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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

September 14, 2012

It’s Inspiration Friday No. 82! Welcome!

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Wowee!! We think we might have broken a record at last week’s party with 435 links!
Want to know something about us?
Each week it still amazes us to see those links pop up after we publish the party post.
We never stop being humbled and honored that you would choose to share your talent and creativity here with us and we hope you know how much we appreciate all of you!
Now, speaking of being appreciative…we still can’t believe that we get to host the incredible GIVEAWAY we have going on right now.
Would you like to go to New York City??
LG is offering one lucky At the Picket Fence Reader a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly to NYC and attend the Food Network Wine and Food Festival!
Click here to find out more about how you can enter to win this incredible prize!

We’ve got a lot of fun projects coming up in the next few weeks so be sure to come on back and see what will be happening around the Fence!
But, for now, let’s get so some Features, shall we?
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INSPIRED ROOMS

Shirley from Housepitality Designs shared her gorgeous Foyer complete with her incredible Stained Glass Window…which has it’s own story!
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Pam from Simple Details revealed the incredible transformation she made to her son’s room and we think she lived up to her blog name and then some. This room is so cool and has amazing details!
MAKEOVERS

Cindy from Beaux R’eves gave a pair of benches she found at the ReStore a beautiful makeover and now they fit perfectly in her gorgeous mountain home!
We absolutely love this Mudroom Makeover from Maury at Life on Mars. Details like those beautiful corbels add so much character!
Laundry Room Makeover

CRAFTS and CREATIONS

How clever is this Mirror Pendant from our Danish friend at Monster’s Circus? She gives an excellent tutorial on how to make this and don’t worry, you can translate it into English!
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Rukmini from the blog Trumatter showed us how to make a beautiful DIY Vintage Pouch from Shirt Sleeves. So clever!
So, technically this one should be under our “Fall” category but since it filled up so quickly we had to share it here! We absolutely love this idea for a Fall Activity Tree shared with us by Alex of Alex Nguyen Portraits.

FALL PROJECTS and INSPIRATIONS

It’s easy to see why BHG would come knocking on Becca’s door to feature her fall mantel from last year when you see the amazing job she did with it this year! Head on over to Adventures in Decorating for more awesome ideas!
Debra from Common Ground can give just about anything the “Fall Treatment” including this Vintage Chicken Feeder!
Jennifer from Decorating Made Easy showed us how she made this adorable ghost using a tomato stand!
Keri from Shaken Together showed us how she made this darling Rustic Wooden Candy Corn Banner. It’s the only kind that won’t give you a cavity!

RECIPES

Kale Chips are all the rage these days and Jenni from Mom Essentials shared with us the recipe for an easy version that is big on healthy flavor!
Laura from Storybook Reality tried out this Giada De Laurentiis recipe for Prosciutto Melon Soup and declared it to be a new family favorite!

INSPIRED POSTS

Tricia from Thoroughly Modern Me shared a beautiful story of 1,000 Wishes made in honor of an important milestone in her daughter’s life.
The lovely Lauren from mercyINK shared a wonderful “Prayer of Surrender” for new moms and we just love her insights into this sweet yet challenging season of life.
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!
We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog…unless it’s one of our own creations, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind!


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:

vif187Fridays Unfolded
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Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday
  • 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 on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY to be featured At The Picket Fence)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 feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us

This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:

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Disclaimer: At the Picket Fence may feature any of the projects linked up to Inspiration Friday in other posts or on Facebook, twitter andhometalk with all credit being given to the original source. If you would not like your projects featured please email us.

Don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY for a trip to New York City!

70 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. keri @ shaken together says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Thank you SO much for featuring my candy corn banner!! I love joining the party each week – thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  2. Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Thanks for hosting another great party & the awesome giveaway! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

    Reply
  3. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    Vanessa and Heather…thanks so much for featuring my foyer makeover…I am truly honored to be among the fabulous features from last week….Always love joining the party!!!…Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  4. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:19 PM

    Thanks for hosting, girls.

    Reply
  5. Jessica Kielman says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Thank you for the lovely party every week, girls! Love the features this week…definitely trying the kale chips!

    Reply
  6. Gina says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Love the features! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  7. Honey at 2805 says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:25 PM

    Thanks for hosting this lovely party each week!

    Reply
  8. How to Nest for Less says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:26 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting again girls. LOVE your features … and love your sponsor 😉

    Reply
  9. suzyq says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Fantastic features!!!

    Reply
  10. Cindy says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Heather and Vanessa, Thanks for featuring my benches! You girls host such a fun party each week! Love it!

    Reply
  11. SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! Have a lovely weekend 🙂

    Reply
  12. Eclectically Vintage says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:45 PM

    I’m still dreaming of winning that NYC Wine Festival trip!!

    That ghost is the cutest!
    Kelly

    Reply
  13. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Love the features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  14. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    September 13, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    Great features girls! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  15. Sherry says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    What a giveaway! Lovely features! Thanks for hosting! Try to be kind to the Statue of Liberty! LOL
    Sherry

    Reply
  16. monsterscircus says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    Hi gourgeus girls!!!! Thank you so much for featuring my pendant mirror! You really saved my weekend, I’m definitely 20 inches taller now! Love the other features, and your wonderful sponsors! Have a great weekend and thank you so much for hosting! going to grab your button!

    Reply
  17. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    What a lovely batch of features you selected this week, Vanessa and Heather–all beautiful. I appreciate the giveaway, and I thank you both for hosting Inspiration Friday. Have a lovely weekend doing something you love!

    Reply
  18. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  19. Paula@SweetPea says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  20. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    Thanks for the party! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  21. Becca says

    September 13, 2012 at 9:56 PM

    You guuuuuys *blush* … truly flattered for the sweet mention of our mantel. Thank you so very much! I love the other features!

    Reply
  22. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says

    September 13, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting your great party!

    Reply
  23. Doreen @ Hymns and Verses says

    September 13, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    What great features this week. I especially love the boy’s bedroom makeover – so cool! Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  24. Anita says

    September 13, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    Great features again girls!! Thanks so much for hosting!!

    Reply
  25. Donna Heber says

    September 13, 2012 at 11:10 PM

    Heather & Vanessa,

    I’m so excited to be joining everyone this week. It is my first time at your party and hope to meet some new friends. Fabulous features from last week. Thank you for hosting this lovely party. Wishing you both a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
  26. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

    September 13, 2012 at 11:27 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls! Hope you are doing well!

    Take care,

    Trish

    Reply
  27. Alderberry Hill says

    September 13, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    Happy Friday, thanks so much for hosting this great party!

    Reply
  28. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:30 AM

    So glad to be linking up! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  29. Mel says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:00 AM

    thanks for hosting, enjoy your weekend

    Reply
  30. Lauren @ mercy(INK) says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:09 AM

    Ladies, you’re wonderful! Thanks so much for featuring my post… means so much! Vanessa- I need to email you back… forgive my slowness!
    blessings,
    lauren
    http://www.mercyinkblog.com

    Reply
  31. Thoroughly Modern Me says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:12 AM

    Thank you for the feature. You all are so sweet and humble with your kind words about the success of your blog and link party. Best of luck. Tricia @ Thoroughly Modern Me

    Reply
  32. Nancy says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:24 AM

    So fun to link up! Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  33. Kerry Rossow says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:38 AM

    NEW YORK CITY? Woohoo, fancy pants! Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  34. Laura says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:51 AM

    Thank you so much for the feature!! I’m so excited!!

    Reply
  35. CAS says

    September 14, 2012 at 3:54 AM

    Thanks so much, Vanessa & Heather, for hosting another great party!

    CAS

    Reply
  36. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    September 14, 2012 at 4:22 AM

    Hi, girls! Thanks so much for a lovely party!

    Reply
  37. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    September 14, 2012 at 4:30 AM

    Thanks for hosting girls! Love these features – off to check out the kale chips!

    Reply
  38. Leslie Harris says

    September 14, 2012 at 5:52 AM

    These are lovely features, I continue to be amazed by all the talented bloggers that come here. Thanks for creating such a nice place to come.
    Leslie (aka Gwen Moss blog)

    Reply
  39. Leslie says

    September 14, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    Good Morning, Girls! Thank you for hosting! So glad I can link up here this week. I am sharing a more personal post since my sister is getting married next week. I’ve shared some pictures, memories, and I talk about the personal shower I threw her!
    Have a beautful and blessed day!
    Leslie

    Reply
  40. melissa @ daisymaebelle.com says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Life to the full, Melissa

    Reply
  41. Molly says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    Thanks for hosting! I love linking up here anytime I have a new project 🙂
    -Molly
    JustALittleCreativity.com

    Reply
  42. twelve-O-eight says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting Ladies! Have a fabulous weekend, hugs

    Tanya 🙂

    Reply
  43. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    September 14, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    Hey girls! Thank you so so so much for featuring my mudroom reveal! That made my day. I’ll be linking to it on my Facebook page today. Thanks for hosting too! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  44. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    Realized I forgot to leave a comment and add your link to my post – DOH! Done, and done!

    Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  45. Foy Update says

    September 14, 2012 at 2:16 PM

    I’m sharing how I juice grapes for jelly making and then a seasonal favorite at my house fresh tomato pasta.

    Thanks for hosting!

    We also host a blog hop called Eat Make Grow and are always looking for quality bloggers to submit their links.

    Stop on by if you get the chance:
    https://foyupdate.blogspot.com/search?q=eat+make+grow&max-results=20&by-date=true

    Foy

    Reply
  46. Richella says

    September 14, 2012 at 4:04 PM

    Hey girls! I linked up earlier, but was having trouble with my computer and wasn’t able to leave a comment. (Gave me the willies to think about my computer’s being messed up–too much work on here that’s not saved anywhere else. Yikes!)

    Anyway, I just wanted to tell you thank you for hosting. Y’all do such a wonderful job with this party–no wonder you have so many linkers!! (Is that what we’re called–linkers?).

    Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  47. Nici - Posed Perfection says

    September 14, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! Hope you have a great weekend!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    Reply
  48. Marla and Steve says

    September 15, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Hi Vanessa! It’s been a long time and I see you are having wonderful success at your Friday party. Wonderful! It’s nice to be decorating and posting again.

    Reply
  49. pam {simple details} says

    September 15, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    What a sweet surprise after a day of jury duty! Thank you so much for featuring my boy’s room, quite the honor among everyone’s amazing projects!

    Reply
  50. Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest says

    September 15, 2012 at 4:15 AM

    Thank you for hosting; it’s a great party with lots of fun projects and ideas!

    Reply
  51. Jenni@MomEssentials.Net says

    September 16, 2012 at 11:57 AM

    Hi!
    Thanks for letting me share my own recipe of tasty and delicious
    Healthy Pumpkin Cookies!

    Here’s the link:
    https://www.momessentials.net/jennis-favorite-healthy-pumpkin-cookies/

    Reply
  52. Good Time Charlie says

    September 16, 2012 at 10:20 PM

    Love the mudroom makeover, plus all the wonderful Fall creations! Nothing finished around here either. All primed, prepped, no show pieces yet. Hopefully this week!

    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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