Trew Dat!

We could not believe our good fortune when we saw that the The Trews were bringing their acoustic tour to the Capitol Theatre in Chatham. Not only was it close to home, and designated seating rather than fighting for space....but the venue is right across the street from Mama Maria's, one of our favourite restaurants!

We were joined for dinner and the concert by John and Julie, and Dora and Mike.

The boys brought their 'A' game, as they always do, but in this intimate environment the acoustic set rang even more Trew. Lead singer Colin MacDonald in particular diverged frequently from the standard "album" melodies, letting his vocal talents wander into new (for us, anyway) and decidedly wonderful territory. Count me among those who love to hear a new imagining of songs at a live show, rather than the sticking to the recorded script.

Great show and a great night!

John-Angus breaks out the mandolin!

Jeff Heisholt on the accordion...

...and the piano!

Colin works his vocal magic

While J-A brings the licks

Rhythm Banana

Sing Your Heart Out

Colin canters!

Ishmael and Maggie sing along to end the night!

There we are - third row up on the left!

Two Sets of Acoustic Goodness

Candle Power

While spared the worst of the latest big winter storm in southern Ontario, we did get a lot of rain and ice instead. A lot less to shovel, to be sure, but all that ice buildup often has negative consequences on Wheatley's wonky power supply.

So we lost power in the early evening, taking the heat with it as well. What to do? Light a bunch of candles, grab some wine and blankets, and play card games in the shadows. As always, by the end of the night we tell each other that we should impose this sort of condition upon ourselves more often than Mother Nature does.

The power didn't come back on until 3am or so, but the scene that revealed itself by the dawn's early light was something to behold. The photographs below can't truly capture the beauty of ice-laden trees glinting in the embryonic sun....but I tried.

Munchkin Loot Letters

A little heat...

...and a little more light....

....and some warmth for the insides...

Citadels by candle light

Sunrise brings light, heat....and power!

Branch-sicles?

Icy trees

Grand Times in Grand Bend

We had the opportunity recently to visit with John and Julie up at a cottage in Grand Bend - sure, the landscape was still a little wintery, but we got lucky with a gorgeous spring-like weekend, accompanied by a solitude altogether foreign to Grand Bend come the summer months.

A rousing weekend of board games and card games was to be had, amidst the usual levity and laughter that inevitably abounds when the four of us assemble. Over the course of the weekend, we played Loot Letters, Saboteur, Ashes, Smash Up, and Dead of Winter.

In between, we managed a brisk walk around Grand Bend for some fresh air and scenery.

'Snow-body here!

Winter in Grand Bend....or post-Zombie Apocalypse???

No Lifeguards on duty

The Beach is but a shadow of it's summery self

Lake Huron locked in winter's icy grasp

The Main Drag

Who doesn't love....fries?

A Sign of things to come!