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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 11, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No. 2!


It’s Inspiration Friday time once again here 

At The Picket Fence!


We were so excited by the response to last week’s Inspiration Friday!  We had 82 entries!  

Just what is Inspiration Friday?


Well, this is one of the very few Linky Parties where you can share pretty much anything with us.
Decorating, Cooking, Crafts, Great Ideas, Poetry, Inspiring Stories, they are all welcome here. 

We hope you will be inspired just as you inspire others!


In keeping with tradition, we will be mostly featuring bloggers who are fairly new to our little community here. So, if you are featured this week, or even in weeks past, please feel free to grab the new “I’ve been featured” button from our sidebar!


I am so excited that Vanessa let me choose this week’s bloggers to highlight!  I secretly have been jealous of Vanessa getting to choose such great projects to show off each week.  Don’t tell her but it’s one of my secret reasons why I wanted to combine our two blogs…well that and the fact that she’s pretty much all around awesome.  Of course that’s not at all due to my cool influence as her big sister…;)

So without further ado here are my inspirational highlight picks from last week!



First up we have Bethany at Our 3 Sons Plus 1!  Her husband and she built the most beautiful custom mantel!  Not only am I impressed with her husbands ability to build something like this I am equally impressed with the love for Bethany he must have..since I’m sure he knew how important it was to her!  See men often don’t care about these things quite as much as we do, so it is with much love that they undertake the projects we come up with. 


This is Bethany’s before mantel



This is also before Bethany completely redid her living room.  You can see all of the details on her blog.  A fireplace with pretty tile..but it’s missing some oomph!



Here comes husband to the rescue!  Bethany and her husband put many, many hours into this project and the results are fabulous!



Look at the attention to detail!




 I just love the crisp white against the wall color.

I hope Bethany doesn’t mind, I stole this picture from her most recent post!  Head over and read more about Bethany’s Family Room makeover!  Kudos Bethany (and husband…grin!) for a job well done! 




Up next we have what is a perfect remedy for those of us with limited space.  Meet Ange at Love From My Kitchen and her incredibly creative…
Cloffice 
(I told her that was my new favorite word!)


Here is the before, I can so totally relate to this closet.  I have several one just like it!


and Ange’s office space before..who can relate to this?  The poor office space often gets relegated to a remote corner




BUT check out her office (cloffice) space now!



Are you as jealous impressed as I am?!?  Ange did such a fabulous job on this space, it’s soothing and pretty with special touches like this



Such a beautiful space Ange!  Thanks for sharing it with us.  You can read more about Ange’s cloffice (heheh another chance to say it) here!

and because I am such a foodie…I of course HAD to feature a super fun Valentine Cookie…actually make that two fabulous and fun Valentine Cookies!  Both are from Sue at Munchkin Munchies.  Sue’s blog is named for her adorable grandbabies!  How fun must it be to be Sue’s grandchild when she makes cookies like this:


Are these not so adorable!  What kid wouldn’t love to give or get these for Valentine’s Day!



Look how cute they are all wrapped up!  Sue even gives a demonstration for us! 😉


Sue also shares a simple but oh so sweet Valentine cookie…


Double Thumbprint Heart Cookies



These cookies are just so “Valentiney” and Sue shares a wonderful tutorial on how to make them!


Pay Sue a visit…ooh and ahh over the pictures of her sweet grandchildren and check out all of the many, many beautiful recipes that she shares at Munchkin Munchies! 


and last but certainly not least a link up that touched our hearts!  
Susan at My Place To Yours shared a thought provoking post on what makes a beautiful tablescape

it doesn’t have to always be fancy

What really matters are the people gathered around the table. Here’s a little bit of what Susan had to share about this special group of young ladies:


“This table has heart — a really big heart — and it must … because those who sit around it desperately need all of the acceptance and embrace, the love and security, the stability and hope that it offers.  They’re just children — on average 10-16 years of age — but their young lives have known a lifetime … or several lifetimes … of pain.  



They’re little girls … who have faced abandonment by family and society, unspeakable abuses, and unimaginable exploitation, often including forced prostitution. (Yes, even the youngest ones.)  There are FIVE tables like this at the girls’ campus of Hope Unlimited for Children — each one embracing up to 16 girls. There are similar tables at the two boys’ campuses … and in the day student cafeterias … and in the preschool. By the time all of the place settings are counted, over 1200 children are served a life-transforming portion of hope every day….”



You can read more of Susan’s incredible story here..and a follow up post here with more details about this wonderful ministry she and her husband are involved in!
Thank you Susan for sharing what I believe is the “prettiest” tablescape I’ve seen!



Don’t forget to grab your “Featured At” button ladies!

Also, a quick reminder that tomorrow is Sister Saturday here At The Picket Fence!


It’s our Valentines’ Day Edition!

Come back to link up all of your fabulous Valentine Crafts, Recipes, and Decor on
Saturday and be sure to grab our Sister Saturday button from the sidebar so that other’s can see all of the fabulous Valentine Ideas featured on Sister Saturday!

And now, let’s get this party started! 
Before linking up we’d love it if you’d take a second to become a friend of At The Picket Fence through google friend connect, email or our RSS Feed.  We’d love to get to know you better!

Now Link it on up friends!

Here’s how…
1. Add your Permalink to your entry but not your General Blog Address. To get your Permalink, click on the title of the blog post you are wanting to submit and copy and paste the address into the URL box. You will also have to add your email address but it will not be visible to anyone else.
2. Do not try and Link up until you have actually published that particular post on your blog.
3. Please link back to the host blog, At the Picket Fence, so that those who visit your blog will be able to find some wonderful Inspiration from everyone else.
4) Give some linky lovin’ to some of the other Inspiration Friday link ups!  It’s always nice for others to hear how they’ve inspired you!  Of course we love to hear from you too so leave us a comment and say hi!

We can’t wait to be inspired!
Thanks so much for stopping by the Fence today!
Heather and Vanessa



After linking up to Inspiration Friday pay a visit to our Friday Party friends at:

      




21 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    These are just wonderful!! I look at these things week after week and feel like the biggest dork because I can’t do any of it!

    I want a cloffice! I have plenty of space around the house and don’t even need an office. I just think hers is cute and want to go around saying cloffice.

    Reply
  2. Honey at 2805 says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Thanks for hosting another great party! Happy Valentines to all!

    Reply
  3. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Such great ideas! Thanks for hosting us all again this week. Hope you ladies have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  4. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    Heather and Vanessa, how honored I am to be featured at Inspiration Friday! Thank you for bringing attention to the children we serve — and children around our world who desperately need what we privileged adults have to share…

    Bethany, Ange, and Sue… I’m inspired by all of your projects!

    Reply
  5. Judy says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    I’m so excited for your second party. Thanks so much for hosting.

    Reply
  6. NanaDiana says

    February 11, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    What a wonderful post! I love all your projects and re-dos that you are highlighting here…and the last story is incredible. Thanks! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  7. michelle says

    February 11, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    Wonderful features this week and that last story just touched my heart. I can’t even imagine the life that they have lived already and it is so wonderful to know that there are angels out there to help them.

    Reply
  8. Sue says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    THANK YOU so much for including my cookies in your Inspiration Friday feature! I am truly honored. Kudos to both of you, Heather and Vanessa, for hosting such a wonderful linky party!

    Reply
  9. Heather@The Black's Best says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Vanessa,

    Thank you so much for the great comment you left on my blog. Definitely linking up!

    Reply
  10. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    February 11, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    That fireplace makeover is incredible.

    I’ve linked up twice but one of them is to my garden, which has the link party at the end of it. If I’m not allowed to do that then please feel totally free to delete it.

    Sarahxx

    Reply
  11. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 11, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    Hey there girls~ Happy to be joining in your party! Great features-and what a great story!! Thanks for the shout out! Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Thank you so much for your invitation to link up my headboard project. What a great idea, thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  13. Bethany {3SonsPlus1} says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Thanks so much for highlighting all our hard work! 🙂 So appreciative!!

    Love this link party- there are tons of fantastic ideas! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  14. Bethany {3SonsPlus1} says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    I forgot to add how amazing the last story is. Wow!

    Reply
  15. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Congrats Ladies!!! Your new blog is REALLY taking off! Im SO EXCITED for yall! I KNOW God is smiling down on what yall are doing here :0)

    xoxokara

    Reply
  16. AshTreeCottage says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Thank you for a fun party! Happy Valentine’s Day!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    Reply
  17. Wendy says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    So many inspiring ideas! The office is amazing. Would love to sit there and work. Great party!
    Wendy

    Reply
  18. Christie says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Heather, you have some awesome picks! I loved the ‘best tablescape ever!’ I read every bit of the story and cried! I had to come back and check out some of the other links! I am lovin’ that beadboard heart…so cool! So many great things! Have a great week! Christie at threepixielane

    Reply
  19. Richella says

    February 11, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather! Hope you girls are enjoying your new joint venture! It’s a pleasure to have something to link up this week. Thank you so much for hosting!

    Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  20. Green Door Girl says

    February 12, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    omigosh that mantel is amazing! LOVE IT – definitely see why you picked it – they did an awesome job! Thanks for hosting as always 🙂

    Reply
  21. Jodie says

    February 12, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    I’m a new follower. I’ve recently joined your linky party #78, thank you for hosting. I look forward to your weekly posts!

    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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