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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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February 25, 2014

Thrift Store Game Board Photo Display

I’m so excited to be joining the fabulous Kristen Duke for an amazing series called Decorating with Pictures which includes over 50 different contributors sharing some incredible ideas for creatively incorporating your family’s photos into your decor.

game board photo display atthepicketfence.com

AND there’s a different giveaway happening each day so you will want to be sure to click HERE to enter to win today’s awesome prize!

300 wide

You know, lately I’ve found myself in a season of transition. My kids keep doing this thing that is driving me crazy and causing tears to well up in my eyes at any given moment.  But I’m powerless to stop it from happening.

They keep growing up. Seriously, they have some nerve doing that! And, just to add insult to injury, many of the spaces in our home are having to grow up right along with them.

What once was a play-room filled with a wooden train table and a little red play kitchen and a floor covered in matchbox cars and stuffed animals has now grown up into a game room complete with Foosball table, dart board, art desk, TV and video games.

Although there are still the occasional stuffed animals strewn about.

Since I can’t seem to stop this whole growing up business I’m just going to have to get on board with it…literally! I thought it would be fun to embrace the whole “game room” feel and create some unique ways to display photos of those rascals who keep getting bigger.

game board kids photo display

I picked up old games at thrift stores making sure that the game boards were in good shape and that the color palette would work with the room.

In order to attach the photos to the board I simply used a thumbtack and a binder clip. It will be fun to switch them out even if I might cry each time I put up a new school picture.

Sniff…sniff…

clip holding photo on game board

While I was sniffling I decided to add some special words to the game boards. Words that describe these people I love with every fiber of my being.

Words that I hope they will read and feel affirmed.

displaying photos on game boards

Affirmed knowing we see them.

We see their personalities and their quirks and all of the gifts and abilities God has given them.

And in our house we count a good sense of humor as a talent AND an ability! 😉

personalizing game board photos

We think it’s important to not only tell our kids HOW much we love them but also WHAT we love about them.

game board wall decor

But, at the end of the day, what we love most about them is that they made us a family.

game board family photo displayGame Board Family Photo Display atthepicketfence.com


I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks about this room that is growing up right along with my kids so stay tuned. And don’t forget to head over to Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke for all of the fantastic ideas and inspiration in this series!

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21 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: cheap crafts, crafts, Family, kids

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Comments

  1. Ann says

    February 25, 2014 at 1:54 PM

    This is a fabulous idea and oh I hear you about the sniffing/tears. My kids are all grown up but at times I still get teary when they do or say something that reminds me of when they were little. Wonderful idea for a series too!

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      February 26, 2014 at 6:48 PM

      Thanks so much Ann! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    February 25, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    How fun!! And yes, I wish they would stop getting so big right before our eyes. I love this idea and what a great series. Pinning! xo

    Reply
    • Vanessa says

      February 26, 2014 at 6:48 PM

      Thanks Claire! 🙂

      Reply
  3. martina says

    February 25, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    What a super cute idea…love it!!

    Reply
  4. Jill Flory says

    February 25, 2014 at 5:55 PM

    What a great idea! I have a few old game boards I’ve been hoarding just waiting on the right inspiration for what to do with them 🙂

    Reply
  5. Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says

    February 26, 2014 at 1:30 AM

    Vanessa – this is ahhhhmazing! Perfect for a game room! I know what you mean about them growing up – you just want time to stand still sometimes! Enjoy each moment of each season – they’re all fun! We’re getting ready for our oldest son’s wedding this fall – and it doesn’t seem possible! I’ve been very sentimental lately looking through all the family photos and I’m sure I’ll shed a few happy tears on the big day!

    Reply
  6. Cheryl at Snaps of Ginger says

    February 26, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    Such a fun idea! No kids of my own to do this with but I could surprise some of the moms I know with them!

    ~Cheryl
    https://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2014 at 1:39 PM

      Thanks Cheryl! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Christy @ Our Southern Home says

    February 26, 2014 at 7:28 AM

    What a fun idea!!! I need to clean out our games. So many not being played with 15 and 17 year olds. Some not worth saving, but the boards would be perfect for this in the bonus room! Thanks for such a fun idea!! ~Christy

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2014 at 1:39 PM

      Thanks Christy!

      Reply
  8. Ashley @ Cherished Bliss says

    February 26, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    This is so cute! What a great way to remember your kids favorite games at different ages too! We might have to do this in our playroom : )

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2014 at 1:39 PM

      Thanks Ashley! I was thinking it would be cute to use ones like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders for a more colorful look. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 27, 2014 at 4:50 AM

    These are the greatest!…You have inspired me to make one for my special little girl!!…

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 27, 2014 at 1:38 PM

      Oh I think your special little girl would love it Shirley! Thanks for coming by! 🙂

      Reply
  10. kristins says

    March 2, 2014 at 7:59 PM

    THese are adorable!! LOVE!

    Reply
  11. malia says

    March 3, 2014 at 10:02 PM

    Very cool.. I’ve only decorated with the Ouija Board (for Halloween)… not family photo material(!) but your project has me thinking!

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    March 5, 2014 at 7:48 AM

    I completely empathize with you Vanessa!! My oldest is in 2nd year military college and I tear up all the time remembering building sand castles on the beach with him as a baby and watching him play ‘golf’ in our backyard with those little plastic toy golf clubs!! Our youngest is 14, talks about the career he is dreaming of and getting more grown up too. They will always be your babies and they will always love to be treasured as your little darling babies too! Love your photo display – very clever!! ~ Heather

    Reply
  13. Nicole says

    March 6, 2014 at 1:02 PM

    Hi – Over here from Kristen’s blog, and I adore this idea! What game is that last one from? I know I know it, but just can’t think of it!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Kids Art Center and a Little Redemption - At The Picket Fence says:
    March 11, 2014 at 3:01 PM

    […] playroom recently hit ‘puberty’ and is going through some changes. Gone are the wooden train table and little red play kitchen and in their place are a Foos ball […]

    Reply
  2. 25 Creative Ways to Display Your Photos - Goedeker's Home Life says:
    September 25, 2014 at 5:02 AM

    […] At The Picket Fence | Thrift Store Game Board Photo Display […]

    Reply

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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
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?
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