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)
Fall is my favorite time because it’s the time that feels “normal” for me on a lot of levels. Even tho my kids are out of school, it still feels like a return to blessed routine after hectic summers; afterall, summer days here in Fairbanks are nearly 24 hours long! And football is back and all is right with the world 🙂
Fall is my favorite time of the year. Why? It’s the change, change in the beauty and the weather, change in they types of foods we cook together, change in alot of areas. I love it all.
I love Autumn as it means cooler weather here in AZ., the opportunity to see leaves change their color in the high country,making soup for dinner, pumpkins and mums, warm drinks, and kids trick or treating. Mainly I love Autumn because I know Christmas is coming soon and I can celebrate the birth of my savior!
I love fall as my first born was born in October, plus, we live in the Blue Ridge Mountains and good grief, it is gorgeous here! I just had pumpkin pie for lunch and really, it doesn’t get any better than that.
I love the colors, the changing leaves, and the fall clothes.
Hi! My name is Chris and I am from western North Carolina and I LOVE the cool fall air and the smell of the leaves from our oak trees and the need to add a blanket to the bed at night. Fall is my FAVORITE time of year!
I love Autumn because my birthday is in it! November 16th!!!!! 🙂 I’m one of those “Sing to me and yes, I want a cake with my name on it and candles” kind of birthday people – even on the big ol’ banner birthdays that are a little daunting(my last one included a 5 – YIKES).
I love the new beginnings of fall–reminds me of His NEW MERCIES!
Thanks for all you all do to encourage us toward Him.
Hi! My name is Kristina Young and I LOVE apple cider! I am particularly obsessed with Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks even though I’m pretty sure it contains all my calories for the day in a tall cup;)
I love fall because the of the beautiful color in the leaves and taking a walk in the woods and being able to scuff my feet in the leaves like when I was a child is so relaxing . To be able to cook a big pot of chili and homemade bread and apple crisp followed by snuggling by the fire with my honey and kiddos.
I love fall of course because of the changing leaves and the crisp weather. But the real reason I love fall and particularly November is because it is in anniversary month of when God set me free from past strongholds of fear and restored my relationship between my family and I after being rebellious and selfish for many years. Every year God says something to me every single day of November to remind me how much he loves me has redeemed me. It’s one big cry fest but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. That’s why I really love fall 🙂
Hi, Stephanie Wall here in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. What I love about fall is … Yes ALL the pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice and pumpkin anything flavored foods and drinks, ESPECIALLY my coffee. Most of all I love the cool days that make curling up with a blanket and my kids or a bible study the perfect activity. I love wearing big cozy sweaters and jeans with a super cute pair of boots, the smell of leaves and the color of the mountains. Of course no autumn would be complete with out many hours spent in the kitchen baking up something delish! Fall is my FAVORITE time of year with Christmas an extremely close second.
I’m Jill Kraft and I love the cooler weather and looking forward to snow!
I love the beautiful way God uses His paintbrush to change the colors around us. And, yes, I do LOVE pumpkin….any time of year!! Try TJ’s Pumpkin Ice Cream, Melissa! It’s heavenly!!! 🙂
Amber Dilbeck
My favorite things about fall are the leaves changing colors, turning on the fireplace and pumpkin bread!
I love fall. I always have. I enjoy the changing foliage. In Colorado everything turns golden with the aspen turning. I love the smells of fall: pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cranberries. I really do love to bake so it’s just so fun to back some pumpkin struesel muffins or a loaf of cranberry nut bread. I spoil my husband’s office staff by sending them some pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese frosting. We celebrate three birthdays in the fall so I can’t tell you how much fun that is. This fall has been the best though because my sweet mother who fell in July came home! So I’ve had fun spoiling her a lot and just knowing that our gracious Lord gave me the gift of her presence in our home for a while makes it just the best time ever. Thank you for letting me share!
I LOVE Fall because it’s not HOT like summer. I can bake again, I love pumpkin flavors spice, etc. I LOVE fall leaves the colors!! Thank you GOD!! I loved reading your blog too, Thank You!
I Love, Love Fall because after being widowed for 6 years I remarried in the most beautiful fall wedding. We celebrated 1 year this Oct 15th. Beth has helped me get through a lot. I also celebrate a birthday in the Fall. Nov 4th, 35 years young and beyond blessed!
I love the change in leaves, my Ugg boots, chunky sweaters and a hot cup of coffee. They all go together perfectly, especially if there’s a slight chill in the air but still nice enough to sit on outside and enjoy the crisp air.
I love the fall stars and constellations. The air is so crisp and transparent that it makes for great stargazing.
I love the crisp air, the amazing colors of changing leaves, the really clear night sky, the smell of the fireplace going, the spices of fall: cinnamon, cardamom,ginger, should I keep going? This is by far, my very favorite time of the year!
My name is Hollie Arnold and I live in Knoxville,Tn. I love the coolness and colors of fall. God is such a wonderful and creative artist…and fall is one if His wonderful masterpieces. Also, I love Thanksgiving and being with family. We have so much to be thankful to God for. Thank you for the ministry you all do. I pray the Lord continues to bless you in the work you are doing for Him.
Made to praise Him,
Hollie
I love EVERYTHING about fall! The gorgeous burst of colors that seem to majically appear on the mountains that surround us in Alabama, coming in from the cold to smell a big pot of soup brewing, the crisp cold night with a fire in the firepit, making s’mores wrapped in a blanket…sheer delight! <3 Love love love!!!
I love the colors so much. We moved to Iowa last year due to a job change after living our entire lives in Texas. I want to go home so badly, but if I do, I’ll miss the leaves here forever. I thought I’d wreck my car my first fall here last year for looking at them.
Amy, what part of Iowa? We moved to Iowa 6 years ago due to a job change. We live near Iowa City, and yes, the leaves are stunning! 🙂
I enjoy fall for such a variety of reasons! Living in Wyoming, fall brings us absolutely STUNNING sunrises! Also, we have incredible warm falls, true “indian summer”. Also, it makes me want to back again, especially on Sunday afternoons after church while watching football. Thank you Living Proof for you ministry, it has provided a incredible connection to solid biblical teaching. I am in week 3 of “James, Mercy Triumphs” study now. Bless you all!
The coolness, the changing leaves, the reminder God is Sovereign over change and Fall, well just the word reminds me more lately at 57; to Fall face down in honor and worth-ship that my salvation is not to be taken for granted; Autumn is colorful; even clothing combinations work in my mind over the leave colors; A fresh start like a new school year. Crisp, Christ,Cool (he is cooler than cool)and the winding down of another year.
thanksgiving, like living proof is added to my thanks.(not shmoosing, just truth)in his grip for his glory.vida
I would love any of the gifts. I am just now in the full swing of fall. Now that the big H is over I will put out the turkeys!
I live in Florida so one of the best things about fall is being able to have the windows and doors open. Right now it is perfect in here with a nice breezy coming through. Lola, our dog, loves to lay in the sun by the screen door and watch for geckos outside. Nancy McAnnally
Paige Hinds
Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. The beautiful colors, soup, harvest and kids back to school, just a few of the ways God shows His faithfulness that all we have worked for has come to fruition. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday that because it is just about being thankful with no expectations.
Ahhh, Fall! I love the splendor of God’s beautiful colors, the vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, browns, and the amazing brilliant blue sky! Add the smell of candles burning in pumpkins and it’s just a perfect season, here, in Michigan!
I love the crispness of fall; the air, the leaves, the smells . I also am more aware during fall of endings, the warmth is ending, growth is ending, and sunlight is diminishing. It creates a poignant feeling to seize the moment and enjoy it before it’s gone.
Amy Clarkson
My favorite thing about fall (besides the COOL weather) is the night we spend carving pumpkins as a family! This year, we carved a USMC pumpkin for our son who is in his first year of service with the Marines! So we skyped him in to our party! 🙂
I love Autumn because of all the beautiful colors nature brings out and the nice autumn breeze. The air feels so fresh and soothing. I especially love playing with my daughters outside and thanking God for the beauty Autumn brings 🙂
What a great giveaway! My name is Sherri Stotler and I LOVE fall! I really do eat pumpkin just about every day until the week before Christmas. 😉 Anyway, I love when my husband builds a fire in our wood burner and the house is warm and cozy with that faint bonfire scent.
Oh Autumn, how I love thee! Let me count the ways…
1) The vibrant, beautiful colors.
2) Pumpkin spice lattes.
3) Cozy nights reading by the fireplace.
4) Football.
5) The holidays – everything from the decor, the food, time spent with family and friends, and preparing for Christmas – it’s all wonderful!
Happy November! 🙂
My favorite thing about fall is the changing colors of the leaves, and then raking them and having kids run through the piles over and over again.
I absolutely love FALL!!! It’s the holiday season!!! Going to all the great arts and crafts festivals, the leaves changing (even though we don’t get to see that in Florida), football and everything pumpkin!!
Greetings from the Sunshine State! My name is Laura Johnson and I treasure every little hour that we have fall weather here. I love bundling up in a sweater, jeans, and boots, and savoring the crispness of the air. I love making hot chicken soup from scratch, beef & vegetable stew, and the warmth of cookies fresh from the oven… stuff I just don’t care to do the rest of the year when the temperature is in the 90’s and so is the humidity! Thank You Heavenly Father for the blessing of fall weather!
I love fall because it signals a brief point in time when I’m not working every spare minute in the garden or needing to be outside shoveling snow. Fall is a time of rest while I watch the red and yellow leaves fall gracefully to the ground.
Jill Sharpe – I LOVE running in the Fall! I feel like I can run forever – even though I can’t 🙁
I love many things about fall – the beautiful colors,the crisp air – the wonderful smells – the extra hour of sleep from daylight savings time. I have many, many blessings – and fall is a great time to remember them. 🙂
Fall is a time where I love to get cozy with sweaters and scarves. It also reminds me of family being together. The fall colors outside with the sound of laughter and fun inside. Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. Family coming together with no expectations, just enjoying and relaxing.
My name is Sherri Lehde, and Fall is my absolutely, positively most favorite time of year. The sight of all the beautiful colors, the smells of all the yumminess, and the sounds of the leaves rustling just make me feel so cozy.
This year, however, I’m missing Fall. My DH and I and the kiddos moved to Turkey two months ago and are living on Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey. It’s an amazing adventure God has sent us on (we’re 30 minutes from Tarsus!), but the climate just isn’t conducive to Fall, so I’m doing my best to pretend.
I love the beautiful color that every plant turns in the fall. I drive around doing errands every day just to look at it. Of course it is hard to keep my eyes on the road and my normal straight drive to everything looks more like a rabbit trail this time of year. I take every back road I can to see the trees. And let us not forget the Pumpkin spiced lattes. (or pumpkin anything).
I love the chill in the air and glorious riot of colour as the leaves fall like snowflakes on fire. I love the get togethers with friends near and dear.
Margie Snyder
South Carolina
Falls colors come to mind first of all, but you can’t beat a cold, crisp day with the smell of burning leaves.
I love the cool weather!
Merrie Watkins
I just returned from a trip to the Ozarks for my grand-dgtrs first birthday. Fall in that part of the country really shows off the majesty of our God. Amazing colors amid the hills and mountains – just beautiful! Thanks so much for doing this.
I love the fall colors in the trees and crisp mornings. I can’t choose a favorite season as I look forward to the start of each one.
I love Autumn because it totally consumes all 5 of my senses. Seeing the vibrant leaves change into a plethora of colors against the sapphire colored sky. Hearing the wind gently, ( or sometimes not so gently), blow. Feeling the crunch of leaves that have fallen to the ground. Smelling the first fire of the season in my family room fireplace. Tasting a freshly made batch of my award winning Aloha Chili. All make Autumn love worthy in my soul!
Donna Benjamin
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
I would love any of those prizes. I love a lot of things about fall: cool air, pretty colors, the crunch of leaves on the ground, getting out the sweatshirts and jeans, and of course football season. This fall we are enjoying life with our 3rd child, Rachel, who was born on September 11th.