Some random happenings around the house

I think my favorite posts are the random ones.  Who doesn't like a little variety, right?

It's not that often that Malina gets a time out but she has quickly learned what it means and why she gets them.  I was in the kitchen the other day when I walked through the dining room to find Maggie, her baby jaguar, in the Time Out corner. 

I asked Malina why Maggie was getting a time out.  "For whining and crying," she says.  Hilarious!

Luke has moved on from playing the piano to reading the Style section of the NY Times.  Who's so sophisticated in his footie pajamas?

Yesterday morning, Malina got up before Luke did so we got to enjoy about an hour together, just the two of us.  I snapped this picture of her looking so adorable...  and older!  

Since Bryan has been traveling, I like to get shots of the kids together so I can share them with him and let him know that he's missed at home.  It's pretty rare that I get a good one -- usually Luke is tipping over to one side while Malina has her face all scrunched up or they're looking in opposite directions... This morning though I got it!  And they're holding hands (I swear, I had nothing to do with that!)!  I'm all gooey...  I love these pictures.  Doesn't Malina look like such a proud, big sister?  

That's all for now.  Hope you're having a rockin' week!

Salmon Salad

I whipped up another dinner from my new favorite cookbook, "Dinner: A Love Story", last night and it was a hit (if I do say so myself)!

I made salmon salad.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• For the vinaigrette:
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Squeeze of fresh lemon or lime
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• For the salmon:
• 1 salmon fillet (about 1 pound)
• Salt and pepper
• 4 potatoes (yukon gold, red or blue if you can find them), peeled and quartered
• 2 ears corn
• Handful of thin green beans, trimmed and chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 5 to 6 scallions (white and light green parts), chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

To make the vinaigrette:In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, sugar, lemon juice and oil and set aside.

To make the salmon:Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper. Roast in a foil-lined baking dish for 15 minutes. (If you prefer to grill the fish, brush with a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper and a dash of honey and cook over medium-hot coals, 4 to 5 minutes on each side.)

Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook until a knife slices through them with no resistance, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the potatoes to a large serving bowl. Add the corn to the same pot of water. Boil for 4 minutes. Remove to a cutting board, allow to cool, slice off the kernels and add to the serving bowl. Add beans to the same pot of water and cook for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and add to the serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, scallions and cilantro to the bowl. Toss with the vinaigrette and serve.

Serving Size

Total time: 35 minutes.

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Here is a picture of how it looks in the cookbook:

And here's my picture (it's actually Bryan's picture.  I took one that was very "blah" and he styled it up a bit and put it in better lighting :) ).  I went heavy on the cilantro!

It was delish!!  Try it!

Faux Sleeping

Every once in a while, Malina likes to lay on the couch with the covers on (could this be a pre-cursor to no sleep sack? -- Seriously, her sleep sack is about 4 feet long -- it's time to give it up, isn't it?).

Here she is just laying around and cute as ever.

I then asked her to show me what it looks like when she sleeps.  Looks relaxing, doesn't it?

Future Pianist??

Here's a song to ease you in to your Tuesday morning:

Bach Prelude

I love this song, it's so soothing.  So relaxing and melodic. 

Luke does an amazing rendition of it.  Take a listen.

Sounds just like it, doesn't it?  What baby has two thumbs and can tickle the ivories in a bib and footie pajamas?  THIS baby, baby!

Hi!

Hi!  That's all...  I'm loving this picture of Luke.