Isn't she lovely?

I can't help myself...this is one of my favourite flowers. Unfortunately I have absolutely no clue what it is. Update! This last one is for Mel! Although this flower has seen better days, you can see what I meant about the black seed interior...fabulous!

Big Blue

Isn't it gorgeous? I can't get enough of these photos. Every time I see them I go right back to that beautiful cove, Laupahoehoe Point on the big island. I see my daughters, plumeria over their ears, standing on the black volcanic rock that guards the shore. I can smell the salt in the air, I can feel the coolness of the day. I can hear the sounds of the crashing waves and the chatter of my girls as they explore and exclaim their excitement and gratitude for being there. It was the perfect moment.

flowers

Just looking at these beautiful flowers makes me happy inside! What is it about flowers that brings such a reaction? Don't know, don't care. But I thought I'd share some old photos from Hawaii with you all, just to brighten the day, and hopefully bring you to the place I feel right now.

Where's Your Burger Heaven?

Reading my (middle hip)sister's blog, I was taken back to one of the best burgers you can buy! So with that in mind I am reposting (with a little editing) from back in '06, but the question still remains:

Which is your favourite burger?

Ahhhh... (insert a big happy face gazing off into the sunset).

Cheeseburgers! Back in the day Gramma was appalled at the fact that "out west" we put cheese on our burgers, her "hamburg" left the cheddar for the apple pie. But for me, well you just have to have cheese on a burger, add a chocolate malt (not shake), and some thin sliced onion rings and -ah-ooohm dawgie I'ma happy girl! Here for you to sample are my top four:

I bring you In-N-Out. If you live in SOCal this is a pretty good chain burger. Always fresh (never frozen) beef, hand leafed lettuce and fresh cut potatoes for fries, In-N-Out is consistently good. They also have shakes and a "secret menu" that's not so secret, but never printed. Number four in my ranking.

hawaii -05
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

Next on my favorites list would be Cheeseburger Waikiki. Number three brings us to inspired culinary genius... 2 chicks from SOCal who bummed money from a rich uncle, moved to paradise and found out they left all the good burgers on the mainland. What to do? Bum some more money and make your own. Now the girls are grown women who own a chain of "Cheeseburger" restaurants in places all over the U.S. (according to the menu, saving cities everywhere from lousy burgers). This burger, besides being in Waikiki, is pretty good for it's juicy yummyness (yes, that is a word). Hot, fresh, juicy, a great combination on the sauce, served with onion rings -which were terrific, although I prefer a thinner slice, and also a fresh piece of pineapple. Yum.

T.G.I. Friday's Gas Lamp District, San Diego, CA. is next on my list. Why oh WHY can not the other TGIFridays get it the same way? Who knows, but this fresh ground sirloin is amazingly good. Hot, juicy, and large enough for two is very tasty and ranks in second on my burger hit parade. Thor and I actually make sabbaticals down to SD just to eat this beauty a couple times a year. This is a burger where the meat is the true star. It is served sans condiments, lettuce, onion, and tomato only. Admittedly I always ask for a little mayo and ketchup, not usually offered on the burger, but the meat is SO good, who cares if the secret sauce is lacking and you need to make your own?

hawaii -05
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

Here we are at number one in my book: Teddy's Bigger Burgers in Kailua, Oahu. Trust me it is worth the plane fare and the wait. They actually have signs up telling you to just chill and relax, they are hand making your burger and when it is ready.... oh momma! This is my burger. It was so hot, juicy, tasty and I am not sure exactly what was in the sauce, but it was perfection in combination to the ground beef. I needed several napkins, and wanted another burger one as soon as I finished the first, I just couldn't have eaten it! This baby is huge and wonderful and you want to dance barefoot in the basket as you sing the praises of burgerdom! YumboColumbo this is paradise! Served with fries or onion rings - also terrific and a superb shake or malt! (Ya really wanna know how good this burger was? um, I ate half of it before I remembered to take a photo of it!)

O.k. Now it's your turn. Where is your favorite burger joint? Why is it good and tell us all the gory details! This is your bragging time, let the games begin!

happy weekend!

I have no idea what this flower stalk is, but dang! I love it!

My daughter in law has a theory. She says she thinks that one day in the creation God grabbed a group of little kids and gave them the elements to make all kinds of things. This, she reasons, explains all the really weird creations out there; bioluminescent fish, carnivorous plants, and the blue ringed octopus, (o.k., so I really like the ocean weirdness) - that can kill you in 26 seconds!

Perhaps these plants are also included in the list.

H2O