Running on Empty

I just heard the news that Jackson Browne is coming to town. 

Yay! I have to purchase tickets to this show :)

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On this perfect October day

Hubby and I decided we needed to grab a coffee before we headed out to my parents for Thanksgiving dinner. We just had enough time to take the scenic route home which turns the regular 5 minute drive into a 30 minute drive. The weather today was beautiful, we rolled the sunroof back, opened the car windows wide, pulled out of the Tims parking lot with Frankie Valli's "Oh What A Night" cranked way up on the stereo, then we hit the road. The wind blew our hair wildly about as we sang our hearts out (we may have gotten a strange look or two from people on the street). What? They don't drive around blasting Frankie Valli???

I don't think people understand what music is about anymore. I think most youngsters are hyper stimulated when it comes to music; it doesn't touch their heart and soul like it did to my generation. But I digress...(another post, for another time)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with the family. I'm so thankful to have my husband and children with me on this wonderful day. I'm also thankful for loving family and friends and for this life I cherish. Oh, and music. I am thankful for music and a voice to sing out as loud as I want.

Happy Thanksgiving, Columbus Day, Indigenous People's Day, Día de la Raza, Farmer's Day.  Heck... Happy Monday to everyone!

{Some weekend photos}

1. Turtle Cheesecake, 2. White Chocolate Lemon Tartlets, 3. Thanksgiving desserts, 

4. Bluejay, 5. Autumn Colours, 6. Thanksgiving Twilight

In Limbo

My mind is very cloudy these days. I can only focus on a couple things at a time and my little blog has become very quiet.

I started to write an entry twice this morning, and filled some of the white space in this little post area, before backing it all out not really liking anything I had written.

I have been reading a lot of my favourite blogs but have not been commenting. Same thing, I end up writing something in the comment field and then backing it all out... it's a strange, strange state of mind I am in. I hope I will have something to say soon.

Here is one thing I can share with you all. 

It's a little play list I like to call "Candlelight & Riesling"

xo

Tuesday Ten Quiet Contemplation

10 of my favourite tunes for some quiet contemplation.

What are some of your favourate "mellow out" tunes?

Monday Music

My Monday music crushes...

Inspired by Only A Movie's spring playlist

Wakes old chords in the memory:

Thus fair earth in the Spring leads her performances
~  Robert Louis Stevenson, Flower God, God of the Spring

Finally Friday and another beautiful day outside; I feel like my mind is finally clearing from the winter fog that has take up so much space in this old bean of mine. There are many reason to be happy today:

• It is good to be alive.
• The sun streaming through my bedroom window.
• I heard birds singing.
• It's Friday!
• Little purple flowers.
• Baby sister's birthday party is tonight.
• The start of March Break for my baby girl.
• Time change.
• And last but not least... "Young Artists For Haiti - Wavin' Flag" was released today. Look what a group of very talented Canadian musicians & artists can do when they gather their talents together. This left me smiling, I like to smile. So I have decided I am going to keep playing this song and continue smiling the entire day  =)

"And then it goes back, and then it goes back,
And then it goes back ..."

 Canadian hip-hop artist K'NAAN signature hit "Wavin' Flag" was reworked and recorded by a cross-section of 57 of today's biggest Canadian music stars. They call themselves "Young Artists for Haiti", they include Emily Haines, Avril Lavigne and rap artist Drake. The group gathered on Feb. 18 in a Vancouver studio to record the song in an effort to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

This new version of Wavin' Flag, which includes new lyrics specific to Haiti and is produced by Bob Ezrin, was to be released today, Friday March 12th, 2010.

"I think there's a difference between media coverage of an incident and a song. I think a song does something a little more lasting, I hope. I hope we register into people's feelings," K'NAAN said. "Since Haiti is going to be struggling for a long time now to fix this thing, I think we need a song that stays with people a little bit more than the newspapers are willing to commit to the subject."

 Please visit Young Artist for Haiti to download this song.
Lyrics for the new version.  View the original song here.

I Believe! + Friday Fill-Ins #163

(I'm a bit early with my Friday post this week.  I wanted to post this video before the start of the Olympic Games tomorrow.)

16-year-old Nikki Yanofsky sings the official song of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, British Colombia.  "I Believe," has hit No. 1 on the iTunes Canada Top Songs chart this week.  The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games begin on February 12th...

I Believe!

Do You Believe?

Now on the the Fill-Ins

And...here we go!

1. Pickles and Fritos are a great side for a deli flatbread sandwich.
2. Welcome!  Please have a seat and make yourself  at home.
3. The snow is going to melt eventually and I will be so happy when it's finally Spring.
4. I'm already making plans for Spring.  I have plans for some adventures in nature.
5. It's 5:16 PM; that means I'm sitting down for a nice dinner with my family (chicken Kiev, corn on the cob and smashed potatoes).
6. A good tasting peach in the winter is hard to find.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing after work with a magazine and glass of wine, tomorrow my plans include shopping and a gathering with the hens and Sunday, I want to spend the day with the family then out for dinner with my Valentine!

What are your plans for the weekend?

We Wanted The Best! - We Got The Best!

The Hottest Band In The World...

KISS!!!

Saturday, me, my two girls and hubby went to see KISS preform here in Halifax. I have never in my life experienced anything like it in all my years. From the moment we got there at 4:30pm, the rain came down soaking us to the skin but nobody cared, we were all so pumped that we weren't letting a little rain spoil our time. We were packed in like sardines in a can, there were a few times panic set in when I realized I could not see an escape rout through the crowd of +50,000, but I managed to hold it all together and stand my ground for 6 hours, being shoved and pulled and even trampled by a couple intoxicated individuals.

The rain let up just in time for that black and silver curtain to come down...
I saw my hubby's eyes light up like a kid in a candy shop when the announcer started -- "YOU WANTED THE BEST!" -- he was a boy again, amazed and dazzled by the lights and pyro display. And I have to tell you, it was the best thing to be there right by his side watching him and my daughters electrified with shear delight. KISS rocked like no other band I have seen live. Fantastic show!!

{A few photos from the night}
Click here to view full album
{Photo courtesy of KISSONLINE}

Wordless #35 - The Man From Harold Wood

Visit Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tune - Natural Disaster

I think I need a tune today... how about you?
Natural Disaster is a nice little tune by a local Halifax boy - Joel Plaskett & the Emergency.
I really enjoy this song, it makes me think of all the storms we have had this past winter.

La de da de da de da
Batten down the hatches Becky
Open up the earth and sky
Waiting on a natural disaster
Sitting out on my front porch
Watching storm clouds moving faster
Like a natural disaster

Kindle My Heart

A Little Princess - based upon the novel, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Sunday was such a lazy day; brunch at the in-laws, then back home to watch A Little Princess. If this isn't one of the most enchanting movies ever, then I don't know what is. I remember when this movie came out in 1995 and I took my two girls to see it, they were captivated as was I -- still get a lump in my throat and well up with tears whenever I watch it.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, you simply must! And further more, anyone who wants good "family values" in movies should buy this video for their children.

"I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny old attics. Even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us. Didn't your father ever tell you that? Didn't he?" ~ Sara Crewe

As the moon kindles the night
As the wind kindles the fire
As the rain fills every ocean

And the Sun the Earth
So your heart will kindle my heart

Take my heart
Take my heart
Kindle it with your heart
And my heart cannot be
Kindled without you
Your heart will kindle my heart
by Patrick Doyle

A link list

inspired from a weekend+Monday, of web browsing, channel surfing, and reading.

listening to

sound of silence
dancing invisible;
can't get enough of
angels and saints

i've been hanging out here, here and this spot

reading
this novel by Ian Russell McEwan
&
this from Stampington & Company

watching
these videos on YouTube
&
getting LOST

daydreaming about
a little cottage
close to the beach
meadows filled with flowers;
a prefect place for repose

Have any links you think I might like?

Time for a cool change...

"Now that my life is so prearranged. I know that it's time for a cool change" ~ Little River Band

This weekend was a pretty quiet one. Hubby was off coaching his hockey team, Priss was away for the weekend, The Boy was off doing his thing and Baby Girl was hanging out with a gal pal, which left me here alone with my thoughts over the weekend.

What thoughts you ask?

Well... I've been contemplating change, craving it really. Possibly something small and subtle or something bold and gutsy. All I know is it's time for change, and when I get an itch...

{photos of the big white fluffy snow flakes fell Saturday night}

Get To Livin'

I was over at Shadow's blog --1 Door Away From Heaven, reading her post for today titled "would you". It reminded me of a song by Dolly Parton called "Get To Livin’", which prompted this Tuesday's tune.

Go on over to Shadow's place and read her post first, then come on back and have a listen.

The day were born we start to die,

So don’t waste one minute of this life,
Get to livin! (Get to livin’)
Share your dreams and share your Laughter and Make some points.
For the great hereafter. (Get to Livin’)

Better start caring,
Better start sharing
Better start tryin’,
Better start smilin’
And you better get to livin’.

(Thank you Shadow for the inspiration for today's tune)

In the mood for a tune

... how about you?

I've been listening to a wonderful Canadian musical talent today, her name is Emm Gryner. I would love to share a song called "Black Winged Bird" from her album The Summer Of High Hopes.

So sit back, relax and let the haunting essence of this beautiful song take you away...

Lyrics here

Weekend Update

Happy Monday! I had a wonderful Christmas and a lovely, relaxing weekend .

A few weekend highlights:

Had a delicious family dinner at my parents house Friday night -- homefries and hot turkey sandwiches, a Boxing Day tradition.

Lets see, what else happened this weekend...

Saturday, hubby got up early and headed out to the Future Shop to purchase a new laptop for our son -- got a great deal on one which was a bonus! He also bought me a new graphics tablet and some ram for my computer... gotta love boxing day sales.

{small amount of snow fell Saturday evening}

Sunday we got up early and went to the used record store. Hubby got Alice Cooper Goes to Hell, News of the World - Queen, and About Face - David Gilmour. We spent most of the afternoon relaxing at home listening to his new tunes, then headed out for spaghetti at his parents house.

And that's about it.... how was your weekend?

C.S Lewis Song

I haven't done this for a while, so here is a tune from my play-list for this Tuesday. Enjoy :)

Brooke Fraser
Lyrics

"The Moral Law tells us the tune we have to play: our instincts are merely the keys...
" C.S Lewis --Mere Christianity

A Love Revolution

... as promised

When Lenny Kravitz took the stage at the Metro Center on Sunday night the crowd went nuts, and I was right there with the other 8000 Lenny fans, whooping, yelling and clapping. He opened the show with "Bring it on", and then went right into "Love Revolution". His horn section was kickin' and would make the funk bands from the 70's jealous. He did "Fields of Joy", one of my all time favorites, then went into a long R&B jam session with bits of "The Wall", "Billie Jean", "It Ain't Over til it's Over" - Amazing!

He played many instruments during the night, showing off his skills some times with guitar, then organ, congas, and drums. During "I'll Be Waiting" he sat down at what looked like a clear glass piano. With a spotlight on him he sang the soulful ballad like Hendrix, James Brown and Smokey Robinson all rolled up into one. He did an extended ending that got the audience singing "I'm the one who really loves you baby" over an over again.

He made a very inspiring speech about his first album being written almost 20 years ago, his disappointment on how the worlds problems haven't got any better and asking everyone to start a small "Love Revolution" their own. Then launched in to "Let Love Rule". During the song he jumped in to the crowd, walked around the arena hugging every girl he could, high fiveing guys and getting people into a frenzy. It was excellent, Lenny doing what Lenny does best, spreading the love.

The night ended with "Are You Gonna Go My Way" with the whole place on their feet jumping. Lenny said...."Everyone get up and jump!" and everyone did. It was great! Then just when it seemed like it was over he got behind the drums and treated us to a drum solo/jam with his guitar players.

Lenny Kravitz is a beautiful soul with an amazing talent, and I am so glad I was able to see him live. If he's coming to your city or town, I recommend you go see for yourself.

(My apologies for the poor quality photos... only so much you can do with a little point and shoot)

Hubby and Me before the show

The Sleeping Sickness -

City and Colour

Does it get any better than this? Great Canadian musicians! An Amazing song!
Have a listen :)


I awoke, only to find my lungs empty
Through the night, so it seems I'm not breathing
And now my dreams are nothing like they were meant to be
And I'm Breaking Down
I think I'm breaking down...
Lyrics Here

Goodbye Summer - Hello Autumn

Summer, I bid thee farewell. I am spending my last day of the season going on a hike with the hubby and maybe a kid or two.

Here's a little tribute to summer end -

The Last Day of Summer - The Cure
Nothing I am
Nothing I dream
Nothing is new
Nothing I think or believe in or say
Nothing is true

It used to be so easy
I never even tried
Yeah, it used to be so easy...

But the last day of summer never felt so cold
The last day of summer never felt so old

Never felt so...

All that I have
All that I hold
All that is wrong
All that I feel for or trust in or love
All that is gone

It used to be so easy
I never even tried
Yeah, it used to be so easy...

But the last day of summer never felt so cold
The last day of summer never felt so old
The last day of summer never felt so cold
Never felt so...