Another week of slim pickin's in the blogosphere. For those new here, this is my weekly scanning of the blogosphere in search of anything and everything Plain. There's not much Plain out there this past week but I still managed to scrape together an interesting roster of posts. So, first off:
THE AMISH "RACE": For those who want to read something more philosophical/intellectual, this writer basically makes the argument that the Amish are becoming a separate "race" of people and not a religion. I'm not sure I buy the writer's argument. "Race" is a word with such baggage attached to it anyway in our society. I - and I think most Amish - viewing being Plain not as a "race" but as a way of life intertwined with a robust Protestant religion. Click here, though, to read the writer's viewpoint.
GERMAN BAPTIST WRITER: Sharon Lavy is an Old German Baptist Brethren writer. Sharon is a member of the New Conference. Our Plain Kansas columnist, Rosanna Bauman, is Old Conference (the internet was at least a partial reason for the conference splits back in 2009). Anyway, check out Sharon's blog and bio. Her life story sounds fascinating and she infuses her fiction with her Plain background. This is a recent post of hers about Christmas memories and the post features an old, two-story brick farmhouse. Farmhouses in this style dot the rural countryside near where Rachel and I live and that would be a dream for us, to one day move into such a place.
CHRISTMAS IN PINECRAFT:
Check out holiday happenings in Florida's only Amish settlement. Check out a wonderful selection of photos from blogger Katie Troyer and a great video from Ernest Bontrager.
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY RECIPE: Homemade Caramelized Onion Dip from talented young Mennonite blogger Briana Thomas.
Elaine
Hi Kevin
Just wanted to say hello and wish you and you family a Happy New year. I really enjoy your emails so glad I found you. Take care Elaine
Kevin
Thank you, Elaine, that means a lot. You have a happy New Year also!