Happy Valentine's Day 2013

We wish all of our wonderful clients a Happy Valentine's Day! And where better to celebrate Valentine's Day than at our newest creation - Julia Baker Confections http://www.juliabakerconfections.com- and her new piece of chocolate heaven at the Arizona Biltmore Fashion Park!

We were so honored to be selected as the architect for this little jewel. Just before Labor Day and my annual trip to Italy, my good friend, Julia Baker, called me and asked if she could refer her to an architect to design her new flagship store. I told her  I had the perfect firm for her - us! She paused for about two seconds and said, "Yes of course! Let's do it!" We were so excited and knew this would not just be a chocolate boutique but a little work of art. We teamed up with Claire Ownby of Ownby Design http://www.ownbydesign.com  and Schultz Development http://www.schultzdevelopment.org and we had the store designed and open for business by December 17th! What can be better than enjoying art in your mouth while being surrounded by elegance. It doesn't get more decadent than that!

I met Julia about seven years ago when she came to my office to design a French inspired home. We immediately became good friends. She loves architecture and of course food and cooking and so do I. We have cooked and baked together many times. She created my daughter's entire farm themed cake for her 5th birthday.  She established Julia Baker Confections in 2006 and has never looked back. Her desserts and chocolates has been featured internationally and she has been acclaimed as the "Chocolatier to the Stars." Singer/songwriter Alicia Keys has called Julia"breathtakingly talented." Among the many celebrities Julia has made chocolates for Bono of U2, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Aniston, and Brittany Spears.

Julia was trained at the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and is an amazing cook but was drawn to creating desserts. "I have had a sweet tooth all of my life. I just love dessert and have been known to eat it either before or in place of a meal! Chocolate is a super food after all," says Julia. We asked Julia what dessert comes to mind when she thinks of Valentine's Day, "Well this year with our new boutique and dessert bar - you'll be seeing a lot of heart-shaped lava cakes! Any heart with an oozing chocolate center is the definition of the PERFECT Valentine!" comments Julia.

Julia Baker Confections has some special experiences awaiting you for this Valentine's Day and the entire weekend. They will feature special dessert packages for 2 including champagne or their incredible chocolate martinis....these are a must have! Julia goes on to say, "And being that hopeless romantic - I am thinking about running nonstop romantic comedies on our TV in the wine bar. When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, and Sleepless in Seattle will all be on the list!"

We asked her if she has a Valentine and what her personal Valentine wish would be this year? "I have a long distance Valentine. My wish is simple...that he would be here for Valentine's Day!"

Stop by and say hi to Julia and enjoy a very sensory inspiring experience.

Candelaria Design - St. Mary's Food Bank Day!

Thank you to all of you who pitched in and donated to our Candelaria Design day at St. Mary's Food Bank http://www.firstfoodbank.org last month. In one afternoon we put together 1890 grocery sacks of food which equates to over 10,000 meals and we also raised and donated $1,000 which equates to another 7,000 meals. It is amazing how all of us working together made such an impact in such a short amount of time. 

One statistic that really jumped out at me was that one in seven Arizonans do not know where their next meal is coming from every day, and that one in 4 Arizonan seniors do not know where their next meal is coming from and that one in three Arizonan children do not know where their next meal is coming from. It really is hard to believe those statistics exist right here in our state. We are committed to doing what we can to see that change. So - instead of doing this Candelaria Design day at St. Mary's Food Bank once a year we are going to make it every quarter! If you are interested in helping us out, just call our office and sign up. It is really easy, you just need to show up. We go for about 3 hours and you can make a direct impact. We had a great time and we all felt proud that we had made a difference. Join us - 602-604-2001.

Candelaria Design selected for Best of Houzz 2013.

We are proud to announce our selection to the Best of Houzz 2013 for both Design and Customer Satisfaction. Our work on Houzz was voted as one of the popular portfolios on the website during 2012. We are always adding new images to the site so join in and collect your library of inspiration images for your collection.

http://www.houzz.com/press/7/Houzz-Unveils-2013----Best-of-Remodeling----Winners?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRolv6vAZKXonjHpfsX57OQrXbHr08Yy0EZ5VunJEUWy2oEJS9QhcOuuEwcWGog8yANNAPo%3D

Scottsdale Charros - Parada del Sol & Spring Training

It's that time of the year again for Spring Training! I am proud to be a Grande member of the Scottsdale Charros who each year kick off the season with our ride in the Parada del Sol, followed by our Spring Training Festival which is this weekend at the Scottsdale Civic Center and then of course baseball itself where we host the 2012 World Champion, San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium.
















I enjoyed my ride with my Charro compadres down Scottsdale Road last Saturday and Candelaria Design contributed the design for the new western facade that just went up at the Charro Lodge. The new western storefront was donated and constructed by my good friends at Telluride Natural Stone http://telluridenaturalstone.com. Come check out some games. I have amazing packages right here at the Scottsdale Charro Lodge http://www.springtraining.com. Our proceeds go to wonderful programs and charities all geared towards education and children!

Final Comments

That wraps it up for this week! We have some exciting announcements coming up in the weeks and months ahead so stay tuned and subscribe to our blog. Our 10th Anniversary Candelaria Design Tour Italy Trip http://www.facebook.com/CandelariaTourItaly is sold out for this year and we are taking reservations for 2014! We already have several travelers lined up for 2104 so don't wait long!
Stay up to speed with daily updates by following and LIKEing us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/candelariadesign. 

Happy Thanksgiving from Candelaria Design

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Wow, I cannot believe the Holidays are upon us. I think it always sneaks up on us out here in Arizona when you go outside and the grass is green, the geraniums are blooming, and its sunny and 84º!

We all have so much to be thankful for that is for sure. What a year it has been so far. We have all weathered some tough seas out there and we are so excited with what we see ahead. First we have added some new faces to Candelaria Design. We welcome Stacey Payne who acts as my executive assistant and runs the front desk, Damon Wake and Peter Ekema who are both recent graduates and now part of our design team, and we have just brought on Rob Banach who will join the Candelaria Design team on January 2nd! So we have done our part to add new jobs to this economy. As many of you know, I firmly believe its the small businesses in this country that make our economy. So we are proud of this accomplishment and we appreciate the support and confidence of our clients who give us the wonderful commissions to make this happen.

So what is happening....??? First, we have some exciting projects we have recently completed, projects in construction, and projects on the boards! Here is a quick run of just a few...

Recently Completed

First, projects completed include a beautiful registered historic renovation we have just completed on North Central with Nance Construction http://www.nanceconstruction.com, Vallone Design http://www.vallonedesign.com , and Berghoff Design Group http://www.berghoffdesign.com, Vivian Ayala, Project Manager.

We have just completed a stunning 10,000 sf hillside, mountain home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Hayden Lake - constructed by Rosenberger Construction http://www.rosenbergerhomes.com, Robert Vieracker, Project Manager.

Finally, a contemporary Hillside home in Paradise Valley constructed by Schultz Development http://www.schultzdevelopment.org on Mummy Mountain in Paradise Valley. Interiors by Holly Ogden, Wiseman-Gale http://wisemanandgale.com, Braden Santarcangelo, Project Manager. We just set an amazing sculpture custom commissioned for the project by Santa Monica sculptor, Guy Dill http://www.guydill.com.

Under Construction

A 20,000 sf formal Mediterranean Estate in Silverleaf ~ Horseshoe Canyon is nearing completion by Schultz Development, Interiors by Treken Design http://www.trekeninteriors.com, Landscape by Berghoff Design, Braden Santarcangelo, Project Manager.

Another 20,000 sf Rural Mediterranean Estate is underway in Silverleaf ~ Horseshoe Canyon by Salcito Construction http://www.salcito.com, Interiors by David Michael Miller http://davidmichaelmiller.com, Landscape by Berghoff Design, Braden Santarcangelo, Project Manager.

A two-story beachside renovation in LaJolla, CA under construction by Parker Construction, Vivian Ayala, Project Manager. Wait until you see the before and afters on this one!

A new retail space for Julia Baker Confections,    http://www.juliabakerconfections.com is under construction by Schultz Development with interiors by Claire Ownby Design http://www.ownbydesign.com Project Managers Vivian Ayala and Tim Mathewson. The new store is going to feature a wine and chocolate bar and is located in the Biltmore Fashion Square next to William Sonoma, set to open right before Christmas.

On the Boards

We are finalizing construction documents on a new mid-century contemporary hillside home on Mummy Mountain which will be constructed by GM Hunt http://gmhuntbuilders.com, Landscape by Berghoff Design Group and Project Manager Braden Santarcangelo.

Drawings are underway on three cabin plans for 86 lots at the Rim Club in Payson Arizona. The project is being developed by Diamond Ventures  and constructed by Mb Fine Homes, LLC. Three cabins are being created ranging from 2700 sf to 3500 sf in a Mountain Miner, Mountain Manor and Contemporary Style. Stay tuned for some amazing upcoming events with this property. Robert Vieracker, Project Manager.

Plans are in for permit on a new home in Verrado http://verrado.com that will be constructed by GCon Construction http://gconinc.com, Jeffrey Kramer, AIA Project Manager. Its nice to see things happening at Verrado which is a beautiful property in the West Valley.

For Sale

Definitely one of our masterpieces from the last 12 years has come on the market. Listed by Ellie Shapiro, this French Chateau features 8400 sf livable space on an exquisite lot in Arcadia. The home was built by Nance Construction and Landscaped by Berghoff Design Group. Project Manager Vivian Ayala. http://www.ellieshapiro.com

Comfort is first and foremost in this Rural Mediterranean home just listed in the Upper Canyon of Silverleaf by Debbie Sinagoga. This home was built by West Construction with Interiors by Charles Glover Interiors http://charlesgloverinteriors.com. http://www.russlyon.com

Finally, we have two stunning estates available in Paradise Valley. Listed by Christopher Karas. Constructed by MRA Custom Homes http://www.mrahomes.com and landscaped by Berghoff Design Group. We have also started design on two additional homes for MRA in this subdivision. The two completed homes are spectacular and open most weekends from noon till 4 pm. Please stop by and enjoy a tour of these homes.
http://www.russlyon.com

Candelaria Design Tour Italy

Well that is just a quick peek at what we are up to on the architecture side. We also had a fabulous trip to Italy on our Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2012 Trip. We had 10 travelers who enjoyed 14 days of amazing architecture, food, wine, and scenery. We had a wonderful Post Trip dinner just a couple weeks ago and relived our memories. We are sold out for the 2013 Trip that departs September 4th as we have 16 travelers already signed up, so we will start planning the 2014 trip! See our previous blogs and our Candelaria Design Tour Italy page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CandelariaTourItaly.

Charities and Publications

Thanks to all of you who attended the Phoenix Home and Garden Dream Home Tour this month. We were fortunate to have two homes on the tour, including the Extreme Home which was also featured on the cover of the November issue of Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine  I sincerely thank my two clients who so graciously offered their homes for the tour which raised funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. http://www.phgmag.com/home/furnishings/201211/arcadia-cottage/.

We also had a home in Silverleaf featured on the LUXE Home Tour for Life which raised funds for the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS http://www.swhiv.org.

Finally, we have one of our homes featured inside and on the cover of the new Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine coffee table book, Essential Southwest. You can purchase the book at http://www.phgmag.com/essentialBook/index.html.

I continue to contribute time and resources to the Scottsdale Charros http://dev.charros.com of which I am a very proud Grande member. I enjoyed my 7th ride in September, and made many new friends and acquaintances. We raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year which benefit youth and education in Scottsdale and throughout Arizona. Our big fundraiser is coming up, that being the Charro Lodge at Scottsdale Stadium, for the World Champion San Francisco Giants http://www.springtraining.com. I have amazing packages for the games this spring and advertising opportunities in our spring training programs and banners. Help us raise money for our amazing programs and enjoy some spring baseball! Contact me for details at the office 602-604-2001.

Wrap up

Finally, I will wrap up this blog update with a personal announcement. Last month I made it official as I proposed to my lovely Isabel with all of my girls present and we are looking forward to an intimate gathering and wedding sometime in February of 2013. I am very excited to have found such a wonderful person who shares the same passion for life and beauty that I do and we look forward to building a life and future together. Make sure to check out her beautiful boutique, Earth and Images, http://www.earthandimages.com in the Scottsdale Design Center for your Holiday treasures.

We are excited about all that has transpired and everything we have created in 2012. We are looking forward to another very exciting and creative year as we start our 13th Year as Candelaria Design and my 31st year of designing homes. We wish you all the best during this Holiday season!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 8 - Lacole' and Cooking

We are roughly half way through the trip now so today is usually a wind down day. Everyone chose to head into the nearby town of Umbertide, a small but charming town about 20-30 minutes northeast of where we are staying on the banks of the Tiber River.

Each Wednesday the local farmer’s market is in Umbertide. It’s a collection of actual farmers and their local produce, food vendors and vendors selling everything from table linens to shoes to undergarments. Of course my first stop was to the porchetta vendor whose stand features a roasted pig filled with herbs set on a slab of marble whereupon the pig is slowly consumed one slice at  time – I am not sure why the pigs always look so happy! The delicious and succulent slices are placed on a French roll and then topped with pieces of the crunchy and fatty skin. It is delicious and not a bad way to start this day.

From there we made our way to the piazza for some coffee and pastries – I continued on with my porchetta sandwich! After coffee it was onto the market.

I lost the ladies immediately as they were in shopping paradise. I was in photo paradise and strolled around and captured images of these happy people all so proud of their crops and wares. Again, some of the same vendors were in their same spots as they have been for the 12 years I have been coming.

 

With the shopping winding down – me and four of the ladies were off to the antique warehouse and yard - Lacole’ the Larry, Gloria and Tiffany either stuck around Umbertide and Joan and Phillip headed back for some alone time at the country houses.

Lacole’ is a fabulous place if you are interested in old stone sinks, fireplaces, tiles, beams, and antique furniture and accessories. If not it can be the most boring two hours during the trip. So its great with the cars how everyone can do their own thing! My group of ladies – for the most part all interior designers and of course Isabel with her store – were all thrilled to be here and they scattered like seeds in the wind.

I have been visiting this family’s operation for the last 12 years too and they have come from a little open air stone yard along the highway to this amazing facility they now have. The materials and collections they have assembled is truly astounding and their pieces have been featured in Architectural Digest, I have used their roof tiles, fireplaces, and doors on Candelaria Design homes.

With Lacole’ complete we were all starving so we proceeded back towards the country homes with a quick stop in Citta di Costello, another  small town in the area. The girls were hungry so we proceeded to the town center – centro and found a little trattoria / art gallery and the girls found a comfy table under a large umbrella on the street to unwind and re-nourish. I kept on with my camera and explored the nearby church, the little winding streets and piazzas.

When I returned the girls were just being served, I grabbed a gelato and a coffee latte’ and joined them. They were playing some amazing music that was sort of choral versions of hit cover music. It was beautiful and I tried to purchase a copy from the bar but it was their only copy that they apparently had just purchased and she wasn’t ready to part with it – needed Tiffany to bargain with her!

Once our snack was done we were back on the road to the country houses for our cooking class. A quick swim and it was up to Casa La Pietra for some cooking with Elizabeth and Paola. Tonight they had a variety of local dishes on the menu. We started with some appetizers featuring figs from the trees outside stuffed with gorganzola cheese and wrapped with prosciutto and then baked in the oven until the cheese became nice and gooey.

Meanwhile, the pasta machine was set up along with flour and eggs and we were off to make homemade pasta. This time it was raviolis and tagliatelle. Meanwhile, Elizabeth had a delicious tomato sauce simmering on the stove, made from carrots, celery, onions and of course tomatoes.  Elizabeth made Isabel a delicious roasted eggplant dish as a substitute for the pasta and that was accompanied by local sausages sautéed with grapes. It was all fabulous!.  This was then all topped off with roasted pears in a chianti wine reduction with lemon zest and pepper topped with marscapone cream…..ok the best dessert I think I have ever had.

We enjoyed the dinner, drank plenty of the wine purchased on our wine tour, and just hanging out in the country home. Another great day in Umbria. 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 7 Wine Tour of Tuscany with Pino

As I mention all  the time, one of the things I love about Italy is the loyalty of the people here. Pino has been my wine guide for the 9 years I have been coming to this region. Pino is now 74 years old and going strong.  He is extremely knowledgeable about the area, the geology, the history, and of course the wine!

We met Pino at the little coffee spot and due to lack of space on his van we also took one car. We proceeded over the hill from the Niccone Valley and dropped down into Tuscany and on to our first stop Montepulciano. Montepulciano is home to the Vino Nobile. The town of Montepulciano is stunning – set high on a hilltop with church steeples reaching for the sky all surrounded by rolling hills draped in vineyards. It is a beautiful place and definitely a great stop on any trip to Italy.

Pino gave a us a nice tour of the city and two amazing cellars. We stopped at the coppersmith who had just completed the finial for the duomo in Siena that we would see later in the week, and we worked in some shopping. Of course with a little wine tasting mixed in our day was into full swing.

With our departure from Montepulciano we were on our way to Pienza home of the pecorino cheese.  We stopped for a nice lunch – same place as our previous 9 tours with the same person cooking and the same waiter and waitress! We enjoyed a nice salad and some melted pecorino cheese and ham with tartufo oil. Delicious. A caffe’ and we were set for a quick walk through town and then off to our last stop Montalcino and home of the Brunello.

 

Montalcino is a quieter town and seems to be even more off the beaten path. We were running out of time in our day as we had an 8pm reservation for dinner at Mimmi’s back in Mercantale and we were about 1-1/2 hours away here in Montalcino. Pino led us to the Enoteca di Piazza which is an amazing wine tasting store in the center of town. Here we tried the different Brunello’s including the number 1 ranked Casanova di Neri as ranked by Wine Spectator. Fabulous introduction and explanation given to us by Nicolo.

With a couple more tastings completed and enjoyed we were off on our return home to the Niccone Valley and Mimmi’s. With our goodbyes to Pino it was time for dinner! Mimmi’s is always one of everyone’s favorites. A 9 course meal of country food served country style of course by the same people who have been serving us for years, all around a big community table in a room with people always from all over the world – again out in the middle of nowhere.

We started with two different crostinis then onto three different pasta dishes; linguini with pesto, lasagna, and then cannelloni. We then proceeded onto three different roasted meats, turkey, roast beef and roast pork. All spectacular and all accompanied by local roasted vegetables. Finally, dessert included tiramisu and a caffe flan. All the way through the are refilling the pitchers with vino rosso.

Dinner always ends with people singing and of course anyone who knows me this is right up my alley! From Hey Jude to Sweet Caroline  to Louis Armstrong and the BeeGees we had the room going! It is always fun and another fabulous meal!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 6 - Deruta

We started our day with a nice swim and some exercise and of course a cup of coffee. It was a beautiful day – not a cloud in the sky. We rallied the troops and all headed to the local little coffee shop / bar and filled up on little pastries, sandwiches, and of course caffe’! With something in our stomachs it was up and over the hill and over to Deruta.

Deruta is the ceramics capital of Italy. The Tiber River flows nearby and with its rich clays the art of ceramics was developed over the centuries. We were introduced to the Niccacci family and their wonderful collection of artisans who made up the studio of CAMA. For years we would visit their studio and showroom and they would give us a very detailed tour of how their beautiful dishes, plates, cups and bowls were made.  Just last year, the Mother and Father who started and operated the business have decided to retire and none of the children want to carry the business on. So this year we would have a different experience.

The daughter of the family, Roberta, stayed in contact with me and she agreed to give us a tour of Deruta and another showroom and studio. The reason I like the Deruta day on my trip is that it shows the passion of these people and their love for their culture and their crafts. If that passion is not apparent throughout this trip, this day helps drive that point home. Everything done in Italy is done with beauty in mind and the ceramic work in Deruta is fantastic. The studio Roberta took us to was quite good and their work very beautiful but it wasn't the same for me anyway having gone to CAMA for so many years....So I guess things do change here in Italy but definitely much slower. 

We watched the potter on the wheel shaping and molding the clay into a beautiful vase, the painters delicately creating each scroll, leaf, or dragon with brushpoint precision. It is truly an art and to see each step of what goes into making a single cup, vase, or plate, you can appreciate the price and artistic value of each piece.

We spent some time making our purchases in the showroom and then Roberta took us on a quick walking tour of the little hilltown of Deruta. Deruta the town is nothing in comparison to the pottery it produces and does not have the charm or flair of the other hilltowns we had seen or were going to see – yet it has its own story and a lovely little church.

With the tour complete it was off to Il Calderone for a nice country lunch in the country. This little chef is quite the character and he makes some amazing pasta. We enjoyed another 3 hour lunch and we were supposed to then head to Assisi but I could tell everyone was a bit worn down to se decided to go back to the country houses to rest and relax.

Instead of going over the hill north of Tuoro we came in the back way up the Tiber River valley to Umbertide and then approach our Niccone Valley from the north. This was a lot nicer and not having to go over the hill was a lot easier on the tummys.

We got home and I think nearly everyone went down for a nap of for relaxing by the pool. After a 4 hour nap it was 8:30 pm and we were all a bit hungry. By the time we all awoke and communicated as to what whas wanted it was nearly 9:30 and we still had a 15-20 minute drive to town. I took some pizza and salad orders and we took our chances that someone might still be open in Lusciano Niccone – a town of probably 500-1000 people of lucky.

Of course the town was buzzing! 10:00 at night and people were still arriving for dinner on a Monday night at the Locandieta Ristorante, Bar and Pizzeria. We ordered some salads and some homemade pizzas and enjoyed a glass of wine from the bar while we waited and watched what had to be at least half the town show up for dinner.

With pizzas in had we were off to drop them off – just like Papa Johns – Umbrian style.  We enjoyed the pizzas and salads and worked down the house jug of vino rosso. It was a nice quiet night and a nice reprieve from the pace we had been on. 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 5 - Villa di Piazzano, Perugia, Cortona!

We started the morning with trying to figure out the coffee machine. With the Mr. Coffee not really working we went to the old fashioned on the stove coffee percolators and made some very strong espresso. That got us going!

We tried to go for a quick hike but the horseflies were just relentless. So we sprinted back to the house and did some exercise inside. I went for a swim in the pool which was wonderful. Did my pushups and we cleaned up and got ready for the day.

Our first stop was the wonderful Villa Di Piazzano which is on the way to Cortona. I accidently discovered this beautiful place on one of my first visits to Tuscany by driving down what looked like an interesting road. It was perfectly aligned with Italian cypress trees that led into this old dilapidated villa. Well since then it has been meticulously restored and every year I have come they have raised the bar higher and higher. A couple from Australia and their daughter purchased the villa shortly before my accidental visit and I met them then just as they were about to embark on restoring the property. It has been such a delight to follow their progress and now each trip they prepare an amazing brunch for us. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

The food is beautifully prepared and arranged such that you are hesitant to even start as you feel you are tampering with a masterpiece. Once you take a bite you realize that the masterpiece is truly one to be enjoyed. Usually we dine on the outdoor terrace above the pool, but a welcomed storm was brewing to the west so they set us up inside. With the finishing touches on brunch coming together, the daughter of the Villa family, Alessandra gave us a tour of the villa and the  newest accommodations and building they had restored. Unbelievable! Perfectly appointed, clean, simple and elegant. If you are ever in Tuscany, this is the place to come, and spend some time.

As brunch was served the storm blew in with great vigor. Wind, lightening, thunder and welcomed rain. You could almost hear the joy coming from the trees and earth. It was fantastic to enjoy this masterpiece of a breakfast to the sound of the storm and the intermittent rumble of the thunder. The storm and breakfast both wound down in harmony and it was time for our group photo and then off to Perugia.

Perugia is a beautiful city in Umbria – I believe it is the capital. It sits on a hilltop as virtually every city in this area does and overlooks the Tiber valley below and nearly all of Umbria. To the east you can see Assisi under a fog covered mountain. Stunningly beautiful. Our drive in was a bit of an adventure as we made one wrong turn getting up to the Citta centro (city center) and quickly the street narrowed, and narrowed, and narrowed until we could barely fit between the walls and the cars that were parallel parked. Br bringing the side view mirrors in we were able to get through and continue on our journey. We eventually found a public parking lot and then it was up, up, up to the main piazza.

We enjoyed a couple hours exploring and photographing, finished the afternoon off with a little vino blanco in the piazza and then it was time to make our way back to the cars and Cortona.

Cortona – what a fun place this is. Of course it has been made famous by the Frances Mayes book Under the Tuscan Sun followed by the movie of the same name.  This is a popular place with the tourists but also the locals and on a Sunday evening it is a crowded place! Once we found parking spaces I made my way to the restaurant to put in our reservation as a party of 10 can sometimes be an issue. But we had good luck, and were able to get us all set up for dinner at 7:30.

I gradually found everyone in town and let them k now where were having dinner and at what time and everyone was free to shop and explore.  Dinner this year was at the Trattoria Dardano and it was very good. Again a very local menu with ravioli tartuffo, local roasted meets and of course some ribolita soup. Add a little vino rosso and good conversation and laughter and you have the makings of another great 3 hour meal!

By the time dinner ended and several liters of vino rosso we were all in good spirits and the sound and laughter were all up a couple decibels. We closed out our check and made our way back onto the street for gelato and fun times!!!  It’s always an adventure leaving as by this time of night the locals and the tourists all merge into one, collective, happy, singing, and laughing mixture of souls who all just want the night to continue on! We did our best to make that happen! 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 4 – Travel Day to Umbria

We slept in a bit this morning as I think the toll of travel finally took precedent over the excitement of being here. Once awake and showered we were off for a quick bite at the hotel restaurant and then off to the San Lorenzo street market and the main food market.

This is always one of my favorite stops. I sure wish we had something like this food market in Phoenix…only problem is I would weigh 400 lbs. They have everything here from meats, to fish, to flowers, pastas, seasonings and spices, cheeses, wines…..it goes on and on. We stocked up on some risotto, spice and seasoning mixtures, and we were off.

We rushed back while stopping at a few of the street carts to pick up a few goodies for those back home and it was back to the hotel. We had an 11 am transfer from the hotel to the airport where we would get our cars for the trip to Umbria.

Now driving is always a little initial stress for everyone. We set up two people per car so you eventually have a little freedom, privacy and space. I love the Florence airport because it is small and easy to get out of. A couple of turns and you are on the Autostrada and on your way. This year we have 10 travelers, so 5 cars. I am the lead car. I have to say this was the smoothest transition we have ever had. Trust me – we have had some adventures with this little event over the years!!! But this time, no glitches.

We were off – Goodbye Florence and hello countryside.

We made our way south on the A1 towards Umbria – but we had a little stop along the way to the Prada Outlet. Thank God for the Iphones – they now make my life SO much easier on this trip. Tracking location is great and with all of Italy on Goggle Maps including street views – it is a much easier endeavor. In the past all we had was walkie-talkies and after a mile of separation you might as well be on Mars. I can assure you we had some separation issues in the past but this trip, at least in terms of our first day, we all managed to stay together – for the most part.

We made it to the Prada Outlet and we turned the ladies loose. Luckily there is a little café next to the store and so those not interested in taking advantage of the 40-60% savings were able to relax and grab a beverage and something to eat.

After about an hour and a half of shopping we were ready to go. Back on the A1 and then across Tuscany over the hills and down to the Niccone valley and Umbria. We stopped at the little market in Mercatale a stocked up on supplies – jug wine, coffee, milk, and whatever snackage needed. Then it was down the valley across the river and then up, up and more up the dusty, gravel road to the country houses.

I always love arriving and getting settled in. It’s always interesting to see who picks what spaces for their week here in the casas. We all figured it out, got settled, and then the jug wine was cracked open and the vacation continued  but now at a very relaxed pace.

I love the crescendo and decrescendo of this trip. Just like a piece of music this trip amps up and then winds down only to amp up again at the end. Getting my travelers to the country is wonderful. It is fun to see everyone adjust and familiarize themselves with this completely contrasting environment from that of Florence and its tight streets and constant buzz of Vespas and sirens.  The country is relaxing, calm and rejuvenating.

A quick swim in the pool and it was time to go up to the main house for our welcome dinner prepared by our host Elizabeth and her partner Paola.  To start, they prepared an assortment of local cheeses, sheep and cow cheeses and three honeys - chestnut, acacia, and sunflower. A little dab of one of these honeys on a piece of the cheese and wow what a delight. Add some local sausage and melon and proschuitto and a glass of vino rosso and we were settling in for a relaxing evening. 

Dinner included home made lasagna with homemade pasta that just melted in your mouth and a delicious salad with homemade dressing  over local greens from someone’s garden in Umbertide. Fabulous setting as dinner was served on the big farmhouse table in the La Pietra cocina.

 

We enjoyed dinner which was capped off by one of my favorite desserts, panna cotta with fruiti di bosco – local berries. Anyone who has been on this trip remembers this dessert! Wow unreal!!!

With one jug of wine gone and the second jug being cracked open we enjoyed conversation and the cool mountain air out on the porch terrace. Slowly the tempo wound down and it was time to call it a night.

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 3 - Welcome dinner in Florence

Originally, this dinner was scheduled for the evening we arrived. However, due to our delay in arriving we were fortunate to move our reservation to this evening. I am glad we were able to as this is always an amazing evening.

Dinner at Villa San Michele http://www.villasanmichele.com/ is always the making of a marvelous memory. We all met in the Hotel Brunelleschi bar for some cocktails. Everyone was dressed so nicely and I could tell no one had a clue what they were in for.

After our cocktails we grabbed some cabs and made our way out of the maze of streets in Florence and escaped to the hills above the city. Immediately, you feel the contrast between the hustle and bustle of the city and you sense the calm, serenity, and beauty of the country. As we pass villa after villa lined with olive trees and Italian cypress groves you realize that something of a treasure is awaiting us.

Finally you arrive at this fantastic façade designed by no other than Michaelangelo himself, with amazing cars in the foreground, all there to greet you. We took some pictures and just soaked in this amazing vista of the countryside punctuated by the Duomo and the city of Florence below.

We proceeded in where we were welcomed and escorted through the hotel to the beautiful back terrace/garden were we were seated for cocktails. Nothing like a bellini on a terrace in Tuscany!

We enjoyed the terrace for about an hour and then proceeded to dinner on the grand loggia and my usual table and waiter, Antenello, who has been serving our group for the past ten years! That is one of the things I love about Italy – the familiarity and permanence of having the same waiter for all these years. It just makes the dinner so special.

As the sun set over the Florence and the wines of the region flowed the evening and our table came alive! Everyone tried different appetizers, entrees and desserts from a rack of lamb, to sirloin with a Brunello sauce, veal to lobster – I think every dish available was being enjoyed at our table. The meal started at 7:30 and we finished at about 11:30 – nothing like a 4 hour meal in Italy!http://www.villasanmichele.com/ 

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 3 - Florence

What a great day we all had today in Italy! Today was our free day in Florence. We ALL pretty much did our own thing and everyone had a great day and a lot to report back.

Like usual, I was up at 5am. Downloaded my pictures and did my blogging! With just 4 hours sleep in nearly 48 hours I guess my mind just wanted to go - I knew I was in Florence and had just one day. I was going to make the most of it! 

I finished writing and with my camera empty, I headed out to the streets of Florence. There is nothing better than this town without any people. Because later, it will be hot and packed. At 6 am it was empty but for a few workers sweeping the streets, and an occasional couple who apparently lost track of time and were still making out on a bench - after all it is Italy!

I wondered around snapping away at anything and everything that inspires me or catches my eye - again not a problem here! My first stop was the Duomo - the main cathedral - Brunelleschi's Dome. What a masterpiece! As I walked around under the light of the morning dawn capturing and appreciating all of the unique elements and details, I wondered if Brunellschi ever looked at this amazing piece of architecture upon completion and asked, "dang, I should have made that corbel bigger, or I can't believe the City made us add that handrail right there...." I'm sure he did not feel he attained perfection. I don't think you every do, and if you did feel you achieved perfection, you probably didn't push the envelope enough. That's what I love about architecture, every project is a unique work, and something you learn from and add to your repertoire of knowledge. Having designed over 1000 homes now in my 30 years, I am amazed at how much I learn and am aware of now as opposed to 30 years ago. You see at such a higher level and I can only imagine what I will be thinking and seeing 30 years and hopefully, another 1000 homes later!

From the duomo I wandered to the Palazzo Vecchio and the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery and then back to the hotel to awake my Isabel whom I couldn't let sleep any longer! How nice to open the windows and hear the bells of the Duomo. I think I need to create an alarm app for that! With a little coffee and a quick shower we were down to the lovely hotel breakfast. I have to tell you - I love mozzarella for breakfast! At breakfast we ran into Gicela, Rebecca, and Heather who were off to shop for the day! We were off to explore this city.

Our first stop was the Duomo. The line was already forming so we popped into the campanile and started the climb and working off that mozzarella ball I just slapped onto my midsection. Ok - this is a great little work out. For 6€ we headed up, up, up. It was already hot and humid so we broke a sweat in no time. What I love about this little tower is there are little peek-a-boo openings as you climb and then intermediate platforms to first trick you into thinking you made it to the top only to find another stair across the way tempting you to go higher.....another great little metaphor for life! Did I tell you they are everywhere..... So higher we went, to the next platform and then higher yet again, until FINALLY we made it to the top where we were rewarded with a spectacular view. I love this vantage point as it gives you an opportunity to see the whole city and chart out your course for the day.

With our morning workout completed it was time to descend and then tour the Duomo which is beautiful. Its simple and unadorned interiors are an amazing contrast to the beauty and complexity of the exterior with the exception of the center domed ceiling and its stunning frescos and the inlaid marble floors. They are both amazing. 

About this time we received a text from my daughter Tiffany, who is also on the trip with us, who had awoken from her jet lag sleep and was ready to join us. Luckily the Duomo is just a couple blocks from our hotel so we headed over there to wait for her...and wait for her.... and wait for her. Ok - I have one day here and I was not going to wait much longer and we couldn't reach her on the phone so we texted her to join us at the Paizza Vecchio just down the street. We made our way there and by now the piazza was packed. We finally received a text back from Tiffany that she had tried to find us but was apparently lost and somewhere by the Church Sante Croce. So Isabel stayed at the Piazza Vecchio and I headed the few blocks to the Santa Croce where I found Tiffany. We proceeded back to the Piazza Vecchio and we ventured into the Palazzo for a wonderful tour. 

As we came out Larry and Gloria were there and we wandered across the Ponte Vecchio and the River Arno to a nice little spot for a quick bite and drink! From there we proceeded to the Boboli Gardens. With it being close to 100º and add a little humidity and about 500 steps and we gave ourselves another good work-out! What struck me this year as opposed to other years, is how extremely dry it is here – I mean everything is brown, the grasses are basically dead, and the leaves on the trees were already in a autumn state – not from fall but from drought.

We made our way through the gardens, back through some good shopping areas, and then back to the hotel and a little rest before we started our evening and dinner at Villa San Michele.

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 2-1/2 - We arrive in Italy!

I do believe we are finally going to make it to Italy. We have been traveling for nearly 30 hours now and 4 different planes. Starting with our initial departure from Phoenix to the mechanical issues with our second  jet in Atlanta, to our delay in Amsterdam, and now our final leg from Paris to Florence….wow what a journey this trip has been. Heaven knows if our luggage has kept up with us????

Again, why do I do this???? I swear at least three times today, or should I say today(s), as the first day is now close to approaching day 3, I thought to myself, damn why do I do this to myself. But then when I arrive in Florence and hear the Italian language, and see the beautiful architecture, and eat dinner in front of the Duomo, and see the happiness on my travelers faces, or that first bite of amazing gelato, etc. etc. all of those frustrations and speedbumps from the journey fall away. What I have come to recognize from this trip is that this trip is like life itself – condensed into 14 days. Just like this trip, life has its speedbumps, its delays, its mechanical issues, but you carry on and you keep pushing forward to that perfect sunrise over the Umbrian hills, or that marvelous plate of pasta.

My life has been this trip, that is an understatement. Two marriages, businesses, business deals, surgeries, children, graduations, births and deaths, new loves and heartbreaks, and that’s only the start. But like this trip, I push through the roadblock and I stay on this journey as it has led me to so many amazing places and allowed me to meet so many amazing people.  I cannot imagine if I hade the attitude – “Oh, it’s too much trouble.” Or, “ too many things can go wrong.” Or what most people do, “I’ll just go on someone else’s trip.” Or better yet, and sadly so common, “I’ll just rent a movie about Italy and watch Life on TV!” I choose to live life – see where it takes me. As I always tell everyone – there is no TIVO in life.

And so I will keep doing this trip – both the trip to Italy and this trip called “life”! I hope you enjoy our blog and our trip inspires you to live life, fall in love, try something new and different, and venture out of your comfort zone. You never know what you are going to get!

Candelaria Design Tour Italy - Day 2 - The Endless Journey

I think this is day 2 - but we never ended day 1 so I'm not sure what day it is or where we are. I know we have been traveling now for 24 hours! Everyone is going with the flow but frankly Delta has some issues! First we had to switch planes in Atlanta as the hydraulic system and landing gear were faulty. So with the two hour delay there we missed our connecting flight in Amsterdam where I am now writing to you.

Now they are rerouting us through Paris but our flight here in Amsterdam is now delayed due to our jet not arriving on time! It looks like we will now be missing our connecting flight in Paris and hence not getting to Florence this evening. We won't know our fate for sure until we get to Paris. I suppose if I am going to be stuck some place, Paris is not a bad choice.

So we have been catching some sleep here in Amsterdam and mixing in a little champagne....not a bad combo for jet lag. We have been trying to get a direct flight to Florence but our bags are headed to Paris and we have to follow our bags due to security issues. Well, we will carry on and see where this Day 1 / Day 2 adventure leads us!  Stay tuned!

Day 1 - Candelaria Design Tour Italy Departure!

Today we start our 9th Candelaria Design Tour Italy! We just hit 10,000 feet as we are flying over eastern Arizona on our way to Florence, Italy. Eight of my travelers all met at our gate in Phoenix and two of my travelers are departing from the east coast and meeting us in Florence tomorrow morning.

We invite you to follow our journey here on our blog and on our Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/CandelariaTourItaly

Everyone was up early and I think most of us are still half asleep but you can definitely feel the excitement in everyone and I know we all just want to get there and get the trip underway. I like to break the flight up so instead of flying directly to Rome we stop somewhere on the east coast for a few hours to grab some dinner, stretch, walk-around, make those last calls and emails and then we catch a flight over the ocean during the evening hours which makes it a lot easier to sleep. We arrive in Amsterdam ready to go, where we will enter the Eurozone and go through customs and then its a short flight over France and the Swiss Alps and then we drop down to Florence. We arrive around noon tomorrow!

We will do our best to post daily and we hope you live vicariously through our blog and Facebook Page. LIKE our page while you are there.

Kicking Off Our 2012 Candelaria Design Tour italy

We begin the Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2012 trip this Wednesday! We have a fun group going with travelers coming from both ends of this country - LA to South Carolina and of course many from Arizona. 

http://www.facebook.com/CandelariaTourItaly

We leave early Wednesday morning and arrive in Florence, Italy this Thursday! I have three people who have been to Italy before but most have never been to Europe. So I am very exited to share this trip with them. This is our 9th Candelaria Design Tour and over that course of time we have really fine tuned this trip. Our travelers this year are in for a real treat and what a great way to experience something like this for the first time. There are no bad stops, no bad restaurants, and every day is planned out so nothing is wasted and your time in Italy is maximized.

People ask me all the time, why do you do this trip? That's a good question and I have thought about it from many different angles and reasons. Really, I love taking people on this journey because of the joy I receive in seeing how it has changed people's lives and most importantly how they go about living each day of their lives. I try and stress this on the trip to observe the Italian culture, their stress on wonderful meals with family and friends, beauty, singing, and their unique perspective on time and of course their unparalleled passion for everything - even the simplest things can evoke an amazing operatic production or expression. It's beautiful and this beauty is something I hope to infuse into my travelers and inspire them to act this out every day once back home. I am happy to say, I have heard back from so many of my travelers and repeat travelers - who I guess need a little refill - that this trip has changed their life and perspective on how to live each day and make the simplest things they do each day more beautiful and meaningful. That's it - plain and simple!

Every trip is truly an adventure and I have learned so much about myself over the course of these trips. What is nice about travel is it forces us out of our comfort zone. Add the visual and sensory stimulation a place like Italy, and especially Tuscany and Umbria provides, and you cannot help but realize the rut everyday life can put you in. This trip and this place in essence wakes me up and I love watching it awaken my travelers. The landscape and architecture, the language, the smells, and needless to say the tastes - every sense is stimulated and awakened. I find myself, upon return, trying to keep this awakened state of living life alive and ongoing and so this trip is also about doing just that.

 With all of the adventures, stories, photographs, and recipes I have collected over the last 8 tours over 12 years I am putting this all together in a new book I will be publishing this fall. Stay tuned for details! Meanwhile, follow our journey here on the blog and on our Candelaria Design Tour Italy Facebook page at  

http://www.facebook.com/CandelariaTourItaly

  We look forward to a great trip and sharing it with you. Please join us in 2013 as we are tentatively set to depart Phoenix on September 4th and will return on September 17th. We are already filling spots so plan ahead and sign up now!

July 2012 - Candelaria Design Update - Tour Italy 2012

Well that was a fast first half of the year! We have been very busy at Candelaria Design and we are very excited with everything that is happening.

First and foremost we are getting reedy for our Candelaria Design Tour Italy 2012!!! We have a great group going this year from clients, to vendors, to some Candelaria Design fans who all share the intrigue of Italy! We do have two spots still open for this trip and with our departure of August 22nd - you still have time to join us. This is our ninth tour and my 12th trip to Italy so we have sifted through a lot to make this the best experience of several remarkable places and aspects of Italy.

The trip runs $6k per person as a couple and $7650 as a single traveler - however, I do have a single traveler and a couple others wanting to come at the couple rate so if you are thinking of joining us let me know and we can pair you up. The cost covers your round trip coach airfare, hotels, country houses, rental car, cooking class, and wine tour, and a few of our special dinners during the trip. If you have miles or want to upgrade your airfare we will credit the coach price against your total cost. We accept, VISA, MC and AMEX so you can earn miles with your miles!

If you have never been to Italy - this is the trip to spread your wings and test the water because everything is taken care of and arranged - you just show up. We depart Phoenix on August 22nd, and we currently have travelers coming from LA and South Carolina so your starting and ending location is not an issue. We arrive in Florence on August 23rd and spend three days and two nights in this fabulous city of the Renaissance. We kick things off while in Florence with an amazing 6 course dinner at the Villa San Michele http://www.villasanmichele.com/web/ovil/villa_san_michele.jsp designed by no other than Michelangelo himself.

We then grab our rental cars and drive to our country house compound in Umbria. We spend 7 days in this beautiful corner of Italy and use our country compound as our base to explore Umbria and Tuscany. We kick off our country adventure with a fabulous brunch at the Villa Piazzano in Tuscany. http://www.villadipiazzano.com/?r=4075004&gclid=CIfYqJmQi7ECFQoZQgodtkdJTg From Assisi, Deruta and Perugia in Umbria to Montepulciano, Montalcino, Cortona, Siena, San Gimignano and Arezzo in Tuscany we cover a lot of ground all guided by me personally. Our time in Umbria includes a cooking class right in the kitchen of our country compound and a wine tour that is always first class and most informative. We coordinate the shipping of all of your purchases along the way.

We then end the trip by driving across Tuscany and up the coast to Santa Margherita, Portofino, and the Cinque Terre where we will spend a couple days enjoying this most picturesque part of Italy. We return to Phoenix on September 4th.

People ask me all the time why I do this....??? Well, because it is the one place that has inspired me more than any place I have ever been. Of course I love the architecture, style, food, and wine but what I really love is the way of life and how the Italians relish and thrive on just living. Enjoying everything from a fabulous dinner with family and friends to just savoring a cappuccino one-on-one with a good friend in a piazza watching life walk by.  It is that simple and it is something I try and bring back with me each time I go. I never get tired of it and I love returning to the same areas each time, learning more and meeting more people who have all become wonderful friends over the years.

I love sharing this trip and adventure with my friends here in the US - especially those who have never been to Italy or Europe. It is a life changing experience for everyone who has come. I have had many return with me including a couple on this year's trip. I have had a couple buy a house right down the street from where we stay in Umbria and to this day still have a townhouse in Cortona.

I encourage you to join us and round out our trip. If you are in the design/construction industry or a vendor the trip is total research and it will definitely have a positive impact on your business! Call us for details and book with us now. A special thanks to those going this year and those who have traveled with us in the past. You know what I am talking about. Our Pre-Trip party is set for this Thursday, July 12th, at 6pm at our office. If you are thinking about it this year or even in the future or if you are a past traveler, you are more than welcome to join us. RSVP to our office at 602-604-2001 and share in the fun and anticipation by liking our Candelaria Design Tour Italy Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CandelariaTourItaly

Ciao!

Happy Holidays - December 2011

Happy Holidays to you all! We close out 2011 and look back at a busy year and we look ahead to what 2012 will bring.

2011 was a busy year for all of us at Candelaria Design. We saw several great projects begin and several complete. We’ve had our ups and our downs but we continue moving forward in always doing our best to design beautiful homes that hopefully “Enhance our Clients’ Lifestyles.”

Casa Candelaria

First, thank you for all the goodies and bottles of wine. It is always appreciated but definitely not necessary. We are so blessed and really, we have enough popcorn balls and peanut brittle to last till July. This year instead of sending gifts to all of the current and past clients, vendors, builders, subs, etc…. we are donating a day at St. Mary’s Food Bank as we did during our first years whereby we will sort and package food for them which in turn feeds hundreds of families just from our one day effort. We will let you all know the date and we encourage you to come join us. It is a very fun and especially rewarding day.

Zona Verde - 2011 Gold Nugget Award

A few highlights from 2011 include receiving the Gold Nuggett Award for 2011 for the Best Custom Home over 6500 sf at the Pacific Coast Builder’s Conference in San Francisco in June of this year. This award was given to our Zona Verde home in Paradise Valley that we designed for two lovely clients who have been so appreciative and gracious. We again want to thank our great team, Builder Desert Start Construction; Landscape Architects, Berghoff Design Group; Lighting Designer Walter Spitz and Creative Design in Lighting, and Interior Designer, Vallone Design. I also must thank two special people on this project, Jim Smith of Serve the Nation who ran the show and kept us all heading down the right design direction; and my project architect, Jeff Kramer, who made it all happen!

Extreme Home Tour Entry Courtyard

Extreme Home Tour Living Room

Extreme Home Tour BunkHouse

We were featured on the Extreme Home Tour by Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine in November for our lovely Spanish Colonial Estate in Paradise Valley again for two wonderful clients who offered their home for the tour to raise money for the Heard Museum. Yet another fabulous dream team, Builder Greg Hunt of GM Hunt Construction, Landscape Greg Trutza of New Directions in Landscaping, Lighting by Creative Designs in Lighting and Interiors by Patty Burdick of Wiseman and Gale. This is the fourth home we have had on this tour over the last five years!

We were fortunate to be featured in Phoenix Home and Garden Magazine several times including three covers this year alone and also received nice coverage in LUXE Magazine for a number of our homes. We greatly appreciate their continued coverage of our work.

The year saw several wonderful projects completed which is always so rewarding for us to see our clients’ live in their dream home. What a joy it is to hear their stories and as many of you know, I love the opportunity to then come in and cook for you or with you in that new kitchen! From homes in Idaho to homes here in Arizona we saw a lot of projects wrap up and had some really good times at those open house celebrations!

Parlor Interior of Yuma Farm house

MRA Custom Homes Open House Event

Yuma Farm Estate House

Framing underway in Silverleaf Home

Paradise Valley Estate Home

Arcadia French Country Manor House

We also have started some great projects this year and we are very excited about what we have on the boards. The years have been lean and we are fortunate to keep it all going. We currently have two exciting projects underway or just ready to break ground in California, a fabulous home under construction in Idaho, and some renovations going in New Mexico, Tucson, and Colorado – not to mention several amazing projects here in Arizona. We are designing homes for clients from Chicago, Ohio, New England, New York, Texas, and Canada. It is so much fun to see them all get excited about their new homes.

Candelaria Design also had a lot happening with our staff. We had a member of our staff get married and then welcome a new baby! We have a member of our staff with a baby on the way! We added a new member to our team in November, Damon Wake, and brought back an original member, Meara Perrin. They have been great additions as we head into 2012. Damon comes to us via Cornell University and is the nephew of one of our clients. He has already brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our team. Many of you remember Meara who came on board this Fall and is running the front desk and directing our Marketing. She has several great ideas going forward into 2012 including a revamped website and some apps forthcoming that I think clients and fans will find useful, creative, interactive and fun. Overall, I love my team and thanks to all of you for putting up with me! Every day is definitely an adventure.

St. James Tavern London

Picadilly Circus - London

London at Night

Santa Fe

Espanola, New Mexico

Glacier National Park

Our last ski trip with our late friend Dave Reinsch (center) in Park City

Dukes Hotel - London

Santa Fe

This year we had trips to London, New York, LA, Park City, Montana, Colorado, Houston, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, LaJolla, and Idaho just to name a few. The Italy Trip 2012 is set for May 30^th – June 11^th with an extension option to Paris for three days and three nights…..More details to follow. The response for the trip has been overwhelming so we are now potentially planning a fall trip too!

My girls at the Farmer's Market - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Getting ready for the Parada del Sol - Scottsdale.

Meanwhile, we keep working and drawing away. I manage to put in my 60-80 hours a week, I attempt to keep up with my two younger daughters, Sophia 6 and Isabella 9, and my oldest daughter, Tiffany, who just was awarded the Trailblazer of the month at the Westin Kierland Resort! And then there was Dancing with the Stars for the Arizona Kidney Foundation last February, and also my time with the Scottsdale Charros and our rides and San Francico Giant spring training. So we are always busy.

Dancing with the Stars

Finally, I want to thank my lovely Isabel who has really helped me through this year that included back surgery at the end of April, moving several times, and just always being there for me during this crazy year. She truly is my angel.

Isabel and I at the Ivy in LA

Well, that’s a quick rundown. I’m exhausted and ready to get a little rest before we kick it in gear and get ready for 2012. I wish everyone the best – we are always there for you whether as your architect or as your friend. God bless you all.