Finalist for Top Canadian Travel Story Award

Just wanted to share some good news. Found out from fellow travel writer Alyssa Schwartz yesterday that my On the Trail story in Prairies North magazine is a finalist for Top Canadian Travel Story at the the Canadian Tourism Commission's 2011 GoMedia Awards. Though I didn't win, it is genuinely nice to be a finalist. Just look at how happy the other nominees were at the Emmys when Melissa McCarthy won!

Alyssa is at this year's GoMedia event, and saw my story posted on the finalists board. BTW, GoMedia is an annual marketplace for travel writers to connect with tourism professionals from across Canada. I typically attend every year, but missed it last year due to a preggo belly and this year because I'm not yet ready or organized enough to leave Miss Annabel for that many days (never mind that she's still on the boob).

Anyhow, this news has me pumped for next year!

She's Gone Country

Bing loving life in Bragg

I was taking a walk with the babe through our lovely hamlet of Bragg Creek yesterday. Though there are leaves on the ground, the sun was shining and it was practically sweltering. Gotta love hot weather in September! This summer marks our fifth year since moving from the city to the rural life.

I really wasn't sure this country living thing was for me, but despite its challenges, I honestly love it. There's just a feeling of R&R that you don't get in the city. I could never turn "off" living in the city. I'd go to work and as soon as I finished there, I'd rush around doing all sorts of errands for home. It was never ending.

Now, when I get home, I'm home and that's it. It's like a sanctuary from the frantic city. Sure, there's stuff to be done around the house (a lot more maintenance in fact than our city homes ever needed), but it's not the kind of thing that you need to do every day. Most days, we'll just sit and enjoy being in nature or take a walk to the river with the dog or grab an ice cream at the local shop.

Anyhoo, I wrote about making the city/country transition for Avenue. Have a boo.

Living la Vida Mountain

With the babe coming up on a year old, I'm definitely getting itchy feet to travel. We've stuck mostly close to home for a whack of reasons, but I'm bound and determined to hit the road again soon.

Photo by Kathy Breidon

In the meantime, staying close to home hasn't meant that we haven't done any exploring. Check out my latest piece in Avenue magazine about Canmore, a mere 40 minutes from my place in Bragg Creek, but it really does feel like you're getting away when you're out there. Maybe it's because the mountains are so "in your face" that it's impossible not to just take a breather and appreciate the beautiful mountain-scapes we are spoiled with. Whatever it is, I like it.

Ah, mountain living!

Cheese Monster!

Okay, this video has nothing to do with anything that I've written, but it's so hilarious and cute that I just had to share it. My sweet little Annabel has decided that she loves cheese. So, whenever we take the cheese out of the fridge she starts freaking out. Both Jason and I also love cheese so she does come by it honestly. I just didn't think she'd be this mad over it this early! Here's a clip of the Little Cheese Monster in action!

Look Sharp!

Chopping up a storm at Knifewear with a $900 knife.

Someone recently asked me where to buy a good knife. Memories of Knifewear and all the research I did for a knife-buying service story for City Palate magazine a couple of years ago came flooding back. So I responded by asking them if they first knew how to buy a good knife. I thought I'd repost the piece for my knife-buying friend and for any others who might be in the market. Happy shopping and chopping!

My National Geographic Book Debut

It's finally here! My book debut! Okay, it's not really MY book per se, but I did contribute the sections for Banff and Jasper National Parks for the most recent version of National Geographic's Guide to the National Parks of Canada. So I can take some credit. It's been in the works for several months (and I thought magazines worked far ahead!) so it was exciting to see the final product. It's slick people! Pick up your copy today.

Getting Back on the Wagon

I've totally fallen off the wagon in terms of getting fit. Or correction, I never really got on the wagon to begin with. I purchased some workout DVDs since it's too hard to get to the gym and find a sitter. But, I made a fatal error. Sadly, I was wooed by a dancing workout DVD by a Dancing with the Stars "star" . I tried it out and it was embarrassingly bad. I mean, how can I get serious about getting fit trying to dance a "sexy rumba"? Not gonna happen.

So I'm going to try again, this time with tae-bo workout DVDs. That should be a better workout. At least, it better be. I'm also going to heed the advice of Edmonton Oiler player Jason Strudwick who I interviewed for Apple magazine. He and figure skater Jamie Salé share their tips for living healthy. Good advice. Now can I follow it...