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.

Tell Me a Story

Yesterday, I wanted to take some pictures of Elanor in her new summer clothes. However, I could not get her to look at the camera or sit/stand still for longer than 30 seconds.  So, we sat down and I asked her to tell me a story. She told me three.

{Did anyone else think of Gimli saying to Legolas "She gave me three" referring to strands of Galadriel's hair?--I did...}

While I clicked my little camera as fast as I could, Elanor told me about Rapunzel being locked in a tall tower, Snow White falling down dead after eating a poisoned apple, and Aurora meeting Prince Phillip in the forest.

 I had a hard time not putting all of them on, but here are quite a few of them:

She is talking about Rapunzel's hair, I believe.

She is so sad that Mother Gothel is mean and locked Rapunzel in the tower.

But... Flynn Rider.

Happily Ever After.

Another story... Snow White!

The Queen is scary.

The Prince comes!

...and gives Snow White a kiss!

Another story... Sleeping Beauty (this one is short, though.)

Something about meeting Prince Phillip in the forest.

She is a pretty good story teller.

But.... not such a good napper. I better go remind her once again, that nap time is not playtime. She took a nap yesterday and everyday this weekend but not three of the days last week. It is not like she can actually handle not sleeping--she gets super cranky and then falls asleep at five and is a super crank if I wake her. I have already taken her teddy and all dolls and animals away, put her chair in front of her closet, moved her and her mattress to the bathroom and threatened to not let her play outside after her "nap" unless she goes to sleep. What else can I do? I have talked nicely, talked seriously, yelled (unfortunately, I am only human), threatened, taken things away, yet she still does not listen and gets out of bed. Tyler put her to bed this weekend and she slept. I did all the same things he did, but still nothing. Granted she did nap for me yesterday. Any advice?

The Weekly Photo

 Spring happened this week. We have had little tastes of spring since March, but last week all of a sudden it was sunny and warm, all of the trees were in bloom or were getting their leaves, and tulips were everywhere!

"Caitlin and Mallory, Caitlin and Mallory"

Elanor chanted their names in a little sing-song voice the whole time they were here. Caitlin and Mallory are, by the way, twins, and also very good, old (as in I have known them since kindergarten) friends. They are the best and they came to visit us last week.

We had a wonderful time exploring Salt Lake City, hiking, listening to stories, tasting chocolate, sipping tea, watching movies, eating fish fingers and custard, and talking, talking and more talking. I love them and am so glad they came to visit!

Thanks you two! 

I did not get as many pictures as I would have liked but here are a few:

{Oh, and I would not mind it if you (meaning Caitlin and Mallory) email me any of your pictures--I'll email you mine.}

 We took Caitlin and Mallory to our favorite bookstore--The King's English Bookstore--Elanor had some story time while we explored the store/listened in. Can you tell she loves it?

Caitlin and Elanor, me, and Mallory

 Springtime at Temple Square = beautiful.

 Mallory and Elanor

Beautiful.

 Mallory and Elanor

The weather turned a bit cold the next day, but we still ventured up Ensign Peak.

Elanor and Caitlin eating lunch.

 Mallory checking out the view.

We had a little Doctor Who party for Caitlin and Mallory and invited our neighbors (new Whovians--such a weird, nerdy term... I  know...).

 We had Doctor Who-y food such as fish fingers/fried fish and custard (honey mustard custard--say that out loud--it is surprisingly fun), chips (as in fries), parsnips (not really Doctor Who, but quite British) and some artichoke dip (not Doctor Who either, but very yummy). We also had a chocolate soufflé cake in honor of the Doctor's new companion, Clara.

{I am aware that everything is the same color. It all tasted good, though.}

After the babes were all sleeping we also watched an episode, of course.

We took the Trax downtown and it was a very clean, enjoyable experience. Elanor especially loved it.

And...unfortunately this is the last picture I took. Caitlin and Elanor are pretending to be asleep in a boat-bed display at the Church History Museum. Elanor actually looks quite believable, don't worry, you do too, Caitlin.

We had such a lovely time. Thanks again for coming. I love having visitors, so please come family and friends!