Too Cold for Glass

I've been excited all day about spending all evening on the torch, but folks, it's just too cold. After an hour I am back upstairs out of my cold-as-death basement. Usually I am an extremely hardy snow-loving fool, but Hawaii has still not worn off and 30 degrees feels like 10. I have no idea what the actual temperature is in the basement, but it is no night for having the door open and the fan on which is my ventilation situation. Oh well. I'll check out my two measly beads in the morning. Time for hot chocolate, a hot bath, laying on the oven door...something. Ssssooo c-c-c-old.

The Time of My Life

I've been to some wonderful and fun places, but these past 11 days we're my favorite in a row since I've been on the planet. Every day it seemed I was saying, "I've never seen anything like it" about one thing or another. It was a treasure to be able to go to this place, and I hope we are lucky enough to do it again and that you are able to get there one day, too.

Everyone who's been to Hawaii seems to have their own must-do list, so here is mine in no particular order of all the things that were the best:
1. Surf in Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore
Look up the North Shore Surf Girls for lessons.
2. Snorkle in Hanauma Bay
3. Eat Shave Ice Every Chance You Get
Jo Jo's in Waimea is fabulous; the Polynesia Cafe in Hanelei is excellent, too, and we liked the place next to Bubba's Burgers across the street in Hanelei (All on Kauai, but you can get it on other islands, too.)
4. Watch the Sun Rise Everyday
5. Stand in the Rain
6. Take a Hike (short or long, you'll see something amazing)
7. Feast at the Oceanarium
8. Watch the Sun Set
9. Buy a new Swatch
10. Spend Every Blissful Hour with the Love of Your Life*
11. Come back with bruises, scrapes, scratches and a "rash" from surfing - proof that it was all real
12. Buy enough souveniers that you have to purchase extra luggage

*Solo? Go with friends, go alone - just go.

Mahalo for Removing Your Shoes

People know I'm a stickler for having folks take their shoes off when they come to my house. Have you worn those shoes in a public restroom? Then you are not wearing them in my house.

Imagine my delight when I find a whole state has adopted this Japanese custom. We were instructed to do this at both bed and breakfasts we stayed at, and one even had this tile hanging that was hand painted in Kaua'i. We never made it to the Banana Patch Studio where they are made, but on the last day B said, "Let's stop here" at one of the souvenir shopping plazas. I was very excited to find Elephant Walk, a store that carries Hawaiian made items and they had the Banana Patch Studio tiles there! I bought the one in the photo and just finished hanging it by my front door. Hawaiian style - I love it!

Dirty Shirt

Speaking of bringing Hawai'i home, while we did not bring anything native that we weren't supposed to, we thought this was an excellent alternative: the real dirt shirt. These shirts get their color from being handwashed with the super-staining red dirt like we actually hiked on.

Mmm, Sweet Plumeria

I wanted to bring as much Hawai'i as I could back with me, and one thing I'll always remember is the sweet scent of fresh Plumeria flower leis. When I chose the one I wore all the way home, the lei-maker assured me they all smelled the same, but he didn't know I just like smelling them all. That lei was looking pretty sad - just like the person wearing it - by the time our plane landed in Chicago two days later.

In a health food store in Kailua called Down to Earth, I found a Plumeria Hawaiian-made soap by Bubble Shack. If it's as good as it smells, I'll have to treat myself until I can wear fresh flowers around my neck again. Cool petals and a soft sweet scent - I highly recommend purchasing a lei and wearing it until it wilts.