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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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September 22, 2017

Fall Decorating Home Tour with Shaw Floors

I have a confession to make…

sometimes I talk to inanimate objects.

Case in point, over the weekend I began packing away the last remnants of my summer decor to make way for all of the fall-ness to come, and as I placed a bag of seashells in the plastic summer decorating bin I whispered to them, “See you next year guys!”

And, I know that when it comes time to open the lid of the box of Christmas ornaments I will gaze down at them and quietly say, “Hello, old friends!”

This is totally normal, right? Right? Because, I’m not sure I really have any control over it. It just comes over me.

This need to bid farewell or say hello to my seasonal decor.

Maybe, it’s just because it all seems to come and go so quickly these days. One minute I’m filling up bowls with seashells and the next I’m stringing lights and hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree.

So, I think that taking that moment, that pause in the midst of the shuffling of things to acknowledge it, helps me to mentally and emotionally make that transition.

Because, friends, I’m having a hard time lately with how fast life is going! My babies aren’t babies anymore and my appointments to get my hair colored are getting closer together and my husband and I are celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary next month and I’m pretty sure summer just started so I don’t know how on earth it can be time to decorate for fall already. I even saw a Christmas commercial on tv the other day. That’s too soon even for me!

But, as I began to sort through the bins in the attic and pull out the pumpkins and the wheat wreath and the pinecones, I could feel that shift beginning to happen in my spirit. And as I puttered around adding a fall touch here and a fall touch there, it was as if my home was telling me that it was ready even if I wasn’t.

It was ready to rise up to the deeper colors and the richer tones.

It was ready for pumpkins and wheat stalks and plums in a bowl that you try and get photos of before your plum-loving family devours them.

It was ready to see how all of the fall-ness would look with our new Shaw floors because last year at this time these were just a mere twinkle in my eye and now I have gorgeous Epic Plus Arden Oak floors in my family room, breakfast room and kitchen. If floors could clap their hands, these floors would have because they were pretty much made to enhance all of the beautiful fall-ness I added.

It was almost too simple this year. As my home seemed to rise up to embrace the changing season, I felt myself adding the layers and the textures without even putting very much thought into it.

It was like by some innate instinct, my house and I knew what needed to go where in order to celebrate Autumn more simply. Less, ‘fall threw up all over my house’ and more ‘fall came knocking gently on the door and I invited her to come and sit a spell.’

The longer we live here, the longer I feel like my home and I have a kind of rhythm going. We get each other. And we’ve come to understand each other better and better over the years.

As we’ve made big changes to this house over the years, changes like painting the cabinets and installing new flooring and purchasing new furniture, I’ve found that when it comes to seasonal decorating, I so love the backdrop that I’ve created I don’t feel like I need to ‘frou-frou’ it up all that much.

Simple hints here and there are enough for me these days.

And did you know that there isn’t a fall candle in the whole world that will make your house smell as amazing as a freshly baked loaf of pumpkin bread?

Now, at the beginning of this blog post, I know I asked you if it was normal for me to talk to inanimate objects, but the truth is that it doesn’t really matter what you think and I’ll tell you why.

The other night my husband came home from work and, per usual, came into the kitchen where I was making dinner to greet me and chat for a few minutes before heading upstairs to say hello to the kids and change out of his work clothes.

When he re-emerged he was wearing his comfiest of comfy sweats and we talked about how weird it was to suddenly have these cooler temperatures that would warrant breaking out all of our favorite oversized, elastic waistband apparel.

And then he said it…

“Want to know something?”, he asked.

“Of course!”, I replied.

“It’s totally weird but, well, when I pulled out these sweats that I haven’t worn since last winter, I said to them ‘hello, old friends’.”

My heart went pitter-patter and right then and there I fell even more in love with this man I’ve been with for 21 years.

Because, he gets it. He gets me.

So, I told him that I had whispered goodbye to the seashells that morning and greeted the fall decor like the old friends that they are.

And he smiled and put his arm around me and we didn’t even need words because we understood each other in all of our weirdness so perfectly.

We both understand that in the midst of the glaring indications of the changing season, the falling leaves and the pumpkin-spice everything and the shorter days, there are these lovely little indications too.

Like seeing the first fog hanging over the fields as we drive to school.

Following behind a truck filled to the brim with freshly harvested corn.

Zipping up boots that haven’t seen the light of day in many months.

Pulling on those sweatpants that are so wonderfully soft and broken in.

And lovingly greeting those inanimate objects that you know you’ll be packing away again all too soon.

I’m so thrilled that you could join me for the tour of my home all dressed up for Fall and I want to say a big thank you to Shaw Floors for hosting this week long Fall extravaganza as we’ve taken the tour of all of the homes of the Shaw Styleboard Team! Visit them all for more beautiful Fall ideas and inspiration!

 Heather At the Picket Fence

Brittany from Addison’s Wonderland

Cassity from Remodelaholic

Beth at Home Stories A to Z

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality

Roeshel from DIY Showoff

Amy from The Blissful Bee

*I am compensated by Shaw Floors but all opinions are 100% my own

20 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas, Home Tour, Sponsored, Sponsors Tagged With: fall, fall Decorating, fall home tour, fall porch

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Comments

  1. Susie says

    September 22, 2017 at 4:55 AM

    Did you ever share your new paint color? I’m headed out this morning to look at changing my yellow walls. Every time I choose a new neutral….it still looks yellow! I want a warm neutral and everyone I try appears yellow. I need help. If I missed it, would you share before I head out?
    Your home tour is truly lovely!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 6:49 AM

      Hi Susie! I haven’t done a reveal of the newly painted rooms on the blog yet but I’m hoping to do that next week. 🙂 The colors we used is called ‘China Doll’ from Sherwin Williams and I really love it! It doesn’t go yellow at all but does tend to go a bit more gray sometimes depending on the light. Hope that helps and thanks for your kind words about the home tour!

      Reply
  2. Michele says

    September 22, 2017 at 5:00 AM

    What a happy awesome perfect post – great way to start my weekend; hot cuppa in hand, reading wonderful posts such as this. Thank you.

    I don’t chat with my decor, but I totally absolutely and shall always have talks with my plants. And oh how they thrive! ♥

    It’s still in the high 80s here so I haven’t been wanting to get out my fall bins yet.
    In fact I am thinking of asking if my daughters want to come “shop mom’s house” and take any of the fall stuff I have. It’s my favorite season and I just have too much stuff.

    Happy weekend.

    Reply
  3. Calypso in the Country says

    September 22, 2017 at 5:02 AM

    Gorgeous tour and that mantel is just stunning!
    Shelley

    Reply
  4. Jessica Land says

    September 22, 2017 at 8:13 AM

    Truly beautiful, Vanessa! Any time I need help or have a question about design I just head over to your blog and also to Janna Allbritton’s for inspiration. Blessings to you, friend!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 9:01 AM

      Aww…thanks friend!! Janna is fabulous! Love to you and your family! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Cheryl Licht says

    September 22, 2017 at 9:07 AM

    Dear Vanessa,
    I LOVED this! Your décor is beautiful, per the usual. I’d have to say your mantle is my favorite fall piece I’ve seen blog-wise this year. It’s fresh and simple, with an innocent pop of color. It’s truly perfect. But beyond that, I loved your whole post, your personability drawing people in, equally as much as your gorgeous photos. I mean, how could you not read this with a smile on you face! Delightful! Happy Fall to you! And have a very blessed weekend.
    Love,,
    Cheryl

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 3:39 PM

      Oh sweet friend! Your kind words were more encouraging to me than you could possibly realize and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. I’m grateful for you! xoxo

      Reply
  6. ROSE says

    September 22, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    Your home looks so lovely. I wish I had the energy and money to change decor seasonally. I only do for Christmas.

    Reply
  7. Debbie Wilson says

    September 22, 2017 at 2:50 PM

    Beautiful home and wonderful ideas, Vanessa!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 22, 2017 at 3:38 PM

      Thank you so much Debbie!

      Reply
  8. Ann pauley says

    September 22, 2017 at 3:52 PM

    I’m sorry to say but I can’t say goodbye to Summer, not with 90 degree temps in Michigan!
    We can’t discern one season from another!
    Your home is lovely Btw. Love how you’ve
    Decorated.
    Ann

    Reply
  9. Shirley @Housepitality Design s says

    September 22, 2017 at 8:31 PM

    Your home is beautifully adorned for Fall Vanessa…I had to chuckle at the “hello and goodbye friends” Yes, the things that we treasure are certainly like friends … friends who are always there for us…Love those floors…have to check out Shaw Floors when we get ready to build our “right-sized” home….Happy Fall Vanessa to you and your family….Yes, time goes by way too fast…Lately I have been reminding myself of the words, Carpe Diem!

    Reply
  10. Norma Rolader says

    September 23, 2017 at 2:28 AM

    Oh love your home and the decor Thank you for sharing and God bless

    Reply
  11. Laura Thomas says

    September 23, 2017 at 8:32 AM

    This is all so beautiful! You’ve inspired me to get into fall mode today 🙂 Thanks for sharing your lovely home.

    Reply
  12. Carol Reddin says

    September 23, 2017 at 9:16 AM

    I can almost “smell” fall as I toured your home. Very beautiful!

    Reply
  13. Mimi Matthews says

    September 23, 2017 at 3:56 PM

    I love everything about this post!

    Reply
  14. Roeshel says

    September 24, 2017 at 4:29 PM

    Everything is so warm and welcoming!

    Reply
  15. Lawanda says

    September 30, 2017 at 7:02 PM

    I love the picture above the fireplace. Would you mind sharing where it can be purchased?

    Reply
  16. Julie Briones says

    October 19, 2017 at 3:19 PM

    This made me cry, Vanessa! Love that you have such a wonderful and blessed relationship with your hubby!

    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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