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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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September 26, 2012

A Pioneer Birthday Party

We are so thrilled to have our Regular Contributor, Julie, back with us today here at the Fence!
She is so talented and, once again, is sharing fantastic ideas for a special Birthday celebration.
You are in for a real treat!

Thanks so much for your warm welcome last month!  I have to admit that when I heard that the post was live, I came down with a serious case of stage fright. Your kind & encouraging words helped ease my anxiety and made me so excited to be a part of this wonderful community.  

Thanks too for the chance to share another of our parties with you.

A Pioneer Birthday Party

The candles were barely blown out on her 6th birthday cake last year when our oldest daughter declared, “next year I want a Little House on the Prairie party!”  She’s a planner and she’s chosen some fun themes for birthdays before but this theme was especially dear to my heart. 


  I remember reading a few Little House books growing up but somehow I never fully connected with them.  All that changed when I began reading the books to my daughter a few years ago and she helped unlock the inner pioneer in my heart.  We cried through chapters, stayed up late reading chapters that were hard to put down, and I found myself so challenged and encouraged by the strength of that pioneer family bond and the harsh yet beautiful simplicity of their life.



 In addition to the Little House series, we have devoured the Martha Years, Charlotte Years, & the Caroline Years taking a brief break before the Rose Years so it was with much love and excitement that we began planning this birthday.

When I envisioned décor for the party, the elements that came to mind were fabrics, flowers, twine, hay bales, burlap & baskets.  Anything pretty & rustic seemed appropriate for a modern interpretation. A friend of ours generously brought over some hay bales from their grandparent’s barn and I covered them with old linens for the seating.  We used mini jam jars for drinking glasses, paper napkins from Ikea and flowers from our yard to set the party table. 


The inspiration for the party’s color palette came from a summer dress that I found on clearance, which also came in a coordinating top for her sister. The bonnets and aprons they got for Christmas completed their outfits!

So, with those few pieces, a color scheme emerged in shades of pinks, reds & golds.

  

What I appreciate about pioneer style is the way they mixed color and patterns with abandon—the more calicos, prints & patterns the merrier. So I bought a few yards of fabric for favor pouches & sachet bags and the rest of the fabric used throughout was raided from old sheets & scrap fabric stockpiles. 

 I had been inspired by a number of fabric garlands that I had seen on wedding blogs over the months and using our old sheets & fabric scraps, my daughter and I made two garlands, one for the birthday entrance and one above the dessert table.  


My daughter was so eager to help with the details for this party and one of the projects that she worked on was stitching an initial onto a little hankie for each of her guests.   


We also displayed some of her stitching work as part of the décor.

We found a small log cabin at Michaels and picked up a covered wagon kit at another craft store, adding some small garlands to make them more festive.


My daughter was pretty determined to make it as accurate as possible and early on she decided that we would serve only pie since she couldn’t remember cake or cupcakes being mentioned in the Little House books. 

A collection of baskets was used as our pie stands and the name of each pie was displayed in front of it. 

 I found wooden spools at a local craft store & looped copper colored wire through the center.

 I just rested the wire in the spool without securing it with glue and it worked just fine!

Here’s the recipe for Pioneer Pie!
  It’s really called vinegar pie but we figured that might not go over so well with the seven year-old crowd.  The flavor was great and it tasted more like a tangy, lemon-y custard pie. 

 For the non-pie lovers we had sugar cookies shaped like pioneer women.


Since it was hot, as an alternative to her bonnet, I made a flower crown using a bunch of dollar store silk flowers & this tutorial.

  We had enough flowers to make a matching one for her doll too.



During the party we set up a few rotating stations for crafts.  I had seen this sweet celebration early on and knowing that our party would be right in the middle of raspberry season I thought jam making would be perfect.  




After a few google searches for additional pioneer crafts, we decided on the following activities. Yarn dolls using this tutorial, whirligigs using this tutorial and lavender sachets using this tutorial.


Finally for favors I made drawstring bags using this tutorial and added a few pioneer inspired treats.
Old fashioned horehound & cherry hard candies in a tin box
Old fashioned soft peppermint sticks 
(with a quote about peppermint sticks from Little House).
Buttons (with a little information on the significance of collecting buttons in olden days)
Twig colored pencils (purchased from Anthropologie &TJ Maxx)

Despite the 90+ degree weather it was a sweet afternoon of celebration for a little girl whose heart really does belong in another era.  



Thank you so much for letting me share this special celebration with you and for meeting me here at the Fence today,

Julie


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27 Comments Filed Under: Celebrations, Children's Parties Ideas, Good Ideas, Kids, Parties, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Crystal (theweekendhomemaker.com) says

    September 25, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    How cute and original! I love this idea.

    Reply
  2. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    September 25, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    This is an amazing party! The colors are gorgeous and the theme is so original! What a special little girl you have! You set a beautiful party for her too!

    Reply
  3. Marie says

    September 25, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    Oh my gosh, what a sweet idea. I absolutely love it. Everything looks perfect!

    Reply
  4. elizabeth says

    September 25, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    I ADORED this post. What a great party idea, and your attention to all the details was perfection! Your little freckled face girlie is beyond cute and looks like she belongs in the Little House days.

    Reply
  5. Anne says

    September 25, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    What a cool party!! LOVE this theme.I need to share this with my daughter.I think I spotted Molly (American Girl doll) one of her favorites!
    Thank you for sharing and inspiring me!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  6. Robin says

    September 25, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    Oh how adorable. Wish I was a little girl again. With so many great ideas it would be hard to pick a favorite but do have to say the pies and the yarn dolls really stand out to me.

    Reply
  7. Cynthia says

    September 25, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    What a cute and clever idea for a party. I love all the details.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  8. Finding Home says

    September 25, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    This seriously could be the cutest kid party EVER. I wish my girls were a little younger so I could totally use this idea for them!

    Reply
  9. 20 North Ora says

    September 25, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    What a special day for a special 7 year old little girl!! Thanks for sharing.

    Judy

    Reply
  10. LovePetunia says

    September 25, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    What a sweet birthday party! Beautifully done and very creative! I had a boy so Transformers and Bob the Builder parties were as creative as I ever got! Ha! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  11. Ally's Corner says

    September 25, 2012 at 11:31 PM

    My daughter just told me last week she wanted a Pioneer Birthday Party. I thought oh what? My 8 year old daughter loves to watch the Pioneer Woman. I had no idea how I was going to go about this type of party. Thank you so much for posting this, it will help us not so crafty people pull off a great Pioneer Birthday Party.

    Reply
  12. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 26, 2012 at 12:07 AM

    What a fantastic idea for a party…Julie, you and your daughter did a wonderful job on the party….such a very sweet theme!…
    Thanks Vanessa and Heather for presenting this ever so adorable birthday party!!!

    Reply
  13. April says

    September 26, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    I love everything about it. Beautiful, sweet, little-and-big-girlie! With all the girl birthdays we’ve done, I cannot believe THIS type missed the docket.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. faye says

    September 26, 2012 at 2:54 AM

    very pretty~

    Reply
  15. Brooke Halgren says

    September 26, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Julie, you are AMAZING!!!!!!!!! I love your parties!

    Reply
  16. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    September 26, 2012 at 3:47 AM

    What a fantastic party! Love all the details- such a sweet idea!!

    Reply
  17. Sherry says

    September 27, 2012 at 2:43 AM

    Oh my word! That last picture is just precious!
    Sherry

    Reply
  18. Amanda says

    September 27, 2012 at 7:29 PM

    I can’t tell you how much I love this party idea…and every little detail you and your sweet girl thought of! It’s all so charming and perfect!
    Blessings,
    Amanda

    Reply
  19. Miriam@bebookbound.blogspot.com says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    Oh my heavens! I don’t know how I missed this post when it happened, but thank goodness you guys highlighted it in the recap for 2012! Amazing!!! Julie, I need you to talk with my daughter and convince her to let me do this for her 7th bday. It is the most adorable thing I have ever seen! I am almost at a loss for words. Just amazing 🙂

    Reply
  20. mandi@herbanhomestead says

    February 26, 2013 at 11:38 AM

    Oh I just love everything about this! So sweet!

    Reply
  21. Kelcy says

    January 21, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    Love all the details of this sweet party. I am planning a similar one for my daughter’s 9th birthday. Wondering if you could share the details you put on the card regarding collection buttons?
    Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      January 24, 2014 at 9:41 PM

      Hi Keley,
      Here’s the info I put on the button cards:
      In the 1800s girls were given buttons by loved ones on special occasions. They collected these buttons on a string called a charm string, adding to it over the years. Here are a few buttons to start your own charm string.

      Happy party planning! It’s such a fun theme to dig into!
      -Julie

      Reply
  22. Haylee says

    July 20, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    This is amazing!! Truly! I love everything about this! I am totally going to copy all of this in 3 years for my daughter!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply

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  1. Heart’felt’ Valentine’s Day Crafts says:
    January 14, 2013 at 3:31 AM

    […] We hope you enjoyed this post from our Contributor Julie! If you like this project you should also check out her Pioneer Birthday Party […]

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    May 1, 2013 at 5:53 AM

    […] Themed Party Pioneer Party Harvest […]

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  3. A Tea Party Birthday - At The Picket Fence 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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