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 pumpkin crunchcake, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin fudge(yes, pumpkin fudge) and pumpkin roll made from scratch that my 24 year old son makes with me every Thanksgiving when he comes home, like he did when he was 8. (and FOOTBALL- high school, college and NFL :))
I love the cool air in the fall allowing me to bundle up in sweaters and slip on warm boots and a cute hat. So many changes happen in creation this time of year: experiencing summer like temperatures and almost winter temperatures; the leaves seem to turn quickly from green to a beautiful display of rich reds, yellows, and oranges and then fall to the ground to help nourish the earth. There air is crisp and clean. I marvel at the seasons God has created – allowing the earth to cultivate and regenerate itself. What a picture for our own lives. Seasons come and go with variation each year. And so it is with our lives. We have a chance to allow changes to come in our lives and let God ‘cultivate’ them to help us to continue to grow into what He has planned for us.
Fall is a season of majestic colors and crisp mornings that awaken us to Gods awesome glory!
My favorite thing about fall is the leaves changing. It is just beautiful. Actually the last time we meet for Bible study (storm Sandy caused us to cancel last week) it was “raining” leaves. One lady commented that she felt like she was in a snow globe and I really had to agree with her. I feel so blessed to live in an area that the colors just come alive this time year.
Patty Warner
My middle son LOVES fall. Unfortunately, he’s been stationed in warmer climates that don’t have 4 seasons. I have picked gorgeous autumn leaves, a little birch bark and packed them into a ziploc bag and mailed it to him. When he opens the bag he gets a little whiff of autumn and home!
What a wonderful giveaway this time!
God Bless you Beth! Hope the classes are going well for you!
After long, hot summers, I love the cooler temperatures that fall brings! Also… the smell in the air, the crackle of leaves underfoot, foods made with pumpkin, cozy clothes, hot tea in the evenings, and the coming of Advent in just a few weeks!
I love the changing leaves in our beautiful Smoky Mountains!
I love fall for the crunch of the leaves and the smells of autumn outside. Just taking a walk, I find myself leaving the path to swish my feet in the leaves and hear the crunch beneath them. I take in a deep breath of all that is fall…it fills my lungs and transports me back to a time of childhood bliss, jumping in the leaves, driving to the mountains after church to see the beautiful colors and collect leaves that my mom would press between wax paper, eating apple pie warm from the oven, drinking apple cider, caramel apples, apple orchards, dressing up, bobbing for apples, and one of my fondest memories…seeing my mom and dad (who passed away in the past few years) dressed up for a Halloween party as each other! It is a time of endings with hope of a new beginning in the spring…
Renee Williams
I love the crisp air.
How many words can I use to tell you how much I love fall? I love how the leaves turn the wonderful colors of orange and red. I love how the sun hits the trees just so, lighting up the trees as if they’re on fire. I love the crunch of the leaves underfoot and how my dog is driven crazy by the squirrels running to and fro in the trees above her. I love the fall decorations in people’s yards; the hay bales, pumpkins of all varieties and scarecrows and the Mums. I love most of all, how God thought so carefully to transition my area with the beauty of the leaves and season changing for our enjoyment while having the trees preparing for rest and winter. What an awesome God He is.
Cindy Clark
I love everything about fall…soups, football, decorating the house and when that cool, crisp feeling in th air finally arrives!
Susie Vaughan from TN:
I love the beautiful leaves on our trees, especially when they are still on the trees! And I love wearing sweatshirts and jeans – makes me happy!
I love fall for the change in wardrobe….so fun to pull out a sweater or pretty scar. I also love walks in the cool temperatures. My husband and I are basketball fans and that begins in the fall too. The change in leaves is a reminder to me of God’s faithfulness!
For me, Fall is the beginning of “family” season. It’s that time of year when we are preparing for the upcoming holidays and my heart goes into anticipation mode. I find myself getting SO excited about having all of my children and grandchildren here and under one roof together. (P.S. Remind me later when I’m in the midst of all the chaos that I was excited about it! lol)
I love the fall because that is when my children were born 25 years ago. And what a blessing they are!
In my family, the fall brings football, which for us is a family affair! My son, who is a sophomore, plays on the varsity team at First Baptist Academy, Naples. My daughter, 8th grade, cheers for her big brother and his teammates. My husband, fulfilling what I know is a lifelong dream, he is the “Voice of the Lions” announcing the home games. I teach 3rd grade at the school and our ministry project is “FBA Helps Tackle Hunger”. We count touchdowns every Friday night and count cans every Monday morning as students bring that number of cans in to help our local food bank (we have collected 1,764 cans so far in this undefeated season. We have 2 games left and our goal is 2,000). Mimi, Gray, PopPop, and Uncle Bubba all attend games. So for us, Fall is all about “Friday Night Lights”! We are so blessed!
I love fall and the beauty of the colors, it reminds me of His blessing of giving a new canvas every day. This has been an odd fall with us just coming out of what was close to three feet of snow. But it was an interesting contrast with the colored leafs and briliant white snow.
Fall is my favorite time of year! I was so excited to see this post! Melissa, I can relate to your thoughts on cooking chili, with the kitchen windows cracked, playing Norah Jones 🙂
I love the Fall colors in the trees, extra blankets on the beds and couches, football games, being able to wear cute sweatshirts and sweaters….HOT CHOCOLATE!
Love everything about Fall!
I love God’s protection from the storms. We survived 1 1/2 feet of snow with no harm. The bright fall leaves shining through the snow was a remarkable sight. He is so merciful and gracious to us. I have a renewed humility because of His protection and strength.
I’m jamie Watkins, I love fall because as it turns cool love to cook soups and have a fire. Just so cozy. Today is my 53rd birthday and I’m grateful for amother year!
I love (miss) leave changes and bonfires with friends. I grew up in Ohio and living in Florida I don’t see much of that anymore.
I love the vibrant fall colors especially when they are bathed in sunlight. God is a wonderful artist! Thanks for this fun contest. Appreciate all of you at LPM.
I have the red Le Creuset Dutch oven. It is so beautiful I never put it in the cabinet. It lives on my stove 24-7. Happy Fall Y’all!
Wow! What a great giveaway! They all seem like grand prizes!
I love the holidays that build community and make Everone be a little kinder and gentler in the fall!
Heidi Bennett
Jennifer McIlwain, Cape Coral, FL
I love the cooler temps that come with Fall and the colors and smells…apple and cinnamon, reds and oranges in every shade imaginable! It is absolutely my favorite time of the year! Refreshing time after very hot Summer in SW Florida. We get less of the cooler temps here, but I try my best to have the “feel” of autumn in my home.
I love fall because the bugs (gnats especially) are gone, the beautiful leaves, pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin spice coffee!!!!
I live in Massachusetts and I LOVE the fall, two of my favorite things apple picking and taking hikes to see the leaves change. There is nothing better than homemade applesauce with freshly picked apples or walking through the woods with the glowing sun spreading its light through as if the mere touch of it was turning the trees into autumn leaves, oh the brilliant colors!
I love absolutely everything about fall: boots and light jackets, tailgaiting on Saturdays, the big harvest moon, sweatshirts, my October birthday :), making soups for dinner, spending time with family on Thanksgiving, pumpkin flavor or scent anything! I could go on and on!
I love the cooler weather (ie 80’s instead of 90’s here in FL), pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin candles, and crock pot soups and chilis!
I am thankful that a friend introduced me to this blog earlier this week. One thing that I love about fall is Thanksgiving. 🙂 I love the chance to get together with family, to eat good food & to remember all the ways God has blessed us during the year. There is never a shortage of blessings because He is So So So good (even or maybe I should say “especially” in harder times).
Fall in Alabama brings out the most amazing colors of trees. Every year it’s like God is showing out with the brilliant display. This makes me so thankful which reminds me that Thanksgiving is coming soon and I have so much to be thankful for. Thanks for sharing with all of us around the globe.
I love fall because its the time of year family seems to attempt to gather more my grandchildren are excited about holidays a good cup of hot chocolate or coffee, just because! The beauty of the season changes, not too much in South Georgia but enough to make you smile deep inside. It’s an awe moment for me. Can’t wait to see Gods beauty in Heaven!
I love the anticipation of extra time with family and friends. Also, looking forward to getting started on my Christmas cookies.
Fall is my favorite season – cool air, football games, pumpkin spice lattes, snuggling around a fire, getting ready for the holidays, watching the leaves turn brilliant fiery colors…it doesn’t get better than autumn in PA. (minus the random hurricane. that wasn’t as fun!) ~ Crystal Stine
I inherited the love of the fall season from my Mom–she loved and I dearly love the glorious colors that cover the landscape. I love my fall candles especially spiced pumpkin. I love the cool crisp air and walking through the fallen leaves plus it’s time to get the favorite sweaters out to wear.
I love fall because for many reasons… My favorite reason, both of my children are fall babies so we CELEBRATE them! But I also love that Novemeber brings the thought of thankfulness into conversations and helps all to be thankful for so many blessings! To God be the Glory.
Hayrides and chili!
As a first-generation Christian, I thank God every Fall for the eternal joy that fills my heart because my husband became a Christian one week before Thanksgiving as he witnessed God change my life in so many life-changing ways!! Our Forever Lives in Christ is Thanksgiving!
Fall – love the cooler weather, I like walking more when it’s cool out. I like watching how the trees change, the landscape looks more vibrant than in the heat of the summer. Oh, I can’t forget…and then there is the food I associate with fall, homemade soups with bread and butter, beef roast that you can cook slow on a saturday….
Love it! Pumpkin inspired, fall & all!
I love Fall because by God’s grace I am here to see another day and year of it In Michigan, we experienc such beauty in the colors, I am reminded again that this was and is part of His amazing creation and I love sharing it with my three girls ( and Rotteilers 🙂 best dogs EVER) . I took it all for granted for so long and am blessed to see His hand in everything now….
I love fall because of college football! And the leaves, and the cooler temps, and hot simmering stews and soups…………
What a fun giveaway!! May I enter, please?
What I love about fall? The cooler temps, the autumn foods with pumpkin and apples, the sound of the fallen leaves as they crunch underfoot, the taste of roasted marshmallows over a bonfire. I LOVE fall!
His,
Shari
I Love the fact we can open our windows and let the cool air in. It just gets me so energized.
When the temps drop to cold, not just cool, I love snuggling up in my robe and drinking Hot Apple Cider.
BTW, I have come across a mix for Pumpkin Bread/muffins, also a jar of Pumpkin Butter to go on it, which is out of this world. Bring on the Pumpkin, I’m not tired of it…yet 🙂
I love the colors and getting to wear a sweatshirt with shorts. My favorite part is that my son and some of his friends come home to hunt for a week. My house is full and I get to cook for them. It is such a blast.
I love fall leaves, the cooler air, and everything pumpkin, especially pumpkin chocolate chip bars!
I love fall! October is my fav month! I love anything that’s orange-ish or smells like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cooked apples! In a season where we’re transitioning into the “dead of winter”, I feel alive in fall. Fall reminds me of how faithful my God is. The warmth of the colors, the coolness of the air, a big pot of soup, a crackling fire pit back, the beauty of his creation on display…all that, just before winter. God has been so faithful to walk me through some rough winters…and the coziness of fall reminds me that he’s always there to cuddle with me.
I just love fall because of the cooler temps, beautiful colors in the leaves and it means Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming. My home seems cozier and I love my quiet time with something hot to drink – mainly coffee!! – with a good pumpkin spice or mocha mint flavor!!
Sheila Hester
I love the gradual change in Florida to just a hint of cool in the air. Open windows, porch swings, pleasant dog walks, trips farther north to see the leaves changing . . . all these are pleasant reminders of God’s provision for us down to the smallest detail. Pleasures He provides for us as a fragrance of HIM!