Food is deep rooted in family tradition. Like my dad’s pizza pies that his dad taught him to make. And Grandma Motz’s sugar cookies, passed down through five generations. Aunt Jane’s apple pie, Aunt Esther’s chicken and dumplings, and my mom’s sheet cake. Nick’s mom is known for her frozen brownie sundaes, and his dad makes irresistible boiled cookies. There’s... Read more
HER PERSPECTIVE Best Moment: Our puppy visit! Yes, we want to adjust to a human baby before we bring home a furbaby, but it was definitely fun to cuddle the tiny Goldens. Also, I spent Monday morning making strawberry preserves with my Grandma (details to come). It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years, and it was a really special.... Read more
Spring seems to have skipped over central Pennsylvania this year. Instead we went directly from winter to summer. Seriously. It was 96 degrees today. It shouldn’t be 96 degrees here until the end of July. It felt like the inside of an oven. (Minus the sweet smell of brownies or cupcakes.) This heat makes me crave slices of watermelon and... Read more
In January of last year, my brother, Andrew, moved to London. For the first time. It was like his company gifted him a fantastic opportunity to explore Europe. And explore he did. He visited Italy, Ireland, the French Riviera, Amsterdam, Germany. And sometimes he worked. Sometimes. Andrew has always had an incredible knack for testing his limits. Occasionally, he gets... Read more
My dad is the grill master in our family. From BBQ chicken to spare ribs to burgers and dogs to corn on the cob. Also, it’s his birthday today. Happy birthday, Dad! Last weekend when we were home for Memorial Day, Dad spiced up his standard burger recipe with some help from The Pioneer Woman. (I think Mom may have... Read more
Prepare yourself for a ridiculous amount of soft, cuddly cuteness. See those nine little puppies above? They’re just five weeks old, and we got to spend last Saturday afternoon holding them and kissing them. Their six-week old cousins were there, too, and they received an equal amount of our love and attention. Nick and I contacted the breeder from whom... Read more
HER PERSPECTIVE Best Moment: I’m just beginning to feel uncomfortable at night. Between the tossing and turning and trips to the bathroom, I haven’t slept soundly in weeks. Until the Snoogle arrived, that is. What a beautiful thing. It hugs the natural curves of my body and forces me to remain on my (preferably left) side all night. And its... Read more
Today my little sister turns 19! (Read the letter I wrote to her on her 17th birthday.) I am so proud of the young woman you have become, Laura. You are compassionate and considerate. You are disciplined and determined — both in the classroom and on the track. You are sometimes silly and always sincere. You will be such a... Read more
Two very sweet little ladies came to visit us two weeks ago. Allow me to introduce them: Miss Kennedy and Miss Leyton. Kennedy loves princess dresses and fairy wands and coloring books. Leyton loves to crawl and eat blueberries and snuggle. Oh, right. Their parents came, too. In fact, we celebrated Dave’s graduation from Penn State Law School. See his... Read more
There are few summer activities I enjoy more than sitting around the campfire. Except perhaps eating strawberries and sweet corn and napping in the hammock. But this is about the campfire. Dad starts the fire as the sun sets. I tuck a flannel blanket beneath my thighs and watch the flames start to dance. Nick sharpens a slender stick with... Read more