was shooting on the front lawn, I was sneaking a few of my own. Then I turned my camera on these two…</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yqSQ84MRmx4/UEgM8NDOMvI/AAAAAAAA0JI/xGxZl85oa10/s1600-h/DSC_2938%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2938" border="0" alt="DSC_2938" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uU07yR5gqqo/UEgM87ahc4I/AAAAAAAA0JQ/YLuJgd0fHuc/DSC_2938_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="359"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6-oWT7hj9b8/UEgM9hxu9KI/AAAAAAAA0JY/4-zQL2jQytE/s1600-h/DSC_2939%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2939" border="0" alt="DSC_2939" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_hxIwwW5IeE/UEgM-Z09tCI/AAAAAAAA0Jg/WnkKtQTW3vc/DSC_2939_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="359"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DPsjuDQsDEw/UEgM-1ASS-I/AAAAAAAA0Jo/L9nIMawSksY/s1600-h/DSC_2940%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2940" border="0" alt="DSC_2940" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SREkbV8lHnU/UEgM_sAxwbI/AAAAAAAA0Jw/1dL5dBTR42A/DSC_2940_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="359"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eRjbQKAQbo8/UEgNAuU4s5I/AAAAAAAA0J4/M7bUIkHvvxQ/s1600-h/DSC_2944%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2944" border="0" alt="DSC_2944" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HxBycXm7UQY/UEgNBJjO-lI/AAAAAAAA0KA/NrKfXJJQ2ms/DSC_2944_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="359"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xl6RPsSIOd8/UEgNB_H62hI/AAAAAAAA0KI/hPEWzff8X6g/s1600-h/DSC_2945%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2945" border="0" alt="DSC_2945" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3TBLzQeyu1o/UEgNCgxB1aI/AAAAAAAA0KQ/hFxpSJSdMNM/DSC_2945_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="359"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0Ls3RLThWE0/UEgNDeUo84I/AAAAAAAA0KY/ptkCs_LZF5Y/s1600-h/DSC_2946%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2946" border="0" alt="DSC_2946" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rQSKtYWAWa8/UEgNECriaAI/AAAAAAAA0Kg/sHk5mqMZjnw/DSC_2946_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="359"></a><br clear="all"><em>Thanks girls!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l5o4mgE5tJU/UEgNEjvxI6I/AAAAAAAA0Ko/rv_NBFzerjg/s1600-h/DSC_2929%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2929" border="0" alt="DSC_2929" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WK7pXiYnMzU/UEgNFqLEp8I/AAAAAAAA0Kw/XiQ7A4BMpsE/DSC_2929_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="543"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M_yuqWmTWaE/UEgNGcrx8II/AAAAAAAA0K4/wJo5prH0zXc/s1600-h/DSC_2936%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2936" border="0" alt="DSC_2936" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f8BTsFQJILE/UEgNHPwQjrI/AAAAAAAA0LA/8Z1UCcLmKl4/DSC_2936_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="543"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><em>And finally, I sneaked a few of our precious photographer. Tomorrow I’ll introduce her, so come back!</em></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-85850879579100290792012-09-04T00:27:00.000-04:002012-09-05T00:36:58.976-04:00Day 5 | Favorites<p>Oh my, this was a difficult day to pick favorites. Actually, there are far more favorites than posted here, but I didn’t want to make this post 3 pages long folks! So let’s start…</p> <p>I’ll forgo the obligatory sunrise pictures, ’cause it just wasn’t up to par. So on to our trip into <a href="http://www.gohawaii.com/maui/regions-neighborhoods/west-maui/lahaina" target="_blank">Lahaina</a>. One of my favorite towns on Maui! It was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom and was also a major whaling village. The little town has so much character. During past Maui visits I try to make an early morning start there and I like to begin with breakfast at <a href="http://www.cheeseburgerland.com/Cheeseburgerland/Landing_Page.html" target="_blank">Cheeseburger in Paradise</a>. Love this little place and couldn’t wait to take my girls.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v3tLov9Lrpo/UEbU1ghHFKI/AAAAAAAAz68/p2Lm9dSrWc8/s1600-h/IMG_5842%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5842" border="0" alt="IMG_5842" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Edd40hSbyrA/UEbU2dN5OCI/AAAAAAAAz7E/_Cvs5rHZSpA/IMG_5842_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="382" height="531"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eUXdVMKyspY/UEbU3axOctI/AAAAAAAAz7M/3UO2DACyAaI/s1600-h/IMG_5845%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5845" border="0" alt="IMG_5845" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yp4HhVXD6AI/UEbU32gIcWI/AAAAAAAAz7U/_Yp-IEnKEXM/IMG_5845_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="254"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h0TDqwOMd1Y/UEbU48b4vOI/AAAAAAAAz7c/-Tb0IsXh214/s1600-h/IMG_5846%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 6px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5846" border="0" alt="IMG_5846" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZxOZFUsPvco/UEbU5lUorvI/AAAAAAAAz7k/krPiF1-_b2E/IMG_5846_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="264"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-risgoxNAeUA/UEbU6jh8unI/AAAAAAAAz7s/vVjtvw4kOwA/s1600-h/IMG_2561%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2561" border="0" alt="IMG_2561" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w5Y8FrwsFBo/UEbU7R3f2MI/AAAAAAAAz70/fkwxByHnyQU/IMG_2561_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="718" height="553"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lmT2g7Td9Jg/UEbU8TMwNgI/AAAAAAAAz78/pQusRksXjxA/s1600-h/IMG_5836%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5836" border="0" alt="IMG_5836" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Tw1N9-h9qmY/UEbU83eBojI/AAAAAAAAz8E/TegPoVpdAfk/IMG_5836_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="275"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UXij39jZwHk/UEbU9mH3oOI/AAAAAAAAz8M/3RsopmJoIsI/s1600-h/IMG_5843%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5843" border="0" alt="IMG_5843" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iGlkw18Wqyc/UEbU-eDKgpI/AAAAAAAAz8U/B7X3P5BFwuU/IMG_5843_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="275"></a><br clear="all"><br>Apologies to my younger daughter…<em>I didn’t get a picture of you, just your food. Your plate looked delicious!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Klq2ZQphxxo/UEbU-6yeWdI/AAAAAAAAz8c/E786EIxI5fk/s1600-h/IMG_5847%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5847" border="0" alt="IMG_5847" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4f2_PBQXJmc/UEbU_hTyH-I/AAAAAAAAz8k/3l_9gjg5APs/IMG_5847_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="483"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oVeYI8bYSds/UEbVAcd2O5I/AAAAAAAAz8s/u_qg2fZbJJc/s1600-h/IMG_2562%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2562" border="0" alt="IMG_2562" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9i7RD1WTTj8/UEbVBR36JQI/AAAAAAAAz80/OwmgbW4nByM/IMG_2562_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="483"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Cupcake Girl had fun picking out an oyster that had a pearl inside.<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zy29f6HNJB0/UEbVB3PNr4I/AAAAAAAAz88/WVSrICc3rQg/s1600-h/IMG_5854%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5854" border="0" alt="IMG_5854" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g6F4kpzYIO8/UEbVC0FscXI/AAAAAAAAz9E/iIz9nwtAxto/IMG_5854_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="473"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XmL1dYisrlM/UEbVDqQR-_I/AAAAAAAAz9M/W-lXcolmsC4/s1600-h/IMG_5861%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5861" border="0" alt="IMG_5861" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LNOyzE5GKjA/UEbVEAxgOJI/AAAAAAAAz9U/_rTAmU0GR7Y/IMG_5861_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="473"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nYPTfp9ZSb4/UEbVEx6pf5I/AAAAAAAAz9c/HZ_-ZTSZQg8/s1600-h/IMG_5868%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5868" border="0" alt="IMG_5868" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yZb6-1sjmOU/UEbVFuMrDHI/AAAAAAAAz9k/I66_yKcExe4/IMG_5868_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="551"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MGEu8qzzWck/UEbVGRmLZVI/AAAAAAAAz9s/E3VUNsUnntA/s1600-h/IMG_5872%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5872" border="0" alt="IMG_5872" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QaMxvDEbyxs/UEbVHFc3aHI/AAAAAAAAz90/KV52sRe-1iE/IMG_5872_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="266"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qhLVV3u50lU/UEbVHxDWNwI/AAAAAAAAz98/QiRnezFs4bc/s1600-h/IMG_5878%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5878" border="0" alt="IMG_5878" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n9oq4ao2XJA/UEbVI_pSbMI/AAAAAAAAz-E/N1YcZx_bpEI/IMG_5878_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="266"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Around town.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NfU-Le63YFs/UEbVJs8bD8I/AAAAAAAAz-M/w8EA6lOn0JE/s1600-h/IMG_5887%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5887" border="0" alt="IMG_5887" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MLQ113xmXn0/UEbVKTBCCsI/AAAAAAAAz-U/mNM6lJD5ypM/IMG_5887_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="473"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MSRqmMgbCaQ/UEbVLD7qfaI/AAAAAAAAz-c/-WU5nSKS8sw/s1600-h/IMG_5901%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5901" border="0" alt="IMG_5901" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KtXio1_eNvg/UEbVL5X7xoI/AAAAAAAAz-k/acUFeiafcq4/IMG_5901_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="473"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-97G1NHUREdk/UEbVMuO_FII/AAAAAAAAz-s/Yn1g5FKFhZs/s1600-h/IMG_5914%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5914" border="0" alt="IMG_5914" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-79YknrcgxtM/UEbVNXTDdFI/AAAAAAAAz-0/u0lTV1mHWoY/IMG_5914_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="536"></a><br clear="all"><em>This is the guys returning from their fishing expedition. They left our house at 1:00 am and returned at 1:00 pm. My hat is off to them. It wasn’t an easy trip but I do think it was well worth it. Proud of these guys, even the one that had a very unsettled stomach, but stuck it out. Way to go Josh! And the fish was awesome that night! We didn’t have ALL of them, just a few. </em></p> <p>On to the swim-fest!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-unRi7XDlRTU/UEbVN9hKNAI/AAAAAAAAz-8/cLB33Yhqfq4/s1600-h/DSC_2832%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2832" border="0" alt="DSC_2832" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0WFXaRF0j20/UEbVO6FIhHI/AAAAAAAAz_E/Bv06_H3o49Q/DSC_2832_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="536"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xIcY7BKfkcs/UEbVPkY_iiI/AAAAAAAAz_M/rgThn0Lehbs/s1600-h/DSC_2833%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2833" border="0" alt="DSC_2833" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3OYcNpjJVEE/UEbVQYWFibI/AAAAAAAAz_U/5CTX0Mk8GjA/DSC_2833_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="536"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9pP-wU5I5PI/UEbVQ2fj-II/AAAAAAAAz_c/SK6xKcd8dk8/s1600-h/DSC_2838%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2838" border="0" alt="DSC_2838" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m-UY778PlrI/UEbVRs-Ye_I/AAAAAAAAz_k/MSXp0TGjRbA/DSC_2838_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="235"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IO2ZA4a80zs/UEbVSRQ494I/AAAAAAAAz_s/sODNaf5cxUQ/s1600-h/DSC_2840%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2840" border="0" alt="DSC_2840" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hUmH62hLN7A/UEbVTJ9aGPI/AAAAAAAAz_0/3q539PiSbYg/DSC_2840_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="235"></a></p> <br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rwi8SlTOWiY/UEbVT-sWSEI/AAAAAAAAz_8/HnjtpvypAQw/s1600-h/DSC_2834%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2834" border="0" alt="DSC_2834" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rD7PSN4Zves/UEbVUnT682I/AAAAAAAA0AE/P581qbmh5KU/DSC_2834_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="357"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qh4_Oju_4f8/UEbVVa3KapI/AAAAAAAA0AM/_0VhqJ3TCCs/s1600-h/DSC_2844%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2844" border="0" alt="DSC_2844" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I3sENJr7EP8/UEbVWbIPDNI/AAAAAAAA0AU/2wCsZbKCzs8/DSC_2844_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="357"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FUC5AA6vhEc/UEbVXBthGJI/AAAAAAAA0Ac/6sYsNwsHRkA/s1600-h/DSC_2845%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2845" border="0" alt="DSC_2845" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rj6SRE98fiY/UEbVYLh4W2I/AAAAAAAA0Ak/mfOX31AYX8Y/DSC_2845_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="237" height="357"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_x1Kt5H7KCo/UEbVY5P2gfI/AAAAAAAA0As/3biCB7xJufY/s1600-h/DSC_2841%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2841" border="0" alt="DSC_2841" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9bXyOqAh5rw/UEbVZ6p52kI/AAAAAAAA0A0/ayriDBLtqxo/DSC_2841_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PCwrKJQs9Ms/UEbVaTrCHcI/AAAAAAAA0A8/DknNAu13qy4/s1600-h/DSC_2841-2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2841-2" border="0" alt="DSC_2841-2" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SccZkp_MMlY/UEbVbLyvEiI/AAAAAAAA0BE/IythvT2rca8/DSC_2841-2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CokzLDrVwK0/UEbVb8EdVPI/AAAAAAAA0BM/aom_Dd19DbE/s1600-h/DSC_2847%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2847" border="0" alt="DSC_2847" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--0y64z8D3Xo/UEbVcxqLbOI/AAAAAAAA0BU/JcpUIeiJhFM/DSC_2847_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="235"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-37ZzrsjRGZc/UEbVdZ08AwI/AAAAAAAA0Bc/uat2kPBDoV8/s1600-h/DSC_2850%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2850" border="0" alt="DSC_2850" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AzC6CC56rNg/UEbVefvdjiI/AAAAAAAA0Bk/_0g3_nmUsng/DSC_2850_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="235"></a><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WPGiSzTeeUs/UEbVe6cFhJI/AAAAAAAA0Bs/0ZFzRbsv_cE/s1600-h/DSC_2849%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2849" border="0" alt="DSC_2849" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8wYlROkBUyY/UEbVf-898MI/AAAAAAAA0B0/Hj_I-3NPp24/DSC_2849_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pC5q16aku4A/UEbVgzHVz1I/AAAAAAAA0B8/oXiW9li71r4/s1600-h/DSC_2882%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2882" border="0" alt="DSC_2882" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-POtcD75pjrs/UEbVhg-ddGI/AAAAAAAA0CE/1qP-p1ANSgg/DSC_2882_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7R1f6SYePIk/UEbViOIGX0I/AAAAAAAA0CM/h1U4Z7DB6eU/s1600-h/DSC_2852%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2852" border="0" alt="DSC_2852" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6LX3YTkdobA/UEbVjJyRCQI/AAAAAAAA0CU/TQ0bSbLHZ5o/DSC_2852_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="536"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LokG_Qm1Roo/UEbVjiIa6OI/AAAAAAAA0Cc/reWc_Q8_G1g/s1600-h/DSC_2857%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2857" border="0" alt="DSC_2857" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g2HKgxQsTi8/UEbVkbE0OII/AAAAAAAA0Ck/kASzPARlgyU/DSC_2857_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="536"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UFd_z94Qbfs/UEbVlAmv61I/AAAAAAAA0Cs/LL5JK9cSXug/s1600-h/DSC_2862-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2862-2" border="0" alt="DSC_2862-2" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CA-UgKRtDEg/UEbVl5cDCmI/AAAAAAAA0C0/fcqWo7ANWVM/DSC_2862-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="536"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_L60e8UyexI/UEbVmi8pImI/AAAAAAAA0C8/pmkpqYl4QWo/s1600-h/DSC_2863%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2863" border="0" alt="DSC_2863" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-USZqJzesu9M/UEbVnr5wGwI/AAAAAAAA0DE/XhcXz9vY4lM/DSC_2863_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="536"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6o0rMy4Ig0I/UEbVoARkJOI/AAAAAAAA0DM/q-epMOp6TLA/s1600-h/DSC_2876%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2876" border="0" alt="DSC_2876" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zsjuYEDOKbg/UEbVpOXGCTI/AAAAAAAA0DU/gS2vsQMpz-M/DSC_2876_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bxEJI-hMUnQ/UEbVp7ilSPI/AAAAAAAA0Dc/jKD46HoDn3M/s1600-h/DSC_2880%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2880" border="0" alt="DSC_2880" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lyLZbr3lifo/UEbVqmQ4OII/AAAAAAAA0Dk/y6NpTcr86GE/DSC_2880_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a><br clear="all"><em>These three were headed to their first Luau. They loved it!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1vAvb95EcH4/UEbVrQIIvVI/AAAAAAAA0Ds/_ALgEWiO6g8/s1600-h/DSC_2926%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2926" border="0" alt="DSC_2926" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ppc8KCl47zU/UEbVsR3ymjI/AAAAAAAA0D0/TPId4MHXPnA/DSC_2926_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a><br clear="all"><em>These three stayed home. Quality aunt/niece time. They love it! </em></p> <p>I previously posted some of the following pictures <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/strike-pose.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but it is worthy of inclusion here. I adore these photos and I adore the model. Thanks again Reb!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8cJuUfh79qY/UEbVtP5kMZI/AAAAAAAA0D8/yCOgU8pucK4/s1600-h/DSC_2888-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2888-2" border="0" alt="DSC_2888-2" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vwa_J1wCK8Y/UEbVtxa4uXI/AAAAAAAA0EE/sZHJIk1d8HE/DSC_2888-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="1079"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9sWVoNblQAo/UEbVuoMao6I/AAAAAAAA0EM/zrDbgQbqS6I/s1600-h/DSC_2891-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2891-2" border="0" alt="DSC_2891-2" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yVfC5BcKJRY/UEbVvPV5vnI/AAAAAAAA0EU/lCpIDj9ULAI/DSC_2891-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="474"></a></p> <br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jJNaasvsr7U/UEbVv_l4r6I/AAAAAAAA0Ec/93mEvGopq74/s1600-h/DSC_2914%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2914" border="0" alt="DSC_2914" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vsc4rDgpYlg/UEbVwUQ0ngI/AAAAAAAA0Ek/FNDkg8ParI4/DSC_2914_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="530"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iRQTNzoRJhY/UEbVw-00a8I/AAAAAAAA0Es/aWjp9AIkB2E/s1600-h/DSC_2894%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2894" border="0" alt="DSC_2894" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4xI3oZS0-kc/UEbVxvOH9tI/AAAAAAAA0E0/0cah8QU7j88/DSC_2894_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="264"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vspkxAjO2EU/UEbVyQmvwTI/AAAAAAAA0E8/hW41zVoWKws/s1600-h/DSC_2896%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 8px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2896" border="0" alt="DSC_2896" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ul7pwS8vCvo/UEbVy7wYWsI/AAAAAAAA0FE/OF4oFIb-YfQ/DSC_2896_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="380" height="252"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><br>The following two pictures were on my memory card, <em>but</em> I can’t take credit for them. That little Cupcake Girl picked up my little point&shoot and had some fun. She is pretty good!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y741dTWXR2A/UEbVz6bZGoI/AAAAAAAA0FM/OomtakwHnh4/s1600-h/IMG_5820%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5820" border="0" alt="IMG_5820" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jt6WuG4KRZU/UEbV0o3-MmI/AAAAAAAA0FU/ndfcWGy7vLA/IMG_5820_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="536"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--5hlHp4W1zg/UEbV1rf3PYI/AAAAAAAA0Fc/LVaBux0irzw/s1600-h/IMG_5822%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5822" border="0" alt="IMG_5822" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3dM0eNKm_Qg/UEbV2XXHZ7I/AAAAAAAA0Fk/rOn2Ip8szms/IMG_5822_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="536"></a><br clear="all"><br>And finally, The Captain bought two ukes while there. One for his younger daughter, Beanie and one for Cupcake Girl. This is Cupcake Girl’s…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xcONDv7JMwc/UEbV3ETIZ_I/AAAAAAAA0Fs/qJeXqd7HFF8/s1600-h/IMG_5920%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5920" border="0" alt="IMG_5920" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AxYYep2wtpY/UEbV3-o8MtI/AAAAAAAA0F0/DaMw1e24RfA/IMG_5920_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="715" height="953"></a><br clear="all"><br>Come back for more in the next few days!</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-65825112826157618042012-08-30T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-30T20:56:50.380-04:00Favorites | Day 4<p>I know, I know. Another sunrise. What can I say? This was one of the joys I looked forward to each morning I opened my little eyes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WfEAtj6UWII/UD2XWz8d12I/AAAAAAAAzyo/xO3Zm6CMYbk/s1600-h/IMG_2501%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2501" border="0" alt="IMG_2501" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_Cto1TWPiNw/UD2XXpgKOAI/AAAAAAAAzyw/qLFaCR5x1m0/IMG_2501_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a></p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cow8OcRXPw0/UD2XZFCTfbI/AAAAAAAAzy4/Eq9M-rS2Q8o/s1600-h/IMG_2517%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2517" border="0" alt="IMG_2517" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H9b1reJeeaE/UD2XZ9l6fTI/AAAAAAAAzzA/Fw3gP-pT-z0/IMG_2517_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="347"></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hSccB1ZCUPk/UD2Xa9tiHDI/AAAAAAAAzzI/_vActhDjq2k/s1600-h/IMG_2513%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2513" border="0" alt="IMG_2513" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U8XTjyV3XCM/UD2XbjQ80EI/AAAAAAAAzzQ/d6T3Ytj_QUY/IMG_2513_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="347"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ziVmigS1ajE/UD2XcbtJmyI/AAAAAAAAzzY/_EwQe9O_Vu4/s1600-h/IMG_2514%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2514" border="0" alt="IMG_2514" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bi-7n0uwfVA/UD2XdG6d3gI/AAAAAAAAzzg/9isPbE9Djjs/IMG_2514_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7Rs4kcLCJHw/UD2XeJBwiuI/AAAAAAAAzzo/occl1GHjKFc/s1600-h/IMG_2522%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2522" border="0" alt="IMG_2522" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NkCOiMF_bew/UD2XfGGsslI/AAAAAAAAzzw/jjttW16Aabs/IMG_2522_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RXjqQ2_kasQ/UD2XgFC1hwI/AAAAAAAAzz4/xVKv_S4_LUk/s1600-h/IMG_2524%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2524" border="0" alt="IMG_2524" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u99ze57OrfA/UD2XhO2ofQI/AAAAAAAAz0A/HTaRk7YPynA/IMG_2524_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m1_03oGqnw4/UD2Xh-E43QI/AAAAAAAAz0I/avG0GwTZsYw/s1600-h/IMG_2518%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2518" border="0" alt="IMG_2518" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wCbTGvxr0qE/UD2Xi4Q66_I/AAAAAAAAz0Q/DkErCVc_hl8/IMG_2518_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="522"></a><br clear="all"><br>Following a very quiet and relaxing morning, as you can see by the pictures above, seven of us headed up to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm" target="_blank">Haleakalā National Park</a>. Haleakalā is truly one of our favorite Maui spots. This beautiful national park stretches across the east side of Maui and rises to over 10,000 feet above sea level. You can see Haleakalā from just about anywhere on Maui. The word Haleakalā actually means <em>house of the sun</em>. According to legend, the demigod Maui lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky as he stood on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to the make the day last longer.</p> <p>The drive up is curvy, scenic and full of surprises. The sun will be shining then suddenly, boom, clouds and misty rain. At a certain point, when nearing the summit, you can actually see over the cloud cover. The blue-green ocean, the west side of Maui and even the Big Island. On a really clear day you can even see the summit of Mauna Kea with the naked eye.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zwp7eWjAKEg/UD2XjqSD2BI/AAAAAAAAz0Y/7OVJqwJJbvQ/s1600-h/DSC_2811%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2811" border="0" alt="DSC_2811" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MzQ0SRB_SP4/UD2Xkhdd3UI/AAAAAAAAz0g/W3ckvfc40AI/DSC_2811_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="496"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z_WWPzxT1D0/UD2XlZibZvI/AAAAAAAAz0o/_nXczX78Gn4/s1600-h/DSC_2820%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 1px 0px 0px 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2820" border="0" alt="DSC_2820" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r7aJGzw-L7k/UD2XmefGWFI/AAAAAAAAz0w/xdE3IBcXJGw/DSC_2820_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="248"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dXDTwRqG_Z8/UD2XnChhpFI/AAAAAAAAz04/5mBvWuHpgi4/s1600-h/DSC_2812%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2812" border="0" alt="DSC_2812" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T4xMFi0dhBY/UD2Xn_85x7I/AAAAAAAAz1A/EM-q06qoQdU/DSC_2812_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="241"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NGy-dKyEGbw/UD2XontghFI/AAAAAAAAz1I/T4knSWK1MJ8/s1600-h/IMG_2526%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2526" border="0" alt="IMG_2526" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hWvVEyEVWkc/UD2Xpv8yh0I/AAAAAAAAz1Q/xxdTPLWwSig/IMG_2526_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="933"></a><br clear="all"><br>This just melts my heart. Cupcake Girl at 10,023 feet about sea level. So awesome! I think she was pretty impressed with Haleakalā. The clouds were covering the crater, but she could see a glimpse of it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4A7b3gmMl5E/UD2Xqcpm3vI/AAAAAAAAz1Y/TXeM4aNo8nU/s1600-h/IMG_2528%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2528" border="0" alt="IMG_2528" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fbIOjfuxCnU/UD2XrX1gNJI/AAAAAAAAz1g/HY15TS6eG50/IMG_2528_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><br clear="all"><br>The views from Haleakalā are spectacular. This was early afternoon. I can only image what a sunrise or sunset would unfold.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vr4BHmrYMCo/UD2XsNOojlI/AAAAAAAAz1o/h4Xwu3ZwYnE/s1600-h/DSC_2817%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2817" border="0" alt="DSC_2817" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S7vuLhCiYNw/UD2Xshu7hWI/AAAAAAAAz1w/Q7mLocIZyao/DSC_2817_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yaA5Hkr-GAc/UD2XtWzEm5I/AAAAAAAAz14/9g-gILG8Hmc/s1600-h/DSC_2818%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2818" border="0" alt="DSC_2818" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gjKw2D5PRwY/UD2Xucjou5I/AAAAAAAAz2A/PtQGuc1UcrQ/DSC_2818_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zvg6PumtB1Y/UD2XvCKqukI/AAAAAAAAz2I/60YLgZKw-VY/s1600-h/IMG_2530%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2530" border="0" alt="IMG_2530" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UOKPdKLV6T8/UD2XvwjZv6I/AAAAAAAAz2Q/MegjPdveIP8/IMG_2530_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><br clear="all"><br>One of the unique plants found on Maui is the Haleakalā Silversword. You can start spotting them around an elevation of 6,900 to 9,800 feet. This plant has sword-like succulent leaves covered with silver hairs. They actually shimmer in the sunlight. These lovely plants will flower between July and October. They can reach up to over 6 feet and will have tiny sticky hairs to prevent crawling insects from causing damage. This potential damage can interfere with the seeding of the plant. As the plant goes to seed the leaves will dry up and the plant eventually dies. There are other species of the Silversword that grows on Mauna Kea on the Big Island. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NHbER9nGSfU/UD2Xw07JPyI/AAAAAAAAz2Y/osH8_BUj8ws/s1600-h/DSC_2828%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2828" border="0" alt="DSC_2828" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0vLV_DgLlh0/UD2Xx0fs8QI/AAAAAAAAz2g/fbDNKUblz_o/DSC_2828_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="213" height="333"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pL3WkjKHlyM/UD2Xyh_hk2I/AAAAAAAAz2o/LL1VSLp7ZXQ/s1600-h/DSC_2821%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2821" border="0" alt="DSC_2821" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BAxTQeRVyak/UD2XzUIbgbI/AAAAAAAAz2w/elFI1eueoGs/DSC_2821_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="333"></a></p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--5lf-oM1kZQ/UD2X0DK2ZaI/AAAAAAAAz24/04LTM1KTzOE/s1600-h/DSC_2823%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2823" border="0" alt="DSC_2823" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KeVdLBjJCkQ/UD2X1AuWPLI/AAAAAAAAz3A/ma4K0vWFGP4/DSC_2823_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="315"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7C_SNIx2R44/UD2X2PgKAmI/AAAAAAAAz3I/dFDiY65ScAQ/s1600-h/DSC_2826%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2826" border="0" alt="DSC_2826" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tgmFdQk5t1s/UD2X2-3hPWI/AAAAAAAAz3Q/j8YHQHHX_V8/DSC_2826_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="315"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eoRnfqyvDaA/UD2X39purvI/AAAAAAAAz3Y/_Q3zAeB4Hx0/s1600-h/DSC_2831%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2831" border="0" alt="DSC_2831" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qfAYrFa7dHw/UD2X48Xb-_I/AAAAAAAAz3g/vO8wjO58ZMY/DSC_2831_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="697" height="462"></a><br clear="all"><br>Descending Haleakalā, there’s a certain point, about halfway down the summit road, that is my favorite view. You can actually see the figure 8 that Maui makes. Love this view!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jfzHoh8QxdM/UD2X5wedFNI/AAAAAAAAz3o/Tbm2XolKRiA/s1600-h/IMG_2540%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2540" border="0" alt="IMG_2540" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7P21XtShQUY/UD2X6j7F2HI/AAAAAAAAz3w/edLiqvVEXvY/IMG_2540_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="697" height="523"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Back at the house it was time for swimming and sunset viewing from the pool.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WYaU1GfQlu0/UD2X7cM-JRI/AAAAAAAAz34/RRontRcE44o/s1600-h/IMG_2544%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2544" border="0" alt="IMG_2544" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7eY5hNy2kME/UD2X8O0Kk5I/AAAAAAAAz4A/F_zJQgNkdvc/IMG_2544_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yu1SeFIETww/UD2X86fCe3I/AAAAAAAAz4I/MMDgEK_NZqs/s1600-h/IMG_2547%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2547" border="0" alt="IMG_2547" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hvtwusZ-PPw/UD2X9jQ69nI/AAAAAAAAz4Q/YShvVIZI8lA/IMG_2547_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DrtxccGd6Kc/UD2X-pSPMYI/AAAAAAAAz4Y/HbQvYGdQh84/s1600-h/IMG_2548%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2548" border="0" alt="IMG_2548" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YBiXbzce-ig/UD2X_W8PmSI/AAAAAAAAz4g/SZpku79_9uA/IMG_2548_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j8QQkgt_SuY/UD2YAH3A_eI/AAAAAAAAz4o/ky1Gp3cp3QI/s1600-h/IMG_2551%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2551" border="0" alt="IMG_2551" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2TfjUDcXffU/UD2YA59JNAI/AAAAAAAAz4w/R4DhWD3O740/IMG_2551_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-51CWYU8EAvY/UD2YBiggxqI/AAAAAAAAz44/S_2Ld2kvwGI/s1600-h/IMG_2553%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2553" border="0" alt="IMG_2553" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dm8nhdm50wk/UD2YCvDOWiI/AAAAAAAAz5A/SKMMeVLueTY/IMG_2553_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O0P47TXIu2c/UD2YDQOICdI/AAAAAAAAz5I/aXu88fvUVag/s1600-h/IMG_2554%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2554" border="0" alt="IMG_2554" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--fWg_AZxdlM/UD2YEX5qmNI/AAAAAAAAz5Q/lPaNmxDe39M/IMG_2554_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wTLOZ3L0KRs/UD2YFAL7jOI/AAAAAAAAz5Y/QrahhtTOWgA/s1600-h/IMG_2555%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2555" border="0" alt="IMG_2555" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mMGC0so2OK0/UD2YFv1MYvI/AAAAAAAAz5g/b6oH32EzJeU/IMG_2555_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QHoqImoI5U4/UD2YGrimHSI/AAAAAAAAz5o/WxLgP4wbMZ0/s1600-h/IMG_2557%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2557" border="0" alt="IMG_2557" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zZb2iesqquc/UD2YHxCPHHI/AAAAAAAAz5w/t2VA71hoPX4/IMG_2557_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>And best of all, swimming with Cupcake Girl!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r9vbCwPYOkU/UD2YIsZNYyI/AAAAAAAAz54/72yiDIWT6-A/s1600-h/IMG_2542%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2542" border="0" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l9FyA35snww/UD2YJREXVEI/AAAAAAAAz6A/9fZLDIAxU-c/IMG_2542_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="723" height="888"></a></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-42836839588783966912012-08-29T08:00:00.000-04:002012-08-29T08:00:10.610-04:00The Chef Who Came To Dinner<p>When planning our trip, I knew we would all be tired after <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-little-snorkeling.html" target="_blank">snorkeling</a>, so I decided to try and find a chef to come to our house and fix dinner for us. A nice dinner. Maybe even a dinner with lots of local flare. Someone who was nice and would take the time to talk to us (we can be a talkative bunch at times), maybe even show us some cooking skills. Someone who could just <em>fit in</em> with our little BBB (Blended Brady Bunch). The wonderful folks at <a href="http://www.exoticestates.com/" target="_blank">Exotic Estates</a>, who helped us with the house, were more than kind to share some names of personal chefs on Maui. Three to be exact. I called #1 and got voicemail, called #2 and got voicemail and finally, called #3 and got voicemail. Surely someone would call back.</p> <p>About 15 minutes later I returned a missed call to <a href="http://www.mauicateringservices.com/" target="_blank">Tiffany with Maui Catering Services</a>. She certainly was kind and willing to listen to my whole <em>yea, we are bringing our whole little blended family to Maui, blah, blah, blah.</em> Something about her peaked my interest, probably her enthusiasm and I loved the fact that she believed in supporting local farmers (click here to read more about <a href="http://www.mauicateringservices.com/about/" target="_blank">Tiffany</a>). We ended the conversation with her getting a few things together, me looking over the menus, emailing her, getting prices, deciding on the menu, etc.</p> <p>A few days later, Chef #2 called. Hmmm, he was, well, kind of boring. He certainly wouldn’t win a personality contest. <em>Yea, okay. Sounds fun. I can get a menu together for you. </em>Didn’t really answer my question about supporting local businesses/farmers. Okay, whatever. Goodbye.</p> <p>The following day Chef #3 called. Her assistant said she was out of town but would call me the following week. Ten days later she called and left a message. I didn’t call her back.</p> <p>Fast forward a few weeks following our initial conversation, I called Tiffany but got her voicemail. Five days passed and I still had not heard back from her. Oh dear. I sent her an email, <em>just checking in, need to firm things up</em>. No response. I called again. <em>Hi Tiffany. Just checking on you. I sent you an email. Hope everything is okay.</em> A couple of days later she called. <em>Oh I am so sorry. Been under the weather. Yes, I will get a firm price out to you today. Looking forward to meeting you too! </em>Remember <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/dreaming-planning-and-reality.html" target="_blank">my fears about arriving to our house being a dump</a>? I was starting to have them about Tiffany. Silly me!</p> <p>Finally it was time to leave for our trip. I contacted Tiffany and said I would call her on Sunday, just to check in (and relieve my fears), talk about the key situation, etc. I even called her on Monday (still having a little fear) before we left for snorkeling. She sounded so excited and I was too, finally!</p> <p>Little did I know, boy, little did I know what we were in for!<br><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hOYfz1iWxMY/UD1oUT9KF9I/AAAAAAAAzqc/zKczymCr7ew/s1600-h/menu9.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="MSC donna nelson 7:9:12pages" border="0" alt="MSC donna nelson 7:9:12pages" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yDVteaDo-sI/UD1oVISOkBI/AAAAAAAAzqk/ctZMUVf-gaI/menu_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="531"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Tiffany and her assistant, Caroline arrived an hour before we returned and as soon as we drove up you could smell the food through the car windows. Oh my golly! Heavenly smells <em>and</em> a beautiful tablescape as we walked through the door.<br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5ofoXcbPkEE/UD1oVwGaUrI/AAAAAAAAzqs/YryPDAJ2spI/s1600-h/DSC_27994.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2799" border="0" alt="DSC_2799" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qvCedyrfs2w/UD1oWkQKwAI/AAAAAAAAzq0/aSwerpPzJuc/DSC_2799_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>After brief introductions, a quick shower and change of clothes, we all settled in for some food, fun and just plain being spoiled. It was awesome to be catered to. While they were putting some final touches on the appetizers, several of us gathered around the kitchen island to make some ravioli. This is something I have never attempted and Tiffany was the perfect teacher. Isn’t she just cute? Tiffany not me!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xear8uP0rGc/UD1oXbAt3tI/AAAAAAAAzq8/ub_9c7IejTc/s1600-h/DSC_28024.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2802" border="0" alt="DSC_2802" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zK8WNeQn8pg/UD1oYHLcqaI/AAAAAAAAzrE/HHE52FontC4/DSC_2802_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HAVOCzy7u0Q/UD1oYwSPpEI/AAAAAAAAzrM/ufquXOI-bOQ/s1600-h/DSC_28044.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2804" border="0" alt="DSC_2804" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ku8ByzadSXg/UD1oZr5lcVI/AAAAAAAAzrU/IL_ydbCq_oU/DSC_2804_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xP5GLKMNvdA/UD1oaYvdunI/AAAAAAAAzrc/hQRTNhgw5wc/s1600-h/DSC_28064.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2806" border="0" alt="DSC_2806" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XYsXQal4Ymc/UD1oa6dyOXI/AAAAAAAAzrk/jLTGsLDvIpo/DSC_2806_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Llbbk-E9fPw/UD1obktm0YI/AAAAAAAAzro/UrBVoWG-cmk/s1600-h/DSC_28074.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2807" border="0" alt="DSC_2807" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lfLsHO6g0s4/UD1ocTJ0tBI/AAAAAAAAzrs/hNmGrzSDGI8/DSC_2807_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ht9Ga0eOYGI/UD1odH1mQPI/AAAAAAAAzrw/JBrKRYhkGIY/s1600-h/DSC_28094.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2809" border="0" alt="DSC_2809" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FTKlZSfU1Z4/UD1odtZvw9I/AAAAAAAAzr8/VEfEOb3yWsk/DSC_2809_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FLYvm0wZbCQ/UD1oegwldGI/AAAAAAAAzsE/9IxH1AF4GZE/s1600-h/DSCN1362%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1362" border="0" alt="DSCN1362" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B7VnMqsjb_U/UD1ofeyOPOI/AAAAAAAAzsM/oCcsvuQ8czo/DSCN1362_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="517"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z1Aa3YL7HUQ/UD1ogEJdwDI/AAAAAAAAzsQ/QZCpXR8LPKU/s1600-h/DSCN1361%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1361" border="0" alt="DSCN1361" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-en3DPntfwzE/UD1ohH_Z9JI/AAAAAAAAzsg/sK1ZYB986Z0/DSCN1361_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="247"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t3OP_Qn5dM0/UD1oiq7grsI/AAAAAAAAzss/jzAndfZxY6Q/s1600-h/DSCN1365%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 13px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1365" border="0" alt="DSCN1365" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t-VQ1cHVDgg/UD1ojm2tYCI/AAAAAAAAzs0/k9K_q5sGb4s/DSCN1365_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="251"></a><br clear="all"><br>We took turns putting <strike>playing with</strike> making the dough and then guiding it through the pasta machine. Next came the filling and cutting part of the ravioli. Traci and Reb were experts at the pasta machine and Kayla certainly showed some great filling and knife skills. Boy was it fun!</p> <p>Julia Child once said d<em>ining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.</em> The only thing I would add to Julia’s statement is <em>cooking. Cooking and dining. </em>It just doesn’t get any better folks!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F1MRLiEv2XQ/UD1olJpki8I/AAAAAAAAzs8/RyL-x3_A4DQ/s1600-h/DSCN42443.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4244" border="0" alt="DSCN4244" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Xzg_1YTMB1E/UD1omTI5zPI/AAAAAAAAztE/Pp4IS-30YaM/DSCN4244_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6Ws_vdrfGtE/UD1ooVjqo3I/AAAAAAAAztM/l_sLMO6_gvA/s1600-h/DSCN42454.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4245" border="0" alt="DSCN4245" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CfHl0ZFUI58/UD1oqYa3M_I/AAAAAAAAztU/2N0Th1K3YKc/DSCN4245_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D-3JIFicbxU/UD1ordVDK0I/AAAAAAAAztc/647y6WwqCr8/s1600-h/DSCN42463.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4246" border="0" alt="DSCN4246" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B7lNxfv8n7s/UD1osvdSkwI/AAAAAAAAztk/-iP6QvljlF8/DSCN4246_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ohMT6Jy0nzs/UD1ot0oSZXI/AAAAAAAAzts/siR01B5dDy0/s1600-h/DSCN42473.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4247" border="0" alt="DSCN4247" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rkNDytakl0o/UD1ou42E5uI/AAAAAAAAzt0/99TGLQx2W-w/DSCN4247_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ar7yA-XzblM/UD1ov0shHoI/AAAAAAAAzt8/vstbkNdqb8Y/s1600-h/DSCN42483.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4248" border="0" alt="DSCN4248" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fKLfIsNxSaU/UD1oxGZTFaI/AAAAAAAAzuE/WxphauhfotY/DSCN4248_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-za3ptRiMcJo/UD1oyZLd2sI/AAAAAAAAzuM/9_Jt3haTYrk/s1600-h/DSCN42493.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4249" border="0" alt="DSCN4249" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ayU-cRFaJ00/UD1ozbBhrZI/AAAAAAAAzuU/Z7Y7kAZ_ekk/DSCN4249_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4InXQW-dpMA/UD1o0QXztxI/AAAAAAAAzuc/LofUz-8MBjo/s1600-h/DSCN42503.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4250" border="0" alt="DSCN4250" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jh8InFHYQUQ/UD1o1Wxg6bI/AAAAAAAAzuk/Apc_F4RRKHQ/DSCN4250_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IjjXE_Cblds/UD1o2USgGNI/AAAAAAAAzus/KPMecETqBFs/s1600-h/DSCN42513.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4251" border="0" alt="DSCN4251" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KBdhvPOn8Xw/UD1o3kpBKoI/AAAAAAAAzu0/_2cjBq5OB-c/DSCN4251_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dzg7HUfVBzk/UD1o4jYi31I/AAAAAAAAzu8/_s7akY2ixZw/s1600-h/DSCN42523.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4252" border="0" alt="DSCN4252" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M7WHe4qB05w/UD1o5U_kBJI/AAAAAAAAzvE/5A0ZsWoVAXs/DSCN4252_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_hUv8Gf_ooE/UD1o6QmiSII/AAAAAAAAzvM/_DVuAofl8vo/s1600-h/DSCN42533.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4253" border="0" alt="DSCN4253" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OzYsgpxYnKU/UD1o7dFvI5I/AAAAAAAAzvU/-4S_RSr-GP8/DSCN4253_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xf9aaxAw9Bw/UD1o8dJLI_I/AAAAAAAAzvc/wPtcPyQ7cfw/s1600-h/DSCN42543.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4254" border="0" alt="DSCN4254" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VuxMBa8_k9Q/UD1o9Y2O1VI/AAAAAAAAzvk/wNIOUHMLW04/DSCN4254_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fRHd7IAzglg/UD1o-fvt9eI/AAAAAAAAzvs/SxKJJy81-zI/s1600-h/DSCN42553.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4255" border="0" alt="DSCN4255" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tOB0inEEmeM/UD1o_ImbezI/AAAAAAAAzv0/xH-bTNHc3vk/DSCN4255_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F1RVcGwda3Y/UD1o_6xnWKI/AAAAAAAAzv8/qm_wD-4qRsA/s1600-h/DSCN42563.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4256" border="0" alt="DSCN4256" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mj2Lzz7ChkM/UD1pAn5fphI/AAAAAAAAzwE/dPjrcCbvC8k/DSCN4256_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oMjAB7doA88/UD1pBdQ6lYI/AAAAAAAAzwM/GVO--kzcq1c/s1600-h/DSCN42573.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4257" border="0" alt="DSCN4257" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PfSR8flMlJc/UD1pCBz-jwI/AAAAAAAAzwU/zsEjVcOs7e0/DSCN4257_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zy7tIdioe2E/UD1pDCOH1tI/AAAAAAAAzwc/F-2OEWYYcXE/s1600-h/DSCN42583.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4258" border="0" alt="DSCN4258" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KfSXXS_O1_Y/UD1pEGNWCJI/AAAAAAAAzwk/uyV8t6uAbJQ/DSCN4258_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NDcAI9tQ5m0/UD1pEzOOYPI/AAAAAAAAzws/svA0YzFHrmc/s1600-h/DSCN42603.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4260" border="0" alt="DSCN4260" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-65kzy2TBzBw/UD1pFodvNRI/AAAAAAAAzw0/QTlGO2mj4Z8/DSCN4260_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><br clear="all"><br>Looks delicious, huh? It was, trust me. We had appetizers on the lanai followed by an amazing dinner. In order to enjoy the moment, I didn’t pick up my camera, well, except for these two and I’m not sure if I took them or if someone else did.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HxFndeNuXOM/UD1pGb_fYtI/AAAAAAAAzw8/de0fxkt-HD4/s1600-h/DSCN42613.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4261" border="0" alt="DSCN4261" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6G1DFLYLE-I/UD1pHiQmUSI/AAAAAAAAzxE/d5FolR6JDmc/DSCN4261_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3PsgoiJe9kY/UD1pItZLyDI/AAAAAAAAzxM/QHYHFgy8RcY/s1600-h/DSCN42636.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4263" border="0" alt="DSCN4263" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l3dvLEqmrWU/UD1pJuiJPXI/AAAAAAAAzxU/Ou9_-StwAsU/DSCN4263_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><br clear="all"><br>Dinner was far exceeded my expectations. Tiffany explained the components of each dish, where the food came from (all local) and answered any questions, food related or not. She also shared some amazing news with us. Get this, she had recently finished up filming <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/extreme-chef/index.html" target="_blank">Extreme Chef</a> for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/" target="_blank">The Food Network</a>. She was one of the seven contestants! This explained why I had difficulty contacting her at first. Wow!</p> <p>According to the website, Extreme Chef is about <em>seven of America's most-fearless chefs testing their physical prowess, mental toughness and culinary skills. The grueling and seemingly impossible culinary challenges are judged by a rotating panel of notable guest judges and in the end, only one chef will be the most extreme while taking home a $50,000 grand prize.</em></p> <p>Tiffany couldn’t share too much information and we tried our best to respect her circumstances, but she was able to answer some basic questions. The <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/extreme-chef/index.html" target="_blank">show</a> began airing a couple of weeks ago and episode #3 will air this Thursday at 10 pm on Food Network. Now let me tell you, this girl is a go-getter. She is tough and isn’t scared of any task they give her. Plus, she cooks and presents amazing food. Go Tiffany! We’re rooting for you all the way!</p> <p>Tiffany and Caroline, I can’t thank you enough for your warm welcome to Maui, patience in teaching ravioli making, a comforting, delicious dinner and for spoiling us rotten. We had a blast! Your enthusiasm for and about food is contagious. Thank you for making our time in Maui even more special and as we continue to reminisce about our time there, your dinner is one of the highlights and always will be. If the opportunity arises in the future, you will hear from us again and if either of you happen to make your way to the lovely south on the mainland, we are just a phone call away. Tiffany you are rocking on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/extreme-chef/index.html" target="_blank">Extreme Chef</a>! We’re rooting for you to win that $50,000. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5Sk1oYMWn3Y/UD1pKqR-KAI/AAAAAAAAzxc/N-5OJvCxI_A/s1600-h/DSCN1401%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN1401[7]" border="0" alt="DSCN1401[7]" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SRjVu7iGkoM/UD1pLQ9pSoI/AAAAAAAAzxk/IGP959hi7PM/DSCN1401%25255B7%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="340"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oa9gzgXslN8/UD1pMxkry-I/AAAAAAAAzxs/rWATXMCM5S4/s1600-h/DSCN1405%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bKUM5leRpr4/UD1pOFWex3I/AAAAAAAAzx0/Nr00yrXWrEg/DSCN1405_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="469" height="340"></a></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-54128741764873011772012-08-28T11:00:00.000-04:002012-08-28T11:00:04.806-04:00Favorites | Day 3<p>This was our <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-little-snorkeling.html" target="_blank">snorkeling day</a>, but prior to leaving there was time to relax and enjoy our surroundings.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tTra55pyaOM/UDxAPFT7BFI/AAAAAAAAzjI/ujzztoRL6iY/s1600-h/DSC_2749%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2749" border="0" alt="DSC_2749" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qZsJiZp3010/UDxARcXeucI/AAAAAAAAzjQ/2Qd-cj8rmKY/DSC_2749_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>God’s beauty once again graces the wee morning hours.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jurqKNmlV4I/UDxAS--Ek7I/AAAAAAAAzjY/6ChAvA0t4QM/s1600-h/DSC_2768%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2768" border="0" alt="DSC_2768" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wOyFjhKUoAI/UDxAU4oGj5I/AAAAAAAAzjg/y-IXiFZD89g/DSC_2768_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="508"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BJFEGr5vIGE/UDxAXoGdIWI/AAAAAAAAzjo/cUlIZF7XUzU/s1600-h/DSC_2773%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; 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border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4239" border="0" alt="DSCN4239" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zmWcjV4kxeA/UDxBXIPP6MI/AAAAAAAAzpw/QFl1ggwp18w/DSCN4239_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="330"></a> <p><br clear="all"><em>Yes, another rainbow. We saw this one out the front door. The front door/side faces the West Maui Mountains, while the back side of the house faces the ocean. Beautiful rainbow colors!</em></p> <p>After our snorkeling adventure, which you can read about <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-little-snorkeling.html" target="_blank">here</a>, we had a wonderful chef come in to prepare dinner for us. Be sure to check back tomorrow for <em>The Chef Who Came To Dinner.</em></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-13342223573577425002012-08-27T23:03:00.001-04:002012-08-27T23:06:58.321-04:00My Favorites | Day 2<p>Let’s continue with a few more favorites. These are from Day 2, which was our first <em>full</em> day on Maui.<br><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JIqr2UkE5Vo/UDw0EnnV3vI/AAAAAAAAzac/YEd0OBCxBKc/s1600-h/DSC_2624%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2624" border="0" alt="DSC_2624" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fyafvsz2f4Y/UDw0FRrh0tI/AAAAAAAAzak/NeEGtjwgy6k/DSC_2624_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JvIfSCXVbdk/UDw0GXz7UmI/AAAAAAAAzas/AFHco4LtHF4/s1600-h/DSC_2629%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2629" border="0" alt="DSC_2629" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZydFACzUUF0/UDw0HMf9NyI/AAAAAAAAza0/TpmlU-mi3jo/DSC_2629_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LH6Nsk-CPV8/UDw0H6P0AtI/AAAAAAAAza8/j5LdhVmIOrk/s1600-h/DSC_2631%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2631" border="0" alt="DSC_2631" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_NCkJ1DkXS4/UDw0Ij7xUGI/AAAAAAAAzbE/O4E6VSCRzqY/DSC_2631_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><br clear="all"><em>I couldn’t wait to go to sleep the night before. I knew what would be waiting in the wee morning hours. A beautiful sunrise! Even the moon wasn’t quite ready to retreat.<br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GHngsuiTcek/UDw0JitEZpI/AAAAAAAAzbM/nT0QtMHhWyQ/s1600-h/DSC_2640%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2640" border="0" alt="DSC_2640" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hEgsvMns_18/UDw0KJoBNlI/AAAAAAAAzbU/D2qvBID5k0U/DSC_2640_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="507"></a></ <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Ze7EjRAl4g/UDw0K6_ATnI/AAAAAAAAzbc/a0iDPcnIDp0/s1600-h/DSC_2642%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2642" border="0" alt="DSC_2642" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-00Oz0qyjmSE/UDw0LgRQTAI/AAAAAAAAzbk/2Ex3A9hTY9c/DSC_2642_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="246"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v2xsz9bL1ls/UDw0MWSzLmI/AAAAAAAAzbs/9XU2qnXZovQ/s1600-h/DSC_2643%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 16px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2643" border="0" alt="DSC_2643" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kKXXoLwY7ck/UDw0NHYpitI/AAAAAAAAzb0/9_dnL3fjMcs/DSC_2643_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="238"></a><br clear="all"><em>A few others slowly joined the early morning beauty, while others were still snoozing.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jQ44ABnfaNc/UDw0NwC3wXI/AAAAAAAAzb8/PJMhErtBAkw/s1600-h/DSC_2656%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2656" border="0" alt="DSC_2656" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4U04qDEO94g/UDw0OtUQ8wI/AAAAAAAAzcE/tLmgAbPENY8/DSC_2656_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>What a grand morning greeting!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cAc31sE7Vfw/UDw0PhvAxNI/AAAAAAAAzcM/F1HzqGdwmdE/s1600-h/IMG_2464%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2464" border="0" alt="IMG_2464" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-teL6yuTiAWQ/UDw0QoEfm6I/AAAAAAAAzcU/7K87oK_GBLE/IMG_2464_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="513"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Rainbow #2. It may have been small and brief, but as usual, it was a joy to see.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--AembAjl2tQ/UDw0RbfIFLI/AAAAAAAAzcc/lXDE1GJ7UAM/s1600-h/IMG_2466%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2466" border="0" alt="IMG_2466" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UeBADQYA-J4/UDw0SB_l3zI/AAAAAAAAzck/3aNLdl1AHzU/IMG_2466_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="340"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wZ0ynDIRuo4/UDw0S8pnKAI/AAAAAAAAzcs/jHMtdbd_T3Q/s1600-h/IMG_2465%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 11px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2465" border="0" alt="IMG_2465" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ReoBAzCly3s/UDw0TuRQnlI/AAAAAAAAzc0/UcKkmIaNQ1E/IMG_2465_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="340"></a><br clear="all"><em>After taking my sweet husband to his conference, I snapped these on my way back to the house. Love the “evacuation route” sign. I did wonder if it was for cows only though.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8CICtf0cMIU/UDw0U713jZI/AAAAAAAAzc8/u8GypVkxQao/s1600-h/IMG_5800%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5800" border="0" alt="IMG_5800" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rAauZCkqYTU/UDw0WSbt29I/AAAAAAAAzdE/Y8ndBH3UE3c/IMG_5800_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Leaving the house to pick up my husband at his conference. What a exit-view!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1xYGEdGQduI/UDw0XKvrbQI/AAAAAAAAzdM/YnVyEulYEHI/s1600-h/IMG_5802%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5802" border="0" alt="IMG_5802" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OZBuJpdQi2Y/UDw0YL5mFzI/AAAAAAAAzdU/o1YVa2ico8o/IMG_5802_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="330"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V1Jv5Lo_0rg/UDw0Y6INZ4I/AAAAAAAAzdc/emdmhwsGF0Q/s1600-h/IMG_5804%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 11px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5804" border="0" alt="IMG_5804" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sDuOJnmoixU/UDw0Z4OWWgI/AAAAAAAAzdk/suiYmhFJLmQ/IMG_5804_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="330"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Taken at the Maui Hyatt. Wonderful place to stay/visit/swim or just be.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lhMjlI_V4mg/UDw0a_SNuiI/AAAAAAAAzds/q0VaQ7UrXoU/s1600-h/IMG_5807%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5807" border="0" alt="IMG_5807" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oxfMecI6djI/UDw0b2vfbvI/AAAAAAAAzd0/FQe-bKkzV90/IMG_5807_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R23aetIN6HE/UDw0dSuj8KI/AAAAAAAAzd8/uJwyS6YBlLk/s1600-h/IMG_5817%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5817" border="0" alt="IMG_5817" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-teAt4pYYR9Y/UDw0eKYcpFI/AAAAAAAAzeE/3N4LmOmHkrA/IMG_5817_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-g31TaG2OExc/UDw0fJlLEhI/AAAAAAAAzeM/ginfQF684UU/s1600-h/IMG_5811%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 6px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5811" border="0" alt="IMG_5811" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FFAjyOcs9LE/UDw0gL03hnI/AAAAAAAAzeU/JGAYEPY8HQ4/IMG_5811_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Prd5SJgFYw0/UDw0hIhC_4I/AAAAAAAAzec/EraU7bi2B44/s1600-h/DSC_2667%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2667" border="0" alt="DSC_2667" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xv0ogoUOWL0/UDw0iCoCLWI/AAAAAAAAzek/HaLns7JiYfA/DSC_2667_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-utwH_pABMJY/UDw0i8QLTUI/AAAAAAAAzes/Z6UgUMNTD8M/s1600-h/DSC_2671%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2671" border="0" alt="DSC_2671" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F625_VsaGDo/UDw0j3rufaI/AAAAAAAAze0/HVPjx2fyZDw/DSC_2671_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><br clear="all"><em>Fresh fruit from one of the several fruit trees on the property and a little chat session. Love!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_r1RIHX80EY/UDw0kzM0IRI/AAAAAAAAze8/NELmj2c5wl8/s1600-h/DSC_2704%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2704" border="0" alt="DSC_2704" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FQD6qgkyksA/UDw0l4sWwbI/AAAAAAAAzfE/Aeb8Nh2D0F4/DSC_2704_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EWQPegniENo/UDw0meJMpII/AAAAAAAAzfM/4YXA4NH5JT8/s1600-h/DSC_2703%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2703" border="0" alt="DSC_2703" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rRXRl4Kx09I/UDw0nCPZjDI/AAAAAAAAzfU/yrVIo5vIN5g/DSC_2703_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a><br clear="all">Before – the photo bomb and after – beauty.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pp_7PMKuh6Q/UDw0oJLrl3I/AAAAAAAAzfc/E3q7MR93Tig/s1600-h/DSC_2709%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2709" border="0" alt="DSC_2709" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WghShYZ1aMM/UDw0owqJ3fI/AAAAAAAAzfk/VCMe1ukcVHs/DSC_2709_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="514"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ka1tP-h2A7E/UDw0pwmNn5I/AAAAAAAAzfs/0Sg-3cIk9as/s1600-h/DSC_2694%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2694" border="0" alt="DSC_2694" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JYA8AA0fCks/UDw0qxlgS3I/AAAAAAAAzf0/N-uZadgYT20/DSC_2694_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="249"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K11MF6PIZQs/UDw0r4U89lI/AAAAAAAAzf8/3J6RhVh7DV4/s1600-h/DSC_2714%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 11px 0px 0px 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2714" border="0" alt="DSC_2714" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wr9vVHBIuls/UDw0s4SiqaI/AAAAAAAAzgE/ODOgpISJvxY/DSC_2714_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="249"></a></p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L7W_n7S_vCk/UDw0t8joXFI/AAAAAAAAzgM/9goBx_HvBZ0/s1600-h/DSC_2696%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 9px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2696" border="0" alt="DSC_2696" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6LV-zmZqBfI/UDw0uzmSZrI/AAAAAAAAzgU/6vL7J2Q-_SU/DSC_2696_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c8dSl4kpECE/UDw0vnXHqZI/AAAAAAAAzgc/ARfqTix4KfY/s1600-h/DSC_2681%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2681" border="0" alt="DSC_2681" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nLiNhQsaMsA/UDw0w6gr9KI/AAAAAAAAzgk/zzFpEUoke-E/DSC_2681_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vWEyE3J2H1U/UDw0xy_zXXI/AAAAAAAAzgs/V-ETKyuCXwg/s1600-h/DSC_2707%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2707" border="0" alt="DSC_2707" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zAsPWExD2wI/UDw0yyXxr9I/AAAAAAAAzg0/umtbELU1png/DSC_2707_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a><br clear="all"> <p><em>The upper three are probably my top favorites from Day #2. Full of beauty and love.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rETj87B3DBE/UDw00ErnBZI/AAAAAAAAzg8/WJ-roBfPoS0/s1600-h/DSC_2720%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2720" border="0" alt="DSC_2720" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-reSqKO8Z6AQ/UDw00yx_L6I/AAAAAAAAzhE/9WIj4cty9ms/DSC_2720_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yGJ6AkbY7lY/UDw012Tdw8I/AAAAAAAAzhM/kg4EptJUqJ8/s1600-h/DSC_2724%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2724" border="0" alt="DSC_2724" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3jJpoG9mPZc/UDw03KPS0xI/AAAAAAAAzhU/-Zf4KcLkIks/DSC_2724_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Cupcake Girl called these (left) Girl & Boy and (right) Boy & Girl. No kidding. This is what she said as I was taking the photo. Love these looonnng shadows.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pjx2lnW2rTc/UDw04KcEdPI/AAAAAAAAzhc/grtqHm9wGHs/s1600-h/DSC_2728%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2728" border="0" alt="DSC_2728" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xkHGk_T2RmM/UDw046J77dI/AAAAAAAAzhk/0nS2qd5KFIk/DSC_2728_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Sunset Day #2.</em></p> <p><em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nwEQr2yS5ho/UDw05unvOkI/AAAAAAAAzhs/RdIfMXv-kkw/s1600-h/DSC_2733%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2733" border="0" alt="DSC_2733" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Os3cdxQa7vQ/UDw06kQ6veI/AAAAAAAAzh0/rrHIHm6JduE/DSC_2733_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-87jn2gajDAM/UDw07jdQjcI/AAAAAAAAzh8/9diSAdq83gk/s1600-h/DSC_2741%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2741" border="0" alt="DSC_2741" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dRp0i-qaqkU/UDw08iTho8I/AAAAAAAAziE/BEO5itn8BO0/DSC_2741_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a></em></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zRsyMeIRau4/UDw09D3YNeI/AAAAAAAAziM/IFe0j68yP0w/s1600-h/DSC_2745%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 3px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2745" border="0" alt="DSC_2745" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T3tq0lqxGzc/UDw099k7OdI/AAAAAAAAziU/gxjCjoqTya8/DSC_2745_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><em>Later that evening, around 10 pm, a star-gazing event took place and what a great place to see the heavenly stars! There was much discussion, learning and using the iPad. I loved listening to and watching my little group. They were so excited!</em></p> <p><em>While they were star-gazing I found this little gem to photograph, with a little help from the lawn lights.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6zcL7_D-Zdk/UDw0-sVBBZI/AAAAAAAAzic/lod4r0udE_s/s1600-h/DSC_2738%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2738" border="0" alt="DSC_2738" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RLCbvOEEpSs/UDw0_g2IAiI/AAAAAAAAzik/lqUaC-3saio/DSC_2738_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><br>To be continued……….</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-56182736477219996592012-08-22T11:00:00.000-04:002012-08-22T11:00:03.439-04:00My Favorites | Day 1<p>As I’ve been thinking about different posts to share with you regarding our time in Maui, I decided to mix in a little bit of <em>favorite photos</em> from each day. It was such a wonderful couple of weeks and I could probably write a post-a-day for the rest of the month. I’ve completed several posts that you can view <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/dreaming-planning-and-reality.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/here-now-more-later.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-little-snorkeling.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/strike-pose.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Everyone was taking pictures throughout the week, but I haven’t seen all of them as of yet. My hope is to make a photobook with everyone’s favorites so we can share and remember. So, these are just my photographs. I used my iPhone, small point and shoot, bigger point and shoot and finally my Nikon D7000.</p> <p>With further adieu, here is Day 1, with a little commentary included.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3e414V8TnXU/UDMHp2kWmHI/AAAAAAAAzTk/LiaWVSUnbsM/s1600-h/IMG_5602%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5602" border="0" alt="IMG_5602" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JI8y53caMfg/UDMHq26OOiI/AAAAAAAAzTs/EW2aiCnNFzU/IMG_5602_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="522"></a><br clear="all"><em>6:14am | Atlanta airport heading to the T-gates for departure to Denver</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2JnmtAz9O6M/UDMHsUtDI7I/AAAAAAAAzT0/b3-coFDMe-U/s1600-h/IMG_5607%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5607" border="0" alt="IMG_5607" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MbPjcooL31U/UDMHtWw5opI/AAAAAAAAzT8/1yHAXK3NKxA/IMG_5607_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--L9kEVyFngU/UDMHuW6hToI/AAAAAAAAzUE/qYfwn5L3Qfk/s1600-h/IMG_5635%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5635" border="0" alt="IMG_5635" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B7JKKKfpycg/UDMHuzrINVI/AAAAAAAAzUM/YshZJCRL458/IMG_5635_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="259"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Cupcake Girl and her companion, Oswald and of course Dad</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ju9IbmifpE0/UDMHvhYduJI/AAAAAAAAzUU/95o7ujHTKfA/s1600-h/IMG_5652%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5652" border="0" alt="IMG_5652" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S8fRhCt60nU/UDMHwavNtcI/AAAAAAAAzUc/2tiv_-0KbF8/IMG_5652_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HPLc6-m29lE/UDMHw4LiRII/AAAAAAAAzUk/SnNXNXPc96E/s1600-h/IMG_5687%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5687" border="0" alt="IMG_5687" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-84X1lJXuuzo/UDMHx7UcehI/AAAAAAAAzUs/PfTeaF9F09s/IMG_5687_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="460"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>First plane ride.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SXM4uFROoj0/UDMHy5M-6NI/AAAAAAAAzU0/a4zEyR3ySAE/s1600-h/IMG_5679%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5679" border="0" alt="IMG_5679" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sqhDbmRtdEI/UDMHzhsAB1I/AAAAAAAAzU8/-ZIcLFbrK0Y/IMG_5679_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><br clear="all"><em>Denver airport. Next stop Maui!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ip-rYeFVMWA/UDMH0edg08I/AAAAAAAAzVE/JTHidc9Wyig/s1600-h/IMG_5688%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5688" border="0" alt="IMG_5688" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cMW-tvyQyr8/UDMH1D-UkVI/AAAAAAAAzVM/mXu3c-Y2JuM/IMG_5688_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="314"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rZY9qqkjt3o/UDMH1xgAOxI/AAAAAAAAzVU/-oYl5pCr_Qc/s1600-h/IMG_5699%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5699" border="0" alt="IMG_5699" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-65-IPoyHyok/UDMH2j1UqYI/AAAAAAAAzVc/U2Um3FzVx18/IMG_5699_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="314"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BdAot0QigkI/UDMH3e8NFNI/AAAAAAAAzVk/YB_Znsp2Ajc/s1600-h/IMG_5724%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5724" border="0" alt="IMG_5724" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U-dvGtkz-9Q/UDMH3wr5BwI/AAAAAAAAzVs/uaeSUVRF6c8/IMG_5724_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="313"></a></p> <br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6iRiWagVD7U/UDMH4kxzb8I/AAAAAAAAzV0/PX3-rb-k9iw/s1600-h/IMG_5753%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5753" border="0" alt="IMG_5753" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gVnzeMj_erA/UDMH5lCsIgI/AAAAAAAAzV8/SWlKmgKgjos/IMG_5753_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="365" height="508"></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BhDf9HyEYHc/UDMH6WMhN3I/AAAAAAAAzWE/mRu2lbpfGFg/s1600-h/IMG_5731%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5731" border="0" alt="IMG_5731" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G4UJyIcgOMI/UDMH7COTb3I/AAAAAAAAzWM/7o7d2_4UlFg/IMG_5731_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="254"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y4nNhWEZ7nw/UDMH8KzkooI/AAAAAAAAzWU/FaTtjDntE3s/s1600-h/IMG_5743%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5743" border="0" alt="IMG_5743" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wRofAcueeF8/UDMH84cMhPI/AAAAAAAAzWc/tAQwXO2YKrE/IMG_5743_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="247"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lr1Kk4541bU/UDMH9jeGyJI/AAAAAAAAzWk/kxMrLNiVgbg/s1600-h/IMG_5765%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5765" border="0" alt="IMG_5765" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qB43FI5I47E/UDMH-MaWG0I/AAAAAAAAzWs/gVKAR-RZJ3s/IMG_5765_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a><br clear="all"><em>What better way to be greeted than with a fabulous Hawaiian rainbow!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W_h5QEqNWYg/UDMH-1wVNNI/AAAAAAAAzW0/CtC29CNKodc/s1600-h/IMG_5784%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5784" border="0" alt="IMG_5784" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N5nCvLqLYiM/UDMH_s0oAgI/AAAAAAAAzW8/7XNwypfpLhs/IMG_5784_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>I love everything, yes, every-single-thing about this shot. Green fields, ocean, mountain, clouds and the communities below. Love!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bSxqqSxeQe8/UDMIAev2PwI/AAAAAAAAzXE/g5O7PQyj-jQ/s1600-h/DSC_2590%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2590" border="0" alt="DSC_2590" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JizcDP9tS_8/UDMIBSjJqlI/AAAAAAAAzXM/Kh-vTSqmV1g/DSC_2590_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="1057"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Entry way for our house. Beautiful marble floors and lovely light pouring in. I entered first so I could capture everyone coming in! I love their beautiful smiling faces and excitement!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N2y0t3vh0Qg/UDMICL1bIEI/AAAAAAAAzXU/zV61o_IuibY/s1600-h/DSC_2592%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2592" border="0" alt="DSC_2592" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AONgH6oky2M/UDMIDex4qzI/AAAAAAAAzXc/XfkZelVYLNQ/DSC_2592_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e-xERGwxt-E/UDMIEH7IAEI/AAAAAAAAzXk/q_mxhWWUCtY/s1600-h/DSC_2593%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2593" border="0" alt="DSC_2593" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3dwWquBdfPc/UDMIEx6a6EI/AAAAAAAAzXs/hAwghjYOKyY/DSC_2593_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dzhB7yaP-tc/UDMIFfPZNzI/AAAAAAAAzX0/jdDpD9RUc1s/s1600-h/DSC_2594%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2594" border="0" alt="DSC_2594" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dyH6wPDyNqE/UDMIGW9T3gI/AAAAAAAAzX8/suk5jq_slcc/DSC_2594_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aV3M6Ak0ocQ/UDMIHN34fUI/AAAAAAAAzYE/YFGwP5D9VmM/s1600-h/DSC_2596%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2596" border="0" alt="DSC_2596" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cfL3hT6wIR0/UDMIH4gBIII/AAAAAAAAzYM/A740W-tivWo/DSC_2596_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="521"></a><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yPAWSudhAZU/UDMIJA-aYzI/AAAAAAAAzYU/XEJGAJMQGTY/s1600-h/DSC_2597%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2597" border="0" alt="DSC_2597" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xW4NusNz_6s/UDMIKPriFvI/AAAAAAAAzYc/NBAnVLlF6IA/DSC_2597_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><em>View coming down the entryway.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r00J--65LiU/UDMIK4gJVvI/AAAAAAAAzYk/1G_1GXxzUG8/s1600-h/DSC_2600%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2600" border="0" alt="DSC_2600" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BrtmnSM8NSk/UDMILpOucaI/AAAAAAAAzYs/oWffj_3tong/DSC_2600_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_OvS-epVgeM/UDMIMVFectI/AAAAAAAAzY0/hpbvKTfE04k/s1600-h/DSC_2606%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 14px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2606" border="0" alt="DSC_2606" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vPqfKjNfrKM/UDMINJ2ngiI/AAAAAAAAzY8/PXJuelzg06o/DSC_2606_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TCoqaTqbXyY/UDMIN4HV57I/AAAAAAAAzZE/NimldesNLKM/s1600-h/DSC_2607%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 14px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2607" border="0" alt="DSC_2607" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LU2O_UWOh-Q/UDMIOS323AI/AAAAAAAAzZM/fRR_mM8afic/DSC_2607_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lgsOblIIJDw/UDMIPZo0U-I/AAAAAAAAzZU/3PImphnjkKE/s1600-h/DSC_2612%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2612" border="0" alt="DSC_2612" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d_4ArnbdX8w/UDMIQOqxcnI/AAAAAAAAzZc/geP-Au5rdp4/DSC_2612_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><em>Cupcake got her first American Girl Doll. Her name is Kanani and she was the <a href="http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/thumbnail/id/1552/uid/823" target="_blank">Girl of the Year in 2011</a>. She is Hawaiian and came with a ukulele, lei, clothes, a doggie and much more. Let’s just say, Kanani had a great time in Maui and was the perfect present. Everyone else got “bed-presents” but I forgot to take a picture of those. Hopefully someone else did!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yyl-EwSH2sw/UDMIQ0GuriI/AAAAAAAAzZk/vdrFYmqSlpU/s1600-h/DSC_2617%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2617" border="0" alt="DSC_2617" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5b8S58NV5W4/UDMIRklZBdI/AAAAAAAAzZs/lRjtcOS5VGs/DSC_2617_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>Zak is the man of the hour. He was the first one in the pool…..but not for long!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N0fLJjbTdbI/UDMISVrNL4I/AAAAAAAAzZ0/-qzMWbSR7GU/s1600-h/DSC_2622%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2622" border="0" alt="DSC_2622" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xlF89fi7Dqg/UDMITO_OyZI/AAAAAAAAzZ8/OPqooSCvk_0/DSC_2622_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <br clear="all"><em>Last picture of the day. A beautiful sunset to start our wonderful week!</em> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-51322123117516314902012-08-21T11:00:00.000-04:002012-08-21T11:00:08.048-04:00The Little Birdies<p>Over the past few years I’ve developed quite an affection for birds. Any kind. Crows. Redbirds. Seagulls. Woodpeckers. Owls. You get the idea. During our last visit to Maui in 2010 I noticed all the little birds, about the size of parakeets, nesting in the palm trees or flying back and forth along the balconies of the <a href="http://maui.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-maui/" target="_blank">Maui Hyatt</a>. These wonderful little critters were also notorious for singing quite loudly beginning at 5 in the morning. Hey, they know the sun is about to rise and a glorious day is in store for them. I mean, golly, they’ll have snacks all day long. You know why? ’Cause people like me <em>feed them!</em> Yes, I am a feeder of those little Maui birds.</p> <p>But you see, I had purpose in feeding them. I wanted to take their precious little picture. I did it back in 2010 and again this time. You know what else? They aren’t too picky when it comes to snacking. Cookies, leftover bread, cracker crumbs, chips, especially <a href="http://www.fritolay.com/our-snacks/maui-style-onion.html" target="_blank">Maui Style Maui Onion Chips</a>! I think I know a few grown-ups that like those chips too. You know who you are my BBB (Blended Brady Bunch). </p> <p>Anyway, back to the bird situation. While The Captain napped, I laid out the <strike>trap</strike> snack.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ezK5YZ2lVA4/UDHLGA61oMI/AAAAAAAAzPE/rkKWQRMGJLE/s1600-h/DSC_3110%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3110" border="0" alt="DSC_3110" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9rxEAL636HY/UDHLHEoCQYI/AAAAAAAAzPM/4v4GrovPa8o/DSC_3110_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><br>I gathered my gear and I waited. After a few moments the “lookout” flies by. We all know what he is <em>looking out</em> for. FOOD! He makes a couple more fly-bys, but at different balcony levels. Probably trying to see which balcony has the best offerings. There is an art to their seeking! Within about 5 minutes the first one arrives. This one is commonly known as a House Finch. They were introduced to Hawai’i before 1870 and are also known as Linnet or Papayabird.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IuBoxkK4XMk/UDHLHyQEL1I/AAAAAAAAzPU/F6C5-ygsb6w/s1600-h/DSC_3125%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3125" border="0" alt="DSC_3125" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DXPq-iNo-pU/UDHLJtcBdcI/AAAAAAAAzPc/P5N9EMYv9-U/DSC_3125_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Then a few more arrive. The Finches are joined by some local Sparrows or possible Ricebirds.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rxAAU8_mxCw/UDHLKUi_2NI/AAAAAAAAzPk/g4qYKhitV3A/s1600-h/DSC_3131%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3131" border="0" alt="DSC_3131" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ob5MucM6SlQ/UDHLLXDJZDI/AAAAAAAAzPs/72dyrj0sImo/DSC_3131_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Some like to sit on the branches and tweet their little hearts out. Probably more cheering on their part.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sHZ01dxl5fs/UDHLMOw3MeI/AAAAAAAAzP0/yuGK-y7YoiI/s1600-h/DSC_3136%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3136" border="0" alt="DSC_3136" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jzsqkrDa0B8/UDHLM84tp_I/AAAAAAAAzP8/fvwqhCagdeQ/DSC_3136_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wtHCovtHb3w/UDHLNk5tFAI/AAAAAAAAzQE/MROw-Dh4aY4/s1600-h/DSC_3142%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3142" border="0" alt="DSC_3142" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h-rBY0ehCNA/UDHLOhOX74I/AAAAAAAAzQM/MMC04q4gGls/DSC_3142_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><br clear="all"><br>Soon there were about 12 or more enjoying a late afternoon snack. I couldn’t get them all in one frame.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GoD59sdn4zU/UDHLPUritfI/AAAAAAAAzQU/a1c47bCaf9s/s1600-h/DSC_3164%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3164" border="0" alt="DSC_3164" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-otMcj2qNni8/UDHLQKV8ypI/AAAAAAAAzQc/yI_IvpXtQZs/DSC_3164_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="512"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-48QpN0eTF3Y/UDHLQx0mh0I/AAAAAAAAzQk/uyAi4XWTXa0/s1600-h/DSC_3141%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3141" border="0" alt="DSC_3141" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BOZu722lEsE/UDHLRr-i-KI/AAAAAAAAzQs/zfvF2UCA5OY/DSC_3141_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="242"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XiJE6B15ZCc/UDHLSYd6LCI/AAAAAAAAzQ0/bS43lNdKsfg/s1600-h/DSC_3147%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 26px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3147" border="0" alt="DSC_3147" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0nSfWaWWnWU/UDHLTM1vqrI/AAAAAAAAzQ8/y4d6kgu19Iw/DSC_3147_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="237"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>At one point a huge Hawaiian Crow joined the party, but the little guys didn’t like him hogging everything so they <strike>screeched</strike> shooed him away. The one particular bird that I was most anxious to photograph was the Red-Crested Cardinal. Such a pretty bird! Both the male and female came to the party.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-af72jQi6Abw/UDHLT5kzvUI/AAAAAAAAzRE/YI8Qi4Ik4Y4/s1600-h/DSC_3154%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3154" border="0" alt="DSC_3154" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OkZe3CXBJ8E/UDHLUzVqHlI/AAAAAAAAzRM/lmMNaOKG0HE/DSC_3154_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q4l1XBitQSk/UDHLVs6sGVI/AAAAAAAAzRU/gquKJwt4C-A/s1600-h/DSC_3152%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3152" border="0" alt="DSC_3152" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-osAMBDMgnIw/UDHLWaAkhJI/AAAAAAAAzRc/JYriMm4lWQQ/DSC_3152_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MLmLh7cqUNo/UDHLXMyKCDI/AAAAAAAAzRk/hVTAojkRgNo/s1600-h/DSC_3155%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3155" border="0" alt="DSC_3155" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UfcEIv37rhs/UDHLX0TCReI/AAAAAAAAzRs/gBuQMq5ce7c/DSC_3155_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a> <br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5QuBiA4_d_k/UDHLYjFwyiI/AAAAAAAAzR0/zo8ptzNTcyg/s1600-h/DSC_3202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3202" border="0" alt="DSC_3202" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jfemab3SI_A/UDHLZvX2iQI/AAAAAAAAzR8/D8Bcw3_VcRA/DSC_3202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ymMrCu3wBqU/UDHLaQsVJDI/AAAAAAAAzSE/1F-61f9y8Lg/s1600-h/DSC_3170%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3170" border="0" alt="DSC_3170" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MQuVODBRSDg/UDHLbPPzmkI/AAAAAAAAzSM/qEVB5s5WWlQ/DSC_3170_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mqBGQlst-Xg/UDHLb2oydFI/AAAAAAAAzSU/IAAAnnUHxwg/s1600-h/DSC_3173%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3173" border="0" alt="DSC_3173" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qjz0klf-HxA/UDHLcjWZppI/AAAAAAAAzSc/KJEqzArB-rM/DSC_3173_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CVeIOI1sxLA/UDHLdQNU3pI/AAAAAAAAzSk/XzMO3TjIc7k/s1600-h/DSC_3177%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3177" border="0" alt="DSC_3177" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PM-Qu78Y6LA/UDHLeMDtSAI/AAAAAAAAzSs/lL-jIirraoM/DSC_3177_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5QQWmVngB90/UDHLeyMx7iI/AAAAAAAAzS0/0tStOV9oyr8/s1600-h/DSC_3176%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3176" border="0" alt="DSC_3176" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pownj2pvnHQ/UDHLfhrcivI/AAAAAAAAzS8/ewzDwdH6zAw/DSC_3176_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="229"></a><br clear="all"><br>What an amazing and delightful way to spend an afternoon. Thank you my bird friends!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lkpjt02qtF0/UDHLgZK1nuI/AAAAAAAAzTE/2WHWTbJ0mQQ/s1600-h/DSC_3147_edited%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3147_edited" border="0" alt="DSC_3147_edited" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W7rHYzHAiGo/UDHLhQYJw8I/AAAAAAAAzTM/t6GaTc5AO54/DSC_3147_edited_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p><br clear="all"><em>This is one of my favorite photos. I love how that little guy on the left has his eyes closed.</em> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-1374314268468442532012-08-20T10:00:00.000-04:002012-08-20T22:18:59.129-04:00Strike A Pose<p>A couple of months before we traveled to Maui I was thinking about photography. About my photography. I decided to rent a few lens and not to take any of my regular lens. Lens that I was comfortable with. First of all I didn’t want the weight of a zoom and secondly, I really wanted the challenge. A challenge of <em>not</em> taking a zillion pictures and to be more thoughtful of what I was photographing. I rented a wide angle, macro and a fixed lens. They were delivered the day before we left, so I didn’t have much practice time.</p> <p>One series of photographs I wanted to take was of The Captain’s older daughter, Rebecca. Reb does yoga and I knew the direction of our Maui house would provide the perfect backdrop for some yoga poses at sunset. </p> <p>We did a few about an hour or so before sunset and then more as the sun was setting. It was difficult to get the focus just right, but it was a great learning tool/time for me. But some of the poses, well, some of them were just beautiful and I had a beautiful subject!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bzTcifxJCw8/UDGvHsM11CI/AAAAAAAAzNI/RJkUs7_ldow/s1600-h/DSC_2888-2_quote%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2888-2_quote" border="0" alt="DSC_2888-2_quote" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ozBDMYlAhAk/UDGvIwTKTXI/AAAAAAAAzNQ/SbBdXhGJM-Q/DSC_2888-2_quote_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="1057"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K6O0kAFXrrg/UDGvJnJ97sI/AAAAAAAAzNY/tm2dhaYJJKs/s1600-h/DSC_2891-2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2891-2" border="0" alt="DSC_2891-2" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mY8EPoZP5Ks/UDGvKvbQ0MI/AAAAAAAAzNg/oc6g5otoZT8/DSC_2891-2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6zRdkHWy374/UDGvLTvy8AI/AAAAAAAAzNo/a5VR3UWi43k/s1600-h/DSC_2885%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2885" border="0" alt="DSC_2885" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Gic6ANTT64/UDGvQYMlHhI/AAAAAAAAzNw/gn1Y5wu-OKo/DSC_2885_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="1057"></a></p><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TbL_lpPN-wg/UDGvRFN36tI/AAAAAAAAzN4/Lr3MjC79OEc/s1600-h/DSC_2915_edited%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2915_edited" border="0" alt="DSC_2915_edited" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Phor_K9NfBM/UDGvR7dOpoI/AAAAAAAAzOA/k-JNQiDkDqc/DSC_2915_edited_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="1057"></a><br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wX2jAWte7FU/UDGvS7BLz3I/AAAAAAAAzOI/qjxpbzzA7j4/s1600-h/DSC_2912%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2912" border="0" alt="DSC_2912" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7JRMn9-Oz74/UDGvTkmjvJI/AAAAAAAAzOQ/Jhap4skuOIc/DSC_2912_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="530"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D7BG9ae-upM/UDGvUVoNy2I/AAAAAAAAzOY/ZoVyl3xBumg/s1600-h/DSC_2910%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2910" border="0" alt="DSC_2910" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tgGp53sFIgc/UDGvVMQOYZI/AAAAAAAAzOg/PXECyJZWf9U/DSC_2910_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="530"></a></p><br clear="all"><br>Thanks Reb! They are beautiful, just like you! Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-65217847658177551122012-08-19T21:26:00.001-04:002012-08-19T21:37:03.137-04:00A Little Snorkeling<p>Previously, in <a href="http://luluandbob.blogspot.com/2012/08/here-now-more-later.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, I said I didn’t want to overwhelm the BBB (Blended-Brady-Bunch) with touristy things. I strived to make their Maui time just that….<em>their Maui time.</em> During the planning stages I did <strike>ask</strike> tell everyone that I would be planning a group snorkeling adventure. The Captain (my sweet husband) and I have been snorkeling around Maui three previous times and two of those were with <a href="http://www.geminicharters.com/" target="_blank">Gemini Sailing Charters</a> out of Ka‘anapali Beach. They are really the best! Most the same crew, Jennifer, Captain Jake and Captain Marty, were on this trip and their love for all-things-Maui is as sincere as ever. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vVPe-K7SXWU/UDGRVUafHyI/AAAAAAAAzDE/0uPlRr2o-1c/s1600-h/DSCN4229%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4229" border="0" alt="DSCN4229" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DXl0VhVfxsk/UDGRWOvSiZI/AAAAAAAAzDM/_rfXe3Qf2DY/DSCN4229_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="515"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZdJ9JEFpYcM/UDGRW1RzSuI/AAAAAAAAzDU/7E4FW-JLkik/s1600-h/DSCN4183%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4183" border="0" alt="DSCN4183" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YeNfj42Ysms/UDGRXhhCPAI/AAAAAAAAzDc/-AkKlE7Lkuw/DSCN4183_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="258"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kgrl1KGtvAM/UDGRYnK4erI/AAAAAAAAzDk/V_wwfpmZvRg/s1600-h/DSCN4219%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4219" border="0" alt="DSCN4219" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--bhn-yQeT6o/UDGRZf4UxmI/AAAAAAAAzDs/Qmc9uEe4D0E/DSCN4219_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Our destination was the Marine Preserve, at Honolua Bay. This area is located on the north western end Maui. There isn’t any fishing allowed here and the sea life diversity is abundant. This little bay is surrounded by high rocky cliffs on both sides which shelters it from the wind and keeps the water calm.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KO1mMoIMn2U/UDGRaF1DH0I/AAAAAAAAzD0/LLqSHn_Er5Y/s1600-h/DSC_3132%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3132" border="0" alt="DSC_3132" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nLm5S7q4T0o/UDGRa-Kro9I/AAAAAAAAzD8/lX_ysem6r9k/DSC_3132_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="235"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3hPyukZQAIk/UDGRbgU-5TI/AAAAAAAAzEE/R9THx_kyN3Y/s1600-h/DSC_3134%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 14px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3134" border="0" alt="DSC_3134" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7PdzW0G8niQ/UDGRcXDaP-I/AAAAAAAAzEM/zAX1ddWeTzA/DSC_3134_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="235"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>The two photos above were from our 2010 trip.</em><br><br>Our ride out was windy! At one point the boat slowed and we were able to see some sea turtles swimming along the boat. Yes, that is my one picture of the sea turtle. Hopefully some others in the BBB got better better pictures of him/her. <em>Note: Click on a picture to see it larger in a separate window.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AExbvo68iTE/UDGRdCJmtsI/AAAAAAAAzEU/IkMXjMSHN6Q/s1600-h/DSCN4188_edit%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4188" border="0" alt="DSCN4188" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1bJjXVpO01M/UDGRdxBUuvI/AAAAAAAAzEc/h6vsOs8jbqk/DSCN4188_edit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-paUspKjdnYs/UDGReupUv7I/AAAAAAAAzEk/MoBjm-K37Co/s1600-h/DSCN4168%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4168" border="0" alt="DSCN4168" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p2Y476eRsOE/UDGRgrcP4wI/AAAAAAAAzEs/KG9pOZuZ9Xk/DSCN4168_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VkGyNWmuN6o/UDGRhWwYbvI/AAAAAAAAzE0/NKrOAR-oIXU/s1600-h/DSCN4171%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4171" border="0" alt="DSCN4171" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r1FPyvzbi4w/UDGRiAiwzQI/AAAAAAAAzE8/70F9WBvzBTI/DSCN4171_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LIti8FFa57w/UDGRjO267yI/AAAAAAAAzFE/m4mhOvdzwQU/s1600-h/DSCN4174%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4174" border="0" alt="DSCN4174" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V6YYRz3v1bw/UDGRjp_Z1lI/AAAAAAAAzFM/hMh3NTrBeqA/DSCN4174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-irfRPSIPkvc/UDGRknq69YI/AAAAAAAAzFU/bvVJ7PsoTcw/s1600-h/DSCN4178%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4178" border="0" alt="DSCN4178" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s1wyl_DFKvI/UDGRlrs9cbI/AAAAAAAAzFc/f44M7HJ_dyI/DSCN4178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q0pgA51NVTQ/UDGRmQJErtI/AAAAAAAAzFk/x1d0HLIL6_8/s1600-h/DSCN4191%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4191" border="0" alt="DSCN4191" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9RJ9j35BAfg/UDGRnQ_TtAI/AAAAAAAAzFs/s_34A_HrqSU/DSCN4191_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a><br clear="all"><br>Finally we reached Honolua Bay. Let the snorkeling begin! The BBB were filled with excitement, apprehension, a bit of queasiness (sorry Josh) and a little nervousness. Cupcake Girl had not been snorkeling before, but she was up for the challenge of this BIG ADVENTURE for a little girl!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N_c5qYoqCVM/UDGRnzJbRjI/AAAAAAAAzF0/YQneEm0Whc8/s1600-h/R1-06625-024A%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-024A" border="0" alt="R1-06625-024A" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nZaWRPQzGFY/UDGRowsHkoI/AAAAAAAAzF8/bz3nLRJlSXw/R1-06625-024A_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iTYowqrQMA0/UDGRpuDu-hI/AAAAAAAAzGE/XHTbqq3cjyA/s1600-h/R1-06625-023A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-023A" border="0" alt="R1-06625-023A" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bdlcTMLJF5o/UDGRqbE9Q5I/AAAAAAAAzGM/kFVQ1FMNp9s/R1-06625-023A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a></p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N8hChzSX0KI/UDGRrXKvvLI/AAAAAAAAzGU/hmxBiq5vm1U/s1600-h/R1-06628-017A%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06628-017A" border="0" alt="R1-06628-017A" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yl8I8arMURk/UDGRsWj9mmI/AAAAAAAAzGc/GiuYei9okvI/R1-06628-017A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FdhJC1MKLXE/UDGRtKH_RXI/AAAAAAAAzGk/DLpGAeDXenQ/s1600-h/R1-06628-016A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06628-016A" border="0" alt="R1-06628-016A" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_CiSItryRHw/UDGRtzA99pI/AAAAAAAAzGs/KPo5yucsNpw/R1-06628-016A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9alIKA9O-xk/UDGRugCWydI/AAAAAAAAzG0/jqFyP5MWTbs/s1600-h/R1-06628-015A%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06628-015A" border="0" alt="R1-06628-015A" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QozGk4xF3NY/UDGRvfbGOrI/AAAAAAAAzG8/Rg7jXBkIbGg/R1-06628-015A_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="721" height="502"></a><br clear="all"><br>Her mom and dad were soooo proud of her. We all were. Snorkeling isn’t easy for some adults and it certainly isn’t easy for an almost-5-year-old! There’s a great deal of trust involved, as well as understanding the whole breathe-under-water deal and this-float-will-really-hold-me-up thing. According to her mom, <em>at one point she left her face in the water for about 10 minutes just looking. The best part, hearing her giggle through the snorkel every time she saw something cool. So then, we just floated. This was the moment I went to Hawaii for. A moment of bliss, proudness, and beauty.</em> Traci (my older daughter) writes about her perspective of our snorkeling adventure <a href="http://tsabin.blogspot.com/2012/07/day-three-hawaii.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Snorkeling was one of those moments I wish I could have been with everyone while they were floating around and seeing new things. Not possible, but I did have my own great moments. </p> <p>While floating with Kayla we saw one sea turtle on the ocean floor and then another swimming right underneath us. Whoa! That was awesome!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gR4OtRDEgoA/UDGRwOxThBI/AAAAAAAAzHE/yQxURSzafoQ/s1600-h/R1-06625-018A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-018A" border="0" alt="R1-06625-018A" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fv1w1Zb-l0g/UDGRxLCQqwI/AAAAAAAAzHM/Ye9vP0bqWK8/R1-06625-018A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v__w-uNcCOI/UDGRx0PHs3I/AAAAAAAAzHU/b8J4jIw0rAw/s1600-h/R1-06625-021A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-021A" border="0" alt="R1-06625-021A" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4TGsGJMQxOA/UDGRy3WJmHI/AAAAAAAAzHc/gSVyT5VbL9Y/R1-06625-021A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a><br clear="all"><em>Note: Disposable underwater cameras are just not my forte. I couldn’t get the hang of it, but I did what I could and at least I can see the turtles, sort of.</em></p> <p>Traci and I saw an eel slithering through the water. It was so cool and the pictures just don’t do it justice. I was so excited I couldn’t get the camera focused! It was so cool!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ox4p_7aZb-4/UDGRzpeuUpI/AAAAAAAAzHk/M18Kx6Dqkf8/s1600-h/R1-06625-007A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-007A" border="0" alt="R1-06625-007A" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nUCtwQpR59A/UDGR0Qc3RBI/AAAAAAAAzHs/SJhd3itReUQ/R1-06625-007A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vnL1yHreXrI/UDGR1Uyv6cI/AAAAAAAAzH0/RQIQT_9xIP4/s1600-h/R1-06628-001A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06628-001A" border="0" alt="R1-06628-001A" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VNWMm89_L_Q/UDGR1-CAjNI/AAAAAAAAzH8/Bx991PwZ7Z8/R1-06628-001A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="240"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zkp8eBSwJCg/UDGR2krbSDI/AAAAAAAAzIE/TzLgfEB4aBs/s1600-h/R1-06628-002A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06628-002A" border="0" alt="R1-06628-002A" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lwSh56TLLfo/UDGR38MTO5I/AAAAAAAAzIM/CyNYrcuSZWA/R1-06628-002A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="728" height="507"></a><br clear="all"><em>Underwater photo credit to Traci – she’s much better than I!</em></p> <p>And now a few more underwater shots (some borrowed from Traci). I love the one of Beanie (The Captain’s younger daughter) floating in the water. I hope her little baby girl (due in November) loved it too!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Iwkgoo69JXU/UDGR4wuYsFI/AAAAAAAAzIU/5AXqMOpyVEY/s1600-h/R1-06628-004A%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06628-004A" border="0" alt="R1-06628-004A" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JOYx7WnIC7A/UDGR5-o6ZHI/AAAAAAAAzIc/wbcAFcfZhR8/R1-06628-004A_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q7kdDjqAbC8/UDGR6p73fJI/AAAAAAAAzIk/aGnl5kqzxo8/s1600-h/R1-06625-000A_0001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-000A_0001" border="0" alt="R1-06625-000A_0001" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j-ChTQn2iSY/UDGR7TEzl5I/AAAAAAAAzIs/ieVkJyD3bFI/R1-06625-000A_0001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C3RsSt67kuc/UDGR8BG4VkI/AAAAAAAAzI0/bI6XxpChnFA/s1600-h/R1-06625-004A%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-004A" border="0" alt="R1-06625-004A" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oYYzzkxvykc/UDGR89Y39fI/AAAAAAAAzI8/3duw89Twj5E/R1-06625-004A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JCY7ZqprI8M/UDGR9gnxLhI/AAAAAAAAzJE/UYD7GfJCMkg/s1600-h/R1-06625-006A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06625-006A" border="0" alt="R1-06625-006A" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-viIFpvrNGhQ/UDGR-YbD-CI/AAAAAAAAzJM/uXkG9pMSUjE/R1-06625-006A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="243"></a></p> <br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RuoWey7lcQo/UDGR_O2DGnI/AAAAAAAAzJY/UBsYT3qBV6s/s1600-h/R1-06628-020A%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="R1-06628-020A" border="0" alt="R1-06628-020A" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OumaWfltmUE/UDGR_zczDDI/AAAAAAAAzJg/mntuPeIFPvs/R1-06628-020A_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="508"></a><br clear="all"><br>Toward the end of our snorkeling time, I did get to float around with The Captain. Holding hands, floating in the cold water, listening to the water sloshing all while seeing some beautiful schools of fish swimming around was absolutely delightful! Now <em>that</em> was the best part!</p> <p>After a yummilicious lunch, provided by <a href="http://www.westinmaui.com/" target="_blank">The Westin</a>, it was time to set the sails and head back to Ka‘anapali Beach. Sailing with the wind…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bdj2GpX5YCs/UDGSBDzB6LI/AAAAAAAAzJo/zUNXp4D8d-E/s1600-h/P7090020%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P7090020" border="0" alt="P7090020" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uWa1XcouWTw/UDGSByYOU3I/AAAAAAAAzJw/ULBWq4jGqYo/P7090020_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="525"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZQXm8e4tt4A/UDGSCtAhbGI/AAAAAAAAzJ4/uaa19G1rWk4/s1600-h/P7090049%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P7090049" border="0" alt="P7090049" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rAhO0vT04xI/UDGSDc2WSgI/AAAAAAAAzKA/VXTAn88s27c/P7090049_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="275"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BqTIHFzdcGI/UDGSECSff7I/AAAAAAAAzKI/Z0ndAsa0ipU/s1600-h/DSCN4223%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4223" border="0" alt="DSCN4223" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FAvQ49Wi4XA/UDGSEx0IYGI/AAAAAAAAzKQ/Bz830LYCZto/DSCN4223_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="245"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tff35_C0mAE/UDGSFapKMnI/AAAAAAAAzKY/b0d44Wnd34U/s1600-h/DSCN4235%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4235" border="0" alt="DSCN4235" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L3fwWvbXy2k/UDGSGAcvJWI/AAAAAAAAzKg/8Fp8jKPReyQ/DSCN4235_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="313"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LcP2oD6-L50/UDGSGnaZhhI/AAAAAAAAzKo/YFQyZ7W8AnY/s1600-h/DSCN4237%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4237" border="0" alt="DSCN4237" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-trVtjHiXFk8/UDGSHjh7NwI/AAAAAAAAzKw/hoMHE2A6uNk/DSCN4237_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="313"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z1GziuO-QU4/UDGSIf3XoLI/AAAAAAAAzK4/TQaoCMQc4Ps/s1600-h/DSCN4238%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4238" border="0" alt="DSCN4238" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PPrcmvSTz98/UDGSJH1fMAI/AAAAAAAAzLA/tJP2l4BvoZI/DSCN4238_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="313"></a><br clear="all"><br>Someone was pretty exhausted and decided to take a little nap. Cupcake Girl was making some zzzzzzzz’s!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pmW65z9S6rg/UDGSJ8bRxvI/AAAAAAAAzLI/H7QWB1VhfcU/s1600-h/P7090037%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P7090037" border="0" alt="P7090037" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wEaE6s2rgCI/UDGSKukCMCI/AAAAAAAAzLQ/NzQc8PDRXwg/P7090037_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="483"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sd9ggoWAS_4/UDGSLZHXrrI/AAAAAAAAzLY/1t4CUHEu-xs/s1600-h/P7090043%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P7090043" border="0" alt="P7090043" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6ieY6AkqLTs/UDGSME3w5RI/AAAAAAAAzLg/Nvt_hAF_ns4/P7090043_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="483"></a><br clear="all"><br>We had such a great time! Thanks to my BBB for going all in on this little adventure and the folks at <a href="http://www.geminicharters.com/" target="_blank">Gemini Charters</a> for the great snorkeling trips they produce. It just doesn’t get any better than that folks! </p> <p>Oh, one last little look-see at the BBB! I LOVE these pictures! My happy little group!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O0o1Pa8niG0/UDGSMwPXp7I/AAAAAAAAzLo/0FbpRaB9M6w/s1600-h/snorkeling_collage%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="snorkeling_collage" border="0" alt="snorkeling_collage" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2pGY0IKuD3Y/UDGSNpPg8WI/AAAAAAAAzLw/V8mOY4KPbLU/snorkeling_collage_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="728" height="743"></a></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-32165823166982136162012-08-17T00:21:00.001-04:002012-08-17T00:21:05.758-04:00Here, Now, More, Later<p>My intentions prior to our Maui 2012 trip was not to saturate the week with endless touristy things. Two of our BBB (Blended-Brady-Bunch) had been to Maui previously (2008), two others had been in 2004 and two had not. Of course Cupcake Girl, in all of her almost 5 years, had not been. I wanted this to be a do-what-you-want-to-do trip. There was a planned snorkeling adventure followed by a catered dinner at the house, but other than that…..it was up to each person to plan their time. </p> <p>For me, well, I wanted to be in the moment or should I say <em>everyone’s </em>moment. I wished I could have been with everyone as they played, as they saw new sights and experienced new things. But alas, I couldn’t. So I just tried to simply <em>be</em>. </p> <p>I have to admit that sometimes I struggle with finding the right words to express what I want to convey in my blog posts. I find inspiration from books, quotes, people, blogs, etc. and as I was thinking about this post today the words just wouldn’t settle. I happened to read a brand new blog this afternoon from two young men, one that I know, who recently set out on an adventure, a grand journey. According to their blog, they have decided <em>to take on the challenge of nomadic, self-sustained living. They are currently traveling North America in order to share music and the joy of living. Their experience will be shared through songs, visuals, and writings.</em> You can visit their blog and share their journey <a href="https://followstevenkim.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. While reading their first post today, they seemed to express precisely what I wanted to say in this post. I’m not sure which of the two wrote the post, but they expressed it so eloquently. </p> <p><em>Remember that here is more important than there. Now is more important than later. </em></p> <p>Yes, this is exactly what I felt while in Maui. What I tried to say, though somewhat altered from the above, to myself every morning. Sort of my mantra for the day.</p> <p>I padded across the cool marble floor each morning around 5:15 am and made my way to the lanai. The new morning awaited and I wanted to participate! Usually I was alone, except for the little birds flitting from palm tree to palm tree, singing their little hearts out. They were just as happy to see those early morning rays as I was. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Axx_NNgV1uc/UC3GXmXbaGI/AAAAAAAAy_g/7ZBPfTD1ajk/s1600-h/IMG_5798%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5798" border="0" alt="IMG_5798" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--6X1RGVjkG4/UC3GYuzrAiI/AAAAAAAAy_o/8XXxUKh00Mc/IMG_5798_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="544"></a><br clear="all"><br>Each sunrise presented itself quietly, yet majestically. With the house located at the bottom of the West Maui Mountains, that early morning light reached the Island of Lānaʻi before the house and most mornings the sunrise brought clouds. Beautiful Clouds that swiftly made their way across the mountain range toward the ocean then farther out to sea.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WSrZwkneZO4/UC3GZqKNysI/AAAAAAAAy_w/ckPPyJ9kddc/s1600-h/DSCN0002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0002" border="0" alt="DSCN0002" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gW1wbkHWeyQ/UC3Ga5lkVCI/AAAAAAAAy_4/Eye-bUGeStY/DSCN0002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="270"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QZmWrASLKHc/UC3GcAeHH4I/AAAAAAAAzAA/Z6m4Y-HY7aA/s1600-h/DSCN0009%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN0009" border="0" alt="DSCN0009" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eDETjgAlIrI/UC3GdGo1emI/AAAAAAAAzAI/Qc2OAWsam4Q/DSCN0009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="270"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vfr9tavkTPc/UC3GeZRXBmI/AAAAAAAAzAQ/QuGLLvF_BqM/s1600-h/DSC_2749%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2749" border="0" alt="DSC_2749" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NmqoGGb8syU/UC3GffF2KPI/AAAAAAAAzAY/AtZ1z-NECc8/DSC_2749_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="484"></a><br clear="all">If I watched carefully, the orange glow from the sun would peek through the cloud cover. A little to the left and a little to the right of Lānaʻi. It was grand and it was glorious, each and every morning. </p> <p>I wasn’t the only one who wanted to participate or who sought peace and solitude early each morning.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z1kQJ9fxxwU/UC3GgYJO_FI/AAAAAAAAzAg/ur4qRIOs6eU/s1600-h/DSC_2641%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2641" border="0" alt="DSC_2641" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pBzWE1-U3Q4/UC3GhtBXXzI/AAAAAAAAzAo/sfPaPw7Ipc8/DSC_2641_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="543"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-klVTZMFfj90/UC3GiiJNExI/AAAAAAAAzAw/YdvbFDvoazM/s1600-h/DSC_2768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2768" border="0" alt="DSC_2768" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tR1K6wxYL64/UC3GjumasCI/AAAAAAAAzA4/8ZuY6Dk1J8o/DSC_2768_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="543"></a></p> <br clear="all"><br>Or for some, a bit later than early morning.<br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hrw_MeKxpRg/UC3GkbGQWOI/AAAAAAAAzBA/sLVJQmeWFyg/s1600-h/photo%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="photo" border="0" alt="photo" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ZY4_pRcsC4/UC3GlobdHzI/AAAAAAAAzBI/TxHR8heWlwg/photo_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="511"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7OBAs9VWrxg/UC3GmuJZ6UI/AAAAAAAAzBQ/KHqScCXKLpQ/s1600-h/IMG_2518%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 12px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2518" border="0" alt="IMG_2518" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kh42O00uBPk/UC3Gn24dPxI/AAAAAAAAzBY/v6wkZnWrIsI/IMG_2518_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="251"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2LbfCCnXwUc/UC3Go8iHZsI/AAAAAAAAzBg/hBxs7eG2okM/s1600-h/DSCN4265%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 12px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4265" border="0" alt="DSCN4265" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lo9vEI3m-SI/UC3GqJBt3wI/AAAAAAAAzBo/SuuKTCPCe0s/DSCN4265_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="254"></a><br clear="all"><br>While on my quest for adequate words, I came across the following poem. If I had read this poem before going to Maui, I would have repeated it each morning as I welcomed the sun. As I sat and listened. As I sat and observed. As I sat and remembered that <em>here is more important than there. Now is more important than later. </em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0TtqcS4W4ag/UC3GqxeNMTI/AAAAAAAAzBw/4Kfyt47Q1UA/s1600-h/SunrisePoem%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SunrisePoem" border="0" alt="SunrisePoem" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gNxyo5HqXxw/UC3GsKW6quI/AAAAAAAAzB4/TTaqJI8VR9A/SunrisePoem_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="730"></a><br clear="all">This picture was taken on the Island of Molokai.</p> <p>Stay tuned. More to come!</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-40643051392787721712012-08-16T10:49:00.001-04:002012-08-16T10:55:36.774-04:00Dreaming, Planning and Reality<p>Back in 2010 I sat on a balcony. Laughter, squeals, chattering, from both folks below and birdies above, wind rustling through the frons of the palm trees and the faint sloshing of waves fed my soul. I just finished photographing about a dozen or so colorful little birds, about the size of a parakeet. I tempted them with Maui Chips and a few still lingered, staring at me, pleading for a few more crumbs. With legs propped up and a chocolate mocha in hand, I stared out at that beautiful island across the water. Then I thought, you know, it would be pretty dang awesome if all the kids could be here right now. By kids, I mean the whole Blended-Brady-Bunch that we have. Grown-up girls, spouses, boyfriend and of course Cupcake Girl. I pondered, I dreamed and then I smiled. </p> <p>Later on I mentioned this to The Captain (my sweet husband). We had randomly talked about it a few times previously, but this time I was serious. Really serious. <em>You know, before things get too busy. Life things. More grandbabies. More school. More moving. I think we need to do this in 2012. That’s the year, I just know it. </em>So we told them. Told them 2 years in advance, knowing that things come up. Unplanned things. <em>But try to make it happen. Put it on your future schedule. Make it work!</em> Looking back I’m not sure they really believed us. Heck, I don’t know if I really believed us. But that tiny seed was planted and I wanted to make it grow.</p> <p>So, the planning began. Occasionally I looked at airline ticket prices, accommodation options and logistics. We also reminded the BBB (Blended Brady Bunch) of Maui 2012 throughout the year. <em>I’ll get the dates to you as soon as I know.</em> I knew we would arrive on Saturday and the kids would leave on Friday. We would stay over a few days and hopefully visit our last island, Molokai. </p> <p>Time passed. Soon, it was only a year away. Things would need to be booked soon. Golly, how do you find a place big enough for all of us. Sure, the <a href="http://maui.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-maui/index.jsp?null" target="_blank">Hyatt</a> would suffice, but that kind of defeats the purpose. I mean we all need to be under one roof, not one main roof with a thousand sub-roofs and a thousand other folks. Then I found it. <a href="http://www.exoticestates.com/properties.shtml?view=list" target="_blank">Bale Hale Villa</a> (after you click, scroll down a little bit then click again on Bali Hale). Oh disappointment, it only has 4 bedrooms. Wait, what? The media room? She said <em>it makes into a bed. Someone could sleep there.</em></p> <p>Now it’s time for a public service announcement. The folks at <a href="http://www.exoticestates.com/" target="_blank">Exotic Estates</a>, specifically Jen, were <em>totally awesome! </em>I vividly remember the day she called and said <em>the media room is a 5th bedroom and someone could sleep there. </em>Those were words from heaven. The Captain and I could take that room. No problem! I remember during my accommodation searches seeing this property over and over. I fell in love with it and I knew it would be perfect for our BBB. Each individual family unit could have their own bedroom/bath and one of the bedrooms had 2 queens, just right for Cupcake and her parents. Perfection! Book him Dano! (For those of you that don’t get the previous sentence, it’s from and old/new television show Hawaii Five-O.)</p> <p>Want to know something funny? After viewing the Bale Hale video (link at the bottom of the post) for probably a hundred times, my biggest fear was that we would pull into the driveway and it would be a total dump. Yes, a total dump. Some shack with a green pool and a fake view. Ha! Then my BBB would look at me and say <em>this is it? </em>I mean, could something as truly wonderful as the home on that video really exist? Really? My fear was not a reality. </p> <p>So folks, <em>this</em> is the view that greeted us when we walked in to our beautiful home-away-from-home…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z1q7s9OwJdo/UC0HzSBF0AI/AAAAAAAAy58/nKLXXYyHnlE/s1600-h/DSC_2597%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2597" border="0" alt="DSC_2597" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nytX6bcVwjU/UC0H0PIkxeI/AAAAAAAAy6E/aloHNOhwhDA/DSC_2597_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="488"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3U-dNjshy5g/UC0H1KU1hmI/AAAAAAAAy6M/FzVBYfiR1RA/s1600-h/DSC_2598%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2598" border="0" alt="DSC_2598" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XpTZP-nhXxY/UC0H2K3sz9I/AAAAAAAAy6U/zss_fp_Euo0/DSC_2598_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qIlmkWJoss4/UC0H3CkNUkI/AAAAAAAAy6c/8t2X7OTkff8/s1600-h/DSC_2606%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2606" border="0" alt="DSC_2606" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z4SWFLSKQVw/UC0H4OThm1I/AAAAAAAAy6k/f1EhcvYs58w/DSC_2606_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HlAZxP_ULt8/UC0H5P8CAiI/AAAAAAAAy6s/PTA-4wW85ZY/s1600-h/DSC_2607%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2607" border="0" alt="DSC_2607" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zVq1yekReaY/UC0H6Z4FPCI/AAAAAAAAy60/OIAYBNgfd8M/DSC_2607_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><br clear="all"><br><em>This</em> is the sunset that greeted us after our very long day…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dqYKq6XGYXI/UC0H7bKlKLI/AAAAAAAAy68/DfxIwOFstHk/s1600-h/DSC_2619%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2619" border="0" alt="DSC_2619" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cXOslXl4lL4/UC0H8QO7NsI/AAAAAAAAy7E/0CYiy4cm5ao/DSC_2619_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="484"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>And <em>this</em> is the sunrise that greeted us the following morning and every morning thereafter…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J3IvpMbURv4/UC0H9cvoGLI/AAAAAAAAy7M/cTldGBV5oRs/s1600-h/DSC_2647%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2647" border="0" alt="DSC_2647" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jkpNO7nkPb4/UC0H-WXY4YI/AAAAAAAAy7U/6LZlX_DNlPY/DSC_2647_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="484"></a></p> <p><br><br clear="all"><br>And finally, <em>these</em> are only a glimpse of what filled my heart and soul the first full day…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TeZf9Wi31q4/UC0H_XWPhlI/AAAAAAAAy7c/SpdHKKDUIB0/s1600-h/DSC_2642%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2642" border="0" alt="DSC_2642" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4ESqZT--I1Q/UC0IAvk3HnI/AAAAAAAAy7k/oNXMhLH1AGA/DSC_2642_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YNeh7qva0sk/UC0IBiJxpII/AAAAAAAAy7s/y4u06G0_rR0/s1600-h/DSC_2671%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2671" border="0" alt="DSC_2671" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J10NCg4xEIo/UC0ICuyAzzI/AAAAAAAAy70/TWCwaOhNfIw/DSC_2671_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oCB6XNiH_eY/UC0ID21n9MI/AAAAAAAAy78/m48eODEvUps/s1600-h/DSC_2685%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2685" border="0" alt="DSC_2685" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TRZx2t7xdHc/UC0IE4GrtjI/AAAAAAAAy8E/x3Qza35bpBg/DSC_2685_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FRsGaqdUPvE/UC0IFogtjmI/AAAAAAAAy8M/3eFNG2_b15s/s1600-h/DSC_2696%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2696" border="0" alt="DSC_2696" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TjXSTUDsIDM/UC0IGq8EH4I/AAAAAAAAy8U/j0ddgf7B0cQ/DSC_2696_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oPZTgjg1bI4/UC0IHswAsrI/AAAAAAAAy8c/-5rEW3asF_A/s1600-h/DSC_2714%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2714" border="0" alt="DSC_2714" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_0qlUfJ-fxk/UC0IJNdLngI/AAAAAAAAy8k/Uw8xbZj5RRo/DSC_2714_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rbEgO7FD1N8/UC0IJ4zh2SI/AAAAAAAAy8s/pYumY3CSZM4/s1600-h/DSC_2731%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2731" border="0" alt="DSC_2731" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jDxlH_hjx3M/UC0IKu0f3jI/AAAAAAAAy80/dNAYMO4yzf8/DSC_2731_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qTWfesMJdF4/UC0ILd2MH0I/AAAAAAAAy88/b_PKUU743QE/s1600-h/DSC_2733%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2733" border="0" alt="DSC_2733" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Opqn2uPLXYg/UC0IMe3oAnI/AAAAAAAAy9E/p6-f60ZRVWY/DSC_2733_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AqN1X7aW9oA/UC0INhlXobI/AAAAAAAAy9M/fIH96QlRVjs/s1600-h/DSC_2740%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2740" border="0" alt="DSC_2740" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R35dhzNqvSA/UC0IOEHeZ-I/AAAAAAAAy9U/uEMscGTxgxA/DSC_2740_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-okcZUjMn2Zk/UC0IO7vysyI/AAAAAAAAy9c/7_Cvk5fHz04/s1600-h/DSC_2741%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2741" border="0" alt="DSC_2741" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n_miRMn__tI/UC0IQYj0CKI/AAAAAAAAy9k/1RCjutwALGI/DSC_2741_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="159"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-deuJMmtgLyU/UC0IRvNbGkI/AAAAAAAAy9s/cVFOrHqH2Z0/s1600-h/DSC_2640%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2640" border="0" alt="DSC_2640" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v397ddcIoBo/UC0IS2vBUJI/AAAAAAAAy90/3EjaGaImN_M/DSC_2640_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="370"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yy4Ut6bb1JM/UC0ITvlxPuI/AAAAAAAAy98/hg-6MOX5X8c/s1600-h/DSC_2707%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2707" border="0" alt="DSC_2707" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-15mQ8wblyiA/UC0IUvH0CzI/AAAAAAAAy-E/YyWlWgiDYG4/DSC_2707_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="362"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tQNxrPozC-o/UC0IV22DXeI/AAAAAAAAy-M/Nq6vsLar0Y0/s1600-h/DSC_2710%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2710" border="0" alt="DSC_2710" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H4FD_Fk1Sns/UC0IW-Bmp6I/AAAAAAAAy-U/amBfpdzSmUQ/DSC_2710_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="362"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br>Yep, these kids, this place and this time truly filled my heart and soul. To the brim and overflowing!</p> <p>More to come folks, more to come.</p> <p>P.S. For whatever reason, I didn’t take very many villa photos, so here is a link to my sweet daughter’s blog and her beautiful villa pictures! Just click <a href="http://tsabin.blogspot.com/2012/07/villa-hawaii-2012.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</p> <p>And to get an overall view of Bali Hale Villa you can view a short video courtesy of Exotic Estates <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoFZTNsehtc&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">here</a>. Again, a BIG SHOUT OUT to <a href="http://www.exoticestates.com/" target="_blank">Exotic Estates</a>! Thanks Jen! I owe you some Moon Pies from Chattanooga!</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-67263450471294472332012-07-05T22:03:00.001-04:002012-07-06T00:23:58.501-04:00Too Long<p>I know. It’s been way too long. Seems as though the month of June went by in a flash. Guess I just had a bit of a slump in blogging, writing and even in photographing. I was a little shocked to see my photo numbers really dwindle for the months of April, May and June. I don’t really have an answer for it. Just happened. But I can tell you that this <u>will</u> <u>not</u> <u>last</u>. July <em>is promising good things. Very good things. </em>More about that later in the post.</p> <p>The Captain is progressing very well. He went back to work and I think he was ready. I was ready too! Most of June was spent going to physical therapy, keeping Cupcake Girl, swinging, a little swimming, shopping, cleaning and finally, packing.</p> <p>Packing? Yes! Packing! We, as in all of us, are off to the tropical paradise called Maui. I an eager to see the island as we make our decent. I can’t wait to breathe in that salty air mixed with fragrant hibiscus flowers. I want to see a rainbow or two and hear the rustling of palm fronds. I want to hear the ooo’s and aaa’s from our group as they see our tropical home. I can’t wait to swim in that 96 foot long free-form pool. I long to just sit and look out at the ocean as the sun sets and watch in the early morning hours as it rises. I know I’ve watched <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoFZTNsehtc" target="_blank">this video</a> 50+ times (more recently about 10 minutes ago). I have dreamed, planned, and dreamed some more about this special week. It’s not our first trip, but it is the first time our little blended family will ALL be together. This will include one small one (almost 5) and one on the way (due in the fall). I want to be in that room and see their faces as they walk into our little piece of paradise. I am so excited! Side note: I found and rented from the folks at <a href="http://www.exoticestates.com/" target="_blank">Exotic Estates International</a>. They are awesome!</p> <p><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VoFZTNsehtc?rel=0" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-00hWcv27Ld4/T_ZHDj-5bxI/AAAAAAAAx-c/7ssFiVaqYvk/s1600-h/101_0046%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="101_0046" border="0" alt="101_0046" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hD-Hh9rABRc/T_ZHLnhBYhI/AAAAAAAAx-k/oegIgHpOM58/101_0046_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="368" height="490"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1HYNqH0k-uU/T_ZHMnC0GVI/AAAAAAAAx-s/Cn8m-EsxohE/s1600-h/DSC_1902%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1902" border="0" alt="DSC_1902" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M1NvihGXaVw/T_ZHNdZ1kpI/AAAAAAAAx-0/_sikD-SQMXA/DSC_1902_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="490"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xNwj9rqq3tQ/T_ZHOVqu4cI/AAAAAAAAx-8/rFL6TSBVmd4/s1600-h/DSC_2058%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2058" border="0" alt="DSC_2058" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T1tXquXBqoQ/T_ZHPigV95I/AAAAAAAAx_E/DyQbAPRy0Jw/DSC_2058_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="708" height="490"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hBnsOXFw1EE/T_ZHRUSJ0mI/AAAAAAAAx_M/cpP8y-SOAiM/s1600-h/P6240095%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P6240095" border="0" alt="P6240095" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I58jSOO7eCo/T_ZHTHxkN-I/AAAAAAAAx_U/vQuR401o-Gk/P6240095_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="262"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zlr5TjHcf8E/T_ZHUwI2czI/AAAAAAAAx_c/xIuUwwFoj5Q/s1600-h/P6250166%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P6250166" border="0" alt="P6250166" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DQI6oZJmcHw/T_ZHXdQHqtI/AAAAAAAAx_k/fgci8fKl5w8/P6250166_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="262"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-awsjgek2Mzw/T_ZHYzUvCqI/AAAAAAAAx_s/Fh7UIKUCYpM/s1600-h/DSC_2006%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2006" border="0" alt="DSC_2006" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GQeKVVyBMmE/T_ZHaifSo_I/AAAAAAAAx_0/k9R_dn7Ses0/DSC_2006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="708" height="475"></a></p><br clear="all">This is perhaps one of my favorite pictures of all. This is atop Haleakala in <a href="http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm" target="_blank">Haleakala National Park</a>. As the website says, it is <em>More Than Just A Moment! </em>Yes it is.<br clear="all"><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F4V9hIrtWkg/T_ZKvfFUrsI/AAAAAAAAyAQ/zotBKZPBSDk/s1600-h/DSC_2094%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><em><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2094" border="0" alt="DSC_2094" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M8yJcaivM8o/T_ZKxMhTSnI/AAAAAAAAyAY/Xe2Rk_D88sc/DSC_2094_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="708" height="475"><br clear="all"></em></a> <p>Our adventure awaits! I will not neglect you my bloggie buddies. I promise!</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-25997953828183704932012-05-28T07:02:00.000-04:002012-05-28T07:02:00.111-04:00His Surgery in Pictures<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AJ8saEcCVGI/T8LcsKasasI/AAAAAAAAxu4/UOBNgz-8qr8/s1600-h/IMG_1124%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1124" border="0" alt="IMG_1124" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-85kQv9pDf18/T8LctEAdhFI/AAAAAAAAxvA/FUZejva_u6A/IMG_1124_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tGNDLwqPDOg/T8LcuG8Z4OI/AAAAAAAAxvI/jTNHPEDhTa0/s1600-h/IMG_1126_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1126_1" border="0" alt="IMG_1126_1" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KMHuCAYyFE8/T8LcvK01SwI/AAAAAAAAxvQ/kgUoNd3hOkY/IMG_1126_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w3o6z777jO0/T8LcwFWJgDI/AAAAAAAAxvY/CnE1Ef-n9iE/s1600-h/IMG_1125_1%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1125_1" border="0" alt="IMG_1125_1" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CWDMDMX_f9I/T8LcxQNqEHI/AAAAAAAAxvg/FgbojyJbZD4/IMG_1125_1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ur8o8RDSq70/T8Lc0GvayrI/AAAAAAAAxvo/W2E8n8ZFwz4/s1600-h/IMG_1127%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1127" border="0" alt="IMG_1127" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cjmj_3y1Ous/T8Lc1YvLSfI/AAAAAAAAxvw/Jrx-gZwJNE4/IMG_1127_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xnJ8yIZDJN8/T8Lc2q5oXvI/AAAAAAAAxv4/6tydrWK8W4M/s1600-h/IMG_1131_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1131_1" border="0" alt="IMG_1131_1" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bkQTC3byuGk/T8Lc4BkNyxI/AAAAAAAAxwA/3eu6oR76Ny0/IMG_1131_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="707"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w4sZcfwOF8M/T8Lc5h3OcBI/AAAAAAAAxwI/8KevHjzzvQM/s1600-h/IMG_1133%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1133" border="0" alt="IMG_1133" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DWn1x2KqxXc/T8Lc7FvZVgI/AAAAAAAAxwQ/qqOZOr912pk/IMG_1133_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="532"></a><br clear="all"><em>Surgical waiting room.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KmoT71BfBFM/T8Lc8Kij04I/AAAAAAAAxwY/w6fCWOey-bA/s1600-h/IMG_1137%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1137" border="0" alt="IMG_1137" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aqD4CE8Xu4w/T8Lc9SRgtkI/AAAAAAAAxwg/CWf4cX3mD9A/IMG_1137_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZHJWjmx6WiI/T8Lc-Vk4FDI/AAAAAAAAxwo/Jh3aBlb3O7k/s1600-h/IMG_1139%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1139" border="0" alt="IMG_1139" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ybuxhBbrgOY/T8Lc_TShZyI/AAAAAAAAxww/K1MqGS7twR0/IMG_1139_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><em>First picture after surgery and the view from hospital room.</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_VX88T6nYYI/T8LdAWl3crI/AAAAAAAAxw4/ipOEUA4jVbY/s1600-h/IMG_1151%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1151" border="0" alt="IMG_1151" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-phIb17Fgchk/T8LdBA2uijI/AAAAAAAAxxA/r2x1oqbfbkw/IMG_1151_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="532"></a><br clear="all"><em>Sunrise in the fog the next morning from the hospital room. Beautiful!</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DAUGXwrIpkM/T8LdBzflCrI/AAAAAAAAxxI/dYPGfjIespk/s1600-h/IMG_1160%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1160" border="0" alt="IMG_1160" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-deJHWNI9zn4/T8LdCg1sqlI/AAAAAAAAxxQ/H3WfRB_jQms/IMG_1160_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="307"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Sj2qPY4Qbk/T8LdDtaG8yI/AAAAAAAAxxY/5JDKHO_XUks/s1600-h/IMG_1163%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1163" border="0" alt="IMG_1163" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sh06YY0XDdU/T8LdFBFSsFI/AAAAAAAAxxg/J9Y5CzGI6hs/IMG_1163_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="307"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hybdtfrcTug/T8LdGF2oWMI/AAAAAAAAxxo/NDuo4Pym_fo/s1600-h/IMG_1165%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1165" border="0" alt="IMG_1165" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0pCMRzu95jU/T8LdHDH6GnI/AAAAAAAAxxw/0lMgBBDEwO8/IMG_1165_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="307"></a><br clear="all"><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tEFXiLtx2d4/T8LdIBxLvBI/AAAAAAAAxx4/1ZIcnNZerAM/s1600-h/IMG_1156%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1156" border="0" alt="IMG_1156" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w9b3T_h7RfY/T8LdJEO5zxI/AAAAAAAAxyA/N0p5_loCe5g/IMG_1156_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="524"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7igpb5lHHls/T8LdKJfjtyI/AAAAAAAAxyI/iMlYYTotHOA/s1600-h/IMG_1167%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1167" border="0" alt="IMG_1167" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-POBib1iCvL0/T8LdLPMcHzI/AAAAAAAAxyQ/kAqsKxx2UtA/IMG_1167_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="264"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UjdQv3Bprsk/T8LdMEgx0YI/AAAAAAAAxyY/H_j0aSESQrU/s1600-h/IMG_1168%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1168" border="0" alt="IMG_1168" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YPjqgRO_vWY/T8LdNYUmaII/AAAAAAAAxyg/Sn3u1-SMmf0/IMG_1168_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="254"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QnZ9R2VAV-o/T8LdOdn8PRI/AAAAAAAAxyo/_vfNoGtHv94/s1600-h/IMG_1169%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1169" border="0" alt="IMG_1169" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x30B_xRQD6Y/T8LdPAr0VqI/AAAAAAAAxyw/5BITSJvv0MA/IMG_1169_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="532"></a><br clear="all"><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hYo-aMaq_K4/T8LdQJAR8wI/AAAAAAAAxy4/B7lFdvf8UsY/s1600-h/IMG_1188%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1188" border="0" alt="IMG_1188" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MdcFlSeQH70/T8LdQ3WWQxI/AAAAAAAAxzA/D2BSWIVOukU/IMG_1188_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="710"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o-NG_ray9dc/T8LdRqRUYWI/AAAAAAAAxzI/UkRQn-WxoHY/s1600-h/IMG_1173%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1173" border="0" alt="IMG_1173" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lR-nQaxoBrw/T8LdSZMpC7I/AAAAAAAAxzQ/MlbSFWX9d0c/IMG_1173_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CGM-BZ1yFro/T8LdTDUjklI/AAAAAAAAxzY/Oxq4_PWZpcU/s1600-h/IMG_1174%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1174" border="0" alt="IMG_1174" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GZYPd6UmaPc/T8LdUJu3SII/AAAAAAAAxzg/vfQKFUP0X-s/IMG_1174_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="467"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dD7icyDosqY/T8LdU-qwZvI/AAAAAAAAxzo/NF0-EOqX1jw/s1600-h/IMG_1194%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1194" border="0" alt="IMG_1194" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f1nvFn9C44A/T8LdV6Gb2dI/AAAAAAAAxzw/jNelCbgx2Co/IMG_1194_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="307"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0hvZ-Wej7zk/T8LdWQ2ZsaI/AAAAAAAAxz4/AW8XHnJRl90/s1600-h/IMG_1218%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1218" border="0" alt="IMG_1218" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RuZ1PQnZNww/T8LdXeDB8qI/AAAAAAAAx0A/4Os5XKfuElg/IMG_1218_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="307"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qidifga7dCc/T8LdYE2iudI/AAAAAAAAx0I/qB_oCx_elGU/s1600-h/IMG_1347%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1347" border="0" alt="IMG_1347" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-swAcOZiCcdw/T8LdZf5E5mI/AAAAAAAAx0Q/IxTa7_BXdDY/IMG_1347_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="307"></a><br clear="all"><br><em>And finally, he hasn’t lost his sense of humor!! But I don’t think this is exactly how you wear your neck brace darling!!<br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oXQJtJWIhwk/T8Ldb0y175I/AAAAAAAAx0Y/Zt58r3wfKxs/s1600-h/IMG_1486_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1486_1" border="0" alt="IMG_1486_1" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MOCxDArLvJ0/T8Ldc-a1V_I/AAAAAAAAx0g/X8ISvWCdnY4/IMG_1486_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="710" height="831"></a></em></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-71540340788438215982012-05-27T21:24:00.001-04:002012-05-27T21:24:33.026-04:00A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to….<p><font size="3">Sometime in mid-March.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">You sure are walking funny. Are you tired? Do your legs hurt? Do your hips hurt?</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">Well, I have a little soreness in my hips. It’ll be fine.</font></em></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">A few weeks pass.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">You’re still walking funny. It’s like you are dragging your foot or something. Do you think you need to go to the doctor?</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">No, no, no. It will work its way out. I’m sure. Do worry.</font></em></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">Another week passes by.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">Okay, look, you have until the end of April and if it’s not better you need to go to the doctor okay? That’s it. Period.</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">Okay, I will. End of April. I promise.</font></em></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">A few days later, before the end of April. A phone call. His office.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">We’re worried about Doc. He is really dragging his foot. He seems very tired and is having a hard time getting around.</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">I know. I’ll talk to him this weekend. Maybe he can see the doctor on Monday.</font></em></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">The weekend.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">You have to go. I’m worried. They’re worried. Don’t you want to be better for our big trip in July and then in October? You don’t want to go on our trip like this do you? Don’t you want to be able to hike and play with Cupcake and the rest of us?</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">You’re right. Okay. I’ll go.</font></em></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">Monday.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">I have an appointment at 1:00. Can you go with me?</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">Sure. I’ll be there.</font></em></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">Later. His office calls.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">They moved the appointment up. He’s on his way now. He’ll call you afterwards.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">A couple hours later from his office.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">Umm, I have to get a stat MRI at 1:00. The doctor didn’t like what he found in the exam. Can you come and go with me? He gave me something to relax me since I can’t be still for that long. Gonna take a nap till you get here.</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">On my way. I love you.</font></em></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">Later that night. Doctor calls.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">Looks like you have herniated discs in you cervical spine and some cervical stenosis. I’m going to send you to a neurosurgeon.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">Next day. Neurosurgeon appointment (yes, it was that quick).</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">The neurosurgeon walks in and says, “Wow! You poor man. You really have elevated hypersensitivity in your feet and legs and you are not walking well at all. I looked at the MRI scan, but I would like to get a closer look at the neck area and I want to get a brain scan as well.”</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><em><font size="3">Oh, golly, here we go again with the scans!</font></em></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">“I found some spots on your brain scan. Before we talk about surgery on your neck, I really want you to see a neurologist. Just need to rule out some things. “</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">During this conversation, filled with medical jargon, I remember hearing these two physicians (my husband and the neurosurgeon) mention MS. Multiple Sclerosis. <em>Just need to rule it out. </em>Okay.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">It’s now April 30. Neurologist appointment. A physician who gets his own patients from the waiting room and does his own history & physical. That’s interesting. His first words….</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3"><em>Well I don’t see any sign of MS. These spots are just……..blah, blah, blah</em> (more medical jargon). <em>Wow! You poor man. You really have hypersensitivity in you feet and legs and you are not walking well at all. </em>(Guess everyone is in agreement that he is NOT walking well AT ALL.) <em>Okay this, and okay that and oh yeah, by the way, you have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. I want to order an echocardiogram, 48-hour holter monitor and am EMG </em>(for the carpel tunnel). <em>And one more thing, down the road after your neck surgery, I may want to do a lumbar puncture, just to 100% rule out the MS. And we’ll talk about the carpal tunnel afterward too.</em></font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">During the appointment he calls the neurosurgeon (they’re friends). <em>Yep, those spots are not MS. I think you can go ahead and do the neck surgery. I’ll have them call your office tomorrow. </em>More medical jargon. Hangs up.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">May 1. Neurosurgeon’s office calls. He wants to get one last test. A CT scan. It’s set up for May 9. Pre-operative appointment will be May 10, my sweet husband’s birthday.</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 9. CT scan at the hospital.</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 10. Pre-op appointment. Arrive at 8:30. At 8:45 they cancel due to an emergency. </font></p> <p><font size="3">May 11. We find out it was a death in his family. The neurosurgeon’s office calls and schedules the surgery for Friday, May 18. The doctor will call on May 17 to discuss the surgery via phone. They are positive it will be fine. The neurosurgeon wants to do the surgery. Yes, they are sure.</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 12. Bedtime. Browsing the internet. Glancing at the obituaries (yes, I do this occasionally). Oh no. It was his wife that died. The neurosurgeon’s wife. Unexpectedly.</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 14. EMG appointment with neurologist. 48-hour Holter Monitor. Call the neurosurgeon’s office. They reassure me that the neurosurgeon is okay. Surgery will take place on the 18th.</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 15. Pre-surgery testing at the hospital.</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 16. Echocardiogram at another hospital. Turn in the holter monitor.</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 17. Neurosurgeon calls in the late afternoon. They will do an anterior decompression and a fusion of several of the cervical vertebrae. Will probably last between 3-4 hours. And no, you can’t take a donkey ride when you are on vacation in July (more about that in a later post).</font></p> <p><font size="3">May 18. </font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">Arrive at the Ambulatory Surgical Unit of the hospital at 7:00 am. </font></p> <p><font size="3">My parents drove up and surprised us. They wanted to be there with us. <em>Thank you my sweet parents! </em></font></p> <p><font size="3">They wheel him back at 8:30 am to the pre-operative area and said they would call with updates. On schedule at 10:00 am, they get started. My parents leave an hour or so later and then I wait. And wait. Updates are about every hour or so. </font></p> <p><font size="3">A phone call at 1:30 tells me that they will be closing in about 10 minutes and the neurosurgeon will be out to talk to me later.</font></p> <p><font size="3">At 2:45 the neurosurgeon appears. Success! Everything was successful!</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3"><em>He is doing very well. I’m going to go back to recovery to see him after I leave you. He will probably be here until tomorrow or at the latest Sunday. Bland diet to begin with and see how he tolerates food. I will also have physical therapy evaluate him and they will tell you what they recommend. If he feels like it he can get up and move around today. I want him to wear a collar, mostly for comfort reasons. His neck is solid and his incision looks good.</em></font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">I said thank you, but I didn’t know what else to say. Should I say anything? Should I say <em>I’m sorry for your loss</em>. Those words seem so empty, inappropriate, etc. I took his hand said, <em>Dr. G. I just want you to know I’ve kept you in my thoughts and prayers this past week. I also want you to know that people across the country have been praying for you. I mentioned to a group of people, people I don’t even know, in a class I’m taking online, about the surgery and you and your family. </em>He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said thank you. Then he left.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">Late afternoon.</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">I found my sweet husband in his room. He was awake and had a big smile on his face. He was so happy. Euphorically happy! I wondered if it was the anesthesia or the pain medication. It may have been some of both, but it was mostly him. He felt so good! He talked NON –STOP! I don’t think I have ever heard him talk so much. He talked about all the people he met in the pre-surgery room, how nice everyone was, how good he felt, etc. It appears he made several friends in pre-surgery and he wanted me to start a <em>thank you</em> list. I did what he asked. He continued to talk throughout the night. To the nurses, assistants, a couple of visitors, me, people on the phone, and anyone who would listen.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Within a couple of hours he got up and walked to the bathroom (with assistance). He did that a few more times that evening. He wolfed down his bland supper, but around 11:00 pm he was really hungry. His nurse ordered 2 grilled cheese sandwiches. No more bland diet!</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">He didn’t sleep that night. Not because of pain, just wasn’t sleepy. He kept saying over and over how good he felt. He was so excited and relieved! He even talked to me while I was sleeping! I just know he did.</font></p> <p><font size="3">Sometime during the night the hospitalist came in. I was half asleep, but I know they talked for quite a few minutes. I did hear my sweet husband tell me, <em>add him to the list</em>. I did.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">May 19. </font></p> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">Physical therapist came in for evaluation. Walks him down the hall. The therapist can’t believe it is less than 24 hours post-surgery. Nice!</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">The neurosurgeon’s PA arrive sometime mid-morning. <em>You are doing very well. You can stay another night or you can go home. It’s up to you. </em></font></p> <p><font size="3">Go home! </font></p> <p><font size="3"><em>Okay, I’ll get the paperwork signed, give you some scripts and have physical therapy come in one more time to do a “step-evaluation”. </em>We have steps in our house.</font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><font size="3">Approximately 4:30 pm we arrive home. A wee bit over 24 hours since major surgery on my sweet husband’s neck. </font></p></blockquote> <p><font size="3">And now the recovery begins.</font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><em><font size="3"></font></em></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-67810694730495888672012-05-17T08:10:00.001-04:002012-05-17T08:10:51.929-04:00Remembering<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PZxkhQzXOnM/T7TquCFZg2I/AAAAAAAAxJU/-PaIBXNOD7E/s1600-h/Photo-May-06-12-42-12-PM_swinging5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo May 06, 12 42 12 PM_swinging" border="0" alt="Photo May 06, 12 42 12 PM_swinging" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MYms15Dxm4Y/T7TqyiNxUuI/AAAAAAAAxJc/5IzkERdaNaE/Photo-May-06-12-42-12-PM_swinging_th.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="525"></a></p> <p><br clear="all">The other day Cupcake Girl wanted to go to the “playground.” This is our neighbors yard and our previous neighbor’s swing set. The playground is a about 90 feet from our driveway. I stood there captivated as she skipped her way out there. All by herself, singing, humming and just being in her own little Cupcake world. She never looked back to see if I was tagging along. Not one glance. She had an agenda. Straight for the swing, belly down, a few running steps forward, then blastoff. But I was ready. I clicked with my iPhone. I captured a moment. A moment in time.</p> <p>I watched her for a few minutes, captivated by her independence and also lost in my own memories. As I walked out to join her I peeked at the picture on the screen and smiled. That was a good moment. I quickly uploaded the picture to <a href="http://instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> (you can follow me there @lulusloves or check me out <a href="http://followgram.me/lulusloves" target="_blank">here</a>) and simply titled it <em>Swinging.</em></p> <p>That visual moment stayed with me throughout the day. Later that evening I took a look at the picture on the big screen. I sat there and stared. Remembering. Smiling. Flooded with memories. Things I hadn’t thought about in ages. Like that swing set I had some 40ish years ago. It was metal with 2 swings, a swinging teeter totter, metal slide and an awesome 4 person glider. I can see the exact spot it sat in our backyard. I loved that swing.</p> <p>Then some 20ish years ago I remember another metal swing set. I have pictures somewhere. I remember watching from the sliding glass doors a cute little chubby-leg girl and her best friend next door, playing for hours on that swing set. Then a couple of years later a small one joining those two, trying to keep up, but not venturing far from my legs. She was attached. Like a leech sometimes. They loved that swing. I wonder if they remember?</p> <p>As I stared at the picture I also thought about independence. For a few minutes Cupcake didn’t need or even ask me to go with her. She just went. Alone. She knew I was on the driveway and maybe that was enough. I forgot how early independence comes. She’s certainly more independent with her Mama than with me or is it just easier for Mamas to let it happen than Grandmamas. Maybe Grandmamas just hold on a little longer. We know how fast it goes. All we have to do is look at their Mamas. We remember and it goes fast. </p> <p>With that independence comes confidence. You see, belly-swinging is a bit new to this girl. But she’s confident. She knows that with a few steps she can blast off to the moon. And she sees confidence in her own Mama. A Mama that has gone back to school. Started over with her education. And with that education comes homework and tests. The young one sees her Mama study. She already knows what homework is all about. And her Mama shows such confidence now. Confidence that she can and will do it. She will do it for herself, her little one and her sweet husband. She had that confidence when she was little too. She could belly-swing with the best of them! She probably still can!</p> <p>Thank you Cupcake for helping me not only capture a moment, but remembering. Remembering some wonderful adventures from the past and for a moment, a tiny moment, what it was like to be a little girl.</p> <p><em>Pooh and Piglet walked home thoughtfully together in the golden evening, and for a long time they were silent.<br>"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"<br>"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"<br>"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.<br>Pooh nodded thoughtfully.<br>"It's the same thing," he said.<br>Winnie the Pooh from Winnie the Pooh</em></p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-50943174005495286852012-05-10T17:00:00.000-04:002012-05-10T19:09:31.868-04:00My Birthday Love<p>Happy Birthday my sweet love! Yes, today is your birthday and I am truly blessed to share it with you. I don’t know if I can express in words the love, devotion and admiration that I have for you. Each and every day I am grateful to have you by my side as we continue our life’s journey. You are my dearest, the love of my life and my hunka-hunka-burning love.</p> <p>I love you for:</p> <p>Loving me<br>Tolerating my <em>occasional</em> moodiness<br>Loving your girls<br>Your passion for music<br>Loving my girls<br>Adoring that sweet Cupcake Girl<br>Anxiously awaiting Jimaletta<br>Taking care of your patients and staff<br>Sharing National Geographic pictures with me on your iPad<br>Reading me to sleep at night with a variety of ummm….literature?<br>Checking out the future places we want to go on Google Earth<br>Posing for pictures and being the occasional guinea pig<br>Making me laugh and giggle and laugh some more<br>Listening to me (well, most of the time anyway)<br>Eating chicken when I cook it<br>Saying <em>Let’s get pizza</em> when you know I haven’t cooked supper yet<br>Turning your music down when I ask you to<br>Looking at me lovingly with those beautiful, blue eyes<br>Etc., etc., etc.</p> <p>To celebrate I wanted to share a few of my favorite photographs of you! I love your many faces and especially your beautiful smile!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qPK4bKwbwTw/T6xJwDmQl3I/AAAAAAAAwmU/uH9CiW6rs_A/s1600-h/100_00406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="100_0040" border="0" alt="100_0040" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g27yyASUIxM/T6xJziV6ABI/AAAAAAAAwmc/67ecpVu7YpY/100_0040_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="485"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J_KA7S1uPXU/T6xJ1bPh4fI/AAAAAAAAwmk/OgK7TZ6AIlY/s1600-h/2011-05-20-16.12.045.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-05-20 16.12.04" border="0" alt="2011-05-20 16.12.04" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gsJYB8EAo_o/T6xJ2UZMecI/AAAAAAAAwms/ooT2vGLW2sc/2011-05-20-16.12.04_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="240"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KImR16QwFhk/T6xJ3XNeCEI/AAAAAAAAwm0/Pc0sjT0-by0/s1600-h/2011-07-06-19.29.145.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-07-06 19.29.14" border="0" alt="2011-07-06 19.29.14" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fQCS_pFtKXo/T6xJ4bc6CRI/AAAAAAAAwm8/9hXQu89_nc4/2011-07-06-19.29.14_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="240"></a></p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-INvtaeChfVs/T6xJ5bfbMjI/AAAAAAAAwnE/XZ4OL1IAO0c/s1600-h/2011-09-14-20.01.597.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-09-14 20.01.59" border="0" alt="2011-09-14 20.01.59" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P7shfLPrn20/T6xJ7dcM4bI/AAAAAAAAwnM/M94dromMZPk/2011-09-14-20.01.59_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="267"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qeJ0kSvva5U/T6xJ8GycF3I/AAAAAAAAwnU/m82hlxZS0cE/s1600-h/2011-09-14-20.02.476.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-09-14 20.02.47" border="0" alt="2011-09-14 20.02.47" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R1LbIAT7BoY/T6xJ8_fDR3I/AAAAAAAAwnc/-JkfWx-ucP0/2011-09-14-20.02.47_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="267"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kawjog0r7u0/T6xJ9z5oMpI/AAAAAAAAwnk/gK3BtDvGapk/s1600-h/DSC_06094.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0609" border="0" alt="DSC_0609" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IENplWXS7tM/T6xJ-2TXMhI/AAAAAAAAwns/QazkI3dozQs/DSC_0609_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="688" height="470"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bwFYhikRtX0/T6xJ_1CY6hI/AAAAAAAAwn0/NeBk4tinxJY/s1600-h/DSC_33497.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3349" border="0" alt="DSC_3349" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rdw1yW2GBNM/T6xKAmWw6HI/AAAAAAAAwn8/k6jB2xJ9uW8/DSC_3349_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="346"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SEvdP35c1HQ/T6xKBPdA1CI/AAAAAAAAwoE/JJHRojRVANo/s1600-h/DSC_36817.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_3681" border="0" alt="DSC_3681" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NvyVVWmQMHo/T6xKB4NZMUI/AAAAAAAAwoM/QeBEG4EOqmM/DSC_3681_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="346"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ns0PwTN7Hqo/T6xKC8vSqnI/AAAAAAAAwoU/lcfHoHCrO98/s1600-h/DSC_84607.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_8460" border="0" alt="DSC_8460" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1pZDLY0lG5E/T6xKDjVBtlI/AAAAAAAAwoc/HkMnjSyAu_A/DSC_8460_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="345"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yhIRL6DVhMc/T6xKERLgCXI/AAAAAAAAwok/v8OP5MrL7i0/s1600-h/DSC_94747.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_9474" border="0" alt="DSC_9474" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_6xABAtVvKI/T6xKFIpn_JI/AAAAAAAAwos/YWIhuPeZkwg/DSC_9474_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="491"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iCYYQJB2asU/T6xKF-fYN8I/AAAAAAAAwo0/ZS0JvcfWeHU/s1600-h/DSC_22626.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2262" border="0" alt="DSC_2262" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vtHGkKzUy7A/T6xKG0iGnLI/AAAAAAAAwo8/pW53GD_FhsQ/DSC_2262_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="245"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dbbM8X0h6J4/T6xKHhsLm-I/AAAAAAAAwpE/ewgpBeimq-s/s1600-h/DSC_18746.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 2px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1874" border="0" alt="DSC_1874" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PXsQLypCUUM/T6xKIrxmD6I/AAAAAAAAwpM/P1x-r96UUcQ/DSC_1874_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="237"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5AWzm85Y_38/T6xKJQMmMAI/AAAAAAAAwpU/CEHOdPuviOw/s1600-h/DSC_15444.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_1544" border="0" alt="DSC_1544" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tR3GszfOOyU/T6xKKGUyNjI/AAAAAAAAwpc/3fobuK23vYA/DSC_1544_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="688" height="456"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9azhK_PGVyY/T6xKLJzk5NI/AAAAAAAAwpk/lnmyBXolkYk/s1600-h/DSC_00784.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0078" border="0" alt="DSC_0078" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mVJDhFBin9I/T6xKL-vkK8I/AAAAAAAAwps/a7ShCx2xM70/DSC_0078_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="225"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6xx4mItiWzs/T6xKMk5k9HI/AAAAAAAAwp0/ZrYT4MoWKzA/s1600-h/DSC_20235.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2023" border="0" alt="DSC_2023" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q6zPPgV1eqk/T6xKNTQa2XI/AAAAAAAAwp8/DG8MglgOO60/DSC_2023_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="225"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xj--Z1xPsg4/T6xKObzCH-I/AAAAAAAAwqE/jahoDnB1fuA/s1600-h/IMG_49474.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4947" border="0" alt="IMG_4947" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NkUGOkqtNRg/T6xKPa2JNsI/AAAAAAAAwqM/VRZv0-FmLLs/IMG_4947_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="299"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v1da00OYn5E/T6xKQJHEIGI/AAAAAAAAwqU/d_VpMpR9hPo/s1600-h/IMG_49534.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4953" border="0" alt="IMG_4953" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nrgqx-3Hsc8/T6xKQwL800I/AAAAAAAAwqc/8EnXadkwcXQ/IMG_4953_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="299"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fl6mnhBz7U8/T6xKR7O4btI/AAAAAAAAwqk/hvplrR7zydI/s1600-h/IMG_49714.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4971" border="0" alt="IMG_4971" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_sDbuWZww2M/T6xKShD8X5I/AAAAAAAAwqs/a2Izakr992k/IMG_4971_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="224" height="299"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A-RnFaZQ7Pk/T6xKTmviPJI/AAAAAAAAwq0/riNbFtBERck/s1600-h/P713004212.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-26uXui3-Q9g/T6xKUUf_iTI/AAAAAAAAwq8/CgSJV35Ogb4/P71300421_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="485"></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RCp6lH8YOHo/T6xKVZimdDI/AAAAAAAAwrE/K5-pPaxgYGc/s1600-h/2011-03-30-18.26.374.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-03-30 18.26.37" border="0" alt="2011-03-30 18.26.37" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vt52-gBHB88/T6xKWAgDb0I/AAAAAAAAwrM/1ahq_hy5hd8/2011-03-30-18.26.37_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="240"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xrhL9bFeiHU/T6xKXIKQD0I/AAAAAAAAwrU/pVBjpv8MW34/s1600-h/IMG_248414.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2484" border="0" alt="IMG_2484" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2_QQqZ37mz0/T6xKYF82erI/AAAAAAAAwrc/toG7-jFKC80/IMG_2484_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="240"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Yh7SciL7fnk/T6xKY80YvJI/AAAAAAAAwrk/9jL_B-7fdsU/s1600-h/DSC_86967.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_8696" border="0" alt="DSC_8696" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o-lo15DMRB4/T6xKZru26EI/AAAAAAAAwrs/YW6bwkf6Yrc/DSC_8696_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="525"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LlT2R0wqpCE/T6xKatg9gBI/AAAAAAAAwr0/z16S324LI6M/s1600-h/DSC_86988.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_8698" border="0" alt="DSC_8698" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-feTwR5_aj94/T6xKbU6s3yI/AAAAAAAAwr8/gHldCh6f4jQ/DSC_8698_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="525"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TgFyc7ib4fc/T6xKcHDM2WI/AAAAAAAAwsE/HUVZvmQ6cvY/s1600-h/DSC_84395.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_8439" border="0" alt="DSC_8439" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--K2n29-ewzk/T6xKdCAgZZI/AAAAAAAAwsM/FVaWFPW9pcM/DSC_8439_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="684" height="468"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sLiBynsS7zU/T6xKeMGAziI/AAAAAAAAwsU/QLnH6kbFChY/s1600-h/DSCN41068.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; 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border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4108" border="0" alt="DSCN4108" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XSRxCPk4rQU/T6xKiT5tn4I/AAAAAAAAws8/1h7pOTuPYLA/DSCN4108_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="166"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rWcMTCBKndg/T6xKjEtRG-I/AAAAAAAAwtE/77lj0T8z8S0/s1600-h/DSCN41094.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4109" border="0" alt="DSCN4109" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fEoqB-Jmub8/T6xKjwB0LAI/AAAAAAAAwtM/LdA9HEl8MC8/DSCN4109_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="166"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uaPj0o6Fi1U/T6xKkl_kRiI/AAAAAAAAwtU/T9mb-cVTQtM/s1600-h/DSCN41104.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4110" border="0" alt="DSCN4110" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JGywrS7e9Cs/T6xKlgU5KXI/AAAAAAAAwtc/Uk6V2zj1-mE/DSCN4110_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="166"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iZOUrPKoSLU/T6xKmbUJA5I/AAAAAAAAwtk/U57bW6JR0_g/s1600-h/DSCN41114.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN4111" border="0" alt="DSCN4111" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-win1DU25jEc/T6xKnQqOiEI/AAAAAAAAwts/f2dvZN62GuU/DSCN4111_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="166"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vbdsxkH13QA/T6xKoPpxM2I/AAAAAAAAwt0/eahpf9HWIbU/s1600-h/DSC_86155.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_8615" border="0" alt="DSC_8615" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N1I9xYpLfao/T6xKozFWK5I/AAAAAAAAwt8/kYC5S7ho7z0/DSC_8615_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="682" height="452"></a><br clear="all"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2eekbLrLI4E/T6xKp9EUtKI/AAAAAAAAwuE/A-gre6jtmg4/s1600-h/DSC_771311.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_7713" border="0" alt="DSC_7713" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QRM2NdOdSJ0/T6xKqoaalqI/AAAAAAAAwuM/pf2CC19XRz8/DSC_7713_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="682" height="476"></a><br clear="all"><br>I cherish you my love. Happy, happy birthday!</p> <p>Always your Lulu</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-91057103464107366122012-05-01T23:43:00.001-04:002012-05-01T23:43:55.718-04:00New Gadget<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yeAJaeAzOOo/T6CtdPZxhwI/AAAAAAAAwDg/cBCnEEzGxMg/s1600-h/DSC_2289%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2289" border="0" alt="DSC_2289" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Umngxf-RAMs/T6CtetxE5xI/AAAAAAAAwDo/PphSwIw59fM/DSC_2289_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="700" height="464"></a></p> <p><br clear="all">I think I’m gonna like this new little gadget. Introducing my <a href="http://store.polaroid.com/product/9/356223/PIC-300/_/300_Instant_Camera" target="_blank">Polaroid 300 Instant Camera</a>. It was a Christmas present and I just, this week, took it out of the box. It takes some getting use to and the film isn’t exactly cheap, but I believe I’m loving this new artistic medium. </p> <p>I am terrifically inspired by <a href="http://www.susannahconway.com/" target="_blank">Susannah Conway’s</a> work with <a href="http://www.susannahconway.com/2009/06/my-favourite-favorites/" target="_blank">polaroid cameras</a> and I look forward to reading her new collaborative book, <a href="http://www.susannahconway.com/books/" target="_blank">Instant Love</a>. There is also a whole community of instant camera folks called <em>The Impossible Project.</em> According to their <a href="http://www.the-impossible-project.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, <em>Impossible started with a small team of the very best 10 former Polaroid employees who shared our passion as well as the belief in our Impossible dream. </em>I’ve already been perusing ebay for some future purchases (maybe even a Barbie Polaroid instant camera for a certain someone’s birthday), but I’ll wait for the book and will keep studying up on the future prospects.</p> <p>I’ve taken one roll, which consists of 10 pieces of film that are 1.8”x2.4”. This is a bit smaller than the traditional Polaroid pictures I remember. Some of my shots were pretty good and well, others were, let’s just say they <em>were. </em>But I love them for what they are – my first shots.</p> <p>I put in my last roll tonight, so needless to say, I will be scanning the www for some deals on film. I’m also getting ready to break out a film camera on loan to me by my sweet father-in-law. I’ve been intimidated to use it, but now feel inspiration to <em>just do it!</em></p> <p>Wish me well on these new adventures!</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-37539538801602981032012-05-01T00:50:00.001-04:002012-05-01T00:50:44.583-04:00’Twas the Night Before?<p><em>’Twas a minute before midnight, when all through our house<br>Only one creature was stirring, and it wasn't a mouse.<br>The windows were open and the lights were down low<br>In hopes that sleep would soon come and then go.</em></p> <p><em>The Kitten was all nestled all sung in her bed,<br>With visions of mice dancing in her little head.<br>And the man with his iPad and me with mine, too<br>Had just settled down under our covers of blue.</em></p> <p><em>When out in the yard there arose such a clatter<br>I sprang from the bed to see what the heck was the matter!<br>Away to that window I flew like a lark<br>Threw up that there screen and peered into the dark.</em></p> <p><em>The moon was just quartered and there wasn't any snow<br>So there was no light on the objects below.<br>I yelled into the dark for that dog to hush up<br>He just plain ignored me, that 3-legged pup!</em></p> <p><em>So I stomped down the hallway so lively and quick,<br>I wondered if that dog had been poked by a stick.<br>More rapid than gunfire his barks they came<br>And he barked and he barked as if calling my name.</em></p> <p><em>"Come woman, come woman, come see what I see!<br>Come right this minute and don't stop to pee!<br>To the top of the deck! Then down all the steps!<br>Heed my bark and don't be a schlepp!"</em></p> <p><em>As dead leaves that before the tornado do fly,<br>When met with an obstacle, I tried not to cry.<br>Down the hallway I did scamper for I was in a mood<br>And the more he barked, the more I stewed.</em></p> <p><em>And then in a flash I was at the back deck<br>I threw open the door and yelled, "What the heck?"<br>I flipped on the switch to light up a path<br>If that dog didn't hush he just might feel my wrath.</em></p> <p><em>I peered down the steps and I squinted my eyes<br>He kept right on barking, well that wasn't a surprise.<br>Could that be a cat on the outside of the fence?<br>His bark was so fierce, it didn't make sense.</em></p> <p><em>I stepped even closer, but not into the grass<br>I stayed on the steps to, well, cover my scared ass.<br>When lo and behold, what is that I do see?<br>That dog has cornered an OPOSSUM, oh me!</em></p> <p><em>Nose to nose those two barked and hissed<br>They were so close that they could've kissed.<br>He wouldn't give up, no, not that three-legged chunk,<br>And 'Possum wouldn't either, she was mad as a skunk.</em></p> <p><em>I had to act quickly and with diligent care,<br>I looked around for something to throw, you know, like a chair.<br>But nothing was 'round, not one single thing,<br>So up the stairs like a frog, to the deck I did spring.</em></p> <p><em>I saw what I needed to throw at those two "friends"<br>To stop that barking and hissing, to make this nightmare end.<br>I grabbed a toy truck and a big red one, too<br>Then down the steps like a racecar I flew.</em></p> <p><em>I heaved and I hoed, I threw my best shot.<br>I missed that old 'Possum, but it wasn't for naught.<br>I sort of hit the dog, and then I did again,<br>It was quite a site, but the barking did end.</em></p> <p><em>He ran into the house, fast on his three paws<br>But 'Possum just stared, she seemed in such awe.<br>For I had missed her by a long shot with the big red truck<br>And all I could think was "What the........ heck, I forgot my camera!"</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JAsMKocGk1o/T59rm7FsTJI/AAAAAAAAv9Q/V6oS22hk-fI/s1600-h/possum%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="possum" border="0" alt="possum" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UZMQ1wn4VSE/T59roM1Y_pI/AAAAAAAAv9Y/oLrwW0EGfSw/possum_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="240"></a></p> <p><br> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><br>All of the above facts are accurate and actually occurred. As I looked at the opossum, I really thought, how could I forget my camera at a time like this?</p> <p>P.S. The above cute drawing can be found <a href="http://mbsdailydrawing.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-18-2011-baby-opossum.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-3836669559148691562012-04-30T23:07:00.001-04:002012-04-30T23:07:30.109-04:00A Sunset<p>Just a few words and photographs.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t_ClhlsWqkw/T59S7Cf3VvI/AAAAAAAAv5w/iM9kKSknt-k/s1600-h/DSC_2301%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2301" border="0" alt="DSC_2301" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kCsTaDu3pRA/T59S8HKUtRI/AAAAAAAAv54/PsXniQ1cHrI/DSC_2301_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="519"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-22SgqtzAPlM/T59S9EHta1I/AAAAAAAAv6A/n-GR3FMRWrs/s1600-h/DSC_2302%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2302" border="0" alt="DSC_2302" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qYGy_keTE6c/T59S94H-faI/AAAAAAAAv6I/imhUu3amE0w/DSC_2302_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="266"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cwHck4X4xcs/T59TAYt4iyI/AAAAAAAAv6Q/CmHUTcmPDUo/s1600-h/DSC_2318%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2318" border="0" alt="DSC_2318" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2BsvxbePFtw/T59TC5pksZI/AAAAAAAAv6Y/hJhhxwA34fU/DSC_2318_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="246"></a></p><br clear="all"> <p><em><br>When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator. </em>~Mahatma Gandhi</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ELjwWUBWVio/T59TDn5fMvI/AAAAAAAAv6g/EX1VR4Epuw0/s1600-h/DSC_2324%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2324" border="0" alt="DSC_2324" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EiUvqZW6uCI/T59TERSsGBI/AAAAAAAAv6o/ZWOsr0_i1Ms/DSC_2324_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="350"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-38W8f5krtXU/T59TFWCK--I/AAAAAAAAv6w/yzIid9smUgI/s1600-h/DSC_2329%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2329" border="0" alt="DSC_2329" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3zcns02BqWg/T59TGw9VipI/AAAAAAAAv64/cr1ftVNhey4/DSC_2329_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="350"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--N-kiFwaOF4/T59TH4zQskI/AAAAAAAAv7A/N0XkoRax7Ko/s1600-h/DSC_2330%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2330" border="0" alt="DSC_2330" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HkIqXu0WdL0/T59TJoto3jI/AAAAAAAAv7I/KnyUhaOkEo8/DSC_2330_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="350"></a></p> <p><br clear="all"><br><em>Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.</em> ~Rabindranath Tagore</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c8uSZMEAD2A/T59TKqSVfcI/AAAAAAAAv7Q/5C3zoockilE/s1600-h/DSC_2343%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2343" border="0" alt="DSC_2343" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m-vD1kTMqOc/T59TQU8irRI/AAAAAAAAv7Y/kHPer9s15_o/DSC_2343_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="535"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_HN7J8Ibu4k/T59TSdPUFoI/AAAAAAAAv7g/FJOlmtsfnk8/s1600-h/DSC_2345%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2345" border="0" alt="DSC_2345" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_t99tjEJq28/T59TTnXy5XI/AAAAAAAAv7o/kMMZPkSvPG4/DSC_2345_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="535"></a><br clear="all"><br><em>If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God</em>. ~ G. K. Chesterton</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cqrA7Lgzd_M/T59TUorwkCI/AAAAAAAAv7w/c_nAXBAsAYg/s1600-h/DSC_2354%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2354" border="0" alt="DSC_2354" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bp7C3I75Hmg/T59TVqzwSTI/AAAAAAAAv74/QKXipgiPOEc/DSC_2354_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="711" height="486"></a><br clear="all"><br><em>How the old mountains drip with sunset,<br>And the brake of dun!<br>How the hemlocks are tipped in tinsel<br>By the wizard sun!<br>~</em>Emily Dickinson from <em>The Coming of Night</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WKDIlE1H2HA/T59TWvk1mSI/AAAAAAAAv8A/JeHlE0AQCiM/s1600-h/DSC_2362%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2362" border="0" alt="DSC_2362" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ti-d_rSd_HE/T59TX0x2iMI/AAAAAAAAv8I/5w7MFFKotKY/DSC_2362_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="535"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jPlg_MP174o/T59TY-sQ0MI/AAAAAAAAv8Q/-n84fXo4SgI/s1600-h/DSC_2369%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2369" border="0" alt="DSC_2369" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ff-I1gwj4IE/T59TaFIZ7YI/AAAAAAAAv8Y/IyIdgpouEes/DSC_2369_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="535"></a></p><br clear="all"><br> <p><em>Peace..... is seeing a sunset, and knowing who to thank</em>. ~Anonymous</p> <p>And finally,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oWC5I1bA0xg/T59TbKnXPMI/AAAAAAAAv8g/eFnKi6JxEP4/s1600-h/DSC_2358_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_2358_1" border="0" alt="DSC_2358_1" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aeydBBjgKjo/T59TcKfU7iI/AAAAAAAAv8o/FSybzyMZUfg/DSC_2358_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="718" height="491"></a></p><br clear="all"><br>Take a moment and watch a sunset today from wherever you are. Let it mingle with heart and soul. Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3389946064052423818.post-46956601733414759002012-04-12T23:55:00.001-04:002012-04-12T23:57:00.723-04:00Exploring Self-Portraiture<p>Recently we took Cupcake Girl on a overnight trip to Nashville. We enjoyed a lovely stay at the <a href="http://www.gaylordhotels.com/opryland-home.html?source=gaylordopryland.com" target="_blank">Gaylord Opryland Hotel</a>, visited the <a href="http://www.opry.com/" target="_blank">Grand Ole Opry</a> for some great music and listened to the Vanderbilt Alumni Community Band Concert which included Cupcake’s Aunt Beanie (thanks for the invite Beanie)!</p> <p>On the way to Nashville, a little someone decided to explore the capabilities of combining photojournalism technique with the art of self-portraiture.</p> <p>The results? Here they are. In order of picture taken. All self-posed and taken by the artist. All inspired by her little creative brain with <em>no help</em> from the front seat passengers. Please note, it was difficult for the front seat passengers to contain their giggles <em>and</em> to keep eyes on the road!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7b7P6wOvecY/T4ejxJoHacI/AAAAAAAAuqU/2DHd7h_SPgc/s1600-h/Mady_self_portrait%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Mady_self_portrait" border="0" alt="Mady_self_portrait" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6TsGv6ffY5o/T4ejxvoN4rI/AAAAAAAAuqc/KCCUaRhvuw4/Mady_self_portrait_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="730" height="984"></a><br clear="all"><em><strong>All pictures are copyrighted by Cupcake Girl. And only by Cupcake Girl.</strong></em></p> <p>P.S. Thanks Traci and Zak for raising such a confident, giggly, sweet, goofy girl. We love her!!!</p> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06508953542803859219noreply@blogger.com1