January 19, 2012 
Dalkeith, ON

Well it sure is winter here in Farm Heaven. The winter we, in the big city, thought might never come... I found it. It was at the end of a long road, down a dirt road, all along. And I was pleased to find it quite happy to see me. With that particular brand of bitter cold that freezes your nosehairs, seizes your lungs, and illuminates a sky bursting with stars. Crystal clear. Like no other time of year.

That being said, I have not strayed far from the wood stove. Just perhaps to turn on my amp and put the kettle on. Cup of tea, and kitten on loan from Captain Dirt complete the picture. All with a rock 'n' roll soundtrack. Like seriously. The Captain and I have have been plugging in, and turning way up. Good thing we have no neighbours here in Farm Heaven.

It's actually good it's been far too cold to frolic out of doors for long. Or I'd go out on Operation Snowshoe, taking strange photos, and chasing strange animals, all the livelong day. This way I stay home and focused on all the things I want to create before I leave. There are new tunes and grand plans in spades! And not just musical, also photographic. I've been playing with my brand new studio lights. I know, très fancy. For Ms. camera in the back pocket climbing a tree, it's a whole new world, baby.  Give me a little time to figure it out, then call me if you want your Sweetlandish portrait taken...

Time to throw another log on the fire!

xo
Svetlana Ice Princess

P.S. I saw a wolf.

More wintry wonderland... here.

January 3, 2012
Toronto, ON

Happy New Year, People!

It's a good one already. I was planning on staying home New Year's Eve with my faux fire, fuzzy slippers and guitar... Would have sipped some superb sparkling rosé and penned an inspirational blog post with words like "resolution" and "apocalypse" and "unapologetically glamorous." However, in the end I decided to venture out in to the world of the festive. I put on my hot new riding pants, some obligatory bling, and hopped on a slow streetcar all the way across town... After numerous obstacles, throngs of revellers, wailing fire trucks, and the full-throated squeals of inebriated youth, I arrived just time to ring in 2012! At first, surrounded by very new friends, and later on, some very old ones. A fine balance of camaraderie I hope will be a theme in the year to come. There is so much I want to accomplish in the next 365 days. It quite boggles the mind. And although it's usually my tendency to err on the side of the lone wolf, I know this time I cannot do it all alone.

So don't be surprised if you hear from me soon...

Speaking of resolutions and the apocalypse, I'm forced to at least briefly address the glorious infamy of 2012 and welcome the Mayan calendrical milestone that is upon us! I obviously don't believe the world is going to end in December of this year. I would sooner subscribe to theory of the metaphorical end, the "coming enlightenment" of the "Age of Aquarius" or whatever. However, I don't entirely believe that either. I do think we are evolving magnificently as a species. And although life as we know it can change in the blink of a perfectly painted eyelash, transformation is usually far more subtle. Let it be a threshold that we cross. A golden sparkling threshold portal to even better days ahead.

That all being said, I have made a decision to live this year as if it were in fact my last. Because truly, if you knew it was going to be the last year of your life, would you behave differently? Live more fiercely, love more fearlessly? I reckon I may. And because there is so much I want to do in my imaginary last year, I have already gotten started. Can't wait to share my new artistic projects with you all in 2012! I promise to keep you all posted on the new album, and the Adventures in Sweetland book news! We are moving forward on all fronts. And it feels so good.

I'll be entering artistic hibernation soon for a good long spell. But there are a few fabulous upcoming shows in the Toronto area you should NOT MISS! First, another rock 'n' roll adventure with the superhot "Ladies in Waiting" at Not My Dog on January 23rd. Then, on February 9th at The Cameron House, I'm so excited to present A Sweet Soirée - Valentine's Cabaret, hosted by yours Sweetlandishly and starring Jess McAvoy, Evalyn Parry, David Newland, Andrea Ramolo & Cindy Doire. Not to mention Lyndell Montgomery and the return of Captain Dirt & The Skirt! For more info on all shows please visit my tour page.

The End,

(for now...)

x
K

Everybody loves an apocalyptic basketball court 

and a heinous Christmas sweater!
More freezing cold photos coming soon!