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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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June 23, 2011

Blogger Block Party…where I entertain in the summer

One of the best decisions we made a couple of years ago was adding a concrete pad off of our deck.  It has become a popular hang out spot when we entertain…which we do a lot of!
As our flowerbeds have filled in and the trees and shrubs we planted have matured, it has become a private little spot to spend a summer evening.

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Do you see my sweet Zoe?  She wanted in on the summer fun!
Bama Boy purchased my little patio set on clearance at the end of one summer as an anniversary gift, and we have gotten so much enjoyment out of it.
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Of course if you don’t see Bama Boy hanging out up there you might find him here…
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In his hammock.  It’s a double one too…so often I find the girl snuggling up next to him enjoying a snooze in the sun.  
At the same time as we made our patio area, Bama Boy also built our fire pit! He did such a lovely job on it and we get so much use out of it almost year round.  I love that it’s a square! So unusual. We’ve become known as the “fire pit hangout” and we love to see it surrounded by neighbors or teens over for a Friday night bon fire!


We love making s’mores in our fire pit.  In fact having s’mores at our family get togethers has become a family tradition.

My nephew Ian enjoying a s’more…really enjoying a s’more. 😉
but if you like the taste of s’mores and not the mess you might enjoy this recipe! 

Mini S’more Cheesecake Trifles

It’s a perfect way to serve the taste of a s’mores to a large group!


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With all of the goodness of the traditional S’more in a sweet little package.  


Mini S’mores Cheesecake Trifles-At The Picket Fence
Ingredients:
8-10 graham crackers squares
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 tsp. course salt
1 tub Philadelphia ready made cheesecake filling
12 oz. bag of semi sweet chocolate chips
1 jar marshmallow creme
1 cup mini marshmallows
Directions:

Allow cheesecake filling to come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  finely crush graham cracker squares by either pulsing in food processor or placing in Ziploc bag and crushing with rolling pin.  Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt and melted butter.  Press into bottom of small metal pan.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and crumbly.  Allow graham cracker crumble to cool.
While graham crackers are baking, melt approximately 1/2 of chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl according to package directions.  Allow chocolate to cool slightly and then combine half of cheesecake filling in with chocolate mixing well.  If chocolate starts to cool and harden put mixture in microwave for 10 seconds to warm back up and incorporate fully.  Set aside.
Remove lid from marshmallow creme and microwave for 10-15 seconds.  Combine 1/2 to 3/4th of marshmallow creme with remaining cheesecake mixture.  Set aside.
In small trifle dishes, layer a generous tablespoon of graham crackers, 1 large dollop of chocolate cheesecake filling, 1 large dollop of marshmallow cheesecake filling, layer with additional tablespoon of graham crackers.  Top with toasted marshmallows*, a few chocolate chips and a quarter of graham cracker square.

*If you do not have a butane torch to toast the marshmallows; you can place a layer of mini marshmallows on a cookie sheet on the top rack of the oven under the broiler for 45-60 seconds.  Watch carefully because the will burn!  Use a spatula to remove and layer on each trifle.

Sure wish y’all lived closer and could come spend an evening with me in our favorite summer space to entertain….
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….Our lovely backyard!
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Now it’s your turn to share your favorite Summer Space and/or your Summer Entertaining Posts! Head over to visit Sherry at No Minimalist Here to see her fun post on Summer Entertaining and Jenna at SAS Interiors to see her lovely post on Summer Spaces. When you link up any of your summer themed posts they will appear on all 12 blogs hosting the Blogger Block Party! So head on over to both of these fabulous blogs and link up!


Also we have 12 items we are giving away! The only requirement to be entered for a giveaway is to…LINK UP (a summer themed post) and LINK BACK!

And thanks for hanging out with me in my backyard…at the picket fence!
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22 Comments Filed Under: Blogger Block Party, Desserts, Good Ideas, Recipes

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Comments

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    June 23, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Great outdoor area to enjoy. Love your fire pit and that recipe sounds good. I love smores.

    Reply
  2. Pattie says

    June 23, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    What a great place to have a party, Looks like you all are having fun.. love all the lights

    Pattie

    Reply
  3. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    June 23, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    What a great setting, Heather! I love that umbrella ~ it covers a lot of area! Love the fire pit, too. We did the store bought version of a fireplace(?) and enjoy sitting out by it at night in the Summer.

    Reply
  4. oneshabbychick says

    June 23, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Looks great out there! I’d be spending a lot of time out there, too. Lovely sitting area with lots of green… and nice fire pit! I love s’mores : )

    Reply
  5. Robin says

    June 23, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    You have created such a lovely spot to sit and relax and just hang out. Love the fire pit! I’ve been wanting to add one to our backyard for a while now.

    Reply
  6. CAS says

    June 23, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    This is such a lovely & inviting space!

    Reply
  7. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    June 23, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    What a fun cozy area! I wanta come over and have a s’more or two!

    and Oh the cheesecake!! I’m pinning this recipe!

    Happy Summer Ladies!

    Reply
  8. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    June 23, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Your backyard is indeed a lovely place to hang out! I love the firepit! What a great place to have a fun family evening!

    Reply
  9. Debra says

    June 23, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    What a great spot! Love that firepit, oooohh, and i also love smores, yum!

    Reply
  10. Pamela says

    June 23, 2011 at 4:26 PM

    Heather your backyard looks so comfy!! We have that exact Better Homes & Garden patio set that we got on clearance too last year!! Everything looks fabulous!

    Reply
  11. FABBY'S LIVING says

    June 23, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    What a gorgeous place to spend and entertain all summer long!! I love the fire pit, here, in Cuenca, we used them a lot, they’re perfect! I’d be dropping over for some BBQ! Have a nice weekend, I will be linking, thanks for hosting too! FABBY

    Reply
  12. Amy @ 11Magnolialane says

    June 23, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Love it. I am getting tons of ideas from your party. We are having a concrete patio put in our next house so great timing. I would LOVE to see a tutorial on that fire pit. That would be the perfect addition to our new backyard!
    Amy

    Reply
  13. ❀ⒹⒺⒺ❀ says

    June 23, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Now that’s one great place to have a party! I love the fire pit.

    Dee

    Reply
  14. Paula Jo @ Outdoor Garden Decor says

    June 23, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    What a lovely place to entertain. I love s’mores so I grabbed your recipe and I’m going to give them a try. Sounds yummy!!

    Reply
  15. Donna, The Decorated House says

    June 23, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Fabulous outdoor space.
    One more s’more gone 🙂

    Reply
  16. michelle says

    June 23, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    It is such a beautiful spot Heather, I love everything!!! Thank you for the recipe too, I book marked it and will have to try it soon!!
    Enjoy your outdoor space!!
    xo

    Reply
  17. NanaDiana says

    June 23, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Well, Heather, you know if I lived closer I WOULD be over there enjoying a bonfire with you…we could talk about your sister!;>) shhhh… And I could see those kids up close and personal. Love the firepit..we have one and don’t use it near enough. xo Diana

    Reply
  18. Brandi says

    June 24, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    What a beautiful outdoor space. Love your fire pit and hammock too.

    Reply
  19. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    June 23, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Gorgeous Heather~ What a wonderful outdoor area! Love your fire pit!! 🙂 Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  20. Honey at 2805 says

    June 24, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    What a beautiful outdoor space. Love the firepit!

    Reply
  21. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    June 24, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    This is a great outdoor space, Heather. Love the firepit and yes I would love a smores.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  22. Michele Smith says

    June 27, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    Beautiful place to hang out! I LOVE yalls firepit! We enjoy hanging around our firepit roasting marshmallows as well.

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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