Tropical Inspiration for you from the Big Island

Very happy to be on the Big island of Hawaii again and very happy to report that life is still better at the beach.

It’s still 83F, sunny with cloudy periods,possible showers, an earthquake or two and the possibility of a tsunami. The lava is still flowing but, last I read, all is well. With 8 different ecosystems, mother nature is always up to something here!

For us, as a family, it is time to recharge and get inspired after the winter season in the mountains.

I love discovering new shapes, colours and textures over here. The flora and fauna is so unique and special to the Big Island.I am amazed to still be discovering new buds,seeds and pods after all of my years visiting here.

Always thankful for my big straw hat that spends more time carrying my finds,than on my head. I find it hard to go for a walk or run without picking something up.

Some tropical foliage for your drawing inspiration. Tropical is trending right now. Pineapples, flamingos and large-scale tropical leaves are everywhere.

I have a love on for large tropical leaves. I love any kind of leaf, seed or pod but the more unusual and the bigger, the better.

Sharing some of my favs with you all the way from the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Beach time sketching..

ONE of these things I will not be using for drawing inspiration. Centipedes, ants and the occasional flying cockroach seem to go hand in hand with the tropics.

Sending some Aloha your way!

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Seeds,pods and a succulent or two

Bringing a little Aloha to you.

Most believe Aloha is just a greeting, but the word is a way of life for most living here on the islands. Here, Aloha is an attitude, guidance towards living  a certain way of life ~ the Aloha spirit.

A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia’i’o, truthful honesty
H, ha’aha’a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance

I have written many times about the Big Island of Hawaii. It is one of my favorite places~ a place not too far from home  that has come to be my home away from home.Hawaii makes me feel alive –  a place that feeds the senses and the soul.

Sweeping coastlines, fields of black lava interspersed with green grasses and wonderful flowering trees, sand and sea. Lots of delicious fruit from the tree. The sound of birds.. at all hours of the day and night.Coconut M&M’s.

Island life is good!

One of my favorite pastimes here is early morning runs, camera in hand.These runs are sporadic with many stops along the way  to take a picture or pick up a pod..or two. I often arrive home my hands and  hat full of goodness.
I don’t usually get a lot of creative time here, as life is busy with family and friends, so sometimes a little floral arranging has to be sufficient to feed my fix.

Mother nature has a very humorous side to her on the island. She is quirky and fun-loving. She has created the oddest assortment of seeds and pods to date.

I havent a clue what half of these are called, but you will be happy to know that I finally have a book. Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to open it. Next time…

I have yet to figure out the “seasons’ here, but there is definitely lots of changes in between my visits. While one tree is flowering the next is on its way to hibernation.

This island is so diverse with all of its different ecosystems. I am slowly learning more about it everyday. It’s just so mysterious I keep wanting to come back for more!

Beautiful colors, shapes and textures.Actually, thinking out loud here, I should do a post on all the textures and patterns in nature found here.

Succulents grow very well on the Big island and are in nice contrast to flowering blooms.


I really do love my little bounty. I wish I could bring it all home and share with you…

Signing off with a sunset.Wish you were here!

Inspired by…the way of Aloha

My Bliss list runneth over this week. I have a lot of Aloha in my life right now.

Most believe Aloha is just a greeting, but the word is a way of life for most living here on the islands. Here, Aloha is an attitude, guidance towards living  a certain way of life ~ the Aloha spirit.

A, ala, watchful, alertness
L, lokahi, working with unity
O, oia’i’o, truthful honesty
H, ha’aha’a, humility
A, ahonui, patient perseverance

For us, it is a time to reconnect as a family. Time to reconnect with ourselves, regenerate and reflect. A time to sit back and relax.

A time to fill all of the senses. A time to feed the soul ~ soulfood.

All my senses are stimulated here. The morning birds, the sound of crashing waves, sweet papaya, warm rays, fully saturated flowers.. color!

BLISS!

My daughters Facebook status update ~ home, sweet home…

…that makes me very happy…

Please join us over at Livs blog with your own little Bliss list. By sharing, it gives each of us a chance to reflect on all the different things that others feel grateful for and a chance to appreciate all that you have.

Happy weekend to all! I promise I will get back into this whole bloggin’ world soon…I miss it!

Very thankful that I decided to put the alcohol inks in a plastic baggy in my luggage….