Coffee In Nova Scotia 522.. it’s 902 522

My Friends know never to speak to me until I have had my coffee. No coffee... No nice!

I’m not one of those coffee snobs... but I do know the good from the bad. And if that coffee comes from a Nova Scotia Roaster then it makes it all the better.

One day last summer as I was strolling through my local Sobeys, a bright shinny copper bag caught my eye. Not just any bag, a coffee bag. I said to myself “Self, this is coffee in a shiny bag.... just what every girl wants”

The shiny bagged coffee is from Nova Scotia 522, a gourmet coffee roasting company located in Aspen, Nova Scotia. Yes! I said Aspen, Nova Scotia. It’s just past Melrose.....near Sherbrook, Eastern Shore.

In The Dead Of Winter

Winter. That's right, I said the "w" word. When you think winter in Nova Scotia, what comes to mind? Snow, dark cold nights, blinding storms? What about music? Did you know that every year during the last weekend of January, a music festival is held?

In the Dead of Winter was founded by Heather Gibson, Jill Barber, Rose Cousins, Jenn Grant and Amelia Curran. Over the years, the organizers have changed but the goal remains the same. Bringing together various acoustic artists to help showcase their genre and give them the chance to perform to a wider then normal audience in a professional setting.

This year's festival is going to be taking place from January 25 - 28 at various venues throughout Halifax. While the festival does welcome all ages, please note that some venues are 19+. For additional venue and ticket information please see

While I would love to take in all the shows, this year I'm limiting myself to artists who's work I'm unfamiliar. Some shows I hope to check out are:
Breagh MacKinnon

Mo Kenney 
Dinah Thorpe
Repartee
Modern Men
The Moonshine Ramblers
These Hands


Is there anyone else in the line-up I should look into?

#PODCAMPHFX 2012

We were so excited to attend this year’s PodCamp Halifax that we’re kinda sad that it’s already over.

 It blows our minds how well it’s put together and ........all by volunteers. 

The organizers and sponsors deserve a big round of applause. There was at least 3 sessions per time slot that we would have loved to attend at any given time. Not all was shiny and bright throughout the day. There is still room for some improvements, the biggest being the no wifi connection in the big theatre room and the spotty internet in the library space. I hope it’s a lesson learned, don’t deny social media nerds their wifi connection because they get very angry and tweet about it!!

We decided this year that those of us who could attend would create our own reviews and rank each speaker according to the JediRanking System that we used last year. Thank you Wikipedia!

PS: It’s because we all can’t agree on how to rank each session

Professional Lobster Fisherman Association Meeting.

There have been more meetings from the newly formed 1688 Professional Lobster Fisherman’s Association.

I believe that the lobster industry is important to Nova Scotia and we should be all concerned with staying informed about what’s going on. I mean, it what tourist want when they come here! It’s part of our regional cultural identity. Remember the outrage when they took down the lobster cam for the winter from Nova Scotia Webcams website (Still not running by the way)? It probably affects us in more ways than we’ll probably ever know unless we lose it. Then, it’s too late.......

At 11:45 a fisherman stands up and speaks from his heart about the importance of lobster fishing is to the sense of community in the area.. it’s worth seeing.


The truth is being told and history is being made!

Here’s a link from the last one which was held in Pubnico, Nova Scotia.

PODCAMP!!!! PODCAMP!!!! PODCAMP!!!!

Sorry, Getting a little excited for this weekend ....(blushing)

Can't wait to be among all our social media tweeps

Here's a list of the sessions. We're having a hard time deciding which ones to go to. Anyone who's in the know of a heads up must see session should let us know :) Just leave a comment!!

Pizza à la Morris East

I first heard about how amazing Morris East’s wood-fire oven pizza almost two years ago. Though the restaurant has been around for awhile, I had never heard of it until a friend casually mentioned it to me while passing by on our way to another restaurant. I made a mental note to check it out as soon as I could but unfortunately, it took me almost 1 year and half to get there... even though they’re in my neighbourhood... and another 4 to write my blog post.

The décor in the restaurant has a very simplistic urban modern, art nouveau feel to it. Dark colours of browns and blacks mixed with bright reds and some greens. It’s extremely urban hipster-ish and maybe a little bit pretentious. I also found it very small with the tables almost too close together. The next table away from us was less than a foot away.... and I’m not exaggerating. It’s almost a good thing it was almost 1:45 pm in the afternoon and the table was vacant or else I feel I would have probably lost my mind... or at least been too busy eavesdropping to pay attention to my own tables conversations. 

Lobster Industry... WTF is Going On In Nova Scotia

Have you been hearing a lot about the news about the lobster industry? The  industry is the backbone for a lot of communities of Sou’West Nova Scotia and up through the Bay of Fundy. The price of lobster in Nova Scotia this season is extremely low even though the price of other seafood had been through the roof. So for the communities who are already hurting from the loss of the ferry, are struggling to make ends meet. They are getting less for their product than what the lobster is worth..

The politics are so complicated that I can’t really explain all the ends and out. It would take me three days to write a thesis on what’s going on to the lobster industry.

But... the fisherpeople are uniting!!

And the revolution will be youtuberized!! The new Association is transparent and on the internet. So if you’re interested in seeing what’s happening and why. They actually explain a lot in the meets about the history and the current situations in the markets. Here are the links to the first meeting and the second. (There was only two thus far).

PS: Language Disclaimer! They are sailors, so get over it...

PPS: Accent Disclaimer! Welcome to Sou’West Nova!

January 4, 2012

January 12, 2012

CH’s Acadian Expulsion Article

Well I guess it’s really a column but you get my point. If you haven’t read it, here’s the link.

Many of you don’t know, but I’m an Acadian. I grew up in an Acadian community, went to an Acadian school, eat Rappie Pie for Christmas. In fact, I grew up in the oldest region that still presently Acadian. I’m like, Acadian Orthodox.

I find this article to be offensive.

Now let me tell you why, I HATE being told that my Acadian heritage puts me at a disadvantage to others.

Podcamp Halifax 2012

Just a friendly reminder that Podcamp Halifax is less than 3 weeks away! It you haven’t signed up, you should do so ASAP since space is usually limited. If you don’t know what it is, it’s like Hal-Con for Social Media Nerds except in a more un-conventional way...

It’s in its 4^th year running and it gets better and better every year. The speakers are incredible and I promise you that even if you think you’re social media savvy, you’ll be blown away by the new and innovative things you’ll learn.

Sign up before it’s too late.... just go to their website {HERE} and click the sign up arrow thingy, fill out the online form and wait for your online confirmation!