– I do not, as a general rule, enjoy baking, but I like the idea of being a mama who has tasty treats on hand when the kids on our street are playing together in the afternoons. That’s why I was tickled – TICKLED, I TELL YOU – to see recipes over at Picky Palate for Chewy No-Bake Cookies and Cream Bars and Chewy No-Bake Nutter Butter Bars. I can’t wait to try them.

– Jennifer has written a lovely post about the fact that changing diapers is about way more than just changing diapers. So, so good – and such an encouragement to moms with small children.

– Nester has done some really fun no-sew upholstery treatments with fur. Well, with “fur.” Totally kicky.

– For whatever reason, this assortment of photographs (taken by a whole host of super-talented people) on Ree’s photography blog just blew me away. I have a different favorite every single time I look – but right now I’m leaning toward the picture of the mountain. But I love the picture of the little boys on the bench, too. And the poppies. I adore the poppies. (See? I have a problem.)

– I am officially crazy about Chopped All-Stars on Food Network (ever since I discovered it last week on the plane), and I was so happy to discover that the host, Ted Allen, is writing recaps of each episode on the FN site. I think it’s such a blast to watch super-talented chefs perform (and excel) under those crazy conditions. Are any of y’all watching?

– These vintage computer ads made me laugh so hard. Oh, TRS-80 – we had some good times. Good times. (via Throwing Things)

– I mentioned Sandra McCracken’s song called “Thy Mercy, My God” over on AllAccess a month or so ago, and I still cannot get it out of my head. I mean, look at these lyrics (perfect for anytime, but even more meaningful during Lent, I think):

Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

You can listen here. I don’t know how in the world it took me ten years to find this song.

– I loved Tsh’s post about being “Called to the Crazy.” (via Annie, I think, but now I can’t find the place where Annie recommended the post, so oh well)

– Travis has a new website, and IT. LOOKS. GREAT.

– If you’ve been watching Survivor: Redemption Island, you’ll enjoy reading Jeff Probst’s take on last night’s episode. And just for the record, I still giggle whenever I think of this:

“…but is it in the interest of Phillip Sheppard and company, who came to play a game a make some bold moves?”

And on that note, I’m gonna settle in and watch the SEC basketball tournament. LSU and Vandy are playing, and since the winner plays the Bulldogs tomorrow night, I’m just a smidge interested in the outcome. And also excited about having an excuse to clap and yell at the TV a little bit.

Hope y’all have a great Friday!

I meant to post a link round-up yesterday afternoon, but I never got around to it because I decided to watch Thursday night’s “Survivor” episode all over again. I couldn’t help it. Alex was playing outside with a friend, the house was quiet – and I really, really need to hear what is sure to be my absolute, all-time favorite “Survivor” quote two or fourteen more times.

What is that quote, you ask? It’s from Phillip, who was acknowledging that voting off one particular tribe member would be bad for the tribe – and then:

“But is it in the interest of Phillip Shepherd and company, who came to play a game and make some bold moves?”

MAKE SOME BOLD MOVES.

Oh, I adore it. And Phillip, for the record, reminds me of Dragnet.

I KNOW.

All righty. Here are some links of note / interest / happy fun times.

– I totally related to Patricia’s Valentine’s Day post. It convicted me and made me smile and encouraged me.

– Another post about marriage that I loved? Lindsay’s take on True Love, Ten Years Later.

– Ladies and gentlemen, Casey Abrams.

There’s nothing slick or calculated about him – which is oh-so-refreshing. Not to mention that he’s crazy gifted. Just deeply, crazy gifted.

– My house is a wreck and in desperate need of a good scalding. This has nothing to do with links, but I just thought I’d share.

– Last night I watched an episode of Season 25: Oprah Behind the Scenes that focused on Oprah’s interview with President Bush. Several of the producers traveled to Kennebunkport for some pre-show interviews, and when they unexpectedly ran into President Bush 41 and President Bush 43 – well, the reaction of one of the producers made me smile way down deep in my heart. Very touching.

Happy weekend, everybody!

…a little boy or a little girl who loves Star Wars (or any sort of superhero, for that matter), you’ll totally understand why this commercial is forty-two kinds of adorable. My husband actually told me about it the second – the SECOND – he walked in the door tonight.

Isn’t that the best?

Last night I thought of about fourteen things I wanted to tell y’all. Here’s the first part of the linky round-up.

1. Daniel Renstrom’s Christmas CD, On the Incarnation, really is the very best Christmas CD you may not have heard of yet. I listened to it on the way to Memphis and was teary-eyed throughout. It captures the anticipation of this season in a way I can’t even articulate – I can just tell you that it moves me way down deep in my heart. Wonderful. You can find it on iTunes or on Amazon.

(Nobody asked me to say any of this.)

(I just wanted to share.)

2. Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God is the story of Jesus from Genesis to Luke. It’s profoundly good, and your kids will love it. Because it’s the story of Jesus and not just songs about Jesus, it’s most meaningful if you listen to the songs in order from start to finish (the first time I listened to the album my iTunes was on shuffle, and I was a wee bit confused). :-) You can find it on iTunes.

(Nobody asked me to say any of this.)

(I just wanted to share.)

3. I have three giveaways running right now. Here’s a run-down (all are for Visa gift cards): Chef Boyardee ($200), The Laughing Cow ($150) and Welch’s ($100).

4. As you plan your Christmas morning menu, don’t forget the Granite Steps Coffee Cake. I have two pans of it in my oven right now, and SWEET MERCY, THE HEAVEN.

5. This post of Becca’s? Just go. And read.

6. A couple of weeks ago our pastor gave the closing prayer at Deeper Still (and I don’t know if that’s the right terminology or not – I was raised Methodist, so I always think of a closing prayer as a benediction, but I haven’t heard the word benediction very much in the Baptist church, and clearly I’m obsessing way too much about semantics and need to just get on with this little anecdote). A day or two later Melanie (who had been here for DS) and I were on the phone talking about some Deep Life Issues, and I mentioned what an encouragement our pastor’s humility is to me.

I had barely finished my sentence when Melanie jumped in and said, “Oh, I totally got that humility thing from him at Deeper Still. TOTALLY. He looked like Richie Cunningham standing on that stage.”

And it made me so happy.

Anyway, Richie Cunningham (oh, it just delights me) preached a beautiful sermon yesterday on The Mystery of Christmas. And if you’ve maybe felt a little beaten down this holiday season, or if you’re unsure about who this Jesus person is, or maybe if you’ve put your trust in Christ for salvation but feel like you’ve lost your sense of wonder about Emmanuel, God with us – well, I hope you’ll listen. You can watch here or listen here. And just FYI: the actual sermon starts around the 11:50 mark (up until then it’s a wrap-up of last week’s message).

7. I’m going to get my hair cut in a few minutes. This isn’t important at all, of course, but thinking about it reminded me that I forgot to tell y’all that a few weeks ago a huge spark popped out of my hair dryer WHILE I WAS USING IT, and the hair dryer died. It DIED, y’all – after (get this) THIRTEEN YEARS of faithful service.

Thirteen years of faithful service. Can you even believe that? Can you imagine the hair tales that she and I had to tell? Tales of bobs and long layers and bangs and bad home highlights and that time I got my hair cut like Faith Hill’s short cut and then stood in front of the mirror cried.

That hair dryer knew my adult hair woes like no one else. She was a trusted friend. And she will be missed.

Amen.

Y’all will be happy to know that yesterday and today (so far) have been much, much better from a hormonal standpoint. Except for last night when I was trying to cook supper and listen to The Paul Finebaum Show and straighten up the house for company and make a cape (YES. I SAID “MAKE A CAPE.”) for Alex’s Christmas program and I had a small, private breakdown while standing in front of my dishwasher.

But other than that I’ve been totally fine.

The chocolate has been a tremendous help. As have the cheese straws that our friend Mary Allison gave me last night. Never underestimate the power of the cheese straws.

Anyway, I’m actually really, really excited this morning because Melanie will be here this afternoon. Deeper Still is in Birmingham this weekend, and I am completely beside myself at the prospect of seeing so many sweet friends and listening to some incredibly wise teachers and TALKING UNTIL I’M HOARSE.

So before I launch into my long-weekend-o-fun, I wanted to share a few bits-o-information.

I will not be using the CAPS LOCK in any of these links. And for that I know we’re all quite thankful.

– I’ve been struggling to finish my Christmas decorations. I’d say I’m 70% finished, but that last 30% is wearing me out. Well, Rhoda is hosting the neatest linky party at her blog today. The theme is Christmas Vignettes, and what you see will totally inspire you. Because it totally inspired me. And made me long for more lime green Christmas decorations.

– My Welch’s Giveaway is still up and running; click on over if you’re interested in entering to win a $100 Visa gift card.

– The Laughing Cow Giveaway #5 is going strong, too; there’s a $150 Visa gift card up for grabs.

– This post by Jon – “The Soft X” – just slayed me in all the best ways. So timely. So good.

– Heather has a recipe for some sweet and savory nuts that are just – oh, my word – you just have to go see for yourself. Sweet mercy.

Hope your day has been great (and your hormones have been level) – see y’all soon!