Hawaii, April 2025

We went to Hawaii in April 2025 so I could FINALLY complete my 50 State Half Marathon Challenge. And since Wil had never been to Hawaii we decided to add on some time on the Big Island, and had a great time. 

On our last day in Hawaii we drove out of the park and toward Hilo. We stopped at a big grocery store (which I'm told is now called "Tiny Tourism" -- visiting everyday places rather than big sites...), bought some Hawaiian goodies and our last poke. Mmmmm, poke. 

Then down to the water, where we parked up and walked around Liliuokalani Park and Gardens⁩.

We laughed because, in 2.5 days in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, seeing all the "don't feed the nene" signs, we didn't see ANY of them. But here they were, in this city park. 

Then we drove up and over the Saddle Road back to Kona. We had a LOT of time to kill, so we drove south of Kona along the coast and poked around a little town, got great coffee, and looked in an amazing vintage store that whas overwhelming because it was all SO GOOD. We took a break to clear our heads at Wai'aha Beach Park. Again, so glorious!

Still antsy -- and with more time to kill -- we turned back toward the airport and stopped at Old Kona Airport State Beach Park, which has still has the runway and a loooooooong beach. 

The park also had a sweet, looping "walking / jogging path" where people had set up little mini gardens. We walked around there until it was just TOO HOT. 

who doesn't love a "walking facility"??

Then, on a whim, we drove to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. It was peaceful and quiet, and a perfect spot to get in the water for the last time. As I stood up to my shins in the water I stopped -- because THERE WERE HONU ALL AROUND US!!!

Mr. Turtle is my FATHER

The pictures aren't great -- I didn't want to get any closer or drop my phone. But Wil had wanted to see sea turtles, so it was a thrill to see a bunch of them, by accident, on our last day. 

We gassed up the car, dropped it off at the airport, and went inside to wait. I love an open air departures terminal, and the sunset was amazing -- a great way to say farewell to Hawaii!

I "published" this post on the day we returned home from Hawaii, and have finally written up all the days. Here's the omnibus to keep them all together. 

We flew out on a Thursday, arriving in the late evening and just enjoying a drink on our balcony. 

On Friday we spent the looooong day at the Polynesian Cultural Center (and loved it!)

On Saturday morning we hiked the Diamond Head Trail and went to the race expo.  

On Saturday afternoon and early evening we went on a Honolulu cocktail crawl (that, admittedly, extended to the next day, post race.)

On Sunday we got up early to run the Hapalua Half Marathon and finish my 50 States Half Marathon Challenge!

On Monday we flew to Kona and spent a day or two kayaking, snorkeling, and seeing massive manta rays. 

On Wednesday we stopped at the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Punalu'u black sand beach, and stayed in an amazing yurt.

On Thursday we drove to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and drove the Chain of Craters Road. 

On Friday we hiked the Kilauea Iki Trail, visited Hilo, and watched the eruption. 

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 1

Hi everyone! Last time I decided to start working on some smaller pieces -- easier to manage in the busy summer time. First up, Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street:

I went on a trip over the past three weeks (more on that later), but I still got a very good start on the first of three: the rooster. 

I love how the colors pop on the black Aida. I'm using Cosmo floss and, well, I don't see much of a difference from good 'ol DMC. But I'll see how I feel as I finish each of these pieces. 

By our next check in I hope to have finished the stitching on the rooster and be well on my first chicken. 

Now, about that trip....

We just got back from 10 days in Hawaii where I was running the final race in my 50 State Half Marathon project. The race itself was fun, and I took it as a "victory lap" -- high-fiving kids along the course, thanking volunteers and police officers, cheering for other runners, and enjoying the time. 

One of my all-time favorite craft projects is a jacket that I embroidered for myself, filling in the states as I went along. I used different colors of floss per year, and finally got to fill in my last state. I very rarely wear it, but it makes me smile to look at the map and think about each of the races I ran. 

I'm now going to run over and check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- it's always inspiring to see! Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Hapalua Half Marathon Race Report

I have been planning to run this race as my 50th State for years. I didn't want to run the half of a full marathon -- I wanted the half to the be focus. The fact that Hapalua means "half" in Hawaiian makes me smile. 

Race expo was at the convention center -- a little ways away from our hotel -- but it was well signed and very well organized. We got our bibs and t-shirt, and then went to look at merch. 

The race design included the names of EVERYONE who pre-registered. The men's shirts had all the men's names (a little confusing at first...), the women's shirts had all the women's names... and the big towels and the photo banner had both. Really nice touch, and fun to find our names!

The next morning we rode down in the elevator with another couple and a random guy headed to the gym. I said, "I think we're headed to the same place!" and she laughed. Wil said, "She's running her 50th state!" and the woman said, "OMG, ME TOO!!!!" and we both SQUEALED and the random guy quickly exited the elevator. 

We hadaed to the start corrals, just down the street from our hotel. We admired Duke, his arms full of leis, in the moonlight. 

Finally, we started. There was a surprising amount of random city miles, out and back to Ala Moana and Honolulu Harbor. 

But eventually we looped back and around Kapiolani park and then an out and back along Diamond Head Road. As we passed the zoo I heard a "running guide" telling some tourists that Hawaii has a lot of "hobby joggers" and a bunch of us insulted him (and his slower-than-us tour group) right back. 

It was hot -- especially on Diamond Head Road. But on the way back we had a nice breeze and I was grinning because we were almost done.

We stopped a lot to take pictures, thanked all the volunteers, and did a lot of smiling. 

And then I was crying because I could see the finish line and I had almost finished the project!

As we entered the finish chute we held hands, had our names called out, and then someone gave me a medal and a bottle of Gatorade and I was just so very happy. And crying. 

The race had a huge runners zone in the park with food and drinks and, very cleverly, a big screen running on a 15-minute delay so people could watch themselves crossing the finish line. I'd never seen this before and I think it's a genius idea. 

It hadn't been fast -- of course. But we did it and had a lovely morning. Walking back to the hotel felt surreal... I had thought about this day for years and it was finally here! We had a dip in the pool, went up to the room, and eventually headed out for a very fine celebratory mai tai. 

Our server delivered possibly the best mai tai I'd ever had, and asked, "How do you feel?". I told her I felt great, very happy, and that I NEVER NEEDED TO RUN AGAIN." It was the first tiem I'd said it -- maybe even the first time I had THOUGHT it, but I think it might be true. 

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 10: Happy Dance Time!!!

Let's cut right to the end -- I finished the Redwork Noel piece!

I even did the backstitching, which I think I like but -- as always -- hated doing. Avis (who heroically organizes this stitch-a-long!) is so smart about this. She does her work in organized chunks and completes the backstitching each time. SO SMART. 

I realized that when I finished the piece I wasn't exactly sure what I planned to do with it. I think it will become a Christmas pillow cover, but I'm going to put it to the side for a little while and percolate on that. (Of course, just typing that I'm thinking exactly how it will look. Ha!)

Now I know what you're thinking... what's next?

I have a biggish full-coverage kit that I really want to work on, but I also want a break. Summer is always a difficult time to work on big projects because there's so much going on. I have a bunch of small kits / patterns that I'd like to work on, so I think I'll cycle through those. 

First up is this weirdly wonderful pattern from Satsuma Street. I love her use of color and for whatever reason was unable to stop myself buying this: 

FUNKY CHICKENS!!! 

I'm going to stitch them on black Aida rather than cream linen, but I can't wait to stitch all three (two chickens, one rooster). 

The designer recommended Cosmo floss rather than DMC, and I've been noticing Cosmo in a lot of places lately. I've never stitched with it, so I'm looking forward to giving that a try. 

(While looking up the link to this pattern I discovered that she's about to release another set of feathered friends in April: Groovy Chicks. Do not be surprised if they come up soon...) 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long have been the key to keeping me working on my projects. I am absolutely sure I wouldn't complete most of these projects without the check-in we do every three weeks, and celebrating our completed projects with happy dances. It's always so amazing to see what everyone else is working on. Go check out their blogs and get inspired too : Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 9

Hi everyone! Here's where I was at our last check in: I had finished 100 out of 120 rows: 

And here's where I am now: 

That's 110 out of 120 rows done! The stitches at the top left show the height of the design, so I'm really close now. I should be able to get the stitching done by our next check in, and as a stretch I will also get the backstitching done. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen. We're also saying farewell to Gun -- we'll miss your updates!

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 8

Hi everyone! Life remains crazy, but I'm making myself carve out time to stitch. 

Here's where I was at our last check in: I had finished 90 out of 120 rows: 

And here's where I am now: 

That's 100 out of 120 rows done! Still a ways to go, but I see light at the end of the tunnel -- and am already pondering what to take on next!

Last time I teased a project I was working on for a friend's birthday. Happy to report that it was finished in plenty of time and Suz loved her gift. 

It's a Mill Hill kit called Into the Woods. It's a tribute to her black cats, current and those who have crossed the rainbow bridge. 

I'm going to keep working on "Noel", and hopefully will have 10 more rows done by our next check-in in three weeks. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 7

Hi everyone! In dark times, there's always stitching to be done. 

At our last check in I had finished a full 10 rows, or 80 out of 120, thanks to a weirdly delayed flight. 

And thanks to a long weekend (the last one for MONTHS, unfortunately) I got another 10 rows completed--so I'm at 90 out of 120. 

Exciting! 

I also promised to show pictures of two projects I wrapped up just in time for Christmas. Of course, I didn't take pictures of one of them "made up", but you will get the idea. 

First I made this for my friend Inga, who just moved from New York City to Miami. It's called Autumn in New York, by Embroidery and Sage. 

All those French knots were REALLY DIFFICULT, but I loved the outlines of the buildings. I know Inga was going to miss NYC and especially changing seasons, so it seemed perfect. 

Then I made this for my friend Rebecca who adores Paris. It's called "Rooftops of Paris", also by Embroidery and Sage. 

I really enjoyed stitching this -- so many tiny lines!

I have another project I'm working on right now that's for an upcoming birthday, and I'll share it after it is gifted. I'll also keep working on "Noel", and hopefully will have 10 more rows done by our next check-in in three weeks. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 6

Hi everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and that 2025 is starting off well. 

At our last check in I had only stitched a single line -- the missing bottom line of this piece: 

In the last three weeks I hoped to get a lot of stitching done, but of the four long flights, only one really allowed for stitching. The first one I was in the middle seat with a stranger on my left side (doesn't seem right to keep pulling a needle at a stranger!). The second one I was so tired I actually slept a little (hooray!). I didn't even unpack my stitching while we were in Rio, but was excited to stitch on the long flight from Rio to New York. Somehow, however, I was in a section with no reading light at the seat... so on the overnight flight they turned off the cabin lights and I was in total darkness. 

Finally, on the flight from New York to Seattle was had a strange incident -- a passenger left a bag in the terminal but didn't realize it until we had pulled away from the gate. I can only assume this set off something worse INSIDE the terminal, but we had a 3-hour delay while authorities were called, paperwork was filled out, and the passenger was escorted back into the terminal to identify the bag. 

I, however, used the extra time (and the 5+ hour flight) to stitch. As a result, I stitched 10 more rows, so I have completed 80 out of 120 rows. 

Next time I'll share pictures of the Christmas projects -- and hopefully have another 10 rows completed.

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 5

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is having a great December and either a peaceful or a festive season -- whichever you prefer. 

I want to come straight out and say that very little stitching has been done. Here's where I was last time, with 70 of the 120 rows done. OR SO I THOUGHT!

Here's where I am now, three weeks later: 

I've just realized there's a stray black thread on there!

The only stitching I have done on this piece is the row at the very bottom of the piece -- somehow I hadn't stitched that yet. Actually, now that I think of it, I didn't stitch it at the beginning because it's easier for me to count stitches with spaces. And I never went back to it. But that means that NOW I have 70 of the 120 rows stitched. 

I have been busily stitching Christmas gifts, and have just one left to finish. Luckily it doesn't need to be shipped anywhere so I have until December 24 to get it done. 

Between now and our next check-in in January I should be able to get a lot done on this piece -- I have some very long-haul flights coming up and look forward to being able to have dedicated stitching time. If, magically, I sleep on those flights, I still hope to get at least 10 rows done in the next three weeks. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

See you in 2025 -- and until then, best wishes and happy holidays!

Redwork Noel Stitch-a-Long, part 4

Hello everybody! Another three weeks, more weirdness at work. But let's focus on the fun stuff! 

Here's where I was last time, a little shy of being halfway done.  

And after three weeks, here's where I am: 

I have 70 of the 120 rows done (!!!) and I still love it. I'm going to slow down a bit as I am finally admitting to myself that, well, Christmas is around the corner and I need to get some gifts stitched! So it will get some attention, but not as much as I've given it the last few weeks. I'm hoping to get half of the next 10 rows stitched. 

The other stitchers in this stitch-a-long work on an amazing variety of projects. Go check out their blogs and get inspired : Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

See you in three weeks!