E Komo Mai!  This phrase means "welcome" or "come in" in Hawaiian.  For years we've had this boring unwelcoming doorstep full of slippers.  It was such a norm in Hawaii that it didn't bother me much, until I saw these nice front porch online, and one click led to another.  I was so jealous since I don't have a front porch, and again, it's going to cost thousands to build one.

I had to think of cheaper, "at my arms' reach" way to transform what we have.  Since I can't build a front porch, I planned to put personality instead.  I thought about buying a nice monogrammed plaque, but it was pricey plus I have to pay Hawaii shipping which is ridiculously expensive.  So I decided to make one.  It turned out great, and it only costed me less than $20!  (DIY monogrammed plaque here)

When we first moved in, I have planned this nice flower bed (in my mind) on the side of our driveway.  Six years later, still no flower bed...  So this weekend I put my hair up and garden gloves on.  Time to get dirty!  

I look at this small side area, and said, "piece of cake!".  Let me tell you, removing grass/weeds and tilling soil isn't as easy as it looks. My husband watched me do the work for about half hour before deciding to help me.  I think we wanted to make point - that it is in fact a lot of work.  Well, point taken!