– Last night at church I ran into my friend Jan. We don’t see each other nearly enough, and it was so fun to catch up with her. She opened a bakery here in Birmingham a few years ago, and it’s pretty much taken off like wildfire. Jan’s an incredibly talented baker and food stylist with a personality that’s infectious, energetic and oh-so-hilarious. She’s the best.

She is also, as of last month, a cookbook author. Her cookbook, Big Book of Cupcakes, was recently published by Oxmoor House.

It’s chock full of baking goodness; there are 150 (ONE HUNDRED FIFTY) cupcake recipes. If you like to bake, you will love Jan’s recipes and creativity. This book is a great resource for birthday parties – and it’s also a great way to encourage kids to learn how to bake (with adult supervision, of course). And just FYI: Jan didn’t ask me to mention her cookbook. Nobody sent me a free copy or anything like that. But I wanted to tell y’all about it because 1) I love my friend 2) I love her recipes 3) I think y’all will love the recipes, too 4) I crave her caramel sea salt mocha cupcakes on a weekly – if not daily – basis and 5) PEOPLE LOVE THEM SOME CUPCAKES.

It’s a good ‘un.

– You can still enter to win a $100 Shutterfly.com gift card from the Sprite Tabs for Humanity giveaway. Just click on over.

– The latest group of Compassion Bloggers is heading to the Philippines next week. If you’d like to show your support for the trip and help get the word out to your friends, grab a badge for your blog, Facebook or Twitter.

– I’ve mentioned a time or ten that I pretty much adore the clothes from Nations Outfitters. It’s a brand that’s about so much more than fashion. And now? They have gift cards. Such a great graduation gift, you know?

– If you watched the most recent season of Survivor, chances are that you’ll get a kick out of this post-finale interview with Boston Rob. Very entertaining.

– And in related news: this interview with Phillip “Stealth” Sheppard? It does not disappoint.

…that I’m a little bit off of my bloggy game. I’d love it if I had some witty take on the whys and the hows and the wherefores, but it just is what it is right now.

So there you have it. A vague, somewhat lame explanation. Or a lame, somewhat vague explanation. Either description will do.

Anyway, how about a list? LISTS ARE FUN! AND ALSO EFFICIENT!

LOOK I WILL SHOW YOU.

– Last Tuesday night I watched the season premiere of “The Voice.” I didn’t really have any expectations, but OH MY GOODNESS I LOVED IT. I thought the judges were great, and there was something very touching about seeing people selected solely on the basis of their talent. Brilliant.

– If you want to help the victims of last week’s tornados, leave a comment on this post of Ree’s. All you have to do is leave a comment – and Ree will donate 25 cents for each comment to tornado relief in the South. Read the whole post for details.

– Daniel Renstrom – who is one of my very favorite singer/songwriters – released a 3-song EP called Jesus Wants My Heart on iTunes yesterday, and it is just a delight. The songs are catchy and Biblical and perfect for anytime when you have a few extra minutes in the car with your young’uns. The EP is only $2.97, and it’s worth every single penny. Promise.

– One more bit of musical happiness: Chasing Someday, the latest CD from Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, is only $5 on Amazon this month.

(You can rest in the peace of knowing that I won’t make one single nickel if you buy either CD – I’m just sharing info.)

– Finally, a question: anybody read any good fiction lately? I’m in the mood to pile up with a novel or nine and would love some recommendations.

Hope y’all are having a great week!

I’ve read Brant Hansen’s blog for the last four or five years.

And lots of times he makes me laugh until I cry.

But today he just made me cry.

Here’s why.

So, so good.

I have no idea what that title means.

It just came to me in a fit of desperation, so I’m going with it.

Anyway, here are a few links I’ve been meaning to pass along but haven’t because I’ve been very busy 1) sleeping 2) trying to cough up a lung 3) wondering if I really am coughing up a lung 4) sounding like one of Homer Simpson’s aunts and 5) trying to manage my expectations about the season premiere of “Friday Night Lights” that was very understandably pre-empted for storm coverage but that should be arriving via Netflix ANY DAY NOW.

(You have no idea how much I’ve missed the Taylors. And Buddy Garity. And how I’ve wondered what in the world has become of Tim Riggins.)

(Anyway: the links.)

(Sometimes it takes me awhile to find my way back to my, you know, POINT.)

– On the giveaway front, there’s a brand new Seattle’s Best Coffee giveaway ($100 Amazon gift card) that just started today, and the Slim-Fast giveaway ($100 Slim-Fast prize pack) ends Wednesday.

– And speaking of giveaways, there’s a DVD leader kit of Priscilla Shirer’s Discerning the Voice of God Bible study up for grabs over at AllAccess.

– I’m guessing that most of the free world knows this already, but Ree is going to have her very own show on Food Network. I AM SO TICKLED. And also: very, very proud.

– I’m way behind on Royal Wedding news (though make no mistake: I WILL BE WATCHING), so I haven’t read much about all the pre-wedding preparations. But for whatever reason, this cracked me up.

– I’m a wee bit obsessed with Done Out in Deco (not an affiliate link, just FYI).

– Finally, when the fellas got home from church yesterday (the plague and I stayed home), they told me all about a video they’d seen. It’s called The Book of Acts in 3 Minutes – and oh, it was a hit with a certain eight year-old. To watch the video, click here, then scroll down the page and click on the title.

Hope y’all are having a great Monday!

I got the biggest kick out of reading your comments about where you live. I laughed out loud a bunch and teared up a few times, too (Wendy B’s comment really got me). So thanks for sharing, y’all – you brightened my day.

All righty. Here are a few links I’ve been meaning to post.

– These vintage cell phone commercials cracked me up (via MM).

– I have two giveaways going on right now: Seattle’s Best Coffee ($100 Amazon gift card) and Slim-Fast ($100 Slim-Fast prize pack).

– This Cover Tune Grab Bag video from Mercy Me just DELIGHTED me. So fun.

– My friend Carol’s post about how her two boys with Cerebral Palsy have exceeded all expectations made my heart smile and encouraged me as a mama.

– My husband loves The Jimmy Fallon Show. And this past Sunday night, when D was catching up on the DVR, we laughed and laughed at Stephen Colbert’s rendition of “Friday.” It’s silly, and I wouldn’t watch it with our eight year-old, but if you’re a grown-up, you’ll appreciate the old-school Letterman-esque humor.

– Last week Ann wrote a post called “How To Make & Take A Peace Retreat.” When I saw the title I assumed she was talking about packing bags and books and traveling to some remote destination. But when I read the post, I quickly realized that she was talking about how to take a peace retreat right where we are. Love it.

– All the winners of the Passion – Here for You giveaway have been notified and have claimed their prize. It was one of the fastest giveaway wrap-ups ever; all five winners emailed me LICKETY SPLIT and had their prizes by the end of day Monday. So fun. Here are the winners, by the way.

Congratulations to Kim, Marcia, Laurie, Elizabeth and Lydia!

– I’m oversharing about my obsessive pre-travel list-making as part of a giveaway sponsored by Slim-Fast.

– Meg says that marriage is not what she expected. And her post a must-read for anyone who’s married or who wants to be married. So good. (link via Dedra)

– I’m loving the before & afters from sweet AJ’s remodeling project. Can’t wait to see more.

– Tonight on American Idol it’s the songs of Elton John. And – AND! – tonight also brings us the finale of Top Chef All-Stars.

THIS IS ALL SO VERY EXCITING.