Do you ever notice how a bunch of little perfect moments can add together to equal one very GOOD day? Well today was one of those for the Cunningham Crew.

Our plans were simple: head to the Farmer’s Market in Waimea, but first on the agenda…donuts. Not just any donuts though; these are the size of your hand, secret-recipe-kind-of-donuts, and considered possibly the best on the Big Island. Holy Donuts is quietly tucked away down an unassuming one-way alley in the heart of downtown Kona. The building is nothing much to look at and neither is the inside of the quaint little shop; but the cashier behind the counter is welcoming and the donuts offer an array of delectable sugary combinations.

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Now in sugar-induced comas, we head back on the road, ascending up the backbone of cowboy (paniolo) country. If not for the decades-old crusted black lava on either side of the highway, you would think you were somewhere out west, perhaps South Dakota. Even the land untouched by lava is barren and dry, with its only inhabitants appearing to be the herds of goats that freely roam the island. However, nearing our destination, we begin to see the lush green hillsides peeking out from the distant horizon.

Piling out of our minivan RENTAL (we are STILL waiting for our SUV to arrive) we are surprised to be greeted by a crisp cool breeze; a welcomed relief from the warm, humid Kona air. The Farmer’s Market is gently buzzing with local vendors and farmers showcasing their labors of love to the Saturday morning shoppers: homegrown produce, handmade soaps, breads, hot sauces and salsa, made-to-order crepes, authentic Mexican tacos, and more! The free samplings of smells alone make the visit to the market worth the drive. To top it off, much to our delight we discover an unexpected Saturday customer, quietly hanging out in the trees, trying his best to stay in disguise-a chameleon! We will just add him to our ever growing critter-count here on the island!

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After perusing all the tents, we eventually settle on samples of local, organic honey (still oozing from the honeycomb), homemade salsa, hot sauce (at Ben’s request), and a selection of brilliantly colored fruits and vegetables, to include a rambutan (think hairy/spiked/strawberry that taste like a grape).

Meanwhile, Sam has been anxious to drink from a coconut since the moment we arrived on the island. I am not sure where this fascination with coconuts has come from, but low and behold, a vendor selling health shakes and tonics is eager to oblige Sam’s request. Jai, a slender gentleman, with shoulder-length dreadlocks and an ivory smile that stretches from ear to ear, reaches down and picks up a heavy green coconut, the size of a cantaloupe. (Did you know coconuts are dangerous? After my extensive research (Google) supposedly over 150 people annually die from falling coconuts worldwide!) With just a few quick precise swipes from his machete, he pops a straw in the top of it, and hands it over to Sam. Much to Sam’s dismay though, his anticipation of sampling coconut milk was not quite met with the actual flavor.

In other fun happenings, Benjamin tried out his hot sauce purchase. He wanted to get the hottest of the hot sauces available, but in his infinite “dad wisdom”, Dave persuaded him to select “Ninja” hot sauce, which falls lower on the totem pole of hotness. It did not disappoint though, as Ben sprinkled it ABUNDANTLY on his freshly made quesadilla. After a bite or two, Ben began to resemble a hot tea kettle with steam escaping from his ears! He powered through like a champ and finished his meal, but I think next time he might use it a little more sparingly!

Meanwhile, Annabelle and Abigail chose a sweeter approach to filling their hearts and stomachs-decadent strawberry-banana-nutella crepes.

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A car in the grassy parking lot has a sticker on the back glass with the quote “every day holds a blessing”. How true that statement is, but also how easy is it to forget? As I look around at the vendors enthusiastically sharing their unique talents with others, I am reminded not only of our daily blessings, but also how we can purposely chose to be a blessing in the lives of others. Let us live to enrich the lives of those around us!

Whoever brings blessings will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 11:25