Happy Moments: Idaylia's First Trip To The Element! :)

Extra special lobster tacos! 

I don’t want to start another blog trend for myself with a whole bunch of rules. I primarily started writing a blog a day about something that made me very happy lately to de-stress about moving across the country with less than two weeks’ notice and remember the little things in life that bring a smile to my face. Those happy moments often outweigh the crappy, stressful feelings and sometimes even distract me from my horrible nail beds that have been destroyed from scouring and cleaning an entire dusty old apartment. My heritage building has some dusty, messy flaws!

Today’s happy moment came when I took my lunch break and dined at the Element for Taco Tuesday. I love Taco Tuesday, without tacos Tuesday is my least favourite day of the week. Today for Taco Tuesday I got to take Miss. Idaylia Swanson from our GOAT/Juice Street Team to the Element for her first meal there! We dined on amazing lobster tacos. The food at the Element never fails to impress my taste buds, today was no different!

The Element’s Head Chef (who is absolutely amazing) Garnet Goode brought us out celebratory banana crème brûlée. It was amazing! I am a huge fan of the different spins he can put on such a classic dessert (click here to check out the Mexican Fiesta inspired edition)! Not only was it Idaylia’s first Element dining experience it was also her first taste of crème brûlée!

A big THANK YOU to Garnet and Idaylia for making one of my last meals here in the Koots special!

It is pretty early to be posting this happy moment, I’m really hoping when I get home my oven will have cleaned itself and saved me from boiling in my apartment in this 40 degree Interior BC heat. I’m not going to hold my breath on that and just be happy that I’m still so full that I will not need to cook supper! :)

Amazing banana creme brulee! 

July 29, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Friends & Neighbours ”

I think scrap metal is the perfect material to create a piece of art called “Friends & Neighbours” with, why?

Well, let me explain. I come from a small community in the middle of nowhere in Nova Scotia. Brooklyn Road is a community itself. Not quite Middleton or Lawrencetown or even Mt.Hanley, Brooklyn Road is a long road made up of rolling hills that takes about an hour to walk to get to town. Like scraps of metal in a pile of junk, you never know what you are going to find when you meet my neighbours. The individuals in our little community are unique and diverse but when you mix us all together you have something great.

Diversity, complexity and unique pieces coming together to fit in harmony is the basis of our Canadian “cultural mosaic” and communities made up of friends and neighbours across our country. Slocan Valley artist Rabi’a captures this perfectly with “Friends & Neighbours” another great piece of Kootenay art on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk this year!

I’ll be honest (and a little biased), I think “Friends & Neighbours” would be a great fit as part of Castlegar’s permanent display of sculptures. It is one of the larger pieces on the Walk this year and is impossible to capture in a single photo. For more on “Friends & Neighbours”click here.

To view my previous blog on Sculpture Walk’s “Joy Of Dance II” click here. 

Happy Moments: Starbucks Secret Menu Items and Perfect Song Timing

It was so freaking hot yesterday and it is going to be just as hot today. Here is my happy moment from yesterday and a shout out to two amazing ladies in my life. One is not only my co-worker by day; she is also a fabulous barista by night. She has created an amazing "secret menu" low-carb Nutella flavored frap for me at Starbucks and every time she makes me one it gets even better! Props to Jenny Fines for knowing how to chill a homie out!

The second shout-out for my happy moment of the day yesterday going to my MacIsaac Hall roommate for providing the perfect tunes to enjoy that low-carb Nutella frap with. As you can see my car and I agreed that it was hot as hell outside so it hooked me up with the perfect summer song on my car USB key to enjoy that frappuccino with, Rusted Root's "Send Me On My Way". 

I will be honest with you; I am one of the only people that hate "Send Me On My Way". It is one of those songs that seems to get people going and yesterday I finally had that feeling. After years of resenting Sarah Thorsen for downloading it on my university Macbook and it always coming up on shuffle, I finally tolerated it. I pulled all of my music from my old lappy onto a USB stick for emergency tune situations a couple of months ago and I have been dodging Sarah's two additions "Send Me On My Way" and Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There" every time I use it. Yes, it is pretty lazy of me to have never deleted them from my computer, but it seems to be a little easier to skip them when they come on. Don't pretend you don't have songs on your iTunes that you don't like!  

Regardless, I am so happy it was "Will You Be There" and not the Free Willy song that came on while I drove home and enjoyed my frap. It reminded me of two amazing ladies to be thankful for and put a big smile on my face. Had it have been the MJ song I would have totally skipped it... I really do hate that song. 

Sarah seemed to have a thing for movies from our childhood and the songs from their soundtracks. While I was more of a Disney girl she was a big fan of the film Matilda and "Send Me On My Way" was used in that flick, so here it is with a wonderful Matilda montage just for your enjoyment. 

July 28, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Joy Of Dance II”

Today’s Sculpture of the Day is D.E. McDermott’s “Joy of Dance II”. The sculpture features two magnificent dancers perfectly in-sync dancing in mid-movement without a care in the world. The dancers are en pointe, displaying perfect lines and look fully immersed in their art.  

Everything about “Joy of Dance II” is smooth and perfectly toned. The sculpture captures the essence of being lost in rhythm while being in-tune with a dancing partner.

D.E. McDermott’s “Joy of Dance II” comes to us from Virginia, another international piece to join the Castlegar Sculpture Walk stage; for more information on McDermott click here.

To see the Castlegar Sculpture Walk piece in my previous blog of the day, “Saturday’s Distractions” click here. Fittingly, it is another sculpture about a lady being fully engulfed in what she is doing…

Kootenay Festival 2014

I had an amazing time at Kootenay Festival Saturday! Unfortunately it took me a day to bounce back from all the sun and heat, but I can finally tell you all about it on this Monday afternoon!

What can I say; the Kootenays are home to amazing artists from all walks of life. Whether their craft is perfect wood oven fired pizza or creating amazing home décor woodworking, there is a place for it at Kootenay Festival!

On top of all of the physical art the stage was packed with incredible acts from the moment the festival kicked off at 10:30am (with the Scottie School of Highland Dance) to the closing act Cod Gone Wild who played until 7pm. All of the musical acts delivered and I was blown away by the dance troops that took the stage too.

One performer that really impressed me was Bobby Bovenzi; not only did he perform he instructed. His interactive drum and dance circle is not to be missed if you ever have the chance to see it and take part make sure you do! He had absolutely everyone involved cheering and chanting along with the pounding rhythm drums and noise-makers. It was a highlight of my day.

Bobby Bovenzi left the crowd in awe! 

Every festival I attend I break from my normal dietary habits and indulge like a person who has never seen food before; Kootenay Festival was no different. I had a little bit of everything. I always try to order up things that I am not skilled enough to make at home, that normally leads me to Kootenay Filipino food. Of course I had to order up their amazing pork rolls.

I added Gypsy Wagon Wood-Fired Catering to my festival menu for the first time with their incredible breakfast pizza (that is scrambled egg on the pizza). If you followed my blog while I visited La Jolla’s Open Aire Market earlier this year you know how much I love a good breakfast pizza! 

And, with the heat I HAD to hit up both JillyBean’s Ice Cream truck for a waffle cone and have a little breakfast gelato from Nelson’s Little Miss Gelato. How can you say no to bubblegum gelato? It was so hot that I sweat out all the calories throughout the day; that’s how that works right?

Good Ol' Goats

It was such a fabulous day, I spent it with the two people I am thankful for that made me smile (yes doubling up on a happy moment and event blog). Liam, for ordering a medium bag of kettle corn that was the size of a small child and Idaylia for being her always cheerful, helpful self.

I do have to just note a couple of talented musicians who took the stage during the festival that were remarkable. They guys from Roy Has Fire never fail to disappoint and rock every show they play. The Good Ol’ Goats were showstoppers and had everyone clapping, dancing and moving their feet. Last but not least Cod Gone Wild made me feel like I was back at home on the East Coast rocking out downtown Halifax at the Commons.

Cod Gone Wild!

Kootenay Festival 2014 was one for the books! To find out more about next year’s celebration click here.

One more thing, this photo snaps a moment in Castlegar’s history that is pretty cool. Castlegar’s sister city in Ebetsu, Japan sent representatives to help celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the city’s twinning.

Happy Moments: A 5th Birthday After Pary With The LePages!

My happy moment yesterday turned out to be hours of happiness with the wonderful LePage family! I got to experience a child’s birthday for the first time, try full-on (real some would say) sushi for the first time and I even had my first cake-pop. I must admit it was amazing I loved the raw salmon and tuna and I totally get what the buzz is about with cake-pops!

Last minute as they were ordering sushi they invited me over, I was a little intimidated by going because I was still kind of gross from my workout and tan but we agreed it would be one of the last chances I would have to see them so I broke from my routine and spend the evening in their amazing company in Robson.

I am so thankful for the wonderful night, a little tired today because I stayed out way past my bedtime. I am going to miss the LePages so much; it was so special to me to be part of Audrey’s 5^th birthday after party!  We had such great chats well into the night, I can't wait to come back and see the girls all grown up and visit Dustin and Selena (hopefully in the not too distant future)!

My first taste Castlegar's Chopsticks! 

July 25, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Saturday's Distractions”

TGIF!

Today’s sculpture of the day is a primer for tomorrow. Hopefully you will be as interested in whatever your Saturday holds as this young lady is in her book! “Saturday’s Distractions “is a beautiful bronze sculpture that comes to Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk from South Dakota!

Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby continue an important theme with “Saturday’s Distractions”, the small things that we forget about as we age. When I was this girl’s age I would go to thrift stores and pick up a book and sit down and read the entire thing on a Saturday afternoon. Now I am lucky to read a chapter of a book. That is the way life goes, eh? “Saturday’s Distractions” is a great physical reminder to pick up your skateboard, ride your bike or escape in a book this weekend (or do it all at once like this lass)!

For more on Leuning & Treeby’s “Saturday’s Distractions” click here.

To check out my previous blog on Sculpture Walk’s “Day-By-Day” follow this link. 

Happy Moments: You Jelly? :)

Today’s happy moment is not only a reminder of something that put a big ole’ smile on my face today, it is a reminder that I need to learn how to make jalapeño jelly.  I am so fortunate to have met many great people while living in the Kootenays and one of them is a Vista Kootenays Account Executive names Ray Evin. Not only did I get to meet one of the members of one of my favourite bands growing up Lillix (his niece Tasha) but because he surprises me with wonderful treats every week.

The fresh kale that finds a home on my desk is amazing but my absolute favourite thing that Ray treats me to is his homemade jalapeño jelly. I put that (wonderful) shit on everything! Seriously, it was on my desk this morning and it has been part of every meal I have had today. On my bacon cheeseburger for lunch and on the chicken ranch club flatout sandwich that I had for supper.

I can't wait to feature it on my lunch tomorrow and find a way to incorporate it on my low-carb chicken bacon pizza for supper.

Note to self: Learn to make jalapeño jelly; you really won't be able to do without it when you leave the Kootenays.

Side note: As I type this I am finishing the very last episode of Parks and Recreation and I feel like part of my soul has been crushed.

Update: Moments after typing that last sentence I googled Parks and Recreation and realized that the unity concert was not the end of the show and that it will be back for a final season (seven) for 2014-2015. I am double happy right now. Until Parks and Recreation returns I guess I will have to just settle with watching Welcome to Sweden again (the first time I watched it a couple of months ago none of the Swedish bits had subtitles because it was the Swedish version that went to air so I feel like I missed a whole lot of what was happening). *

*That's right, I have only been watching Parks and Recreation for the last two months and I thought there was only six seasons. I always considered myself more of a 30 Rock girl, but after going to 30 Rockefeller Plaza I get sad because I do not live in New York. This has made me find room in my heart for both of these incredible shows and forced me to discover that I am not a Liz or Leslie, I am a strange combination of the two characters. Lizlie? 

July 24, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Day By Day”

“Day By Day” is a sculpture crafted from modern resin compounds and can be found amongst other pieces on Columbia Avenue in front of Kootenay Market. This free flowing compact sculpture was created by Regine Neumann from Quebec. To find out more about her other work (and past works that have been part of Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk) click here.

To me this sculpture is aptly named and very fitting for this point in my blog series on Sculpture Walk. It has seemed like days have just been passing all merging together lately building up into something bigger and about to peak lately. I think this piece really captures that well, when you let things happen naturally beautiful things can happen, like “Day By Day”. Neumann really lets the material and feel of a piece dictate how the art will come together and I think that “Day By Day” is a perfect example of the freedom she allows her sculpture to enjoy. I also really like that the sculpture is not perfectly white, like even the most perfect days we enjoy as humans there always seems to be a little something more.

To see the previous sculpture in my series “Talking Crows” click here.

Happy Moments: A Quick Text That Made Me Smile :)

I know quite a few people who have been posting up photos and moments lately to promote celebrating

the happy moments from their everyday life. Lots of people have told me after committing to do it that it actually made them appreciate the little things more in life and that they really enjoyed doing it and did not want to stop after they reached their target goal or total.

I have been super stressed lately with the sudden change of moving plans and the implications for my career (etc.). Yesterday I posted a really trivial email that made me feel really happy during my stressful day. Moving back to small town Nova Scotia scares me quite a bit because I am such a big fan of travelling and new adventures. That email from TripAdvisor reminded me that in small town BC (Trail) I have managed to discover new things and that I can continue to see the world and travel from Greenwood or wherever the new chapter in my life takes me.

The text that put a big smile on my face today! 

I have LOVED living in BC. Trail, Castlegar and Nelson have all been such welcoming homes and I am so happy that part of my story has been written here.

One of the best times during my year in the Kootenays was while my friend (fellow StFX Alumni and now NSCC Grad) Tom Unwin visited and interned at our station. It was one of the most stressful times, Christmas is radio’s busy season and I was hosting my show while co-hosting the Morning Rocks. We had our major promotion “Miracle Marathon” and so many events within the community but still had lots of fun!

During Tom’s time in the Kootenays for his radio internship there were amazing acts touring, The Stanfield’s swung by one of the first nights he was here and then The Tragically Hip’s Paul Langlois stopped by while promoting his solo album. Both nights were great, but Paul happened to be visiting on a weeknight. I had to be up at 4:30am the next morning so that night I decided to man-up and pull an impromptu all-nighter.

We had an amazing time full of stories about crop-dusting and big leaguing at the show and then made our way from the Spiritbar in Nelson to Finley’s for some late night grub and tunes. It just so happened to be Karaoke night. While everyone else continued to booze, I plowed down some food. Tom and I belted “Paradise By The Dashboard Light” for the twenty people in the bar and then being the solo star that Mr.Unwin is he took to the stage to sing a song we all should have been able to guess (but could not) Loverboy’s “The Kid Is Hot Tonite”.

It was a killer night. I’m not sure I have ever been more tired for a day at work. When we finally got home to Trail I dressed myself and slept for 45 minutes on top of my bed sheets until it was time to get up and go back to Castlegar.

We had many great nights; most involved a community event and then apartment food and beer pong. These are some of the best memories I have made in my tiny little apartment and as I pack everything up I am constantly reminded of them. Mostly because I keep finding ping-pong balls everywhere…

Here is a photo from that night, I look like crap due to the long-ass day (to be honest with you I looked worse the next day). Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your perspective) the photos and video of our Meatloaf tribute are not available at the moment and maybe lost forever. Here we are with The Hip's Rob Baker, we were "big leagued" by Paul Langlois  for good reason. Our interview with Paul has also gone missing, strange... 

July 23, 2014- Castlegar Sculpture Walk Sculpture of the Day “Talking Crowes”

I have been reading a lot of Game of Thrones lately so today’s sculpture takes on little bit of a different meaning for me, when I hear the word “crow” I immediately am transported to the Wall these days.

With that being said I’m guessing “Talking Crows” was not created by Nelson’s Denis Kleine with Game of Thrones in mind. Regardless he has captured the essence of two crows beautifully having a chat on a tree and its branches. Crafted in bronze atop a beautiful stone base “Talking Crowes” captures one of nature’s conversation that we normally tune out. With one bird listening and the other speaking we can easily relate to the humanity exhibited in this piece.

I am so impressed that there is yet another Kootenay artist featured on Castlegar’s Sculpture Walk! Denis Kleine is based out of Nelson and has actually won the Peoples’ Choice Award for Sculpture Walk in the past! For more about his big win and his art click here.

To visit my previous blog about “Talking Crows” neighbor sculpture “The Kiss” click here. 

A Little Email From TripAdvisor That Put A Big Smile On My Face :)

I am weirdly proud of my recent status update on Tripadvisor. I’m not sure I why I pride myself on reviewing the random things that I do after I do them. I have been a little boring lately, but this email today made me smile. I am looking forward to continuing to rise in the ranks when the next segment of my life’s strange adventure begins. Helping even one person is awesome, I am so happy to have helped the people who have voted my comments helpful on Tripadvisor!

I think of myself as a very average lady, I like the fine things and can appreciate pretty much everything so it is fair to say that I am a pretty nice reviewer on Tripadvisor. I’m not sure that I have given any really bad reviews, but I love noting the amazing experiences I have while I am on my travels and on my highlight reel nights at home.

I cannot wait to continue seeing and doing the things that I love and sharing them with you! J  

I know in the grand scheme of things this is a relatively minor, silly blog but I am really trying to be happy about the small things in life right now and for some reason this email made me ridiculously happy today!