I HEART DESIGN

Hi. It's official... After designing it over and over and over...programming it, gathering materials and narrowing them down I've finally launched my online portfolio. I think I still have a bit of editing to do, but have a look and see for yourself. Keep checking back as I will be adding a few new projects in the coming months.

THE STORY OF OUR LIVES

Hot off the presses... here are a few out takes from our 8 page feature in the new June/July issue of READYMADE. It has hit the stands in some parts of the globe, so check your local book seller to get your copy.

Click HERE to see more images at photographer Alex Farnum's website.

All Cooped Up

Well the time came. We could tell by the look in his eyes that it was time for Kekoa to get out into the natural world. So I spent the weekend (2 weekends ago-geez time flies) making a little coop for him so he can be safe while experiencing the sites and sounds of the "wild." I gathered up all the scrap wood we have to come up with a design that used as little material as possible (to keep it light for mobility) and also create the least amount of waste. That's basically how I ended up with the size. Also, the chicken wire we had was 3 feet wide so there had to be a support beam every 3 feet to be able to tack up the fence. The resulting footprint is 6 by 3 feet, and 5 feet high. For some added stability and for the roof I used scrap aluminum roofing material. Since these pics were taken, I've added a shelf for him to perch on. Oh and I left the bottom of the coop open so he can experience digging in the grass for bugs, it's light enough to lift and shuffle over to another spot. We stacked some logs in there too so he can climb.

I propped up one side against the ladder. The other side stood on it's own while I marked, cut and secured the side supports. It's nice when cuts are actually square.

We moved the fenced frame into place before securing the aluminum panels.

Back piece is on. Ready for the roof.

Conn had to test it out.

"Hey, what's up with this wire crap?"

"Hey, where are you guys going? You're not going to LEAVE me here are you?"

Well, we couldn't bare to to leave him out there of course. In fact, we take him in at night. This is his self-chosen perch, the top shelf of a book case, where he seems to be perfectly content spending the night. He just flew up there one evening, out of the blue. He does try to feed on our vintage paper flowers though. Poor misguided lil' chicken!

EATS LIKE A BIRD

Well here we are going into week three of raising Kekoa and all is going well. But I will say it's like having an infant in the house. He has full run of the place during the day. When we leave the room he chirps and squawks until we come back and at night.... forget it. All he wants to do is cuddle in our hands the minute we sit down. The pink bandanna in these pics is now synomomous with nap/bed time. All w have to do is leave it on the chair or ottoman and that is where he likes to sleep. Or we can wave it around to get him to come to us... since he associates that with getting his belly rubbed... Oh yes... his belly rubbed. He LOVES IT and will practically rollover to get it. He also likes to hang out in the kitchen while we cook and looks up at us from the floor like a puppy. Instead of people food... we are still feeding him the chick feed and several times a day we bring him plate fulls of dirt and bugs - PARTY!!! The other night I gave him a 2" grasshopper and he was CRAZY. It was hysterical to watch him grab it up and RUN across the room. You could almost hear him saying... It's Mine, Back Off! We have the nasty drop cloth on the sofa... because he thinks it's really plants and flowers and "hides" on it. It's too hard to find him otherwise. TOO MUCH! TOO CUTE!

Check out his tiny ear!

Asleep in pink.

After a little sunning, a quick cleaning to get those new feathers in and off he goes to find food.
Yes... he can just about fly. Just think 3 weeks ago... no wings... well no feathers on the wings.

BIG CITY

Yesterday we took a short 26 minute flight to Oahu to meet with Leonard's Bakery in Honolulu. Here are a few shots from the flight over and back as well as a few hi-rises in and around Waikiki.
Mind you this was my first trip off the island since arriving here 14 months ago. The hi-rise aspect of it all was a bit of a throw back to NY. It felt very much like driving on the west side highway.

Moloka'i coastline

Moloka'i

Lana'i

Kalohi Channel - Moloka'i in the background and Lana'i in the foreground.

Diamond Head Crater

Hi-rises

Baked goods from Leonard's Bakery