2009

Finally closed on the Danforth in Portland, renovated it and launched it into an incredible future.

Sold my beautiful loft on Congress Street in Portland that was featured in the May 2008 Maine Home+Design and some of the best work I've done, but that's ok.

Sold Brunswick Inn on Park Row after a complete redesign - sad but ok.

Got my first television Treatment on file with the Writer's Guild of America - very cool.

Bought the West End Inn, then leased it out.

For the first time in my adult life I was truly SINGLE for a whole year. Very healthy.

Hosted Blue County at Criterion for perhaps their last concert together, sad but excited for them all and their futures.

Hosted Celebrity Chef Carmen Gonzales at The Danforth for an amazing brunch. Hope to work with her soon again.

Listened to songs that I know will be hits in 2010 for business partner, Aaron and his new band, Dirt Road Hotel.

Completed several substantial real estate sales as a broker for the first time in many years, was fun but fine to let brokers do it.

Enjoyed an amazing year, considering, at The Swan Agency Sotheby's International Realty - led market in all categories.

Saw several beautiful shows at Cygnet Gallery in Portland. And actually had some very good months despite the economy.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT AND SIGNIFICANT 2009 HAPPENING! The little princess, Miss Ava and I became a family and life will never be the same. How a dog grabs your heart and won't let go is one of life's mysteries. I can say that in 2009 I fell in love :-)

Forgotten Ingredient for Below

I KNEW there was something I forgot. Right before I added the cream and pesto I cut up two strips of precooked bacon and added that. VERY important for flavor I think. Woops. :-)

Chicken with Pesto Cream Sauce on Spinach

OK - before I forget this recipe...

Good olive oil with garlic - hot in pan
Add chicken tenderloins, brown on both sides
Add a big splash of chardonnay
Cook for a few minutes until chicken is getting cooked
Add pesto and heavy cream - heat til bubbly and starts to thicken
Add pepper - ( I don't use salt but now would be time )

In the meantime, wilt some spinach by putting in boiling water just for a minute.

Spinach on plate with chicken and cream sauce on top. YUM!

Mom liked it too and wished she hadn't brought her dinner with her. But, that is always a very smart thing at my house - you never know when the choices will just be diet coke and parmesan.

WAYY overate for the last few months so losing some weight on Atkins which is the only thing that works for me. Over 5 pounds the first 3 days and I can eat like this. :-)

Danforth February

Taking a break from working on plans for Get To Know The Danforth month. We are going to be doing "Fam" tours and special events and making a big deal of the month of February and having people see what The Danforth really offers. Very excited. A lot will be based around food - yummm.... that is the hard part to think about while I have started a very strict diet.

Ava Elizabeth

Note the elevation Miss Kangaroo can get when there is a squirrel on the other side.

Ava barks at falling snow, oh yes she does

Poor reindeer

My poor little reindeer who have been my Christmas pets for years may not make it through Ava's first Christmas. Yikes.

Need to change the name of blog to Ava

Because she has no interest in going to a salon, we are trying to learn ourselves (Ava and Mom) how to do a Yorkie cut. Our cut is an Ava cut, we do a little at a time and after each sitting, a treat is expected.

Ava's New Playroom

We finally made Ava a space outside. She isn't sure yet. The only problem is I realize it is too high and it blocks the view of her friends in the forest so may have to cut it back a bit tomorrow.

Portland

This is good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqL2lgOxMr4

'Tis the season..

Today was the most festive of the season so far. Evelyn and I made Christmas cookies, well... that may be stretching it.. note our snowmen, hers is the one made of very dirty snow :-)

I knew St. Lucia Day was coming soon and that always means a visit from my wonderful neighbors the Rodericks. Evelyn was hoping to get to see them as I have told her about their fun hats and the yummy bread and the fun song they brought to celebrate. Alas, I had JUST taken her home and drove back into my driveway when they arrived. At least Ava got to be a part of it!

Crazy Ava

My silly little girl. She barks at snow - yes snow. So when it snows all day, she barks all day. I have learned how to tune it out, like mother's do and I could never understand how they could. We are going to build her a play area outside so that she can go bark at the snow out in it, which is all she wants to do. I am trying to upload a video of Av in the snow, but no luck yet.