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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 21, 2015

At the End of Myself

Dear friends, I just felt like I needed to share from my heart with you today. To share what’s been happening behind the scenes here At the Picket Fence.

You see, every day for months now I’ve been pouring my heart out as I’m writing our book. We’re so humbled and thrilled that we have this opportunity that I’ve been hesitant to share the other side of it. The side that has been challenging and has pushed me to my absolute limit. It’s truly the most emotionally draining thing I’ve ever done. Early on, a fellow author friend advised me that the most important thing I can do while writing is to make sure that I’m staying in God’s word and getting replenished. But, what I’ve found is that as quickly as I am replenished, I am drained once again. And around and around I go.

I so desperately want to be sharing fun crafts and recipes here with you but all of my creative juices are going into the book (and oh you guys we have some wonderful projects awaiting you in the book!). I have stories I want to tell you and conversations I’d love to engage in with you but after hours on end of writing and creating I feel completely empty. Every last ounce of energy I have goes to trying to take care of my family and keep my home running so that by the time my head hits the pillow at night I find myself almost numb from the fatigue.

I’ve been thinking about David lately. There is no denying the anguish he is experiencing as he writes these words in Psalm 38. “All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me, even the light has gone from my eyes.”

David is weary. He is discouraged. He feels drained. He’s reached the end of himself.

And I get it.

Because right now, I’m weary. I’m discouraged. I feel drained. I feel isolated.

I feel as though I’ve reached the end of myself.

And reaching the end of yourself is frightening. It’s in this place where I find that I’m the most vulnerable. The most exposed.

When I am the most weary, the most discouraged, the most numb, I find that I’m also the most tempted to give into feelings that I know are not from the Lord. It’s there that all of my fears and insecurities rise to the surface and because I feel so emotionally depleted, I feel as though I have very little left to fight back against those feelings.

Regularly throughout this journey, I have felt as though I’m bobbing up and down in the ocean, my head just barely staying above the water line. And out of one corner of my eye I can see a huge wave looming in the distance, threatening to overtake me and pull me under. But, out of the other corner of my eye, I see a lifeboat on the horizon. The sight of it giving me hope of rescue.

2 Corinthians 4 says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifest in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.”

In that moment, when I’ve reached the end of myself, I realize that I have choice to make. I can either give into the doubts and fears and insecurities, allowing them to paralyze me. Allowing them to keep me in the same spot, bobbing up and down until the wave comes and crashes over me.

Or I can see that moment as an opportunity. An opportunity to experience ‘surpassing power’. It’s the chance to experience something so amazing, so miraculous. The chance to know, without a doubt, that as I am daily responding to this call He has placed on my life, the strength to accomplish it doesn’t come from me. It comes from Him.

Not only is He the lifeboat on the horizon, but His surpassing power will give me the strength I need to stay afloat until I can reach it.

The reality is that reaching the end of ourselves means we’ve finally reached the beginning of a new understanding of the Father’s love for us.

And let me tell you, this is where the really good stuff happens. The messy, hard, amazing, beautiful good stuff.

It’s in this place where I have continually had it affirmed that I am simply a vessel. A vessel which has been emptied of what was once there in order to be refilled by the Lord so that what is poured out reflects HIM and not ME.

So, why exactly am I telling you all of this? Because not only do I want you to be apart of this journey with us, but I also want you to know that if you have reached the end of yourself, well, I understand.

And I’d like to pray for you.

If you feel so inclined, please leave me a comment telling me how I can come alongside you.

We’re all in this together, after all. And while our circumstances might be different, the journey to the end of yourself is one that we shouldn’t do alone.

Thank you for letting me share some of my journey with you here today!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

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40 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals

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Comments

  1. Barbar Reed says

    November 21, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    What an inspirational post. We got this….because of Him!

    Reply
    • carol sferra says

      November 21, 2015 at 7:54 AM

      AMEN!!!!!!

      Reply
  2. Mona says

    November 21, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    {{Hugs}} Thank you for sharing. You’re exactly right, in these times it’s when we need to get closer to “Him”. Keep going. You’re in my prayers.

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    Precious Vanessa, you’re already in the lifeboat! Thanks for sharing your heart. I’m going to share this with my DIL who is searching for a new meaning in life after learning that she and our son can’t have children. Please pray that she will realize she’s in her tender Shepherd’s arms, next to His heart, as are you. May joy mark your journey, dear one, as you faithfully walk feeling the comfort of His rod and His staff.
    Karen from Oregon

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 8:45 AM

      Oh Karen thank you so much!! And I’m so, so sorry about what your son and DIL are going through. I’m not sure if you knew this but my husband and I were not able to have biological children (we’ve since adopted 2 of the most amazing kiddos ever, both as newborns) and I completely understand the pain and loss they are experiencing. If she is ever needing to talk with someone who can relate, please let her know that she can email me at atthepicketfence@gmail.com. Also, I’ve shared some of our journey on the blog and this is the link to those posts: https://www.atthepicketfence.com/category/adoption

      I will be praying for them and for you as you support them during this difficult season. Much love to you!

      Reply
      • Karen says

        November 22, 2015 at 7:20 AM

        Thank you, Vanessa!

        Reply
    • Barbar Reed says

      November 21, 2015 at 10:17 AM

      I’m so sorry they can’t have children. God has a different plan for them!

      Reply
      • Karen says

        November 22, 2015 at 7:21 AM

        Yes, He does. Thank you!

        Reply
  4. Susan says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:09 AM

    When I get to the end of myself, I say, “Lord, I’m not sure what to do here, but I know you are with me. Let me hear what you are saying; let me see what you are showing me; let me do what you want me to do.” And it works.

    Reply
  5. Deborah says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    “Dear Heavenly Father,
    I’m coming to ask for continued strength for your servant Vanessa. This book is not only part of her business but her mission in service to you. Please renew her. Surround her with those who can life her up. Love on her as only you can. Help her press on toward the goal to which you have called her to. In your name I pray.”

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 22, 2015 at 10:10 AM

      Well your words brought on the waterworks my friend!! 😉 Thank you so much for your prayer of blessing and encouragement. So appreciate you!

      Reply
  6. Susan says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:37 AM

    My son was in a motorcycle accident sept. 21. We have been in the hospital since and he has traumatic brain injury. Our discharge is Monday . He will be coming home with my husband and I. (He s 35) . I.m tired, scared, and nervous for the coming months. He has come so far,for which we are thankful, but has a long way to go. Appreciate your prayers

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 8:47 AM

      Oh Susan, words cannot express how incredibly sorry I am for your family as you are going through this incredibly painful time. Know that I am lifting your son and all of you up in prayer to the ONE who sees and knows all and wants to give you the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for allowing us to come alongside you!

      Reply
  7. Rory says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    Wow. Just wow. Thank you for sharing part of your journey with your readers. You write eloquently and honestly. Raw. The realizations you have made can take people a lifetime to learn. Or some not at all. But most of us never go seeking for fear our character defects will smack us right in the face. Fear. Fear is so powerful. Paralyzing, if you give into it, feed it. Like air to a fire. But the courage to face your fears. To choose to the lifeboat. To turn it over to God is the strongest and most powerful act we can do. That is when the healing can begin.
    I too have been at the end of myself. I am recently divorced and for two years was in a very depressed, dark and isolated state. Only the support of my family and the strength of our Lord did I choose the lifeboat. I have good days and not so good days.
    I came to understand fully why only one set of footprints were in the sand as I walked with Jesus. He was carrying me. Doing for me what I could not do for myself. Turning it over to him. Faith. Knowing it would all be ok, releasing the guilt. Love and light came back into my heart and I began to heal.
    Thank you again for your powerful words and sharing part of yourself with me today.

    Reply
  8. Michele says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    Dear Vanessa,

    First – a huge congrats on the writing of your book. This is well deserved, and is exciting, and I couldn’t be more happier for you! As for the constant barrage of needing that creative output, and also having a young family….you have a lot on your plates right now. You have GOD as your pilot, all will be well.

    I am sending up prayers for you both and both your wonderful families. I too could use prayer for better health – have some issues that have me not playing my A game…..and I truly believe in the Power of Prayer!

    My best to you both. Big hugs. Hang in there. This is gonna be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥

    PS check out my last post commenting on another blogger’s faith post, I don’t believe in coincidences, I think you are supposed to read it.

    Reply
  9. Pam says

    November 21, 2015 at 9:35 AM

    What a beautiful believer you are. God Bless your journey. Pam

    Reply
  10. Lynn Mosher says

    November 21, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    Vanessa, your post is touching and real. There is one thing I (and others as well) have learned as a writer: taking a break from a project is seriously necessary. As we get so involved physically, emotionally, and spiritually, a time-out is paramount to continuing. The light will go out if we do not take a refreshing respite from our work, which fans the flame again. Yes, there are many things in my life that could use prayer but I would rather pray for you and your family. I pray you know the refreshment of the Lord and the infilling you need to do all He has called you to do. May He bless you with a special touch of His presence.

    Reply
  11. Joanna says

    November 21, 2015 at 11:43 AM

    Praying for you today. Hugs

    Reply
  12. Sami says

    November 21, 2015 at 12:16 PM

    I appreciate what you have shared and know well where you are. As a writer and in life’s passages.

    “May the Son of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from the path before you. With each step you take may you hear the brush of angel’s wings assuring you that you do not walk alone.” An anonymous quote which was shared with me at a time when I felt “at my end”.

    God’s peace.

    Reply
  13. Kevin May says

    November 21, 2015 at 1:02 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing. This has been a year of struggles and renewal. And as I read your beautiful, truthful words I realized so many times our creativity pushes us daily and we also have so much more going on in our lives. I wanted to share how hard this year has been for me with recovering from 2 knee replacement surgeries but I can’t begin to talk about me after reading some of the posts. I will just pray for all of us and know God has a plan.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 5:35 PM

      Kevin I’m so sorry that you’ve had such a difficult year. Know that I’m praying for you!

      Reply
  14. Cindy says

    November 21, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    Vanessa,
    Thank you. I so needed to read this today. I, too, have been feeling the end of myself. Spread too thin, too many deadlines, not enough time, going to bed exhausted, getting up exhausted. Your perfectly timed message has reminded me to step back, breathe, and trust. God has got this. Thank you for the prayers. Praying for you and your wonderful, God blessed journey….can’t wait for your book to come out!
    ~Peace,
    Cindy

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 5:32 PM

      Thank you so much Cindy! Praying for you too friend! <3

      Reply
  15. Rebecca Turner says

    November 21, 2015 at 1:54 PM

    Dear Vanessa, there may be some who do not understand, but thank you for being transparent and vulnerable, and for sharing with us. I’m sorry you’re struggling. It sounds like you are stretched too thin…a place where we all find ourselves sometimes. Maybe it’s time to be still. Can you lean on others regarding some responsibilities, temporarily? I’m sorry that I don’t have real answers, but I do care, and since we are meant to bear one another’s burdens and encourage one another, I will pray that God will lift you up to soar, and that you will be led by His Spirit. Peace will accompany you there.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 4:57 PM

      Rebecca you definitely hit the nail on the head. I’m stretched very thin right now but I’m reminding myself daily that it is only for a season. I did manage to get away with my family for a few days last week which was a wonderful respite. I’m jumping right back into things feeling a bit refreshed! Thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. They mean so much to me!

      Reply
  16. Anita Ward says

    November 21, 2015 at 3:28 PM

    Vanessa, thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey. I am 69 years old, supposedly in “the Golden Years”, but I too am drained every evening, emotionally and physically! The Lord and I have “continuous conversation” during my waking hours and I know those conversations with My Father are the only things that keep me going!!! The devil has been attacking my family personally for the last 3 months and I know that he is nothing compared to my Father!!!! He is bigger than ANYTHING!!!!!! Satan’s attacks are just making my faith in my God stronger because He is my Refupge and Strength!!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 4:55 PM

      Anita I am so sorry that you have felt so under attack in recent months. Those times are definitely opportunities to turn to the Lord and it sounds as though that is exactly what you are doing! I will be praying for you and your family!

      Reply
  17. Sarah says

    November 21, 2015 at 4:23 PM

    This could not have been more perfectly timed. I ended up reading your post on my phone while crying and hiding out in the bathroom to just get away from my kids’ crying for a few minutes. I have completely hit a wall today and like you said, I feel completely depleted and “I’ve reached the end of myself.” I needed these reminders today. Thank you for your encouraging words and your prayers.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 4:54 PM

      Sarah I’ve hidden in the bathroom quite a few times myself so I completely understand!! I’m always amazed by God’s timing and just know that I am praying for you as I type these words. Just remember that YOU are the exact right mama for your kiddos. I’m praying against the doubts and fears that inevitably pop up when we as mom’s reach the end ourselves and for peace to flood your heart and your home. <3

      Reply
  18. Vicki says

    November 21, 2015 at 4:52 PM

    I definitely need your prayers as I seem to reach the end of myself often these days. I cannot wait to read your book! You and Heather have influenced my life greatly in the short time I have been reading your blog. Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Annette says

    November 21, 2015 at 7:14 PM

    Your friend is right, the first key is Gods Holy Word. What I’m about to say isn’t to draw pity (although prayers always appreciated), or to say my problem is bigger than yours because we each have valleys to go through, they are just all different. But I’ve found scripture, saying I can get through the next 15 minutes (advice from a dear friend) and listening to the sound of the world God created brings incredible peace….rain washing out house with peace, bugs in the summer singing a peaceful melody. My daughter is 28 and has been fighting stage 4 cancer for 6 months now, she and her husband have 3 little one, 3 year old autistic child, 2 year old and 1 year old. Our daughter is the oldest of 5, and we still have 2 teens at home. Our daughter and her husband are renting their house out and staying with us and it is a blessing to help my son in law to help care for our daughter and their 3 little ones. But when there are setbacks and fear flows over me like a icy swollen creek…..I look to Him. For He will lift you up and help you stand…He will give you peace if you listen, and look.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 21, 2015 at 7:55 PM

      Annette, I WILL say that your problem is bigger than mine and I’m just so, so sorry for what you are going through. I honestly cannot imagine how difficult it must be and would never compare my temporary struggle to what your family is facing. Please know that I am praying for all of you and particularly for healing for your daughter! May you feel His peace flooding your heart in brand new ways each day.

      Reply
  20. Teresa says

    November 21, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    Isn’t it nice that we do not travel in our lifeboats alone. God is always there to comfort and give strength and love.

    I have been waiting for a new and better job to open for me. In the past few weeks, God has been asking me to take a week off from my present job and spend that week in fasting and prayer and His word. I plan on taking off December 3-9. My husband is a little concerned about the loss of pay for that week, but I am trusting God to supply.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 22, 2015 at 10:09 AM

      Teresa I will be praying for you and your job search and that you will continue to trust God to open doors for you!

      Reply
  21. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    November 22, 2015 at 5:25 AM

    Vanessa…first of all, I must say that you are and always have been a very brave person. You have certainly gone through so many different struggles in your life and you have gotten through them due to your everlasting faith…..Don’t lose your faith in yourself as God has complete faith in you. We all experience “the end of ourselves”….trying to be the best we can be, and to always meet expectations of ourselves and what others have of us…the combination of both is truly exhausting. I have learned throughout my life that we cannot be all we can be to everyone….that we must stay true to ourselves and then everything falls into place. You are a good person, mother and wife and you are their blessing. When I get a bit overwhelmed, I sit and look at my picture of my friend Ruthie and I find my way to my perspective box. She knowing that her life had true limits, but still had enormous faith that every day was special no matter what happened. She searched within herself and chose what was most meaningful in her life and concentrated on that. Thoughts and prayers are with you Vanessa. I know you will listen to your heart and find great strength in your faith.

    Reply
  22. Velia says

    November 22, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Vanessa, thank you for your profound words and sharing your struggles. By sharing your personal journey you have given your readers encouragement and inspiration. Blessings to you as you continue on the road of life.

    Reply
  23. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    November 23, 2015 at 4:56 AM

    Sweet Vanessa! I know exactly how you feel. Writing a book is more than exhausting and when you are in the thick of it… seems too much to ask a person to bear! I am praying for you. What a wonderful post this morning! So full of truth! I am amazed to see how our Great Father gives us just what we need… when we need it! And how we can look back and see His hand holding us.
    You are amazing and God has given you so many many amazing talents and gifts. I praise God for you!
    Vanessa I will be praying for you!
    Right now I continue to struggle with a persistent health issue. Pain is my every draining companion. I am feeling better and can only attribute it to the Lord. So when you pray for me also praise God for what He is doing in my life.
    With so much love and prayers! Yvonne

    Reply
  24. Kathy says

    November 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM

    I loved this post. Maybe it’s my favorite one. It’s real and heartbreaking and hopeful. Life is hard. We all have those challenges that come that threaten to destroy us. I’ve had my own, as we all have. In looking back, I can see that yes, I’m still here. And what I learned, in going through the darkness for a time, I would not trade for anything. The Lord allows us to feel these things that we may grow and become the person we were meant to be. I know where my strength has always come from – from Him. This is a time where you can study and pray and draw close to Him. For when we feel Him close, we become powerful enough to do anything! Hugs to you. I’ll be including you and your family in my prayers.

    Reply
  25. Karen says

    November 30, 2015 at 4:31 AM

    Don’t ever give up you are needed. Love to you and hugs.

    Reply
  26. Leslie says

    December 1, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    Praying for you, sweet friend…for joy in the journey and nuggets of love, mercy and grace along the way…Jesus walked on water…grab His hand and join him far above the waves. Can’t wait to embrace all the writing of that book!!

    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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