ESV Bibles

A trade paperback edition of the ESV Bible was released in Feb 2005, and I missed the announcement. I’ve always thought that the trade paperback was a great idea. When Kristen and I finally host bible studies or home groups in our own home, we’ll have a cache of trade paperback ESVs. Good to know that they’re available and only $9.99!

Lauren Winner and Doug Wilson?

Easy Monkey Bread

This version of monkey bread is assembled and then left overnight to rise so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven. It’s perfect for bringing a breakfast snack to a morning activity or as a special treat for your office or family in the morning. I brought it to women’s bible study this week and several people asked for the recipe, so I thought I’d share it here. (more…)

Odds and Ends

The new header pic is a Texas sunset captured on a roadtrip.

I’m in my third trimester now… craziness! I need to start actually getting stuff together for the baby.

If you are enjoying the recipes, let me know. If people are getting use out of them, I’ll keep ‘em coming.

Schools and Families

The story about a girl being kicked out of a Christian school in California for her mother being a lesbian has been making waves around the Christian blogosphere. Most of those I read said something along the lines of, “That isn’t the gospel!” “Way to show Christ!” Marvin Olasky even asked if the behavior was ‘Pharisaical’? (more…)

Opening of the Calvinist Beer

Whoa. I thought beer was for Lutherans? not Calvinists!? (Just kidding. Check out the link anyhow.) HT: Davey

Closing of the Calvinistic Mind

Many have been discussing the new BH issue. The first article has the aforementioned title; the second article deals with AAPC, FV, NPP, etc…

My thought on both is whether the internet has to do with both of them. Now, I appreciate the blessing the internet has given us. My family in CA is able to see pictures of my daughter despite us being in VA. However, 50 years ago I would probably not have heard anything from a conference like AAPC. Men wouldn’t have been able to ’sound the alarm’ on the internet; I would never have been able to spread my own thoughts or commented on the thoughts of others. It probably would have been discussed via papers and meetings, but never have become such a hubbub with church splits, heresy calls, and common laypeople becoming so vitrolic and divisive.

What do y’all think?

Cool Speech

The student body at Dartmouth elected Noah Riner to be their President last spring. Many of them now regret that after hearing his convocation speech on character to the freshman class last week. Did I mention Riner is an evangelical? (Hat tip to Megan.)

Songs in My Head

Today I’ve had several odd songs in my head:
“Le Freak” - from listening to a new open-format radio station
“Ice Ice Baby” - also from the odd radio station
“If I Had a Boat” - from Donna’s Friday Five question yesterday

What’s in your head?

Tomato Basil Soup

This is our favorite soup for the winter. I used the last of the fresh basil from a friend’s garden to make a double batch we enjoyed all winter long, because it freezes so well! (more…)

Header Photos

I’ve been using my newfound Photoshop Elements power to make the header photos on the top of the page. Other than the UT tower one, all of the photos are from our photo collection. If you have a cool landscape photo you want to submit, I’m accepting donations… especially a good autumn scene or two :o)

Making Slings and Using Them, Too

I have made a fair number of slings lately, mostly for locals, and am perfecting the process. It’s fun and rewarding to see people out and about using them! I am making both adjustable ring slings and pouches. I still use a pouch to put Kate on my hip almost every time I run errands. Quick, no fuss and keeps her from wandering off.

The really pretty Mei Tei I made last month and posted pictures of just didn’t work out for us. Kate merely tolerated it and I couldn’t get her on my back without help. So I sold that one, too and we ended up buying an Ergo — I highly recommend it if you are looking for a back-carrier. I can get Kate on my back easily by myself and it’s unbelievably comfortable. I know, I could use a stroller or a harness or something, but I really enjoy wearing Kate. She’s more content for a longer period of time and its easier to interact with her while I do what I need to do.