photo Friday

The addition of the music Tuesdays feature has really helped me keep up with the blog. I find that I am more motivated to get a post in before the next Tuesday rolls around, simply because I don't want this to be a blog of just music posts on Tuesdays. So I've decided to start a photo Friday feature in hopes that it will get me blogging even more. And I do take a lot of pictures that just end up sitting on my hard drive. Also, I'm over a year behind in updating my Flickr, so this might help with that problem as well.

Okay, enough talking. Here are few pics from our last trip to the cottage.

The black squirrel was scurrying up a tree with a mouthful of sunflower seeds we had thrown out for the animals.

We think this gorgeous heron nests on the property. He doesn't normally get this close. The picture is a bit fuzzy because it was taken through the glass of the front door.

Enjoy your summer weekend!

i got lost in the song...

Jim Cuddy

Last night, Elizabeth, Erica, Deb and I went to the Blue Rodeo concert at Hamilton Place. Even though this was my 6th time seeing them live, they continue to surprise and amaze me with their live performances. On this tour, the entire first half of the show has a stripped down, semi-acoustic feel. They played on the front half of the stage in front of a black curtain, Glenn Milchem armed only with his snare drum. It gave the show a small club kind of vibe. For a moment, I almost forgot that we were in a theatre that seats over 2000! It was so great to hear some of their classics in the different arrangements. Bad Timing was fantastic with just two guitars, harmonica, and just a bit of harmony from Greg Keelor. It was also awesome to hear them do No Where You Go/Tell Me Your Dream with the fantastic Melissa McClelland. Her voice is incredible!

Melissa McClelland

The highlight of the set was Greg singing Dark Angel, with only Bob Packwood on keys backing him up. He slowly walked across the very front of the stage as he sang. A showstopper!

Greg Keelor

The second half rocked as one would expect from Blue Rodeo. When Jim Cuddy announced that it was almost the end of the show and encouraged people to come up to the front and dance, we and about 50 others bolted up to the stage. This gave me the opportunity to get some great close up shots.

Jim and Greg performing the opening of Heart Like Mine

We danced and sang our hearts out when Greg led us through Hasn't Hit Me Yet. I love watching the smile on his face as he listens to us belting out his brilliant lyrics.

One of the many things that I adore about Blue Rodeo is that they always invite up and coming musicians to join them on stage. In addition to Melissa McClelland, Luke Doucet, who also provided backing vocals earlier in the night, and opening act Cuff the Duke joined them for part of their encore. When I got home and was suffering from my usual post-concert insomnia, I downloaded albums from all 3 of these excellent artists.

Luke Doucet and Cuff the Duke's Wayne Petti

It was a great night of music that I will repeating again on February 29 at Massey Hall. I can't wait to see the boys in my favourite Toronto concert venue.

If you're interested, there are more pics on my flickr stream.

'cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom...

One of my best friends from my University days now lives in Philadelphia. Michelle moved there for work, met an awesome guy, got married and now lives there with Dave and their beautiful boys. Michelle and I lost touch for a couple of years. Life just got in the way, you know how it is. Just before last Christmas we got back in touch and have seen each other twice this year. Her mom has a cottage just an hour from ours, so we got to spend a lovely evening together along with our friends Sarah & Curtis, in the summer. We decided that a trip to Philadelphia was long overdue so Steve and I visited them for a weekend in October. We flew down on a Friday morning and came home on a Sunday night giving us a nice chunk of time to spend with them. Outside of going to the Spoon concert on the Friday night (which was excellent!) we didn't have any plans except just to hang out. We did some sight-seeing, hitting the Italian Market, Reading Terminal Market, Chinatown & South Street, but mostly we just relaxed, played with the kids, and got caught up. I find it incredible that after years of no communication, Michelle and I can just fall into the same pattern. It was as if no time had passed since we saw each other last, like we were back at school more than 10 years ago. I guess that's the power of true friendship. No matter how busy we get with our daily lives, we always know that we are in each others thoughts and that we can count on each other when the shit hits the fan. I'm thankful for friends like these and feel blessed to know that I have a few of these. People that I know I can turn to when I need the support and that I can share the best times of my life with.

Here are a few snapshots from the trip. More on flickr.

Dylan helps Steve with the giant pumpkin.

Holden shows me the love.

mmm...cheese...
Steve, Michelle, Dave hamming it up in the Italian Market.

A glimpse of South Street.

Crab at Reading Terminal Market. I think I'll call him "lunch".

let 'em fly

Today I accompanied my friends Christine and Stewart and their beautiful 2 (almost 3) year old daughter Mackenzie to the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls.

WOW!

The first few minutes were completely overwhelming. You are immediately hit by humid air and the smell of thick vegetation and what must be thousands of butterflies flying around you. Every time I turned, they seemed to be flying straight toward me. Once I got my bearings, I was able to slowly walk through and admire these beautiful, delicate creatures. I was very happy to be taking my new camera for a test drive. (I love you 12 times optical zoom!) Here are a couple of samples. More are available for your viewing pleasure on my Flickr stream.

i got all my sisters with me

This past weekend, a few of my friends and I headed two hours north to a lovely cottage in the woods for some relaxation and serious girlie time. I have this fantastic group of girlfriends who have a serious appreciation for the no spouse, no kids, girls only, absolutely no boys allowed, hang out time. Basically, we eat, we drink, we talk, we laugh and we have a great time.

Ann arranged for us to use this incredible cottage in the woods for the weekend. It was so great to see Ann, who moved away from the big city a couple of years ago to a beautiful farm about 2 hours away. Unfortunately, we just don't see her enough, so to spend a weekend with her is a delight.

In addition to soaking in the hot tub and just hanging out, we went snowshoeing in the woods. I had never snowshoed before and to do this felt truly Canadian! I took plenty of pictures on our trek and have posted them on my Flickr page. You'll notice that I'm a bit obsessed with the scenery, but can you blame me? It was a beautiful day.

So with this girls weekend in the past, I look forward to the next one in July at Elizabeth's cottage. Isn't it great to have something to look forward to? Thanks ladies!