Marisa's Dandelion Patch » Hawaii

One-Of-A-Kind Luxury Home In Paradise

Marisa — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:36:25 +0000

Those who know me in real life as well as those who have been following my blog for a while, know that my husband and my sons have all worked in Hawaii. Specifically, they’ve traveled to the island of Kauai to help our friend build a unique, quality home in Anini Vista. I’ve posted pictures of the home here and there, though we have hundreds of the building process, and actually have some photos of the empty lot with nothing but block laid out on that rich red soil where a house would someday stand.

The home is now finished and is on the market. I’ve tried to find words to describe it but can’t. Magnificent isn’t quite enough. Spectacular doesn’t capture it. Breathtaking is an understatement. This is a house that you have to see to truly appreciate. It’s casual elegance and top quality craftsmanship. It’s a home like no other.

Don’t believe me? Well, just take a look. Visit Hanapai North Shore Kauai for a tour of the home that my husband and sons helped to build. The home has 50 arches, all built by my husband. My son, Jesse, built the bridge over the salt-water pool and moved the rocks to create the unique lagoon landscaping as well as the stone grill.

Take a photo tour of the house and grounds or watch a video walk-through. Then imagine that what you’re seeing is only a fraction of the true beauty of this place.

Okay, I know that most of us – maybe even all of us reading this now – can only dream of ever living in place like this. I know I feel privileged to be married to the guy who did all the masonry on it, and very fortunate to have been able to swim in that pool! Somewhere out there, though, is the right person for this house. Someone who has the means to buy this house and will truly appreciate the work that went into it is out there, I just know it. I don’t know if that person will read my blog or not but if he or she does, there will be no doubt this is the right home.

If you’re interested in purchasing this exquisite home, head on over to the Hanapai North Shore Kauai site and contact Linda Kelly about it. Make sure you tell her that Marisa sent you. And let me know by posting here, too. I’m anxious to find out who this home calls out to and who answers that call.

Even if you can’t afford it, you can still let me know what you think of it. We can all dream about it together while we wait to find out who is lucky enough to live in it.

Lovin’ Some Kona

Marisa — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:36:30 +0000

Whoohoo! My husband and son are back from Hawaii. I didn’t get to travel there this time because of the prices of airfare. Yes, blame the oil industry. Or the government’s refusal to drill domestically. Or the auto industry’s slow development of affordable cars that run on alternative energy. Or whatever.

The good news is that my husband brought me six bags of Kona coffee! I’ve been grinding and brewing pot after pot of this wonderful java. Yes, I like Sumatra. Of course, I enjoy a nice latte or capresso or frappuccino. Nothing else compares, though, with my beloved Kona coffee.

My guys came in Thursday evening. I have enough beans in that first bag of Kona coffee for one more pot. That’s right, in just about two days, I’ve gone through one bag of Kona coffee. I really need to pace myself if this is going to last me until my birthday.

The Pride Of Maui

Marisa — Fri, 09 May 2008 20:29:48 +0000

I still haven’t booked a flight to Hawaii. I’m waiting to see how long my husband will be there and hoping the price of air fare comes down. I hate when my plans are so unsettled, though. In the meantime, I’m looking around online for interesting and new adventures for this trip, if this trip actually happens.

I’ve seen most of the sights on Kauai, loved Spouting Horn and Kipu Falls, and visited beaches from Polihale State Beach Park to Ke’e Beach. This time, I really want to do some Island hopping to get an idea of the differences between the islands. I’m not sure if I’ll make it to the smaller islands, although Lanai and Molokai seem to call my name every time I’m on Kauai. I do want to finally visit Maui, though. And I want to do some underwater exploration, too, beyond the little we do on our own near Hanalei Bay.

In my search for information on Maui Snorkel I found some great packages. I know you learn a lot by exploring on your own but mostly you learn what not to do the next time. Opting for one of these great packages ensures a much more pleasurable trip. Not only are meals included but all equipment you need, including underwater cameras, is available, too.

The package I like best is the morning excursion. That one includes both breakfast and lunch as well as an open bar. While snorkeling gear is included, they also offer scuba and snuba gear for an additional rental fee. I really want to try Snuba since scuba diving with the Pride of Maui requires diving certification. All this takes place on a 65-foot Catamaran with stops at both Molokini Crater, an ancient submerged volcanic caldera, and Turtle Town where you’ll be able to get up close to the amazing Green Sea Turtles.

My second choice, maybe in addition to the first, would be the sunset cruise, which just seems so romantic. In all our trips to Hawaii, we’ve never really done anything truly romantic. I think it’s time and the dinner cruise with the colorful Maui sunset sky as a backdrop would be perfect.

I know we can carve out a 4 day mini-holiday from my 16 days in Hawaii for some snorkeling in Maui and a romantic cruise. The Pride of Maui makes it all so easy and convenient, and the prices are a real bargain. Even better, I noticed that by making reservations online, they offer even more savings. In fact, the prices are so reasonable that I might be able to afford that quick jump to the Lanai and Molokai, too.

Keep your fingers crossed that I make it to Hawaii this summer. This is going to be my best trip yet!

Affording Home

Marisa — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:32:47 +0000

I know that the area where I live is economically depressed. I also know that the housing market across the country is sluggish, at best. It’s a buyer’s market, from all I’ve heard and read. And yet, there are places where new construction is booming and property values are soaring. I know that because my son and husband are working in such an area now.

I can’t even imagine what it would be like to apply to mortgage lenders for a loan that is anywhere near the million dollar mark. I’ve checked property prices where my husband is and I don’t see how a normal, hard-working person could ever afford to buy a home there. That’s sad for those who were raised on that island and now must move away to start a family.

I’ve fallen in love with Kauai and often thought if I won the lottery I’d buy land there. I think I’d probably buy enough land to build a small community of reasonably priced homes and then sell them only to people who were born there. I don’t know if that’s against some discrimination law or not, though. Doesn’t matter, since I don’t play the lottery anyway, so I can’t win it. But that’s what I would do… if.

Cruel And Unusual Punishment

Marisa — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:21:15 +0000

Did I really say I miss my husband?? Well, maybe not!

Brian just called from Hawaii. He’s sitting on the porch drinking – are you ready for this???? – KONA COFFEE!!!!! Yes, he is. I’m stuck at home with Folgers and he’s drinking Kona. Oh, and did I mention that he prefers Folgers? Life is so not fair.

As if that isn’t bad enough, he proceeded to tell me that he’s already sweating. Yes, it’s hot there. It was warm here yesterday and that would have been really nice had it not also been raining. Today the sun is out but with the breeze, it’s still cold. Weather.com says it’s 43 but feels like 38. Yeah, right. I’d say it feels below 32!

I just think it’s really awful that my husband, who claims to love me, would taunt me across 5000 miles about his Kona coffee and sunshiny weather. I will be plotting my revenge.

Life Changes

Marisa — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:06:08 +0000

I hate when I don’t have time to blog. It’s one thing to not blog because there’s nothing to say, which isn’t often the case for me, but it’s another to have so many things going on that just sitting down to type it all out takes more free time than is available. Like now.

The good news is that things should get back to normal soon. The bad news is that until next week, my life will be whirling around me at record speed. The good news is that I may get to travel later this summer. The bad news is that right now, I must stay put.

Okay, enough with the mystery. My husband will be leaving on Tuesday for Hawaii. He’ll be there at least until June and possibly longer. If 2 months turns into 6 or more months, then there’s a good chance I’ll go over for a few weeks this summer. I’ve been there in March, April, May and June; I’ve never been there in July or August. Maybe this year I’ll get to experience the islands during the hot summer months.

I have a trip scheduled for Florida in September so whatever I do it will have to work around that. For now, life is just hectic. Trying to pack the husband’s clothes, get things in order and that kind of thing takes most of my time. I’ll get to catch my breath Tuesday afternoon and then it’s a week of appointments until the weekend. AND THEN… blogging as usual.

The Carnival of Aloha

Marisa — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:53:10 +0000

If the colder weather and change of clocks have you feeling a little down, how about a swing through the most beautiful of our 50 states? The Carnival of Aloha is going on today and it’s just the thing to put some sunshine in the chilly November day. The theme is Aloha Takes a Magical Hawaiian Safari and I just know you’ll find something there to enjoy.

I’ll admit that while all of the participants have offered wonderful blog posts for this carnival, nothing beats an actual visit to this most perfect place. Whatever the cost, a trip to Hawaii is worth it.

Enjoy!

Purchase Land Or A Condo?

Marisa — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 01:26:57 +0000

Oh, to be 25, single and living in Hawaii! That would be my son, Jesse. He’s a great guy, very talented and a hard worker. He’s doing well in Hawaii but he’s faced with a decision regarding housing. Should he continue to rent, Purchase Land or buy a condo? Such a quandary!

Land on the island is quite pricey and will only go up in value. It does require a huge commitment, though. A condo is more affordable but also comes with more rules and regulations. Renting right now is month-to-month, requires no commitment but also is like throwing money away. You have no equity in the home you rent.

I’m not sure how to advise Jesse right now. My heart tell me land. It’s the one thing that can’t be manufactures when we run out of what’s already here. And yet, that’s a big investment and huge commitment. So, what do you all think Jesse should do? How about if he just sends for his mom to come over and ponder the possibilities with him?

Perfect Hawaiian Rental: Jeep!

Marisa — Thu, 24 May 2007 14:35:57 +0000

Right now, I ought to be preparing to head back to Hawaii. Since Brian came home early, that trip has been postponed. (Not cancelled!!) Brian may or may not go back in the fall; Jesse will likely be there for quite a while. So I’ll have to plan my vacation to visit my son.

When we went to Hawaii in March, our travel agent bundled our car and flight together. The rate was okay but it cost extra to add my husband and Jesse. That bothered me. And since Jesse is 25, it cost even more to add him. Plus, the car we got wasn’t all that nice. Certainly not the car I would have preferred. But adding the extra drivers took up the extra money I had to spend on the rental car.

Oh, but things have certainly changed for my next trip! When I head back to Kauai in September, I’m booking a Jeep Wrangler through Hawaii Jeep Rental Service. I’m so excited to have this website that I can barely even write about it. Seriously. Do you have any idea how much better it will be to drive a Wrangler in Kauai rather than a Cobalt or Malibu? Yeah, like night and day.

Hawaii Jeeps is actually a service that works with three major Rental Companies: Thrifty, Budget and Dollar. So why would you go through Hawaii Jeeps? Well, how about the fact that with Hawaii Jeeps, you don’t pay extra for an additional driver? Or how about not having to pay extra for that additional driver between the ages of 21-25?

Perhaps best of all, the rates are very reasonable. There’s only a slight difference in price between the Wrangler and Cherokee; I just prefer the Wrangler. If I were taking a few kids, the Cherokee would be a better choice.

For those who have been following my Hawaii posts, you know that with all my trips to Kauai, I’ve always wanted to hop over to Molokai for a day or two but so far, haven’t been able to do that. There’s really no reason not to do that this time, though. Hawaii Jeeps also serves Molokai! Yes, I can get a jeep for Molokai for two days! It turns out that Dollar, one of the Hawaii Jeep partners, is the only rental company offering Jeeps on Molokai.

You have no idea how I wish I’d known about this site in March. I’m disappointed in myself for not finding it until now. But I have found it and I just can’t wait to book my Wrangler. This is one of those “must have” sites for Hawaiian vacations.

Another Job Offer

Marisa — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 06:26:59 +0000

My husband called from Hawaii yesterday to tell me he may be getting an offer to do another job there. I’m not sure if he’ll be contracted or hired outright. I guess he’ll call me over the weekend to let me know.

I’ve been looking into getting his business cards printed at a reasonable cost. I also need to set up a website to showcase his work. I have a number of pictures of his work on my own site but finding it among all the other posts is not always easy.

Yes, next thing I do is set up his website. I know he’ll be thrilled since he’s been bugging me about that for months.