I could write a comprehensive essay on what food means to me. Instead, I've started a blog. It is called Eat Food Not Junk. My goal is for people to take responsibility for their own nutrition and their family's nutrition. But the blog really goes beyond that. I'll have a variety of ideas for moms, insights into shopping for the best, whole foods, how to make time for food and your family, and recipes that work for your family. Check it out for yourself from my first posting.

The Dirles and Shifflers together at the pool--that's when you know summer has arrived (or is ending, at this point in the game.)




Baby Isobel looking too cool.


My first attempt at french eclairs.


She swims now! All by herself.


Tracy's girls waiting to jump back in.


Johanna trying to get away from Bunic (Dad). Johanna does not like the pool, getting wet, etc., and Bunic is literally testing the waters.

Caroline and I discovered some new summer tips for staying cool. We made orange/cranberry ice pops. I didn't have popsicle molds so poured the mixture into plastic cups. AND I didn't have popsicle sticks, so once slightly frozen in the cups, inserted a plastic spoon. When you're ready to eat the frozen pops, run some warm water around the cup to loosen the popsicle.

Here's our tip: once you eat the popsicles and it starts to melt a bit, then you can put the popsicle back in the cup, pull the plastic spoon out with ease, and then use the spoon to mash up the remainder of the popsicle for a slushy. Ingenious what not having the right tools can do for you.

We went Monday night to the Baltimore Orioles game. They apparently sold 2,000 discount tickets to members of the church from the DC area for that particular night. When we picked up our tickets that night, it was funny to see the official Orioles ticket with that day's date, etc., and below that, typed, "Mormon Church."



Our 1.5 hour trip to Camden Yards took about 3. We took the train in to the city which was fun/scary at the same time. I promised Caroline grapes once on the train, and of course sat down on the train in front of the "no food on the train" sign. You moms know how great food can distract. So much for that! We made it to the game, ate, found our seats, found different seats, and watched the game for about an hour, then were ready to go. It was fun for my first major league baseball game.




Here's a video of Bobby and I trying to enjoy the game while Caroline's asking to go home to eat popsicles. Johanna is laid back sucking on ice chips. This is after the 30th grape I peeled for her to eat.

Bobby and I are excited to announce that we've successfully recruited one more Carlislian (native to Carlisle, PA, that is) to settle down here. Congratulations Brooke and Christina on getting the job at Dickinson College! That means free piano lessons for Caroline in the near future, right Christina? (By the way, this is a photo of an embarrassed Brooke being sung "Happy New Job To You" with a warm Sundae to top it off.)


Here's some of the Shiffler clan celebrating at, what Bobby affectionately calls, the "Barrel of Crack"--that's Cracker Barrel for the rest of you.


Isobel couldn't be any happier about the opportunity for financial growth for her future college fund.


Caroline and Johanna just want to get more matching clothes out of the deal.




And Johanna just can't help herself... "Just one more piece of mulch, Mom." She literally gets most of her fiber daily from sneaking mulch.


The happy parents: who wouldn't be? All of their children (except Allison in Russia on a mission) in one town.


And lastly, the excited wife--Christina. What can I say, Christina--more Gymboree trips, more of Massey's Ice Cream shop, and more lessons in my learning to cook vegetarian. Congrats!