Musical musings for January

This month saw me hit a bit of a music purchasing hurdle. I believe this is a result of my tunnel vision love of country music and also having previously purchased many of my favourite artists latest stuff. However, I was able to find some inspiration from both the Keith Urban concert and Nashville, one of my favourite TV shows at the moment. I did discover a new country artist, who funnily enough appeared on an episode of The Bachelor not long after I made this purchase. Obviously, I am not the only one that thinks he is talented. January's list is short, but talented:

1. Hey Girl - Billy Currington
2. Lately (feat. Sam Palladio & Clare Bowen) - Nashville Cast
3. Sober - Little Big Town
4. Making Memories of Us - Keith Urban

January's musical musings can be found on these albums (images courtesy of iTunes)

BTW, for anyone who is interested, 2014 seems to be the year of country in Vancouver. It has now been announced that both Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton will also be touring here this year. Obviously, I am incredibly excited about these concerts and will be purchasing tickets as soon as they are available.

January Highlights

January - oh how you came and are leaving in the blink of an eye. It may have been a sluggish start to the month, but this soon turned around and life got busy. It started with the impromptu trip down to the States, as mentioned here. Next up was the awesome Keith Urban concert, such a great night of country music, which makes me really excited for the rest of the concerts I have this year. Ice-skating at a local community rink happened last Sunday; it was a short, but fun outing as I managed to keep on my feet for the entire time. Friday night saw me witness a scoring spree at a Vancouver Giants hockey game with the home team dominating as evidenced by the 10-0 final score. The last bit of fun so far in January was an unplanned night out last night that saw it end with a few hours of karaoke, which of course was entertaining. How could it not be when eight people with differing music tastes come together to sing like we think we actually can. Best bit was that they had Jake Owen's 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night'.

Part of me will be sorry to see January end, but I am excited for February, which not only holds my birthday, but a lot of other great plans.

First reads of 2014

This new year has gotten off to a bit of a sluggish start for me, a combination of the weather, being sick, busy at work and lack of routine. Whilst, routine has returned and my health is getting better, work is still busy and the weather is cold and wet. One of my favourite things to do during these times is read and as such I already have a few books stockpiled. The first few books I plan to read this year are:

• I, Michael Bennett - James Patterson
• The Life List - Lori Nelson Spielman
• Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave Him the Wrong Finger - Beth Harbison

This is a somewhat diverse list with a crime novel and two chick lit ones, but James Patterson is my favourite author as previously discussed and I already own a couple of Beth Harbison's books. The third novel caught my eye and became a fulfilled part of my Christmas wish list. As it is my birthday in under a month, there is a strong chance I will have read these novels and be ready for the ones on my birthday wish list:

• 12th of Never - James Patterson
• Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) - Mindy Kaling

I think the first novel is pretty self-explanatory based on the author, but the second one stems from my recent interest in The Mindy Project. I have caught a couple of episodes of the show this past month and found it to be quite funny. As such I plan on catching up on and adding this TV show to my already bulging viewing list. Next up in the world of reading is my desire for a gloriously comfortable chair to do it in, stay tuned for a future post on this matter.

Recipes repeated

It may seem like I haven't been baking in a little while, but this definitely isn't the case at all. Instead, I have been whipping up a few favourites both for others and myself. Last weekend I was really in the mood for some apple crumble, so I whipped one up and ate it over a couple of days. This time I used two granny smith apples. I also made another giant birthday cookie using what has pretty much become the staple recipe for such a thing and was first mentioned here. I wish I had taken a photo of it because it was the most aesthetically pleasing so far and fit perfectly into the container. I am ashamed to say, but usually I have to trim the edges to get it to fit and whilst it means I get to eat the trimmings, the cookie just doesn't look quite right. Lastly, the clear recipe favourite of late by all has been the s'mores cookies I made as part of my 2013 cookie exchange. I didn't realise they would be such a hit and sadly the mallow bits container could only churn out two batches. Therefore, I whipped up a second batch before 2013 was over, but this left me needing to get more mallow bits pronto. Thankfully, one of my friends was heading across the border yesterday (I am yet to find this ingredient in Canada) so I gladly tagged along, picked up four more containers and whipped up a batch of the cookies earlier today. 

Although, I definitely enjoy making these recipes over and over again, I look forward to discovering many new recipes in 2014.

Resolving to not make resolutions

Before the end of 2013 I thought I would come up with a couple of resolutions for 2014. Like so many other people I am sure, I feel like I have already abandoned one of them less than five whole days into the new year. This makes me realise I am not one for resolutions, especially ones concerning exercise in the middle of a Canadian winter when all I wish to do is hibernate. So I am resolving to not make resolutions, but instead I want to do a few things through the year:

• One new thing a month, whether that be seeing or doing I am not sure, but the key importance is it has to be something I haven't seen or done before. 
• Have at least one thing to look forward to each month outside of my normal routine. January's event is the Keith Urban concert on the 15th.
• Strengthen my relationships by spending quality time with those I can whilst reminding others, separated by distance, of their importance.
• Do aquafit and yoga once a week, eventually either increasing the frequency or adding other physical activities to my weekly routine.

I really hope that what I want can be achieved and I think it can be seeing as the only hurdle I face is myself. I look forward to challenging myself with these things, as well as whatever comes up throughout the year, yet still leaving time to smell the roses and appreciate life.