“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
I will be spending two weeks babysitting for both sets of grandkids. Not at the beach!!!!!
How fun! My name is Melissa Hanthorn.
What a terrific idea!! Surely you will brighten someones day!
The pink caught my eye, as well as the word: desserts
Thanks for all you Ladies do!
Spending the summer watching 2 of my grandsons. No scheduled vacation.
What a great giveaway! I would love this for myself, but if I do win it, my sister is much more deserving, so I would give it to her. She has 15 month old twin boys at home and 2 months ago she had triplets, 3 little girls, still in hospital. It was such a surprise (but such a blessing!) and I know she won’t be able to have a vacation any time soon!
Would love! 🙂 Tara
Wow! What a treat !!!! Thank you for doing this
… And the dog … Now, how cute is he?? I mean, totally adorable!
I want to win!!! Lynette Garris
Thanks for entering me! 🙂
Looks like fun!!
What a wonderful giveaway. Please enter my name. I will be gifting it to someone in need of a vacation:)
OH- what a dream. I am a teacher and I am so ready for the beach. Thanks for the giveaway. Much love to you!
With a summer of medical tests and not so fun meds coming for one of our children this summer promises to be INTENSE. But God is good and He will make a way! Your collection of beloved things reminds me to look for the little graces that come our way during times of trials. Besides, this set has three of my absolute favorite things – perfume, journals, and cookbooks!
I think this is really sweet and awesome for you to do. We just returned from a very relaxing week at a campground in Myrtle beach. Not exotic by any means, but wonderful for us.
I also hope that the winner is someone who needs a special blessing to encourage them at this time.
I have a seasonal restaurant that I run from March thru September. So summer getaways are impossible for me!!! I live the thoughts of summer fun!
Nicole Perris
Staying home this summer as our insurance rates went up. Thanking God that we still have coverage. Next year we anticipate 3 family weddings (one could be my daughters) – another incentive to stay home this summer. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
What a wonderful giveaway! And no, we are not promised vacations. But I love them anyway.
I love the sandcastle saying! There have been days this year when I wish I could go back to my childhood and build sand castles. But… God continues to amaze me with His presence and I am blessed.
How fun! Love each item!
Oh me, me, me!!! 🙂
I am a new mama to a beautiful 6 month old little girl and the thought of leaving her alone so I can go on a (much needed!) vacation is impossible right now. Your gift bag looks fantastic!
Better than Calgon…
Cool! Count me in. Thanks oodles.
I would love some summer fun!!
I love fun, summer giveaways! Thanks for sharing your favorites; I will definitely be on the lookout for these!
What a fun treat! Thanks for the opportunity.
Vicki Rees
This is so cool. I could use a little sunshine and a little “Son-shine” today 🙂
Great idea! Thank you!
Thanks!
Christa
How I would love this. I have been spending my time back and forth to NY for chemo and experimental medicine for a rare cancer. Have a wonderful summer. God bless!!
What a very sweet idea! I’ll be at home the bulk of the summer with my three teenage kids. I have two boys in power wheelchairs with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who need lots of care. We lost my husband Mike unexpectedly this past January, so it has been a tough 5 months without any break at all. My boys will go to camp in July and I’m hoping to spend the week away with my 13-year old daughter who often gets lost in the shuffle. Thanks for doing this!
What a beautiful give-away. I love the peacefulness of the beach.
A little extra Sunshine is always appreciated, especially on your birthday….
What a fun idea! We are saving our vacation days to travel to the Baylor football games this Fall. Our son is a deep snapper on the team and we love traveling with our football family. This has been the Year of the Bear! Sic’ Em.
I would love to win this!!!
Nicole DePauw
Thank you for the chance to win!
Husband’s layoff means no great escape or me.:(
What fun! Thank you!
Wow! Glimpse of heavenly fun and relaxation. No vacations in sight, but blessed with great children who make it worth it all. It is the simple things in life. I am so excited about the give away! To cool!
What a fun giveaway! Y’all are so sweet to do this.
I would love to take a vacation this summer but since I work at a Christian summer camp for youth and run a concession stand on most weekends through October…the beach or anywhere is out for me. Thank you for blessing whoever wins this.
Oooh what a thoughtful giveaway!! Finishing up nursing school this summer so no vacation for me :(( maybe i will get a little taste with these goodies 🙂
Elizabeth Swanson…what a fun give away!
Oh my! I would be so appreciative! I think I would love all these things!
Ooh, these things look so fun! We are moving in two weeks, so instead of beaches and sand, it’ll be boxes and unpacking. I’d love this little pick-me-up! 😀
So very thoughtful. Good luck! And hope you Feel better!
My favorite place to be is Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast. Would love to recreate the smells and feelings of the beach and enjoy all the other goodies.
Thanks so much for offering this exquisite ‘get-away’.
Blessings,
Twila Leadon
My brother will be honeymooning in Maldives; I’d never heard of it! I, on the other hand, will be summering with James…just started your study tonight and I AM
PSYCHED!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to share in your favorite vacation! I will not be taking any vacation this year and would love to pretend with your gift bag! Bless you for your generosity, Melissa!
What a wonderful giveaway idea!