Did Someone Say, "Parade"?

Hartley was in a daze looking at the many children and dogs in their Halloween costumes at the Haleiwa Farmers' Market! They were all gearing up for the march down the middle of the market.
Remember, I'm there every Sunday from 9 to 1 doing an art activity with children. Join me!

And First Place Goes to......the Centipede

Yikes!! Paula dressed Lulu as the most dreaded insect in the Islands. It was a homemade costume and won raves from the judges, Annie and Pamela (they run the Haleiwa Farmers' Market). If you ever want to know more about the market, go to their website:
www.haleiwafarmersmarket.com

Taking Second Place.....

The "Party Girl" was tooooooo cute! Cute as a button! Jane dressed Leilei in high fashion with a very fancy Halloween headpiece. What a doll!
Don't you think?

Coming in Third.....Coming in Threes

These greyhounds were very, very active. Mom had a time getting them, especially the one on the left, to pose for the camera!!
It was quite funny-----just as the photo was about to be snapped, the pooch in the red and white outfit turned around---it kept happening and happening! Luckily their owner was patient and so was Mom. This Halloween Parade was lots of fun and laughs.

Right out of a Japanese Folk Tale

Go was dressed as "The Peach Boy", a little child found floating in a steam by an old Japanese woman who had been longing for a baby. I loved this homemade outfit, especially the banner. See if you can google "Peach Boy" and read the whole story.

Looking Beautiful as Ever

Luna is hiding behind a mask she made with Mom at the Keiki (child in Hawaiian) Korner. That was today's art activity for children, being Halloween and all. Remember, stop by and visit every Sunday morning. We're at the stop light at the far end of Haleiwa just as you are heading toward the North Shore beaches.

Heading Out for a Surf

Dena (holding me) and Jeannie made a quick stop by the Market on their way into Haleiwa. Notice their big, big boards sticking out the back of the truck? These women are "Stand Up" wave riders. It's something like paddling a canoe, but it's a giganticly thick, wide, long surfboard and you use a paddle to move yourself around as you are standing up. Sometimes, if you are brave enough, and if the surf is good enough, you can catch a wave!
Good luck girls!!
And a Safe and Happy Halloween to everyone!

Let the Games Begin.......

Here's Skilly, also known as the "Voice of the North Shore" and "Skil Johnson" with me at the annual Menehune Surfing Contest in Haleiwa at Ali'i Beach Park. This is an event just for kids. It was started 34 years ago by the Women's Surfing Hui whose leader was Rell Sunn.
Skil has been the director and involved since it's inception. As he stated, "The purpose of this contest is to bring the surfing families of Hawaii together for fun and fellowship"! Bravo to Skil and his co-director, Ivy.

Surf Stars on the Rise

So many children from all the islands come to the Menehune. All three of these girls were Mom's students at Sunset Beach Elementary. Ocean is holding the big, blue board, Nami's in the middle, and Kirra is closest to the info board which tells the contestants when to get ready for his/her 12 minute heat. This is such an exciting event-----all the children and their families spend the weekend at the beach having fun, greeting old friends, and making new ones.

It's a Family Affair

Reef and his dad, Ray, a Boat Master for Sause Brothers in Honolulu Harbor, were having a quiet discussion in the beach park after Reef's competition. When I asked this 3rd grader why he liked the Menehune, he quickly responded, "It's great because it's about having fun and being active"! I loved that he said that----what a terrific reason for being in the contest!
Did you notice the surfboards in the pickups in the parking lot?

A Surfing Legend and his Son

Myles Padaca, a Triple Crown of Surfing Champ, and his 5-year old son, Ikaika, joined other high profile surfing families at the Menehune. This contest is the staring point for many up and coming surf stars who will go on to become famous wave riders and have careers in the surfing world.

Recording History--One Surfer at a Time

Franco spent the whole weekend on the beach shooting the contest. He sure has the right gear! See what he's all about at HawaiianSwell.com

And Who Might You Be?

Lalu was giving me the eye and wondering what I was doing in the hands of her owner, Rocky Canon. Rocky's the announcer for the Menehune and, boy, was he doing a terrific job! He kept everyone on the beach informed and made us laugh, too, with his great sense of humor and wonderful wordplay!

With a Very Careful Eye

These are the judges who score the rides of each surf contestant. Karen, holding me, is the Head Judge. She would call out who was up and who was riding as the judges marked their scorecards. Of the five scores, the highest and the lowest are thrown out and the other three determine the points (0 to 10) garnered by the rider. You get points just for standing up.
The judges from left to right are John, Trevor, Tim, Matt, and Dougie. Bravo to everyone who supports and volunteers at the Menehune!

And Should You Need to be Safer

Jordyn was getting nose and tail guards put on her board by David. These guards protect the surfer from getting injured by a sharp or pointed edge and they also protect the board from getting dinged. David has been doing this for FREE (for the competitiors) for years and years. Find out more-- be a safer surfer: www.surfcohawaii.com

The Menehune Surf Contest heralds the beginning of surf season on Oahu's North Shore.
Watch for more to come on the dog's blog! Aloha.

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' on the River

Emory and I are in a kayak paddling to a secret spot in Annapolis, Maryland. We just left her old family farm up the creek and were heading towards the Chesapeake Bay. The sun was out, a breeze was blowing, and I was having lots of fun waving to the passing boats and water skiiers. (Mom was paddling too. Can you see her legs?)

The Secret Spot

Should you ever be in Annapolis, Maryland, make sure you find your way to Cantler's. The atmosphere, the food, the locals---it's a great spot! Lots of restaurant goers come in by boat. We came in by kayak; it was easy and fun!

As I Said, Lots of Visitors Come by Boat

Annapolis is one of the oldest towns in Maryland and that's because it has such good waterways. There are boats everywhere. It's also where young men and women are taught to be sailors at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Because it's only about an hour north of Washington, D.C., put this port town on your list of sights to see when traveling to the Nation's Capitol.
Mike and Thomas were showing me around this area of Cantler's where the crabs and fish are processed.

Oh, it's Okay, I Don't Bite

Well, I am kind of a pet, but Cantler's manager, Thomas, let me in anyway, and boy was lunch yummy; a lump crabmeat crabcake!
Go to www.cantlers.com to see the full menu. One of the great advantages of living in Annapolis, or just visiting there, is CRAB!!

Did Someone Say, "Crab"?

Yes, when you are on the Cheaspeake and, especially, when you are in Annapolis at Cantler's, eating crabs becomes an Eastern Shore tradition. It's a two hour event----everyone gathers around a big picnic table, the waiter puts butcher block paper down, and then dumps a giant bushel (or half bushel) of spiced, steamed crabs in the middle and everyone digs in. Those mallets in the basket are used for cracking the crabs pinchers. You must have patience to participate!

A View from the Upper Deck

This little fellow, Aiden, from San Diego, was wearing a surfer t-shirt and I knew right away that we had lots in common. He was having lunch at Cantler's and was on vacation and so was I, and best of all, we both surf!
Isn't the view just spectacular!
Again, I recommend Cantler's when you are visiting Annapolis, Maryland.

Right Behind the Capitol

The Eastern Market, off Pennsylvania Avenue (the White House street), was built in 1873 and is the oldest continually running farmers' market in Washington. I love it there! The fresh food that comes from surrounding farms in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia is fabulous. There are so many vendors selling art, good art, and crafts and other stuff, too. I took the Metro there and it was easy, so no matter where you stay in the D.C. area, make sure to put this market on your list of sightseeing adventures! See more at: www.easternmarket-dc.org

Recycled is Best!

This is one of the interesting booths at the Eastern Market. Morris Friend calls his work, Country Funk. He makes "one of a kind" functional pieces of art from 100 year old barn wood and deconstructed houses. The chalkboards were my favorite!

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

I loved these button dolls! I guess I just like dolls in general. Hey, wait a minute, I think I can relate because I'm kind of a doll myself. What do you think? These dolls were made by a very special lady. Meet her in the next photo.

"I Never Dreamed I'd Be Doing This"

Well, one thing I like about farmers' market is talking to interesting people. Usually if you are selling something, you are friendly to your customers and that's what I've found to be true. I have made so many friends all over the world at the open markets.
Doris, the button dollmaker, was taking it easy and enjoying her day socializing with visitors and her friend who the next door booth at the Eastern Market. (Mom bought three pair of vintage earrings from Doris' friend.)
Again, make sure you visit here when you are in the Nation's Capital.

A Little History......and a Lot of History

This is the sign at Dollmaker Doris' booth.
I love Washington, D.C. for so many reasons! The sights, the trees, the wide streets, the Southern charm of this wonderful old city designed in 1791 by Frenchman, Pierre L'Enfant. Best of all, so many events and museums are FREE. It's a great place to vacation!
I recommend May, June, and September as the best months to visit; summer can be a little too warm and it can snow in the winter.