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 because of the colors, pumpkins, cool weather.cuddling up in warm P.J.s with a good book and the fact that for the men in my life…hunting it is…which means meat for the year if successful (yes he was!)Plus the holidays are just around the corner!
I love EVERYTHING about fall! It is my favorite season because of the leaves, pumpkins, squash, bonfires, scarves, cider… the list goes on and on 🙂
One of my favorite quotes is:
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
– Albert Camus
PS – I also love that you have a rottweiler!! I had one growing up and I loved her and I still miss her!
I love making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Also, pumpkin spice lattes are popular again! They don’t taste nearly as good throughout the rest of the year. Lastly, my husband and I started dating and later got engaged in the fall, so fall has all these sentimental lovey-dovy feelings associated with it.
Awww, Fall….. such a gorgeous, refreshing season. Watching the change take place here in the NC mountains is pretty much indescribable. ONLY GOD!
I love the sights, smells, tastes, sounds, and feels of fall….can you sense it? The best is deer hunting season because not only does God provide meat but he gives my husband and sons a weekend or more of family, rest and good talks with God. Tomorrow!
I am thankful for big cozy sweaters. I love seeing my handsome husband and precious almost two year old son all bundled up. They look cute pretty much all the time. But my most favorite site is all of our church families making their way into the warm church building together to worship, serve and enjoy God and each other. It’s a little taste of heaven. 🙂
The cooler fall weather and darker northwest skies gives me an excuse to enjoy an extra hot latte in the middle of the afternoon!!
What I love about Fall in Minnesota… Apple picking. We go to the orchard usually the end of September or beginning of October. Then I bake some apple pies. This year my daughter, Claire, helped me. I love the colors, the fall mums (still doing well on my front stoop!), and anything pumpkin. I noticed Trader Joe’s pumpkin mix in one of the giveaways. I got to try it — use the muffin mix recipe and add their white chocolate baking chips and make a pumpkin cake. Trader Joe’s pumpkin & spice coffee — my man and I love it. I made it for Bible study last Saturday and it was a huge hit.
I love Fall because my birthday is right in the thick of things (October 16). This year my dear friend gave me an electric candle with soy wax squares. You put a couple of squares in the holder, it melts smells wonderful, and then you pour it back in the container and you use it again. Scents: Cinnamon Vanilla & Pumpkin Spice.
Happy Weekend to all!
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
How fun!! My favorite thing about fall is using the fireplace! As long as the temperature drops below 60, it’s time to light it up! Happy Fall to everyone!
I love the anticipation of Thanksgiving and pumpkin spiced lattes!! Thank you.
I love football, chili and cornbread, soup and crusty bread, walking the dogs through fallen leaves while wearing cute boots and a scarf, cozy fires, good books and snuggly blankets, early to bed, frosty mornings and last but not least, the anticipation of Thanksgiving and Christmas. HEAVENLY fall!!
Thanks for doing such a fantastic giveaway! My favorite thing about fall is visiting a pumpkin farm with my grandchildren although cooking that first yummy pot of chili definitely comes in second.
Kelly Oblak
I love the crispness in the air and the leaves. A reason the build a fire and drink hot chocolate with my family. The beautiful colors. In the trees. Another way to show appreciation and thank God for his many gifts.
Ahh, Fall. What’s not to love about Fall? The beautiful color in the leaves. The cool days just perfect for sweaters but not cool enough for coats. Hot apple cider or hot chocolate. Most of all, pumpkin spice candles everywhere! Lately I have been taking a short nap on the back deck in my hammock with my blanket after a long day at work. (Church staff get tired too.)I think heaven may have only two seasons–Spring and Fall. But Fall will last the longest!
I love beautiful leaves, cool weather, wearing jeans and sweatshirts and coffee in hand!!
I love the gospel spoken through the seasons. Fall is the prettiest season in Kentucky 🙂
I LOVE fall because I now live in Pennsylvania where the colors are SO vibrant! Coming from California, I have a huge appreciation for the season!
What is there not to love about fall? Pumpkin spice lattes, crisp cool air that makes you want to curl up and read a good book, starting up the wood stove again, hot tea and cider, the colors and smells. It seems as if there is something in fall to heighten all of our senses.
Fall Favorites: crackling fires, brightly colored leaves, warm apple crisp with ice cream…to name just a few. 🙂
I only started to know about fall five years ago when i moved to canada from Nigeria but t my fave thing about fall is having time to bake all the deliciousness that i wanted to bake in the summer but no time. I just baked banana bread and cinnamon cake this week and was so happy! 🙂
I LOVE everything about fall! However, if I had to pinpoint one thing it would be watching my kids play in the autumn colored leaves!!! So thankful we have such a creative God!
My name is Heather Luitjohan, and I love the chill in the air!
I love a fire in the fireplace, chili cooking on the stove and the crisp smell of fall in the cool air of West Virginia.
I love beautiful fall colors that show God’s artistry!
What DON’T I love about fall? The vibrant colors on the leaves, their crunch after they’ve fallen and dried, the crisp cool air, pumpkins, apple cider, pulling out the sweaters again and snuggling under fluffy blankes, my birthday, and now – my wedding anniversary (I just got married Sept. 29!).
I love fall. The colors are amazing, the foods are incredible, and the time spent with family and friends is priceless. Fall is a homecoming: returning to big family meals, game nights, and snuggling in with a good book.
I love the colors of the leaves turning on the trees to a beautiful red, yellow, or orange. I also love the opportunity to get a Starbucks coffee in one of their cute red cups! I also love getting a cute family photo outside that we can use for our Christmas card. 🙂
I love fall because I love fall clothes, boots, scarves, and college football. Also, I love my birthday which is in 6 days, and I absolutely love Thanksgiving.
Oops. Forgot my last name.
I love fall because of the changing colors, the cooler weather and Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for and God shows it to me through all that! 🙂
For me the fall is actually a time of renewing. I know that world of nature is supposed to be dying all around me but I can’t help but get really excited! Ofcourse I get excited about my pumpkin cinnamon chip pancakes to make and to EAT and pulling out my boots and sweaters to be cozy in! BUT I mainly get excited because it seems every fall the LORD has something for me in the way of renewing… Like it is actually the new year for me…Rosh Hashanah perhaps?? -I honestly believe my family is of Hebrew decent.
I get excited about what new goals and challenges that I will start. It is the only time during the year I look forward to seeing what obstacles or trials I have to face. I think the Lord blesses my spirit in this season to be teachable. This year he is definately teaching me that HE is all I need and teaching me that before I go to anyone or anything for advice, encouragement, or support that its all in vain if I do not come to HIM first.
And of course I have to mention that 7 years ago this season brought another new adventure into my life when I learned I was pregnat with my son!!! I canNOT help but tear up remembering that day when I knew my life was changed forever with the NEW life growing within me! I just love this time of year!
Lol, oops I forgot my last name too!!!!
My favorite thing about fall is football-watching my son play and having his teammates around 🙂
I love so much about Fall. The crisp cool mornings…we had those this week in Alabama. Pumpkins!! Football! Boiled peanuts….bonfires…the list could go on and on. My favorite season. Thanks for a wonderful opportunity to win a fun Fall prize.
My favorite thing about fall has to be the blueness of the sky. After long and hot Texas summers, the return of clear air is amazing!
One thing I love about fall is getting to gather together with family for a Thanksgiving meal.
I love everything about fall…especially football!
Fall is my favorite season!! Love the cooler weather, the upcoming Holidays, but more than anything else I love the Football!
I sure would love to win the prize.
Everything about Fall is great – you aren’t burning up because is 99.99 degrees and you aren’t freezing because it is 19 degrees! We live in the Foothills of N.C. and can ride up and see the beautiful trees and still be able to build a fire and picnic.
I love everything about fall..but at the top of the list is absolutely FOOTBALL!
The thing I love most about fall are the brilliant colors. I live not far from the mountains and always go up for a breath taking view of the huge quilt of brilliant colors covering the mountain tops and valleys.It reminds me, even though God has kept these trees green all spring and summer, there comes this season, of beauty before they fall.
Like us, God shows, through this tapestry, it is when we mature, we have finally “gotten it” and oh how beautiful it is , we have reached peak , maturity, it is time to go be with the Lord… Hallelujah! Won’t it be brilliant ?
Oh I think so.
I love the cooler weather and finally getting to spend some time outside now that the Phoenix summer is over!
holy stinkin’ cow, what do i NOT love about fall?! COOLER weather is tops on the list because i too live in the South, where summer seems to stay way past its welcome. i love the changing leaves, the crunch of said leaves under my feet as i walk my dog, the smell of burning leaves, all the wonderful soups, stews, and warm your innards food there is to enjoy, and the ability to have a fire in the fireplace to snuggle by as i read.
is that enough? thanks for being SO SO generous, y’all! you’re so sweet!
The crisp fresh air with the hint of wood smoke coming from the neighbor’s chimney…apple cider…and getting back into routine. (I am not very good at being “spur of the moment”.) This fall I have been blessed with Beth’s “Stepping Up” study, which I just finished. Tomorrow, I begin either “James” or “Believing God” to finish out my autumn. Decisions! Decisions!
So many things, but my favorite this year has been the beautiful colors of the leaves. I am continually in awe of how incredible they are this year!
Fall…definitely the colors of the changing leaves. Driving around town and seeing the beauty lining every street is truly delightful. (and being able to wear my boots again would be a close second to the leaves! 🙂 )
What a glorious giveaway! I love the vibrant fall leaves, the cooler temps, and making my fall lentil soup! 🙂
You guys are so sweet to bless some Siestas with these festive gifts!
I must confess that summer is my favorite time of year but this fall has been a beautiful one here in CT! I think my favorite thing about fall is sitting on the sunporch with my coffee while I have my morning quiet time and get to see the beautiful sunrise.
This fall is even more special because it is the first one that my 9-month old granddaughter has experienced and she loves to play with the colorful crispy leaves – what a joy to see her simple pleasure – what a gift from God 🙂
Ashlie McDonald-not sure if my last one worked. i did it from my phone.
i love fall for any reason a person can think of! God bless and thanks!
ash
Oh, how I love fall. Each year I think I love it even more. I love an annual camping trip that has been a tradition in my family for over 30 years. We now have children, grandchildren and great grandchildren attending. That is my favorite part but a new tradition has been to bake cookies with my youngest daughter who is about to give birth (maybe today) at any time and next year will be baking with a new granddaughter. Thank you Lord for family, Your unbelievable creativity with the change of seasons and for the miracle of new life!!!
Oh, how I love fall and that there was not a word limit to this entry.
Lisa Curtis
I love everything about Fall…pumpkins, leaves, cool weather…the way the sunshine looks on yellow leaves. Spider lilies, black eyed susans. Fall is glorious!