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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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July 22, 2013

Ice Cream Birthday Party and Being 6…

ice_cream_themed_birthday_party atthepicketfence.com

Do you remember being 6 years old? Do you remember having a vivid imagination and talking to your stuffed animals and just hearing them “talk” back to you? Do you remember rotating out who got to sleep next to you each night because you didn’t want anyone to feel left out? Do you remember being 6 in the summertime? Running through the sprinklers and staying up past your bedtime to make the most out of those long, warm summer evenings.

Do you remember the thrill of going to get ice cream and peering through the finger-print covered glass case and seeing row after row of different flavors? And you knew that if you picked bubble-gum ice cream you would end up with this glorious wad of very cold bubble-gum in your mouth?

front door sign for ice cream party atthepicketfence.com

Don’t you think there is just something about ice cream that bridges the gap between childhood and adulthood and levels the playing field so to speak? I get just as excited as my kids do when I hear that familiar tinkling sound of the ice cream truck coming up the street. Not because I’m so eager to get a treat, even though I do love me a creamsicle! But because it takes me right back to being that little girl with 2 long braids, clutching a quarter in my hands, waiting with my sister on the front porch on a hot summer day for the ice cream truck to turn the corner.

ice_cream_cups for ice cream birthday party atthepicketfence.com

 So, when it came time to plan my daughter’s 6th birthday party (she turns 6 at the end of this month) we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my very sweet girl than with a very sweet Ice Cream Themed Birthday Party!

mason jar drink glasses with straws atthepicketfence.com

basket of ice cream cones for ice cream party atthepicketfence.com

In order to make it easier for everyone to build their ice cream creations, I pre-scooped the ice cream, put the scoops back into the containers and then froze them again. When it was time for the party to start, the ice cream was put into an ice-filled bucket to keep it from melting.

pre-scooped ice cream in bucket of ice for ice cream party atthepicketfence.com

There were plenty of toppings to choose from and most of the time we were unable to detect any actual ice cream underneath all of the “extras”! 🙂

buckets of ice cream toppings for ice cream party atthepicketfence.com

 Simple little ice cream “sundae” floral arrangements were made using white and red carnations.

carnation ice cream sundae flower arrangement atthepicketfence.com

 And we set up a “Sweet Shop” for my sweet girl.
Everyone got to fill a box with goodies because…you know…

sweet shop candy bar birthday party atthepicketfence.com

we all hadn’t had quite enough sugar after the ice cream. 😉

step_ladder_display for candy bar atthepicketfence.com

 My incredibly talented friend Christine made these adorable ice cream cookies and there was no doubt that they were the hit of the party! Don’t you love how some of the “ice cream” looks like it’s dripping?

ice cream cookies atthepicketfence.com

Party favors were placed inside simple muslin bags with an ice cream cone cookie cutter attached.

ice cream birthday party favor bags

And on this beautiful day in July, we celebrated our sweet, wonderful girl. This girl we prayed for, longed for and are blessed to call ours. Being her mommy (and her brother’s too!) is the greatest privilege in my life.

She brings joy to our lives every single day.

birthday girl atthepicketfence.com

She is the epitome of “little girl” and yet can dig in the dirt and wrestle with the best of them.

She skips her way through life and is just so happy.

Everyone she meets is a friend…truly EVERYONE!

She brings me flowers every day for my “collection” and often tucks one behind my ear.

She’ll say, “I’m giving you this flower so you will see it and remember me mama”.

As if I would ever need a reminder of her sunshine-like presence in my life.

How to Host an Ice Cream Themed Birthday Party from atthepicketfence.com

Being 6 is quite a special thing. There are days filled with stuffed animals and American Girl dolls. Playing with both real and imaginary friends. Picking flowers, creating art projects, jumping on the trampoline, running through the sprinklers and…of course…ice cream!

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*I purchased all the printables for the party at the Pink Peppermint Prints Etsy shop.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PARTY IDEAS!

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26 Comments Filed Under: Celebrations, Children's Parties Ideas, Crafts, Decorating, Family, Kids, Parties Tagged With: ice cream, ice cream birthday party, ice cream party

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Comments

  1. Marty Walden says

    July 22, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    Love this, Vanessa! My two oldest kids have birthdays in December (one on the 26th, talk about planning!) so we would do a half birthday party with friends in the summer and it usually included an ice cream bar. But nothing as beautiful as yours!

    Reply
  2. Jill Flory says

    July 22, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    I love it all! So special to do fun parties that they will always remember!

    Reply
  3. Amanda @ Dixie Delights says

    July 22, 2013 at 10:12 AM

    I always love your parties. So sweet!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2013 at 11:47 AM

      Thanks Amanda! You always throw amazing parties so that means a lot! 🙂

      Reply
  4. MDR says

    July 22, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been over five years since you, hubby, and “Bucko” (our boy) visited us not long after “our girl” was born. I often recall holding her in my arms early in the morning when she and I were the only ones awake, giving her her bottle while she rubbed the corner of her blanket between her thumb and finger tips, and stared intently at me with those BIG brown eyes. We bonded in those moments, much like you and I did all those mornings I got up early to get you out of your crib when you called out, “Mommy, MomMY, MoMMY…..Daddy, DadDY, DaDDY.” Your mom and I would lie in bed a chuckle as you repeated this call to us, starting softly, and then a crescendo to ‘MOMMY….DADDY!” I would lift you out of your crib and take you to our bed to crawl around and enjoy some early morning playtime. Sometimes you would lie on my chest while I patted your butt and listen to you go back to sleep. We’re blessed to have two “browned eyed girls!!” – Poppa/Dad

    Reply
  5. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    July 22, 2013 at 6:25 PM

    I am loving these pictures! So pretty and I bet your daughter loved it 🙂 She is so cute!

    Reply
  6. Sue {munchkin munchies} says

    July 22, 2013 at 6:37 PM

    What a perfectly sweet party! I love the floral sundaes and the cookies! Happy Birthday to your six year-old cutie:)

    Reply
  7. April says

    July 22, 2013 at 6:44 PM

    Where did you get the little ice cream cups? Super cute!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 22, 2013 at 6:49 PM

      Hi April! I got them at JoAnn’s fabrics and they are all 40% off right now! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Debbie says

    July 23, 2013 at 3:30 AM

    This is such an adorable idea for a party. I love the idea about pre scooping the scoops. That was brilliant.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      July 23, 2013 at 4:48 PM

      Thank you so much Debbie!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. kristin says

    July 23, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    I love this idea, you could use it for so many special occasions! Your daughter is just beautiful!
    XXOO

    Kristin

    Reply
  10. Cindy says

    July 23, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    Fun, fun!!! What a sweet little girl, precious!!!
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  11. DAnielle says

    July 24, 2013 at 5:06 AM

    What a sweet birthday party! x

    Reply
  12. Trish @ Uncommon says

    July 24, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Just stunning… I love all of the lovely details!

    Take care,

    Trish

    Reply
  13. Laurie @ Gallamore West says

    July 25, 2013 at 4:28 PM

    Adorable!! I love every little detail. Those muslin bags and the cookies are my favorite… and your sweet birthday girl is SO cute!
    xoxo,
    Laurie @ Gallamore West

    Reply
  14. Debbie @ Deliciously Inspired says

    July 26, 2013 at 8:26 PM

    What a wonderful party. Did you make the cookies?

    Reply
  15. Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says

    July 28, 2013 at 4:36 AM

    So many cute details Vanessa! I especially love that you “pre-scooped” the ice cream! Brilliant!!

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    July 28, 2013 at 11:34 AM

    Had to come back again to thank you SO much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!!!
    Hope your weekend has been wonderful, and I hope you’ll come join us again this evening…
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  17. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    July 29, 2013 at 1:14 PM

    So super cute! I am about to host a back to school “popcorn party!” I am using some of these great ideas! Thanks for sharing! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  18. Kimberly Sneed says

    July 30, 2013 at 7:21 AM

    Love it! I love a great party – this one turned out so cute!

    Reply
  19. Ida says

    July 30, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    Wow! This is probably the most beautiful party I have ever seen! Enjoy all these moments, they fly by! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  20. Heather - Chickabug says

    September 30, 2013 at 1:41 PM

    Gorgeous! I think your party demonstrates one of my favorite things about ice cream – it can be so pretty! I remember going out for ice cream as a kid and my favorite part was looking at the bright colors of all the pretty flavors. Your party really reminded me of that simply joy. Thank you for sharing! : )

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:34 PM

      Oh that is such a wonderful compliment Heather! Thank you so much!
      Vanessa

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Summer Burlap Wreath says:
    July 25, 2013 at 5:57 PM

    […] friends and hanging out in the backyard till it gets dark and eating lots of popsicles and having ice cream birthday parties and going to the park and just…well…enjoying these fleeting moments. So, I […]

    Reply
  2. Ice Cream Party Ideas says:
    July 14, 2014 at 3:03 AM

    […] Next is a lovely party from the ladies over at The Picket Fence. Those ice cream cups are too cute and they are serving up multiple flavors of everyone’s favorite sweet treat. Click here to see these ideas and more. […]

    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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