eia 'au [A-ee-ah ow] ...

which means "I am here" in Hawai'ian!

I have not been in blogland lately

because I was on vacation with hubby and friends

on the Hawai'ian Islands!

I will not bore you with the all details (and the 900+ photos!)

but we did spend a few nights on the the Big Island (aka Hawaii) in Hilo...

Mr. U was anxious to see a volcano or two so we visited Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park!

We walked through a large lava tube...

 in an area that is a rainforest...

filled with ferns and palms...

viewed the Kilauea Caldera...

                           

   wandered on fields of hardened lava..

with wonderful patterns..

and marveled at the Holei Sea Arch..

Then we spent 6 nights on Maui, at Kaanapali...

I had no idea that it is whale mating season 

from mid December through mid May..

so we had many whale sightings each day...

 Kaanapali beach was beautiful...

and the sunsets amazing!

We took a helicopter ride over Maui...

which was...

beyond....

my wildest dreams!

Truly....

spectacular!

And from the sky,

all the way down....

 to the bottom of the ocean...

in a submarine...

I spent a lot of time 

admiring the flora...

and

the rocks and shells...

so much color!!!!

so much inspiration!!! 

so much beauty!!!

(and no snow!!!)

But no trip would be complete without a trip

to a quilt shop...

for a few goodies!

and I expect there will be some Hawai'ian inspired projects soon!

Aloha!

It happens in an instant!!!

or so it seems...

Hard to believe that my sweet little Nature Boy

is actually 18 years old today!!!

Time flies!

As I walked around our yard this morning,

I spotted this guy...

and in the blink of an eye,

I caught him on my camera!

Today in my "wet studio"

(also known as our garage), 

I began a project...

I had my green smoothie,

my gloved iPhone (to keep it protected) 

while listening to an audiobook...

and before I knew it,

6 hours had flown by!!

 And if my project turns out,

I may even post photos of it

but that won't be quite so instantaneous!

with gratitude....

"Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw; formed by a contour of mountains into a basin... finely interspersed with islands, its water limpid as crystal, and the mountain sides covered with rich groves... down to the water-edge: here and there precipices of rock to checker the scene and save it from monotony." 

-- Thomas Jefferson, May 31, 1791

This summer, I discovered (or should I say, finally took advantage of)

a real gem on Lake George,

just minutes from home...

The workshops were wonderful

but the grounds are unmatched ...

Mother Nature at her finest...

inspiration everywhere...

that feeds my soul.

amen.