Life In Pictures

I wish I could capture life in words as well as I do in pictures. I'm hardly saying that I am a good photographer (because I'm not), but taking a pictures is so much easier than painting one with words. Elliott has the gift of words. Many of my friends do too. I read their posts and leaving feeling... kind of magical. I think this is something I will try to improve on, because I don't want to be a blogger (and I kind of hate that word) blog writer who just lists what we do. A..B..C..D. I want to come back to these posts years down the road and be able to re experience the joy, sadness, beauty, change that fills our days.

And lately most of those feelings have been joy. Elliott and I  feel that we are exactly where we are supposed to be. We commonly talk about how we love our city and how lucky we feel to have friends and family to share it with. We've really lucked out as far as friends go- both those we have met through our church and those we have not. I don't think we will ever be this lucky again so we are enjoying it while it lasts. 

There are two friends that we have particularly become close with. The first time we hung out we invited them over for dinner. We were all newly weds- we all got married within three weeks of each other and moved into the ward on the same day. We even went on the same honeymoon as one of the couples- they left Kauai the day we arrived. Anyway, the dinner had the normal awkwardness that comes along with trying to make new friends. It was more formal and full of get-to-know you conversation. Three years later- almost to the day- we laid on our empty apartment floor with the same friends with pillows and blankets watching Mad Men and joked about what our kids will look like, among other things. It was very fitting, very informal. They were the first and last people we really had in our old apartment, and it was a great send off. We usually never end up planning anything with each other but end up hanging out until 10 or 11 at night. Last night was an impromptu movie we decided to go to 30 minutes before it started. They grabbed treats and picked us up, and we didn't get back until 1:00. 

I know I've said this before, but the older I get the more I enjoy simple things. Now I do not mean that I do not like adventure and spontaneity, because I love them both. But walks with the dog, feet in the stream, sun going down, cooking, long conversations.... they seem to fill me up more than anything else. I guess a little more camping wouldn't hurt.

But since I am still working on my words, here is life in pictures:

Mollie's favorite spot in the house::: Cool spring river:::Mollie conquering her fear of water::: Mollie staring down the water moments before::: Summer walks:::Last pictures shows effect of dental work and a numb face.

We took on a local hike a few weeks ago: Bell Canyon Reservoir. There was a one mile up hill surprise at the end of the trail but the view was worth it, the waterfall was beautiful and refreshing.

Memorial Day hike: Bell Canyon Reservoir::: Planted pots

I found and tried a new recipe that's definitely a keeper: Creamy Avocado Pasta. It seriously is the bomb and super easy to make, and really healthy too! In other news, I finally finished my quilt after two years of procrastination. It was a lot of fun and I already want to make another.

And finally, we went to the Bon Iver concert. Man, that guy can tap into your emotions and make you feel pretty dang good. Highlight? When he played Re:Stacks. One of those songs that is amazing, but is even better live.

P.S. to future self: Remember when you followed The Rockstar Diaries? (mostly because she has such good taste) You especially liked this post  about siblings and want to remember it.

Music and Jobs!

I lifted this music video from my sister in law's blog (she's got such good taste). I think it's so awesome. Ironically, it goes along so well with Elliott's new radio show. He just might use it. Watch it, you won't regret it....



I got a new job! I started yesterday. It's through the same company I was working with before, but instead of having to go down to West Jordan (30 minutes away), I get to walk a block and half to work. I'm really going to miss the other clinic. The people there are awesome, but I do get more hours and convenience with this job. Horray!

Post Christmas Pick-Up

First things first: push play on the song below:



Our gifts for family and friends:

The few days after Christmas are always a little weird. After months of build-up, it's all over just like that. We had a great Christmas. My brother was in town from New York with his girlfriend. Our weekend was filled with Ruth's Diner, a lot of movies (Midnight in Paris, Warrior, Christmas movies), Sapo (a newly discovered restaurant), family, a lot of much needed down-time, and no snow.

I made a few things for gifts this year:

Nate left today for NYC and all the festivities are over. I find that some upbeat new music seems to help. Have you heard Coldplay's new album? Mylo Xyloto, and it's awesome. My favorite song: Hurts Like Heaven.



We're really excited for 2012 and we're looking forward to some great things coming our way.

Christmas Eve Morning

#1: We went to the crazy over-the-top awesome candy cane-giving Christmas house.

#2&3: What we are doing this morning: making waffles with my favorite boy.

Merry Christmas eve morning!

A Walk in Pictures

And some good music!


This Weekend:
1.Thriller
2.Utah Football Game
3. Real Playoff Game
4. Carving Pumpkins
5. Haunted House

Soundtrack of the Week

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Good Day

Dishes and Dancing

I'm doing a disaster prevention load of dishes and listening to this song (and maybe throwing in a few dance moves). This song just puts me in a good mood.

It's off of Mates of State's New album Mountaintops. For a free listen of the whole album go here.

I always post songs that I'm really into at the moment. So I thought I'd post one that Elliott is into this week. He always tells me that he "rediscovers" songs and listens to them constantly for a few weeks. This song is growing on me too.



Two lawyers play at the Pie Pizzeria every first monday on the month. This song is on their request list and I think we're going to ask for it next time we go. They're really good! Check them out here.

Soundtrack lately

(Taking Mollie for a drive)

You know how different periods of your life have specific soundtracks? Like the music you were in love with and listened to with your friends, family, or just by yourself. This song is from my current soundtrack. Love it.

Lately:

Elliott using his computer in his sleep. He's so talented!

Making an In-n-Out run with little bro and teaching him how to drive for the very first time (yeah I get to be that super cool sister that takes him driving when his parents won't.)

Waking up to a snow storm:

And last but definitely not least:

Beth walked around school the entire day with an extra pair of undies in her pants (not planned)

I hope nobody noticed a little extra padding in my butt

Only two more months of school! 

I finished my phlebotomy class, all I have to do now is stick someone with a needle 15 more times (probably Elliott and my friend Julia) and I'm good to go and do it in real life.

Kind of scary.

I'm over winter and ready for the sun to come out so we can:

Ride bikes

Rock climb

Hike

Swim

Go on vacation!

Life is good. 

I wouldn't ask for one thing more.

                            

Lullaby

I'm sure we all grew up hearing different  lullabies from our parents. I don't know where my parents got theirs, but I loved them.  They mostly were sung to me by my mom, my dad was the story teller. The stories usually involved giants and other mythical creatures that my best friends and I would encounter. We would go off and spend all day in these magical lands but we would always be home for dinner. I loved those stories with all my heart. I also loved the songs my mom sang to me. One was titled keep your sunny-side up but I've forgotten all the words over the years. My favorite though I still remember. I've never known the title until now but it's my favorite song of all time. Up until this moment I thought the verses I knew were the whole song. Just now, however, I searched for the lyrics to try and find who wrote it and found that there's more to the song.

If I could write a song

Neil Sedaka/Howard Greenfield

If I could write a song and get the world to sing along

think of all the music there would be.

The earth would start to ring and everyone would sing

a song of peace and love and harmony.

Millions of voices, singing together what a happy sound,

and just to think, that it's my music

that makes the world go round.

I'd be number one and I'd never need a gun,

I would do it with a melody.

If I could write a song and get the world to sing along,

How wonderful the world would be.

If I could write a song and get the world to sing along

think of all the music there would be.

The earth would start to ring and everyone would sing

a song of peace and love and harmony.

Millions of voices, singing together what a happy sound,

and just to think, that it's my music

that makes the world go round.

People feeling sad without a reason to be glad.

I could do it with a melody.

If I could write a song and get the world to sing along,

how wonderful the world would be.

How wonderful the world would be.

I have to admit I changed some of the words slightly to keep with how it was sung to me. I'm a nostalgic person. I only knew versus one, three, and four. Anyway, I always knew that I wanted to sing this to my children while they fall asleep, and I will. Every one of them, but I found an addition tonight. This cute blog shows the story of an amazing family. The parents barely survived a plane crash in Arizona and suffered burns but have recovered and they have the cutest family. Her latest post quotes this song and she writes a love story to her little boy who sings this song to her. I immediately fell in love. The original belong to Wilco but there is an amazing alternate version sung by Ryan Tanner. (Listen to it here)

Go back to sleep now
My darlin
And I'll keep all the bad dreams away
Breathe now, think sweet things
And I'll think of all the right words to say

Because we made you
My darlin
With the love in each of our hearts
We were a family, my darlin
Right from the start

Grow up now
My darlin
Please don't you grow up too fast
And be sure, darlin
To make all the good times last

Because we made you
My darlin
With the love in each of our hearts
We were a family, my darlin
Right from the start 

I'm sure some of you Wilco enthusiasts know of this song but it's news to me. I guess we better start working on our singing voices.

Thanks mom and dad for all the magical bedtimes!

Take a Music Break

Sometimes, it's good to just take a break. A music break to be specific. Here are a few songs we take music breaks with right now:

The Rake: Sufjan Stevens. This is an older Sufjan song. One of Elliott's friends danced to this song at his wedding. It's very romantic (in a sufjan stevens kind of way).

Age of adz: Sufjan Stevens. One of his new songs. A lot different from his older stuff, it takes some getting used to. I wasn't sure about it at first, but after seeing him play live and spending time with some of the songs, we love them.

Impossible Soul: Sufjan Stevens: Ok an extremely long song but the end is fun to dance to. Skip the the end if you want (it's okay)

Bridges and Balloons: Joanna Newsom. I just discovered her, but Elliott has a few of albums already (beaten out by the music guru once again)

The Trapeze Swinger: Iron & Wine. This one is soothing and never gets old.

Now that I know we have a whole 10 or so followers, feel free to leave music suggestions in return!

And We Have Light!

Elliott + internet videos on how to wire light bulbs = This:

We're [ this ] far away from being able to make t-shirts. We'll post when it's done.

Today was full of:

Squash (provided by Elliott's parents. Thanks!) for dinner
Riding bikes to Gormandise for creme brulee
More night bike riding down town
Cactus and Tropicals

Also, if you're in the mood for good music, listen to this and then buy the album.

When asked to describe the album, Elliott used the word: