A New Backyard - Well Almost

We started this project a while ago.  Rented a rototiller and all.  Then made multiple trips to Olawalu to get the rocks that had tumbled down the mountain jillions of years ago.  Then I put the mulch that had been sitting out front from when we had the mango tree trimmed.  Then I let it sit, and sit.

And this is where we were when it really started to get hot.  This is the back fence, the plan was to make it prettier to look at...

But what to do about the view to the right, I can't force myself to just stare straight ahead....and if I look just a tiny bit right...I see this.  A concrete slab that used to house a shed that look worse than the shed that is just beyond the concrete slab (Richard believe people have actually lived in these...at one time.)

So I bought some soil...some plants...some irrigation stuff (cause we all know nothing grows without water...) and I started planting, the whole time, not allowing my eyes to venture to the right....

Then Bill had a great idea, what if we covered the concrete slab with a small deck...And it grew from there.


Stay tuned!

Help Me Decide

With the kitchen nearly complete, I need to make a quick valance for the window.  What do you think?

Of course it the valance will be at the top of the window, but I didn't want to stand on the counter top to put this up and am too lazy to drag a ladder inside just now.

Here is a closer up version of each fabric:

The first is a yellow background with white dandelions on it (I have the reverse on a pillow in the living room).  And the fourth is a strip with grey dots on the edges of the white strip. 

Tell me what you think.

Happy Father's Day

Bill Caught this Huge Fish!

When I come back East...we're gonna play a game

Don't worry if you can't read this...I'll bring the directions and the cards with me....

Kauai - Where I would be living had I visited there First

This is a short video of a waterfall that you could view from the road.  It was very pretty here.  I am not such a good videographer I have learned.  But I loved seeing the waterfall.

Leeks

The best thing growing in my garden are leeks.  And they were transplanted from the garden when it was on the other side of the house.  I harvested two today.

I have been harvesting tomatoes (grape tomatoes are all I can get to grow) and cucumbers. 

I want to make this soup with the leeks (okay...I don't need the leeks, but I still want to make this soup):

Thai Pork and Noodle Soup

Serves 4| Hands-On Time: 30m | Total Time: 30m

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger (from a 1-inch piece)
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and caps thinly sliced
• kosher salt
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce
• 4 ounces wonton wrappers (about 10), sliced into 1/2-inch strips
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
• sliced red chili peppers and cilantro leaves, for serving

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the scallion whites, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the pork and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the mushrooms and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes more.
2. Add the broth, fish sauce, and 2 cups water to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the wonton wrappers, reduce heat, and simmer until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Serve with the scallion greens, chili peppers, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Thomas at 6 Months

He Sits, He Crawls and he gives you his Sassy Pose!

 

 Is this a sweet happy boy or what!

 

I got to see Alex, Lauren, and Thomas last week.  It was great.  Thomas is a very good baby.  While I was in NC, Thomas taught himself how to sit up and almost how to crawl.  He already gets around pretty good, but he's a commando type crawler.  I loved seeing him up on his hands and feet...he had no idea what to do next.

Saucy pose.

Sitting up

 Who does this look like!

Making a move to sit up.

Almost there.

Yah Thomas!!!!!

This wore him out.

Sweet Family.