Oct 30 2005
Home Again (jiggity jig)
We are home. Safe and sound… and cold! You know those commercials (I think they are for Sierra Mist) when the unsuspecting individual is hit by an arctic blast? Well, that is a little how Kris and I felt when we stepped off the plane. Mind you, the sun had already set here in Maryland, and it was about 30 degrees! Brrr!
The flight was long and uncomfortable… you know how it is trying to sleep on a plane–nearly impossible. Nevertheless, we got home to our puppies and kitties and our little house on the big road. 
Just to relive some of the warmer days, here are the remaining pics from Hawaii: Thursday’s snorkeling adventure at Hanauma Bay, and the Paradise Cove luau.
Hanauma Bay on Oahu’s southeast side
This was my first time to try snorkeling. I am not exactly an adept athlete… and especially not when it comes to water sports. However, I really enjoyed this adventure. See all the grayish brown spots in the water? That is the coral reef–and in that coral reef live lots of fishies!
Neither of these are original Lolly pics, because I did not have an underwater camera, but all of these fish are ones that we saw–right in front of our faces! The top picture includes various butterly fish, parrot fish, and some others that I don’t know the names of. The bottom picture shows the most common fish we saw on our day of snorkeling: Convict Tangs. They are so beautiful and stay in tight schools that move very quickly. We also saw several Humuhumu-nukunuku-apua’a — the state fish of Hawaii. I practiced the word all week and finally got it down!
After our fun in the sun (too much fun! I got burnt on my right leg–which is pretty easy for me to do considering I have a ghost complection. Oh well…) we headed back to Mimi’s for a little R&R before our night at the luau.
We went to the Paradise Cove luau, located on the western coast of the island. Because we were in the west, we got some great sunset shots–among them, one of the three of us:
We each got a complimentary shell lei, and some drink coupons. We all had a free mai tai, and then Kris and I sampled the different Blue Hawaiians, Lava Flows, Tropical Itches, and Pina Coladas. They were small glasses though… just so you know! We were not even tipsy when we left.
Before the big meal, Mimi and I made some wrist leis with fresh plumerias and orchids, and both of us got temporary tattoos on our arms. Mimi’s is a pink plumeria, and mine is a hibiscus.
The actual luau was fun. Lots of good foods–plenty for meat eaters, and a pretty good portion for the vegetarians too. They had plenty of salads to sample, a large tray of veggies and fruits, and some different breads. I even tried the poi. Not too bad–pretty much tasteless.
On Friday, Mimi and I did some shopping and hanging out. We hit Aloha Yarns in Kaneohe. They had some nice things that I had not seen before–like Bouton d’Or, but I found them much more expensive than Yarn & Friends in Honolulu. One thing that I noticed in both of the yarn shops that I went to was the popularity of the knitted and crocheted leis. They were pretty cute, and definitely held up longer than the flower version!
These leis often use copious amounts of fun fur–but they are still pretty cute! Many also have bobbled ribbon yarns that look like little flowers, and usually have a grosgain ribbon as a tie. I saw two books sold in the stores that explain the technique further for those of you that are interested: Making Eyelash Crochet Leis and Making Ribbon Leis. It is a good way to bust the stash of eyelash yarns and make a cute little accessory for a costume or every day wear! I may even try one myself!
After our day, we said our sad goodbyes to Mimi and Dan and headed to our departure gate. We had a red-eye to LAX, and the whole red-eye thing definitely held true. Kris and I were so tired. We caught the next plane to Baltimore and got a little more rest on that flight before getting home. My mom and dad picked us up and took us to get a quick dinner.
As I unpacked and went through the backlog of snail mail, I looked over all of the goodies that amassed!
Chris was such a lovely hostess! She showed us all such a lovely time in Honolulu and Waikiki. She was so kind, she even gave me an aloha bag of goodies. Inside, she included a pair of amazing handknit socks (!) an adorable mug designed in Hawaii, some chocolates (not pictured–you do the math) and some handmade notecards customized with my initials and with verses and phrases about friendship. I was so moved by her lovely spirit and hospitality. Chris, I was so thrilled to meet you! it is a great day when an online friend becomes a real-life friend!
Also from my unpacking–the yarn I picked up at Yarn & Friends. Five skeins of Katia Dolby–perfect for a tank next summer. Also in the pile was Mimi’s early birthday present to me: Two skeins of Cascade Fixation! Chris got the same colorway, so we will have matching socks one of these days!
The Ziploc bags are from Knotty Gnome Sara, my Sock Scrap Swapper. She sent me some real goodies, perfect for some baby socks, kids socks, and even some small scarves. Thanks! In the back, there are two large cones –white and sky blue– that my Momma found at the thrift store. They are a great quality cotton/rayon with little nubs throughout. I have a perfect pattern in mind–based on something I saw at a great store in Hawaii. More on that later. Thanks Mom–and only 50 cents for each cone!! Also, I got a review copy of Vicki Howell’s newest book, New Knits on the Block from Sterling Publishers. A full review and some pattern pics will follow. First glance through? Some really cute and whimsical patterns/costumes for the kiddies!
I am beginning to realize that this may be the longest post I have ever written… but I still have some things to tell you! Are you good? You can take a breather and stretch your legs if you need to… make sure and come back to see all of the other things…
The Other Things I Have to Share
I didn’t do much in Hawaii, other than enjoy Hawaii. I took two books to read for school, and I got about 275 pages done on the plane (and on the beach that one day), but didn’t touch the other one, much less write the paper that I was supposed to write for tomorrow’s class. Oh well, it was one of those optional (but highly encouraged) sort of deals. Just so you know, I did not get that much knitting done either.
Sleeve 1 of my Klaralund was an easy airplane knit. I am in the extended garter section which also serves as the bodice/bust for the sweater. I love the Noro striping, but the Silk Garden has a lot of “stuff” in it. Has anyone else noticed this? Like little bits of grass and strings? I just pick them out as I go along. It is still nice to work with though. The little novelty project on the side is a belt/sash that I am making for Mimi. I think it is a Reynold yarn-forgot the name though. I am just going to go until the yarn runs out. So far, it is working up pretty well. I know she will like it. She wears belts and sashes like I wear scarves!
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My Dublin Bay sock attracted some attention on the plane. Three of the flight attendants were also knitters, and were amazed at the small needles. I love meeting knitters when knitting in public! During the flight, one came up and talked to me for about 20 minutes about her different projects etc. Then she sent her friends! I actually turned the heel on this sock already… the picture is a little old. It does show the lovely yarn and lace though! |
As for a Socktoberfest post, I have many items to share with you…but those will have to wait till tomorrow! There are many finished pairs by your fellow Socktoberists, and even some new knitalongs you can join since Socktoberfest is coming to a close.
**Also, don’t forget to check in with me tomorrow night for the names of the WINNERS of the prizes! I have SIX prizes to give away to Socktoberists!
Thanks to Simply Sock Yarns for the donated Fleece Artist Merino, to Yarnzilla for the donated Opal 6-ply, Woolarina for their donated hand-dyed sock yarn, DiscountYarnSale.com (Jeanie) for the donated knitting bag full of goodies, and to Jess for her donation of Opal Handpaint.
…and here is what I am offering up… some Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Mountain Twilight colorway.
You could be the lucky winner
WELCOME HOME! I’m so glad you had a good time!
Cathy
Oh, do those shots take me down memory lane. I used to teach school at Kaiser High School which is right near Hanauma Bay and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to the Paradise Cove luau with mainland friends
It sounds like you had a wonderful time 
I’m still trying to finish my Socktober socks–I’m turning the heel right now–if I’m lucky I’ll finish tomorrow 
Get some sleep and aloha 
Oh I love love love snorkelling. I wasn’t good at it the first time either … but the beautiful fishes you can see down in the water is just too amazing! And I have to thank you, Lolly, for introducing us to Chris. She is such a funny lady … love reading her humourous writing.
I am really happy that I could finish my Socktoberfest socks on time. My next project would be a pair of gloves for nona’s Peaceful Palm KnitAlong.
So glad you made it home safe and sound! Thanks for sharing your trip with us! what a fun time! Love the Dublin Bay socks your are making. sigh. there are too many sock patterns out there
My best friend and her family live in Hawaii. We visited her six or so years ago and your photos are making me feel very nostalgic. We tried snorkeling for the first time out there too. I was surprised at how wonderfully relaxing it was.
And without further adieu, yes, I finally finished my Socktoberfest socks.
I am so glad you are home safe! i have really enjoyed reading about your adventures with mimi and kris… love all the temp. tatoos you’ve been getting.. very pretty ones:) i loved the pictures and stories, thanks! i am so excited to hear the winners! i started 3 pairs of socks this month and got 1 of each made as of tonight:) now the month of Nov. i will knit their mates:)
Welcome home! Thanks for sharing your awesome vacation with us.
Sounds like a great vacation. It brought back memories for me too, as Hawaii was one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. It was far too long ago, really must do it again.
You did a great job with keeping Socktobefest updated on your vacation. Thanks for such a fun KAL. I finished my socks today.
Welcome Home! Happy to hear you made it back safely. Love the pictures! I have also found interesting little things in my Silk Garden….little twigs and such!
So exciting! Welcome back. Though I’m sure it came too soon. I have mild hopes of finishing my second sock before Socktober ends, but we’ll see… Thanks so much for the motivation to finally give socks a try. And my boyfriend just loves that I’m making something for him, so he thanks you too.
Looks like you had a wonderful time, Lolly! Thanks for letting us see Oahu through your eyes.
thanks for the wonderful, detailed post — with the requisite yarn store info! glad you are home safe!
I’m so glad you are back safe and sound, even if it is a lot colder! I hated the trip back the most. I hate not being able to sleep. We slept on the floor of the terminal in Houston while we were waiting on our plane to Atlanta… not the safest option!
I’m having so much fun with Socktoberfest!! Thanks for being the hostess!!
Your coming home to the arctic blast reminded me of our vacation three years ago.. Friday morning we were on the 85 degree beach in the Bahamas and the next morning we were on a 30 degree soccer field drinking hot chocolate and yes eating nachos at 8 AM to keep warm during a soccer tournament!!!!
Glad you had a good time, it sure is a beautiful place!!
Welcome home! Ditto on the photos and the wonderful travelogue. The Katia Dolby is absolutely beautiful! Can’t wait to see what you do with it. Thanks for the motivation to get me back to knitting a pair of socks. I only succeeded in finishing one..got distracted by a sweater project, but the second is not far behind.
Welcome Home!
Welcome back, sounds like you had a fabulous time! Thanks for sharing all your pictures, it’s been pretty cold the last few days!
I managed to knit up my second pair of socks, pictures should be up on Monday…
I’m glad you like the socks =)
I learned the Magic Loop from Stephanie’s tutorial at Unwind. Credit where credit is due and all.
It is SO cool how so many merchants have donated prizes! So neat how much attention one little, although awesome, idea that snowballed so perfectly.
Glad you had such a GREAT vacation – we’ve all felt a little bit on vacation ourselves since you shared so generously with us, thanx!
Oh, I’m so jealous of your trip. It looks like it was so fun. I still have a ways to go on the second of my socktoberfest socks, though I am thoroughly enjoying the one that IS done.
Thank you for my vicarious trip to Hawaii:) I needed that! I’m so glad you had a great time. It has been a few years since I have been there. It is so wonderful that you got to be both a tourist and see the local hangouts.
I know you’re right about the KAL–I just miss my knitting time so much. I just have to remember…working now means more yarn later;)
Welcome home
…sending you warm hug. Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I have enjoyed Hawaii with you.
Also, thanks to all the vendors whom are giving so generously.
It’s great to have you back, although I’m sure you’re not feeling that way. I hope you had fun with your sister. I know how it is not to have family around. I see my family, 2 brothers, one sister and lots of kids, only once a year, so I really try to make the most of our short time together. There’s nothing better than family!
Hi, Lolly!! I’m so glad to hear that you and Kris got home safe and sound. I can’t even fathom 30 degrees right now- on the bright side, it’s probably good knitting weather! And hmmm…that’s the second Happy Hour I’ve read about during your vacation, though I *know* you “weren’t even tipsy,” “just so you know.” Hee!
You are so sweet- it’s the other way around; it was *our* great pleasure to meet you and your family. The kids and J still look at the pics from that day and talk about all of you with such fondness. And J now blogstalks you, too, from work. “Just so you know.” 
Your Dublin Bay sock is looking fantastic!! You had such a full schedule, I don’t know you even managed to squeeze in the knitting, reading and blogging (!!!) that you did! So amazing. Do you have to go back to work/school right away? Hope you get at least a few days to rest and recuperate. Sending you and Kris our love and best wishes; take care! 
You certainly seem to have had a terrific time out in Hawaii. The ribbon leis look fun. You could also use them for Christmas tree decorations!
Glad you’re back! Sounds like a great trip. I’m happy to have gotten one Socktoberfest sock done by the end of October (guess it’ll have to be Sockvemberfest for me as well!)
lovely pics. i enjoyed reading about your hol… and all those tatoos.
i failed miserably at casting on a sock within socktober, but signing up got me motivated to learn the magic loop method… making myself dome wristlets and i am ready to cast on for socks this week.
welcome back to maryland!! thanks for sharing your trip with us…
Welcome home! Oh my goodness, you have so many great things to share! It sounds like you and Kris had an amazing time.
p.s. I am keeping to my Socktoberfest committment and casting on for my socks tonight! I will post this evening! Happy Halloween Lolly!
Glad you made it home safe. Enjoyed all the beautiful pictures of your trip and the nice presents. Thanks for hosting Socktoberfest too.
Wow, what a wonderful vacation. And you had so much to show in this post that I don’t even know what to comment on!
Glad you’re home safely and I hope the impending jet lag passes quickly. I finished my socks for my Toby and will post a pic as soon as I find the camera AND the cable at the same time. Thanks for hosting Socktoberfest. I had a grand time and got to know lots of other knit-bloggers along the way.
Have a good one!
AmyDe
YAY you are home! I can’t wait to see everything in person and to hear all your adventures! So. Beautiful.
happy halloween
Yeh home again home again.. but cold again!!
Glad you had fun!
Glad you had Socktoberfest! It got me out of my fear of socks!!
I even knit up some minisocks as a bookmark!! Check em out!!
Oooooh prizes I love prizes!!
And how did you snag a review copy!! Jealous!!!
Welcome home, Lolly. I didn’t finish a pair, but I do have two socks to show for myself. I don’t qualify, but I am glad for the motivation of socktoberfest! Thanks again!
Glad you got home safe and sound! Yay for wonderful trips!
Welcome home! It was so much fun to see and read about your vacation. And what a treat that Chris gifted you with socks! Hopefully getting back into school work won’t be too much of a drag..hehe.
What a great vacation! My husband and I went to Kauai for our honeymoon in June, so those pictures bring back happy memories. I have two finished Socktoberfest socks to report…but I have no discipline and can’t resist casting on something new, so they aren’t a pair. You can see them on my blog, anyway. Thanks for hosting this fabulous knitalong!
Glad you got back home safely – and thank you for sharing your vacation with us!
Lolly—You are so right about the Silk Garden! I’ve always found they left just a smidge much of the garden in the yarn for my taste but the lure of Klaralund is strong so I might just have to buy me some more silk and garden!
Welcome home!
Ohhh you guys seemed to have had a wonderful trip. I’m sure you’ll remember the special moments forever! Thank you for sharing it with us! I almost feel like I went there myself… well with a little imagination! GRIN. I’ve also enjoyed the socktoberfest fun! It’s been a blast!
Welcome back! Thanks for sharing such gorgeous photos. I want one of those temporary tats now
Welcome back! I’ve been enjoying the beautiful pictures you shared
I’ve been wanting to try snorkeling for so long!
Anyway, agree with you about the Silk Garden. The colours are simply amazing though.
P.S: I just finished my first pair of socks!!
I’m glad you’re home safe and sound and that you had a great trip. What yummy goodies.
Welcome back! I didn’t get to sign up for soctoberfest but I’ve been knitting along. Thank for this KAL it finally got me over my fear of socks!
For someone who didn’t do a lot on vacation, it sure seemed like you were awfully busy
I hope that you were really abel to relax and enjoy your time there before returning to real life.
Because I’m a last minute kind of person – I’m casting on my socktoberfest socks today so that I can make it in under the wire. YOu said we didn’t have to finish, right?
Wow! I am so envious, looks like you had a great vacation!
I finished my Socktober socks and will be posting them today (if I ever get a decent photo!). Thanks so much! This was fun.
Sorry I just got home from the hospital and having my son. I did finish one and a half pairs though. I know I won’t be able o sent ypu pics though, sorry. Thanks for having this as a knit along, it was great fun.
Thanks for taking all of us along with you to Hawaii – the photos and your descriptions are great!
I completed 2 pair of socks, + one half of a third pair (I might add a little more tonight). All are posted – thanks for hosting Socktoberfest!
Welcome home, Lolly! Socktoberfest has been a lot of fun … thanks so much for being such a gracious hostess.
Yikes – I’m hoping to finish my first sock tonight, and I only have my phone camera available to take pics! Don’t think I’ll be winning anything tonight! Glad you had fun in Hawaii Lolly!
My socks are finished!!!! YIPEE! They are my very FIRST pair of socks, and first real knitting project with a pattern. I am so excited to have finished them. HURRAY!
Thanks so much for Socktoberfest! I’ve had a blast working up my own pattern
I loved your pictures of Hawaii, I’d love to go back there some time. Glad you had fun!
Oh my gosh! It looks like you had a simply wonderful time in Hawaii. All of your gorgeous pictures make me want to go there soon
Great vacation photos! Thanks for hostessing Socktoberfest!
Holy Moley! Looks like so much fun! I have to go there. So glad you’re back safe and sound.
Welcome back, what a trip! I almost need a week vacation to read your post! Looks like you had loads of fun. I liked the fish pictures a lot. And thank you so much for Socktober!
Tee hee! My DS is in third grade and one of his spelling words this year was Humuhumunukunukuapuaa ! They had studied fish and the kids thought it was a GREAT name so the teacher added it to their spelling list. I am proud to say that DS actually spelled it correctly! Woo hoo!
I am so glad to have read that you had such a GREAT time visiting Mimi and Dan. I know how much you miss her. You have some great shots, fabulous memories and an amazing place to visit her!!!!
Thanks for the link to the dublin socks. Those are so darn CUTE! I think that I will have to yank out some yarn for those babies soon!
Again, thanks for the great posts, enjoyable pictures and the gift of you via the blog.
Great photos L! So glad you had a fabulous time in Hawaii! Can’t wait to hear all about it…IN PERSON!
Oh MY!! The pictures of your trip are amazing!! And your projects are looking lovely my dear – beautiful stuff
Hi Lolly! I just got your comment about the sock scrap swap. It’s totally cool.
On another note, my roommate is from Hawaii, and she’s crazy about crocheting those fun fur leis. It’s really amusing.