"We just understand each other"

Singer Diana Krall opens up about hubby Elvis Costello and their twins.

Diana Krall is the essence of cool, whether crooning bossa nova tunes on her new album, out Tuesday, or cleaning up a green smoothie explosion in the kitchen.

The Grammy-winning Canadian jazz singer says she's having the time of her life with her husband, legendary rocker Elvis Costello, and their 2-year-old twin boys, Frank and Dexter. That happiness is reflected in her new "Quiet Nights." "It's more representational of who I am: a woman who's 44 and feels great about herself and her marriage and her kids," she says.

As Krall gears up for a U.S. tour, she took some time to talk to USA WEEKEND -- while she was cooking chicken and getting her boys ready to go to the park.

You've said "Quiet Nights" is a love letter to your husband. Is Elvis a pretty romantic guy?
Yeah. Who wants to know? [Laughs.] Maybe it's because we're older and have had kids, but it's an unsaid thing where we just understand each other.

Has balancing a career and motherhood been difficult?
I work really hard, and I have less time, but the time that I have is spent very focused, and I'm really enjoying everything. Especially now that my children are a little older and really interactive, I think I'm doing better work.

Do they enjoy watching Mommy practice her piano?
They like it, but this is what they know. It's just normal for Mommy and Daddy to be practicing. But they have strong opinions on what songs they like, that's for sure. If they don't like something, they tell you to stop. They're a tough audience sometimes.

Do they have a favorite song on your new album?
Oh no, they haven't listened to that. They've gotta learn "Wheels on the Bus" before show tunes and the Great American Songbook.

--Brian Truitt