Hi. Welcome to the farm...It's been a long time since I've done a Home and Country, "What's growing now?" update. I totally missed the early summer season with our first ever lychee crop. (They were really good!) But moving right along...Things have been FRUITFUL around here, to say the least. We've had bumper crops of so many good things! Bananas are our main year-round fruit here. We actually grow apple-bananas which, if you haven't tried them, are the best banana in the
Home & Country
Simple is Good. Our Life in Hawaii, and Simplifying, Anywhere.
It seems fitting that as I fly back to Hawaii today, I would republish a post from exactly one year ago, when I returned from the same crazy month of surf contests in California. I have made some changes to this post, especially in light of the many questions I have been asked over the past year. I hope this post gives you a little more insight into our life, and might speak to that part of you (I think we all have it in us,) that wonders how life would be if you could just
Skate Park Photo Shoot with Professional Photographer, Jim Russi.
One fun thing about living on the North Shore of Oahu is that we are surrounded by all kinds of fascinating people. Besides local families who have lived here for generations, and the seasonal surfers who come and go, we also have a good number of incredibly talented people: Artists, photographers, and entrepreneurs, who have found creative ways to survive--even thrive, while enjoying life in paradise.Jim Russi is one such talent. Though he is originally from California, Jim has lived on
“Home is Where the Park Is.” A Hawaii Home and Remodel Magazine Feature.
Since I took you along as we did our skate park project last month, I thought you might appreciate this:Special feature about our family--and skate park--in the Hawaii Home and Remodel Magazine! The writer--Brooke Laporte, and photographer--Aaron Yoshino, spent an afternoon with us last month, hanging out and taking in the very typical going-ons of our family's life.I had actually thought they were just coming over to scope out the new skate park, so when they asked to
Household Pet Peeves.
They say that laughter is the best medicine, right?Well--Guess what else is works pretty darned well?A good ole' complaint session, that's what. This isn't something I do too often. Hopefully you know by now that I'm actually a pretty positive person who puts up with all kinds of craziness for the love of a happy family life.But lest you think that living in Hawaii means that there are no problems...and that my little grass shack is all sunshine and rainbows, I think a little
The Great Skate Park Reveal
So far, 2015 is an epic year for the Swanson family.For those of you that have followed my blog for a while...(bless your hearts,) you've heard more than one mention of The Great Skate Park Project.It's been in the works for an eternity. Or at least a year or two. I'm not sure, but it's been a long time. Dave started thinking, and dreaming, and designing a skate bowl for our family, all on his own. I showed somewhere between little-and-no interest, so this was his baby,
Home and Country: A Season of Celebrations
We've been busy getting things ready around here!We are headed into a big season of celebrations.And there is nothing I love more!I mean, this is the very best time of the year, wherever you are. Right?Ok...maybe a few of you are die-hard summer fans, or maybe you prefer spring...But really? Fall!?...Thanksgiving!?...And then of course the magic of the Christmas--just waiting around the corner...You cannot NOT love it.Here in Hawaii, the nights are finally
Green World Farms: Hawaiian Coffee + Giveaway!
There are just a few things in life that I get really excited about. Okay, that's not true--I get excited about all kinds of things. But at the top of my list: My kids. My husband. Great food. Running a Marathon…. AND COFFEE!!Seriously. Coffee is one of God's best-ever ideas, don't you think!?And if coffee is good--then tell me WHAT could be better than LOCALLY GROWN, LOCALLY ROASTED… HAWAIIAN COFFEE!?Nothing. That's what. Absolutely nothing.So, excuse my enthusiasm, as I tell