Senna Alata

Senna Alata 
AKA: Emperor's Candlesticks

These 6-8 inch flower clusters cover the ends of an eight foot bush that is sprawling across the neighbors side yard and draping over our brick wall. There is no scent and as far as I know no uses for this flower but isn't it beautiful.  I love the brightness of the yellow.  I first noticed it blooming in November.

Cheaper Eggs

I was so excited this weekend to discover how to purchase eggs cheaper.  I have been purchasing my eggs at the Cackle Fresh Egg Outlet (remember the one? They sell mainland eggs, LOL!) I've been purchasing their Large Eggs in a 30 count tray for $5.  We go through about 2 trays a month.  Sometimes more, sometimes less.

On the price board at the Cackle Fresh store it lists the different sizes and prices and other items for sale. I had noticed at the bottom it says CHEX $3.08. Since they also sell chicken scratch and other odd items there I just disregarded it.  That is until I went in last Friday and overheard the woman in front of me ask for 2 trays of CHEX.

Portuguese Man of War

While surfing Goat Island Monday night Heath was attacked! 

Growing Bananas

What a pleasant surprise! So many weeks inside with my nose buried in patterns and fabric that I didn't even know until just a few days ago that our banana tree is blooming! This tree was here when we moved in last August and I have been more than patient waiting for something to happen with it. I was almost giving up hope because they are supposed to flower and fruit when they are

about a year old. This tree is almost 2 years old and I am so glad that I didn't take a machete to it like I've been wanting to. Instead we have been watering it a lot--bananas are notoriously thirsty trees--and mulching it with lots of grass and yard clippings.

Afton Dreams of Mochi

Over the holidays a friend gave us a two pound box of Chi Chi Dango Mochi. It is a Japanese treat that is similar in texture to Aplets & Cotlets. It has a similar powdery coating too but the taste is much subtler and so much more addicting. We were instantly hooked. It disappeared quickly.

Afton and I started researching recipes. We looked online and in the library and in the Hawaiian cookbooks at Costco. We found that though there are many kinds of Mochi that it seems there is only one recipe for

Laie Falls Hike

We started our hike from the church parking lot and walked over to Cricket field and down this private road to the trailhead.  This pre-hike was about 3/4 mile.

BYUH 2012 Give and Take

Have you noticed the strange bins located around campus this week by all the dumpsters? The University is collecting donations for their annual Give and Take. If you have good useable items that you'd like to donate hurry over to one of those bins and get it in.


Then, if you've got something you need stop by Friday afternoon to pick up a few items.  Here is the official announcement that was in the BYUH e-bulletin today:


Give & Take
Give & Take will be open this Friday, June 15. Come and shop for clothes in all sizes from 2:00-5:00 PM behind Hale 5. In preparation for this event, volunteers are needed to help filling the center with donations. Come and help today from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon, or from 6:00-9:00 PM. Help is needed again tomorrow, June 14, 2012 from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM and on Friday, June 15, 2012 from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon.