2010 at 9:14 am | by Janelle Bradshaw
Filed under
Fun Stuff
My husband Mike runs the music department here at girltalk. Didn’t know we had one of those? We don’t. We girltalkers aren’t known for our musical abilities, nor can we identify good music when we hear it. Hey, if we like a song, we like it! It’s all pretty subjective.
So when the Reilly band sent us their new CD, Around the World for review, we passed it along to Mike (who does know a good song from a bad one). Mike and I have enjoyed seeing Reilly in concert a few times—at NEXT and at Covenant Life. So here are a few of Mike’s thoughts on Reilly’s new release:
Fans of Reilly’s unique “violin rock” sound will be pleased to know that Around the World is a continuation of Noele and Dan’s dueling violins, Matthew’s interesting bass riffs, with more progressive guitar work from Dan and John (often trading his acoustic for the electric). The addition of Jordan Lenhoff on drums adds a percussion side that we have not heard until this latest effort. Check out the following tracks for a good sampling of their sound: “Around the World,”“Free,”“Light Up the Darkness” and “Wake Us Up.” Vocally interesting, John refuses to deliver the predictable melody lines. Noele takes the lead vocals on a beautiful ballad titled, “Yahweh”. Well done!
The sound will entertain you as you are reminded of your need for a sovereign God and His grace revealed in the cross through their thoughtful lyrics. This truly is the most important part of a song and Reilly did not loose sight of meaningful, biblical, faith-filled songwriting.
Reilly, I don’t know anything about progressive guitar work or interesting bass riffs, but I am enjoying your CD. I’m even listening to it while I write this post. Nice job on a really good CD!
Special giveaway for 5 O’Clock Club Members: If you woke up early—at whatever time you committed to—for the past week (Monday to Sunday) contact us. We’ll send a free copy of the new Reilly cd to the first three members who respond.
UPDATE, 11:33 AM: Contest officially over. Thanks to those of you who responded and congratulations for getting up early! We’ll contact the winners shortly.
For most of our married life, Mike and I have shared one car. It’s a 1996 blue Camry. The driver’s side door is broken so I can often be seen climbing over the passenger seat to get in. (I wonder how that’s going to work at nine months pregnant?) But I’m not complaining. It’s been a very reliable car.
Recently Mike has added a special feature to our reliable little car. You see, Mike oversees the annual kids camp here at CLC known as Summer Celebration. And each year he has car magnets made in order to get the word out to the community.
Well, this particular year Mike came up with a rather unusual plan for the leftover magnets. Yep, you guessed it, he put them ALL OVER our car. (I’m including pictures so you can see for yourself.)
I’ll be driving along and notice people staring at me. Forgetting about the magnets (for a split-second) I try to figure out what they are looking at. Then I remember, and sink a little lower in my seat.
Recently, Caly attended a week-long class for which I drove a daily car-pool. I’d park my Summer-Celebration-mobile (Mike’s name for our car) smack in the middle of the row of mini-vans. While leaving class one afternoon, Caly asked me why we had such a funny car. “Cuz you have a funny daddy” was all I could say.
The other night we went out for dinner and upon returning to our beloved car found that someone had re-positioned all the magnets to spell the word “hi” over and over all around the car. Hmmm…creative.
Then, just a couple of days ago, someone side-swiped the front of SC-mobile and didn’t leave a note. My personal theory? After seeing all the magnets, they were too afraid to get in touch with the owners thinking they might be crazy. I can’t blame them.
It may be summer, but a cold March wind still blows through our hearts when we remember this year’s Maryland v. Michigan State tournament basketball game.
Wearing Maryland red, the Mahaney family all crowded into Dad and Mom’s living room. We were on our feet—bouncing up and down, calling out plays to the television as the Terps overcame a nine point deficit in the last two minutes to clinch the lead.
Then, with only a few seconds left, and Maryland ahead by two, the MSU player took one final three-point shot.
He made it.
We sat down, hands to our faces, and looked at each other in disbelief.
As sad as that day was (and still is), it had two redeeming aspects:
1. We were all together, and
2. Mom laid out a delicious spread.
One of the appetizers (which will always remind me of that game, but there is no reason you can’t enjoy it) is a perfect summer starter. It will make a great lead-off to whatever you’re cooking up for Father’s Day.
And, if you would be so kind, observe a moment of silence for our Terps. Your dad will understand.
3 kiwis, peeled and diced 2 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and diced 12 ounces raspberries 1 pound strawberries 2 tablespoons white sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor
10 (10 inch) flour tortillas Melted butter 1 2/3 cups cinnamon sugar (1 1/3 cups sugar and 1/3 cup cinnamon)
Directions In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Granny Smith apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush one side of each flour tortilla with melted butter. Sprinkle buttered side with cinnamon sugar mixture. Then cut into wedges (with pizza cutter) and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.
For three generations, the Chesemore family has produced only boys. But the streak has finally ended—we are having a girl!
(Well, the ultra-sound tech was 90-95 percent certain, so the accountant in me isn’t totally satisfied. But Brian, the music major, said that was good enough for him!)
Assuming the tech is correct, pink will soon invade our blue house. Doll houses, kitchen sets, and baby dolls will join the current collection of hockey sticks, army men and water guns. And I will have another member of the female population living in my home. I can’t wait!
Our little girl’s first name will be Claire. We’ve been holding on to this girl’s name for eight years now. It went through Liam and Owen and it is still our favorite. Her middle name will be Charlotte after her lovely grandmother—Brian’s mom, who has waited many years for a girl in the family.
The beginning of summer might seem like an odd time to remind you about the 5 O’Clock Club. But if “Jesus Christ is the refreshing center of summer,” what better way to spend the season than by rising early to meet with Him?
Holly sent us this funny story of her recent—and rather unusual—enrollment in the 5 O’Clock Club:
Girltalkers, I love the idea of the 5 O’Clock Club, but my new baby was keeping me up most of the night and just couldn’t handle the toddler plus the baby without a bit more rest. Well, when my baby’s birthday rolled around and I was rested again, I was entered into your glamorous 5AM club without making the decision myself. Now I can say that the LORD has faithfully wakened me every day for about 2 months. I haven’t set an alarm once! This morning I woke up and thought, “Well, here we go again” I stumbled down the hall and made the coffee and dove into the Word. When I finished reading (maybe about 45 minutes later) it was still sooo dark outside and looked at my watch and it was only 4:30. I had wakened at 3:30 and just assumed it must be around 5am. With the coffee already in me, there was no chance of going back to sleep. Lots of prayer this morning .... lots. Mostly centered on pleading for a miracle to grab a nap this afternoon! Next time I’ll remember to check my watch! Holly
(P.S. The links on our club pages are a little out of wack right now, so you’ll have to scroll down the page to find what you’re looking for. Sorry for the confusion. We’re working on it.)
Thought you’d like to see this clever introduction to the gospel by the folks at Southern Seminary. Show it to your children or forward it to a friend—a great way to start up or continue a gospel conversation:
My favorite gift to give grads is a laundry basket filled with a towel set a thing of laundry soap and a big jar filled with quarters along with the book, Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung. —Jessica
A college emergency kit: Sewing supplies, first aid kit, shoe goo, phone card, etc.—Rebecca
I just graduated college and this year my parents got me a kitchen aid mixer, which I am absolutely thrilled about! It is kind of a large gift but for any bride or grad who loves to bake/cook, then this is the perfect gift.—Paige
Knowing God by J.I. Packer is my favorite grad gift to give because it was in college that I slowly studied this book, digesting it a little at a time and it was the first time I ever understood the place of my faith in my life. It’s still my favorite book.—Kerry
Gifts for Brides:
We like to get newlywed couples a gift card to a local restaurant so that they can enjoy a date night even if resources are tight. —Jessica
I loved receiving customized stationary with my new name on it—a great gift for all the thank you notes to come. --Diane
My favorite present I recently got as a bride was a homemade cookbook filled with my best friend and her family’s delicious recipes. There was also plenty of spots left for my new family’s new favorites! —Lacee
For Bridal showers: Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield (or your favorite homemaking book) in a basket with pretty/funky office supplies to set up a little home office. A month of simple menus with thorough recipes and shopping lists. If she’ll be in the area tuck in a local grocery store gift card, if not, cash. —Rebecca
I like to give brides a subscription to a cooking magazine (Everyday Food is my personal favorite). —Andrea
A favorite gift for newlyweds you know well is to pay for their wedding night hotel/bed and breakfast. Just contact the place and ask them to charge you instead of the couple. The couple will be so surprised and grateful since it is unexpected and most newlyweds are low on funds. This can get pricey, so you can involve other givers, too. —Kelli
2010 at 3:12 pm | by Nicole Whitacre
Filed under
Marriage
Several weeks before each of her daughters got married, Mom took us away for a mother-daughter overnight. She wanted to have one final conversation before giving us away to our husbands.
Her counsel was simple: give yourself freely, passionately, completely to your husband.
The essence of our conversation is included in Mom’s book, Feminine Appeal:
“Marital sex is the pinnacle of human bonding. It is the highest form of the communication of love—a language that expresses love without words. It calls for the deepest, most powerful emotions. It creates intimacy within marriage like nothing else. In fact, as we give and receive the gift of lovemaking, this intimacy will grow stronger and more precious as the years go by. Each encounter will lead us to a deeper ‘knowing’ of the one we love.”
Sex “creates intimacy like nothing else.” All the shared joys and trials, all the deep and meaningful communication, certainly contribute to marital intimacy, but no experience can match the deep, inexplicable closeness that comes from a loving physical union within the confines of marriage.
“It’s a mystery,” I remember Mom saying. And so it is. This intimacy, this “knowing” that results from the physical relationship is beyond my ability to describe in words (although Solomon do so eloquently in his Song).
What I do know is that while I share fellowship and labors, joys and trials with many others, sex is something I share only with my husband. It’s our own little world, closed to all. Not even the dearest friend or family member can enter. We are on a journey, the two of us. An exclusive journey. A journey of love. We are creating memories known only to us. Secrets only we share.
The further we go on this journey, the bond between us grows more powerful and intense. The “knowing” grows deeper. The love grows sweeter.
Ten years after that conversation, I have to say—Mom, you were right.
My husband Mike runs the music department here at girltalk. Didn’t know we had one of those? We don’t. We girltalkers aren’t known for our musical abilities, nor can we identify good music when we hear it. Hey, if we like a song, we like it! It’s all pretty subjective.
Fans of Reilly’s unique “violin rock” sound will be pleased to know that Around the World is a continuation of Noele and Dan’s dueling violins, Matthew’s interesting bass riffs, with more progressive guitar work from Dan and John (often trading his acoustic for the electric). The addition of Jordan Lenhoff on drums adds a percussion side that we have not heard until this latest effort. Check out the following tracks for a good sampling of their sound: “Around the World,” “Free,” “Light Up the Darkness” and “Wake Us Up.” Vocally interesting, John refuses to deliver the predictable melody lines. Noele takes the lead vocals on a beautiful ballad titled, “Yahweh”. Well done!
I’ll be driving along and notice people staring at me. Forgetting about the magnets (for a split-second) I try to figure out what they are looking at. Then I remember, and sink a little lower in my seat.
The other night we went out for dinner and upon returning to our beloved car found that someone had re-positioned all the magnets to spell the word “hi” over and over all around the car. Hmmm…creative.
Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips
For three generations, the Chesemore family has produced only boys. But the streak has finally ended—we are having a girl!
The beginning of summer might seem like an odd time to remind you about the 
Several weeks before each of her daughters got married, Mom took us away for a mother-daughter overnight. She wanted to have one final conversation before giving us away to our husbands.
