Dream Destination #1

Before DH and I tied the knot, we made a list of dream locations that we wanted to visit before, Lord willing, we formed a family. We've been rapidly crossing those off the list, with another one getting checked off next month. For that reason, I feel the need to add to the list! I hope this becomes a fun series where you all feel inspired to travel!




The first stop I'm borrowing from Design*Sponge......

The Resort at Paw's Up in Montana

This, friends, is a tent. Yeah right! A glamour tent-- they call them. If you look at their website, you'll see that there's the opportunity to horseback in 12 miles right along the river and stay in tents. There's 4 of them. Who wants to go with me!?

Baby Drama

There has been a lot of talk in the media lately about babies.

Single mommas with lots of babies.

Older women with new babies.

IVR babies.

Adopting babies.

And the newest-- a young, married, vocationally successful woman having a baby.

Why is this making news? Because people are upset about this, too! Why do you ask? I am asking the same question. Candace Parker is 22, happily married and successful in the WNBA. At first I was like-- oh, she's my age! Then I realized I'm not 22 anymore. Though I think in my mind I always will be. Back on topic-- here's what the article said: "Parker's view of motherhood as "a blessing" that will "make me a fuller, happier person" is not as unusual as the media hoopla over her pregnancy suggests."

Do you ever feel like sometimes quotes are used sarcastically... like Parker view having a baby as "a blessing" with a roll of an eye and a purse of the lips. It IS a blessing! And this means of beginning a family shouldn't be unusual, though apparently the media is making it out to be. She's being condemned for letting down her team, not enjoying her 20's, etc. The world is never going to condone blessing. Though I may not be ready for a child, I do recognize each one as a gift from God.

I enjoyed this weekend being surround by so many "blessings." Little Jack, Baby Faith, Baby Charlie (picture below). Take a bit of inspiration from Tom Prestigiacomo on Memphis radio who always said, "Go home and hug your babies." And let's spend more time loving babies than judging the methods by which they come into the world.

ESV Giveaway

I have heard wonderful things about the new ESV Study Bible. Not the least of which is the amazing scholarship that went into writing the new commentary completed by many Gordon Conwell professors. Tim Challies' friend is giving away one of these! Click here to find out how to win one of your own.

In general, Tim has wonderful insight on Scripture and an amusing hodge podge called "A La Carte" of things written in the blogosphere. You can check out his blog through Blogs I'm Following on my home page.

Happy Studying!

Yummy, Cheap Food!

This is going to sound like a marketing piece. I can't help it.

I love Trader Joe's.

Why do they not have places like this in Chattanooga?? Probably because they would put GreenLife out of business ($5 for a bag of rice??). I think my sister-in-law thought I was nuts, but we made a side trip home from Cincinnati to stop at Trader Joe's. We were traveling and didn't bring a cooler-- like I do when we go to Nashville and raid Costco-- so it was snacks and dried food only.

For $50 I picked up:
Organic, homemade spinach linguine
1 ever-so-delicious jar of organic, 4 cheese tomato sauce
1 bag dried tortellini
1 bag shelled pistachio nuts
1 bag dark chocolate covered pretzels
1 bag sweet potato chips (SO good!)
1 bag white popcorn
1 L water
6 bottles of wine.

What?! How did I do that? Their prices are ridiculous. $1.50 for that pasta, $2 for the sauce, etc. I couldn't believe it. Here's what their website says about their low prices:

"We buy direct from the producer whenever possible. We strip away all the fancy stuff and focus on the important things like natural ingredients and inspiring flavors. We run a pretty lean ship, too - you won’t find any corporate jets or fancy offices around here. Heck, our CEO doesn’t even have a secretary!"

Novel idea. Nashville, watch out! I'm bringing a double cooler for Costco and Trader Joe's next time!! I can't wait to try the green chili chicken burritos!

Discovering Yourself

I'm a sucker for personality profiles. This one (again) hit me dead on. Give it a shot if you have some time!

http://www.careerdirectonline.org/