All too often, we go about our daily routine and take for granted the specialness of our relationships. And I have to say, I've got some great family and friends.

Every morning I walk my dog with Kris, and we discuss stuff and sort things out that have been mulling in our heads. It's pretty special having a friend like that...

And every day, I do what I want and say what I feel and my husband accepts me for who I am and loves me even when I'm hangry or acting ridiculous. That's pretty amazing, given how unruly I can be at times.

And every evening, I talk to my mom and she listens to the interesting and not so interesting parts of my day and makes me feel like the most special person in the entire world. Sometimes my dad pops on the phone to say hi as well and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. And every so often my brothers, sister and nephew are visiting and I get to hear what's new in their lives too. So amazing.

And every night I go to bed completely content with a husband snoring loudly in my ear, a dog curled tightly up against my side and a cat sleeping heavily on my belly. And I feel at peace.

Of course there are hopes and dreams I have for the future, but I am blessed to have an unconditionally loving and supportive family. I'll remember to relish in the present because I am lucky to live this life. And I'm thankful to share this life with all these special people around me.

I really enjoy painting all different architecture in my Hawaiian Shack series and this one is a favorite for sure. I felt since it's right on the beach, all the inhabitant needs are a couple surfboards and a bicycle to check other spots close-by. Another fun tidbit that I like to throw in is the sleeping kitty which, for this particular painting, I chose to immortalize my brother's loveable cat Milton McFly. He is looking quite peaceful suntanning on the side lanai. I think it's time to surf!

This little friend is an 'Apapane. Native to Hawaii, the 'Apapane is a honeycreeper that loves to sing. Our new buddy is popping in to say hello and wish us well. What a good boy!

In Hawaii, the proper greeting includes a Hawaiian lei. The Lei Shack-Yellow makes sure you have ample options for your visitors. The little birdies above are thinking about flying down and frolicking in the fragrant flowers, but they see the kitty guard. Although kitty looks like she's asleep, you never know when she'll wake up and want to play. I think it best to enjoy the day from atop the Lei Shack sign...

I love going dark on the background when I paint birds with brilliant color. The Red-billed Leiothrix is a very colorful bird, almost like a rainbow, and their bright yellows, reds and oranges really pop against a deep indigo backdrop. These two are hanging out with some intoxicatingly lovely smelling pikake. Pikake is a type of jasmine and when in bloom, these tiny flowers perfume the air for miles. So sweet!

The water is perfectly still in this painting. There's nothing you can do but pull up your beach chair and dip your toes in the water! I can't think of nothing more wonderful than getting warmed by the sun and cooled by the water on a beach of fine grained sand. With no one blocking your view or crowding your space, this is the place for me!

Mangoes are my favorite fruit. We have a nice big tree but it produces teeny-tiny fruit. They are very tasty, but so little! Input neighborhood, there is a small tree that produces gigantic fruit... I think they got mixed up in the creation of mango trees.

Big and bright is best for painting mangoes, I believe, so these Saffron Finches are playing Tarzan and Jane in a tree rife with large and luscious fruit. I can almost here the male saffron (red smudge face) singing to his lady, "AHeeeeAHeeAH eeeeAHeeAHHHH"

(Tarzan call...)

This little white-eye is the second commission for Michele. What he lacks in physical size, he makes up for in eyes:)

The white-eye, or mejiro, are so fun to paint because they have white rings around their dark eyes and it makes them look perpetually intrigued. If it was still Halloween, I would've had to paint a cape and fangs on this guy so he could say, "look into my eyes- ah ah ah"... But he's not very scary, in fact he may be just the opposite: eternally super-cute!