another giveawayfor this season

Thanks to Courtney for the action shot of my girl, on the left, and
her girl cooling off on one of the many hot afternoons this summer.

Even though I don't sense any relief from the hot, humid days, summer does seem to be winding down in some ways. For instance, I added the five Murray State football home games to my calendar and made note of a corn maze at a local church that I want my family to wander through this fall. I was telling my daughter about cooler days [you know, like 80 degrees!] to come when we can use the new picnic basket [complete with kid-friendly dinnerware!] that I bought her at a yard sale yesterday. And probably the most notable change that indicates summer is ending or, rather, perhaps, at least changing, is my calendar that indicates my 3-year-old daughter will start "school" in a week.

If you were to ask me what my favorite season is, I would say, with no hesitation, summer. But then I'd follow that up with how much I like the transitions that are fall and spring. I like the leaves changing colors, all the fall activities and the way cool evenings follow warm days. And I like the anticipation of summer that comes with spring and the way new life abounds in some way or another.

So, no, I won't be sad when the thermometer reads only double digits and when the first number is a couple smaller than the recent constants. I will be OK putting away my tank tops for another year and layering some clothes to accommodate the strange Kentucky seasons.

Until then, I have a trip to the nearby water park planned this week with a friend and her kids and will likely continue sweating when I'm not really exerting much energy.

In celebration of an enjoyable summer and memories that go beyond just being hot, I'm happy to have the opportunity to give away another $60 gift certificate from CSN Stores, which has more than 200 online stores that sell everything from dinnerware for those tasty kabobs from the grill to holiday decorations for any season.

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me which season is your favorite and why. Be sure to include an e-mail address so the winner can be properly notified. Blogging or tweeting about this giveaway are each worth another contest entry. Just leave the link to your mention of my giveaway in the comments section. [This contest is open to U.S. and Canada residents because that's where CSN Stores ships its goodies.]

You have until Aug. 16 to enter. That afternoon the contest will close and I'll hear what my 3-year-old girl has to say about her first day of pre-school.