Aloha!

October 18, 2015

I'm home from a wonderful two-week vacation in Hawaii with my husband. We had such a great time, and did so many fun things, including snorkeling and zip lining, both firsts for us.

We got up at 2:30 one morning to see the sun rise over Haleakala volcano in Maui and we went to Pearl Harbor. We took a sunset dinner cruise, and a tour through secluded rain forests and steep valleys where Avatar and Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed. We played in the waves and rested on the beach. We went to an old pineapple plantation and a black sand beach.

It was a restful and rejuvenating time. I'll share a few pictures later when I get them sorted.

Our first stop was in Honolulu where my brother lives. I'm sharing a picture of a tea set he won at a charity auction. It's not Hawaiian, but the colorful flowers on it remind me of the beautiful flowers we saw everywhere, both on Oahu and on Maui.


Yellow hibiscus, Hawaii's state flower

Spider lily; also known as Queen Emma's lily

Pink ginger
White ginger
The flowers were gorgeous, as were the plumeria trees with their white blossoms, which were everywhere, and smell simply wonderful.

I'm getting ready to welcome home both sons and three of their friends for a few days before they head over to their alma mater, Hillsdale College, for homecoming weekend. Will be busy cooking up some favorite foods. Already have the lasagne ready!

Hope to catch up with you all soon.

Joining Rose Chintz Cottage for tea.

21 comments

  1. That is a lovely tea set! I'm so happy you had such a lovely time on vacation! I'm sure it was so good for you. And now to cook for hungry men! Lasagna sounds great!

    I just read your comment and Deborah, it was the powdered form of orrisroot that I meant.

    Dewena

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful holiday. What a beautiful tea set with such wonderful detail of the local flora and fauna, stunning. I am having the last colour on my hair today, prior to go on holiday and then I am going to let it all grow out it is cut short in readiness. Take care.

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  3. It sounds like you had a lovely trip to a beautiful place.

    That tea set is beautiful!

    Lasagna will be devoured in no time I'm sure.

    Happy Fall ~ FlowerLady

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  4. Oh how delightful! So glad that you enjoyed such a dream vacation. Nothing better than lasagna for the guys and their friends. Your brother's tea set is feminine and lovely. What a great win!

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  5. What a wonderful tea set! The flowers you shared with us are simply splendid and so unique compared to what we see here on the east coast. Glad you had a fabulous time with your hubby in Hawaii. Mine has always wanted to go there but I'm not a good traveler. By the way, I'm glad you enjoyed my pink and sparkly Cinderella inspired tea. {I'm not into Halloween either.} Enjoy your day, Deborah.

    Autumn blessings,
    Sandi

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  6. So nice to get away and enjoy some tropic scenery and weather! Sounds like a wonderful trip and how nice to have a brother living in such a beautiful place! A good excuse to visit! The flowers are amazing and the teapot is very pretty. So nice to have the house full of youthful energy again. Enjoy! xo Karen

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  7. I know you and your sweetheart enjoyed your wonderful time in Hawaii, my friend. You'll have those memories tucked away forever of the beautiful time there.
    Enjoy your time with your sons and their friends!

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  8. A vacation in Hawaii (sigh) sounds wonderful and good for both of you to try new activities.
    The tea set is pretty, a lucky win.

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  9. Oh Deborah, so glad you had the opportunity to travel to paradise! I look forward to more photos from your trip. Beautiful flowers, lovely teapot!

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  10. What a lovely holiday. I was in Hawaii many years ago, took in similar sights. And doesn't that plumeria smell wonderful. I'm so glad you had such a great time. We'll watch for pics.

    Your new teapot is beautiful.

    Enjoy your family time!
    Brenda

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  11. Wow Deborah, what a nice vacation! I bet it is just so beautiful! Your tea set is quite lovely. Can't wait to see your photos after they're sorted.
    Have a great week,
    Gina

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  12. Hello, So glad you had such a wonderful time! And I do look forward to some more pictures!
    Hugs, Roxy

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  13. That is a beautiful tea set your brother has. The flower pics you posted next to the tea set pics sure did show the set goes well with Hawaiian flora. Hawaii has the most beautiful flowers.

    Glad you had such a wonderful time with your husband vacationing in Paradise. Now it appears you've hit the ground running with family and friends to catch up with, starting with your sons !

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  14. Hi Deborah, Sounds like you had a special trip and wonderful time. Love the tea set you share and the beautiful flowers. Looking forward to more pics of your vacation. Enjoy your sons and friends coming home. Blessings, cm

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  15. You sound wonderful....so glad you had a time away, and now children time. Enjoy. :)

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  16. Dearest Deborah,
    Wow, what a joy to read that both of you enjoyed a fabulous time on Hawaii!
    It is such a lovely tropical paradise and the flora is unbelievable. Glad you made some interesting trips, including the sunrise over the volcano.
    That tea set is really representing Hawaii in a perfect way. You are clever for using it in this post together with the photos. We have white ginger lilies as well and their fragrance is heavenly. Did use them in one of my previous posts and you did comment on them.
    Sending you hugs and blessings,
    Mariette

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  17. Sounds like you had the perfect holiday, Deborah, having seen all the beautiful wonders of Hawaii, and spending time with family, too. The tea set is very pretty, as are all the lovely photos of the island's many stunning flowers. I miss one of my favourites, plumeria trees, and especially the one planted in our front garden. Yes, the scent is sweet heaven!

    Happy Wednesday!

    Poppy

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  18. Oh Deborah...how wonderful that you went to Hawaii! I have always wanted to go...maybe someday...oh well. Your photos are absolutely stunning and I can only imagine how much fun this was. And the tea set is beyond beautiful!

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  19. Aloha, Deborah! What a wonderful trip, and sounds like you did it justice with the time spent there. Visiting Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list. Ahh....to smell the plumeria and be immersed in all those colors of the orchids, hibiscus and spider lilies. The tea set is gorgeous! Glad you took those adventures too. I'm curious as to the water temps this time of year there, and how calm the waters were....

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  20. Welcome back, Deborah! Glad to hear that you had a wonderful vacation. I'm loving your brother's gorgeous tea set, especially the dainty flowers and the purple accents.

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  21. What a great vacation destination. Love the photos. Hawaii is on my bucket list.

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