More Portraits

These ended up being some of my favorite portraits from the little photo session with my niece... She's very photogenic!

"Where The Wild Things Are"

I wanna see this... really... Arcade Fire is featured in the trailer, but Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs is doing the soundtrack! So, there's also that to look forward to. Screenplay by Spike Jonze AND Dave Eggers.

Wowee....

This made my day:

The Twilight Concert Series this summer is said to feature:

Bon Iver + Jenny Lewis= 2 of my very, very favorites! Swoon.

AND

Sonic Youth- whaaat?!

AND

M. Ward

Wow- I'm really looking forward to summertime.

More details here.

Brownie Bliss

If you like chocolate chip cookies AND chocolate brownies, chances are you'll love this recipe. I made these last night, even though I vowed to not eat any treats (100 calorie packs and pudding don't count) this week.

However, I'm pretty sure they're gonna be a chocoholics dream! I'm planning on saving at least one for next week.

Thanks to all the pre-boxed ingredients; it's a very easy recipe:

RECIPE
1 box Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® chocolate chip cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 container Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray, or grease with shortening. Make brownie mix as directed on box, using oil, water and 2 eggs. Spread in pan.
2. Make cookie mix as directed on pouch, using butter and 1 egg. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls evenly onto brownie batter; press down lightly.
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool on cooling rack 30 minutes. Frost with frosting. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.

(Pic from here.)

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

If you're a fan of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, or Will Oldham, I highly recommend listening to this All Songs Considered podcast. Oldham is a guest DJ and discusses some of the albums that were big influences on him as a youth. (Interesting albums, no less.)

But, he also highlights some albums he's currently listening to. One is "Wild is the Will" by a Norwegian song-writer, Susanna. The song they play on the podcast is very, very pretty. You can listen to it here.

Also, Oldham's new album features some beautiful duets and can also be previewed here.

Enjoy!

"People Got a Lotta Nerve"

During the day, I tend to become a fierce multi-tasker (at least I think I am). But, with this video, I let myself just sit and watch. I think the illustrations of a little Neko are adorable.

Good news! Neko will be playing at the Red Butte Gardens on May 31!

My Niece

I can't believe we're old enough to have a niece that will be graduating high school this very year... but, we do... Her name is Tessie and she's such a sweet lil' lady.

Her mom asked if I'd take her senior portraits, so we went out on Saturday morning and had ourselves a fabulous photo shoot...

Here's a quick peek:

Isn't my niece beautiful?

Can't. Do. It.

After I saw the movie "Twilight" and surprisingly liked it, I opted to tackle reading the rest of the series. I had read "Twilight" about a year and a half ago and liked it alright. But, after seeing the movie adaptation, I was curious to see what would happen to the characters.

But... I'm stuck. I can't move past the final book in the series. The writing and story-line is torturous for me to read.

Did you finish it? Is it worth it? A couple of people suggested to not waste my time, so I've begun reading a classic. One that I haven't read in years but knew I would enjoy. I meant to read it over the Christmas break, but wasn't able to get to it. Finally I can and am thoroughly enjoying it- all the illustrations included.

Thank you Louisa May Alcott; I love "Little Women."

So, if any of you die-hard fans are reading this, should I finish "Breaking Dawn?"

Pssst.... As if you didn't know, "Twilight" is out on DVD this Friday.

Portraits

After taking these shots this weekend, I've realized that portraiture work is my absolute favorite thing to do... Thanks Marki for letting me take your head-shots; I love 'em! (Hope you do too.)

Around The House

Working on focus... focus... focus.

Free Music Sampler

This morning, I received this note in my Inbox:

FREE SXSW SAMPLER DOWNLOAD

Sweet!

Go here to download a 10-track sampler that includes Thao, Blitzen Trapper, David Byrne, The Decemberists and Blind Pilot. (We're really loving Blind Pilot right now.)

Speaking of Blitzen Trapper, get the skinny on live music that I wrote for your Your Heart Out here.

Found

These little do-dads are sprinkled all over my driveway... I think they're pretty.

{By the way, I am totally obsessed with this song. I hear Pachelbel and "Somewhere" from West Side Story in the melody. The composition is lovely.}

I Like This...

I love this spread in Glamour magazine. Young Hollywood starlets become American icons. See more here.

Catching Up With...

I was curious to see what Camera Obscura have been up to since their 2006 release (a favorite) "Let's Get Out of This Country."

The good news? Their newest album "My Maudlin Career" comes out April 21. Here's the title track from the album:

And, the track listing for the new album:

1. French Navy
2. The Sweetest Thing
3. You Told A Lie
4. Away With Murder
5. Swans
6. James
7. Careless Love
8. My Maudlin Career
9. Forests And Sands
10. Other Towns And Cities
11. Honey In The Sun

Can't wait!

Too Much Snow...

I took these the other day and now they're covered up with snow... too much snow. I think I need a vacay.

Chocolate Mint Cookies

I made these over they weekend: delish and very rich... so, I modified this recipe a bit and also made them bite-size. They're pretty fun to make:

Ingredients-

For Cookie:

2 C. all purpose flour
3/4 C. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 C. butter, room temperature
1 C. granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 C. milk
1 t. vanilla extract

Middle layer:
1 C. Guittard green mint chips, melted (I found these at Harmons.)

Frosting:
1/2 C. butter, at room temperature
1/2 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
4 1/2 C. confectioners’ sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
Milk
(Note: I halved this, and still had enough frosting for all cookies.)

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar and mix until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture until well combined.
3. Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until firm. Let cool.
4. Spread a layer of the melted mint chips over the cookies. Put them into the fridge to let them set for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the frosting.
5. Using a mixer, cream the butter. Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa until well combined. Slowly add to the butter. Add the vanilla and a dash of milk at a time until the consistency is thick enough to spread on the cookies. Beat until smooth. Spread the frosting over the mint layer.

Sweet Tooth

If you have a sweet tooth, you can satisfy it here... yum.

Whatever...

Go on- you can throw a dart at this dude's face... I don't mind.

I'm sure I am not the only viewer of this show who thinks this guy is a c-r-e-e-p!

(But... it was still fun watching with you sister and company!)

"Carol Brown"

Thanks to friends Brent and Bridgette we were able to catch up with part of the second season of "Flight of the Conchords" this weekend. My love for this duo continues; although their songs are supposed to by silly and quirky, I think they are fantastic song writers.

This particular clip is one of my favorites from the second season- and, as a bonus, it was directed by Michel Gondry.