decisions, decisions

So thanks to the birthday fairies, otherwise known as my mom and Big City Kelly, I've got some money to blow over at good ol'JCrew.  To get the biggest bang for my birthday buck, I've been stalking the sale section and have come up with a few good contenders.  Now I need some thoughts to help bring the decision home.  And the nominees are:

This skinny patent-leather double wrap belt

This Swiss-dot Fontana dress

This Viscose ruffle sleeve tank

This Rivulet Cardigan

This Cotton Gladiola Cardigan

This Cotton-Cashmere Bouquet Cardigan

This Floral Cardigan

I've got the resources for maybe a couple of these -- what should I get???

nursery

Check out Abbey's great nursery!! Simple and bright and classic not a bow or doll to be seen. Abbey I can't wait to see a pic of your soon-to-be new wee one!! Be sure and visit her site for a full list of what's what and what came from where.

the cat came back...

This post is for Big City Kelly who still gets giddy when she hears Peace Train.

Everyone's favourite folk singer Yusef Islam is back with a new album that claims to be "old school" Cat Stevens style. Entitled Roadsinger, people are saying it's everything that was great about Cat Stevens. Which, depending on your taste, may or may not mean anything to you really. Newsweek has a great little "making of" video up on it's site, click here to give it a watch. I totally love that in one of the scenes in the video he's wearing a "Wanted: Cat Stevens" t-shirt.

massey hall

Here's some fun news over at my favourite live performance venue.

June 10th brings Canadian Songbook: A Tribute to Neil Young's Live at Massey Hall 1971.

"On January 19, 1971, Canada’s legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young performed solo at Massey Hall. Audiences there heard for the first time many of the iconic songs that would later appear on his albums, including his best-selling LP Harvest – yet the live concert recording itself wasn’t released until 2007.

Now, as part of the Luminato Festival, a stellar group of Canadian musicians, led by Juno Award winning music director Kevin Breit, will recreate that landmark concert, performing their own distinctive arrangements of the album’s eighteen classic songs.

The concert features: Holly Cole, Jason Collett, Cowboy Junkies, Bill Frisell Trio, Issa (formerly Jane Siberry), Colin Linden, Harry Manx, Danny Michel, Steven Page, Roxanne Potvin, Carole Pope."

And on another note, Sonic Youth will likely blow the roof off the place on June 30th.  Sigh.....

And of course, it goes without saying, Neko Case July 14th.  Don't even try to call me at home because I will be in Toronto hanging out with Neko Case.

under the covers

Big City Kelly was kind enough to bring this to my attention today.  Yay!!!  Once again, Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet are teaming up again as Sid and Susie for another volume of Under the Covers Volume 2 - the much anticipated follow up to their fantastic and lovely 2006 compilation of 1960's songs Under the Covers Volume 1.  This one will feature the duo's favourite songs from the 1970's and has fancy appearances by folks like Lindsey Buckingham and George Harrison's son Dhani Harrison who plays on the version of his dad's song Beware of Darkness.

I see in my future a knickers dance-party with this as the soundtrack.

god only knows how happy i'd be...

Thanks to Richard for showing me this today -- it 100% makes me want to learn God Only Knows on the ukelele too.  Not that you need to make that song any more perfect than it already is, but knowing how to play it on the ukelele might send me right over the moon.  Julia Nunes might be my new hero.  

weekend round-up

Oh weekend, our relationship just keeps getting stronger and stronger. We are never ever going to break up!

Friday we started some prep for the Mother's Day brunch we're cooking for everyone but I started my night with a chicken-on-a-bun dinner from Deluxe cuz that's what I do when left to my own devices for a Friday night supper. Take that Marco!!

Saturday I was up early and got 2 batches of muffins made, showered and dressed and even watched a Pixies documentary all before 11:30am. I was so productive and domestic I was even annoyed with myself. Moved on to a haircut (and subsequent baby visit with Paula and Beth -- yay for having a hairdresser who cuts your hair while on maternity leave!!) and home again for more food prep. The plan was to prep as much as we can to avoid having to get up ridiculously early on Sunday to get the ball rolling. Saturday night I finally threw in the food prep towel at about 10pm and succumbed to the hilarity that was Justin Timberlake hosting Saturday Night Live. Now, I'm not a huge fan of his music but holy crap, he is crazy funny anytime he's on SNL and I love that he doesn't take himself too seriously. Obviously the highlight was his Digital Short with Andy Samberg carrying on with their "Dick in a Box" bit.


Then Sunday - up early and over to my parents' place to cook brunch for my folks and sister-in-law. We tried some new things and revisited some classics, everything made from scratch, and everything turned out super delicious. Want the menu? TA-DA!!!!!

• Mini chocolate chip muffins for the kids;
• Blueberry Cinnamon muffins for the grown ups;
• fresh croissants;
• fresh bacon from our local italian butcher shop;
• Tomato and Leek Frittata;
• Parmesan Potato Pancake;
• Banana Oatmeal Pancakes;
• Prosecco and Orange Juice;
• cappucinos
• bunches o'fresh fruit

It was glorious and delicious and I could eat it all over again right this second having just typed all that out......

To recuperate, sat in the bath until after 11pm. That's a true story.

musical movie moments

Saw this fun post today over at Empire. Cameron Crowe picking his top music moments in film. Say what you will about Cameron Crowe, the guy can score a film (with maybe the exception of Elizabethtown). Included are the amazing tent scene between Margot and Richie Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums, the heartbreaking music store scene from Once and the opening scene from the film perfection that is Harold and Maude.

Click here to see his full list.

handpresso

Liana over at Magic Bean Buyer passed this on to me as it might be the most perfect gift for Marc ever. Seeing as how Marc is likely the only person in the world who would bust out fresh espresso while on a bush hike, the Handpresso might just be exactly what he needs. Hand held Espresso machine, cups and case. The site is worth checking out the site for the great accompanying videos -- my fave is the espresso-touting cowboy.

Hot Bunny Radio Playlist for May 7th

CKLU 96.7FM

6-8pm

* denotes Canadian talent

italics denotes a new release

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL PODCAST OF TONIGHT'S SHOW!!!!!!!!

• The Flaming Lips -- Flight Test --Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
• Bell Orchestre -- Water/Lights/Shifts -- As Seen Through Windows *
• The Salteens -- Let Go of Your Bad Days -- Let Go of Your Bad Days *
• The Jayhawks -- Save it for a Rainy Day -- Rainy Day Music
• The Damned -- Don't Cry Wolf -- Damned, Damned, Damned (VINYL)
• Dog Day -- Saturday Night -- Concentration *
• Apples in Stereo -- That's Something I Do -- Velocity of Sound
• Royal City -- Bad Luck -- Alone at the Microphone *
• Baxter Dury -- Beneath the Underdog -- Len Parrot's Memorial Lift
• Fred Eaglesmith -- Soft on my Shoulder -- Falling Stars & Broken Hearts *
• Spoon -- Well-Alright -- Dark Was The Night 
• Generation X -- One Hundred Punks -- Generation X (VINYL)
• The (International) Noise Conspiracy -- Bigger Cages, Longer Chains -- Bigger Cages, Longer Chains
• The Two-Minute Miracles -- Warm Air vs. Cold -- Volume III: The Silence of Animals *
• Jon Langford & his Sadies -- American Pageant -- Mayors of the Moon
• Kimberley Rew -- Seven Stars -- Great Central Revisited
• Neil Young -- Just Singing a Song -- Fork in the Road *
• Willie Nelson -- I'm Still Here -- Crazy: The Demo Sessions
• Old Reliable -- Tight Knit Seams -- Pulse of Light Dark Landscape *
• Melissa McClelland -- I Blame You -- Victoria Day *
• The Raveonettes -- The Love Gang -- Chain Gang of Love *
• Metric -- Dead Disco -- Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? *
• Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros -- Arms Aloft -- Streetcore
• Ryan Adams -- Cry on Demand -- Demolition (VINYL)
• The Minus 5 -- Where Will You Go -- Down With Wilco
• Sick Boys -- You and Me and Them -- From There to Here *
• Constantines -- Scoundrel Babes -- Shine A Light *
• The Von Bondies -- She's Dead To Me -- Love, Hate & Then There's You
• Billy & The Lost Boys -- Hastings & Main -- Breaking Down the Barries That Break Down Your Music *
• The Stills -- Changes Are No Good -- Logic Will Break Your Heart *
• The Breeders -- Too Alive -- Title TK
• Jason Collett -- Tiny Oceans of Tears -- Motor Motel Love Songs *
• Nathan Lawr & The Minotaurs -- Righteous Heart -- A Sea of Tiny Lights (VINYL) *

Notes this week:

• I so love this Flaming Lips record;
• I miss that Salteens record, why don't I listen to it more????
• That Apples in Stereo song makes me crazy with glee, I love it so and it's always the one I pick to play;
• What's better than the Damned on vinyl???  Stolen Damned on vinyl!!!  Thanks Richard;
  
• If you have the means, look up the video for that Royal City song.  It's adorable.  Stop-motion animation teddy bears in love, torn apart by fate;
• Dark Was The Night is one of the best purchases I've made in a long while - talk about a killer compilation record!  And it's for charity!
• Really, 100 Punks DO rule!!!!
• Gotta love unreleased Willie, sans strings and orchestras and other silliness;
• Old Reliable, man you wrote a catchy song with that one;
• I so heart that Melissa McClelland song;
• As good as Metric has been this whole time, remember the first time you heard their first record?  I think it changed my view of Canadian music and it's ability to join the ranks of great "techno" producers;
• Dear Ryan Adams: Thank you for writing that song and allowing me to spend 4 minutes and 22 seconds in total heartbreak;
• Dan and the Urse!!  Thanks for the sweet red Nathan Lawr vinyl!!!!!!

time travel please

I wanna be here again...

{photo by me}

woodhands kisses katy perry

So Woodhands has covered Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl. The Woodhands record was a big fave of mine when it came out (have you HEARD I Wasn't Made for Fighting???? It's all kinds of amazing) and I gotta say, hearing their version of this song makes me wish it was the only version. Click here to hear their take. Although if we're making pop confessions, I feel I must say that when I hear Hot and Cold in a store, my bum does wiggle. I wish it didn't......but it does.

hello lovely...

So Marc totally won the Best Birthday Gift 2009 challenge this year.  He 100% surprised me with a new MacBook of my very own.  We've had a MacBook Pro for the last few years which Marc has used for all of his recording stuff.  Obviously, my tons of pictures and almost 10,000 iTunes songs being on that same computer is really not the best set-up.  Not to mention he always has me looking over his shoulder sighing and saying stuff like "How much longer are you going to be on the computer???  I've got blogging to do!!"  This is the solution to all of our problems.  Of course, it goes without saying that it's super shiny and new and has all the fancy new software and weighs next to nothing.  Now I get to shop for a great laptop sleeve and a super cute bag to tote it around in!  

 I'm in love!!!!!  With both Marc AND my new laptop!!

city chicken

I saw this Eglu's on the interweb and honestly, they're so cute and modern that they kinda make me want to keep a couple chickens in my backyard. We've got a perfect set-up for them, they're great for your garden and who doesn't want fresh, organic eggs every day?? I know I do!!! And as long as you don't keep a rooster, you don't have to worry about the whole rooster noise nonsense.

grey gardens

Yup I saw the new Grey Gardens and thought it was lame. Lame and weak. Drew Barrymore is more like a cartoon caricature of Little Edie than anything and it just really doesn't give you a good picture of what actually happened to these 2 women other than some men doin' them wrong. The original 1975 documentary is 1000 times more interesting and engaging and the new version just pales in comparison.

how to make a baby

Super cute video courtesy of Cassidy and Raquel.

happy birthday to me

It's my birthday today!!!  Youpee!!!  I wish I had more exciting birthday plans but looks like I'll spend it at work then at obedience class with Sadie.  I did get my fill of birthday fun this weekend though and quite frankly, I likely need some time to dry out.    Funny sidenote, here's what I overheard at lunch last week:

Girl: "So I have this friend, she's older though, like 31........

It made me wince more than a little bit.

{Image via Maeve and Brad}

weekend round-up

This was a weekend of debauchery really. Debauchery and silliness. Started Friday night with a dual birthday party celebration for me and my friend Richard. Combining b-day parties will ALWAYS end in debauchery I say. The night started innocently enough with drinks at The Laughing Buddha, moved to the Townehouse where we kicked it up a notch and ended at 4am with a penis magazine, more drinks and the stuffing of my friends in cabs. I don't even really know how we went from A to B but there you have it. It was a great early birthday party despite the teenagery behaviour that made for a beyond painful Saturday.

We started the pain with a 10am wake-up call to try and get Hillside Festival tickets. We failed thanks to 3 system crashes by lame Ticketpro, 3 separate messages from the phone operators who told us everything from they were totally sold out to they weren't sold out and to try again later to the whole system is F-ed. This will be the first time in like 7 years we haven't been able to get tickets so I'm now on a mission to find some elsewhere or else I think I might cry.

Pouted my way to our Dogs = Awesome party and then onwards to my grandfather's 95th birthday party where I drowned my Hillside sorrows and my giant hangover in mountains and mountains of food.

Sunday we spent the day at the Moose Lodge fundraising for the brand new River and Sky Music Festival. Marc played with the Saltcoats and The Joliettes and there were a pile of other bands, BBQ, cupcakes, kids colouring and dancing and just generally a great way to spend a Sunday -- it was awesome! Keep your eyes open for more news from River and Sky!!

{photos by Debb Trahan-Pero}

Headed to a friend's place for more BBQ and since they have a dog we stopped and picked up Sadie along the way. Joined by a Dogs = Awesome friend Pico, Sadie spent basically hours playing in the mud, laying in the mud, rolling in the mud, wrestling in the mud and basically becoming the dirtiest dog ever. She even had this crust of dried mud on her nose. It took both Marc and I about 35 minutes in the tub to get her clean and the whole bathroom looked like a muddy hurricane came through it when we were done. I suspect she was laughing in her head the whole time...

days of wine and marco

Welcome to my guest blogger Marco!  He's going to be doing a monthly wine blog of sort - just a quick write-up of what we drank over the month good and bad.  He's my resident Winey McWinerson....

Hey there folks! Welcome to “Days of Wine and Marco”, my first foray into writing something people may actually stumble across and read. This will be a monthly addition to “Cowgirl You Got That Something” by my lovely wife Tara.  This first post is a bit of an intro of how I got into wine and what I’ll be looking at for the most part in the coming months.  

I remember spending a weekend every fall when I was a kid with family helping my grandfather and uncles make wine in his garage or basement.  there’s nothing quite like of  having 600-800 pounds of grapes to do with as you please.  Unfortunately he liked to leave all the stems in and didn’t let the juice soak with the skins long enough to get any real body.  I didn’t love his wine, but it did plant the first seeds of interest in me and I still have his wine press and grape crusher.   A few years back I made a few batches myself for a few years in the fall when the grapes come up from california.  I got some good results...some really good results, then some bad results!   I put the equipment away for a time when I could have better temperature control, and may be getting the itch again for fall of 2009.  

Since the time I started making wine, I started buying wine.  I started trying more, and reading more as well.  A friend and I would make monthly trips to the liquor store for our Bottom-of-the-Barrel run.  This is where we’d buy the cheapest bottles in the store in search of that hidden gem.  We found the odd thing for $7 or $8 that could’ve easily sold for $10 or $12.  We found some really bad ones too, forgettable...however I’ll never forget that Louis IV that made me double over in pain as if someone had roundhouse kicked me in the gut!  

Anyways, once I started getting more adventurous with different grapes as well as price scale my whole world opened up.  I still remember my first Teroldego, now one of my favourites.

I am a little biased to the italian wines, the reason for this is that I find there’s still a lot of value out there in the italian wines, and there is still a lot of different, not so-well -known things to try.  My favourites are Sagrantino from Umbria, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from Tuscany and as previously mentioned Teroldego from Trentino.  I’ll likely get into these wines in detail on a future post.

You will find that I won’t speak much of  Merlot and Cab Sauvignons. The reason for this is that there are plenty around, plenty of great ones!  And they will always be there for the times when I want to come back to them.  But I truly love to try the oddball and lesser known grapes of the  old world wine producing companies. My wine shopping binges tend to hover among Italy; France; Spain sections  I’ve also been buying Argentina and of course I have to support Canada, but I’ve mainly been buying Canadian wines from Ontario.   That being said, I do welcome any comments, suggestions and wine recommendations as well.  If something is recommended to me to try, and I can get it here for a reasonable price, I’ll will try it.

So a quick note on tasting, I don’t usually sit around sipping wine saying “hmm I’m tasting wild cherries; earth from the prairies, saddle leather and barnyard with an old man in coveralls standing in the middle of it!”  I just like wine.  I’ll have to make some comments on the flavors so I’ll try to keep it simple.

After all, It’s all a learning experience.

who loves the sun

Watching this movie on my day off and hearting it hardcore.  Filmed partly in Northern Ontario it makes me want a summer camp in the biggest way.