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)
Our fall season is super short…sometimes not even existing as we can jump right in to winter but I do love the colors of the trees as they change….and I cook ALOT so making soup is right up there with the colors
Kelly Bullock- This fall I will be having a baby boy any day now (hence my 2a.m. Post 😉 so I’m gonna start loving a fall birthday!!!
I sent a comment earlier , but forgot to put my last name ! I was so excited about that dutch oven!!
My favorite thing about fall … Leaves changing , riding to applehill in the mountains , sipping apple cider, eating a apple donut ( scrumptious ) and looking at the latest craft treasures. This marks the start of the holiday seasons approaching.
I love fall here in Phoenix, Arizona, especially that first cool wind is like the caress of God blowing through the screen doors of the house! Which is good because that’s about all we’re going to get! No change of leaves, no snow down in Phoenix but everyone seems calmer and less angry when they drive. And the quietness of hearing God’s creation that I don’t get in the summer. Summer’s not fit for man nor beasts when we get to the triple digits.
Fall also reminds me of fresh starts to the second semester of school. Holiday lists to start preparing and searching for the perfect gifts to bring smiles to my family and friends faces! And maybe this is TMI but I only have to shave my legs every other day for a bit! LOL! And thank you for the really thoughtful picks for this giveaway, how exciting!
P.S. Winnie is totally adogable!(adorable)
Blesssings to you and yours,
Kelly
I love fall clothes…boots, scarves, sweaters – but CA keeps faking us out. One day fall teases as if it is has arrived only for the warm short sleeve demanding days to appear again.
As the wife of a farmer, I love fall when the harvest is over.
Time to slow down and be thankful for another season.
All of God’s BEAUTY that fall in Michigan has to offer!
I love the first fire of the season, homemade gumbo, Autumn Wreath Yankee candles and boots.
I love the smell of my Pumpkin Spice candle, the crackle of the leaves, getting out fall clothes, and fresh apples to make apple crisp.
I love the changing of the trees!!! Fall colors here in Michigan are the best!! I grew up in TX all my life and really missed out. Also, in Michigan I feel as though I can see God’s work every day because the seasons are so distinct…. God is so good!!!!!!
-Katy Nustad
The air is cool and I get to pull out hooded sweatshirts, which I love to wear.
Another season of change. Seasons remind me of God’s faithfulness to us, His unchanging ways, and steadfast lovingkindness. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Gifts falling, from perfect love. Long shadows from the fall sun, shifting among the changing color of leaves…..Glory and beauty from above. Thank you Lord for the grand display year after year.
Blessings to all at LPM!!!
Fall is in my blood because I was born in fall. Fall is about warmth, gorgeous warm colors, smells of warm spice, pumpkin, it means home to me, family and something about all of this helps me feel secure…..even when I look around at circumstances that should (and could) rock my security, my faith and my world. It is a precious time of the year to me….I don’t really know why, except that in all of my brokenness, hurt, and insecurities, fall warms my soul….I feel comforted in the beautiful landscape around me, the smells just make me happy and I feel loved! Something about that fall wreath on my door and some deep burgundy and gorgeous golden colored mums and pumpkins sitting on my porch steps that calls out to my heart, “you are home and safe, go enjoy it with your precious family” God knew I was going to need this season every year to remind me that I can rest in His safe and secure arms and He warms my soul with each beautiful leaf I see, every pumpkin spice latte I smell ; ) and every pumpkin candle I light. He is faithful and good even when life gets difficult. I love fall!
Michele (Atlanta, Ga)
Hi
I just love these blogs. I live in Florida so we don’t so much have the cold weather like you do BUT it does get cold for us :). I love to do Pumpkin- and Chili and decorate for fall. It just brings such a warm feeling.. I made the best Pumpkin Muffins and Pumpkin Pancakes. My boys love it – Then the Chili. You guys are so generous – these gifts are beautiful-
Fall is my favorite :). Changing of leaves. Cooler weather. Snuggling with my man and our two boys. Bonfires. S’mores. Hayrides. Hot chocolate.
I love fall because it means our older 2 kids (23/21) are coming HOME for Christmas. We live in England (missionaries) and they are in KS, and I miss them like craaaaaazy. I do NOT love the fall weather here like you Texams do because we have had cold/rain/gray all summer and spring looks like a LOOOONG ways off.
I’ve come to like the fall season more and more each year. My favorite part of fall is how God demonstrates His magnificent glory, beauty, and creativity through the stunning and vibrant array of colors of the leaves that set the trees aglow! The beautiful sunsets are another vivid display of the breathtaking creation of the Master Artist, God Himself, who gives us the blessing of admiring His handiwork!
I also enjoy having a nice cup hot chocolate or tea and snuggling up with a good book. And yes, it’s nice to savor a variety of pumpkin flavored treats during this time of year. Oh, and I can’t forget the gatherings with family and friends like Thanksgiving. I really want to make a greater effort to really reflect on the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me and to give Him thanks at all times, not just during this particular holiday. I’ve been going through some difficult struggles for several years now, yet I want to trust and thank Him more easily even in the midst of these trials. Since trees are symbolic of life, it’s interesting to me how Thanksgiving happens to be fairly soon after the process of the leaves changing and then eventually the trees losing the leaves. This reminds me of some of the different seasons we go through in our lives. Like the changing of the leaves in autumn, we also go through times of change in our lives. Similar to the trees set aglow with their beautiful leaves dancing in the wind, we experience times of great joy and pleasant circumstances. Also, much like the barrenness of the trees after the leaves have fallen to the ground and are trampled underfoot, we all encounter seasons of loss, disappointment, and hardship. The cycle the trees go through close to the Thanksgiving holiday, makes think that maybe The Lord is using a recent observation from nature to remind me that He wants and tells me to give thanks in every season of life.
SEC Football and those first few cool breezes that blow and days that are warm. They sneak in and seem to say, “Hey, ejoy that sunshine while you can because we are fixing to take things down a notch or two!”
What do I love about fall? What don’t I? Fall is my favorite season. I love having the flavors of cinnamon and spice, pumpkin, apples and cranberry wafting throughout my home. I love baking and harvest events with my kids. I love decorating and time with family. I love thanksgiving as the end of fall because both of my parents are born on thanksgiving! So not only do we have a wonderful meal and time with people I love but we have two birthday cakes! That’s always fun. My dad is turning 60 this year so it’s going to be fun celebrating this milestone but its also bittersweet for me because as much as I love and cherish fall and family, this seasons been hard for me. My husband has left my kids and I and has been really difficult. It’s so hard for so many reasons and I’m tearing up even as I write this! But God is good and just like the bounty of fall has blessed me in all of these trials! Praise God! And that’s my last favorite thing about fall it ushers in a season of hope!
Fall is lovable because it means, cooler says, socks for my dry summer feet, anything cooked in a crockpot, and The season of His advent just around the corner.
This post made me laugh & smile & REALLY miss Autumn in Michigan. Currently I’m living in Munich…and let me say I truly might spend $100 on a gallon of apple cider if I could get my hands on some! If only Autumn lasted 6 mos…I’d be such a happy girl 😉 CAN there be too much talk of pumpkins? I think not!
I love fall…it is the month that I got married. Love the crispness in the air, the food, pumpkin everything (sorry), Sunday rides to the mountains, new fall clothes, walks on my leaf filled road…I could go on and on.
Loved your post and hearing about your precious dog! Thank you for all that you do!
I absolutely love fall here in North Carolina. The leaves are beautiful this time year withers the golds,yellow and reds. It just speaks of Gods creative hand with every color. It is especially dear to me this fall as my husband and I would always drive up to Boone and blowing Rock every fall and enjoy the Blue Ridge parkway at this time of year. It was one of oh favorite day trips . I lost him August of this year to lung cancer after a 18 month battle . Cancer did not win God did . Miss Beth we flew into Houston 5 times to MD Anderson each time I thought about you and wondered how far you were from us . Ladies enjoy your husbands while you have them I certainly did.
Lina
My favorite thing about fall, is Thanksgiving and having all my kids and grandkids together.
oh, i love fall because it ushers in a relief from the heat of summer. when the night temperature drops into the 30s and 40s i just seem to finally get a good night’s sleep. and then after the first rain of the season cleans up the air and all the flora it is just beautiful, the autumn colors, the crunch of leaves under foot and the drop of acorns on our roof. there is a natural rhythm to life living where there are four seasons, but spring and fall are my favorites.
I love fall because of the beautiful leaves here in PA.
I absolutely love the crisp, clear colors of falls the way God displays them! Soups, hot beverages and reading while covered up in my favorite chair.
Keri Jenkins
I am having to learn to love different kinds of things about Fall now that I live in Asia…..but have friends in Houston that can pick up my gift if I win! No worries!
I love that I have to work harder to create a Fall like atmosphere and being purposeful makes me enjoy it more. Turning down the air con, searching high and low for ingredients for soup, paying $50 for a pumpkin, and begging friends in the states to mail candy corn. It makes me feel like I’m home….even if for a moment.
I love Fall because of all the color-changes around here (East Tennessee). Oh my – it is bee-utiful!
Oh boy, what DON’T I LOVE about fall! First of all, it’s the start of the Holiday Season which I look forward to all year (I got pretty excited today when I saw a few people setting up a sign that said “Christmas Tree’s)! I seriously do. It means family gatherings and great food! I absolutely love cooking, baking, decorating and creating! And this is the one season where I really get to express it all… did I mention the cool weather??!! LOVE IT! This means I really get to dress up and pull out my boots, peacoats and scarfs:)))) makes me extra happy. Indeed. I just love everything about Fall!!!
Bright colored leaves, the gentle hum of the furnace making the house toasty, football with my dad on Sunday after church! Oh yeah, and Beth in my home state of Maine…it’s 5:32am on Nov. 2 and I’m getting ready for a WORD!
I love the colors… Beautiful! I love that it’s time for vegetable soup, my mom’s recipe.
i love our high school football season…thanks for the giveaway, melissa 🙂
Crisp air, crunch of leaves, and a warm apple cider snuggled under a blanket, because you dare not turn the heat on yet. 🙂
Fall is my favorite season! I love being able to wear sweaters and light the fire!
I love everything about fall. It’s my favorite month! I’m loving wearing boots, looking at all the fall colors/decorations, and the cooler temps!
I love everything about fall. Mostly, the crisp air and the clarity it brings. Soups on the stove, favorite sweaters and afternoon bike rides.
Autumn is my favorite season of the year! I love everything about it!
I love fall because the colors on the trees are absolutely beyond gorgeous. He did an especially good job with them this year!
Cool but sunny weather, sweaters, jeans and boots! Fall festivals for sure. Oh and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins!
I love the walking through the fallen leaves on a crisp morning praying and praising God.
Fall is my favorite time of year. It’s the beautiful colors of the trees and the way it demonstrates that God has a plan for everything. He thoughtfully created every detail.
I love the colors and coolness in the air of fall. I love the soups and baking in fall, as well!
I love, and I do mean absolutely love, the cooler, but not too cold, weather! I have the joy of pulling out and wearing my sweaters, and, really, I don’t know why that makes me so giddy. Of course, I adore the falling leaves, the baking and comforting foods, and the scents and colors of the season too! Thanks be to God for his magnificent creation!
Without a doubt, Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year! I love everything about it from the colors to the cooler weather! I love having a pot of homemade soup or chili on the stove while chocolate chip cookies are baking in the oven! And what about roasting marshmallows over a nice big bonfire? Who doesn’t love that? I could go on for days about my favorite Fall things, but I think you get the picture!
I love fall because it begins the start of the holiday season with family and friends…and it is college football season- Go Gators!!
I love chili, chili, & chili! Pulling out the Crocheting & working on new projects in the evenings.
I love the crisp, cool air and all the beautiful colors on the trees. Fall is my favorite time of year!
I love everything about fall…the cooler air, colors on the trees, comfort food, college football and the start of the holiday season.
Valerie Harned
I love having to sit in my deck in sweats because it is chilly with sun and blue sky having a cup of coffee. I look up asking God how did he do it, how can He make the colors so vibrant that I almost run off the road from having staring at the trees instead of watching where I’m going!
Melissa, W is absolutely adorable.