It's always good to begin the new year with a fresh blanket of snow. We've been enjoying the outdoors -soaking in the beautiful white earth, skating in our neighbour's ice rink and spending time digging snow paths in our backyard allowing our girls to play, letting their imaginations run wild. It is winter here, and all is as it should be.

I love the new year as it invites us to enter with abandon and gives us a second chance to be and do things differently. And we can all do with a bit more of that!

So, here's to more blogging, more time spent enjoying the people we love and the things we love doing,... and pursuing happiness.

And to end off this post, here a sneak peak from a destination wedding we just finished up of Deanna and John's wedding in Cancun, Mexico. More to come!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hope you and your families have had a wonderful time celebrating this season and are enjoying the post boxing day afterglow cuddling by the fire reading our blog. :)

I've been making this tea for clients and guests (and Mary) for the past couple years and I've had tons of people asking for the recipe - so, here it is.  Guys, this could be your ticket out of the doghouse someday so pay attention!

Sam's Secret Chai Tea Recipe:

I use a blend of 2 Chai mixes.  Both easily obtained from the "President" himself.  The first one is Memories of India Masala Chai Loose Leaf Tea.  It has a strong and spicy flavour and if used by itself can be overpowering.  To lessen the blow, I mix it with regular President's Choice Chai Tea bags - this tea has more black tea flavour and less spice.  Together, they are divine.

Using a 4 cup tea pot (I use a Bodum because it strains the tea as well), add 1 tablespoon the Masala Chai and 2 bags of the regular PC Chai.

Add 4 cups of boiling water and let steep for about 15 minutes or longer for a stronger flavour.

Now for the magic: add 2 MASSIVE heaping tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.  I use Rooster Brand because it's sweeter, but any will do.

Stir, plunge and serve.

And there you have it.  A deliciously extraordinary drink to help pass those cold winter evenings with.

If any of you have your own recipes or variations, please share by adding a comment below!

Enjoy!

Lots of Love,
Sam (& Mary)

We just got back about a week ago from shooting Deanna and John's beautiful wedding at the Riu Cancun in Mexico, and almost caught up on the work that we had to leave behind!  Thanks so much to all of our clients and friends who have sent us off with well wishes!

Although we (ahem.. Sam) worked hard for this trip, we did manage to squeeze in some time to soak in the warm weather, sand, ocean, palm trees and a pina colada or two!

Here are some photos from our trip.

This was our favourite spot, the infinity pool that appears to just merge with the ocean beyond it.

You could wake up and watch the sunrise every day here.

The view of (part of) the resort, from our balcony.

Here we are, scoping out locations on the rooftop. I can't wait to share photos of Dee & John that we took up here, amazing!

Sam, up to his usual tricks!

Checking out the beach at sunset, where the wedding will be!

When we got there, we were told that a huge storm had hit the beaches the week before wiping out much of their beach and sand,... you'll notice that a lot of the umbrellas are knocked down, but they were repaired by the end of the week and the beach will be back!

"look, mama... white legs!"

Picture perfect place for a wedding, no?

Most of all, the week was made fabulous because of the friends we made and hanging out with Dee & John's wedding party and guests. Thanks, guys, we can always count on you to put on a party!

D&J: From the bottom of our hearts, thanks for bringing us along on your amazing journey together. Sam and I, are so blessed to be a part of your day and lives. You both are the perfect pair, we couldn't be more happy for you! Thanks for your warm hearts and sharing your love with us! We have learned so much from you.

We sooooo can't wait to show you the amazing images from your wedding. We will post your images soon and promise it will be worth waiting for! 

Much love,
Mary ( & Sam)

Sam and I want to wish everyone a very merry christmas as you spend time with family and friends this holiday! We will finally be relaxing by the Christmas tree, sipping chai tea by the fire, spending time with our family and visiting with friends, playing in the snow, catching up on all our movies, and eating lots of everything sugary and sweet!

Special thanks to Vivian who sent us these delicious home-made christmas cookies! She is a wonderful woman and mother of bride-to-be, Tracy, whose wedding we will be shooting next June!

Vivian, thank you for your thoughtfulness and making our christmas that much brighter... they are delicious, almost too pretty to eat, but will most certainly be shared because sweets taste better that way! :)

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas!

Much love,
Mary ( & Sam)

Gulp.