Elephants and Easter nests

Today was a craft/treat day with Natalie and Nicole.  Just like all the other times we've gotten together, it was really fun.  They each made an elephant (they loved them!) and we made some chocolate bird egg (Easter) nests.

Spring fever

Favorite part of my day

Seeing Emmett was definitely the highlight of my day.

Thoroughly Modern Bentley

Tonight I went to see my friend Bentley in her high school musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie".  That's Bentley with the red hair.  I've known her since the day she was born.  The play was fun and Bentley was a star!

They're dating

We know how to party

15 pizzas and pot luck salads.  A new twist to a R.S. party!

Relief Society Birthday Party

Tonight was our R.S. Birthday Party.  We had dinner, a cake contest and played "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" with R.S. trivia.  There were almost 40 women there and it was a really great night.  I love the Relief Society!

Lemon curd

I made lemon curd for the first time tonight using this recipe.  That little bottle is for me and the big bottle will go with a homemade angel food cake tomorrow night to the Relief Society birthday dinner (we're having a cake contest).  You can eat it with dessert, on toast, or anything.  It's so delicious.  I think I might be making this on a regular basis.  And, angel food cakes call for 12 egg whites and lemon curd calls for 8 egg yolks so that's a pretty good match up.

In my condo

This is (obviously) my bedroom furniture.  I inherited it when I was a young girl and brought it with me when I moved to Boston nearly 24 years ago.  Believe it or not (and maybe this is TMI) the mattresses are the original ones.  I had a piece of the bed repaired years ago and was told that the mattresses were smaller than the standard size now (not surprising since it was furniture my Pitchforth grandparents bought shortly after their marriage in 1926).  I love the vanity.  I used to sit in front of it pretending I was a late-night talk show host (speaking of TMI).  I love my furniture and especially because it's a family heirloom.

Newest baby in the ward

I met Cannon tonight.  He's the youngest of four.  His 7 year old brother Adam was telling me that he made a list of things he's going to teach Cannon: Chess, football, etc.  How cool is that?!?

Favorite windows

Cyrus Dallin

I went to a lecture today, "Iconic Mormon Sculpture: Cyrus Dallin and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" held at Arlington Town Hall, given by Richard Turley, an assistant historian for the Church.  Cyrus Dallin was the sculptor of the Angel Moroni on the Salt Lake Temple (and the Boston Temple).  The talk was fantastic.  Our ward provided cookies and our bishop hosted a dinner afterwards for the speaker, members of the Cyrus Dallin Museum Board, members of Cyrus Dallin's family, and a some local Mormons.

Ambrosia

It's good.  It's easy.  Cut up oranges.  Add powdered sugar and coconut.  Chill.  I'm taking it to a dinner tomorrow night.

Emmett's Zoo

My friend Katy's little 17-month old boy Emmett was diagnosed with cancer recently.  As soon as I heard the news I bought this pattern and made him this elephant.  Emmett had surgery in New Mexico where they live and they have decided to have additional treatment in Boston. They are waiting to get results from more surgery this week so the treatment plan is on hold right now.  They have started a blog:  The Adventures of Little Muncher and His Lion.

Katy is one of "my young women".  If my memory and calculations are correct, she became a Beehive when I was the Young Women president.  Katy is gold.  She's all-around wonderful.  It was so nice to see her last night.  Emmett has a lion (that his aunt Carrie made for him) that he loves so now he has his own Zoo.

It's Spring

baby Soren

We got to hang out tonight and I took lots and lots of photos of him.

Copy cat mustard flats

I love red barns in New England

We've got a Route 66

Rambling home

This is one of my favorite pictures I took while rambling home today.

Tonight's dinner

Cosi signature salad.
Ranch chicken.
7-up biscuits.

Delicious.

Wearing green?

In California where I grew up if you didn't wear green on St. Patrick's Day, people would pinch you.  I didn't put green on until 5 minutes ago.  No pinches for me (on the middle day).

I'm a convert

No comment on how many thrift stores I went to today, how many items I bought or how much money I spent.  But I'm Ellen, and I now shop at thrift stores.

The middle day

I love weekends away.  Especially the middle day.  You wake up and you can do whatever you want and you don't have to leave that day.  Today has been a perfect middle day.

From my friend Calvin

Greek dinner

I had dinner tonight with a bunch of friends.  I can't remember the name of this Greek dish but it was DElish.

Happy Birthday, Twins!

Some of my favorite twins are turning 35 today!  Happy Birthday, Lisa (L) and Carrie (R)!!

When the twins were 11 or 12 I took them to the Hill Cumorah Pageant.  We walked into a restaurant and the hostess looked at Carrie and Lisa and said, "Twins?"  Yeah, twins.  It's a funny memory and we always write "twins" on our letters and emails.

I love these 35 year old birthday twins!

Note: in case you don't know this awesome family, here's a bit of trivia...they have twin brothers 18 months younger than them (and six other siblings)!

Mail

Interesting article.

Lexington windows

Menotomy Rocks Park

I was driving home from the Bishop's house this afternoon (after Ward Council) and these caught my eye.  I drove a few hundred yards and turned back around to take a photo (that's the EP photo way).  I think this is the lost and found at the park.

BYU Alumni event

 Tonight I went to a BYU Alumni event at the Celtics training facility (thanks to Danny Ainge).  Clayton Christensen was the speaker.  It was really cool to tour the locker room and facility. The sinks were about a foot taller!  There was a free throw contest and some raffle prizes.

Because I live in Lexington

Just got back from a walk into the Center (bank, library) and back.  I love living in Lexington.

An elephant for me

My new favorite thing to sew

I found the pattern here.

Porter Square subway station graffiti

I'm Ellen...and I've got a granny cart

I use my granny cart every time I have to lug things into my condo.  I found it on craigslist ($12) and it's my best friend.

A day of rest (and sewing)