In Memorandum

Well, we were robbed today, as were our lovely upstairs neighbors. Luckily, they did not take this computer. However, they did take my fairly new camera (I got it from Tyler for Christmas) along with about 20 movies (over half of which were Elanor's), a few other small things and almost made off with all of our power tools and Tyler's spear gun (they were found outside and must have been interrupted by Becky returning home). Our neighbor's felt the blow as well and we were both upset by how people do these things. Why? It is also rather discomforting to know that someone came into our house, ransacked everything, and looked through all of our stuff (luckily they did not take any important documents--all of which were strewn about my room). It is just plain frustrating, but we feel blessed they did not take more/we don't have many valuable things.

 In memory of my stolen camera, let's take a look at some of my favorite pictures that my camera captured in it's short, but meaningful life. I will miss you dear camera. Thank you for catching all of these moments.

1st picture taken with this camera.

The very last photo taken.

Thanks again, camera.

The Weekly Photo

Elanor with Grey and Micah

Happy Memorial Day! 

I did not even think about it being Memorial Day when I chose this picture. I picked it mostly because I like how they are in a triangle. I suppose this picture works though and I am thankful for everyone who has served this country, especially my Grandpa Bill.

The Weekly Photo

We had a weird week for weather. It was sunny and 90 degrees for the first half of the week and rainy and 60 degrees for the second half. We enjoyed the sun!

Lullabies

We always sing Elanor a few lullabies before bed and have done so since she was born. She loves singing and getting sung to and knows all of the songs we sing her by heart. She often sings along with us and it is quite precious.

We started off with singing "MLK" by U2 and have expanded upon that to include many songs. 

"MLK" by U2. Bono has the most beautiful voice.

"Golden Slumbers" by The Beatles (just the beginning of the clip)

"Hey Jude" also by The Beatles. Elanor has been really into this one lately since we now know a baby named Jude.

"Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor. Elanor knows all the words to the chorus for this one and almost all of the second verse for some reason. She loves saying "from Stockbridge to Boston".

"Stay Awake" from Mary Poppins. Elanor loves all of the songs from Mary Poppins.

We sometimes sing "I Am a Child of God", "Feed the Birds" (also from Mary Poppins), the classic, "Rock-a-Bye Baby", and "All My Loving" (The Beatles), but the above ones we sing the most often.

I love singing to Elanor. My voice is nothing special but she loves it when I (or Tyler) sing to her. It is quite lovely to softly sing to your little one in the dark.

Do you sing lullabies? If so, what do you sing?

Facts/Questions

My friend, Casey, tagged me to do this Leibster Award thing, so I thought, why not? I don't even know if many people read this blog or if anyone reads it who does not actually know me, but if you don't know me this can be a little get to know Elizabeth post.

So, I am supposed to write 11 random facts about myself and then answer Casey's 11 questions. Hopefully, I can think of 11 things... Here goes:

1. I love traveling. If we had the money and the time, I would travel the world. I have been to Europe twice, would love to go back to Scotland, would love to backpack in Peru, and I really, really want to go to New Zealand. Pretty much anywhere would be nice. I have found that most places I have lived or been to are beautiful and interesting.

2. I am in to nerdy things, but am not really a nerd. I always say other people are just less informed because everyone should like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Merlin (TV show), Star Wars, Doctor Who, and Avatar: The  Last Airbender (the TV show).

3. I love dresses. They are my favorite article of clothing to wear. If I had enough dresses, I would wear them everyday.

4. Shakespeare is my favorite playwright, of course.

5. I love Bollywood movies. Kuch Naa Kaho, I Hate Luv Storys, and Dil Bole Hadippa! are some of my favorites. I have pretty much enjoyed every single one I have seen. There are a ton on Netflix.

6. I love Jane Austen. I watched all of the 6 hour Pride and Predjudice movie when I was 7. From then on, I have read every one of her books multiple times and watched every movie.

7. Keira Knightly is my least favorite actor. She annoys me in everything I have seen her in. I feel a little guilty about being annoyed with someone I don't even know, but I she just bugs me.

8. I kind of would really like to go to Comic Con in San Diego. Peter Jackson will be there, along with Matt Smith, Robert Downey Jr. and anyone in some sort of fantasy or super hero movie or TV show. Again, I promise I am not a nerd.

9. I like fancy cheese and fancy chocolate.

10. I love flowers and growing things. I love watching my little garden grow and I love having flowers (in vases) in my house.

11. I love color. I am not really into white walls (maybe one room of the house). Right now in our little basement apartment, we have light purple walls (our room), pale green walls (Elanor's room), a yellowish cream (living room), and bright yellow (kitchen). Some of the rooms were already these colors, some we painted. I can't wait to have my own house (someday) and decorate however I like!

All done! Here are my answers to Casey's questions:

1.  If you could be given ANY gift, what would it be? 

Airplane tickets to New Zealand.

2. When was the last time you cried laughing, and why? 

I don't cry/laugh all that often. Maybe watching She's the Man with my friends Caitlin and Mallory in high school or watching an episode of The IT Crowd. 

3.  What are you really afraid of?

Someone taking/hurting Elanor or Tyler

4.  Would you ever Bungee Jump?

Sure.

5.  What smell do you hate the most?

Those nasty dairy farms where hundreds of cows are shoved into a little space and up to there stomachs in their own feces. You can smell one of those farms for miles before and after while driving in a car.

6.  What book are you reading right now?

Middlemarch

7.  Which restaurant serves your favorite dessert, and what is it?

Not sure. Hmm. Perry's on Fremont in Portland, OR has some tasty desserts. My mom also makes some delicious desserts. I like anything chocolate, but also love things like creme brûlée and cheesecake.

8.  What would you say is your most special talent?

Er. Huh. I am not really into writing things like this about myself. I guess I am not very judgmental and like to make friends with all sorts of people.

9.  Paper or plastic?

Paper.

10.  Have you ever been caught farting in public? (Jayson wrote this one)

Excuse me, I am a lady. :) 

11.  If you could fill a supporting role (meaning, not the main character) in any book or movie, which would it be and why?

Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter book series. She is so brave, intelligent and kind (most of the time). I would not mind being a bit like her.

That's it! 

Anyone want to do it? You can if you want and I can give you 11 questions to answer.

The Weekly Photo

A storm's a brewin'.

{Elanor had just got out of the bath, thus the hair}

In the Kitchen: Eggs Jeanette

I love eggs. 

There is so much you can do with them (cakes, mousses, cookies, soufflés, hard-boiled, poached, fried, in a sandwich, on toast, pancakes, eggs benedict, egg lorraine, eggs jeanette, need I go on?).

This recipe is from Jacques Pepin, a French chef who moved to America. After reading about him and some of his recipes, I really need to get one of his cookbooks! This particular recipe was made up by Pepin's mother during World War II. They were living in rural France and had very little money and Pepin's mother made this dish often for her family. It is delicious.

I found two recipes, but they were slightly different. I made this one, with some adaptions, but would like to try this one because it has red wine vinegar in it. Here is what I did:

Ingredients:

6 large eggs

1 tsp chopped/crushed garlic

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (I think you could try all different sorts of fresh herbs, chives and dill come to mind)

2-3 tbsp. fresh milk

salt and pepper

2 tbsp oil for frying

Dressing:

2-3 tbsp leftover egg stuffing (from above)

4 tbsp olive oil (the other recipe calls for 2 tsp red wine vinegar, and the one I adapted this from called for 4 tbsp of olive oil and it was too much, so I had to add some cream to combat the strong olive oil flavor)

1 tbsp dijon mustard (when I make this again, I will put less mustard in so I won't need so much cream)

1 tbsp water

2-3 tbsp. heavy cream

salt and pepper

Boil the eggs (you can just boil them in a saucepan with water almost covering them to save dishes) for 10 minutes. Cool eggs in ice water and then peel. Cut eggs (like you would for deviled eggs) and remove yolks. Mash the yolks with a fork and add in the garlic, parsley, milk and salt and pepper. Stuff the eggs with the mixture, reserving 2-3 tablespoons for the dressing. Make sure the stuffing is flush with the eggs.

Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in the saucepan. Place eggs in the saucepan, yolk side down. Fry until golden, about 4-6 minutes. Place on a paper towel lined plate.

For the dressing: Mix all of the ingredients together and taste and correct seasoning as necessary. You might want to put in a little less olive oil or you could try using the red wine vinegar.

To assemble: Place on a plate and drizzle dressing over top. Sprinkle with parsley (or chives, etc. if using another herb). Serve with hot, buttered toast for breakfast or a salad for lunch.

 I am sharing this recipe because it is just so absolutely, wonderfully delicious. I think I may go and make this right now.

The Weekly Photo

New outfits for Elanor and her doll, Heidi.