May 26, 2011 

Asheville, NC

Mornin' from sunny Rose Hill Road. Which is really on the side of a mountain, not a hill. But roses there are indeed, as well as rhododendron, creeping jenny and a giant peach tree outside the window that bears little baby fruit. Peaches have been the theme for the last couple days after my best friend Jenny and I discovered the scrumptious peach bellinis at Tupelo Honey, our favourite brunch spot in town. And today I continue said peach affair by driving over the state line into Georgia!

When I was a teenager I had a list of random and crazy feats of travelling I wanted to accomplish.  This list included such things as finding the source of the Mississippi river, driving down a desolate Arizona highway in a convertible blasting Melissa Etheridge, and making macaroni and cheese on a Coleman stove under the giant Georgia Peach. I have not come armed with camp stove this trip, and sadly I heard tell that the aforementioned largest peach in the Universe may have toppled in the recent torrential storms. I hope they can put Peachy back together again, so that one day we may enjoy some KD together by the side of the road. And so be it.

And even though I'm in America I did not forget my favourite Canadian beer drinking holiday this past weekend. We celebrated with a barbecue, and of course, beer. Americans really have no idea what a two four is. Nor do they have any clue what I mean when I say "give'r." They think I'm "givin' it to her" which, as a metaphor, is unlikely. However I've been brushing up on my Southern speak since my arrival and am remembering the most important grammar rule: "Y'all" = singular and "All y'all" = plural. Everything else is just biscuits and grits ... Mmmm cheesy grits. How could I have forgotten that you are so incredibly delicious?

Now it's time to pack the van and give'r down a Georgia highway! Will report from beautiful Savannah soon. And speaking of Savannah, have a peek at the new Sweet article on yours truly written in honour of my upcoming show in town.

Peaches & grits,

x

K

More Photos from my Southerly adventures here!

May 21, 2011
Montreat, NC

O glorious day on the side of a Carolina mountain! I've been up in beautiful Montreat all weekend for the 4th annual South East Regional Folk Alliance conference. Left rainy Toronto last week with my army of small red bags, one girl, two guitars, three hats, four wheels, five jackets, six pairs of shoes, seven heavens, eight destinations and nine lives ... After a few days stuck in London, ON with Ruby the Van in the shop, I high-tailed it straight to Asheville, NC stopping briefly in Kentucky for a burrito. And some bluegrass bourbon dreams.

Montreat is so magical I feel like I'm in a fairy tale. The name was originally shortened from "Mountain Retreat" and retreating I have been, indeed. Don't think I've ever felt so relaxed at music conference. There has been much civilized schmoozing, guitar pickin', and napping in the cool breeze of my open-windowed princess chamber. Upon my arrival I had a sunny repose on the shores of Lake Susan, felt something, and looked down to find a swan nibbling on my red suede toe. I couldn't tell if he wanted to marry me, or murder me. And I may very well never know.

I'm here in folk fairyland till tomorrow, then just a hop, skip and jump to the home of my infamous BFF, Jenny. There will be much girlish giggles, shopping trips and Chinese food eaten before I cruise down the Interstate to Savannah, GA later on this week. I will surely report soon, and until then, je fais les aventures!

x

K

Making trouble wherever we go... Obviously!

May 10, 2011 

Toronto, ON

Happy birthday to me! I'm home at quite a reasonable hour for a birthday girl after a fantastic day and night of celebrating. My ladies and I went out for an amazing dinner at my favourite Toronto restaurant, Julie's Cuban! It's romantic and delicious, and the corn fritters are simply to die for. Afterwards we headed over to the TRANZAC for brilliant pal Jonathan Byrd's CD release show. Incredible performance. Beautiful people. Two subways and a streetcar later, I'm home on my magnificent couch snuggling up with tonight's new episode of Glee. And just for the record, Jesse St. James is a babe. I know I always like the bad boys ... but I think Rachel should really give him another chance.

And sadly, no new birthday photos from my eternal Adventures in Sweetland to share with you! My camera fell to its tragic death from a spiral squash tower in Captain Dirt's Dirty Garden. However, we did plant carrots, beans, tomatoes, cucumber, squash and calendula! And I got very familiar with a shovel, a rake and a hoe. It's a long row to hoe, baby. But somebody's gotta do it.

Two more days back in the big city and then I'm outta here! America, I hope you're ready. Because here I come...

xo

Sweetypie

May 5, 2011 

Dalkeith, ON

Bonsoir from drizzly fireside Farm Heaven. I've been up here in the wood smoke and rain for the last few days, enjoying the country quiet and working with Lyndell Montgomery a.k.a. Captain Dirt on a new studio project! We've been recording with the amazing Terry Gillespie in his beautiful countryside studio. Amongst the dairy cows and spring lambs, we rock. Put some Sweetlandish guitar on 6 tracks, mostly Lyndell's tunes, and recorded a couple sweet new instrumentals!

This evening I've just returned home from a Cinco de Mayo celebration at local, delicious Beau's All Natural Brewing Co. Enjoyed some fantastic agave beer prepared specially for the occasion, but had to leave before they smashed the poor piñata. Mmmm. Candy.

While not recording I've been very busy relaxing beside the wood stove. It's been cooold here. That kind of damp cold that gets inside you and no amount of warm, fashionable clothing can cure. The only answer seems to be extreme proximity to fire, whiskey and a warm snuggly kitten (in this case, I'm borrowing Lyndell's.)

Tomorrow I may venture into Montréal in search of adventure and a good manicure. Or I may just take the day to wander aimlessly through the wet woods. As come Saturday, it's back to the big city again.  I had exciting plans to go see Jordi Savall on Sunday afternoon, possibly my favourite classical musician of all time! However, just got word that the concert has been rescheduled due to injury. Hope he's healing well, but nooo! I was so looking forward to the show. I guess I'll be looking forward to it in March, 2012 as well ... Can you believe it's really almost 2012?

So I shall keep you posted on my coming, goings and grandes aventures. This time home will only last for three days, a birthday, a dentist appointment and some epic van cleaning. Then it's back out into the world again. This time, I point Southward! By this time next week I'll be kickin' it in Carolina. Yeah, baby.

x

K

My boots, teaching the rhubarb how to be red.

More spring photos here.

May 1, 2011
Toronto, ON

May Day May Day! Happy Beltane (as it's called in ye olden Celtic tradition.) I'm resposing on my couch after a lovely, wet and delicious evening. I had my ladies over tonight to celebrate said ancient holiday in style. There were flowers and feasting, a May Queen or two and of course, a Maypole fashioned from an old cedar trunk I found up in Grey County. But that, gentle readers, is another story in which once again, a man with a can of beer and a chainsaw saves the day.

It's been quite an amazing week in Sweetland. I've been getting lots accomplished, going to my dance classes and plotting the glory of the coming summer months. Friday night I played a show up at The Flying Chestnut Kitchen in beautiful Eugenia, ON. A place I had never been. Quel aventure! The show was great fun, and the restaurant soooo incredibly delicious. Many thanks to my old pal Charlie Glasspool for inviting me, and Chef Shawn Adler for the fantastic company, (and the best midnight grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had.) Not to mention the first bonfire of the season! I took some cool photos on my drive up that I'll post here as soon as I have time to upload them.

Tomorrow I'll be packing my bags and all my gear into Ruby the Van and driving East into the sunrise ... Going up to Farm Heaven for a week of writing and recording with musical partner-in-crime Captain Dirt. Expect mysterious farm photos and exciting country tales coming soon!

Honey bees and daisies,

x

K

 More spring photos here!

April 22, 2011 
Home Sweetland Home ♥

Good morning! The bells in the church tower across the street are ringing to remind us how Good this Friday is ...  I'm celebrating with toast and coffee and my favourite bad TV show. This is my morning ritual: Awake in my glorious polka-dot pillow cloud bed. Lie there and think of 5 things that make me feel truly happy and grateful. (As I'm diligent these days with my Law of Attraction self-help homework!)

Today's list:

1. My incredibly comfy bed.

2. My amazing family!

3. My superhot new boots.

4. My upcoming exciting adventures down South.

5. All the episodes of my favourite bad TV show awaiting me on my PVR (for watching while waking up slowly and sipping strong coffee.)

Next, it's time to make the strong coffee. And sip it slowly. 

Last night I had a yet another magical evening at Hugh's Room. My dear friend Andy White is back in town, this time on tour with Judy Collins. At first I wasn't sure about that combo, but wow what a incredible show! 

When I think Judy Collins, I think my mom. Her voice rekindles memories of my childhood, and I confess, renders me a touch verklempt. At 71 she looks fabulous and sounds just as great as she did back then.  Told some pretty compelling stories too. What a performer. And of course, Andy was brilliant and dashing as always.

On Thursday I drove up to Stratford on a petit pilgrimage to see their show at beautiful Knox Church. And I'm so glad I did. If it weren't for the fact I forgot the memory card for my camera, there would have been epic photographic tales to tell. Said tales would have told of dark passageways, majestic windows, empty banquet halls, gargantuan chandeliers, magic mirrors and stolen moments. And my superhot new boots! At least I managed to snap one secret photo with my cell phone during the show. (See below.)

Wishing fine feasting to you all this weekend, whatever you happen to be celebrating!

xox

K

Me and my new boots went to church! Like a good girl. 

Secret photo courtesy of my cell phone.

April 15, 2011 

London, ON

Bonsoir from the depths of my deep dark chambers. I've left the big city for a good spell in the name of the Sweetlandish suburbia of my youth ... My mom just got out of the hospital after bravely undergoing a full knee replacement. She's doing really well and I'm so inspired by her strength and brilliant attitude. My job right now is fetcher of snacks, walker of dog, freezer of ice packs, and cleaner of my childhood room (the aforesaid deep dark chambers.)

Besides many long walks along dark, creepy hospital corridors I've been spending most of my time out of doors soaking in the spring sunshine. Ursa the family beast and I have been hauling it through the forest every day and I am blowing out the winter ghosts from every last molecule of my being!

Tonight, after the very victorious Operation Dustbunny, I've settled into a pillow pile with a glass of whisky and a stack of my old diaries. I play this little game with myself every once in a while called "this day in history." Here I go back and read old journal entries from the current date in any/all previous years. Always highly entertaining. Right now I'm back in April 2000, writing screenplays, making wishes and plotting my illustrious future... 

And the rest, gentle readers, is still a secret.

xo

La Sweet

P.S. New mysterious photographs from my eternal Adventures in Sweetland here!

Les aventures avec beast! More spring photos here.