Aloha! I was lucky enough to spend the last week relaxing in Maui.  As my mom says "enjoy the soft air".  

There were sea turtles everywhere, in all sizes and cuteness.  We went down to look at them several times a day. Two younger smaller ones being moved around by the waves.  

Beautiful fruit, our favorites were the persimmon & longan fruit.  The longan was so good, I need to research if I can grow one here (and if it is well mannered).

Ginger, plumerias blooming everywhere.

My friend Tina and I early in the night celebrating Halloween.

Hiked to Twin Falls - this pretty patch of bamboo along the way.

Under the falls, which was hard to get a picture of - the cave was so dark and it was incredibly bright out.  This cave was where I swam out under the falls, filled with moss, ferns and roots. It smelled so good, I know thats a weird comment - but the dirt smelled so nice.

It was over too quick, as vacations can be.  Back home, look at the furly frond !  

Of course I gave everything a good sprinkling after a week away - and then we got 1/4" of rain.  Next time I'll check the weather.

Blooms here and there.

The dahlias are really on their own schedule this year.  Nutty!

My first protea bloom.  I cannot tell you how excited I am - there are 2 buds on this plant.  I've killed a few proteas, so I don't remember which variety this is.  Planted 2? years ago.

I can home to a few, erm many bulb orders I had placed through the summer, I need to get into those and figure out what I was thinking.  Also, I'll be picking up a good amount of plants from Sophia & Ivan on Sunday.  They went to Waltzing Matilija big sale on the first day and picked up whatever they thought I would be interested in.  Ivan had to drive back and forth several times to pick them all up, which was incredibly nice.  I can't wait to SEE the plants, and them too of course!

Happy November!  I'm getting excited for Thanksgiving as well - what is your favorite must have Thanksgiving dish?  *Mine is definitely the stuffing/dressing.  And gravy.  My son's birthday is the 22nd, which sometimes falls on the holiday.  His must have for his birthday is sour cherry pie. I'm happy to bake him one!