this and that

Kimmy, who is always up on what is up and coming, introduced me to two great things. 1) The LDS Children's Sing Along app is fantastic. Totally worth the $4.99. Ella has learned so many great songs all on her own. We love it. 2) Shellac (aka gel) manicures. I am not a manicure person. But I am a fan of the shellac. It's like having chip-free acrylic nails without the acrylic. Thanks, Kimmy.

I sent this video to Grandma Packer, but she couldn't open it. It's not a great movie, but does showcase Ella's keen fashion sense. 

• Aunt Bev (everyone should be so lucky as to have an Aunt Bev) asked for this recipe I brought to our Memorial Day lunch. Tuscan Bread Salad:

One loaf crusty bread into cubes
5-6 ripe tomatoes, diced
2 yellow or orange or red peppers, diced
1/4 c chopped basil
1 1/2 cups fresh mozzarella, cubed 

Dressing: 6 Tbs olive oil, 3 Tbs balsamic vinegar, one clove minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste

Toss the bread cubes with a few tbs olive oil and bake at 400 until brown, about 10-15 minutes. Toss all the ingredients together, let rest for a few minutes and serve.

• I've got a new sub-header.  Try as I might I couldn't embrace the chaos....it just wasn't in me. A new mantra was needed. In med school when you asked a tired, overworked, underpaid (seriously underpaid, by about -100K) med student how they were doing a common tongue in cheek response was "Living the dream." But here I am, now on the other side, living the so-called dream. And it's filled with dirty diapers, snot nosed kids, crying babies (both at work and at home), and sleepless nights. But it's pretty great. Wouldn't have it any other way.
• Speaking of great, this girl is such a sweet baby. I am enjoying the newborn period SO much more this time around. Not sure why, but I'll take it. 

• My favorite conference talk was on kindness by Elder Ballard.  I have a dear friend who has cancer and her outlook is unsure at best. I was talking to her the other day and with deep wisdom she said that this life is all about our relationships. Relationships with our family, friends and God. The rest simply does not matter. So true. 
• I have reached the post-baby hair loss stage. I thought I was skipping it this time around, but oh no, hair is coming out by the handfuls. Not fun. But I should try and remember that, really it doesn't matter. Perspective is easier to talk about than to actually embrace. 
• Remember this recipe? Try it in a cupcake version. No liners needed. Just spray Pam in the muffin tin. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Seriously good.
• Speaking of recipes, I'm loving a new cookbook--Our Best Bites. Good "what should I cook for dinner tonight" kind of recipes. Thanks, Janice, for the tip.