I didn’t post many links this summer because, well, I just didn’t. I actually don’t have a single valid reason. However, as always, I’m happy to blame my lack of consistency on the heat. THE HEAT RUINS EVERYTHING.

But today there is a slight hint of fall in the air (a hint that will no doubt be obliterated by the BLAZING HOT SUN within the next few hours), and I’m feeling motivated to do a linky catch-up of sorts. No doubt your sense of ambivalence is PALPABLE.

Giddy up.

- Okay. So our pastor, David Platt, has written a book called Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream, and I think it’s safe to say that God has used Radical to hit sort of a collective cultural nerve. And also, from a personal standpoint, to STEP ALL OVER MY TOES.

In a couple of weeks my bloggy friend Marla (edited to add: I just corrected ANOTHER mistake) :-) is hosting a Radical read-along. It’ll last for about nine weeks-ish, and all you need to participate is a copy of the book and a willingness to share what you’re learning.

I haven’t talked to anyone who’s walked away from this book unchanged. And if you really, really want to read it but just can’t afford it right now, let me know via email at boomama205@gmail.com. Just put “Radical Book” in the subject line.

- I loved Jon’s post about making horrible trades. And as an English nerd, I was sixty-four kinds of happy when I saw how he tied the post together at the end. So good.

- My new Kellogg’s $100 Visa gift card giveaway is up and running and waiting for your comments! (edited to add: comments are working now)

- If you’re a blogger, my friend Mary needs your help getting the word out about something – and you might make a little bit of extra money in the process. Here are the details.

- When I read this poem that Priscilla posted, I thought, “Oh. I am totally printing that out and putting it on my refrigerator.”

- For mindless entertainment, you can’t really beat MadMenYourself. Because whether you watch the show or not, you’ll enjoy sporting a kicky flip hairdo with your pointy eyeglasses.

- Ever thought about the pop culture divide between you and this year’s college freshmen? Take a look at the Beloit College Mindset List for the class of 2014. It made me feel old. REAL old. (via Throwing Things)

Happy Tuesday, everybody!

The little man is going to a day camp this week, so yesterday when I was cleaning I decided to re-watch all three episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City reunion special just in case I missed any subtle nuances the first time around. And listen, I recognize that RHONY isn’t necessarily the most intellectually stimulating offering on television these days, but the interpersonal dynamics – along with the personality quirks of a certain Kelly Killoren Bensimon – well, they fascinate me. FASCINATE ME.

So as I was cleaning and watching, I thought about how RHONY has been quite the guilty pleasure for me this year. Maybe it’s because a couple of friends and I do some marathon emailing and texting while it’s on – or maybe it’s because of ALL THE CRAZY – but it was a highlight of my Thursday nights. It’s like Knots Landing for the 21st century. Only there’s nobody named Valene who likes to pull up the sides of her hair in little bitty ponytails.

Also: no kidnapped twins.

(By the way, does anyone else remember that on Knots Landing there was a character named Laura Sumner who was played by an actress named Constance McCashin?)

(Constance McCashin was also a fantastic celebrity player on The $25,000 Pyramid.)

(HOW DOES MY BRAIN RETAIN SO MUCH MEANINGLESS INFORMATION?)

(All that to say: when I was much younger I thought that Constance McCashin was the most glamorous name I had ever heard in my life.)

(And I just felt the need to share that.)

Anyway, RHONY hasn’t been my only fixation these last few weeks. I’ve been stockpiling a mental list of things that have delighted me with their sassiness. Even though some of this stuff is way out of my budget league, I love looking at things that make me smile.

1. Stray Dog Designs – The night of Mary Allison’s rehearsal dinner, I walked into her mother’s keeping room, looked up at the ceiling, and squealed.

DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED.

I don’t know when I’ve been so moved by a light fixture. It’s paper maiche, made by artists in Haiti, and, well, FAB. I can’t find the big chandelier on the Stray Dog website, but there’s a smaller version in some incredible colors.

Don’t you just love the whimsy?

2. Clutch wallets – Whether they’re a designer brand or something more affordable, I think they’re genius. It’s so easy to organize your stuff and then find it when you need it. I was tickled when I found a great one on sale at the Steinmarts for about $10.

3. Boden tunics – Granted, they’re a little pricey for me, but they’re perfect for solidifying some tunic-related fashion goals. Melanie and I actually saw some similar tunics at a peach stand when we were coming home from the beach. They were 20 whole dollars, and I’m currently KICKING MYSELF for not buying one.

4. Wintergreen Icebreakers – I know I’ve mentioned them before. I just wanted you to know that I love them more than ever.

5. White jeans – I have been very resistant to the white jeans in the past. I felt like they were way too bright, not to mention my concern that I’d probably accidentally decorate them with peanut butter and jelly within five minutes of putting them on. Over the last few months, though, I’ve decided that I might want to give them a chance, and when I ran across a pair at Belk (I can’t find them on the website, so you’ll just have to imagine some, you know, white jeans) and realized that they were marked down from $75 to $17, I practically sprinted to the cash register.

They’re my new favorite thing. They can be dressy, or I can roll them up and wear them with flip-flops. Plus, they’re totally comfortable. WHO KNEW?

What about y’all? Have you made any fun discoveries lately? Found any good bargains?

- A few of y’all have asked where you can find the funky hanging baskets that I mentioned in Monday’s post. We got them at Lowe’s (in the indoor garden center), and they were about nine dollars each. I can’t find them on the Lowe’s website, but they’re made by Gardman, and they’re called the 12″ Braided, Water Hyacinth Hanging Basket Cone. According to Google, you can find them online, too.

- One day last week I found a recipe for fish tacos with lime-cilantro crema and thought I’d give them a try. I made them last night (with tilapia instead of red snapper), and they were DELICIOUS, OH MY WORD. They were fresh and light and hearty all at the same time. I’ll definitely make them again.

- I so enjoyed Mary‘s article at myrecipes.com about how to raise brave eaters. Couldn’t agree with her more.

- I would totally buy an East Dillon Lions t-shirt if it weren’t, you know, TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. Personally, I think Eric Taylor would tell the NBC folks that they ought to be ashamed to charge that much for a t-shirt. But first he’d pull his cap way down low over his eyes and then pace a little bit. And yes, I watched the season premiere this past Friday night, and yes, JD McCoy is dead to me.

- Priscilla has written a really great post about an open mailbox. You read that correctly. A post about a mailbox. And I loved it.

- If you want to read Angie Smith‘s book I Will Carry You but haven’t bought it yet, you can download a free copy at barnesandnoble.com (thanks, Angie, for the tip!).

Hope y’all are having a great Wednesday!

Every once in awhile I’ll have a week that looks like it’s going to be wide open – footloose and fancy free, if you will – and then the week starts and within a few hours I realize OH NO, WEEK CHOCK FULL, NEED TO MAKE TO-DO LIST FOR ALL REQUIRED TO-DO LISTS.

So basically what I’m saying is that this week is shaping up to be a little cuckoo. But that’s okay. This cuckoo shall pass.

And now, a few links of note:

- Our pastor, David Platt, has a book coming out today, and I am not kidding one bit when I tell you that the primary message in his book could very well turn your whole life upside down. The book is called Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. It will make you uncomfortable, and it will leave you convicted. Trust me on that.

- Pete Wilson’s book, Plan B, also hits stores today. It’s all about how God does His best, most life-changing work in seemingly hopeless situations. I think it’s so interesting that Pete’s book release coincides with a time when many members of the church that Pete pastors – Cross Point Church in Nashville – are facing some unimaginable circumstances.

- My friend Heather is super-creative, and I think this birthday party idea is so clever and fun. Even if it is outside in All The Nature.

- I love it when the people on SNL start to giggle during a skit, mainly because most of the time the inappropriate laughing is funnier than the skit itself (Debbie Downer and Matt Foley are the exceptions, of course). Anyway, I was ever-so-delighted to see a list (with video) of SNL’s Top Ten Cast Member Crack-Ups. (via Throwing Things)

- No Idol post from me tonight – I’ll be watching but not re-capping. It’s been a hectic couple of days around here, and I am craving a little family time and also some sleep. Sometimes it’s good to have relaxation goals.

Hope y’all have a good night!

- According to at least one writer, American Idol is “all about Ryan now.” Verrrrrrry interesting.

- I related so much to Lindsay’s post about freedom in worship. Absolutely beautiful.

- This idea for a do-it-yourself ottoman is fab. I could not build said ottoman, mind you, but I bet my hubby could. (via Apartment Therapy)

- Shaun explains why, sometimes, we really need to pull the rope. And the comments are just as great as the post.

- A song by the always delightful Dave Barnes about how much a man loves his wife? Yes, please.

It’s dreamy, isn’t it?