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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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June 26, 2013

My Good Housekeeping Feature!

Good Housekeeping inspired 4th of July decor www.atthepicketfence.com

I’m in this month’s issue of Good Housekeeping!

It’s a teeny-tiny-don’t-blink-or-you-will-miss-it feature.

But it’s there!

And why am I in Good Housekeeping do you ask?

handkerchief 4th of July pillow www.atthepicketfence.com
Well, I’ll tell ya.

I’m in Good Housekeeping because I took two Dollar Tree handkerchiefs, put a pillow between them and tied the corners with ribbons.
fourth of July front porch pillows www.atthepicketfence.com
Then I took two terra-cotta pots and put red flowers in the bottom one, white flowers in the top one, stacked the white one on top of the red one and stuck two American flags in it.
Makes sense, right?

potted victory garden 4th of July decor atthepicketfence.com

Ok, so maybe there was a little more involved in being featured in Good Housekeeping. Just a little though, mind you!

You see, I did this back in the summer of 2011. I had been visiting my parents and working my way through the stack of magazines my mom always saves for me. One of those magazines was Good Housekeeping. And it featured some fun and simple 4th of July decor. “Simple” is one of my most favorite words!

So, I created my own version of their version and took photos of it and put it on our blog.

Fast forward to March of this year and I get a call from my sister. “Where are you?” she hollers at me through the phone. “I’m on my way to pick up the kids from school”, I reply. “Well you are not going to believe the email that you just got!” she says.

stacked pot victory garden fourth of July decor atthepicketfence.com

Good Housekeeping had seen my version of their version and wondered if I would be willing to let them put it in the July issue of their magazine. Hmmmm…let me think about it…. 😉

I may or may not have neighbors who now think of me as the crazy lady who pulled her car over and made high-pitched screeching sounds while waving her hands around wildly.

American flags on stacked pot victory garden atthepicketfence.com

After re-editing and actually re-shooting some of the photos then sending them off to them I waited and waited and waited and waited and waited for the July issue to come out.

When it finally did, I greedily snatched it up and flipped through the pages looking and looking and looking and looking and looking. I reached the end of the magazine and didn’t see it. So I started from the beginning and went flipped through all the pages again and still didn’t see it.

I did this 4 more times.

Until…I saw it.

GH pic

A teeny-tiny-don’t-blink-or-you-might-miss-it-and-in-fact-I-did-miss-it-feature!

But still…kinda cool, huh? 🙂

Just goes to show that you never know whose watching!

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

38 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Features, Gardening, Good Ideas, No-Sew, Outdoors Tagged With: 4th of July, 4th of July crafts, 4th of July decorating, Good Housekeeping, pillows

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Comments

  1. Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    The pillow is adorable and that is very fun and exciting news! Congrats!

    Reply
  2. Gretchen says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:32 AM

    Congratulations! Great idea.

    Reply
  3. Marty Walden says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    I love simple and I love your don’t blink feature! Congrats!

    Reply
  4. Southern Scraps says

    June 26, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    Congrats to you! Cute ideas.

    Reply
  5. Jackie Adams says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Congratulations Vanessa! So exciting!

    Reply
  6. Michelle Paige says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:30 AM

    So fun to be featured, even if it’s small! Congrats!

    Reply
  7. Tammy says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    Congratulations….what a great idea on the pillows! Very Cute!!!

    Reply
  8. Anita says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    Vanessa, congratulations!! Yay for you:-)

    Reply
  9. carol jane says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    Adorable pillow! No sewing at all? Maybe I can do this too! Ha! I dont have a sewing machine.

    Reply
  10. Richella @ Imparting Grace says

    June 26, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    Very, very, VERY cool!! Congratulations, Vanessa! I love Good Housekeeping. I started reading my mom’s copies when I was 12, which means I’ve now been reading Good Housekeeping for nearly 38 years! And I still love it, because I get wonderful ideas that will actually work in a real home. I’d be really excited if I were you–small feature or not, it’s still a feature! Way to go, friend!

    Reply
  11. Sara ~ Sweet Magnolias Farm says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    Congrat’s on your feature in Good Housekeeping .. No matter how small it is ..it’s still quite cool !

    Love your simple ideas .. sometimes they are truly the best .. and yours’ are too charming !

    Happy 4th ..
    Sara

    Reply
  12. Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:13 AM

    Congrats! And I did see it in GH!!

    Reply
  13. Judy Clark says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Vanessa – Congratulations! Your porch looks darling and very “Fourth of Julyish”. Great job. But then, everything you two do is great and a lot of your items should be published. Again, congratulations. I’ll save the issue and say – “that’s my friend”.

    Judy

    Reply
  14. Leslie Harris says

    June 26, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    You’re in Good Housekeeping because you’re awesome. Love the ideas and I’m sharing this on my FB page.
    xo
    Leslie aka Gwen Moss

    Reply
  15. Ashley says

    June 26, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    You work hard on everything you do and deserve the Good Housekeeping feature. Good for you!

    Reply
  16. Susan @ My Place to Yours says

    June 26, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    Kinda cool? Oh, yes it is! Congratulations. Cute patriotic porch, by the way. 🙂

    Reply
  17. susan says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    Good for you! Very cool patriotic decorating…no wonder they liked it!
    Susan

    Reply
  18. Jessica@designerssweetspot.blogspot.com says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    How exciting to be featured! I didn’t know Good House Keeping ever did features, even if it’s a small one, it’s great exposure! Nice job!

    Reply
  19. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    June 26, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    That is fabulous! Congrats!

    Reply
  20. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    June 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    Oh how exciting. I love it. Your pillow is definitely cute and this is such an honor for you. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  21. Mandy Grimes says

    June 26, 2013 at 12:44 PM

    How exciting to be featured in a Magazine!

    Reply
  22. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    June 26, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Awesome, Vanessa!! I need to make a pillow like that for my front porch bench — genius! Congrats!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  23. Angela says

    June 26, 2013 at 1:43 PM

    This is awesome!!! Congratulations!!! Well deserved!~~Angela

    Reply
  24. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    June 26, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    Congrats Vanessa…!!!..Love how you stacked one pot into the other!!…I love placing flags in my planters too!….My porch looks like a parade!!!…:) Can’t wait to get the GH and see your feature!! So wonderful!!!

    Reply
  25. Cindy says

    June 26, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    Congratulations!!! Super cute pillow 🙂
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  26. karen says

    June 26, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    Vanessa that is so fun!!!! And what a cute project!!

    Reply
  27. Lynn@Southern Direction says

    June 27, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    I love it! Congrats!

    Reply
  28. MDR says

    June 27, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    So festive! Love it and YOU! Mom

    Reply
  29. Christina @ The Frugal Homemaker says

    June 27, 2013 at 3:06 PM

    Congrats, Vanessa! I already saw your feature in my magazine 🙂 Might have to copy your pillows – love them and how easy they are to do!

    Reply
  30. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    June 27, 2013 at 5:18 PM

    That’s awesome Vanessa!! Yay!! 🙂
    xoxo

    Reply
  31. Sherry says

    June 27, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    How cool to be in Good Housekeeping!!! Glad you finally found it! 😉 I love that pillow idea…I might have to copy that! Simple is always good.

    Reply
  32. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    June 29, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    That is awesome! Contgrats 🙂

    Reply
  33. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    June 29, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    congrats…..I can spell 🙂

    Reply
  34. Liz @ Quirky Vistas says

    July 1, 2013 at 5:48 AM

    So fun! Magazine worthy for sure and I can just see you now out waving your arms and screaming. I would do the same! Congratulations! It is a super cute idea everyone will want to imitate!
    Liz

    Reply
  35. Lauren @ The Endearing Home says

    July 2, 2013 at 7:06 PM

    Congratulations on being featured in Good Housekeeping! I love the pillow and the flower pots too! Such great ideas, thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  36. Zuni says

    July 4, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    I’d be a crazy lady too if I got an email from a magazine!! LOL. And your work was deserving…both cute ideas, photographed well! ~Zuni

    Reply

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  2. 31 Last-Minute 4th Of July Decorating Tricks | Sharing Interesting Stuff, Updates News & Free Tips says:
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I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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