#Music - Marc Durkee - Gatherings

Last week, I brought to you the newly released Lead Mule album that is available on BandCamp for the low price of $5. This week, I want to tell you about Marc Durkee. He is the Bass player for Lead Mule and another terrific band called Rain Over Saint Ambrose that I will tell you about in the weeks to come. Not only is he an excellent Bass player, but he is a fantastic singer/songwriter. In fact, he has recently released a album available for digital download. Did I mention you can download it for free? Stream it below.



Do you like the artwork? It was drawn by Melanie Smith. You can check out the blog she sometimes frequents here.

#Kindermom - Barbie and Hot Wheels Fun

A couple weeks ago, I received a couple boxes of Kinder eggs from Kinder Canada. The boxes of eggs are to celebrate Kinder's new toys for girls featuring Barbie. Just to make sure the boys didn't feel left out, the second box of Kinder eggs featured Hot Wheels. Not every egg has a Barbie or Hot Wheels toy. It is important that each toy remains surprise, so only 1 in 3 eggs contains the special toys.

The kids were very excited to open up their eggs. I have two boys, so I was a little concerned that I would be stuck with an overwhelming amount of eggs. Not that this would be a problem as many of the adults  that come around here appreciate chocolate and surprises as well.  Fortunately for my winter waistline, the little lady I babysit during the week was ecstatic to consume the eggs and reveal its contents. She excitedly waited for me to open the boxes, so much so that she ended up getting on the frame when I was taking a picture of the boxes. Cute.

The children did not discriminate. All eggs were created equal regardless of the pink wrapper, regardless of the child's gender. Each child picked one of each hoping for a Barbie and a Hot Wheel. Tyler and the little lady each managed to unveil a Barbie, neither of them ended up with a Hot Wheel. My oldest just wasn't feeling up to chocolate. I felt his forehead, he seemed healthy enough...

While I have your attention, head on over to Kinder Canada where they are currently giving away 40 Kinder Barbie/Hot Wheels Prize Packs. All you have to do is become a fan of Kinder Canada on Facebook and follow the instructions on their fan page to enter.

Disclosure: I’m part of the KINDER® Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

#Thoughts - Sunshine and Sun Babies

It is a beautiful morning and I am still lying in bed. I am in no rush to start my day and I am more than content listening to the hubby breathe softly/snore in his slumber. I can hear the cat meow softly. I know "Sal Tumour" is torn between coming upstairs to feast upon my cuddles and going outside for a much needed scamper in the morning sun. This calming sunshine is a much needed break from the bitter wind that frequently deters me.

I love the sunshine. I am a sun baby, I could bask in its warmth and radiant glory forever. I have been known to sprawl in whatever sunspot I can find, enjoyably. It energizes me. When the wind violently chills my bones, I will not fret. I know there is a sunspot waiting for me around the corner.

Maybe, I will go for a walk this morning...

Here is a picture I made a couple nights ago when I was feeling very silly. At the time it was about 3am on a very cold night. The fire was nearly out in the wood stove. I was lying in bed and I could here Mat grumbling about it being nearly out. Although, it should be noted that when he says the fire is almost out, that simply means it is time to throw a couple pieces in. There is always a beautiful hot bed of coals at the very least. In case you can't read the text, it says: "Here is the fire you requested m'lord."

#Thoughts - Storytelling, Expression

I often reflect upon the things that are important to me to help me gain perspective and even work through insights. This process sometimes helps me understand myself in a new way or expand upon ideas which are already familiar to me.

Music is important to me.

Family is important to me.

Hence, the name of this blog - Music and Mommies. These two ideas are constant variables in my life. I will always be a mother and I will always live and breath in song. Those two things are interwoven into the very depths of my being.

Creative Expression is important to me.

Storytelling is important to me. 

I love a good story and I place a  high value on creative expression. Those two things shape why I enjoy video editing and songwriting so much; through both mediums I create and tell stories. During this process I expend much pent up energy. I love the satisfaction of knowing that what I made did not previously exist. Most of all, I get to know myself a little better each time something is created. It took a while to release that the things I make are imperfect, just like me. These creations aren't just imperfect though, they are expressions of MY imperfection. The times when I have loved and lost contains a story, as does each heart strand connecting you to another person, idea, belief or inanimate object.
Ya know, we often don't dig deep enough into our own selves to observe our story unfold. In the same breath, we don't often pull ourselves away from our own selves to observe the story. It is too easy to succumb to distraction; and not that distraction isn't good sometimes. I have personally observed that it is vital to balance the times when you allow yourself to be distracted with the times when you need to clearly be focused. Sometimes, in order to be completely present you need to allow your mind to drift and your attention to shift. Sometimes, this is the way new stories are made.

Balance and Perspective, I value you too.

Lead Mule's Debut EP - @LeadMule #Music

In this household, I am not the only only musical one. My handsome counterpart is also musical by nature and his rock band Lead Mule is officially releasing their debut EP today. Needless to say, it is a pretty exciting time for everyone right now. Have a listen to their album below. The single track is Third Degree and you can download it for free. The entire album can be purchased and downloaded for the low price of $5 on Bandcamp.

#Review - Simply Protein Chips

A long time ago, I reviewed a variety pack of the The Simply Bars. I really enjoyed the different varieties and  I was very impressed with the company's swift service. Recently, I received two different varieties of Simply Protein Chips to sample and review. The chips are made with Pea Protein isolate, potatoes and potato starch. It is shaped similarly to pork rinds and is very hearty. This product is Gluten, Dairy and Soy free and these chips are Kosher, a good source of iron and the product is approved by the vegetarian society.

I sampled the Savoury Herb and Garlic variety. I can honestly say that savoury is the perfect descriptor word for this flavour. All of these herbs and spices would cook a delicious turkey, or bed of rice; whatever your preference may be. The delicious herb chips are flavoured with Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Parsley, Dill Weed, Black Pepper, Lemon Oil and Turmeric. I recommend some mints or other breath freshening aide after ingesting this tempting snack. Another important thing to note is these chips contain 20% of the recommended daily intake of iron and 8% of the daily recommended intake of calcium.

Spicy Chili Kick was the second flavor I sampled. Immediately you taste the garlic but soon after the Chili kicks in and your tongue and mouth heat up ever so slightly. Seasoned with Garlic Powder, Onion Powder and Red Pepper. These crunchy chips are simplistic and lovely and I love that they do not contain any preservatives.

One bag of Simply Protein Chips left me feeling satisfied for hours. The flavours are so enjoyable, I am very excited to see what The Simply Bar comes up with next.

Disclaimer: I received a couple bags of chips to sample from The Simply Bar. All opinions are honest, my own and derive from my personal experience with the product. Your opinion and experience may differ.

Wind, Go Home!

I live in a coastal area. I can see the ocean and a lake from my home. It is beautiful and I certainly do not take it for granted. Of course, all things come with a price and that includes the most beautiful of things. It's windy here and the wind and I are not close friends. In fact, we barely make each others acquaintance. A cold wind goes right through me and I like heat, lots.

I've been known to sit on furnace vents as a kid to soak up all the heat myself, which would warrant a yelling from my father. I've also been known to get dangerously close to block heaters as a child, which would warrant a scolding from my grandmother. What my mother referred to as "Shit for blood", has been genetically bequeathed unto me. Let's not forget how frequently I burn myself... not on purpose, I think I just gravitate towards heat uncontrollably.

I don't often mind a balmy southerly wind when the temperature is well into the positive but anymore than that and my patience is being tried. Quite possibly, I'm growing icicles on my nose. Get out of here with your frost breath, wind.

The power line connects to the house right next to my bedroom window. So, it is normal on windy days for me to feel the room shake and vibrate. On the bright side, sometimes storms can be very rhythmic and inspire interesting songs. At the very least, the rhythms can be entertaining; or even lulling.

I have a window that faces the north east and another that faces the north west. From where I lay my head, I can see the sun rise. I can also see the trees shake violently. The Hackmatack (Tamarack) trees with their existing lean look as though the tree tops will gyrate until they break off when the wind picks up.

Outside and into the woods, you will find a murder of crows. Yes, a murder of crows. Although, I have had a love/hate relationship with these crows over the last few years; mostly while gardening. I could not help but empathize with them and the other woodland tree creatures. I wonder what it must be like to have their homes shook about all day long. For all we know, they are out there complaining to their neighbors about the weather just like we do... in squirrel and crow speak of course.

Little White Lie #Music @crystalmporter

Here is my newest song for your listening enjoyment. You can subscribe to my music channel on Youtube by clicking this link and the subscribe button.