CMF!

It's Friday, so let's get right back on the horse, shall we? {< get it? Horse? 'Cuz we're... we're talking about country music? And horses are a cowboy's best friend... get it?} Moving on!

The First: Goodbye In Her Eyes - Zac Brown Band

Try not to cry. This song is so good! As I believe I've proclaimed before, Zac Brown can do no wrong. He and the band have only continued to prove this fact. If the lyrics are too sad for you, just listen to the instrumentals - they're all fantastic musicians! I watched them perform this song live on the CMAs a few months back and it was even more phenomenal. I mean, he would trade a thousand Babylons to be in her arms..! Also: I weirdly enjoy the creepy vulture on their cover art.

The Second: Party for Two - Shania Twain ft. Billy Currington

An oldie but a goodie. The question: Who wouldn't want a party for two with either Shania Twain or Billy Currington? The answer: No one. Whether you're a country music lover or not. They're both fairly attractive human beings. Now, I know Shania's upper half kind of looks like she was ripped straight out of the seventies in this video. And is maybe she is a bit overly enthusiastic with her hair whipping at certain portions of the video {see 1:23-1:30 for an exceptional example - and this is before Willow Smith was even BORN... okay, maybe not. But she was probably still in preschool, so... yeah}. And I am also aware that Billy's acting skills leave a little to be desired. And I really don't understadn why he is practicing his model walk for the entire first scene of this video. But listen: this was early on in his career... and he's a singer, not an actor! So calm down. {But even a choreographically challenged person may need to question his "footwork" around 3:13-3:18...}

The Third and Final: Dust on the Bottle - David Lee Murphy

Because all things DO get sweeter with time, yo! Exhibit A: this song - which is even older than Party for Two and, therefore, even more of a goodie. Hence the {AMAZING} video quality and that 'do of his. Additionally, let's not overlook those acid wash levis he's rocking on that railroad track - like Justin Beiber could ever pull those off {he's too short}. All joking aside though folks, this is a classic, amazing song. Clamazing, if you will. Now, I will admit, I haven't been to too many weddings in my life. But all the ones I have attended have featured this song during the "dancing" portion of the festivities and without fail, everyone piles onto the dance floor. Coincidence? I think not. It's just that good.

Viva la Country Music!

Thanks for listening!

Motivation

{Please excuse my ghostly white legs...}

On April 28th, I will be running my first 10k. 

And I'm kind of paralyzed with both terror and excitement.

I used to run in high school, once or twice a week on my own, with no real, long-term goal in mind. I was pretty active during that time in my life, so my motivation wasn't fitness as much as it was just an opportunity to take a mental break for forty-five minutes. When I went to university, I got busy with other things and taking myself out for a run was no longer a priority in any sense of the word. I think I may have gone out for no more than five runs over those four hectic years. 

This January, I finally decided to start running again and I thought that perhaps joining a running group might be a good motivator for me. The thought process being that if I was paying for it and it was in my calendar as a set time each week, I would do it. So I started searching for running groups but quickly found that they were either too far away for me to attend while on-call for work, or they were focused on training for a particular race. I was a little discouraged because I didn't think I was ready or interested in training for a specific goal - all I wanted was a way to keep me accountable to run once a week! But after some consideration, I decided that I would join a training group and just not run the race.

Day one of training came and I realized that there was no reason for me not to complete the 10k and that training for a specific goal, with a group of other people doing the same thing, would only create even more motivation. It was silly for me to train and not do it when I would be completely capable of doing so.

So I'm running a 10k one month from today.

I'm on track to complete the race in under 75 minutes, which was what I had tentatively set out for myself back in January, and I have to say, that feels really good. I still find that there are days when I don't want to make myself go out in the wind and cold and rain and do my individual 'homework' runs, but I know that I won't regret going - I only ever regret not going. So I put on my running gear, lace up my shoes, and force myself out that door. And I'm always proud when I do.

Chocolate Caramel Drop Cupcakes

Looking for a delicious baked treat that you can whip up in under 30 minutes? Well, congratulations, you've stopped by the right place.

I usually bake from scratch, but since this recipe is all about quick and easy, I thought I'd use the boxed stuff instead. 

Ingredients:

1 box of Devil's Food Cake mix

Cake mix add-ins {mine called for eggs, milk, and oil}

Caramel squares

Prepare your cupcake tins with liners and preheat oven as directed on the package. Prepare cake mix, divide into cupcake tins, and bake halfway. Gently press caramel squares into the centre of each cupcake and finish baking. The first time I tried these, I added the caramel in right at the beginning, but it ended up melting and sinking entirely to the bottom of the cupcake. This adaptation worked much better.

Since the cupcake was pretty rich on its own, I chose not to add any icing - but feel free to do so if you're so inclined! I like to enjoy these puppies warm. 

Just a Sunny Sunday Afternoon

Be in love with your life. Every minute of it.

~ jack karouac

In case you were wondering, that cute little hedgehog salt & pepper shaker is named "Piccadilly"

Canister Redux

Over the winter holidays, in her attempts to get rid of things while preparing for an upcoming move, my mother gave me this old canister set that she has had in her kitchen since before I can remember. As you can see, it had been well-loved.

After three months of sitting in an unsightly box near my front door, I finally decided to pull them out, sand them down and give them a new coat of paint. I love how they turned out and they really brighten up my kitchen!

In the interest of full disclosure, I feel I should share that one of these canisters now holds fruit marshmallows {because they're delicious and one of my favorite things on this earth} at easy access. I filled it with a whole bag two days ago and at least half of them are now gone. So... simultaneously the best and worst decision of my life.

I sanded all the wooden pieces, replaced the buttons, painted all the wooden surfaces with three coats. I tried spraying it all down with a gloss, but it ended up discoloring the paint so I ended up sanding it down again and adding another coat.

Back on the wagon again.

CMF! CMF! CMF! CMF! {< that was supposed to be read as a chant. Such as one might hear at a sporting event of sorts.}

Today's selection is brought to you by the place in my brain that is guilty of sometimes really loving redneck backwoods hicktown country music. The more twang, the better.

The First: Catch All the Fish - Brad Paisley

When I have a fervent country music hater in my car, I do three things:
1. Lock the doors and windows via my fun and powerful master buttons.
2. Blast this song.
3. Sing this song with as much twang and volume as I can muster.
So far I've made two people's ears bleed, caused four people to refuse to get back in my car, and I have successfully converted one blessed soul into a country music appreciator. So I think those are pretty good stats. Clearly my method is working, which is why I have no plans to change it.


The Second: Chattahoochee - Alan Jackson

Recently, a friend and I were walking and randomly started singing this lovely diddy. In the middle of the song, it hit me: Why in the world have I not yet included Chattahoochee in my Country Music Fridays??! So, here it is. I am truly sorry for this great oversight. I take full responsibility. I have no excuse for my behavior and I can only hope that my actions in the future are enough to demonstrate my positive intentions and remorse. Please enjoy this wonderful chanson by the one and only AJ.


The Third and Final: It's Friday - Dean Brody

Okay. So this song may have veered significantly away from my previous "redneck backwoods hicktown country" description, but it was on the radio this morning and I was reminded of how much I love it. I love how maritime-y it is {courtesy of Great Big Sea, no doubt} and how celebratory it is and how it's Friday today so hopefully some of his lyrics will ring true soon enough. Enjoy because It's Friday!

Thanks for listening!

It's Friday, Friday...

... gotta {listen to country music} on Friday! Which songs should I pick?

Hello, welcome, and thank you for entertaining my little homage to Rebecca Black {aka terrible person. Why? Probably because she isn't a country music artist.}

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED, SHALL WE?

The First: Online - Brad Paisley

As I've mentioned in previous CMFs {slash as you've probably noticed from hits such as Camouflage and I'm Gonna Miss Her} nobody embraces and croons cheesy country quite like Mr. Paisley. In this tune, Brad turns into a 30something who still lives in his parents' basement and regales us with stories of his online dating adventures. It's hilarious and sad all at the same time. As any quality country song should be.

The Second: Something To Do With My Hands - Thomas Rhett

Okay. I actually have just really been digging this one lately, which is why I thought I would include it. Rock on. {Don't worry, me saying 'rock on' just now felt as weird for me as I'm sure it did for you reading it too. I'm a geek.}

The Third: She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy - Kenny Chesney

Yep. Because why wouldn't there be a song out there about how boys on farm equipment might be considered attractive. Who knew? Are we surprised that this one make it into the CMF or are we more surprised that it has taken me this long to include Kenny in these weekly roundups? I personally think the latter is more ridiculous. But I'll let you be your own judge.

The Fourth and Final: Is It Friday Yet? - Gord Bamford

Because it is. So let's celebrate.

Serious question for all of you: Should my favourite country radio station, JRfm, hire me as their new radio dj or should they hire me as their new radio dj? Discuss.

Thanks for listening, y'all!

Because Monday is a great day for a Pep Talk.

I came across this link on Twitter on Friday and haven't been able to stop thinking about/watching it all weekend. I hope it helps to get your week off to a fantastic start! 

Just remember: We're all on the same team, so let's start acting like it.

He's the best. And not just because he references Space Jam and "some dude named Journey."

Quick! Check your calendar! I think it's Country Music Friday!

Well, well, well, funny seeing you here. Glad you've tuned back in for another edition of the best day of the week!

The First: This is Country Music - Brad Paisley

I don't know why this wasn't the very first song I sent out on CMF. It really is the perfect introduction and explanation to the wonderful music genre {read: total lifestyle} that is Country. He talks about all the things that country music isn't afraid to put down in song. "It ain't hip to sing about tractors, trucks, and little towns, or mama." It's not that we don't get that you might find these things boring, it's just that we're {what, ladies adn gentlemen? Oh yes, that's right} keeping it real.


The Second: Put Some Alcohol On It - Gord Bamford

You can always count on Gord to find a solution to your problem. I mean, he makes some pretty compelling points here.


The Third and Final: Summer Nights - Rascal Flatts

Because you can never go wrong with these little Rascals. And because songs about summer make me feel like eventually one will appear. Hopefully. I can't wait!

Thanks for listening!

You know what day it is...

... it's Country Music Friday! The best day of the week!

Well hello!

Today is Friday, and we all know what that means! Country music!


The First: Bait a Hook - Justin Moore

In which good ol' Justin attempts to put down his ex's choice for her new boyfriend by picking out every non-country thing about him. Although the second verse is my favourite {because every good ole country boy should know how to melt a girls heart with a guitar}. I think the following line might be the funniest: "I heard he's got a Prius, 'cause he's into bein' green." Also: be sure to listen to the end bit {from 3:08-3:23 in the video}, because it's also quite a laugh.


The Second: The Wind - Zac Brown Band

Now, let me just start by making the following statement very clear: ZAC BROWN CAN DO NO WRONG. Seriously. The man is a genius. {You might also be interested in exploring their song "Chicken Fried" as well, in case you've been living under a rock}. This is one of their newer singles. Very banjo-y, very fun.


The Third and Final: Dirt Roads Scholar - Dean Brody

In my book, this may be one of the wittiest country music songs out there. Listen closely to the lyrics - so smart! I think I might apply to be a Dirt Roads Scholar for my grad program - thoughts? "I'm from the dirt roads poison ivy league..."


Thanks for listening!