Jam Time

Last night officially kicked off the summer jam season since I had a bag of rhubarb in the fridge that needed to be used, more in the freezer and a garden of it ready to harvest. I decided to pick up strawberries on my way home from work and turn them into jam. I tried this recipe last summer and decided it was a winner.

After a lot of chopping, stirring and canning I had a small collection of the first batch of jam for the summer. Now to just wait a few more weeks for the blackberries to be ripe and then I can perfect my blackberry jam recipes.

10th Anniversary

Today we celebrate 10 wonderful years of marriage! Wow, time has flown by! We've shared so much in the past10 years and I am filled with excitement to see what the years ahead will bring.

Hawaii 2012

We're back! We returned sun kissed and rested after 7 days in Hawaii. The weather was perfect all week and it was so nice to wake up every morning to Hawaiian trade winds, sunny skies and the knowing that there were no plans for the day.

We stayed on the island of Oahu which is first for us since we have  never been there other than to go to other islands. Our first stop once we arrived was to get outfitted with out rental car and our condo that we rented for the week. The condo was in a great location, 3 blocks form Waikiki beach which meant beach time was very convenient at any minute. It was also nice having the condo since there was kitchen and we could enjoy a lazy breakfast each morning.

We spent a good portion of our days lounging on the beach and soaking up the rays (while using SPF 110 for me, 15 for Ben). We also took in the sites of Pearl Harbor with tours of the U.S.S. Arizona, U.S.S. Missouri and the U.S.S. Bowman; North Shore; Waimea Valley; Hiking to Diamond Head, exploring the Kaaawa Valley, the  Kualoa Ranch, snorkeling, a visit to the Dole Plantation and no visit to Hawaii is complete without a Luau.

Ben was also a happy camper when it came to his stomach as he was able to find quite a few L&L Drive Inns that served a Loco Moco which is an island favorite consisting of rice, a hamburger patty, fried egg and brown gravy which I think looks  horrible but actually tastes good and his favorite drink Aloha iced tea. Add in some Mai Tai's, pineapple, pineapple ice-cream and Kalua pork and we we had full and satisfied tummies.

All in all it was a great trip and a perfect way to celebrate our 10th anniversary a week early.