{ View from the front porch, over looking the pond }

{ Living room }

{ Front staircase }

{ Kitchen }

{ Dining room }

{ Family room }

{ Back staircase }

{ 2nd fl. living space }

{ Master bath }

{ Side door to driveway }

{ Backyard Patio }

{ Back view }

{ Side garage door }

Thank you Lord for granting us to live here!

Our marketing team did trend tracking in the city yesterday. First stop: David’s Tea

I enjoyed the aromas and flavors of over 150 types of tea in a colorful, modern Canadian tea emporium.

Beautiful flowers shop, Ovando

“Is not your average flower shop… with sensual shapes, lush shades of flowers, unusual plants and cacti that explode in a festival of color and texture.”

Sockerbit candy store

A trendy, Scandinavian candy shop that features unique flavor combinations and textures, uses natural colors, is free of corn syrup, trans fat and GMOs.

My coworker’s purchase

My bag: lots of chocolates, liquorice and pink marshmallows.

Candies make me happy.

The Meadow

Eclectic store that features salt, chocolate, bitters and flowers. I had to buy some black truffle salt. SO GOOD.

Lunch at Mas; where they feature a seasonal menu of locally grown and sustainably raised foods cooked solely over wood fires of oak, apple and other hardwoods.

We got to meet the chef and see the kitchen!

Wood-Fired “Island Creek” Oysters with Lemon Thyme- Shallot Butter

Chilled White Gazpacho of Cucumber, Yogurt, and Hazelnuts With Crabmeat, Charred Scallions, Tomato, Mint, and Cayenne Pepper

Grilled Wild Nettle Polenta with Organic Black Beans and Grilled Asparagus Tips

Grilled Sea Scallops and Cauliflower Steak with Arugula- Pistachio Pesto and Charred Fennel

Greenmarket Strawberries with Lemon Thyme, Candied Pine Nuts Rosé Gelée and Strawberry- Buttermilk Swirl Sorbet

Sunflower Cake with Caramelized Milk Chocolate Vanilla-Buttermilk Foam, Candied Sunflower Seeds and Local Honey Ice Cream

Finished the meal with the Chef’s complementary macaroons. O. M. G.

Lastly, we feasted our eyes on luxurious, precious and exotic skin bags in bold and beautiful colors and textures. Phil Luangrath

What a day!

Today I surprised Chloe by taking her to American Girl Place in the city. She was so happy and excited.

We had a nice lunch at the cafe.

Chloe looked at the menu and ordered for herself.

Praying for her meal.

We enjoyed taking turns in picking cards and answering fun questions. What a wonderful idea. I felt like we really had a quality girl time together.

When did she get so big and mature?

Afterwards, Chloe got to pick out her own doll.

It was a magical day at the American Girl Place for Chloe!

We bought our Christmas tree today!

Birthday boy has arrived!

A big thank you to everyone who came to celebrate Shane’s birthday! Thank you for making his day special and memorable. It was a blast!

My one-of-a-kind Customized Silhouette Pendants became the most popular item on my website. My favorite part of the design process begins when I receive adorable submission photos of babies and children and I get to illustrate them. I usually send customers two to three illustrations as options. From the few e-mails I exchange with my customers, I continue to stay in touch some of them even after their orders have been completed. The feedback on my silhouette pendants have been overwhelming – several customers have sent me endearingly sweet thank you notes.  I am touched by the gracious feedback and feel as though I have contributed to their family by capturing their little one in a precious pendant. I wanted to share some of their comments below:

Hi Cadence – Thanks so much for your email. I received the package yesterday – the necklace is great! Thank you so much. Have a wonderful holiday and new year! – Katherin

This is one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received…so personal…so perfect…so close to my heart. – Danielle

Here’s my wife’s response. OMG I LOVE IT.  My eyes are tearing up!
I would say you have exceeded our expectations. Please proceed with the next step. Best Regards, – David M

I got the necklace today and it’s perfect and beautiful! thank you so much! – Moon

For Mother’s Day, my husband had a silver pendant of our son’s profile made for me (at my request) from your company.  I LOVE it!! – Jill

Cadence, I just wanted to let you know how much happiness you have brought to my wife.  She absolutely loves the necklace and catches herself looking in the mirror at it.  This brings her closer to our daughter when we are at work and our daughter is not by our side. I can’t thank you enough for the beautiful design. Kindest Regards, – David

This customer wanted a diamond in her ponytail.

This one is in rose gold with a diamond.

I took my mom to my annual bead show in NYC today. Every time I come here I discover new stones and find inspiration.

Afterwards, we visited the farmer’s market in Union Square and of course, did some more shopping.

This morning, I took Shane with me to run errands. I’m in the process of turning my old studio space (little spare room next to a guest room) into a walking closet. So Shane and I went to the Container store to buy shelving units.
My buddy Shane was a great company!

We didn’t buy them too much gifts this year. Just a couple of books and one toy each that the “Santa” left and some hand me down toys from friends are all they got. We’re trying to teach them the value of things that we have and most importantly the true meaning of Christmas.

Me: Guys, do you know what Christmas is?
Chloe: it’s Jesus’s birthday!
Shane: Presents!

We bought a beautiful photograph from a local artist.

We also walked through the Parc Mount Royal in the city for a scenic walk.

This was one of the most memorable trips we took as a couple. We realized how much we needed this. It’s been a while since it was just us twos and it really gave us chance to take a breath and review our relationship and talk (more importantly, listen) to each other.

I’m looking forward to many more trips like this…

Thank you so so so much to our wonderful friends, R & D who offered to babysit the kids so  we could take this trip. We had no doubts that the kids were in good hands… Your friendship means the world to us.