• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

September 14, 2013

Dedicated to Lucy…A Hydrangea Story

“Hey!”, the text on my phone read, “My mom has more hydrangeas than she knows what to do with. Would you like some?”

Would I like some? “Are you kidding? OF COURSE!” was my speedy response.

“I’ll come pick you up after dinner and we can head on over!” came the reply. “Ok, but just know that I’m in my grubby sweats. You’ve been warned!” I texted back.

hydrangeas on coffee table

I saw her car pull into the driveway just as I was finishing up the last of the dinner dishes. I grabbed my bucket, yelled “see you guys in a few minutes” to my family and raced out the door.

As I hopped in the car I noticed that Julie didn’t have her own bucket. “Aren’t you going to get some too?”, I asked.

“Oh, I already have a ton at my house“, she replied.

“So, this is just for me?” I asked.

I couldn’t believe that she would drive me over to her mom’s house just so that I could get some hydrangeas.

“Well, we just thought you might enjoy them!” she answered.

hydrangeas in wooden tool box

We got to Lucy’s house and as the door swung open I was met with the same warm smile that has always greeted me every time I’ve encountered this woman, the mother of one of my dearest friends. She gave me a big hug as I stepped into her foyer. I looked over towards the dining room and noticed that it had been set with lovely china and a delicious looking cake.

“I thought maybe we could enjoy a little dessert together“, Lucy said. I glanced down at my grubbiest of grubby sweats and thought that I currently looked more like I should be cleaning toilets (which is what I’d been doing earlier that day!) than sitting down for tea and cake at her beautiful dining room table.

Was this done just for me?

“But, let’s go get you some flowers first!” she said.

hydrangea-dining-room-centerpiece atthepicketfence.com

As we stepped through the back door I felt as though I had been transported to a garden somewhere in the English countryside. Multiple varieties of roses lined paths and wound their way up onto arbors. A gentle breeze picked up their heady scent and as I turned the corner I saw them…the largest, most incredible hydrangea bushes I’d ever seen.

I felt like I’d won the hydrangea lottery!

We started clipping and clipping and clipping and clipping, all the while chatting about the ordinary stuff of life.

Only this didn’t feel like an ordinary kind of moment. It felt almost…magical.

The three of us there laughing and talking on that warm summer evening, elbow deep in hydrangeas as my bucket was filled to overflowing.

And all of those beautiful blooms were just for me to take home and enjoy!

hydrangeas in vintage crate

After the bucket was so full that I could barely lift it, we went inside and sat down at the dining room table. Lucy sliced the cake and handed me a piece on a gorgeous china plate. We talked more…and laughed more…and I even forgot for a bit that I was in my grubby sweats.

We ate cake and covered topics ranging from how to properly dry hydrangeas to how to talk to our daughters about puberty. It’s amazing how much ground women can cover conversationally in a half an hour!

We talked about the At the Picket Fence blog and Lucy, as she always does, went on and on about this project and that project and how much she loves reading all of our posts.

Of course, since her daughter is a contributor, I know she’s just a tad biased!

When it was time to go, Lucy, ever the gracious hostess, boxed up some cake for me to bring home to my family.

I hugged her good-bye and thanked her profusely for the abundance of hydrangeas.

Julie and I got in the car and as we drove off I started telling her how much the evening had meant to me.

And then I burst into tears.

hydrangeas in teapot

Because that had all been just for me.

The thought…the offer…the picking me up…the hydrangeas…the cake…all of it.

Julie already had hydrangeas and could come pick them anytime from her mom’s house. She didn’t need to go over there that night.

But they knew. They knew how much I would love them, appreciate them, savor them, enjoy them.

I cried because I felt like I had just received a blessing that would last far longer than the hydrangeas would…even the dried ones!

I cried because I don’t have a lot of family living around me and these women have become my family.

I cried because sometimes it takes someone coming along and pouring into your life to make you realize just how thirsty you were for that kind of care.

I’m sure to them, this was such a simple thing to do. To them, it wasn’t a grand gesture.

But on that warm summer evening, I felt…well…grand.

Even in my grubby sweats!

So, Lucy, this hydrangea story is dedicated to you.

I came home with more than hydrangeas that day.

I came home with a refreshed spirit.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you,

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

 Sharing this here:
Amaze Me Monday

29 Comments Filed Under: Good Thoughts

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Fall Front Porch Decorating
Next Post: Pumpkin Pecan Ice Cream…a summer treat for fall! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 14, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    What a great blessing you have in wonderful friends…It is those special acts of kindness that truly reminds us of what life is all about….to care about others and bring joy into their lives…Have a wonderful weekend enjoying those gorgeous hydrangeas.

    Reply
  2. Richella @ Imparting Grace says

    September 14, 2013 at 7:01 AM

    I love this story! The hydrangeas are beautiful, of course. But the inspiration is more than that! I want to be like Lucy!!

    Reply
  3. june says

    September 14, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    I have chills sitting here reading this. I’m missing my mom. Like Lucy she was one of those “one in a million women”. You are richly blessed to have her in your life.

    So what is Lucy’s tip on drying hydrangeas? I have two semi full bushes of them and I’m drying about 15 heads in my dining room right now. They are Annabelles. What I find is that some dry a light tan color and some dry green. Curious as to why that is. Is it our cooler Minnesota climate?

    Love this special story. Plan to share it with several friends and family.

    Hugs from Minnesota!

    Reply
  4. Leann Slater says

    September 14, 2013 at 7:31 AM

    What a beautiful story! Thank you, for the reminder of how much impact reaching out with small gestures and a welcoming heart can have on those around us.

    Reply
  5. Tammy Killough says

    September 14, 2013 at 7:50 AM

    What a beautiful story! I so wished that hydrangeas would do good here. I have a pee gee that I get a few from…but our hot dry winds just aren’t friendly to these darlings. Thanks so much for sharing this touching story with us! Friends are awesome blessings! ~Tammy

    Reply
  6. Brenda Kula-Pruitt says

    September 14, 2013 at 8:18 AM

    This was such a lovely and well-written post. I savored every word of it. What would we do without our friends? Particularly when we don’t have family close by.
    Brenda

    Reply
  7. Bonnie Powell says

    September 14, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    I want to be like Lucy too!!! What a wonderful, incredible reminder of the “little things” that can mean so much!!!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Dorothy says

    September 14, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    And I cried reading it, too. What a special time with good friends! And how wonderful to have the feeling that someone has done something “just for me”. We should all try to do something for a friend to make them feel so special. Thanks for a wonderful read.

    Reply
  9. Bev Lowe says

    September 14, 2013 at 8:51 AM

    When one’s heart is filled to overflowing, it’s grand to give. In the giving, the giver gets some back ~

    Reply
  10. deb says

    September 14, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    Loved this…made me miss my mom and visiting with her and just talking. It will be 4 years tomorrow, September 15, 2009, since she died of a brain tumor. I teared up reading your post. Loved what you said about someone coming and pouring into your life, I feel that thirst myself! You are lucky to have her in your life. Enjoyed visiting your blog…thanks for sharing your heartwarming story.

    Reply
  11. Barbara says

    September 14, 2013 at 9:51 AM

    Such a beautiful story. I loved the pictures you posted. It gave me some ideas on how to display my Limelight Hydrangeas. You forgot to mention what kind of cake you all enjoyed:)

    Reply
  12. Sandy says

    September 14, 2013 at 10:05 AM

    Oh, I cried too. I love hydrangeas, but your post sharing friendship was more lovely than any bouquet.

    Reply
  13. Judy Clark says

    September 14, 2013 at 10:13 AM

    What a precious story! Isn’t t it amazing how one person’s small act of kindness can totally make on’s day? Bless Lucy and her Mom for their sweet act of kindness.

    Judy

    Reply
  14. Diana says

    September 14, 2013 at 10:33 AM

    Tears rolling down cheeks reading this story…. what a blessing friends and family can be in just the simplest of things. Enjoy all the moments. Life is short.. share the love!!! I need to be more open to those opportunities in my own life. Thanks for sharing… LOVE Hydrangeas!!!

    Reply
  15. Debi Drace says

    September 14, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    What a lovely story. Thanks for sharing it with us

    Reply
  16. Joani says

    September 14, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    That was such a beautiful story. I loved it. I even had tears. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  17. donna says

    September 14, 2013 at 2:04 PM

    OMG you made me cry! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.

    Reply
  18. Judy says

    September 14, 2013 at 2:43 PM

    What a wonderful, touching story. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    Reply
  19. Des says

    September 14, 2013 at 3:09 PM

    What sweet friends you have….I’m glad you were able to enjoy such a magical evening!!!! Your Hydrangeas are gorgeous and I know you will always cherish them.
    ~Des

    Reply
  20. Holly says

    September 14, 2013 at 3:13 PM

    Beautiful!!! I might even have some hydrangeas in my own backyard. I better go check. Inspirational photos – thanks!

    Reply
  21. lucy says

    September 14, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    Dear, dear Vanessa you’ve just replenished my drained cup to know I filled yours. We drove 7 hours today to get to the hospital where my 92 year old mother was after a hip break. She was getting a blood transfusion and being poked and prodded. I had already been with her for 4 hours when they tried to move her a little for the night that the screams of pain that came out of her were more than I could bear. They gave her morphine, but it still took over 1/2 an hour for her to be stilled. I just wept as I kissed her tears and felt her pain and Icried to the Lord to please fill my cup because I was drained. You truly helped fill it when I had emptied myself and will continue to do so for this week. Thank you! Lucy

    Reply
  22. Sharon says

    September 15, 2013 at 1:35 AM

    I love this story! Those are the moments where God makes himself so real. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  23. Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

    September 15, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    Tears…. pouring down. Yep. Enough said. 😉 You are blessed darlin’ to have such beautiful people in your life.

    Reply
  24. Anne says

    September 15, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    Gorgeous hydrangeas…now that is one awesome friend!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  25. MDR says

    September 15, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    So very, very happy that my daughter has these precious friends in her life! Thank you! Blessings to you both!

    Reply
  26. Marilyn Bennett says

    September 15, 2013 at 9:31 PM

    For 50 years Lucy has been my dear friend too – I knew it was “my Lucy” when I started reading. I saw those limelight hyrangeas when I visited from B.C. a few years ago, and still plan on adding some to my garden. Lucy overflows with love – she is Mrs. Hospitality and she really does enjoy reaching out to others bringing joy to them in whatever way she can. She is one in a million and I am blessed to call her my friend.

    Reply
  27. jp says

    September 18, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    Oh, lucky, lucky you! I had hydrangeas in NY and have 2 baby shrubs here in NC but, I have had NO success in drying them here….too much humidity i assume 🙁
    Enjoy your bounty!!!
    JP

    Reply
  28. Cindy says

    October 1, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    How special! What a kind, kind, and very sweet thing to do! So, sweet Vanessa, anytime you are feeling lonely, sad, or just need a reminder of how much you are loved … you can remember this sweet hydrangea story. Priceless!
    Thanks so, so, very much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Create Simple Vignettes in Your Home - At The Picket Fence says:
    November 11, 2013 at 4:01 AM

    […] dried hydrangeas in a creamy pitcher sitting on a large tray on my glass coffee table in the living room. Next to a […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Des Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap m Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that we’ve completed two decades of parenting! I’ve had time to reflect on this season of life and shared some of my thoughts over at @club31women.

“Someday, years from now, we will watch home movies of the year 2023. And it will seem like I am peeking into the life of another family. I will have vague memories of those moments but my life will be so consumed with what is currently happening that it will seem like another lifetime. So, I embrace this season…this day…this moment. And I choose to declare that the emotional war in my heart between ‘what could have been’ and ‘what might be yet to come’ is over. I’m waving the white flag. I want my children to know that it is good and proper that they grow up and leave the nest. I want them to know that I can celebrate the passing of time rather than resist it even if there may be a few bittersweet tears that spill over from time to time.”

Head over to their devotional page to read the rest and I hope my words bring you encouragement for wherever you are on your parenting journey. 🤍
There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards of your labor! The whole family pitched in to get our bark spread around the yard (I’m the master at raking it until it’s nice and even) and by the end of the day we were all done. Now we can head into summer with our big yard projects completed! 🙌🏻 Do you put in fresh bark every year?
Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’ Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’s your favorite thing about this month? Mind can be summed up in this quote…

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” John Steinbeck
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence