– Over the last couple of weeks I’ve gotten a several emails asking about this year’s Christmas Tour of Homes. Nester is hosting the tour again this year, and she even has a sassy blog button you can use:

Mark your calendars for December 13th!

– Normally I’m reluctant to try new recipes for Thanksgiving. There are certain dishes that the people in our family expect to eat, and it’s best not to deviate from the norm. Tradition usually prevails.

But this year I tried a new squash casserole recipe that you actually make in the crockpot, and OH MY WORD MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. Because it is divine.

Here’s the recipe if you’d like to try it.

– Looking for a beautifully written Advent resource?

Well, I have two to share.

TWO!

First, Ann Voskamp – who, for the record, puts words together like no other – has written an absolutely wonderful (and free!) Jesse Tree Advent Devotional Book. Nancy Rodden contributed gorgeous illustrations. Click here for download instructions.

Second, sweet Angela Cottrell has written a series of Advent devotions for her church. The devotions are rich and wise and perfect for all ages. You can find them here.

– A Very Merry Neighborly Christmas Concert with Dave Barnes and Drew Holcomb? Why, yes. I believe I will. And if they’re playing in your neck of the woods, you can, too.

– Our friend Shaun sings and speaks all over the world on behalf of Compassion International. He doesn’t sing and speak because he wants to be famous. He sings and speaks so that hopefully the people who listen to him will decide to release a child from poverty in Jesus’ name.

Shaun’s an incredibly gifted songwriter, and he’s currently raising money to record a new album. Here’s why.

And if you’re interested in helping Shaun make his new record, here’s how.

– Click on over if you’d like to enter the new Kellogg’s $100 Visa gift card giveaway.

– If you sponsor a child through Compassion, don’t forget that you have the opportunity to give him/her/them a Christmas gift. The suggested amount is only $20, but you need to make your donation by October 31st to ensure delivery by Christmas.

– I’ve read a bunch of great Mississippi State articles this week; the win against Florida seemed to make some folks sit up a little bit and pay attention to what’s going on in Starkville (TIPPY-TOE! CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM!). My favorite was written by Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, who said some not-so-kind things about State and Ole Miss over the summer – but has since revised his opinion. So funny.

– My friend Jan owns a bakery called dreamcakes here in Birmingham, and it is divine. DIVINE. I don’t really have a reason for telling you that – except that I’m currently in the middle of a deep and powerful craving for one of her Caramel Sea Salt Mocha cupcakes, and I thought maybe blogging about it would break the craving stronghold.

So far it’s not working.

Nope. Didn’t help a bit.

– Melanie wrote a great post for AllAccess earlier this week. It’s so touching. And so true.

Happy Thursday, everybody!

– Antique Mommy’s post about walking her little boy to school made me smile. A lot.

– Jon reminds us that some of the seemingly biggest moments of our lives are very, very small. And that’s a good thing.

– I don’t really care for the McRib, but I’m completely fascinated by people who love it. And yes, I’m talking to you, Daphne. (via Throwing Things)

– Sporcle is addictive. But I tell myself that I’m getting smarter by the second.

– Ann’s post about fighting the temptation to live in the middle hit me right between the eyes and punched me in the stomach – in the most kind, gentle, thought-provoking way. Love her heart.

In the mood for some perfectly random information?

Well. YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

– Several of you have sent me links to stories about the demise of the EXCEEDINGLY NOISY Sun Chips bag. POWER TO THE PEOPLE. Or at least to snack food-consuming people. I’ll celebrate small victories whenever I can, and furthermore, I WILL EAT MY SUN CHIPS IN PEACE.

– There’s a new Kellogg’s $100 gift card giveaway over on my giveaways page.

– This past weekend at Merritt’s house I discovered a new shampoo, and when I got home I promptly bought some for myself. The conditioner was a little much for my hair in the soft Houston water, but now that I’m back in Birmingham, I have conditioned to my heart’s content and loved the results. It smells great (Rosemary Juniper, anyone?) and adds lots of shine. Love it.

– My church has a new CD of original music:

If you listen to the clips, don’t miss “Hallelujah,” “Praise His Name” and “In Your Arms.” They’re my favorites right now. Until I change my mind in five minutes.

– And speaking of music, have y’all heard NewWorldSon? I hadn’t until today (I have been WAY behind on music lately), but when I listened to the link that a friend sent me, I thought their sound was so fun. Gonna download their CD from iTunes tonight.

– I’m sort of addicted to cashews. And by “sort of,” I mean that I’M ALMOST NEVER WITHOUT THEM. Anyway, when I was in the grocery store a couple of days ago I picked up a package of Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper cashews, and OH SWEET MERCY THEY ARE DELICIOUS. Such a treat.

– Jon’s post called “At least faith” is a must-read. I think I even said “MMM-HMMM” out loud while I was reading.

Have a great Thursday, y’all!

– The new Kellogg’s $100 gift card giveaway is up and running.

– The Juicy Juice $100 gift card giveaway ends tomorrow.

– I loved this post by Nester about decorating mantles for fall. I myself do not have a mantle, but I do have a lovely 1970s bar in the corner of my living room, and I’m sure it too would benefit from some leaves and branches and also some gourds.

– Kate’s post about her wedding weekend left me in tears. So beautiful.

– FryDaddy has written a book!

It really is so, so good – Melanie offers a little introductory information over here. I got to read a sneak peek the night before Travis pushed me down the stairs (OH, I KID – it was only a light shove) (REALLY KIDDING!), and in all seriousness I read the whole book in one sitting. Loved it so much that I stayed up until about 2 in the morning to finish it.

Maybe that’s why I did such a number on my ankle the next day. CLEARLY I WAS EXHAUSTED.

Anyway, you can find Surprised by Worship on Amazon, and I’m betting it’s in your local bookstores, too. We’re so proud of Mr. Cottrell and so grateful for his and Angela’s ministry.

And by the way, nobody asked me to post about the book, and I won’t make even a fraction of a penny if you click through to buy it (I don’t do affiliate links). I blogged about it because I happen to love it. And I think you will, too.

– In somewhat related news, I wrote a post about one of my own surprised-by-worship moments over at AllAccess. Feel free to read or not read at will. You have options.

– Finally, if you don’t believe that SEC loyalties run deep in this part of the country, then check out what happened when a mama (who I’m guessing is a ‘Bama fan) told her little boy that she was going to take him in the Auburn store (link via Shannon).

Happy Wednesday, y’all!