2.15

"Are You Ready For A Throwdown?"

Our last stop for breakfast was at the "Wafels and Dinges Truck", we found their location on Twitter.  They park at different locations all over the city and sell their scrumptious wafels!  Today they were at 96th and 8th.  I can see how Bobby lost this throwdown for sure!

Winter and The Plaza

Before checking out, we went for a quick stroll in Central Park.  It was the first time we had been in New York with snow on the ground. It was kinda slippy and even Mark took a spill on his run through the park!  Thankfully, he didn't injure himself.  This was a beautiful view of The Plaza from The Pond.  I love the Plaza...just in case you didn't know, I wish I was Eloise and lived there!

2.14

Happy Heart Day!

Valentine's Day in NYC was amazing! I wanted to to see the movie VALENTINE'S DAY on the day in NYC...it didn't happen, we can watch a movie at home!  There are too many fun things to do in New York and we did them!

What Colour is the Empire State Building?

Red Pink and White

Each Day the colours change depending on the season or the holiday.   I always find myself looking up to find the bright lights and try to snap a quick photo (usually from the window of a cab!).  We enjoyed a fantastic diner at one of our favorite restaurants ~ Bar Americain 

(p.s. I heart Bobby Flay)

Ice Skating in Rockefeller Center

This is something I have always wanted to do but we never seem to be here in the winter months to enjoy it.  It was a cold night but I had my Red Olympic Mittens to keep me warm! 

Bucket List

It has probably been 5 or more years since I have been on ice skates.  It cost an arm and a leg to rent the skates but it was worth it.  I think this should be on everyone's bucket list.  We certainly weren't the worst skaters out there, we weren't the best either, but I think we surprised ourselves for sure.  That is not to say that we'll be skating the canal at home or anything, one night was good for me for another 5 or more years... 

Time Square Valentine

After skating we took a stroll down to Time Square and found this lovely heart sculpture for Valentine's Day.  It was beautiful and the perfect end to a romantic Valentine's Day in the most beautiful city in the world. New York.

2.13

42nd Street Subway

I'm not a huge fan of the subway but this trip we seem to take it alot.  It is the fastest way to get around Manhattan for $2! We went down to Century 21 Department Store for a little shopping.  I found a beautiful duvet for Mom and I hope she likes it!  After that we headed to DEAN and DELUCA in Soho which has the best cheese counter I have ever seen.  A snack for later on to go with some champagne!

Clinton Street Bakery 

We watch THROWDOWN! with Bobby Flay. Bobby had a Blueberry Pancake throwdown with the Clinton Street Bakery so Mark and I had to go try them out!  Pancakes with wild maine blueberries and warm maple butter were stacked high and delicious!  We shared them and also shared the coconut waffles with mango sauce YUMMO!

ADOUR Restaurant

Went love to dine out in NYC.  This time we decided to make reservations at the restaurant tucked away in the St. Regis Hotel ~ Adour with Chef Alain Ducasse.  It is a French restaurant and one of the top 10 restaurants in New York.  He also owns the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower  which we have reservations for in April so we looked forward to tasting his menu to compare.  Diner was  out of this world. The menu on the bar prior to getting our table was the coolest thing.  It actually was projected onto the bar top and as you moved your finger across the table (a trail of stars would follow it like tinker bell) and when you laid your finger on a topic it would sparkle and switch to the next screen. 

Dom Perignon - "Come quickly, I am drinking the stars"

I found the page with The Dom Perignon and they served it by the glass!  Sometimes you just have to say... Forget It! Just Get It!  So I did. And yes, there is a difference.  I confess, I could have enjoyed the entire bottle but one glass was enough at $53 per glass!  When the waiter served it I did tap the bottom to have him fill it right up to the top...but there didn't seem to be enough to share with Mark!

2.12

 THAT'S TRUMP!

It's Happy Hour at TRUMP BAR in Trump Tower on 5th Avenue.  5-7 p.m. Mon-Fri the Martini's are 1/2 price. A "trip" to 5th Avenue is not complete without a Mar-A-Lago Martini!  Before heading over to Tiffany's it is always best to give your hubby a drink or two...I'm just saying...

Valentine's Day at Tiffany's

I LOVE TIFFANY'S and I LOVE CHOCOLATE!  What better combination could there be than ~ Tiffany-Blue coloured chocolate!  How beautiful and D-E-L-C-I-O-U-S!  There was a greeter in a tux serving these heart shaped truffles.  The window displays are always breathtaking.  I would be happy to receive any of those valentine's in the mail!  

 BAR AMERICAIN

One of our Favorite restaurants in NYC is Bobby Flay's Bar Americain.  Mark recommends the Dark and Stormy as a beverage, it is Goslings Dark Rum, Ginger infused simple syrup and Lime in a sugar rimmed glass.  I LOVE the Lobster-Avocado Cocktail.  I order it every single time.  I could seriously eat this every day of my life!  The Duck, with dirty wild rice, Pecans and Bourbon was fantastic. Leave room for dessert!  The sweet potato pie with cinnamon ice cream is definitely homemade!  

2.11

THE LOBSTER PLACE

Hello NYC! Our favorite place to escape too... Just in case you didn't know that yet.   This our first Valentine's Day in NYC.  We started our weekend at lunch in Chelsea Market.  This was the BEST lobster roll sandwich ever.  I think there were two whole lobsters on each sandwich.  YUMMO!

LOVE in NYC

Love Sculpture by Robert Indiana

There are still things I haven't seen or done in NYC.  Visiting the LOVE Sculpture is now off my list!  I think it is only fitting to see it on Valentine's Day Weekend.   Mark and I were just strolling down 6th Ave at 55th and ran smack into into it. (pun intended!)

Also, I decided that when I am on vacation I can feature more than one photo a day because one photo is just not enough!

2.10

TIM HORTON'S

Large Mocha, Medium Decaf Double Double, Large Black Coffee
with 3 Milk on the side.

That's my order whenever I have time on my way to work to grab some Timmy's for Karla and Mike and I.  Can you guess which order is mine?

2.9

Time to PACK!

Mark and I are off to New York for the weekend so it is time to pack. I got my luggage about 2 years ago at Macy's on Black Friday.  It is Brown with Pink.  Mark would have picked the Blue but I couldn't pass on pink!  My carry-on is Betsey Johnson...pink bows...Mark never carries it.

The Watson Family

Thank you for your donation to Mark's LIVESTRONG 

Fundraising efforts! 

I thought I'd make it fun and have our friends and family send in pictures wearing their LIVESTRONG wristbands to feature on my Picture of the Day and on Mark's Facebook Page.  How cute is Cameron!  He was so excited he wanted to make sure he could wear it to school the next day. Thank you Joelle and Ian for your donation.

2.8

Valentine's Day Treats! 

HOMEMADE VALENTINE'S. I heart Valentine's Day. I love hand made cards and this is one of my favorites.  This past Christmas my Nanny gave me this homemade Vanlentine that Michelle made for my Poppa probably 15 years ago.  He kept it and she gave it to me to pass onto Michelle.  I know she will love getting it back, she was his favorite. (This was before she met Steve!)

CHOCOLATES.  Everyone loves chocolates on Valentine's Day.  I found the perfect box for Mark's Mom since we will be traveling to London in April to dine at Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant!

2.7

Happy Belated Birthday Nanny!

Better late than never.  I finally got to take Nanny out for dinner at Red Lobster.  It has been years since I had been to a Red Lobster and the menu hasn't changed! Uncle Glen and Aunite Linda were able to join us too.  My cousin Keane works there so we had fun teasing him in true McCallum form.  It was great to see everyone.  We should do this more often.

2.6

Dinner With The Riopelle's

We finally got out for dinner with Dave and Anna.  The company was excellent and Mark and Dave were like school girls who hadn't seen each other in months!  After almost a 2 hours wait, we finally got seated.  We have tried a few times to get a table at the new Keg Steakhouse but have never wanted to wait.  They really should take rezos.

2.5

WHEN IN ROME ~ MOVIE NIGHT!

Mom, Mark and I went to see the movie "When in Rome" tonight.  We were hoping to get some ideas of where to go and what to see when we are on our trip in April.  However, the only part of the movie that was in Rome was the 1st 15 minutes and mostly indoors!  The rest was filmed in New York so it was still worth the $10.50!

2.4

BUY or SELL with ME & use this VAN for FREE!

After a few months of running around we finally have the Team Van ready for use!  It is all dressed up and ready for clients to borrow.  We have already had it out a few times and it seems to be very appreciated by our Buyers and Sellers.  I think Mike would like Karla and I to drive it around all day but there are homes to be sold!

2.3

Moxie's with MOM!

2 down, 23 to go. Radiation Treatments for Mom that is.  I went with Mom for her treatment today and when we were done we met Mark at Moxie's for lunch.  We did some shopping and made a fun day of it. Apparently, she says I am not aloud to go with her again...I cost her too much $$!

2.2

YAY!!! COACH SNOW DAY!

It was snowing again today and I actually smiled because I got to wear my new COACH BOOTS!  I got them in Chicago last October and loved them so much I wore them home on the plane! (also to avoid paying duty lol) They are super warm and super cute.  I've been stopped by a few ladies asking where I got them only for them to be disappointed when I tell them Chicago! 

2.1

TV on the GO!

After about a year or so, I am learning to use my iTouch.  I finally figured out how to load movies and TV shows into itunes and transfer them on!  Naturally, I have 2 weeks worth of Days of Our Lives on there already.  Plus, I wanted to use my new "ChicBuds" I got at Trump Hotel in Chicago. So Sparkly!

1.31

Treats at the OWL Store!

I was showing houses in Munster today and was lucky have enough time to stop in for a quick visit  to see Sean, Rory, Krista and Wes.  Sean and Rory had been skating at the community center and I took Rory to the "OWL" store for a treat (that's what he calls the Mac's Store).   Handsome boys!

1.30

KISS-OPOLY GAME NIGHT!

Grant, Leslie, and Mom came for dinner and then it was game night at the Hill's!  What other game to play than ~ KISS-OPOLY!  Even Mom played.  It was actually a blast.  Mark played KISS videos in the background and when ever we bought real estate on the board we sang the matching KISS song!

1.29

ELOISE AT THE PLAZA

What better dream to live in the penthouse at THE PLAZA Hotel in New York? This is the story behind the books and movies about Eloise at The Plaza.  I wish I was Eloise when I was 6.  Instead, I am Eloise at the age of 36!  Every time I stay at The Plaza I stop by her portrait by the Palm Court and say "hello" to Eloise, she makes me smile!  I absolutely love Eloise and The Plaza!

1.28

Orchids are Beautiful

I have about a dozen orchids.  I have a few different varieties.  This flower is the one I have on my desk right now.  It brightens up my day!  I don't have a green thumb when it comes to outside gardening in the summer but I am very successful with my orchids, I think I get that from my Mom.

1.27

My Loonie Vutton! 

This is my piggy bank that sits on my desk at work.  It is called a "Pursenality Bank".  Mark bought it for me for Christmas a few years ago and I love love love it!  Yes, I am saving for a real LOUIS VUITTON with the change I put in every day!  Hello Paris Louis Vuitton...see you in April!

1.26

MUGS

Most nights Mark likes to enjoy a decaf Tassimo before bed.  We usually pick up a new mug here and there on vacation. This was our mug we picked up at Macy's after enjoying the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  I believe that everyone should see the parade at least once in their lifetime.  Oh ya, and everyone should own a Tassimo.

1.25

Chef Appreciation Night at OZ KAFE  

Last minute plans are the best kind!  On the last Monday of every month the OZ Kafe host guest Chefs for appreciation night for the other industry members.  This month Sean thought it would be fun for Krista and I to go for a girls night.  It was DELICIOUS!  Lobster, Tuna, Soup, Quail, and something yummy with apples!  A glass of wine, martini, and a great Sister-in-Law to top off a great night.

1.24

Sunday Breaky at Broadway

We met Kim and Tim and Callum at Broadway by our house for breakfast.  While we waited for our breakfast (I always order eggs benny-cooked hard-and when they think they are hard, I ask them to cook them another minute). I taught Callum how to play table hockey with 4 quarters and a penny as the puck.  I'm not sure I remembered it right from when I was little but whatever game I made up was fun!

1.23

Cookalong with GORDON RAMSAY 

Tonight we had so much fun cooking dinner with Mom.  We followed along the 1 hour live show with Gordon Ramsay as we cooked our 3 course dinner: Angel Hair Pasta with Prawns (by Chef Mom), Steak Diane with Sauteed Potatoes and Peas (by Chef Mark), and Quick Tiramisu (by Pastry Chef Kelly)! Thank goodness we could pause and rewind it. Mark worn his Chef's jacket he got for Christmas and Mom even brought me a desert apron!

1.22

The Tassimo

I absolutely love love love my Tassimo.  Mark and I first saw the Tassimo on the TV show The Apprentice with "Donald Trump" and "Martha Stewart".  Two of my most favorite people.  It took a few months but it finally came to Canada and I think we were the 1st ones to buy one.  It makes amazing coffe, latte, cappuccino, and now the new~ Chai Tea Latte!  I MAKE ONE EVERY DAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

1.21

JUST TOUCH IT!

I was happy to get my new computer today!  I love fun things...and this is fun (not that you should have fun at work LOL).  It is a Gateway One ZX Series touch compter.  It has a 23 inch screen and sparkles!  The touch screen is really neat and it has a Google Earth feature that goes 3D that is cool.    That is a screen shot of The Plaza and Central Park in NYC! (one of my favorite hotels)

1.20

 

  

After over a year of searching...I found the perfect wine rack.  I was looking for something that would display my collection of Marilyn Merlot.  My collection has been growing over the years and we usually pick up a bottle or 4 whenever we are in New York...which is often :)

1.19

LIVESTRONG Fundraising

The wristbands are here!  Mark is running the London Marathon for the LIVESTRONG Foundation in April.  He has committed to raising $2,500 for cancer through LIVESTRONG . In December 2008 his Dad passed away of Bladder Cancer and his Mom is currently battling Breast Cancer.  The wristbands are given to us to help in our fundraising efforts. If you want one let me know!!! Any donation is appreciated!

  www.livestrong.org/teamls2010/markhlondon

1.18

AVATAR ~ 3D 

We went to see Avatar today.  I don't typically enjoy the science fiction type movies.  Mark and Grant had planned to go and I decided to got at the last minute.  I was amazed at how much I liked it!  I thought it was fantastic.  Better than expected.  I totally recommend going to see this movie in the theatre and in 3D. Well worth the extra few bucks for the glasses!

1.17

Snowman Melt My Heart

I didn't build this happy couple.  BUT if I were to build a couple of snowmen you bet they would be as cute as these are!  I made a wrong turn on the way home to pick up Mark on our way to visit Mom  this afternoon and drove by these beauties.  I don't know the people but I did want to knock on the door and tell them how cute they were.  Maybe they are newlyweds or something romantic like that.

1.16

Rock n' Bowling!

We had so much fun bowing with Kim & Gerry & Grant & Carla!  I think I hadn't been bowling in probably 15 years.  I went out on my 1st turn and STRIKE!  Wow, I'm pretty good at this bowling thing. Then cam the gutter balls!  Strike, gutter ball, gutter ball, strike! That was my game.  Carla kicked everyone's ass! She surprised us all.  She must have been taking lessons to prepare...

1.15

KELLY HILL LIVING

Or I mean Martha Stewart Living!  It is not a secret, I heart Martha.  I love getting my subscription every month in the mail.  The February issue was especially pretty in pink!  I am also enjoying following Martha's BLOG but you can't beat the feeling of opening the mail box and finding a lovely magazine! 

1.14

 10 Years Service as a REALTOR®

Today I was awarded my certificate and pin for 10 years of service at the Ottawa Real Estate Board. 1999-2009.  It is amazing how time flies by.  It also marked 10 years working with my partner Mike Robinson and more than 15 years with Royal LePage.  Where has the time gone?  Really? 

1.13

Project Life is HERE!!!

Cindy and I were very excited to see that our packages arrived!  Everything in the kit is fantastic.  It was more than I expected.  When I called to order my kit I actually got to speak to Becky Higgins herself which was fun (a big deal if you are a scrapbooker!).  I can't wait to put everything together.  I have had so much fun already taking my "Photo of the Day"!

1.12

MARK IS FAST!

This t-shirt was perfect.  We got one for my nephew Brett too this past Christmas.  The funny thing is that there is nothing funny about this t-shirt when Mark is wearing it! It's the truth.  He runs faster than anyone I know.  After the Boston Marathon, we looked online at the results and he was the fastest guy in the Ottawa Area by far!

1.11

 Happy Cake Day Shipley!

Today is Michelle's Cake Day and I went home for lunch to iChat with her and Finley.  I miss them so much and don't know what I would do without iChat!  Finley helped Michelle open her gifts and she was cuter than words.  You can see me in the upper left, it is a picture of the three of us :)

My heart grows every time I see Fin.

1.10

 Hannah's iTouch

I spent the morning helping my niece Hannah set up here new iTouch.  We loaded all her cd's on my iTunes and set her up with some fun games too.  Kim got a promotion at work so I sent her home with a new wardrobe-no more scrubs for the Nurse Manager!! Yay Kimmy!  All Callum wanted to do was play hockey-hockey-hockey!  Hannah left loaded up and LOVING her new iTouch! (not as much as I love them though...) Great morning.