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)
I LOVE fall! I love to see God’s creativity in all the colors as the trees change, the crisp, fresh air, going to college football games (go Broncos), baking yummy cookies and breads, delicious soups, wrapping up in warm blankets, drinking coffee and snuggling with my amazing husband and/or children!
I love fall because it is the time of new beginnings–school, church ministry with renewed vision, a next year of life for me as it quickly follows my birthday, and the changing of the season into such an array of beauty… I also wear autumn colors well, and have my house decorated in those same tones so I am surrounded by it all year long!!
We live in North AL, and so we love the fall of the year. Each season is a gift from God, seeing the changes in our lives reflecting in His beauty!!
So excited to see this post about a giveaway!! To think, someday, just someday, I may actually win something!
We love our football and cozy evenings with friends in Alabama….Roll Tide!!
Trying to post from my phone is dangerous! My chubby fingers hit “done” before I finished!!!
This fall began a wrestling match in my heart with God that He graciously won through the vibrant Midwestern leaves & Psalm 1:1-6. Normally the fall season represents to me unavoidable grieving…trees will release their leaves, the days will grow shorter, the ground will grow cold & hard & the inevitable snow of Northern Illinois will cover all signs of life within creation. It’s the earth’s signal that summer season is over. The wrestling has been over this question…Why is the most vibrant, beautiful display in creation around me actually the beginning of its death? Why is the season of breathtaking beauty & drama played out on the reds, golds, oranges and purples of the trees of fall so captivating but so deceptive? The life is fading, yet it’s impact is multiplied visually. This fall, God graciously revealed to me that my eyes have been deceiving me. I’ve been looking at vibrant colors in areas of my life & the world, but not realizing I’m focusing on brittle & fragile things that will not last. He has gently turned my eyes to His face again. He has invited me to release my grip of things that will surely crumble in my hands (like fallen leaves) and take His hands again instead. So this fall is cherished in my heart, because I see it as another round in the ring with my Gracious, Gentle, Unwaivering Father who welcomed my tangled soul and instead of fighting with me, held me tight until I melted back into His truth & mercy. Surely, this fall is my favorite.
I don’t know if that’s worthy of winning a beautiful gift here, but it’s the Best. Gift. Ever.
Fall is an amazing time of year and a beautiful reminder of Gods creation. Driving through Skyline Drive to see the leaves changing, going to Carter Mountain to pick apples & eat apple cider doughnuts, pumpkin everything, decorating the house and Thanksgiving! We do a family devotional before dinner celebrating what the Lord is is doing in our lives. This fall will be particularly special as I am getting baptized in 2 weeks!
Crystal Sharp
Fall is my FAVORITE season!!! There are so many reasons why I love it. I love the air. It’s not too cold but not too hot. Those perfect days where you can just sit outside and enjoy the beautiful place that God created. I love the fall candle scents!! Lol there’s nothing like lighting up some gingerbread cookie and apple cider candles in my dorm! I love fall because I can wear boots without almost sweating to death! And last but not least, but really… I love the food. Thanksgiving. Favorite holiday. I love my Momma’s homemade dressing. Nobody makes it like she does! Pecan pie and sweet potato casserole!
Ok this is making me hungry. I can stop now. Haha
Who doesn’t love fall?! Great gifts and y’all are such wonderful women! Love you all!
I love walking and running through piles of crunchy leaves, and wearing my white vest with long sleeved shirts! And boots, of course!
Fall is for football, being able to turn the oven/stove on without thinking of temps as breads, stews, roasts, and soups bubble and roast away, and sweaters day after day.
I pretty much love ALL things about fall…crisp air, cozy blankets, pumpkin everything! It is by far my favorite season. And this year the leaves/colors in NC were beyond amazing and beautiful! Bliss!
I’ve recently moved to South Georgia so it’s probably about the same climate as Houston. Basically, there appears to be only summer weather with a couple 60 degree temps sporadically thrown in. But recently, we’ve had a spurt of cool weather and my favorite thing has been making pumpkin spice muffins (Yum!) for my husband and three kiddos and watching the joy on my two year old Jonah’s face as he runs through piles of leaves. Oh to be a kid again! Fall reminds me of going back home, which doesn’t happen as often as I’d like since my man is military. 🙂
What I love about fall is all the beautiful colors and smells. There is so much variety. It reminds me of how much God has blessed me with in a variety of ways. My thankfulness overflows as I begin each fall to count my blessings for the year.
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 love Fall because that is when my babies and husband were born (all within 2 weeks of eachother)! I love planning their parties, baking special fall meals just for them, and allowing the Great Lord to grow me as their wife and mother.
Jan Dean
What I love about Fall: So many wonderful memories of my childhood going to watch my brother play football. We lived in West Texas and it was not unusual to drive 200 miles or more for a game. On the way to the game we would play I Spy and because my Dad was a rancher there was not much time for us to spend with him, but that made those car trips so special. I would sit right in front of the cheerleaders and dream of the day that I would be one of them The nights were cool to down right cold. Sometimes I would sit curled up in Daddy’s arms. Most of the games were up in the Davis Mountains. Coming back, I would look out the window and see more stars than you can even imagine! I wondered and wondered how God could be that BIG!!!
I love Autumn because it is my 19 month old daughter’s name and today is my birthday. Any one of these would be a great gift!
I forgot S’MORES and leaves!!!! Had to add that in.
Pumpkin spice creamer
I love everything about fall – the smell of smoke from the burn piles and fireplaces, the falling leaves, being able to sit outside and not fight mosquitoes, the ducks on my pond on their migration, walks in the woods while listening to some good praise and worship on my ipod. God IS GOOD!
I love dressing up warmly & the crunch of leaves under my feat. :0
Crisp cool mornings! Boots and jeans with a thick sweater. Football. What is there not to love!
I love fall…just like the subtle winds blow thru the pines of East Texas, the Holy Spirit sweetly reminds me that all change can be beautiful. As I pass into another season of my life growing older, I ask The Lord to me help me remember the blessings that have passed and for those that are coming.
Natasha Forney, Omaha, NE
I am loving playing outside in the leaves with my two boys this Fall. They bring me so much joy…I love them so much!
Fall is my favorite season. The cool weather awakens something inside me. It doesn’t hurt that we also celebrate my grandson’s birthday and my wedding anniversary during the Fall season! God Bless, Laurel Rauschenberg
Fall…..love the country drives looking at the changing leaves, wearing sweaters in browns and burnt orange and Caribou’s pumpkin chai tea latte!
I love how God’s beauty comes out in the fall colors. This year the trees were awesome. I also love to watch our hunting dogs get so excited for hunting. I’m a dog sitter and breeder so I love the picture of Winnie! God is so good in all seasons.
I love fall because reminders of God’s creativity is everywhere. I love the bright colored maple tree in my front yard. I love the mums that come to glory this time of year. But what I love most is that it is the one time of year that does not clash with my red hair!!! Glory be to God!
Jessica Mills, My favorite autumn month is November, when I start baking pumpkin whoopie pies and we start listing as a family what we are thankful for.
I LOVE FALL BECAUSE OF THE COOL CRISP MORNINGS, THE VIBRANT COLORS, AND WARM COFFEE…GODS PROMISES THAT HIS MERCY IS NEW EACH AND EVERY MORNING.. LOVE YOU GUYS…
I love spending Saturdays watching SEC football in the fall. Love watching the fall leaves change colors and carpet our yard in vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Leigh Clemmons
Ruth Anne Bodwell
Whoa! What an amazing giveaway! I agree with you Melissa, I love getting to cook and bake extra goodies during the fall that would not be as enjoyable in the hot summer months. 🙂
Fall is my favorite season! Cool weather that allows us to wear cozy clothes and cuddle up in front of the fire. The beautiful red, yellow and orange colors of the changing leaves and the fantasitc way a fresh, crisp apples tastes and smells when eaten outdoors.
Waking up the browns,gold’s,yellow,red leaves in my yard knowing that in a few short months the beauty of spring will start again. Looking at all these different shapes and sizes and and that rustic sound so crisp. God’s majesty to us, just a glimpse of what he has to offer us. Can’t wait.
There is something so crisp and promising about the post-pollen, pre-winter air that I look forward to each fall. The changing leaves always remind me to look forward to Thanksgiving, and time spent with friends and relatives.
Love the colors changing, crisp cool air.
I love the changing leaves and their beautiful colors, cooler temperatures drawing everyone back in the home and warm fires with a good book!
Mostly I love the crispness in the air but “Falling Back” & getting that hour back is a close Second!!
I ADORE Fall because of all of the bold and amazing colors God paints the country side with. Even the sunrise seems to have a more intense glow to it. I also love the way the sun hits the orange, yellow and red trees across the field and makes them look like they are glowing with fire! The cool, crisp air fills my lungs and instantly rejuvenates me and puts an extra skip in my step. The calves breath showing on cool mornings is a sight and the crunch of the leaves under our horses’ feet is music to my ears. I love the perfume of wet leaves and fresh hay in the coolness. I also love the taste of crisp apples fresh off the tree on my way to do chores, or sipping hot apple cider on a cool day. There is NO OTHER time like fall! God is truly a wonderful, amazing and very creative God!!! His majesty and creativity is evident where ever I look.
Oh my! What don’t I love about fall!?!?!?! Though it is hard to choose, I think my favorite thing is spending time with family and drinking hot apple cider while snuggling in blankets!! Can’t get any better 🙂 Unfortunately, since we live in Las Vegas, we don’t really get to see all the pretty colors- but that’s what decorating is for!!!
My name is Mary Hughes. I LOVE pumpkin spice lattes!!!!!
I love Autumn because God’s artistic talent is on full display everytime I walk outside – something about the fall colors makes me feel so warm and cozy, despite the dropping temperature.
My favorite thing about fall is a gorgeous tree in my neighborhood that greets me whenever I drive in and out. It turns a beautiful orange and the trunk looks black behind all the leaves and it’s also big and perfectly tree-shaped. Food for the soul.
Oh man amazing prizes !!!!! I loveeeee seeing the leaves change colors I’m always tempted to take pictures of trees while I am driving, especially if the trees are several colors! I also love pumpkin spice lattes an pumpkin cupcakes and pumpkin pie … Pumpkin anything :). Plus the fall to me …. Has the best weather all year round 🙂
Living in south Texas, fall is completely a state of mind. I’ve had to explain to my husband (transplanted from the Midwest) that we dress to the calendar, not to the weather forecast. 🙂 It’s November and I am wearing a sweater today…even if I have the fan on and a tank top underneath so I don’t faint from heat exhaustion.
I love pumpkin bread and pumpkin cake and cooking a turkey and watching my girls experience the wonder of three fun holidays in a row. <3
I absolutely love the fall! I love the angle of the sunlight, the sillhouette of bare branches against the blue sky, the bright oranges, yellows, and reds of the trees. I love baking anything with pumpkin or cinnamon or apples. I love bowls of chili and a Celtics game. I love being mindful of thankfulness. I love my nephew in a bee costume.
Sounds like a great giveaway. I love fall. It makes me want homemade soups so I made my first big pot of homemade chicken & noodle soup last night.
I love fall, the turkey decorations are coming out today, the candles are lit at night for cuddling with my family and I love the smell of pumpking chocolate chip bread baking!!
I have always loved fall because my birthday is September 21. This year I have a brand new awesome reason to love it even more. My precious first grandchild, Emma Rose, was born on my birthday! What a beautiful present!
I love all things Fall…the colors, the pumpkin lattes, the crisp air, but most of all I love Friday Night High School Football! Mulvane Wildcat Football most because that is my alma mater and where my hubby spends a great deal of his time from August to November coaching those boys up! 🙂
Would LOVE to win any of the above things!
God Bless!
Chele
Lu White, NC
I’m a summer gal; however, I took up running a few years ago (just before my 50th birthday) and now I have a GREATER appreciation for fall weather. Aa a friend of mine says “It’s easier to run when you breathe in the air rather than chew it.” I have a half-marathon coming up on Nov.11th (all prayers appreciated!) and I’m thanking God for the cooler temps and low humidity.
Fall is my favorite time of year…I love the feeling I get when I snuggle in to study Gods word while the fire is going, reminding me of the warmth of His love for me. The beauty of His glorious creation changing in color. Being “stuck” indoors with my two teen daughters, baking, watching movies and giggling together. And the soft light of glowing candles when my hubby gets home from work to welcome him to peace. I just love fall!