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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 15, 2011

Announcing the Holiday Blogger Block Party!

christmas block partylggraphic
Can you BELIEVE it’s already time to be announcing a holiday version of the Blogger Block Party! Our Summer Blogger Block Party was such a success we couldn’t wait to co-host a holiday version!
Once again, we have such a talented group of bloggers joining us to host nine…yes you read that right NINE different parties for you to link up to! We will be offering everything from Magazine Copycat Challenges, to Christmas in the Kitchen, to Christmas Trees and everything in between! If it’s Holiday related you’ll find a party to link up to and we’d love you to link up to them all!
The partying will start on Monday, December 5th, with Debbie over at Debbie Doo’s Blogging and Blabbing for her holiday theme magazine copycat challenge.  Then we will be visiting Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia to show off our holiday mantels on Tuesday, December 6th. 
We will join Judy at DIY by Design on Wednesday, December 7th for our holiday banister party as well as heading outdoors with Vanessa here At The Picket Fence to share our welcoming outdoor décor and front doors! Thursday, December 8th, Sherry at No Minimalist Here invites us to her table where we can showcase our holiday dining ideas.
And we will party hop on Friday, December 9th with Debra and Common Ground sharing our vintage Christmas ideas, at French Country Cottage with Courtney where we will display our holiday vignettes, with Honey at 2805 where we can display the stars of Christmas our trees and we’ll celebrate all of this partying with Heather in her kitchen here At The Picket Fence by joining her as she FINALLY (grin) debuts her kitchen remodel and shares how to decorate and cook in the kitchen for the holiday.  Finally, we here At The Picket Fence will be showcasing some of our favorites from all of the parties on Saturday to wrap up the party!
christmas block partylggraphic
WHEW! That’s a lot of partying folks…so get those homes decorated and that holiday food baking and get ready to join us the week of December 5th-10th for the Holiday Blogger Block Party! 
We would be so thrilled if you would help us spread the word by sharing about the Holiday Block Party on your blogs by placing the following button in your sidebar! The more the merrier!

Can’t wait to see all of your fabulous creativity and talent! As always thank you for “partying” with us…At The Picket Fence!
dual signature
All Holiday Block Party graphics were created by Heather.  Are you interested in having party graphics, party buttons or blog buttons created for you? Email us through our contact page to discuss ideas and pricing!

13 Comments Filed Under: Blogger Block Party, Community, Good Ideas, Holiday Blogger Block Party, Holidays

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Comments

  1. Shelia says

    November 15, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Oh ladies this sounds like so much fun and incentive for me to get to decorating for Christmas! Thanks for this opportunity!
    Be a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  2. Debra @ Common Ground says

    November 15, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    wow, I’m dizzy just thinking about it all! Can’t wait!

    Reply
  3. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    November 15, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Can’t wait Girls!!

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    November 15, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    OK, I was a big old Debbie Downer this summer and didn’t do these. I think that maybe this is exactly what I need to start feeling, less glum.

    I am putting this up on my blog so that it doesn’t come up and bite me in the booty.

    Reply
  5. anangloinquebec says

    November 15, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    Putting this on An Anglo in Québec right away! Sounds like a fun party!

    Reply
  6. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    November 15, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    I already have the button of events on my sidebar! Looking forward to this as I always get inspiration from these.

    Reply
  7. Kelly says

    November 15, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    This should be a lot of fun! I added it to my sidebar.

    Reply
  8. Natasha in Oz says

    November 15, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    Wow, what fun! I can’t wait to see what inspiration is shared at these great parties. I’d better get organised!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  9. Angie says

    November 15, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Let the festivities begin! Looking forward to it!

    Blessings,
    Angie @ Knick of Time Interiors

    Reply
  10. The DIY Show Off says

    November 16, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    So much festive fun!!! Heather – your graphic skills are awesome! Looking forward to the Block Party goodies!

    Reply
  11. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    November 16, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather, Thank you for inviting me to participate in your party. Last Summers party was so much fun and I am really looking forward to the Christmas Blogger Block Party. I have to get busy polishing my silver!
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  12. Lella Loves... says

    November 21, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Hello there, lovely ladies 🙂
    I am super-excited and can’t wait to meet new folks at the party.
    Love it!
    Lella xx

    Reply
  13. Shauna@Satori Design for Living says

    November 30, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Looking forward to participating and seeing what everyone comes up with!

    Reply

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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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