Curry soup and winter tea

My sweet husband likes to bake throughout the winter on the barbeque. Banada bread with nutella and a cup of tea... while keeping cosy inside. Here is a photo at home of my favorite mug and some yummy banada bread...a few bites in. :)

Winter is here. My window frames the view outside of hoar frost over the trees. This view makes winter one of my favorite seasons. It is now time to hibernate and make tea and soup...and apple crisp. Here is a favorite soup
and so easy to make.

Curried Carrot Soup
1 tbsp olive oil -- 2 lbs carrots, cut into 1/2" rounds
1 onion, chopped -- 1 tbsp curry powder
1 celery, chopped -- 1 tsp ground ginger
1 garlic, chopped -- 5 cups chicken broth
pepper -- 1 cup yogurt plain

Heat oil. Add next 3 ingredients. Cook 5 minutes. Add carrots and stir well. Stir in curry and ginger and cook for 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and p.cover pot. Simmer 30 minutes until carrots tender. Blend soup. Stir in yogurt and blend. Add parsley and serve hot. I love soup with toasted pita chips.

Blah blah art

Blah blah art. I find myself pondering what art is lately. Although I, like most people, don't make my living as an artist, I consider myself one. I have no formal training as an artist in any way. but I am in training in the life of being human so that is a starting point. What does it mean to be an artist... to have this unexplained desire to communicate...to look at the world around you and examine all the seams that hold the parts together. Parts and process. speaking of process...
sometimes, musically, I wonder if I shouldn't give away my guitar...I wouldn't be throwing my voice under the bus to think about my hands... Let my brain learn how to do one thing at a time instead of all 3 together...play sing write. breathe. I think that part of the art for me is the process and the experience.... paying my dues without any intention of ever cashing in. i'm still a musical baby, so I take great care knowing that what I'm creating is genuine. i haven't learned how to manipulate it yet. I'm not sure I want to. for me, i'm pretty sure that is the whole point.
Speaking of genuine....we all come to the table with our own stories...if i am new to the table..that doesn't mean i come without my own story. Knowing this leaves me with little to prove (except to myself) and with a very real kind of freedom. for this I am very grateful.

i'll have more time to think about these things this winter when I work on some poetry and short stories at a self-directed residency. create sing write. breathe in the mountain air. Speaking of the mountains...here is a photo that I took from the air while flying through the Nahanni Range in the NWT back in 2001. Meandering.

thanks for stopping by :)

Gaze into the Heart of Open Sky and Main

I'm a city girl born and raised less than 5 kilometers from the corner of Portage and Main. I grew up in St.Boniface closer to the edges of Windsor Park than to the Provencher Bridge. My mother lived in several areas throughout old St.Boniface. Always close enough that I could walk to her place or ride my scratched and scraped BMX over. I was the first girl in my neighborhood to have a BMX...a boy's bike and it was something that I was quite proud of. I was in a hurry to scuff up my shiny BMX ...trying to set the record for the number of friends I could double and working up the courage to head straight down the paths of the ravine in my old neighborhood. Head first and straight down. I wore my long hair in braids partly in homage of my childhood hero Laura Ingalls and partly in homage to my old roots to the area where I grew up...Before I was eight I had a favorite climbing tree and what I called my quiet "thinking spot" , a stoop of a rock next to the creek near my house...with my thoughts wandering and inquisitive. I grew up with the vague idea that I should like to be a writer of some sort one day. I look back and appreciate how fortunate I was to grow up during that simpler time in the middle of a city like Winnipeg, yet be steps away from the woods and the quiet creeks...and the big sky vistas that my favorite tree gave me as I sat perched up amongst the green green leaves. - here is a photo I took on a recent weekend away to the woods in these parts where I now live.

The Lava melted all the cell phones in magical Iceland

"This isn't You Tube. This isn't Facebook. This is real life". That was one of the first things that a local said to us when roaming the streets of Reykjavik on our first night in Iceland. The comment came from a young man dancing on a patch of grass with the sun setting behind a row of buildings, casting a warm glow over the park. A stereo system had been set up and on the grass and on the sidewalks people danced and drank...and they laughed and talked...and drank some more. It was a sea of fair skinned modern day vikings...swaths of every color of clothing possible and one pink guitar.
I had two assignments for myself during my stay in Iceland. The first being how to pronounce the name of the recent volcano that erupted...the second was to listen to as much Icelandic music as I could. On the flight in... street musicians...live music (Uncle Tom's Cabin was awesome!), and I listened to local radio. I can say with some certainty that Icelandic people have fantastic taste in music. Understanding the influence that vast open spaces have had on my own musical development, I was curious to hear the landscape in the music being created in such a vast and beautiful place. Tone and craft and space in the notes........lush and with an edge.
We strolled and watched people watch people. I admired the great sense of style that the women had..think French meets Dutch with an organic thrift store twist. Women wore tights or leggings of any color under skirts, shorts or pants. All that color must be cheery on long winter days.... So smart they are! Keeping warm and working with the pale skin instead of trying to fake bake those white legs into submission. We paint houses cheery colors to brave long dark days of winter, so why not ourselves.
But mostly, I admired the appreciation for beauty and creativity. It was everywhere and for a country of less than 400,000 people...this is amazing when you think about it. The country must be made up of artists and dreamers and poets and all the creative souls that seek to create beauty around them. And all around it was. Raw, imperfect and organic with that perfect golden light that you have to travel to the far north to fully appreciate. Truly though, you should travel to Iceland to appreciate that they party till 5 am but don't fight, don't seem to own cell phones so everyone has real conversations, and live with a boldness that prevents them from passing up the opportunity to enjoy anything that life has to offer. Now if I can just find a few skirts to go with my new blue leggings to embrace these pale legs.

Happy accidents along the Cabot Trail

While up on the beautiful Cabot Trail in very lush and green Nova Scotia last week, we came upon a hat and fabric store. Everything was handmade and designed by the lady inside. A very old but content dog greeted me at the door as I walked in. My hubby waited outside in the warm sun.

On this one random stop, I found a great hat made of velvet, which I look forward to wearing this fall when the weather cools. And my other half, while waiting outside, ran into the mail woman, who happened to be the mother of my husband's old university roommate....whom my husband has not seen in years.

Happy accidents and the wonderful randomness of these kinds of days. And it all happened in a small place on the Cabot Trail called Wreck Cove. Many happy sorts of wrecks can happen.

The talented hat maker Barbara Longva and her lovely artistic wares can be found here, where you may randomly stumble upon my blog and view her great hats. You might also click on my music link and tell a friend of a friend who may then buy my CD at a future show they catch...because someone knew my cousin....you get the idea. Wishing you many happy accidents....and many long lazy days of summer...here is her link...

http://www.sewinclined.ca/

Cheap Bride Dot Com

I recently added a new word to my vocabulary. I won't bore you with the details except to say that it was a beautiful day and I really was glowing. I didn't make him wear a tux and he wasn't surprised when I announced that I was re-designing the $10 dollar dress I had found at Value Village. When I brought my dress to the local and very talented seamstress, she thought that I was a little crazy…it didn't look like a wedding dress! To her credit, she heard me out and worked with my vision of the dress. After a few meters of organza (found on sale), I had a unique one of a kind dress that was perfectly me. All for under $200…and that included my shoes and vintage earrings that I bought a few years earlier on one of our road trips to the BC interior. We rented the local art gallery..gathered around a backdrop of great art…happy knowing we were supporting the local art gallery and local artists. ( and it was cheap!) We also choose the day before a holiday so that we would at least always have the next day off and some fireworks ( which would happen when he forgets to buy me flowers)Living creatively and treading gently is good for the soul and the bank account too. And I'm sure this little rock we call home appreciates it as well. I'm thrilled to spend more on the honeymoon to some great place (Iceland) and not still be paying off the wedding a year down the road........like when he is driving me crazy with the dirty socks in the corner. Or when he holds my head under the covers and farts. Not mine though....that was the deal we struck to not have to wear the tux..

Unpacked and the rain comes...

The rain comes again. Sunny days have been sporadic in these parts. I have been home from the short and busy tour a week now and the rain comes. Everything is lush and green. Now, the flowers and I wait for the sun to return. Since coming home, I've picked up two separate colds. I also had a great acoustic show somewhere in there at the Yellow Fender Coffee House up at Christopher Lake. On a rainy day, it was a good day for songbirds safe and dry inside.

I had a wonderful time out on the road with Lyn and met many fantastic people. Calgary was a wonderful time, visiting with old friends and making a few new friends. Thank you to Arlene for putting us up and the wonderful food. Thank you to Amber for the candles!! The spanakopita that Arlene sent us home with did not last very long! And finally, a thank you to Lyn for the laughs and great company. It was a treat getting to know you and doing this "Gypsy As I Go- All Over the Map" tour with you. Ride safe under the big skies down in Arizona.
I plan to take the summer off except for an upcoming show in Iceland...yes Iceland. I am looking forward to writing and working on new songs and other art projects. Most importantly, I also have some exciting personal plans to enjoy and focus on. I'll post some pictures soon!!

All Roads lead to a local coffee house...

I played up in Yellowknife last fall and called the show "All Roads Lead to Yellowknife". I used to live and work up in the NWT for almost 5 years and was happy to be back to play a local coffee house in one of my favorite Canadian cities. This photo was taken up in a beautiful community called Gameti north of Yellowknife in 1998..showing the view out my window.

If this past spring 2010 tour had to have a theme or another name..it would be "All Roads Lead to Medicine Hat". Arriving in Medicine Hat rested and well fed thanks to Helen in Swift Current, Lyn and I found the Hatter Roastery in a downtown historic section of a city. I loved the dark blue walls filled with art photography and the aroma of roasted coffee beans as we wandered in. A windy and cloudy day, I was happy to be spending the afternoon at this cosy cafe. We set up in front of the window and were ready to start. A woman was on her laptop in the corner speaking into a headset. I quietly wondered if she was sitting in a great spot, but then I felt it would be good for her to stay where she was. I told her that I wouldn't be too loud. Midway through my set, just after finishing a song about crazy weather and prairie storms, I realize that Lyn is looking outside and a commotion seems to be going on outside behind me. As I turn around, I see a car back up onto the curb and run over a tree planted alongside the sidewalk. The driver has hit the front end of the car parked behind her and now sits in her car, slightly dazed...on the sidewalk. About 10 feet or so and she would have backed into our lovely coffee house, right into me as I sang. I am momentarily stunned as all I have seen so far is a car in a strange position, a tree moving in the wind and other gusts of wind picking up on the street. I think it is a tornado... for just an instant. With the black sky and heat we had earlier, it wouldn't surprise me. But no tornado. Thankfully no one was hurt. The tree was not so lucky. The excitement settles down and I complete my set, working to hold back the giggles as I sing my last song. Always looking for stories....

Watching Lyn perform, I also watch the activity of the coffee house. With the glass front as the backdrop, I can see the people walk by outside. I can see a little man..dwarf...midget. What is the politically correct name? He walked one way, then back the other, then back again..with the top of his head bouncing along as he passed. Then moments later, a blind man with a cowboy hat and belt buckle walked by....a blind cowboy. I wondered what he thought of the car on the sidewalk. Then the midget walks into the coffee house.... After the show was over, the woman who sat in the corner came over to say hello and introduce herself. I will not fully tell her story here, but will instead leave the link to her blog.www.sdholman.com/walkforlove/brings-you/travelogue

The hum of life. Real life. Real music. Certainly far from perfect but genuine and authentic. Her story certainly has touched me. We happened to cross paths on day 50 of her 100 day walk. The mid way point of her journey. In her blog post that day, she spoke of the Cree and the Cree word Wanuskewin.... seeking peace of mind. In the spirit of this......with the sky, land, flowers and birds to guide her, may the Creator hold her close on her journey ahead.

Morning coffee is for the Birds

I write this newest entry from a kitchen in Swift Current filled with the sound of early morning birdsong. An artist and songwriter herself, our gracious host Helen Gauvin has kindly offered us a comfy bed and a home cooked meal while we overnight here in Swift Current. Packed, with guitars and suitcases at the door, I have a few moments to catch my breath and enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee and a home made muffin. My touring partner Lyn and I have had a great and very busy last few days. And we have agreed that the weather angels are on our side. The weather has been perfect for cruising across the prairies in the wide open air of a convertible. The venues and people we have met along the way have been a highlight. Amazingly, at least one songwriter has come out to every show and we have never had an empty sea of chairs to sing our birdsongs to. I'll add more when we get to Medicine Hat later today for a show. We just realized that they may be one hour ahead so we need to do a time check with the cute coffee house that I have booked us...The Mad Hatter Roastery is the next stop on the road. With the sounds of last night's beautiful and impromptu accordion performance by our talented and wonderful host in my head, we will make our way out of Saskatchewan on into Alberta suntanned and rested.

Meeting Roy and other Tree Bandits

The miles and the hours have blurred these past days. Waking up in Regina this morning, I go off to a meeting for a few hours while Lyn soaks up some rays and visiting. I am always struck by how unique Regina feels as if I can't quite place where I am in this vast country. It must be the lush green leaves of the trees lining Albert Street...planted with vision years ago. I think we should all become bandit gardeners, planting trees where there are none...in the wees hours of the morning.

Tonight we have a show at Tuesday Night Trobadour Songwriter's Night at Bocados, hosted by local Regina musician JJ Voss. He has set us up outside on the patio. It is a gorgeous evening so a great idea to have us play outside. But first some visiting is in order and dinner is on JJ Voss. Lyn has some family from Regina coming out to the show as well as producer David J. Taylor coming for dinner and to see our show. I haven't met David before but know who he is the minute he walks onto the patio. His liberal use of the word "F**ck" is quite sincere and endearing. I like him immediately. With our sets over and being a few CD's lighter, we head inside to watch the band just starting. As we sit down, this young guy already has the mic, belting out a tune that I can't quite place. This kid is amazing and singing from his toes. I am riveted to my seat. So is everybody else when I sneak a peak around.

Part Elvis, part Roy Orbison, part Pavarotti.

Moose Jaw and the Wandering Gypsy

I start out on Monday morning in Prince Albert and lay my head on a pillow that night in Regina. Somewhere in the day, I drive in the sunny open air to Saskatoon to pick up Lyn and drive on to Moose Jaw for our show at the Java Express Coffee House on Main. After saying goodbye to our beds, a week of couch surfing lies ahead and the road tour officially begins. We chatter like happy little squirrels all the way down to Moose Jaw. The coffee house where I have booked us to play is right on Main Street and in an old heritage building. The gypsy theme seems to be sticking with us as the upper level of the coffee house has a boutique called "The Wandering Gypsy". We immediately feel right at home and are both fed and watered by the manager Taylor, a fantastic guy who happens to be moving to Winnipeg in the next few months.
Midway through the show a little wandering gypsy girl drifts into the coffee house to watch. After making some new friends and fans, we make our way to Regina to stay at Lyn's brother's house for the next 2 nights. Half asleep when we arrive, I am awake enough to notice the banjo and drum kit in the basement and look forward to making some pretty sounds in the morning. But first, I think I'll wait till Lyn has had her morning cup of coffee. If you are ever passing through Moose Jaw, stop by the Java Express for a coffee and say hello to the wandering gypsy girl.

http://www.23mainstreet.ca/

Saskatoon Solla sings

I can tell that I will love this place as soon as I walk through the door of the eclectic Cafe Solla in Saskatoon. It is now day three of our eight day tour and the third stop on the way. I drove down today to play with Lyn in her hometown. She has set up this show and the venue is perfect. We have an afternoon performance and the sun is streaming through the windows as we set up. I have heard of this coffee house before and know of friends that have been performed here. It is obvious why it is a popular choice. We have the charming side room for our use today and the chairs quickly fill up. And what funky chairs they are...made of reclaimed wood and iron, shaped like questions marks. The audience is full of friends and family who have come to give Lyn and I a proper send off. Even an old friend Matt, from my Yellowknife days is out to see the show. With the show in the mid afternoon, we both have the night off to relax and pack. We will have a busy Monday and will be in Moose Jaw tomorrow night...with big sunny skies all the way.

A musician friend from Prince Albert came out to the show to support us as well and take a few pictures. Thanks Gabe! You can check him out at:

http://www.gabepenna.com/

Jenny's beautiful NEW GROUND CAFE and soul

The reward for performing original music in a cafe filled with great art and an appreciative audience is the heavenly dessert waiting for me. The theme of the evening is green or "spring on a plate". The location is the gorgeous New Ground Cafe in Birch Hills, Saskatchewan, a perfect 33 km from Prince Albert. Wide open prairie, a river crossing and a gentle roll in the road now and then completes the drive on an early Saturday evening. The weather is warm enough so I drive with the top down on my convertible and arrive with very crazy wind blown hair. I will be performing first so I know I can't stuff myself on owner Jenny Willem's amazing food until after I perform my set. Tonight, Jenny serves each course on mismatched china. I love the presentation of her food and her wonderful attention to detail. Each course is announced with a silver bell and an introduction to the meal, how it was prepared and where the local food and ingredients were sourced from. A true artist, Jenny even served up some "Gypsy Salami" in support of our tour!

With my set over, I can now sit back and listen to my fantastic road tour partner Lyn Besse McGinnis. Her energy and beautiful songs are a toe tapping and relaxing backdrop to that dessert that I'm talking about.....a carrot parsnip cake with a mango squash coulis (sauce).

Check out Jenny's blog for yummy updates at:

http://www.jennisnewgroundcafe.blogspot.com/

terracotta walls make for warm musical sounds

The lights were dimmed low. The rust terracotta colored wall behind me set the mood and cast a cosy glow over the packed room. Only slight murmurs were heard and the wonderful buzz of anticipation palpable. The first show of the mini tour is a house concert in Prince Albert hosted by music lovers Brenda and Lew. Located at the end of a quiet leafy street, the owners of this vibrant and funky home immediately make you feel welcome. All house concerts are held in the basement. A cosy room, the ceilings are low and painted black with cedar shingles covering three walls. Although you actually are in the basement, you feel like you are outside, with the warm terracotta glow of a fire and the dark sky to ground you. The cedar walls feel once again like a forest. If you have never been to a house concert, I really recommend you do go to one. As a performer, it can be an intimidating experience in some ways but so rewarding. You are so up close and intimate with the audience....and this is what helps to create the magic. No packaging or posturing. Just the song, the music and you.... the listener. And thank you for listening...and closing your eyes..and sinking into the wonderful evening that it was. It was a wonderful send off to a great week of music and big sunny skies ahead. Just in time for the leaves to bloom and green.- Cathleen

This house concert was self booked... but for more information about house concerts in your area, to go to one or even host one yourself - check out this website based out of Winnipeg:

http://www.homeroutes.ca/

A Frugal state of mind

In this part of the country, garage sales and flea markets are in full swing by May long weekend. the tell tale sign is the scattered peppering of posters and signs on every busy corner. I'm a year long scavenger so the added fresh air and sun on my face while looking for a new treasure is a treat. I was looking through my closet on the weekend and was amazed and impressed by how much is actually secondhand but still in great shape and well...a great deal. This stool in the picture came as a pair for $5. A black coat of paint later, new seat cushion and some great vintage fabric ( purchased for one dollar! from another successful scavenge) and I have a pretty chair...now one of my favorite and she will travel with me on my "Gypsy As I Go" tour next week. The secondhand table cloth covering my table and the stool will make a nice place to perch in the sun amongst the flowers this summer, planning my next flea market outing.

Big Sky coming

I find myself watching the sky and newly budding leaves with added anticipation these days. I'm going on a short tour around this beautiful province I now make my home to share and perform songs from my debut album "Gypsy As I Go" and also play a few new tunes i've written for my next album. In true indie style, I've self booked most of the tour and called up a complete stranger and asked her if she wants to tour with me....I will have the wheels (and what fun wheels they are!)... You'll meet my travelling companion over the next week as I keep a blog of my first touring adventure. I'm no stranger to the open road...getting to combine my love of this kind of freedom with my newly discovered love of making music will be a great way to start the summer.

happy Earth DAY

i live in a small city where walking is easy...walking is possible. i am blessed to be able to walk to work. i listen to the wind and bird sounds as i follow the meandering river to the downtown. when i reach my destination, i turn the corner and head south. this is my favorite moment of the morning. the bakery down the street fills the air with the heavenly aroma of fresh bread and the sun bounces off the old brick heritage buildings that are scattered here and there in this part of the city. happy earth day...happy simple pleasures day.