Happy Monday to you friends, We are back home and finally adjusted to the time difference. The flights were relatively easy although it got pretty bumpy once we got over the Rockies and into Colorado.  Hubby's heel was doing alright so the baggage wasn't an issue; I hate even admitting this but I got a pair of support socks and they kept my ankles and feet from swelling. I even told my brother about them, because like me he has issues too-I think we inherited the problem from my dad who had horrid issues with swelling.  So these are some of our last photos; seems like we've been home quite awhile.  However, on Sat. night it was clear our bodies were still on Kauai time because we were both awake at 3:00 a.m. mountain time but it was only 11:00 pm in Kauai.  I so love the flowers on Kauai; they are so spectacular but we came home to spring in full bloom, all the lilacs are blooming and everything looks so good. 

Isn't this rooster just so handsome!

In the islands, appetizers are called Pupu's; pupus at our place the last night.  We had chicken wings, California rolls, veges with ranch dressing and salsa and lots of chips.  We had such a good trip and as I've said, seeing the baby Monk Seal on Thursday made my trip. 
On another note; I am searching for our puppy and will probably meet one this coming Thursday-I'm pretty excited but trying not to get too excited until I know if it will work out.
Have a wonderful day!
Noreen

Baby Monk Seal

A good friend here on the mainland belongs to a Save the Monk Seal organization and emailed me on Wednesday, saying there had been a baby born on Kauai. While it's that time of year, recently- actually last Sunday, there had been a slaughter of a three month old seal pup.  We were told that this story had made national news; such an incredible shame.  Even though we were leaving on Thursday evening, my friend let me know the location and we took a drive out to see it.  Friends, what an incredible treat this was for a animal lover, me; in fact it is safe to say this made my whole trip.  I can also say that if we were to spend extended time there, I would be volunteering with this group; the volunteers were so incredibly nice and helpful.   I hope you enjoy these photos. 

This plaque is at the airport and we couldn't help but take a photo.  Seeing this mama and pup will be a memory that I will cherish forever.  Yes, I am one of those people.
Our flights were relatively easy; although we cat-napped on the plane we didn't sleep very much.  Needless to say, by last night I was so tired my brain turned to mush.  Coming into Colorado was one of the bumpiest rides I've ever experienced.  It feels so good to be back home!  For the next four days or so we will be dog sitting one of daughter's dogs and I know I'll get my fix.   I will probably begin the search for a new puppy though this week.  It's as windy here as it was in Kapaa but the sun is shining-yippee.
Please go visit my good friend Val and tell her thanks for getting this info to me.  She also has info on "Save The Monk Seal" if you are interested,  http://mygirlzgotpaws.blogspot.com/
I think you'll love Val's blog as much as I do.
 I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you are blessed with those things that make your heart soar.
Hugs, Noreen

Friends, Favorites and Fun

Glenn and Peggy; Glenn is known for the saying "It's all good".  We so enjoy spending time with them, they are both so easy going and fun!

Hubby and I; best man in the world.

Judy and Bob; Bob is quite the Comedian. He keeps telling folks,at golf courses,that hubby is a pro from Colorado.

Love the yellow Hibiscus.

For those folks who are mature, you may remember seeing these falls on Fantasy Island.

Egret's are everywhere; at first I thought they were cranes but Judy told me they are white egrets.

O.k. so even though I'm not a golfer, I would love to just drive around "The Prince" course and take photos. Apparently, the course is set on 450 acres and no two holes are near each other. 

See the waterfall in the background-beautiful.

Today is the second to the last day here; we are going to Waimea Canyon and might go on a hike-I keep saying that but we haven't done it yet.  I think it partially depends on the weather. On the way in Hanapepe, there is a little shack, a hole in the wall, called JOJO's,where you get the worlds best Shave Ice.  When we first came here I thought there was a D missing from Shave, but there isn't one.  Anyway, this little shack looks like it was left over from my hippee days but let me tell you that if you've never had Shave Ice or if you have and didn't understand what the big deal is, you'd change your mind here.  I was never super crazy, as an adult, about snow cones but girls JoJo's Shave Ice is beyond good.  Our friend Judy has never like Snow Cones but we are makingconvincing her to try one today.  I'll let you know what she decides. I'm glad we only get these every couple of years because I know they can't be that healthy, but hey you've got to walk on the wild side every now and again-ours is every two years.

Whatever you are doing today, take time to stop and smell the roses.  May your day be filled with lots of smiles and giggles.

Hugs, Noreen

More Of My Favorites

Good morning friends, First off I have to say I am not yet comfortable with our new blogger format, bear with me please.  The rooster above is one of many that roam this island; it is really cool until they crow by your room, starting at 3:00 a.m. and keep you awake. I knew all my blogging buddies who love chickens would appreciate his beauty.

The Kauai Humane Society is funded by donations but they must be doing something really right.  As I've said before, this is the nicest facility I've ever seen; of course my experience was limited to California. 

The large dog area-not only meeting the needs of the dogs but so pretty too-I'd love a yard that looked like this.

The actual building-so very impressive, way to go Kauai!

My favorite quilt store-there may be fabric stores but girls, let me tell you, if you visit here this is a must see. 

Although I wasn't planning on buying any fabric, hubby and I couldn't resist this baby boy fabric.

This course is where hubby and his two bff's will be playing today.  The course was on his bucket list and although neither of us have any plans of going anywhere, at least we know he got his chance to play here. I'm hoping and praying that he will have a good round and that the wind will die down.  The gals and I will be having lunch in the nearby town, shopping, site seeing and then if time allows we will spread out towels and play cards. 

I am in desperate need of the gym; next week I will hit those bikes a lot.

I hope you all have a joy filled day and that you are able to find beauty in the world around you!

Joy to you~Noreen

Some Of Our Favorites

Good Morning Dear Friends~ I hope you had a splendid weekend, filled with fragrant aromas, tantalizing tastes and beauty to behold.  I always seem to forget that when you live in a climate that has cold, snowy winters where everything is brown or white, you appreciate the vibrant colors of the islands so much more.
I hope you enjoy these photos too; may you be energized today by these flowers.

We were told this was a type of crane, but don't remember its name. It was so still and intent; I'm sure it was looking for its lunch.

Peggy, me and Judy enjoying great times together.

After the Botanical Gardens, we went to my favorite lunch spot-Keoki's Paradise at Poipu Beach.
Again, I had the Ceviche; as I've mentioned before my idea of sushi is California Rolls, but let me tell you I'd eat this again and again.  It was so light and tasted so healthy-makes me want to go there today.

This is Spouting Horn, at the end of Poipu Beach; hubby did see some turtles but he wasn't able to get any pics of them. 

Today, he is golfing and I will be enjoying time by myself-either reading or blogging.  It is hard to believe we only have four days left; it has been such a nice break.  Hubby is fulfilling his dream of playing one of the greatest golf courses over here, tomorrow; it is Princeville and he got such an incredible deal thanks to some dear friends in Arizona. 

I hope you find joy in the moment!

Noreen

The Botanical Garden

Happy Saturday to you~We had so many photos from the gardens that I decided to divide it up but some left here wanting more yesterday, so I've posted more than I normally would.  Enjoy.  Remember "it's all good" when it comes to life.

Love these huge fans; I could imagine people of old using these for their roof.

We love Banyan trees; I was surprised to learn that they are in the Ficus family.  The root structures are huge.

My man and me.

From left to right: Judy, my hubby, me, Bob, Peggy and Glenn; these folks are so fun to be with-these days carry hubby through our winters in Colorado. 

I think we are either going hiking today or maybe renting bikes and riding the coast line(not that far).  It is supposed to storm today so I'll check the weather channel first.

Aloha, Noreen

National Tropical Botanical Gardens

Aloha Cousins~Here in Hawaii, older ladies are referred to as Auntie and friends/family are known as "cousins/cous".  The first time I heard the phrase "Auntie", I thought it was our friends "aunt" until she gently explained the meaning.  Yesterday was a bright and beautiful day here and we had a great time touring the Allerton garden; beware you may be in for photo overload. I have narrowed down the photos for each day and hope you thoroughly enjoy them.  Here in Kauai, the temps have been in the 70's, some days with a cold wind blowing and overcast skies.  Being the Ca. girl I was and now Colorado girl, I love warmer temps, like they have on Maui or the big Island.  I am thankful for the wind though, because the big island is having some issues with smoke/ash from the volcano, so the wind blows it all out to sea and we are not impacted by it.
If you ask me what the botanical names of the plants are, I couldn't tell you-we were too busy getting photos and lagged behind on the tour a bit. 

Love the bull frogs here.

The small gray fish are Talapia-yep what some of us use for Fish Tacos.

Bird of Paradise

Rose Ginger

Three wahinies, from left-me, Peggy and Judy

So many cool water falls, all flowing by gravity, no pumps.

Well, it is another golf day here and I'll be without a car, so think I'll just visit all of you and sit out by the pool, reading.  This weekend the weather is supposed to get really wet and cold, so I'm not sure what we'll be doing.  Next week more of the same is forecast; so I told hubby he needs to get out on the links, as much as possible. It's hard to believe our time is half over but this nana is really missing her grands. 

Have a blessed weekend dear ones! Noreen