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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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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

January 13, 2012

Inspiration Friday No. 47

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Welcome friends of At The Picket Fence! Heather mentioned in her post yesterday, that we are creeping up on our One Year  Blogiversary!! That is just really hard for us to believe.
It seems to have FLOWN BY, yet we feel like we have known so many of you forever.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being so supportive of our blogging endeavors! Many of you have been with us from the first post and since then we have met so many fabulous new friends! We have some fun things in store to celebrate the occasion, one being interviews with us! Whose doing the interviewing you ask?
Why…you of course!

We want to know what you want to know about us! Is there anything you’ve been curious about? Are you wondering if we’re harboring some deep dark secret? grin! Wanna know some trivial, mindless facts about us? Like our favorite color, favorite TV show, little know vices. Our bra sizes….er um…okay so maybe not that. Winking smile 

If you feel so inclined and let’s face it… just plain nosey, then please leave a question in the comment section on this post OR you can email them if you would like! That will give us time to answer and contemplate and cringe over our answers. lol! We’ll also be posting this our Facebook Page, if you  want to ask there. So, in advance, thanks for participating. 


We hope it’ll be fun and stay tuned for our Blogiversary week!
We also want to invite you to join us each week for a fun new series…Proving Pinterest!
pining pinterest
Each week we will create a “vlog “(that’s a fancy word for a video on a blog post) where we will “prove” a pin from Pinterest! You can see this past week’s Proving Pinterest video and stay tuned Saturday for Vanessa’s Proving Pinterest choice…will it be a “pinner”!?


Now onto our Fabulous Features!

picketfence_20010_thumb[18]_thumb[2]
Katie at Creatively Living has started a fantastic new series called With the Kids Wednesday.
Her first installment entitled “Putty Buddies” proves to all of us that allowing our kids to help us provides incredible opportunities for bonding, learning and yes, some good old-fashioned messy fun!

Lynnette from {Decor}ography shared with us one of the most gorgeous nurseries we have ever seen!
The details in this space are truly incredible and we think the color palette is so sophisticated and sweet.

Margo of Joyful Homemaking used Dollar Store buckets to create this fantastic and customized storage for her boys. We have a slight case of organizational envy now!

This gorgeous Mod Podged Vintage French Script  Fruit from Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict jumped out at us from the party! Aren’t they just lovely.  Perfect for winter and spring decorating!

deco fruit
Okay folks, this next feature had us scrolling back and forth through the pictures, because it’s hard to believe it’s the same room! You must check out Amy at Grown from Scratch’s living and dining room makeover! Fabulous! Go leave her some comment love on her hard work!

livingroomfeature
We thought this idea from Decorating With a Little Bit was ingenious! She installed a beautiful stained glass window as an INTERIOR window to let in more light to the vanity area of their master bath! Just gorgeous and so clever.

And as you know here at Inspiration Friday, while we adore and are amazed at the talent and creativity of our DIY crowd, we also cherish the special posts that touch us deeply.  The posts where you open your hearts to us and share special words of encouragement, joy and even pain and disappointment.  This last feature is from Heather’s friend Nedra of Adventure Mom! She’s just the coolest person…full of life! Her post “Why Death has Made Me Want to Life” touched us deeply, and we promise it will touch you too.

 
Thank you to all of our features this week as well as to all of you who share your amazing ideas, projects and inspiration with us each and every week! If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located in on our Buttons Page found under our header! 
Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook? Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well! Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week! We appreciate you!
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:



stuffandnonsense
vif187



Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!
  • Friend At The Picket Fence in some capacity
  • Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post (MANDATORY) and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize. It makes us feed good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!

Are you new to linky parties and kinda confused how they work? Have you wondered if you’re following “linky party etiquette”? We invite you to pay Donna at Funky Junk Interiors a visit and follow her great Linky Party Series!

This Inspiration Friday is sponsored by:
20 North Ora

62 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Drum Shade Chandelier Tutorial
Next Post: Proving Pinterest Video Series…Candle Wax and Irons »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin @ How to Nest for Less says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    WOW, absolutely amazing features! Definitely inspired by some of these space 🙂

    Reply
  2. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    These are all such great features! Thanks for hosting each week!

    Reply
  3. Lisa - A Room with A View says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    Thank you for hosting! There is a lot to look at here.

    Reply
  4. Stuff and Nonsense says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    love the features
    as usual girls

    all linked up
    and thanks for hosting!

    alison

    Reply
  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    Great features. I will check some of them out. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  6. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Wow! Thanks for the feature! And thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  7. debbie refresh restyle says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thanks for the party! Hope y’all are having a great week!
    Debbie

    Reply
  8. Heaven's Walk says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Hi Vanessa! Thank you so much for your sweet comment about my feature at Faded Charm! I felt so honored to be asked! 🙂 Also, thank you for hosting this great linky party, too! It’s certainly one of my favs! 🙂

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  9. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  10. Sue says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    I have got to get out from under my chaos and go visiting! These features and some of the entries from today look wonderful! Thanks so much to you two sissies for hosting. And I mean “sissies” in a good way. That’s what I call my husband’s sisters!
    🙂 Sue

    Reply
  11. Eclectically Vintage says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    Wow – congrats on one great year – here’s to many more!
    Kelly

    Reply
  12. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Looking forward to your upcoming blog anniversary. It’s been a pleasure linking, and getting to know you both. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  13. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    Wow! Time does FLY!! Congrats on a year:-) Love this feature…thank you ladies for hosting!

    Reply
  14. Sherry says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    Thanks for hosting.
    Sherry

    Reply
  15. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    Happy Blogiversary! I CAN NOT believe you’ve been up and running a year already! Hugs, Kim

    Reply
  16. Katie says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    Really? One year already!! Wow! Congrats on an incredible year you two!! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  17. Richella says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    WOW, girls, I can’t believe it’s already been a year! 2011 was full of challenges for me–I have to admit I was glad to see the ball drop this year!–but I guess it went by pretty quickly, didn’t it??

    I’m so glad to see your success. You two deserve it.

    As always, thanks for hosting a really fun party. You bring out the best in people. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Debra @ Common Ground says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    Hi Girlies! I just love everything that Debbie from Confessions of a Plate Addict does. I’d feature her every week if I could. LOL!!!! just linked up, xoxo

    Reply
  19. Kathy says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:45 PM

    Isn’t it amazing all the talent shared in blogland! You’ve presented some wonderful features – I loved the Mod Podged fruit! Gorgeous! Your lamp shade is amazing – My daughter would swoon over it! Thank you for hosting and thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    Reply
  20. Kristin says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    Happy almost blogiversary!!! I’ve loved your blog from the moment I found it, and you ladies have become one of my favorites. I always look forward to new posts!!

    Thanks for hosting the party!!

    Reply
  21. Youaretalkingtoomuch.com says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:03 PM

    Thank you for hosting this awesome party! Finally stopped by again! Love, Me

    Reply
  22. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:09 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  23. Betsy says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    Love these features! Thank you so much for hosting, this is my first time at your party.

    Reply
  24. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:32 PM

    Happy Blogiversary, girlies! I sure have enjoyed being a part of your first year.
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  25. NanaDiana says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    Congrats on your one year anniversary. Wow! Can hardly believe it has been that long.

    Love all your features- I always find a new blog or two. xo Diana

    Reply
  26. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    Hi ladies, Happy one year anniversary. I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed following along with you this year! Thank you for hosting.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  27. Pamela says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:18 AM

    Has it been a year already??? WOW times flies when you are having fun I guess! Y’all turned into avower house! Congrats! Thanx for hosting!

    Reply
  28. Calypso In The Country says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:20 AM

    Happy One Year! Thanks for hosting today!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  29. Bonnie@Creative Decorating says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    I’m joining with an inspirational story of another blogger. I hope everyone will take the time to read her story!

    Reply
  30. Rebecca says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:18 AM

    Congratulations on one year!
    Thanks so much for hosting.
    Blessings
    Rebecca

    Reply
  31. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    Happy One Year Bloggerversary! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  32. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:47 AM

    Congratulations for your one year anniversary! I love your features; they’re wonderful! Thanks for hosting this great link party!

    Reply
  33. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:48 AM

    Hi there! I’m a follower but I’m new to your party 🙂 Thanks for hosting it.

    Would love it if you stopped by Turnstylevogue.com to say hi!

    Shari

    Reply
  34. Anne Lorys - Fiona and Twig says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:05 AM

    Happy Blogiversary!
    So happy yo call y’all friends!

    XOXO,
    Anne

    Reply
  35. Katie @ Creatively Living says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:31 AM

    Thanks so much for the feature! I linked the 2nd “With the Kids Wednesday” up tonight!

    Happy Anniversary!!!

    –Katie

    Reply
  36. Gallamore West says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:32 AM

    Happy One Year!! This is my 1st time linking up here and I’m your newest follower. I love the projects you featured from last week, especially that nursery {swoon!}
    xo,
    Laurie @ Gallamore West

    Reply
  37. Nann from At Nann's Table says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Heather and Vanessa…I’ve just come to love you two to bits. Not only do you have a wonderful blog but you hostess such a great link up party. I am so thrilled that I can be a part of it. I loved the feature of the organizational bins from the Dollar Store. Now that is creative and functional besides being downright thrifty. What great bloggers you have to come to participate!

    Nann

    Reply
  38. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:26 AM

    Hi Ladies~
    As always, thanks for hosting. Watched your Pinterest video and look forward to seeing what’s up next on your vlog!

    Reply
  39. SavannahGranny says

    January 13, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Great features, thanks for hosting.
    Blessings, Ginger

    Reply
  40. Amanda says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:34 PM

    My last comment vanished:(

    Great features today. So much talent in blogland!!

    Thanks for hosting us!
    Amanda

    Reply
  41. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    January 13, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  42. Natasha in Oz says

    January 13, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    Thanks for having me today ladies-it’s fun to be back after a long bloggy break!

    See you soon for your pinning post!

    Best wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  43. Amy From Grown From Scratch says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    Thank you SO much for featuring me today. It really means a lot, you totally made my week!

    Reply
  44. Margo says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Thank you guys so much for featuring my boys room organization!

    Reply
  45. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  46. Kerry Rossow says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:25 PM

    That drum chandy is gorgeous!
    Thank you so much for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  47. Debbie says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    I’m in catch up mode here. I had to tell you before I forget that I love Heather’s drum shade fixture and am now trying to figure out where to put one up.

    I’m sure I can come up with a nosey question if I give myself some time.

    In the meantime, I plan to get a cup of hot cocoa and let myself get inspired as the weekend progresses. I need some project motivation!!

    Reply
  48. classic • casual • home says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:34 PM

    Lots of fun and creativity…how pretty is that nursery? Off to check our the sites you recommend! Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  49. Mimi says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Happy New Year and thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  50. Little Bit says

    January 14, 2012 at 1:14 AM

    Girls, thank you so much for featuring my master bath interior window! It’s super exciting for us to be featured. We just started our blog less than 2 months ago and already I can’t believe how much I’ve learned about a whole new world, and so much more to learn. I really appreciate it. Little Bit from DecorateWithaLittleBit.com p.s. Heather: love the new pic 😉

    Reply
  51. Becca says

    January 14, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    Fab features … you girls sure know how to throw a par-tay !! As always, thanks for hosting and letting me play !! xoxo

    Reply
  52. CAS says

    January 14, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    Oh, you two are so fabulous! Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. I’m one of those who has followed from the beginning, & it’s always fantastic. Look forward to your new ideas.
    CAS

    Reply
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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?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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