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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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April 11, 2011

Blog of the Week…From Across the Pond!


This is the lovely Miss Sarah.

Doesn’t she look like she belongs in a Jane Austen Novel?



And this is her blog.

Modern Country Style

We have decided that everyone must have a friend who uses words like “nappies” (diapers) and “nattering” (chatting with friends) and is called “Mum“.

Upon arrival at her blog, she greets you with words that make you feel like you are standing at her front door and being warmly welcomed right in for a spot of tea.
Would that be called a “cuppa“, Sarah?
She uses phrases like,
“Hello again, rabbits!”
and
“Hey there sugarplum!”
and
“Hello poppitt!”

I (Vanessa) had a dream come true several years ago when my husband and I visited England and Scotland. My hands-down most favorite place we stopped was in the Cotswolds. Imagine cobblestone streets, cottages with thatched roofs, wisteria winding it’s way over brick walls and picturesque pastures with stone hedges.
When we got off the train, I almost cried!
Ok. I did cry.

And you know what?

Sarah lives there!!
Or, near there at least.
This is her garden.


The green-eyed monster would be rearing his ugly head if I didn’t like her so much!
You see, I’m a wannabe.
I watch Masterpiece Theatre classics.
I read Austen and Bronte.
And, I’m working my way through Volume 2 of the Sherlock Holmes novels.
I’m what you call an Anglophile.
Wikipedia defines this as “a person who is fond of English culture”.
Yep…that’s me all right!

But, I have come up with still another term to describe myself…

I’m a “Sarahphile“~A person who is fond of Sarah.

Because, you see, Sarah is the real deal.
She values tradition and beauty and all of those things that we imagine about an English way of life. Yet, she does it with her own twist.
She is also a bit…..ahem….”cheeky“.
And she never hesitates to mix the old with the new. Hence the name of her blog,
Modern Country Style.
Here is a taste…just a taste, of what she shares there.

Valentine\

I told you it was just a taste. You will have to head over there yourself to see more!

And while you are there, here is what you will also find.

Someone who is gracious and kind.
Someone who makes you feel as though you and she were the only 2 bloggers in the world…just “nattering” away together.
Someone who has been a VERY lovely friend to the girls At the Picket Fence.
Someone whom you know, even without having ever really met, is truly genuine!
And yes, someone who is definitely Cheeky!

That is why Sarah from Modern Country Style is our Blogger of the Week.

And that is why we are honored to also call her our Friend!

So please pay her a visit and thanks for stopping by the Fence today,

10 Comments Filed Under: Featured Blogger

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Hopeless Romantic says

    April 11, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    I was hangin out at the picket fence this morning and came across this post. As a new blogger, im still seeking out great blogs that i can connect with and enjoy reading and living vicariously thru, lol………Headed her way now, she may end up in the sidebar. Thanks for posting Vanessa and have a wonderful bloggie day…………Bonnie

    Reply
  2. Hyphen Interiors says

    April 11, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    What a great post about her blog! I’ve been a follower for a little while now… it’s good stuff.

    Reply
  3. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    April 11, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Oh Vanessa and Heather,

    You’ve absolutely made me day. Made my WEEK!! What a sweet, kind and lovely post. Thank you so much.

    Errrr, wait a second. Cheeky? CHEEKY? Me???!! Oh, alright, maybe a tinsy, tiny bit!! But only with people that I really, reeeeeeeally like…like YOU!!

    Sarahxxxxx

    Reply
  4. NanaDiana says

    April 11, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I am on my way out the door but when I get back I am going to go visit that cheeky chick! She sounds like my kinda gal!!! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  5. michelle says

    April 11, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Ahh yes, sweet Sarah is all that you described! She is so sweet and such a daffydowndilly as well! 🙂 I love her style and you can feel her warmth as a friend across the pond. Thank you for featuring this beautiful lady and her inspirational blog!!!

    I hope you are doing well!! Hugs to you!!!!

    Reply
  6. Patricia Torres says

    April 11, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Oh.. so so gorgeous!! Im off to check her blog!! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cheri says

    April 11, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Vanessa, thanks for your comment on my DIY Lightbox. You will LOVE it if you make one. Very addicting…..

    Reply
  8. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    April 11, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Thanks for introducing us to such a lovely blog!

    Reply
  9. Ann-Marie ~ Brambly says

    April 12, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    I love Sarah’s blog and she is hilarious! When you pointed out that she looks like she should be in Jane Austen novel something finally clicked in my brain.Each time I see Sarah’s photo she reminds me of somebody-I just realized it’s the actress who played Jane Bennet in the last Pride and Prejudice film.

    Ann-Marie

    Reply
  10. Deborah says

    April 14, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Sarah is absolutely lovely
    and loads of fun!!!
    I’m so glad our paths brought us together 🙂
    Love this cute blog and Im following (purehunnybee).
    I followed you, Vanessa on your other blog and Im so glad to follow you over here and meet your sweet sister Heather too!
    And btw I LOVE picket fences..love the name of your blog too!!

    With all my heart…Deborah

    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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