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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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November 8, 2013

A Thankful Thanksgiving Mantel

I’m thankful for many things…

I’m thankful for that very first sip of coffee in the morning…I can feel it coursing through my veins and bringing my out of my early morning stupor.

I’m thankful for that moment when I rip off my skinny jeans and pull on my sweats…oh sweet, sweet elastic waistband come to mama.

I’m thankful for the smell of the first batch of Chex mix of the season…but not so thankful for how quickly it disappears in our house!

I’m thankful for dual-purpose decorating.

Like being able to easily turn my Fall Mantel into a Thanksgiving Mantel.

Thanksgiving-mantel-with-chalkboard-platters atthepicketfence.com

I’m also thankful for the wonderful invention that is peel-and-stick chalkboard paper.

chalkboard paper roll

And so thankful that it comes with cutting lines on the back.

chalkboard paper grid lines

That wonderful invention of peel-and-stick chalkboard paper allowed me to create a wall of thankfulness.

Turning simple silver platters into expressions of my heart.

Because, you see, as much as I am thankful for that first sip of coffee and elastic waistbands and Chex mix…

Thanksgiving Mantel Decor from atthepicketfence.com

I know that really those are just simple pleasures.

They don’t mean as much to me as the real stuff.

Thankful platters Thanksgiving mantel atthepicketfence.com

How absolutely blessed and privileged I am to be a mom to my two precious kiddos.

The joyful feeling I experience in watching them grow into these incredible, hysterical, marvelous little human beings.

The feeling of being so completely loved by my husband of 15 years. How content we are to sit together in the evenings and talk about absolutely everything or absolutely nothing.

peel and stick chalkboard paper on vintage silver trays from atthepicketfence.com

I look at those platters and know I will be sharing them with you here and feel so unbelievably grateful to you, that you take the time to come along on this journey with me as I share my heart and my home.

Thanksgiving-mantel-with-chalkboard-platters atthepicketfence.com

And, most of all, I am thankful.

Thankful that I am totally and completely undeserving of all of these things and yet God has given them to me.

I like to think that I don’t take them for granted…but I’m sure that I do.

But this year, I will be walking past that wall of thanksgiving every day.

And it will serve as a gentle reminder to stop and remember just how much I truly have to be thankful for.

 Oh, and here are two  more thing I’m thankful for…

I’m thankful that the peel-and-stick chalkboard platters were so easy that they totally qualify to be part of our 5 Minute Craft Series which happens here every Friday!

5 minute crafts peel and stick chalkboard platters

And I’m also thankful that I’m participating in the Bountiful Harvest Blog Hop today

bountiful harvest blog hop

With all of these incredible ladies!

Coffee and Pumpkin Tiramisu at Cupcakes and Crinoline

Free Thanksgiving Printables at Yellow Bliss Road

Thanksgiving Mantel at At The Picket Fence

DIY Burlap Silverware Holder at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Thanksgiving Goodie Bags at Domestically Speaking

Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece at French Country Cottage

Thanksgiving Tablescape at Setting for Four

As always, thank you so much for meeting me here At the Picket Fence,

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

30 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Crafts, Decorating, Mantels, Thanksgiving Tagged With: mantel, simple holiday decorating, Thanksgiving

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:21 AM

    Well, I need to check out that peel and stick chalkboard stuff. I still need someone with good penmanship though. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Kristin says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:22 AM

    Love your mantel and the blessings plates are wonderful.

    Reply
  3. Heather says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:46 AM

    Vanessa – A gorgeous mantel made by a Gorgeous Mama!!! I’m so thankful to have met and know you two lovely talented ladies! We may be separated by many miles but our friendship is close at heart! Happy Thanksgiving Heather and Vanessa!! xo Heather

    Reply
  4. Martina says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    I LOVE IT Vanessa!! The silver pieces look beautiful hanging above it and I love the pretty display of pumpkins and raffia you have on it’s shelf too!

    Reply
  5. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    November 8, 2013 at 6:00 AM

    Love your mantel and the chalkboard platters are perfect!

    Reply
  6. Carol Reddin says

    November 8, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    Very special, Vanessa! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. cathy phelps says

    November 8, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    please tell me where I can purchase the peel and stick chalkboard paper! does hobby lobby carry it? I live in Kentucky, if that helps.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 8, 2013 at 7:55 AM

      Hi Cathy! I purchased mine at Michael’s Crafts but I wouldn’t be surprised if Hobby Lobby has it too!

      Reply
  8. Jeanie says

    November 8, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    I love this! A quick and easy way to add the sentiments of Thanksgiving that looks so pretty, too!

    Reply
  9. Shelia says

    November 8, 2013 at 8:09 AM

    You’re just the most creative one! This is lovely.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  10. kristin says

    November 8, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    THis is so pretty and I love all the wording! ok where did you get the chalkboard paper? Hoping Michael’s has it, I have a project I wan’t to do but I can only find it online. Hmm, now you have me hungry for some chex mix 🙂 So happy to be partying with you today.
    XO

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 8, 2013 at 1:08 PM

      Thanks sweet friend! And yes I got mine at Michael’s over where they have the cork boards, etc. 🙂 I’m hungry for chex mix now too! LOL!

      Reply
  11. Marty Walden says

    November 8, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    I totally used the same product at my husband’s surprise graduation party and loved it! Love your wall!

    Reply
  12. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    November 8, 2013 at 11:14 AM

    So pretty Vanessa & the fact that it’s super easy makes it even more gorgeous!

    Reply
  13. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    November 8, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    What a great and beautiful idea!…I am grateful for many of the same things you are…like that first sip of coffee in the morning and taking off the jeans and putting on the sweats…love your blessing platters…

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 8, 2013 at 7:27 PM

      Nothing quite like sweats, right Shirley! Thanks so much for coming by today! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Mary Ann says

    November 8, 2013 at 5:26 PM

    So beautiful and creative. Where did you find all the silver trays?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 8, 2013 at 7:27 PM

      Hi Mary Ann! I’ve collected the trays over time from different vintage and thrift stores. They’ve been used in lots of different ways around my home! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Courtney says

    November 8, 2013 at 7:07 PM

    Oh so much fun~ love this idea Vanessa!! Pinning away and happy to be partying with you!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 8, 2013 at 7:26 PM

      Thank you friend!

      Reply
  16. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    November 8, 2013 at 7:42 PM

    What a beautiful post! Your list is quite long… yes, you are truly blessed! LOVE the manyel and the chalkboard paper!

    Reply
  17. Cindy says

    November 8, 2013 at 9:54 PM

    Me too, love my morning coffee! Sweet mantle, so much to be thankful for!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  18. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    November 9, 2013 at 2:20 PM

    Oh my goodness ~ you totally rocked my craft world. I had NO idea the peel-and-stick chalkboard ‘stuff’ even existed ~ big woot to my oh so temporary style of decorating. I love the sentiments on each and every platter, your lovely mantel and I am so very happy to be partying, hopping and being Thankful with You.

    Blessings!
    Mary Beth

    Reply
  19. angie says

    November 10, 2013 at 4:44 AM

    A wonderful expression of all the things we take for granted. A great reminder of what we have to be “thankful” for! Just perfect.

    Reply
  20. Heather - Chickabug says

    November 13, 2013 at 9:12 AM

    What a wonderful way to fill the heart of a home with positive messages. Thank you! : )

    Reply
  21. Pam @diy Design Fanatic says

    September 5, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    Your chalkboard silver platters are wonderful! Awesome reminder as we enter a season of thankfulness!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Coffee and Pumpkin Tiramisu ~ A Bountiful Harvest | Cupcakes and Crinoline says:
    November 8, 2013 at 6:20 AM

    […] Heather and Vanessa at At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  2. Free Printables for Thanksgiving - Yellow Bliss Road says:
    November 8, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    […] Thanksgiving Mantel at At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  3. Thanksgiving Goodie Bags Printable ~ A Bountiful Harvest Blog Hop - Domestically Speaking says:
    November 8, 2013 at 9:22 AM

    […] Thanksgiving Mantel at At The Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  4. How to Create Simple Vignettes in Your Home - At The Picket Fence says:
    November 11, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    […] the perfect vignette would include raffia and candlesticks and pumpkins all in a soft palette with thankful platters hanging […]

    Reply

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“Ah, Lovely October, as you usher in the season “Ah, Lovely October, as you usher in the season that awakens my soul, your awesome beauty compels my spirit to soar like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze and my heart to sing like a heavenly choir.” Peggy Toney Horton.

Happy October dear friends! 🍂
On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the po On Monday my heart just felt so heavy. Yes, the pouring rain outside contributed to my feelings. But the primary cause was this overwhelming flood of thoughts about how much in our world and in our culture is going off the rails. I’d planned to make pumpkin bread that day but I was tempted to just curl up in a ball on my bed, pull the covers over my head and pretend that this would actually solve something. I didn’t give into that temptation though. Instead, I got out my favorite pumpkin bread recipe and found that, as I worked and prayed and hummed worship songs, my spirit began to settle. When the world feels very loud, the demands of family and home can actually help to quiet our souls. As each family member walked through the door later in the day, they commented on how wonderful the house smelled. It’s better than any fall candle in my opinion! And I knew that the extra loaf that I get from the recipe would be a welcome treat for my widower neighbor. So, if your heart is feeling a bit unsettled this week too, maybe this recipe will come in handy!

Pumpkin Bread:

Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7×3 inch loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 🍂
Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super Happy first day of Autumn!! 🍂 Here’s a super simple centerpiece that you can make in five minutes (or less) with just a few pumpkins and extra faux greenery. Let’s spend less time decorating and more time enjoying this season. It’s my favorite!! 🧡

#fallcenterpiece #falldecor #centerpiece #fiveminutedecorating
"Define your day", she told me as I held my newbor "Define your day", she told me as I held my newborn son. My mom and I were talking about how blurred my days and nights had become and how easy it would be to just stay in my pajamas 24/7. She encouraged me to make an attempt to put on 'real' clothes in the morning even if they were just nice sweatpants (bonus if they were clean!) and to throw a little bit of makeup on. That simple advice helped chart a course for my years of motherhood that continues today. And recently I began thinking about how critical it is that we not only seek wisdom from those ahead of us in our stage of life but that we are willing to apply it as well.

So, I asked this question on my personal Facebook page; "What is something you feel you've done well to create a peaceful/meaningful home for yourself and your family?" The catch was that the question was geared towards women in the 40+ age range. The responses came flooding in and were so wonderful and insightful. So, I'm going to be starting a new series where I share this wisdom with you and will include the first name of the woman who offered it. 

Today we start with Alison who said "I learned to set my alarm early to get up and moving before my kids woke up. I showered, got dressed and did my devotions while the house was quiet. It set my heart and perspective for each day.”

Is this something you do in your life too? What wisdom would you offer to a mom of young children?

I truly think our culture would greatly benefit from more women in different seasons of life being willing to invest in each other. 🍂

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #motherhood #parentingwisdom
If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a resta If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a restaurant I’m definitely ordering it! It’s one of my all time favorite treats. So I decided to try my hand at making some here at home with a little fall twist and it was SO delicious!! 🍎

Ingredients:

6 slices of day old bread (french, sourdough or even brioche works great)
2 cups of heavy cream
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
For the apples:
3 peeled and chopped apples of a tart variety
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour (or corn starch)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350
Cut bread into cubes and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish
Whisk together in a bowl the eggs, cream, vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg and then pour it over the bread cubes. In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, brown sugar and flour/corn starch. Pour the apple mixture on top of the bread mixture making sure to spread the apples evenly across every part of the bread mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

#falldesserts #breadpudding #fallrecipes #desserts
When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after onl When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after only a week of school, you take the opportunity to make Saturday a truly restful day. Pancakes on the griddle, puttering around the yard admiring the way the limelights have begun their autumn journey from white to green to pink. Sprinkling touches of fall around the house a little bit at a time. Savoring the slowness of it all and taking care of my people in this place that provides us all with a respite from the world even if just for a day.

Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start and that you make it a priority to slow down for a bit and soak up the beauty around you. 🍂

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #falldecorating
As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but thin As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but think about how grateful I am for the reminders all around me of God’s Sovereignty over everything including the seasons. It can be challenging in our world today to trust that there isn’t a single thing happening that surprises Him.

In a way, decorating my home to reflect the changing season serves as a tangible reminder of this trust. Even something as simple as seeing a pumpkin on my mantel or a basket of mums on the coffee table fill me with peace because they represent the things that remain constant and true.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #club31women
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
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