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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 3, 2011

Launch Party Giveaway Day Four…An Etsy Feature!



It’s Day Four of our Launch Party and time for another Fabulous Giveaway!

We were so honored when Pamela of From My Front Porch to Yours, graciously agreed to donate an item from her Etsy shop for us to giveaway to one lucky winner!

Until recently, her beautiful shop has primarily consisted of fabulous items for the “oh so chic” little one in your life!

Boutique Unisex Valentine Wishes Spittle Bib

Boutique Baby Boy Muscle Car Chenille Bib

Pink Paisley Pacifier Clip Toy Clip Pre Made

If only I had known Pamela when my rascals were babies!

Now, Pamela is taking her talent and creativity to another level.
I’ll let here share it with you in her own words.

“I am sooo excited to be introducing a few houseware items to my shop! If they go over well I will be opening a new shop entirely focused on just housewares!”

And if you think she can make a bib look fabulous, wait until you see what she can do to a frame!

French Song Bird Embellished Picture Frame

“Who has Spring fever!?? My first addition to the shop is my French Song Bird Picture Frame. This frame is a 4×6 frame that I have hand painted, glazed and antiqued. It features a beautiful 2 D song bird picture accented with sparkle and a music sheet back ground.”
French Song Bird Embellished Picture Frame
French Song Bird Embellished Picture Frame
Isn’t that absolutely gorgeous?
I don’t think I could make something like that if my life depended on it!
We were so appreciative to Pamela for her willingness to contribute to our Launch Party Giveaway week in such a generous way, that we are now making her our
Featured Esty Shop
for the month of February!
We will keep a link up to her shop on our sidebar all month long and we encourage you to hop over there and take a look at more of her amazing creations.
I might try and convince my kids to start wearing bibs again just so I can buy one!
I think that would go over well, don’t you?
Thank you so much Pamela for not only donating this item, but for being such an amazing friend here in blogland. You were one of the first to welcome me (Vanessa) into this community and you have always been so encouraging and supportive.
Now, would you like to win that beautiful French Song Bird Picture Frame?
You would?
Well, here’s how!
(Mandatory) 1. Pay a visit to Pamela’s Etsy Shop Spoiled Sweet Couture and let us know what strikes your fancy from her darling store.
(Optional) 2. Add At the Picket Fence to your blogroll and let us know you did!
or
(Optional) 3.Sign up to follow us on Twitter
That’s 3 ways to enter to win this fabulous Giveaway!
And, if you have an Etsy shop and would be interested in donating an item for a Giveaway, we would be thrilled to offer you a place of honor on our sidebar for one month.
Please contact us for details!
Thanks for stopping by the Fence today!

All giveaways now closed!

19 Comments Filed Under: Etsy, Giveaways

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Previous Post: « A Good Idea…for Valentine’s Day!
Next Post: Launch Party Giveaway…Day Five..Overstock.com rocks! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy says

    February 3, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I love the French Songbird picture. I have you on my blog roll already.:)

    Reply
  2. Green Door Girl says

    February 3, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    I love that frame – I might need just the frame 🙂
    adding you to twitter!

    Reply
  3. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    February 3, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    What a cute little frame. I would get the SUMMER IN THE CITY bib for my best friends 1st grandchild.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  4. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    February 3, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    Have you on my blog roll.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  5. Honey at 2805 says

    February 3, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Nice giveaway. I like the framed picture.

    Reply
  6. Honey at 2805 says

    February 3, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    I have you on my blogroll. (also think that Blogger has been cold the past few days)

    Reply
  7. Sue says

    February 3, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Well, if I had a little one around, I would love the posh swirl chenille bib to keep baby girl fashionable and clean! What cute stuff Pamela has! Her bird picture is adorable. Am on the Fence’s blog roll, girls! ~ Sue

    Reply
  8. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    February 3, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    VANESSA!!! SO EXCITED for your new blog! Im SO SORRY I have been missing out on everything! My kids got sick with a bug and of course NOW i have it! I have been Dry Heaving for 2 days! Im just sick i have missed out on everything! I hope I will get caught up over the weekend! I just KNOW God is going to bless this new Blog!!!
    Im your newest follower!

    Love you!

    Cant wait to get to know your sister Heather!

    blessings! xoxokara

    Reply
  9. Kelly says

    February 3, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    I added you to my blogroll! 🙂

    Kelly

    Reply
  10. Kelly says

    February 3, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    I have to say that the songbird pic is my favorite item, but I also love the red poppy keychain!

    Reply
  11. Dear Sweet Home says

    February 3, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    I got your message about my kitchen progress post…Thank you so much! I have never been featured before…this is an honor! I better get to work posting some new things! THANKS!

    Reply
  12. Tyla says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    If I had a little one again I’d love the Saddle Up bib. Too cute. And, of course, the frames are just gorgeous! Hoping I win!!!

    Reply
  13. Mare says

    February 4, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    I like the french songbird picture.
    Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  14. Cindy says

    February 3, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Love the Pamela’s Etsy…French Song Bird is my favorite!

    Reply
  15. Roxanna says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    Love the bird pic & frame.

    Roxanna
    roxemor@aol.com

    Reply
  16. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    February 5, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    I love the framed french song bird print Pamela has. I saw that she was doing these now and I’m sure she will be quite successful with it!

    Reply
  17. elizabeth says

    February 5, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    I’m a follower…pick me!

    Reply
  18. Patti says

    February 6, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    Wonderful etsy shop. My first great-niece was born 3 weeks ago, and I need to get her a christening gift soon. (I’m a follower)

    Reply
  19. Lea says

    July 1, 2014 at 1:57 PM

    We stumbled over here by a different page and thought I should check
    things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
    Look forward to exploring your web page again.

    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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