It's Time for Cooking With Caroline

This is the newest Food Network Star. Ok, maybe she has a few years yet, but I'm telling you, she's got the personality! She doesn't even flinch when her brother is screaming at the computer in the background. She just keeps going! What a pro!

Of course, my personal favorite part is when she says, "My mom is a brilliant and fascinating girl."

We had two Chinese girls staying with us over the last 12 days. Luna and Vincens were delightful young women who enjoyed staying with us and especially enjoyed my chicken fried rice dish. Yessiree, this Italian girl can make Chinese chicken fried rice!

Farewell party with Luna and Vincens.

Caroline's tooth came out at the party shortly after this photo was taken.

The group of students and their families.

Off they go to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, DC, Boston, and home to China!

How We Spent Our 4th of July Holiday

Here's how we spent our 4th of July holiday:

We picked - and ate - lots of cherries from Grandma's tree:



We had water cannon fights.





And made our own little hot tub, albeit with cold water:


Peter decided to try it. Notice the extreme water displacement.


Can you tell he is entering the teenage years soon?? Notice the hand protecting the IPod.


Meanwhile, my girl decides to continue playing...and posing.


Haven't seen a commercial for hair sweeping like this in years!

And then it's back to ladylike poses.


On Tuesday, we went through some boxes in the crawl space above the linen closet. I went through all these books to donate to the library. There are more up there, but here are about 12 bags of books. Can you say, " Hello Kindle"??

Hope your holiday was filled with gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy here. We're not perfect, but we are free thanks to the men and women who sacrificed their very lives for our freedom and to the Founding Fathers who risked their lives to sign the Declaration of Independence.