category: outdoors

Jun 10

lizard tales

As I’ve mentioned before, we have our fair share of tiny reptilian friends who live outside the house. We actually like having them around, since they help control the bug population and they’re pretty funny to watch. Usually they lead a pretty relaxing life…sunning themselves, going after bugs, sunning themselves some more. We had one mischievous little guy who thought it funny to run across my foot and then look up at me, bopping his head up and down. We named him Frank. We think Frank was eventually run out of town for his bad behavior. Read more

Jun 6

backyard reveal

Last time we visited the yard, we had managed to clear out most of the debris but still had a ton of work ahead of us. I can’t believe the amount of progress we’ve made! After a few more days of hard labor (seriously…one day we weeded for 7 straight hours), we’re ready to open it up to Hideaway guests for outdoor dinners and cocktails. (We have a separate dining set for ourselves on our back patio.) Read more

May 31

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oahu shopping: kcc farmers’ market

The Saturday farmers’ market at Kapiolani Community College is an almost-overwhelming collection of veggies, fruits, meat, fish, baked goods, honey, flowers, snacks…you name it. We went for the first time recently and didn’t even know where to start. Soon enough we came to our senses and headed straight for what we came for: Kahuku sweet corn. Read more

May 27

the guacamole tree

Our yard is home to a mature, and very fruitful, avocado tree…or as I like to call it, the guacamole tree. We’d have a better view of Honolulu and the Pacific without this tree perched at the edge of the property, but we love it anyway. Every summer it bears a pretty impressive crop of beautiful, bright green avocados. And they really do make the most delicious guacamole. Read more

May 25

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i’m on a boat!

Remember when I told you John had even more plans for my 30th birthday extravaganza? Well, those “more plans” entailed a sailing yacht, a feast, 8 of our besties out here in Hawaii, and an absolutely gorgeous late afternoon on the water. Say it with me…I’M ON A BOAT! Read more

May 16

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backyard progress

Our property has a nicely-sized yard with an avocado tree, but let’s just say it wasn’t being utilized to its full potential. The owner of our house also owns another property that adjoins ours — and it’s been under construction. During that process, part of our yard was turned into a makeshift staging area for pallets, rebar, and other random building stuff. Not so great when you’re fixing the place up as a vacation rental. Who wants to eat a lovely alfresco dinner next to a pile of pipes? Read more

May 9

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our mascot

Meet Henry. He’s a brown anole who lives outside our back door, and he’s the official Hillside Hideaway mascot. You can find him pretty much any day perched on a chair on our back patio, patrolling the area for bugs. John keeps a pair of work shoes out there, for when he visits sites (he’s an engineer), and those are a favorite vantage point for Henry as well. Read more

May 6

sunset

Sunsets at Hillside Hideaway are absolutely gorgeous! John snapped this from the top of the driveaway with his iPhone. Amazing pinks, purples and golds. Read more