Down at Karen's House

 

Sunrise from my bed...

 

Naptime...

 

Mongoose; brought over to take care of the rats. Rats are nocturnal and Mongoose are diurnal, so now we just have another rodent pest. 

 

They’re very much like a squirrel, except they stay closer to the ground and kind of slink; their tail is straight back (no cute curl); and they stay under cover so you only see glimpses of them. They have a very sneaky disposition, kind of creepy.

Sorry, I guess I should have edited and blown up the picture before posting it. It's too much work to change it now, move on. :)

Sweet Matelyn

 

This is India’s little friend that is turning two soon. India LOVES to sqqquuuueeeeeze into her clothes – and believe me, she does. I was out one night and the next morning I got India out of bed and I couldn’t figure out what she was wearing – it was Matie’s 18-month-old pants! They were crops on India. She also wears Maty’s shoes, size 5/6.  India is an 8/9… Watch out Cinderella, this girl can sqquuuueeeze into anything! (See former posts “Baby Outfit”)

 

Matelyn and India chomping on crunchy Water Apples that grow in the back yard. They are like a mild cranberry and oh, so crunchy!!!!

 

Ocean pictures from a walk across the street from Karen's house.

 

The house sitting Ocean Retreat...

Ocean Retreat

For almost 3 weeks we’re staying down by the ocean, caring for 9 ducks, Sita the dog and 2 cats. 

 

The ducks travel in pairs, there’s a 3 some, so they don’t leave anyone out.

Everyday I empty, clean and fill these bins that they drink, bathe and swim in. It’s pretty cool to see how they keep clean. Usually the mate stands by while the other bathes.

Fruit and Flowers around the Ocean Retreat

 

I wondered why my dill and basil were tipped over one day and looked who I found! We got a few eggs from this spot, but no more since.

 

Karen hasn’t cooped them in years, so you never know where an egg may be. We’ve found about 6 so far, some under bushes and others just along the footpath.

 

There are lots of fruits and flowers here; almost every color Plumeria.

My favorite:Jasmine – the strongest and most divine scent.

 

India's Favorite: Water Apple

These are like a mild cranberry and VERY, VERY crisp. CRUNCH!!!

Dogs and Cats

 

Sita (Seat-a) has quite the life. She has the roam of 25 tropical acres, sleeps in her owner’s bed while listening to the sound of the ocean and hangs out on the couch anytime she wants.

 

 

Kauila (Cow-ee-la) came to Karen as a kitten. She had been living under Karen’s house for a while and had a beautiful bow growing into her neck – probably someone’s Christmas present runaway. She’s pretty shy and never sleeps inside, beautiful, isn’t she?

I don’t believe this kitten has a name yet and probably won’t until Sita accepts her.  I think she’s adorable, very shy and wild. She gets along with Kauila and Kauila and Sita are great friends. I hear they even wrestle.

Across the Street

 

These are Ancient Hawaiian Burial Grounds, Sita knows this area well. 

 

Karen Rose told me the views were amazing. We’ve all heard that and amazing is way over used. Well, not in the instance. It truly is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. 

It’s breath taking and the waves are SO close, they literally do take your breath away.

 

 Ahhh…..

Secret Beach

 

Hiking down to the “secret beach.”

 

The best sand outside of Hilo in our area!

It's usually sunny here, from what I can tell.  :)

There is a little spot where you can get in and swim around, it’s not deep, but it’s pretty safe. After I got bumped and tossed around and lost my glasses I never have my back to the ocean. I always see what waves are coming in. When it’s rough, this spot is not safe. From the house you can hear people yelling in unison with the surf, it sounds like a roller coaster – in essence, it is a water roller coaster, FUN!

 

 

Hammocks

Our family LOVES hammocks. When we stayed in this house 2 years ago, it didn’t have this beautiful deck. (Hugh built it) This hammock hung under the carport, I don’t think it’s ever been used as such, and this is where India took her naps. I’ll see if I can find one of those pictures.  

 

India has gotten really agile and uses this hammock chair as a twist swing. She has a pretty good time and it’s fun to watch how she runs and swings and holds on as she twists around.

 

 We’re hoping our first purchase in our new home will be a hammock, but I think we might need 2!

 

I'd like one like this!

Snail Party

One morning I went out to feed Gimpy after a full night of rain. 

There were huge African Snails crawling on the sidewalk.

 

 Then I saw some in the grass. The longer I looked the more I found. 

 

I can’t believe how their soft bodies can crawl on this sharp lava. 

 

Some were getting close to each other and others were just crawling over each other. 

 

There seemed to be a little party going on under this weed. 

I think I saw 20 snails that morning!

Hugh and Carrie's House

This is where we stayed 2 years ago when we 1^st came to The Big Island. My hair dresser had a friend leaving for CA for 3 weeks and needed someone to care for their dog and rabbit, exactly what I had ordered!!!!  Jonathan’s friend got us buddy passes on Hawaiian and India was free.  Anyway, we stayed here again between house sitting jobs and I thought you’d be interested to see it looks like.

 

Lemon and lime trees line the walkway to the deck.

 

Tree house below a Papaya Tree.

I'm not sure what kind of flowering tree this is - 50 ft tall... 

 

This is how pineapples grow. After you pick this one, two more, even sweeter shoot out.

Pig Tails

 

We’re starting to wear pig tails – 

 

I know, we’re about 2 years behind most little girls – 

we needed to get enough hair to hold the band. 

She’s wearing them longer and longer each day, pretty cute, huh?