Still Head over Heels in Love After all these Years

My husband and I went to Ottawa this weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I am very fortunate to be married to my true love, the man that brings out the best in me, and has become the best part of me. We had an absolutely wonderful time this weekend. We really didn't have any major plans of what we were going to do other than walk around, have a nice dinner on Saturday,spend the night in the city, and visit with the kids on Sunday. I had found online Stella Luna Gelato Cafe and read about the very romantic story behind Stella Luna. I wrote to Tammy and found out that yes they serve gluten free gelato there so of course we had to go. The gelato was just amazing! After checking into our hotel we wandered around the park across from the hotel where they had artists selling their wares. While doing this we heard the most beautiful music and walked over to see what was going on. We stumbled upon the Capital Pride Concert and decided to attend after enjoying a nice dinner out. We had front row seats and thoroughly enjoyed the show that The Peptides put on. I guess they are considered retro since they had many of the dance moves my husband and I had way back when and I recognized the dresses the female vocalists wore as similar to ones I had worn many years ago when they were retro the first time. The hairdos were before my time but adorable nonetheless. The audience was filled with a nice group of young people that seemed to be enjoying the event also. I just love going to Ottawa. It seems to always be filled with art, music, and celebrations of diversity wherever you go.

Artistic Inspiration and Amazing gluten free desserts! Who could ask for more?

Thursday, not only did I get to visit with my good friend Annie at her shop Man in the Moon Bake Shoppe, I also had the honor of meeting one of the most talented doll artists of our time, Nancy Wiley. Nancy was at Annie's shop for a book signing to promote the new book she illustrated with her dolls, The Little Red Riding Hood (which of course I bought and now own a signed copy of). Nancy's work has always inspired me and has been one of the reasons that led me to walk down the road of becoming a doll artist. Her work has always reminded me of a beautiful impressionist painting. She hand paints each doll and its costume with oils creating the illusion that the doll is walking right out of an impressionist painting. The painted backdrop that often appears as part of the settings that she creates for many of her dolls enhances this illusion. Not only is Nancy amazingly talented, but she is also a very warm, down to earth individual. She gave me lots of good tips and left me with a lot of encouragement to continue down the road I am on. I also had the pleasure of meeting Nancy's absolutely charming mom and beautiful daughter.

If you want to see why I have been so inspired by Nancy Wiley's work, or if you would like to pick up a copy of her new book you can check out her website here:

http://www.nancywiley.com/


If that was not good enough for one day, I have to add in that I had the most amazing gluten free cheesecake you can imagine at my good friend Annie's place, Man in the Moon Bake Shoppe and Cafe. Annie's husband came up with a gluten free cheesecake that surpasses any regular cheesecake out there (other than Annie's of course which is also amazing because I tried it before I knew I had Celiac disease). So I left the shop with wonderful goodies to bring home to share and lots of good advice and inspiration to continue down my artistic journey.
If you want to have the most delicious baked goods, gluten free and/or regular, great service, and wonderful conversation head down to Man in the Moon Bake Shop and Cafe at 982 Route 34B, King Ferry NY You can check out their website here: http://www.maninthemooncheesecake.com/Welcome.html

Sometimes life is just good!