Giving Thanks

HAPPY THANKS GIVING ALL!  We know it's been a long time since our last update.  Phil haS been very busy trying to keep up with the sales of his beautiful hand carved koa reef fish, and has even had a couple of special orders.  Lunel continues to find pleasure in manicuring the gardens and flower beds around the property. While it is cooler here at 3500 ft elevation, when the sun is out -- it is very pleasant to be outside (with long sleeves.)

She also continues to add pages to her art journals and is now working on #3.

The Corgyn have been supervising the goats as they are led from one grazing pasture to another -- and this week -- they were just on the other side of the back yard fence -- and a constant source of entertainment.

This last week Lunel was practicing a beautiful Hawaiian chant (oli) of thankfulness -- "Oli Malaho." She learned it a couple years ago while attending an informal language class. Words and translation are below.  If you'd like to listen here's the link:
   OLI MALHAO CHANT





WE DO HAVE OTHER NEWS -- but it is still under wrap, so be patient and we will tell all, soon!!

This week's HAPPY colors!

I am a color junkie. I suffer sensory overload in a fabric store and have been known to steal paint chips. I always thought I would like a job naming paint colors. Well, this week's colors are....

Pantone 585U, 381U, 386U, 345U... huh?
Don't you think they need appropriate NAMES!

Amazing bananas and avocados abound, and orchid cactus are blooming and even compliment the billowy fabric ceiling in the lanai.

A friend asked for help in painting a 9x12' fabric mural to hang up for Thanksgiving, and we also had fun painting tables and benches --- in some of the same colors.

Phil harvesting limes

We had a relatively dry summer and were considerably under normal rainfall, but in the last three weeks have had some flashy storms and good long rains -- the garden is loving it. And, there's every shade of GREEN imaginable n

Leilani Estates is a very quiet neighborhood, occasional dogs, lawn mower, or toot-toot of the UPS truck. I don't use music - just the birds. Working with the land I am able to just turn off my thoughts; it is so peaceful, rejuvenating and healing. Just this week I've planted trees, flowers, ground covers, dozens of colorful ti plants.


Politically, in contrast to this vibrancy, this year looks and feels like some kind of really awful, sickly unnameable color! Trying to read and understand current events in America and throughout the world has been difficult. It has been a challenge to not clinch up in anger, frustration or fear, and I have spent an extra number of hours beautifying nearly the whole acre. We are so THANKFUL for this blessed home; has become a sanctuary - a healing place for soul and spirit. This 'aina is truly a living land!

Wishing you and yours 
a whole WEEK of giving thanks!

(Early) Happy Holidays

Hau'oli Lanui  --  Happy Holidays

Several friends noticed that we did not send out our annual illustrated holiday letter last year -- but there was a good reason.

EVERYTHING WE OWNED WAS PACKED... and on its way to Hawaii!  We bought our retirement home in February 2012, returned home to begin the complicated process necessary for our relocation.  We sold our 22 year gallery business in October (to our great gallery manager) and our 150 year old Victorian house in November, so by Thanksgiving, our favorite holiday, everything was packed.   We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving saying sad farewells to our supportive dear friends.

We spent Christmas last year in our new (but empty) house, as the container with all our goods didn't arrive for several weeks after we did.

We just designed the art for our holiday letter that we WILL be sending out this year.  As you can see it is filled with all the new "ornaments" of our surroundings -- here on the Big Island of Hawaii.  (PS  You'll notice that our "Partridge in a Pear Tree" has been replaced by a pair of Ne Ne, the Hawaiian state bird -- Hawaiian Goose; best evidence supports their arrival on the islands about a half million years ago.)