About the photo at the top...

After receiving a comment from Raymond and Claudia, on my earliest Blog, "How it all began..." I feel I should explain the photo on the heading.

That is the Hanalei Valley, and the green patches are Taro plants, which are planted in ankle-deep water. The Hawaiians make their POI from the Taro root. It is a starchy staple for them. In the background is the "wettest place on earth" on top of Mount Waialale. (This year they have had a record 600 inches of rain.)

Bob and I would finish our morning work, and walk up to Princeville Center. About a mile. We'd get a cup of coffee to go, and walk across the 2 lane highway to the viewpoint overlooking the valley. We would sit on the wooden guard rail, and meet more people from all over the world, who stopped at the King Kamehameha sign. Usually we offered to take their picture for them. Bob was so good about finding out where they have been and what they still wanted to see. He was good at giving suggestions.

In that photo, you can see the sign, at the far right, and Bob is doing a "Phoon" pose. That's another story.

Claudia and Raymond came to the B&B from Germany, and we fell in love with them. She was a concert violinist, and was stuck in East Germany. Her father often played in concerts in West Germany, so Claudia would get a pass to go to the concert to hear and see her father. One time, she just didn't return. Amazing escape.

Raymond has had a business in the US, so has learned English very well. When we met them they were still like newlyweds. Ruth, the owner of the B&B got back from her vacation on the mainland in time to get acquainted with them, and heard the story of Claudia's escape.

When they left for the airport, they gave us an envelope with a gift certificate for $150.00 for their favorite restaurant in Hanalei, a cute little place called "Post Cards Cafe." We shared it with Ruth, and later with Don and Alice and Ruth. What a wonderful tip. At Christmas, their tree was decorated with lights, and Post Cards tied on with red ribbons. The food was gourmet vegetarian. Excellent.

I've got a tip for you...

The fun part about serving people breakfast, is that they are usually hungry, and have exciting plans for the day. They wanted to know what there is to do here.

At the table, it's easy to get the newer guests involved in conversation, if we can get the earlier guests to tell them what they liked about their adventures on the island. Then, people hang around and drink more coffee, and "talk story" (as the Hawaiians say). Bob was so good at enticing people to go see the Dry Caves or the Wet Caves, or to try snorkeling at Tunnels Beach, or taking the long drive to Waimea Canyon.

When Malcolm and Connie came from Canada, they wanted to try everything, but especially the Kalalau Trail which they had read about. Connie was in shape for the rough hike, as she usually walked 6 miles to catch a bus to work, then 6 more miles at the end of the day to get home. Malcolm looked to be in pretty good shape, too.

The morning they left to drive to the end of the island and begin their hike, we fed them the nutricious brown rice cereal with all kinds of goodies to heap on it for breakfast. When they came back in the early evening, they were splattered with red mud, and Malcolm's legs were so shakey from the difficult descent, that he immediately went to soak in a hot tub. He told us the next day, that nothing could have prepared him for that rough trail.

In about 1998, when we were 70, Bob and I hiked up 2 miles of that trail, and found out what he meant. It wasn't a hike up an easy trail, it was like a steep rocky staircase, all the way to where you can see the Na Pali Coast, jutting out into the ocean. Wow, what a view. It was worth the work.

When Malcolm and Connie left for home, we found a $20.00 bill on the dresser with a note of appreciation.

Our first tip ever.

Just Country Folk...

One of my favorite magazines, published by Reiman, is COUNTRY MAGAZINE. Nearly every article is written by someone who lives in the country.

I love photographs of every kind, and the scenery in these magazines is sometimes breathtaking.

There is a section on BEDS AND BREAKFASTS, AND COUNTRY INNS, and people are encouraged to send in their recommendations, including photos if possible.

Well, I wrote to Country Magazine, and told them about Hale 'Aha, and sent in one or two photos.

Ruth got a call, asking if they could interview her. She couldn't imagine how country folk could come to a resort like Princeville. Or why they would want to come. (Maybe she expected "country bumpkins").

A few months later, we received four copies of the magazine, with a note attached, thanking us for our recommendation, and also please look at Page 40. There was the photo of Hale 'Aha and a short write-up by Ruth, describing their home, what to see and do on the island, and what they serve for breakfast. Oh yes, and the costs for each room.

When Bob and I were there that winter, we met Elton and Nancy who came from Arizona, and who stayed long enough to meet Herb and Ruth when they returned from their vacation in California. They really became friends. The others were Richard and Kenni from Illinois. When we discovered that the two couples were there because of the magazine article, we took several pictures of us together.

Over the next months, several more couples came as a result of reading about Hale 'Aha in Country Magazine.

Ruth was pleasantly surprised to find out that country folk enjoy the finer things in life just like city folk.

My favorite recipes...

Probably the strangest event ever, while managing the B&B, was when a couple checked in on Saturday, who had reservations in the Pent House for three days.

Dr. Tony and Cindy lugged in the biggest, heaviest suitcases, and complained that we didn't have anyone to help them carry them upstairs. (Don't look at us, we're 70 years old). And the rule about removing your shoes at the door also bothered Dr. Tony. I don't blame him, as he had to keep putting them back on to go to the car for more stuff.

Beautiful, vivacious Cindy made herself at home in the kitchen. I walked in, and she was helping herself to something out of the refrigerator. "Oh, that's for tomorrow," I cautioned.

She asked if I had special recipes for the bed and breakfast. Oh, yes, I proudly told her. And she proceeded to pull open drawers looking for the cookbooks. Naivley, I showed her my little plastic bagful of recipe cards I bring with me every year.

"What are you going to fix tomorrow?"

"Well, tomorrow is Sunday, and we have a day off, so it will be juice and cold cereal, toast and coffee."

She asked if she could borrow the cookbooks to look at up in their room. Well, why not? "Bring them back by evening," I told her.

Next morning, we greeted the guests, then left them to fend for themselves, as we went to church. We had lunch out with friends, then came back to the B&B for a nap. We had to make up the Bali Hai Room (the one closest to the front door) for guests coming in the next day, so Bob and I took our nap in there.

Suddenly, we heard terrible bumping coming down the stairs from the Pent House. We jumped up and opened the door, and here came Dr. Tony pulling his big rolling luggage straight down the stairs. (And he had his shoes on!) "What's happening?"

Dr. Tony gruffly said, "We're leaving." And didn't offer any explanation. (Mind you, that they had paid only a deposit on the three days, so they still owed the B&B money).

Bob followed Dr. Tony out to the car, and explained the owners' rules. So, Dr. Tony gave him his credit card. So, Bob went in the office to take care of that.

Suddenly, (and I believe that the Lord put this in my mind) I thought about the recipes, and went into the kitchen and opened the drawers. Every cookbook was gone, and my own precious packet of cards was also missing.

I went to the bottom of their stairs and called up to Cindy, and politely asked if she still had the recipe books? "Oh, I might have already packed them! Sorry."

I ran downstairs to their car, and told Dr. Tony that Cindy had mistakenly packed my cookbooks, and could he please open the trunk and retrieve them for me. He grumbled something, then opened the trunk, and the biggest suitcase. I was astonished! It must have had a dozen black pant suits, black dresses, black jackets, all on hangers with price tags still hanging off them. He dug around, and pulled out 5 or 6 of Ruth's cookbooks, and by this time I was furious, so I flopped the suits back, and found my plactic bag of recipes. And there in the bottom of the trunk, was my favorite recipe for Pecan Pie, taken off a plastic bag of pecans. I picked it up, and it curled around my finger. I pointed that finger at him, and said, "I needed this for tomorrow!"

I told Bob about this very odd situation, and he grabbed the camera and took a picture of the car and license plate as they left. Of course, it was a rental car.

I went upstairs to check out the Pent House, and sure enough, a few of Ruth's cute little country decorations were taken off a wall, and the bathroom counter.

We should've, but we didn't report them. I still wonder how many other people they have ripped off?

And Bob calmly said, "I don't think he was a doctor of anything."

(And YOU thought I was going to share some of my favorite recipes!)

About Perfect Peace ...

While Ruth and Herb were on the Mainland, we used their beige Volvo which had a nice cassette player, and a good collection of music in the car. On the long runs from Princeville to Lihue, we got so we knew every curve along the coast, and now, as I play our CD of "Perfect Peace Instrumental," I can picture the exact curve of the highway where I heard that song or arrangement the first time. Ah, "Perfect Peace, designed to help you focus your mind upon the Lord and bring you into a quiet haven of God's rest and reassuring peace."...Jeff Hamlin, Producer.

After our weeks of service at the B&B one winter, Herb and Ruth were driving us to the airport. The Volvo got very sluggish, began billowing smoke, and slowed to about 5 miles an hour, then quit altogether part way up a hill. Bob and Herb got out to look under the hood.

Very quickly, a pickup truck pulled up behind us. It was one of the Hawaiian pastors, and he had been going the opposite direction, but recognized the Volvo and saw the smoke, made a U turn and came to help. Something called a cataletic converter underneath the car was glowing bright red. Not a good sign.

Another friend of theirs recognized the Volvo, too, and stopped to see if he could help. Herb and Ruth arranged with the second man to get their car towed back to Princeville, and asked the first man to take us to Lihue to the airport so we wouldn't miss our connection to Honolulu. We tossed our luggage into the back of the pickup and enjoyed getting acquainted with another of God's servants on Kauai. And we made it in good time in perfect peace.

That was the last trip made by the beige Volvo. RIP.

About anniversaries and crutches...

This being my own anniversary, reminds me of the many guests who celebrated their special occasions at the B&B.

Don T. phoned from Maui, asking if we could provide a beautiful flower lei for his wife, Mimi, when they arrive that week, as it would be their 40th anniversary.

I shopped for a fresh lei, and had it ready to put around her neck when they drove up. But, she was helping him out of the car. I watched them hobble up the path around the house to the back door, as he was on crutches.

Seems that they had spent a week on Maui, and were walking on the beach close to the water, when a heavy surge came up and swept them both off their feet. It enveloped Mimi, and thrashed Don around, breaking his leg in a spiral fracture, as he frantically tried to rescue Mimi. A Hawaiian family, picnicking on the beach saw the incident, and rushed into the water and saved them both. Don was taken to a hospital, treated, and put in a soft adjustable cast, with lots of straps and a big boot.

Mimi gladly put on the lei, and when it was time to go out to dinner to celebrate their anniversary, they both dressed up beautifully. Don was able to get his pants over the cast, and if he hadn't been using the crutches you would never have noticed. I took their photo, with Mimi wearing the lei, sitting on his lap, and Don grinning like a bridegroom. Fun, loving couple.

Happy Anniversary up there, Bob.

Our last anniversary, browsing in Carmel-by-the-Sea, 2005

Sunday is our day off...

Sundays were supposed to be our "day off" at Hale 'Aha. So, to make that happen, Ruth had printed out instructions to the guests, that they could sleep in, and help themselves to juice, cold cereal, toast and coffee. Most were fine with that.

On our own, we found "Prince of Peace Evangelical Free Church" meeting at the PRINCE CLUB, overlooking the golf course in Princeville. Great name choice. The group was made up of mostly locals, and those on vacation. Keeping our thoughts on the sermon was sometimes difficult, as golfers teeing off on the range were in full view. I caught myself leaning to see how far the ball went several times.

Found out that Pastor Emery Nester had graduated from Biola College, in California, the same year I was there, and his sister Betty had sat next to me in most of my classes, as my maiden name was Oden. In those days, we sat in alphabetical order.

After church, several would get together for lunch out. One of our favorite places to go was the Bali Hai Restaurant in the Hanalei Bay Resort. It has the best view of the ocean, and Hanalei Bay, and the "Bali Hai" Mountain of any place on the island. Palm trees bending, framing the view of the bay, blue swimming pool in the foreground, orchids in clusters in colorful gardens surrounding the pool, gushing waterfalls, and of course, the little blue faced doves flying in and out of the area watching for crumbs.

We urged the B&B guests to go there for an evening meal, or just dessert, to watch the sunset. It is so spectacular there.



The rest of our day off, we would drive to some beach, take a nap, perhaps swim, or go sight seeing where we hadn't been before. Most often, we'd try to get back before Alice and Don arrived to watch "Touched By An Angel" on TV with us. Usually there was time to play a few rounds of "Square 9," a card game they "insisted" on teaching us, even though we were too tired to think. This game became our favorite. If you'd like to try it, click on the word "Square 9".

By the way, I asked our son John if he could program the card game, and he did! He surprised Alice and Don, as well as Bob and our son David, by putting their faces on the "face" cards. Also, Bob's Dad, and a young John. See if you can guess which one is Alice!

Never cry Wolf...

Hale 'Aha B&B was advertised in a few major magazines, and several Christian publications. But I was still surprised when we got a phone call from Kotzebue, Alaska. Good grief! That's way up there above the Arctic Circle.

I was through with the work "upstairs" so was at the desk in the office when Hildegard called. She and Wolf had reservations here for their 25th anniversary. She wanted to know what to wear in Hawaii. "Well, I'm sitting here in shorts and a tank top, and I'm bare footed," I told her.

She couldn't even imagine it. It was 70 degrees below in Kotzebue.

They arrived in Kauai's winter... which just means more rain, and maybe as cold as 65 degrees. (That's when the "locals" put on sweaters.)

I'll never forget my first glimpse of Wolf the next morning, as he came back from a long run in the dark in the rain in jogging shorts. That warm rain must have felt like a warm shower to him, as he laughed aloud when he came in, sopping wet. Silly thing to remember, but when you know where they'd just come from, you can understand his delight.

They were Wycliffe Bible Translators, and were working among Eskimos in a tiny village, teaching them to read, writing songs for them, and giving them the Scriptures in their language.

At the breakfast table were other intellectuals, and the conversation was brisk and refreshing, as Wolf answered questions about why he and Hildegard felt called to leave their home in Germany, and take their two children to such a far away place to work their hearts out for such a small tribe. Several guests were familiar with the mission.

Only a couple of years later, Hildegard and Wolf stopped by to visit Bob and me, in our home in California, as they were passing through after a conference of translators in the States.

Now, who would have dreamed that?

Kauai tragedy...

As I write this, our beloved Kauai is reeling from another catastrophe.

I received an email from Tricia, our Kauai church pastor's wife, saying:
"We are getting hammered with rain here. I just got word that a river has just washed a house into the Bay. There may have been people inside. We don't know. Please pray for our protection. I'm filling up bathtubs as our town has been warned we may loose our water! The electricity was off, but it's back on. Keep us in your prayers. aloha, tricia"

(Tricia, on her birthday. The church meets temporarily in a huge tent near the Kilauea Light House.)

An earthen dam built in the late 1800's cracked and gave way, and the water in the reservoir behind it poured out like a Tsunami, racing down the hill, tearing up everything in it's path to the sea. Two homes were washed out to sea, and several others were damaged. One life was lost, and seven others are missing. Kuhio Highway, the only road from Lihue to Princeville, was damaged so badly, that it may take months to open a second lane.

Hours later, Tricia wrote again:
"Four bodies have now been found and identified. Michael and Cindy lost their daughter, son-in-law and 20 month old grand baby. The other body is of a girl living on their property who was pregnant and going to be married this weekend. Please pray for these families and especially that the Lord would use this to bring them to Himself. Pray for us as a church body that we may have opportunities to minister to the families. At least three more people are still missing. The road is still closed. Let's pray the road opens by tomorrow as Steve has a wedding down at the Marriott! We are all fine. In fact the sun just peeped out! We haven't seen it in days! aloha, tricia"

My peaceful solitude at the computer, writing my memories of serving as an inn keeper on Kauai, has been disrupted by the sadness of this tragedy. Join me in prayer for the dear folks on that tiny dot of an island in the middle of the Pacific? Thanks.

Awful Waffles...

Our first glimpse of tall, handsome white-haired Don and Alice, was at The Church of the Pacific, a friendly gathering of Hawaiians and Houlies (anyone outside of Hawaii) in a room above the shopping center in Princeville. They were singing in the choir. Six women and two men. They were already friends of Herb and Ruth, and knew we were guests at the B&B as the winners of the Grand Prize. They welcomed us warmly.

Next time we saw them, was when Don brought Herb a bagful of the biggest grapefruit I had ever seen... grown on the property where he and Alice live, down on Anini Beach.

Then, one Sunday afternoon in 1993 Bob and I drove down to see Anini Beach. The brochures and maps all explain that Anini Beach was once Wanini Beach, but the wind blew the "W" away, and no one ever replaced it. It is a gorgeous long beach, protected by a reef. We waded in the warm water and strolled past huge mansions, and a gorgeous white house with a long porch wrapped around it. And there was Alice on the porch. She waved and called us to come in.

She and Don were from Idaho, and were live-in caretakers for this lovely residence, for the owner who lives in Japan. They gave us a tour of the house. It had a Japanese-style suite attached to the end of the house, where the owner's guests could eat at a low table, and sleep Japanese-style on futons. One of Alice's duties was to take out the dozens of futons and quilts and air them regularly in the sunshine.

Alice invited us to stay for Sunday night supper. She was going to make "Awful Waffles." This was a Sunday night tradition in her home when she was raising her three kids.

Start out by making the waffle batter, then frying some bacon, and getting eggs ready to scramble. She had me put all the waffle toppings on the gorgeous dining room table with the marble top, and with an amazing chandelier from Italy. Oh, my!

When it was time to eat, we were instructed to "keep passing" until all of us had been served the toppings in the right order!

Here's the right order for Awful Waffles:

Butter the hot waffle.
Spread chunky peanut butter on next.
Then pour over it some real maple syrup.
Spoon on some raspberry jam, (or strawberry-rhubarb jam if you're lucky enough to have some of Alice's).
Add a huge dollop of whipped topping.
Pour chocolate syrup over this.
Sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Serve with bacon and scrambled eggs.

Perhaps the name describes how you feel some time after having indulged in this decadent concoction. (The photo is recent...we didn't have all of the toppings. Next time!)

Peanut warning...

Remember the old days, when the airlines served you a real meal?

It's a five hour flight to Hawaii from San Francisco, so we were relieved to find our tickets stamped, "LUNCH," and "NON-STOP." But if it said, "SNACK" we knew we were in for a bag of pretzels and peanuts. (By the way, did you ever notice the warning label on the bag? It's there in fine print on the back side, "This bag may contain peanuts.")

But not so with Hawaiian Airlines. A real lunch was served piping hot and with plenty of refills of coffee or soft drinks. Teriaki chicken over rice, vegies, salad, roll and butter, a square of chocolate cake, and more coffee. Really.

Two Hawaiian flight attendants came toward us with big smiles. They served us each a glass of champagne, saying, "We decided to give you the 'Couple of the Flight Award.'" No one else was given any. I guess it was because we cleaned our plates.

88 and 78...

Ruth's generous offer to let any relatives or friends of ours come enjoy the bed and breakfast while we were taking care of it, was accepted by Bob's dear older cousins. Alice 88, was married to Bob's cousin Frank. Clara 78, was married to Frank's brother Arthur, and now, both ladies were widows. All her life, Alice had wanted to take a tour of the Hawaiian Islands, and offered to bring Clara as her companion, all the way from Colorado.

Bob and I had to take care of B&B banking and shopping in Lihu'e, the biggest city on Kauai. It's where the main airport is, near Nawiliwili Harbor where the cruise ships come in. We thought we'd surprise the two cousins, by meeting them at their ship, the "Constitution". We went on board, and asked around, but everyone seemed to be off the ship already. We turned a corner to head back out, and there came the two ladies ! What a nice coincidence. So, we took them sight seeing, on the south end of the island, through The Tunnel of Trees, and to see Old Koloa Town, to look at the gorgeous Hyatt Regency Hotel in Poipu, all restored from the damage of "Iniki," and to walk about the beautiful grounds. Then, took them back to their ship for the rest of their tour.

A week later, when we arrived at the little Princeville Airport to pick up the two ladies, we could see the tiny inter-island plane coming in to land. Down the steps came Clara, a little pale and shaken, but poor Alice had kept her eyes closed the entire flight from Oahu, and her wobbly legs could barely get her on the ground. (We arranged for them to fly out from Lihue Airport on a regular jet the next week). We picked up their rental car, a bright red sporty little compact.

We took them "home" and showed them the two choices they had for accomodations. The "Golf Room" overlooking the golf course and the sunrises. Or the "Penthouse Suite" upstairs. They gasped when they saw the luxurious room from the top of the stairs, and we knew their minds were made up.

During the week, they became the center of attention during breakfast conversations, with a cute young surfer-type couple from So. California, named Joe and Judi. Also with Patsy, a lovely single lady and her Mom, "Pinkie," visiting from Florida. At breakfast, Bob shared his love of the "49 Character Qualities" reading the ones for Tuesday. Joe told us his grandfather was a Methodist minister, and Judi said she'd attended private Methodist schools. Next morning, Joe volunteered to ask the blessing.

Earlier, Ruth had invited Scott and Diane to use the Honeymoon Suite for a few weeks while their condo was being refurbished after Iniki. They had been living in a tent ever since the hurricane, and now it was winter, and it rained every night. Scott joined us for breakfast once in a while, but usually used the new kitchentte in their suite.

After the morning chores were done, we took Alice and Clara sight seeing. We went to Kapa'a and had a meal at "The Fish Hut" in the Coconut Marketplace, a cute shopping center with an art gallery, several restaurants, and lots of tropical-style shops. "The Fish Hut" has the BEST grilled mahi mahi on the island. We tried to coax the recipe out of the owner, but she said she paid so much for the recipe that she wasn't going to share it with anyone. (And for the next ten years, no matter how we teased and pleaded, she never gave us the recipe). It came with cole slaw, made fresh every hour, and a pile of seasoned French fries, or steamed rice. Only $6.95. Best buy on the island. We sent many B&B guests down there for their lunch or supper, and none were disappointed.

That evening, we four attended the Christmas pageant "From Heaven's Throne" at the Kapa'a Missionary Church. Before the program began, three Hawaiian men sang "The Little Drummer Boy" in Hawaiian and played their Ukaleles. Wow. The play was excellent. A huge Hawaiian named Bob, with a wonderful voice, sang the main parts. (Over the next few years, we got to hear him sing in every musical program).

On Sunday afternoon, we took the ladies to see the posh Princeville Hotel, just up the road from the B&B. We had lunch there, on the open-air terrace, and were amused by the little blue-faced doves which flew in and out of the room. All hotel lobbies and restaurants over there are open-air with sliding glass windows in case of inclement weather.

One afternoon, we drove all the way around the island to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." We stopped at every over-look to see the view. At the top there is a rusty old sign, saying "THE WETTEST PLACE ON EARTH" and claims that it rains over 451 inches per year. We walked to the top where we could see the Na Pali Coast. Absolutely magnifiscent. Everywhere we stopped, there were little red hens and banty roosters. Bob joked that they were Hawaii's State Bird, and people believed him.

On the way home, we had to stop at Lappert's Ice Cream Factory, in Hanapepe. The richest ice cream we've ever had. They claim it is 30% butter fat. "Kauai Pie" became our favorite flavor, made with Kona coffee ice cream, chocolate fudge, macadamia nuts, and coconut. Oh, m'gosh.

We drove to see the "Spouting Horn" near Koloa Town. It's a hole in the rocks on the shore, where the ocean rushes in and is forced up into the air like a geyser. Amazing. Then we drove past miles and miles of homes destroyed by Iniki. The Sheraton Hotel down there was still not repaired. The ocean surge had raced right through the lobby to the back parking lot, and left cars piled on top of each other. (We saw photos of that on TV in California). Even the concrete highway had floated away in pieces. Awesome.

Those dear ladies helped us stuff 1800 Christmas envelopes for the B&B that evening. I just thought I'd mention that, to confirm the belief that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Next afternoon, after morning chores, we took our cousins to the Smith Family River Cruise on a flat-bottomed boat, up the Wai'lua River to the Fern Grotto, where three Hawaiians sang beautiful Hawaiian songs in the natural amphi-theater. After the cruise, we went to the big Smith Family Luau, watched the pig roasting ceremony with interest, and then stuffed ourselves like pigs. Yes, they served poi and raw salmon. I loved it. A wonderful all-island pageant and hula show followed this. What a beautiful evening.

Next day, Herb and Ruth were to return from their vacation on the mainland, and we were to take our cousins to the airport. The timing was perfect, as Herb and Ruth arrived in time to meet the ladies. Alice and Clara expressed their appreciation to them, and we hugged our dear cousins goodbye and saw them off, on the same plane returning to Oahu. (Later we heard that it took 17 hours to get to Denver, as the flight was routed through Texas. Oh, my.)

Now that I am 77, I wonder if I will be as agile and adventuresome as those two sweet ladies at 78 and 88.

Herb's Guava Butter...

When I think of staying at a bed and breakfast, I immediately wonder what will be served for breakfast, don't you? This was our first experience. We were still on California time, so Bob went downstairs early and brought up some wonderful Kona-Macadamia coffee. Oh my. Was that ever delicious! We dressed for the day, and joined everyone else for breakfast at 8:00, in the dining area overlooking the golf course.

Other guests included newlyweds, John and Joy, and a couple from another island, Stewart and Casey. Herb served us fresh fruit smoothies, a thick blend of guava juice, pineapple, and frozen bananas. Then Ruth helped him serve us each a bowl of hot brown rice, and a bunch of good stuff to go on top... chopped almonds, chopped walnuts, sliced papaya, fresh pineapple chunks, raisins, and brown sugar. Herb brought on his fresh baked bread... and then presented his "secret" butter. Oh m'gosh!

Here's Herb's recipe:
Slice up a POUND of butter in a mixing bowl
Whip into the butter one 18 ounce jar of GUAVA JELLY (NOT jam).
Leave some of the jelly lumpy for nice texture and appearance.

Slather on bread!

We enjoyed several more cups of Kona-Macadamia coffee while visiting with these new friends. It was nearly 10:00 and no one was in a hurry to get away.

The eensy weensy spider...

Taking care of a big three story house means many things. Besides doing laundry for four bedrooms, making breakfast for up to 10 people, shopping for groceries, and doing the reservations and banking, we tried to help with maintenance of the property.

Herb had shown us the long metal downspout stored under the house. Bob thought it would be a nice gesture for us to re-attach the downspout on the side of the house, where a temporary rain gutter carried the water out over the cement path and dripped it onto the pineapple patch beside the house. Bob had noted that anyone walking up that path during a rainstorm got dripped on by that extension of the rain gutter.

So, with some effort, we re-attached it to the wall, following the pattern for the brackets left in the paint. Quite satisfied, we settled down for the day.

Then, it started to rain.

Our bed was up against the side wall, beside that path, and the whole wall became a sound board for the downspout. It literally roared. We didn't get much sleep that night, and the next day, we put the downspout back under the house.

So the eensy weensy spider went up the spout again...

Hockey Pucks...

I don't blame Herb and Ruth for hanging around for a week after we arrived the first time to manage their precious bed and breakfast.

The details for keeping house, and making breakfast for up to 10 people, making reservations on the computer, and doing the garden work, were a bit different from our house in Sunnyvale.

Bob was being instructed on making homemade breads and muffins. I was learning the ropes of matching linens to which bedroom and bath.

They couldn't leave on their vacation until they were sure we could handle it.

When Bob's loaf of bread came out perfectly, they were pleased, and began to pack.

But his first batch of homemade muffins were tough. Herb called them, "Hockey Pucks" and tossed them out onto the golf course for the birds... a tradition we even shared with the guests. From then on, any leftover bread or muffins was for the birds.