Ladies! I think a Friday afternoon deserves a celebration. We’ve almost made it through the entire work week! Woo hoo! We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is always the hardest part of the giveaway because we’d love to gift all 3,911 of you, but alas, we cannot, which I guess is what makes a giveaway so fun. With that said, join me in celebrating our SIX beloved winners for this fabulous giveaway. Believe me when I say we here at the office are coveting each of the gifts and almost threw a fit when we realized we couldn’t enter the giveaway ourselves. We love fun stuff like this just as much as you do!
So, without further ado, congratulations to…
Grand Prize Winner: Cara Koski
Second Prize Winner: Ansley DuRant
Gift number 3: Victoria Gelberg
Gift number 4: Kim Tipton
Gift number 5: Anne Dailey
Gift number 6: Leslie Wood
If y’all would please email me (Lindsee) at [email protected] with your mailing address we willl get these prizes to you ASAP. We love y’all so very, very much. Thanks for playing along. Hope you each have a beautiful, fall weekend!
DEAR SIESTAS! THE MERE THOUGHT OF YOU IS MAKING ME GO ALL-CAPSY.
It has been FOREVER and then some but I have been thinking about you. I know I haven’t been in this here blog-space much recently but I can assure you that I’m still at LPM. My days are full since I’m working and going to school part-time. AGAIN. Yes, again. Somehow even when I vow to walk away for good, I end up right back in the classroom in some capacity. This time around I’m working slowly on a M.A. in Biblical Languages at Houston Baptist University. When I’m not researching something for a project at LPM, I’m taking a Greek class in the Septuagint and a Hebrew readings class in the Joseph narrative. Oh, and how could I forget to mention Winston Jeffrey Fitzpatrick?! A little over a year ago Colin brought home a baby rottweiler and our life has never been the same since (even when I desperately want it to be!). Winnie is SO, SO bad but we love him madly.
Here is W posing in my dining room. Or demanding a filet mignon cooked over medium, I’m not really sure.
Here he is again furious about having to wear his birthday hat:
But really, enough about us.
I want to talk about YOU and a fall giveaway we are doing because we love you and appreciate you.
Now, I should mention at this point that if you are one of those people who is SO OVER all the talk about pumpkin-flavored anything, then you will want to run for your life.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE.
Do I have a faithful fall remnant?
This weekend we had our first legit “cold-front” here in Houston. It was even down in the forties one night. Glory be! The crisp cold air in my lungs got to me in the best way possible and, of all things, I wanted to cook. There’s just something about fall that always brings me back to the kitchen. Nothing better than listening to a little Norah Jones or The Civil Wars with the windows cracked open, cool breeze dancing through the house, while a chili or stew simmers on the stove. I thought just maybe fall might do the same for some of you so the grand prize winner will get a red Le Creuset signature round dutch oven (red not orange like the one on the box).
I love it passionately and do not want to let it go. I even enjoy posing with the beloved dutch oven:
The second prize to be claimed is a $100 gift card to Pottery Barn because, let’s be honest, Pottery Barn during the fall season is heaven on earth:
Gift number 3 includes an amazing decorative pillow, fall flower arrangement, and Hill Country Home candle.
Gift number 4 includes a fun little clutch from Anthro, a scarf, several pairs of boot socks, and some gorgeous MAC makeup in fallish colors.
Here is Lindsee modeling the scarf. Love her and she can work a scarf better than anyone I know:
This MAC stuff is tough to photograph but fantastic (includes three eye shadow kits and two lipsticks in shades of Russian Red and Viva Glam III).
Gift number 5 has a bunch of fun stuff: Cook’s Illustrated Fall Entertaining magazine, kitchen towels, mulling spices, Hill Country Home candle (again this is one of my faves!), autumn cupcake decorating set, beautiful engraved silver dish, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin bread mix, and more.
Gift number 6 comes with a fun autumn welcome mat, potpourri, decorative kitchen towel, and my favorite ever mulled apple cider candle. DIVINE.
Here is Mom sorting out all the gifts. Isn’t she cute?
So dear friend, for a chance to win one of the six prizes, please leave a comment with your first and last name and tell us something you love about fall.
We love you so much,
Melissa
(Lindsee not pictured here ONLY because she was out of the office when we snapped this photo)
What I love about fall is that God’s handywork is undeniably evident in the vast aray of colors He uses to paint His portrait of glory. As the leaves turn brown, wither and fall, we are reminded that in the Spring, new life comes again! It’s a very tangible dispaly of God’s grace and faithfulness!
What I love about fall is the cool crispness in the air. Going outside to walk the dogs and feeling the rush of life enter my body. It reminds me I am alive and gets me going for the day. I live in Florida, so those moments are few and far between, and I am grateful for those we have.
Dionna Sanchez – I’m mainly a summer girl, but Fall has become my second favorite season. I love the changing color of the trees, hot chocolate, fire in the fireplace, and wearing boots with skinny jeans. 🙂
I love fall because of the crisp air and the beautiful colors that surround us. We bought our 1st home this spring and its located on a hill that overlooks a valley with a hilly background full of trees. Due to the lack of rain this summer, the fall colors weren’t as bright as I had pictured them in my mind, but they still provide the colors of fall that I love. God has given us such beautiful artwork to admire and I feel so blessed to have the sight to view His beauty.
I love putting up my fall wreath and decorating my porch with pumpkins, and bringing out the fall clothes. It’s like having a new wardrobe!
I love the start of a new school year (though as a PhD candidate, the line is becoming blurred) and new classes and supplies…and pumpkin bread and cookies.
First and Last name, so as not to DQ myself:
Tabitha Worsley
I am so excited about this give away, even if I don’t win!!! I love the smells, colors, crisp air, and gatherings that fall brings! We lived in Southern California for 5 years and it’s great to be back in Texas (Cedar Park) where fall feels, smells and looks like fall! Love it!!!
The one thing I love most about is the change of colors. I love driving down a certain street in our town that in the summer the trees are in full bloom, green and beautiful. But in the fall I love driving down that same street and there are red leaves, yellow leaves everywhere Ohhh!! How Gorgeous! Reminds me that God is good and faithful in every season and has made all these things for us to enjoy!!
God Bless,
Kristina
I love fall for soooo many reasons – soups and stews and warm woolly sweaters. Snuggling under a blanket with a good book in hand. The smell of burning leaves and the sound the dry leaves make when the wind whispers (or screams) through them. It’s a time to start that long, winter nesting season, when I’d really like to gather my family and camp out by our fireplace for hours. It’s a time to slow down and really listen to the Lord after the break neck speed we live our lives in the summer.
I love how the aspens turn yellow and quake! There is nothing like hiking through the crunchiness goodness on the ground!
Kimberly Cumby, Idaho
I love that my two birthdays are in the fall. first my actual birthday in September and then my Spiritual birthday in November. I definitely celebrate both!
One thing I love about Fall…so hard. I love it all 🙂 If I have to choose I’ll say enjoying the glorious colors God gives for our pleasure with a hot pumpkin spice latte 🙂
i love the way the air smells in the fall 🙂
No matter the time of year … if it’s pumpkin flavored anything, I run TOWARD it. Pumpkin pie on the 4th of July? Fine by me 🙂 Apple cider on Easter morn? Pass me a cup. I live, love, breathe … all things fall. Among some of my favorites: spiced pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting, SEC football, boots and tweed, the leaves, the cool crisp, soup, the mountains … xoxoxo
I grew up on the prairies in Canada and every year I truly disliked fall because it meant that the dreaded 5-6 months of winter was near. But now I live in Eastern North Carolina and I praise God every single day of fall for the beautiful splendor he provides in the wide spectrum of ever changing color! Truly spectacular – Oh and I take my Christmas card photos of the kids in the fall and secretly enjoy sending photos from the beach to my friends and family still in Canada hahaha
I love the Fall. The cool, crisp air gives me boundless energy. It ignites a renewed desire to get creative again, to make crocheted gifts for the holidays. I love the smells of Fall; and it thrills me to be able, once again, to light scented candles, lift windows throughout my house, and decorate with vibrant colors of red, brown, and greens! Can you tell I’m excited about Fall?
How fun! And as I’m reading the delightful post, it’s not just one prize, but two, and then three, and it was fun just being surprised by each prize, all six of them! 🙂
I love warmer weather, but what I love about fall is the gift of God’s artistry as the leaves change. Right now, I’m so entranced by the view from my upstairs bedroom window as it overlooks my backyard, now in bloom, but in beautiful transformation with such gorgeous fall colors.
Love you guys! Jesus bless you.
I meant to say NOT in bloom, but in beautiful transformation. 🙂
Linda Gallo
My favorite thing about fall is seeing all the beautiful colored leaves, but also the cooler weather, fall festivals and my birthday (which happens to be today!). And this year, the birth of my 5th grandchild and 2nd granddaughter, Lilah, 8 days ago. God is good all the time!
I love fall because it brings back all my favorite, beloved childhood memories of pumpkins and the local pumpkin patch, apple cider, candy caramel apples, hayrides and bonfires. Visits to the pumpkin patch with my parents was one of my most favorite times. I do not have children, but I still do these things on my own to keep the memories alive. I decorate outside my home with pumpkins, gourds and festive mums in fall colors. It brings me great joy! 🙂 And who doesn’t love the handiwork of God in all the colors of the fall leaves. Oh, and did I mention that I LOVE anything and EVERYTHING pumpkin? It’s a must to bake pumpkin bread! Think I am done…;)
I love fall because it brings back all my favorite, beloved childhood memories of pumpkins and the local pumpkin patch, apple cider, candy caramel apples, hayrides and bonfires. Visits to the pumpkin patch with my parents was one of my most favorite times. I do not have children, but I still do these things on my own to keep the memories alive. I decorate outside my home with pumpkins, gourds and festive mums in fall colors. It brings me great joy! And who doesn’t love the handiwork of God in all the colors of the fall leaves. Oh, and did I mention that I LOVE anything and EVERYTHING pumpkin? It’s a must to bake pumpkin bread! Think I am done…;)
PS…I am new here. Forgot last name. So cut and pasted.
Hi!
I love Thanksgiving most of all. What could be better than giving thanks to our great and good God?
I love love love running in the fall! It is my most favorite time to run because the scenery is gorgeous and I swear the colors of the trees make me feel like I could run forever!
Shannon Howell
I love the leaves beautiful colors and the crunch under your foorsteps.Thanks for your post Melissa
I love Fall for many reasons:
-comfy sweatshirts
-cool, crisp morning to drink coffee and read the Word
-colors of the leaves changing
-activities: bonfires, hayrides, Fall festivals, craft shows, etc
-Christmas shopping season begins
-Fall break vacations
I’m sure there’s much more, but that’s all I have time for.
I appreciate and love you guys so much!
God Bless!
I LOVE the leaves that drift down from the trees on a gloriously sunshine filled day! Taking a walk in Tennessee in October with those you love…hand in hand and being surrounded by the beauty of a scenic country road is my favorite thing about fall <3
The Fall season always entices — from the glowing gold, orange, and red trees to the smell of warm pumpkin treats to visits to the local orchard to sitting around a fire with your favorite people — So I indulge and enjoy every minute!
What do I not love about fall? I can’t get enough of pumpkin spice lattes, my cranberry scented candle, warm, cozy sweaters, and the crunch of leaves underfoot as I walk down the street.
Fall is a time to know that family time with baking and cooking is just around the corner. Getting ready for our most loved Savior’s birth and all the celebrating that comes with it. But what I most like about fall is it is a time for quietness with the Lord as we lose daylight. Summer seems like it is go go go time, so much work to do outside and Fall is a time for me to rest in the arms of my Lord. I love pumpkin pies and hot cider times to just kick back with friends and family.
I love FALL! The candles, the boots, the snuggling on the couch, I love it all. Favorite. Season. Ever.
I love Clemson tailgating with my family when we get the cooler fall weather. I love sampling all the wonderful and varied dishes which are so much more appetizing in temperatures in the sixties rather than the high eighties!
I love fall, the cooler weather, beautiful leaves, and I sure could use that Le Creuset pot! Hope you all are well in Houston!
Oh my goodness! Where do I begin? Growing up in Minnesota, we, like you, couldn’t wait for those hot, humid summer days to cool off. And, I have always LOVED to go school shopping – even now, love it with my own girls, even though they are all teenagers AND I was in the marching band in high school (even drum major, my senior year) and it was always so fun to anticipate those half-time shows. Loved being able to march the streets of the neighborhood near our high school with the percussion section, just listening to that ever loving rhythm! Now, having lived in the Pacific NW for over 20 years, there is an amazing fall beauty here as well.
Love you, Melissa! Great to hear from you again.
FALL is my favorite time of year….the colors pop esp after grey sky open up to rays of sun shining …then you really notice the colors! Knowing that it is all temporary and must be…like all things have a cycle to them…God designs for us a season of Focus! Kids go back to school but we notice the weather changing…the heat is not stifling anymore and the evenings, we note, have giving us a reason for our long awaited sweaters….yet still daytime warmth. No matter what hurry we get in we still pause to take in the beauty and Focus on the season…
As the leave fall and give way to bare trees telling us of the foreboding winter to come…we enjoy the color but now on the ground…running thru the color….rustling…rustling…now we can hear our season!
We are now in the mind frame of Holiday thinking…colors of Holiday time and gift giving (winK)….baking and soups …now we can smell our season….OH THE JOY OF IT ALL!!! God draws us to him outdoors with joy not bad weather worries….but color and crispness….and beauty!
Kathy Burrus Loves her some FALL. Why? Better question, Why not?! 🙂 The leaves changing their wardrobe to full on autumn splendor is almost more than my soul can stand. I’ve thrilled to see my favorite trees around town put on their annual display. I think the crimsons are my favorites. That is until I drive past my neighbors bright orange glory with the sun sparkling through.
I couldn’t even decide which gift was my favorite. But I will say that just last weekend at my niece’s wedding, I asked one of the bridesmaids what the name of her gorgeous lip color was: would you believe Russian Red by Mac? Yessiree 🙂 I try to ramp up my color scheme this time of year. I think the trees have inspired me.
Thanks for chatting, Melissa. I’ve missed you. Praying today for your mom and the whole NE corridor. Dear Lord have mercy. But thanks for some light hearted fun once we’ve lifted our eyes from intercession.
Happy Studying. I find it rather enriching too 🙂
Megan Henderson
I love the beautiful colors of the fall. I am amazed at God’s love of color in His creation!
I have always loved the beautiful colors of fall trees and the crisp air in Indiana. My home is decorated in warm fall colors and it’s my favorite time of year to entertain. I chose to get married in October and my first daughter was born in October so it’s safe to say – I love fall!
I have always loved fall for the slight chill in the air, the bright, breathtaking colors on the trees, and the wonderful woodsy smell of fallen leaves. I love it more now that my mother is gone because it was her favorite season. Driving under a canopy of red, yellow, and orange foliage, I can hear momma saying “Didn’t God do an awesome job painting this year?” The best thing is this is the first year my 2.5 yr old grandson has noticed the color of the leaves. I can hear his mema laughing in delight over Landon’s joy in pointing out to us Gods handiwork.
LeeAnn Johnsonbaugh – I love the food! Soups, stews, pies, cakes etc. And I love the anticipation of the cooler weather and holidays ahead.
Thanks so much
I live in Houston, so I love the glimpses of fall we get, like last weekend. The beautiful clear blue sky and the full moon still shining in the morning on my long commute to work!
Fall is best time of year to enjoy my hot teas. What an excellent idea for the autumn giveaway. Love it!
Becky Burns
I love everything about fall – how it smells, God’s amazing color show and all the COZY that goes with this time of year. Thank you so much!
Christy McGraw
Autumn is my favorite season! The smells, the colors, the weather…it is delightful!
Stephanie Nichols
Love!
My favorite thing about fall is watching my nephews play baseball when it is 72 degrees out….instead of 108!!!
My name is Lynn Meakim. I love fall for so many reasons! Here are a few: cool, crisp mornings and warm-ish afternoons; pumpkin flavored anything (yum); the crunch of leaves under boots on a walk in the woods; the excitement of the upcoming holidays; focusing on the things I’m thankful for; the beautiful colors (that I never appreciated quite as much until I became an adult); and most of all, because the ‘death’ of greenery and flowers and the empty trees serves to make me look forward to the ‘rebirth’ of beauty in the Spring. It reminds me of how Jesus died for us, but then rose again in glorious splendor. Love it!
What I absolutely love about fall is the sense of PEACE it seems to bring with it. I don’t know about you but the smell of the air with a hint of smoke carried in it from a far off wood pile fire, to the pumkin bread baking in the oven and even the silence that the exists outside except for a flock of Canadian geese flying above really just evoke peace to me. And sometimes that is just some of the most amazing moments to have to ponder and think about little things that you don’t normally do when the world seems to busy at times.
Oh!! How fun is this!!
I love skinny jeans with boots, scarves, and Starbucks fall coffees 🙂
Love all you girls at LPM too 😉
I love the fall colors! The color of the leaves, the color of the sunrise meeting the freezing morning air, and all the colors of the cute wool pea coats out at Nordstrom. 🙂 God is infinitely creative!
Abby Biro
I love fall because I get to wear boots and scarves and eat pumpkin flavored everything!!
My name is April Jones and my favorite thing about fall is the smell of burning leaves – I live in the midwest and there are still places that allow you to burn your leaves – I search out these places. 🙂 There is just something about crisp, cool air, gorgeous fall foliage and the aroma produced from a big pile of leaves burning in a field or lawn.
I may, perhaps, be quite strange. 🙂
Happy Autumn!
April
I so enjoy the crisp fall air and amazing variety of colors this time of year. What an artist God is! – Catherine Seybold
Fall is my FAVORITE, always has been! I grew up in the southernmost tip of Texas, so while fall didn’t always mean crisp temps, it at least meant we wouldn’t have to sweat as much. When I moved to Waco for college, I was delighted with the season changes! I have many fond fall mories from my college days. I’m a redhead, so I love to wear fall colors too – they’re “my” colors. But my favorite part of fall is my anniversary. My husband and I were married 11/3, 11 years ago. We see autumn as our special season.