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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

March 26, 2011

Inspiration Friday No. 8


Can you feel it? There is something in the air.
The soft scent of daffodils and hyacinth…
Heavy coats giving way to windbreakers or maybe even…wait for it…
NO COAT AT ALL!
Ok, so must of us aren’t at that point yet.
But, the days are longer and we can take walks after dinner and have it still be light out.
Peter Rabbit and friends are hippety hoppity-ing their way around town.
Gardens are being planned and mapped out.
The kids boots are at their muddiest.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!
And never has that been more apparent than at

We can tell that you all have severe cases of Spring Fever because the creativity and inspiration is in full bloom, just like the gorgeous cherry blossoms.
There was a treasure trove of wonderful inspiration from last week’s party and as always, we AGONIZED over how to pick just a few to feature.
Now, we don’t like to AGONIZE.
So, we made a decision.
We are going to start Facebook Featuring a few folks throughout the week so that we can share with you even more of the great Inspiration that we are so honored to view every week!
So, if you aren’t already a Facebook Friend of At the Picket Fence, be sure to come on over and “Like” us so you are sure to know when you have been Featured.
~~Now, on to some highlights from last week’s party!~~

First up we have Landee from Landee See Landee Do
She performed death defying acrobatics in order to freshen up her entry way that she described as “lame.boring.vanilla.blaaah.” Her words folks!

Here it is Before

And here it is After
And here she is in her one woman show “Landee the Magnificent”!

Be sure to pay her a visit and see the rest of this remarkable makeover at
Landee See Landee Do!
Next up we have Rachel from Low Country Living.
She and her husband have done an amazing job renovating their home and this room is no exception. 

Here is their Living Room Before

And here is the After!


Look at that incredible fireplace transformation and all of that lovely woodwork!
Be sure and pay Rachel a visit at Low Country Living.

And then there was this jaw-dropping makeover courtesy of Ange of
Love from my Kitchen.
She had a wonderful play-room space and she knew she could help it live up to it’s full potential. 

Here is the space Before
And here it is After!

You will have to go over and visit Ange at Love From My Kitchen to fully appreciate just how incredible this transformation really is. You won’t believe your eyes!
  Last week Kristy from Hyphen Interiors presented what we think were two firsts for At The Picket Fence. First, she finished a project quickly enough to link up both the before post of her chair where she was in the process of refinishing it, but also managed to finish it in time to link up the after of her chair. 
Here’s the before:


Kristy picked up this chair for $60 off of Craig’s List and transformed it into this:


Yes it is stunning…but what is even more stunning is…it’s painted!  Yes you read that right…painted!  And that I think is a first here At The Picket Fence.  Oh yes we’ve had lots of lovely reupholstered pieces, but never any that have been painted.  If you’re mouth’s hanging open you are not alone.  Kristy shares a full tutorial over several posts, but was kind enough to do a new post with step by step instructions!  You can read about Kristy’s painted chair on her post: Painted Upholstery-The Process Revealed 

Now, we have such a Spring in our Step that we can’t help but feature just a few more creative folks!
Kim from Too Much Time on my Hands really knows how to Spring Forward!
She made this amazing Pottery Barn Inspired Clock.
Abbi from My Garden of Eden made these adorable Jellybean Topiaries.
We are definitely going to be trying our hands at making these!
And Natalie from A Turtle’s Life for Me shared this fabulous Spa Themed Birthday Party
that was just perfect for her Niece!
We hope you will take some time and visit all of these wonderfully creative folks!
Now, don’t forget to grab your Featured At button if you were featured at today’s party or during the week as a Facebook Feature!

We also want to give a quick reminder to pay a visit to our Etsy Shop of the month

Now it’s time for you to share you inspiration with us! Please take a moment to read the instructions and then link up your favorite posts!

After linking up to Inspiration Friday click the graphics below and pay a visit to our other
Friday Party Friends!



The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage
                        
And our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense


It’s so easy to link-up…here’s a few rules to help you:

Just a quick reminder since it’s so easy to just skim over the instructions.  We’ve noticed lately several people have forgotten to link back to Inspiration Friday.  While we we’ve decided we won’t delete your entry or “call you out” on it we pretty please ask that you take an extra minute to link your post BACK to At The Picket Fence.  It’s a pretty standard “rule” for linky parties and is a way to “thank” your hosts for well…hosting the party!  We want “your guests to be able to come back here and see all of the wonderful inspiration in blogland and to maybe link up one of their posts.  Thank you for honoring this mandatory requirement!

  •  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 and not just your url (main blog address)

  • Please post our button (code in the sidebar) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY)
  • Visit another guest Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you!  We are trying so hard between writing posts, homeschooling, and taking care of our families..grin..to visit everyone’s posts. Sometimes we miss one 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! 
So go on now and link up!


 

32 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Comments

  1. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party each week. Amazing before and afters you featured! Seeing Landee waaay up there on that ladder is giving me heart palpitations!!!

    Reply
  2. Judy says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    Great features. I know, I couldn’t believe that chair was painted either…amazing, right? Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  3. Martina says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    Hi girls thanks for hosting, Martina

    Reply
  4. jandjhome says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Hi, thanks so much for hosting. I just want to make sure my link back to you is OK. I did a linky party page on my sidebar. Is that OK or do you like it on the specific post. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  5. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    I just cannot believe that chair! Ot the stairwell, just amazing. Thanks for hosting, and for the inspiration!

    Reply
  6. At The Picket Fence says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    @jandjhome Hi! While we always love to have a link back to the party in the actual post, we are okay with our button being on a “party page” as well, as long as there is some link back to Inspiration Friday somewhere on the blog. I know every host feels differently about this, but we try to be pretty relaxed with the “rules”. Hope that helped answer your question and answers it for anyone else wondering. 🙂

    Heather and Vanessa

    Reply
  7. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    No way would I work that high now but her stairs look great. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  8. Natasha says

    March 25, 2011 at 12:23 AM

    Thanks so much for having me today. I look forward to checking out everyone’s ideas.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  9. Laurel says

    March 25, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    Hi there…new follower and new to your party…thanks for hosting! Now I’ll go peek around 🙂 Laurel@chippingwithcharm

    Reply
  10. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    March 25, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    The jelly beans are just too cute…love this look!!! Thanks so much for hosting.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  11. Mary Ellen says

    March 25, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Thank you for your fun party every week!

    Reply
  12. Natalie says

    March 25, 2011 at 1:19 AM

    Thanks so much for the feature and for hosting! Off to go check out the other cool links!

    Reply
  13. Farmer's Wyfe says

    March 25, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Those are some fantastic features! Thanks for the link-up party! 🙂

    Reply
  14. blesid says

    March 25, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    Love your blog … signed up to follow and linked up too! jules

    Reply
  15. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 24, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Hi girls!!! Love those picks!! All linked up- thanks for hosting! Hope you are warm and dry this weekend… snowing again here… I was thinking it was supposed to be spring now?! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Happy Homemaker UK says

    March 25, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    Thank you for hosting such an *inspirational* party! Have a great weekend

    Reply
  17. alison says

    March 25, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    you have got to be kidding me…this is starting to get humorous…okay, i can tell you one of my features next week involves calf rennet, but as for the rest…apparently twisted minds think alike!

    all linked up,

    alison

    Reply
  18. My Garden of Eden says

    March 25, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Hey Girls!!! I am in LOVE with that entryway! WOW!!! That totally makes me want to paint!

    Thanks for featuring my topiaries!!! That made my morning!

    Abbi

    Reply
  19. The Hopeless Romantic says

    March 25, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Hi Ladies, thanks for hosting, some great inspiration here. I would never climb that high on a ladder, that the kinda thing ya hire people to do, lol. Im gettin dizzy just thinkin about it……………Bonnie

    Reply
  20. Kim says

    March 25, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Hey Ladies!
    What a wonderful surprise to see my “clock” featured today!!! Yippeee

    Reply
  21. LowCountryLiving says

    March 25, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Thanks for featuring the living room. You guys are so sweet!

    Reply
  22. Karen At Home says

    March 25, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    Amazing features! Thanks for hosting such a fun party (and blog!)

    Reply
  23. Richella says

    March 25, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    Wow–y’all attract some great projects! This is a great re-cap post! Makes me want to get busy and get creative around here!

    Thanks for hosting a really nice party. I’m glad it’s turned out to be successful for you!

    Reply
  24. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    March 25, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Awesome features! Love PARTYING with yall every friday! Thanks for hosting:)

    xoxokara

    Reply
  25. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    March 25, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    h yeah…I linked up 2 times:)
    My plastic eggs and my Repurposed Candle jars…have a BLESSED weekend:)

    xxokara

    Reply
  26. Whatitsallabout... says

    March 25, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    Wow!Those are some amazing room transformations! There are so many talented women in this world. Thanks for hosting!

    Heather

    Reply
  27. Heidi says

    March 26, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    thank you for the link up!

    COme visit
    and enter my GiveAway if you want!

    chickhardware.blogspot.com

    Reply
  28. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    March 26, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    I agree those are some awesome room transformations! I am new to your blog. Really like it!!

    Reply
  29. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    March 26, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    Great features. Love the stairway update. Thanks for hosting this fun party. I love seeing what others have done.
    ~Lynn

    Reply
  30. Landeelu says

    March 26, 2011 at 2:48 AM

    Thanks for the feature of my entry way! You guys make the life-risking-sweat-inducing time I spent up there all worth it! Love your link parties & linked up again (something else, of course)!

    Reply
  31. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    March 26, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    The entry way is gorgeous, I must go see 🙂
    Enjoy your weekend!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  32. Hyphen Interiors says

    March 26, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Thank you so very much for mentioning my chair project on here! So cool to have firsts on your site!! I love that foyer. And, that school room is amazing!!

    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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