The Last Day of 2012

Morning Greetings,

Had a great day yesterday at Lindsey & Marc's place.  Good food (isn't all food good?), games, crafts, the fam.  First time for us at their home and she's done a lot:making curtains, painting walls, got Ikea furniture.  Neat how this year my daughters have done some sewing: alisa making the tea towels for her gifts--I'll have to show mine, and Lindsey making curtains & bags--she's been checking out pinterest a lot and probably found the handprint of the kids/family idea using stretch canvas and latex pain.  We will get our print on New Year's Day and put the names on it & date--Crafty Girl.

I've also been spending lots of time on Pinterest & YouTube watching tutorials on sewing, quilting, scrapbooking.  The world is at your fingertips!  So many inspirations to choose from.  There are so many things I'd like to do.

1)  Make Calendar for 2013 in a spiral notebook: cut out shapes for days & month, watercolor background to match the month, emboss stamped designs, do a lot of doodling, inspiration words, add fabric accents/strips, tabs, everything

2)  Put internet recipes in Cookbook binder I got from Terri yay

3)  Start PROJECT LIFE ALBUM

4)  Make fabric sign for Threads of Hope for Arise Conference: Two coconut trees on the sides, clothesline with a little dress, shorts, blankie, crocheted hat. Spools patch (design insignia)

5)  Set up workstations in Sewing Room & Computer Room, eliminate trash, consolidate supplies

6)  Finish curtains in kitchen, put up cork on the wall for recipes, menus, multiplug, hang pictures,

7)  Veggie pot garden

8)  New Year's Letter

9)  Higa Ohana 2013

10)  Put away Christmas

11)  Start my 62 Lists book.  I was inspired by Nichol Macgourik who decided on 37 things she'd like to do in the year she was 37 blog post.  A great variety of things posted on a two page spread including pictures of herself, menu goals, goals for her kids...  I'm thinking that my mom had it right--she was challenged in sewing/quilting to try new patterns, make quilts for her family & friends, an in sew doing, Blessed everyone including herself by infusing her love & prayers into every fabric choice, cutting, and stitching.

That's all for this post.  My husband needs some attention.

Found

Today was a good day for finding things as I tried to clean up (ha ha--that's a joke) for Thanksgiving.  Actually I was finding things as I was trying to put stuff away which meant I had to look at what was near/next to/under/in the back of.
Just this week found new scrapbooking/card making blogs with how to videos and a light went on in my head!  I can do this!  I already have everything.  But I couldn't find any Christmas scrapbooking paper.  I guess cause I never found any designs I like so I never bought any so I have none.  Like I said, I was trying to FIND my Christmas bulb sizzix die which I used last year to make some tags and instead, I found an old--probably 10 years--Christmas fabric garland using print squares folded plus a button etc.  I can put heat n bond on the back, cut them out & use on the cards.  I better get busy.  Lots to do before tomorrow.

Found a bag of patterned paper cut to 4x6 with a bunch of cut outs.  Another unfinished project I can get involved with.  It's gonna take a while to put everything together & sort it out.  HAPPY.

We're Retired!

So the kids gave us a Retirement Dinner last night to honor us.  We didn't want them to spend their hard earned money... but they insisted & found a date that would work for everyone.

Golden City Chinese Restaurant on School Street was our choice for price/ location/good food/plenty kids etc.  The grandkids went in first as we were directed to two round tables in the far corner.  They decided they would sit on their own table--I sat in the eighth seat thinking they would need some adult supervision.  Waiting for Marc & Lindsey, Alisa offered to exchange places so I could sit next to my honey.  I moved over but she didn't and we just brought another chair to seat 10.

Keoki, prepared with post its (Ashley?) began to get everyone's preferences and expeditiously made a list of orders for each table.  The waitress didn't get how he had set it up since there were some duplicate dishes.  Food came pretty quickly and we visited and chatted while the children handled themselves very well.  They were given forks but experimented with the chop sticks--Ayva tried. Will bring out the rubber bands on Thanksgiving to give them another lesson.

Tentatively scheduling Grandma School with Grandpa being a guest speaker during the Christmas break.  Now that I am retired, many crafting-cooking-scrapbooking-sewing-building-growing-ideas-that-have-been-swimming-around- my-head are now ready to be started since I have so many supplies/tools/stuff already collected.  I just have to get organized, throw out junk, get acquainted with what is where, find stuff I know I have (where's that sizzix Christmas light bulb die?) and plan plan plan.

Going through my stuff, I've come across so many started projects and take for instance, all the things I've cut out with the Cricut and Silhouette.  Gobs & gobs of stuff.  Several weeks ago, when the Greigs were still staying at our house, I picked up Nysa & Ayva from school and we had some time to kill so I had them start making an accordian book with some shapes I had previously cut and a glue stick.  I was so amazed at how beautiful each of their projects had turned out!  For some odd reason I had a mental block about permanently attaching--anxiety even.  These girls taught me something.  Play with it and just do it. (I should post a pic).  You can imagine how excited I became since I have amassed a whole lotta everything I could ever want--I already have.  EUREKA!  This is it!  Woo Hoo!  Let's go man!

Just like the Threads Ministry.  I know clearly that God meant for us to "Not buy any fabric" cause we have plenty and He would provide through donations.  Has He ever!  

I will end here to make lunch for my sweetie laying down the ceramic tile in our upstairs bedroom.  He's a keeper!

First Mango

Picked my first mango of the season--none last year.  So excited.  They are showing themselves slowly.  Early in the year there were many flowers on both trees, but as the rains came, they blew away.  When Clifford trimmed the tree last month, he also took down a couple mangoes--they weren't sweet so made pickled mango.  Still need to work on that recipe.

The joy of being retired.  Eighteen days now.  I think Cliff is trying out retirement by being off this week.  He's still concerned about the election and what is to take place.

We switched the beds on Sunday and put up the two bunk beds upstairs.  I've been cleaning out the room, washing clothes, throwing out the old & forgotten. Must get it ready for the Greigs when they move out of their place in four weeks.

Heard from my childhood best friend Kandy by e-mail today.  I recently found her address and had been meaning to write to her and finally sent the letter last Saturday.  Glad to hear she's well.  Now I can send her a bunch of pictures, smileboxes of the gkids and stuff by e-mail.

We went to WalMart today for the first time with our new discount cards.  Saw a few folks.  Life goes on there.  It has to.  Can't change anything now.

Heart for the House

After an very good sermon on "Growing Pains" and becoming involved, engaged in serving--not volunteering, Pastor Mike let us know that the shopping center people were not interested in talking to HCWO about purchasing the property.  We were encouraged to pray for another space--10 to 15 acres of blank space for our future home.  Yes we have outgrown our church in three years and God has been with us.  From Kapolei, Pearl City, & Mililani...  They had hoped for something to happen at Koa Ridge a long time ago.  I feel like I need to believe again for Koa Ridge.  It's right across of Kipapa Gulch outside my window.  Today & every day, I shall pray for what God has for us wherever it is.  I also pray for a large kitchen, dining facility, preschool, gymnasium, senior center... I had been a dreamer before and I am again.  Hoping for whatever God wants to do with us as we seek His plan & will.  Who will He touch?  It will be another incredible journey.

Toby & Alison's Wedding June 30, 2012

We were honored to be invited to Toby & Alison's Wedding last Saturday.  It was a perfect day at the Kahala Hotel.  Our own Kordell officiated and did an awesome job--a chip off the old block.  We stood and watched from the back--limited seating at these outdoor affairs.  Spotted Hotch in the only shady seat from the shadow of a coconut tree.  Those Kekoas know how to make the best of ANY situation.


Everything was lovely.  Mandy came from the Big Island but left baby Naia at home.  Darlene was gracious as mother of the groom.  Toby was having the time of his life and laughed a lot.  He looked so much like Loren.  Alison is from Mililani and also involved in Sports Medicine at Campbell--Toby at Waianae.

The food was delicious--some different choices--warm salad dressing--no chicken.  Desserts tasty.  We took pictures in the photo booth.  Sat with Arlene & Arnold, Hotch, Kordell & his friend.

We were the only ones who brought a gift.  I had made a lined square of fabric to tie--furoshiki style and my honey had to carry it around near the beach and back to the reception area.  When we got to the gift table the wrap was falling apart so I had to fix it.  There were no other gifts on the large table.  It was a lovely day with old friends and new.  Congratulations.

July 5, 2012 My parents 73rd anniversary

On this day in 1939, Margaret Tomasa Galang married James Yoshio Higa. Mom never shared the details of their wedding day but as a result of their union, they had us five kids. We all got married and had a total of seventeen kids between us. Generation 4 is probably up to about 30--need to count again (will let you know), and Gen 5 has three--all from Joshuana--great grandchildren for mom--wow!

So I had a busy day at work but also got a lot accomplished & got to come home a little early--no lunch.

It's amazing what a couple hours can do. We have recently spent many date night Fridays at Down to Earth splitting a Mock Chicken Wrap with sides of chips & salsa for each of us. We love the taste & I was surprised to find the recipe online. After cleaning up the kitchen I started first with preparing the tofu, baking & cooling it off in the refrigerator. Also made some griddle cakes on the panini maker--it should have been set on griddle but I had it on grill. Clifford liked it a lot along with the salad. Topped it with crunchies, oh YUM! After dinner, I made a batch of Lemon Blueberry Scones. YUM YUM!

I love my kitchen! It is my dream kitchen & I am finally able to enjoy it. It's exciting for me to want to wash my dishes & keep the counters clean. Before I knew I should keep up with the sink but I didn't want to, yet. Now there is a difference. YAY! I've been waiting a long time for this.

It's been a great day! Little by little, I'm getting there. Thank you, Lord.

God is Good

Where do I begin? It's been a wonderful week. I'm seeing God's hand in things every day. Here's just one example: Clifford wanted to clean out some things in the attic (things that have been there for 20-28 years). Found old patterns, suitcases, bags of clothes, fabric, Chocolates by You paperwork... One of the suitcases felt heavy so he suggested I check it. Opened it to find a few books, magazines, patterns & two copies of Delight in My Kitchen Cookbook I had done for Wahiawa Christian Women's Club in 1980. Picked out some of the magazines & cookbooks to look over later. My copy is browned and well worn and have you ever had a banana sit & rot & get juicy? My cookbook had sat in that unattended banana juice and the smell lingers.

Got an e-mail from Mary Beth Lindeman (Nancy Kekoa's younger sister) and she shared that today would be her mom's 100th birthday. I replied and told her how our family celebrated my mom's & sister Margot's birthdays by cooking foods they made, talk about the things they said & treasured things that they left behind. Also mentioned Vincent Price's Prune Honey Nut Bread a recipe that Nancy had submitted for the cookbook that her Aunt Barb Haskins had given to her. I just made a double batch for us a couple of weeks ago and it was ever so yummy.

She replied back and had no recollection of the bread recipe but found it on the internet. I am so amazed at how God brings things and people together at the right time. Gonna send one of the cookbooks to her as a birthday gift in honor of Venita Jayne--found her hardtack recipe on page 90. As one thought reminds me of another--the open houses/potlucks that we had at Wahiawa Church of the Nazarene while Hotch & Nancy were there have permanently shaped who I am and still becoming. They were my example of husband & wife, parents, friends, mentors, nurturers, Christians, servants. What a joy to see the Kekoa kids serving the Lord at New Hope, Kamehameha School, grandchildren singing and being such magnets for the Lord.

New Year, New Challenges, New Hopes, New Joys

It's my first day of vacation--Arise Conference at church next week Thursday to Saturday, and the 21-day fast begins on Monday, January 9, 2012. Enjoyed hearing the talk/demo from the Blonde Vegetarian. Went to Down to Earth and got my brown rice syrup (sweetener) & Braggs Amino Acids (soy sauce substitute), sesame bread, pita bread & 100% fruit wild blueberry jelly & raw pumpkin seeds.

Our Threads of Hope Ministry will have a booth at the 2nd Annual Arise Conference and we will feature "Dress a Girl Around the World". I'm busy making the flyers, hang tags, invitations and commitment cards and the banner for our table. Finished a dress today and one yesterday. Yay! Think I'll put together a Smilebox on how to sew "chiyo's easy no elastic dress".