Word of the Day

Ensconce       /enˈskäns/       (en·skons)
      v. To settle (someone) in a comfortable, safe or secret place; to settle securely or snugly.

Image from We Heart It 

"He found her outside,
ensconced in the hammock and in a deep slumber."

Music Monday - Lord Huron

I've been loving the music of Lord Huron for a couple months and they are just starting to get airtime on the radio. Their newest album Lonesome Dreams is full of beautiful songs, you should definitely look them up! I hope you like this one! Happy Monday, friends. =)

Kindness

Image from Etsy

Some days it's okay to not pick up the phone when it rings; it's okay to lay in the sunshine, to breathe fresh air and to eat whatever you feel like. It's really okay.

Blood: It's in You to Give

There's a church I always drive by and once every few months Canadian Blood Services visits there and puts up a sign and a banner advertising blood donation in hopes of wooing the public to the clinic inside. I always think, "I should really go do that sometime...", buuuut it never ends up happening. As a nurse, I know the importance of blood donation - I am often the one administering that blood to people in the hospital! So yesterday I saw that sign and I actually turned into the parking lot and went inside - big step, right?! I was a bit surprised at how many people were inside - staff, volunteers AND donors! And yet, the first lady I spoke with told me I was lucky to have come at a quiet time.

Before you actually sit in the chair and offer up your arm, there are several stations you pass through to collect different information and determine your eligibility to donate. The first person takes your ID, your height, weight and age and then gives you a pamphlet to read. If you are too young, too old or weigh too little, you get the boot! The second person pricks your finger and measures your hemoglobin level - mine was 137 g/L, woot woot! If yours is less than 125 g/L, you get the boot! Next you move onto a questionnaire about your health history. A nurse will take your vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse) and interview you about the questionnaire. If anything concerns the nurse, you get the boot! Someone who gets turned away might think, "I thought they were desperate for blood? How come they are so picky?" It's an understandable feeling, but if you imagine that your blood might end up transfusing a preemie baby or sick child, you'd hope it was absolutely clean and perfect.

Music Monday - King Charles

Charles Johnston, AKA King Charles, is my go-to guy for happy, peppy music. It's the perfect sound for sunny days that include iced tea, open sunroofs, & overdue chats with gal pals! (I had a good day today, can you tell?) "Bam Bam" is one of my favourites, largely due to all the silly dancing in the music video and the tea cup toss at 0:54 seconds in! While Charles hasn't released a ton of music, he makes up for by touring and releasing a song with Mumford & Sons...that's pretty big. Plus, doesn't he just seem super hilarious and charismatic? Maybe I'm just a sucker for those groovy moves!


Have a listen to some of his stuff & let me know if you're likin' it!

Something Great

So this was a big week in the grand scheme of my life - I finally received (after what seemed like years) my results from my national boards, the Canadian Registered Nursing Exam. Aaaaaaand...I PASSED!!! There was jumping, hugging, squealing, tears and celebratory pizza all around!

I was actually super nervous opening the envelope. The very night before the letter came I actually had a dream/nightmare that my results came and I had failed! I woke up feeling nauseated before realizing none of it was true. Earning that "PASS" was the final step between me and my career as an RN - I could not be more excited than I am! I appreciate all of the congratulations and kind words I have received - thank you!

This is real life now - here we go!

Music Monday - Burnell Taylor

Okay....so..here's the thing. Burnell Taylor, my current obsession, is a contestant on the once hugely popular TV program formally known as...American Idol. If you feel the need to tease me about still watching American Idol, I get it, I understand - feel free to laugh, I don't care. Phillip Phillips won the show last season and he's freaking amazing, so there!

A few weeks ago Burnell sang "This Time" by John Legend and I was transfixed! His voice, his look, and the way he moves are all so natural. I'm hoping he wins!


More recently, he sang "Ready for Love" & "I'm Here" - of course they were amazing.

Are you watching this season too? Who are your favourites?

Mischievous Meeko

This battered Salmon is the handiwork of one naughty cat named Meeko. 
I was angry for about 5 minutes...I just can't resist that little face!

 "The cat is not in the long run anxious to please"                                                                   -- T.O. Beachcroft

"Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity,
There never was a Cat of such deceitfulness and suavity.
He always has an alibi, or one or two to spare: 
And whatever time the deed took place--MACAVITY WASN'T THERE!"           
                          -- T.S. Eliot (excerpt from Macavity - the Mysterious Cat)                                             

"The cat lives alone. He has no need of society. He obeys only when he wishes, he pretends to sleep the better to see, and scratches everything he can scratch."                   -- François-René

 I failed to capture a picture of Meeko in the act, but c'mon, look at this perfect feline!

Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme

After months of reminders, requests and pleas, I decided to try to recreate one of my brother's favourite fast food delicacies - the Crunchwrap Supreme from Taco Bell!

It was the perfect occasion, a Vancouver Canucks game night, so I gathered up my ingredients & supplies and set to work! Despite it being fast food, I expected it to be harder than it was! I was pleasantly surprised at how straightforward the steps were and that nothing went wrong! Here's how to make these beauties --

Music Monday - Dresses

Dresses is the adorable duo of Timothy Heller & Jared Ryan Maldonado (Timothy is the girl..don't worry, I was confused at first too) from Portland, Oregon. Their music is juuust taking off. "Blew My Mind", their first single, was only released in January of this year. They've done a few covers on Youtube and they also released a demo ("The Duet Song") less than 2 weeks ago. According to their Twitter account they are working on new stuff. Actually, you should probably check them out if you're on twitter...they need the followers!

I like that Timothy's voice is one that you'd be able to recognize on the radio - they have a unique sound and I'm definitely digging it. I can't wait to hear more.

ps - Keep checking in on this band's progress and you'll be able to say you were a fan before they got big!

Rainy Day Essentials

So there's a Rainfall warning in effect... "a moist Pacific frontal system" and "continued heavy rains". I'm not complaining - I like the rain! In comparison to snow, I am deeply, madly in love with rain! Buuuut, sometimes it can make staying inside the preferable option, in which case you need to be prepared. The right supplies will make the difference between enjoying a cozy, weekend hibernation and uncontentedly yearning for summer vacation. Here are some items you'll need:

1. Proper rainy day music. I've been listening to this "Ain't No Sunshine" playlist from Songza all day & I've been loving it.

2. Ultra warm slippers. I have the feet of an old man - chronically cold! I got a pair of Padraigs a few years ago...life changing. They're worth it.

3. Cute mug for your favourite tea. This mug has a cat on it, so I'm a pretty easy sell.

4. Comfy and stylish loungewear. I have the comfiest pair of sweats but they are truly hideous. These slim fit sweats from Roots seem like a great replacement!

5. Super soft blanket to wrap up in. Reading a book or watching a movie is always better when you're all swaddled up! This one is 100% cashmere, so.. duh.

6. Emergency umbrella. Juuuuust in case you have to brave the elements, it's always a good idea to have a fun umbrella to stay dry and let the world know you're feeling good!


Have a cozy weekend lovelies! Xo