At the Options Jazz Lounge, Ottawa, October 6th. Photo credit: Mélanie Genest

I'm home after a whirlwind two weeks in Ontario and Nunavut. These past couple of weeks epitomize everything I hope for as a working musician. I got to visit some very cool places, got see old friends, made some new ones, played several fun gigs, sold a pile of demo CDs, got some downtime, and even made some money.

My visit to Iqaluit, Nunavut was nostalgic, educational, and chock-full of musical stimulation. The house concert was great fun. If you ever want to do a house concert, I definitely recommend doing it at a musician's house, especially if that musician also happens to be a sound engineer. Wow!

Ottawa, Ontario was at the peak of its fall colours; it was difficult to drive anywhere because all I wanted to do was stare at the vivid palette of yellows, oranges, and scarlets. On top of that, we got to celebrate Thanksgiving with my husband's family for the first time in almost a decade. You just can't put a price on that.

This weekend I'll be meeting with my producer to do some more planning for the recording of my debut album. I'm feeling anticipation and trepidation . . . but most of all excitement, because I'm in love with the music, and with the amazing opportunities, like the ones I just had, that go with it.

Psssst . . . Remember to sign up for my newsletter! I'll be sending out exclusive news, photos, and sneak previews as the album progresses, and you're still in time to get in on the very first edition!