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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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October 7, 2022

Autumn Home Decor Tour

“Few things are more important than finding a home and working at it constantly

to make it resonate with deep memories and fulfill deep longings.” ~ Thomas Moore

My daughter was 3 when I first started writing/blogging and this past summer she just turned 15. It’s mind boggling how quickly the time goes! Now that she has her driver’s permit and is hitting the roads with her terrified parents holding on for dear life, she’s thinking ahead to purchasing her first car.

So, in June we encouraged her to think of ways to make some money and start saving up for that car. She decided that rebuilding her Lego sets and selling them would be the perfect dual purpose project. It would free up space by getting rid of things she no longer plays with and make her some money in the process.

Little did we know that we would find ourselves spending many an evening after dinner on the floor of our game room with piles of Lego pieces all around us. We would bring in the portable speaker and work our way through different decades of music while we color sorted and helped her find Lego pieces one by one to complete each set.

My husband and I would sing along to the songs (there may have been some dancing too) while our daughter alternated between laughing and rolling her eyes at us. We would chat and tell stories and have competitions over who could find a missing piece the fastest. At one point my husband and I threatened to unionize if our working conditions didn’t improve (its hot up in that room next to the attic!) but we agreed to purchase a fan and avoided a strike. Whew. 😉

And, as August began to wind down, Lauren told me, “Mom, I love our Lego evenings. It’s just fun being together like that and I think it’s been my favorite thing we’ve done this summer.”

It wasn’t the vacation we went on or the dinners out or any of the other special activities we enjoyed that really stood out to her. It was those evenings spent on the floor together looking for Lego pieces.

The love she felt being on the receiving end of our undivided attention and the help we were giving met a need her teenage heart probably couldn’t even recognize is there.

We never really know which activities are going to make the most lasting impacts on our family. And I’ve found that, many times, it’s the moments that seem so small and insignificant which make the biggest imprint on our hearts.

Knowing and being known by others is one of the deepest longings of our hearts and our homes provide us with the unique opportunity to fill that longing.

I truly consider it the greatest privilege of my life to be a homemaker. To be the ‘maker’ of our home.

Don’t get me wrong, there have definitely been days when it’s felt like a burden. On my shoulders rests a significant responsibility. As a wife and mother, a great deal of the ‘tone’ of our home is set by me. Sometimes that tone has been quite off pitch if you know what I mean.

But, it’s never been about perfection. It’s always been about creating a place where we can all be perfectly imperfect together. Where we are intentional about making an imprint on each other’s lives, creating those deep memories and filling those longings.

This year, as I decorated for fall, I found myself alternating between two words to describe my role. Yes, I am a homemaker. But, I also keep thinking about the word ‘caretaker’.

Taking care of this home and the people who reside here with me is no small calling. Sometimes, many times, it will feel less than thrilling.

But, then you have those moments when your daughter tells you how much Lego building together means to her. Or where your college student son spontaneously brings home your favorite chocolate as a gift to you. And you realize that all of it, every last bit of it, is building a foundation far more solid than the one under your feet.

As my children are getting older and being launched into adulthood, I’m becoming increasingly more aware of the fact that, as much as we’ve worked to create a solid foundation for them in our home from which they will spring out into the world, none of it compares to the foundation that comes from knowing and being known by their Creator.

Yes, many of their deepest longings will be met here in our home. But, ultimately, their greatest longing will only be met in a personal relationship with the One who put that longing in their hearts in the first place.

As the shorter days reflect the changing season and I look at the leaves beginning to turn to glorious shades of gold and orange outside my window, I’m humbled by the role I’ve been given in this world and more determined than ever to make the most of it.

“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-12

 

Happy Autumn to you dear friends,

7 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas, Good Thoughts, Home Tour

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Comments

  1. Carol Reddin says

    October 7, 2022 at 3:34 PM

    I love all of your fall displays and how well they fit in with the everyday non-seasonal decor. But, alas, there aren’t many fall scenes here in Florida so I will just really enjoy your autumn.

    Love you,
    Mom

    Reply
  2. Teri says

    October 7, 2022 at 4:22 PM

    I love the Lego story! How special for all of you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 10, 2022 at 2:15 PM

      Thank you Teri!

      Reply
  3. Marilyn says

    October 7, 2022 at 4:25 PM

    Lovely Fall displays.Thank you for sharing.
    HAPPY FALL\
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 10, 2022 at 2:15 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Jo says

    October 7, 2022 at 9:13 PM

    Love love the story of the Lego evenings…. So true that it’s not always the big events that stick in your childrens memories!! I too am so blest to be a maker and keeper of our home! We are blest with 5 sons and 1 daughter and a sweet dau in law. And expect out 1st grand baby in April!! God is so good. God bless you and yours! We are having a lovely fall in Montana too😊

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 10, 2022 at 2:14 PM

      Thank you so much Jo! I’m so glad you are enjoying fall in your area too!

      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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