Sunday Social | goodbye to summer (FINALLY!!!!!)

This weekend has been SUPERFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS for one very important reason: FOOTBALL. That’s right, it’s time to let the pigskin fly. I asked Husband if we could crank down the A/C to just below freezing so I could wear my hoodie, but he said no.

Some highlights from the weekend so far:

• The local high school football team (that, as far as I know, has never had won a winning record) won their season-opener Friday night
• Allen I.S.D. (northeast of Dallas) began their season in the brand-new $60-million stadium and made the *NATIONAL* news
• My beloved *COLLEGE* football season began this weekend. As an SEC fan, I loved watching Alabama beat Michigan at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. ROLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!
• I hope ESPN airs the Kentucky and Louisville (The Governor’s Cup) game later today. Regardless, I’m *PROUDLY* wearing my Kentucky shirt.
  

It’s time for another Sunday Social, a link-up hosted by Ashley and Neely. This week’s questions are all about saying goodbye (ADIOS!!!!!) to summertime. I couldn’t be more excited to see this time of year pack its bags and leave town. The longer I live in Texas, the more I dislike hot weather. But then again, global warming is causing icebergs near Antarctica to melt!!!!!

What was your favorite trip/vacation/activity this summer?

You can read all about my D.C. adventures here ….. here ….. here ….. here ….. and here.

I also went to Kentucky. I helped in the garden, made tomato juice, shot a high-powered sniper rifle exceptionally well, spent quality time with several important people, attended a family reunion, and reconnected with high school classmates at our 10-year reunion. I haven’t had a chance to download all of the pictures from this trip, but I promise to do that sooner, rather than later!

 Your favorite outfit look of the summer and/or clothing item is …

I will make this real simple for y’all: t-shirts, shorts, and flip flops. If I’m at home, I’m barefoot. I hate clothes, moving on to the next question.

What is one thing you wish you had gotten to do this summer?

I have no complaints about this summer. It’s been incredibly busy, yet I’ve had lots of time to relax and be lazy at home alone too. There are no items I wish I had done but there are lots of things I *SHOULD* have done: clean my car inside and out, de-clutter my closet, clear the utility room, and home decor projects.

Your favorite song of the summer is ….

No question about this, it’s “Pontoon” by Little Big Town. The tune, the lyrics, I love everything about it. MMMMMMMotor-boatin’!!!!!

PONTOON ~ Little Big Town (2012)

Your favorite movie of the summer is ….

I did not see any movie this summer that made me skirt fly up. I have a feeling that most of you are expecting me to say that movie with Matthew McHottness and Tatum Channing (or is it Channing Tatum? I still don’t know that guy’s name.). If you have not read my review, please click HERE.

Ok, serious question, what’s that movie’s title? I’ve done forgot it.

(thinking …… thinking ….. thinking)

Oh, Magic Mike.DUH!!!!!!!

Yeah, not so magical for me, but please, PUH-LEEZE read my review of *MAGIC MIKE*. I liked a scene or two and they all involved loud music and semi-nude men dancing and thrusting their hips provocatively. I could have saved myself nine-dollars by replaying YouTube video clips over and over ….. and over …… and over. History repeated itself here: the book is better. I read the 50 Shades Trilogy at least a dozen times this summer, now *THAT*  was magical.

Your favorite TV show of the summer is ….

I’m a fan of The Real Housewives of (Anywhere) and I will stay up wayyyyy past any human’s appropriate bedtime to catch re-runs of Chopped on the Food Network. I’ve seen them all, and still mesmerized by the dishes those chefs create on a whim and a prayer. Kumquats and pickled chicken’s feet, anyone? I said kumquats. I make myself laugh.

Happy Sunday!!!!!!

Giveaway Results (and a *SURPRISE*) — “The Organic God” by Margaret Feinberg

I normally don’t publish a separate post for giveaway winners but I’m doing something a little different this time. I’m having a moment of gracious-explosion-ness (I know, that’s not a word) and I’m spreading some serious generosity ’round these parts.

I’ve waited since Sunday night to announce this. I used Random.org to be fair, and I confirmed shipment details. I cannot keep the secret a moment longer.

Well …. just a second.

I must express my appreciation and gratitude to every single person who participated. This was one of the largest responses to date at Three 31. You make it worthwhile, thank you!

Next, Margaret Feinberg has been an incredible friend to me. She and Leif (her husband) have been so generous with event tickets, product giveaways, personal letters, and support for my mission trip to Haiti that I decided to EXPAND this giveaway for her summer book club – which begins June 11.

Are you ready for the big reveal?

What if I said there was something “extra” included?

Are you ready now?

Okay …. here goes.

In my meager attempt to say THANK YOU to Margaret and THANK YOU to you (blog readers), I am providing not two ….. not three ….. but FOUR sets of The Organic God to some very special people.

Here are the winners:

Again, I cannot express how thankful I am to blog readers and Margaret. If you did not win, I hope you’ll visit Margaret’s website and purchase the set of materials before June 10. The products are priced RIDICULOUSLY LOW ($34.99) for the book, DVD set, and a participant’s workbook. This is the whole she-bang and Margaret will definitely rock your socks with this deal. I wish I could buy a set for every giveaway participant, but then my bank account would be zero and the water and electric companies would turn off our utilities. It’s nearly 100-degrees and this girl needs A/C. But I still love y’all.

To the winners: congratulations and please enjoy this gift.

To all of you: have a blessed day.

Smiling because I can,

*The Organic God* ~ Summer Book Club with Margaret Feinberg {giveaway}

Before you finalize your summer plans, I’d like to invite you to a book club, hosted by Margaret Feinberg, reading the *THE ORGANIC GOD*.

The first time I read *THE ORGANIC GOD* was 2002. It was a gift from my aunt who had read it with her book club in Louisville, Kentucky. Before I finished the first page, I knew it was a book that I would enjoy. Margaret uses simplistic language (in all of her books!) and it’s like she’s sitting next to me and we are in conversation.

I describe God has organic. While it’s a word usually associated with food grown without chemical-based fertilizers or pesticides, organic is also used to describe a lifestyle: simple, healthful, and close to nature. Those are the things I desire in my relationship with God. I hunger for simplicity. I want to approach God in childlike faith, wonder, and awe. I long for more than just spiritual life but spiritual health — whereby my soul is not just renewed and restored by becomes a source of refreshment for others. Such a God-infused lifestyle requires me to step away from any insta-grow shortcuts and dig deep into the soil of spiritual formation found only in God.

Beginning June 11, Margaret will lead an online book discussion from her website. Every Monday, she will post insights from *THE ORGANIC GOD*. This is an excellent opportunity to engage with a group or Sunday school class, yet it’s perfectly suited for individuals too.

JOIN ME!!!!!!!!!

Listening to God’s voice requires more than just my ears; it requires my eyes, my mind, my spirit, my entire being to recognize the God-nudges in my life. Deep down inside I still hunger for a true, pure relationship with the Organic God — the One True God. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In him is found the mysterious wonder of the Trinity. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

For the giveaway, I’m offering ONE (1) set complete with *THE ORGANIC GOD* book, workbook, and DVD series.

If you would rather purchase now, click HERE. The set is normally $130, but Margaret has deeply discounted it for the summer reading series and you can purchase the entire set for $34.99. WHAT. A. DEAL.

To enter, simply answer this question in a comment below:

WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER PLANS?

* please include your name and email address in the comment form *

This giveaway ends Sunday, June 3 at 9:00pm Central. The winner will be notified by email and the set will be mailed shortly after. Margaret’s weekly blog series begins June 11.

I hope you will join me this summer reading *THE ORGANIC GOD* with Margaret, it’s one of my favorite books and I know you’ll enjoy it too!

Good luck and please share this giveaway with others via social media.

• Follow Margaret on Twitter @mafeinberg
• Like Margaret Feinberg on Facebook
• Follow mafeinberg on Pinterest
• Follow Margaret Feinberg on Google+
• Follow Nicole on Twitter @nmhutch
• Like Nicole Edwards Hutchison on Facebook
• Follow nmhutchison on Pinterest
• Follow Nicole Hutchison on Google+

Blessings to you,
Nicole

This giveaway is sponsored by Nicole at Three 31. The giveaway winner will be notified via email. The quicker that person replies, the sooner they will receive their gift set. Easy-peasy!

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