“My husband is in Afghanistan and a few ‘favorite things’ would brighten my day!”
How about that, Sisters?!? OK, Edie, please contact Living Proof Ministries at toll free (888) 700-1999 and give us an address. Please ask for Kimberly or Susan. Knowing what we now know, all of us here would want so much to send you to the beach…but, instead, we’re sending the beach to you. ENJOY!!!
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: this post will embody most everything you anticipate and perhaps even despise about women’s ministry. There will even be pink nail polish. As the great Professor Thornbury said a few weeks ago on the Twitterverse “something is not a stumbling block if you can see it coming.” So, consider yourself warned.
Colin and I just returned from a week at the beach in Mexico. It was crazy fantastic. I slept. I read classic literature. I also swam with a dolphin named Duey. And on the day I returned home I was greeted abrasively by a stomach bug and a crick in my neck so bad I could barely move my head. Oh, and then my 100 lb puppy Winston ate my over-priced prescription eye-glasses. But how can I really be frustrated with this bad boy?
Anyway, since this weekend was the Memorial Day holiday I scrolled through numerous tweets from people who were somewhere fabulous while I was at home with a bag of frozen corn under my neck. And I began to weep for the serenity of the ocean and my dolphin Duey.
But enough about me.
I want to talk about you.
I got to thinking that there may be some of you who won’t get a break this summer. While nearly everyone you know is off to some fabulous island, you won’t get a moment’s rest. For whatever reason, you won’t be able to retreat to the beach or the mountains or to wherever else makes your heart happy. We want to send a little fun and lots of love your direction so we’re doing a random give-away. And it will not include commentaries, concordances, or anything super useful or meaningful.
This giveaway is simply full of some of my personal favorite summer things including: Bobbi Brown Beach parfum (seriously smells exactly like the beach!), classic Ray-Ban aviators, Votivo Candle in White Ocean Sands, a pair of bright yellow Moleskine notebooks, Tea Forte’ Pomegranate Blackberry Iced Tea, and America’s Test Kitchen Best Summer Dessert recipes. See the contents below:
There are really no conditions for this giveaway. My hope, of course, is that this gift makes it into the hands of someone who simply can’t get a break this year and not someone who is heading to the Maldives or Bora Bora next week to stay in one of those little huts with glass floors sprawled across sparkling turquoise waters. But truly, if this gift brings a big smile to a single one of your faces that is quite enough for me.
So, please enter your name in the comments section if you could use a little sunshine in your world. We’ll do a random drawing and announce the winner at noon on this Thursday the 31st.
You are loved.
Melissa
Ooooo! I would love to pamper myself with a gift basket like this!
What a lovely idea! Not sure if UK residents can apply but if we can, I’d like to put forward my friend who has Lupus! She’s lost her home this year as she couldn’t pay the mortgage as she isn’t well enough to work. She’s not well enough to travel distances and so cant go away on holiday but has a song in her heart for the Lord and shares Him wherever she goes! This would really cheer her up!! Thank you.
Yes, of course, regarding UK residents!
Yes, please.
Hannah Gaz
Fun idea!! Thanks for even thinking it up. 🙂 Happy Summer to all!
Kimber Goshert
Thanks for all you do,
Kathy Cassady
Lyndsay Salvador
Love this! Thanks for the chance!
I LOVE this blog, and I would LOVE to win this sa-weet giveaway! 🙂
uh. could. use. the. break.
That is such a sweet idea! I was just feeling a little sorry for myself that my “summer break” only lasted for a holiday weekend.
You had me at Summer DESSERTS!! What an awesome idea! Thank you!
Fancy Schmancy girly stuff – right up my alley! 🙂
You had me at Summer DESSERTS! What an awesome idea!! THANK YOU!
Thank you Melissa for thinking of us!
Pam Callahan
Thank you Melissa!! So fun!!
I love the Dog Days of Summer 🙂
This looks AMAZING! With two mission trips this summer with my students,(South Carolina and Haiti) this would make me feel like I was on vacay in between!
Just the thought of the giveaway and blessing it will be brings a smile. What a delight. I am reminded that the little blessings often mean the most… freckles on a five year under the summer sun or the morning hug from the fifteen year old that does not have to rush off to school… relaxing by the city pool with the eleven year or having movie night with the thirteen year old who leans against his dad casually with assurance and acceptance. I am blessed to be reminded to embrace the little joys! Thanks! (Hugs)
WAY too much fun!
I would love to win this prize!
What a fantastic idea! May the woman who needs this most win! 🙂
This would be such a treat to win! Thank you for such a thoughtful giveaway.
Kalee 🙂
would love some summer fun!!!
Luain, Amarillo, TX
What a sweet idea!! Thanks so much! Wow!
What a wonderful, thoughtful idea! I have to confess I have always wanted a pair of Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses. Maybe this will be my chance to own a pair!
Love it! What a sweet idea :).
Reann Jaminet
Cristin Fanning 🙂
This is exactly what I need. No vacation for us this year due to my husband taking a new job. It’s ok because this is an answer to our prayers, but hard on the kids (especially the 6 year old who doesn’t quite understand). This is great and thank you for the opportunity to win!
Oh how fun!! Would love to win!!!
I’d love this! I work full time and in March, traveled to China to pick up our newly adopted 1 year old daughter. Until today, I have been (with my husband and 11 year old) caring for her and now I’m back to work full time again. Having a new baby in the house after 11 years is quite the change. Would love to be on a beach somewhere (ANYWHERE), but this little gift would make me smile too! Awesome idea!
oh! pick me! \o/ CYNDY TAYLOR!!!!
No summer vacation for me this year. 🙁
My birthday is Friday! This would be a nice gift!
Thank you!
This mother of 5 isn’t going anywhere this summer (sniff sniff)! All extra monies are going toward bringing home our new little girl from China!!! So with that, I’ll be putting my feet in the sandbox, pretending I’m somewhere far away, and praising God for every bit of it!! Lovin’ summer!!!
Oh, love this idea!! I could use a beach escape right at home this summer!
Yes, please…I have not saw the ocean enough in my lifetime.
What a fabulous collection of wonderful things. Thanks for sharing a chance at the “beach”.
No break here, that’s for sure 🙂
I love your favorite things – great choices!!
Sorry you got sick when you got back! No Bueno!!
Mellisa,
Thank you for thinking of those of us that cannot get away this summer. I am back in school for a second BA and will be taking 12 credit hours this summer.
Steph
Oooh! What a great idea!
Janel Stogdill
Judy Marley
Thank you!
What a grand gift. No vacation for me, but would love to relax with this gift and dream.
No getaway for me, beach or otherwise :). Thankful for a home and the work that has to be done here, though; chickens and gardens don’t take a beach vacation either, LOL.
This would be a delight for the summer! Great idea!
Oh this homeschool mama could DEFINITELY use a break in a bag 🙂 …even if it’s not in Bora Bora 🙂
I could definitely use this! Im pregnant and not due until August 26th! I would love a little vacation in a basket 🙂
Yes, please!!!!! Would love this bit of summer fun!