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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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September 27, 2019

My Most Simple Fall Home Tour Ever

It was a very strange summer here in the Willamette Valley. Normally, we count on mid-July through late September to be our ‘guarantee’ months. When there is loads and loads of sunshine, temperatures holding very steadily in the mid-80’s with the only occasional surge into the 90’s.  Plus, we get the added bonus of no humidity! It’s why so many people travel to the Pacific Northwest this time of the year and why we are reminded that there really is know place quite like the beautiful state of Oregon.

But, this year has been different. And I realized that the weather has really reflected this stage in my life. Our ‘normal’ summer-y days seemed few and far between. Not only did the warm days seem to transition too quickly into the cooler days of fall, my days as a mom were spent driving my teenager back and forth to work (his first real job!) and keeping my 12 year old daughter busy with her own activities. The summer days of blowing bubbles and running through the sprinklers in the backyard are long gone and, just like the seasons of the year, the seasons of my life (I think there’s a book about that? wink wink) seem to be moving at warp speed.

Suddenly, I find myself seeing the month of October (and then the holidays!) looming ahead and I can’t even wrap my mind around how quickly the past season went as I’m puttering around the house adding touches of the next season everywhere.

We’ve realized that with older kids, you just don’t see them as much. Between school and sports and homework and friends and them just wanting time to themselves, our windows of opportunity to spend time together keep closing a little bit more each year.

Maybe that’s why I’m more determined than ever to not waste time and energy on things that just aren’t that important in the end.

Which means that, just when I think I can’t get any more simple in my seasonal decor, I find a new level of simplicity I didn’t realize was there.

Instead of spending a ton of money on pumpkins, I invested in a few more pieces of brown transferware that I can use year after year.

Tucked into a vintage wood caddy and placed in an oversized basket along with a bunch of wheat, they declare that Autumn is here but in a more subtle, more gentle way.

And, to be honest, my heart feels kind of fragile in this season of life. So, surrounding myself with more gentle seasonal touches are just what I need.

I absolutely love being a mom to a tween and a teen. There are so many warnings about this stage, about how hard and how scary it is. And those warnings are valid. It can be really hard and really scary at times. Just this week my son got his driver’s license! Yikes!

But, woven through the hard and the scary are so many incredible moments. Positive, wonderful, hilarious, poignant moments that far outweigh any of the ones that aren’t quite so fun.

And yet, while I’ve determined to not lament over the fact that my seasons of motherhood have gone by so quickly and my kids have grown up way too fast, I still feel this ache in my heart. I don’t let it grow too big because I know it could overpower me, but it’s there nonetheless.

It’s the ‘bitter’ part of bittersweet. That tinge of sadness attached to things that are so right and so good and yet remind you of what was and what is to come.

And I guess that’s why my heart as a mother feels kind of fragile right now and why I’ve chosen to gently embrace the season rather than run headlong into it with masses of pumpkins and bursts of color.

Because my role is changing and shifting and I’m trying to change and shift with it.

In this season of motherhood, I feel like I’m constantly doing a kind of dance. “Do you need me? Do you not need me? Should I speak up? Should I stay quiet? Should I get involved? Should I let you figure this out yourself?”

It reminds me of the leaves dancing around as they fall from the trees, floating this way and that way before landing on the ground and even then, all it takes is a gust of wind to pick them back up and toss them around again!

I’m doing the dance and trying to roll with the changes and marveling at these incredible humans we’re raising and yet, in the quietest of moments, I wonder how on earth I got here so quickly.

There’s a rawness to every season of the year and every stage of motherhood, but in the Autumn stage, it just feels like there is so much extra to tug at your emotions. Because, you know that it will come to a climax, a peak, and then the next season is just not quite as vibrant.  It still holds so much beauty, of course, but it’s not quite as lush and colorful as all of the other seasons.

And yet, as much as I would love to just slow things down a bit, there is always an eagerness, an anticipation for the next season that we just can’t seem to get away from. The rhythms of the seasons of life and the rhythms of the seasons of the year are so intertwined and so unavoidable that they force us to keep moving forward….even if we go kicking and screaming.

So, I won’t try to avoid the rhythms. I might not fling my arms wide open to them, but I won’t turn them away either.

This year, my heart and my home may not be loudly shouting out a welcome to the next season, but both will open the door to invite it in with gentle acceptance.

Thank you for coming to visit me today dear friends,

P.S. I hope this blog post wasn’t too depressing! LOL! Once I start writing, the words just flow out of me and I don’t always have control over which way they go. Next time, I’ll share a funny story with you I promise! 😉

22 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas Tagged With: Autumn, fall, fall decor, fall Decorating, fall home tour

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Comments

  1. Sharon O says

    September 27, 2019 at 11:50 AM

    Beautiful home. I didn’t realize you were in Oregon. I am too.

    Reply
  2. Julie Briones says

    September 27, 2019 at 12:41 PM

    Your home looks lovely, Vanessa. I think it looks VERY autumnal! And don’t every worry about sharing your hear… never depressing!

    Reply
  3. TERESA GONZALES says

    September 27, 2019 at 1:15 PM

    Not depressing-changes in life and season bring contemplation. You will find that this time will be a blink when you look back. Goes by faster and faster….love your home. It is beautiful!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 27, 2019 at 1:48 PM

      Thank you so much Teresa!! And you are so right that this season I’m in right now will also become a sweet, distant memory. It’s the way of life after all! 🙂

      Reply
  4. michele Knoppel says

    September 27, 2019 at 2:05 PM

    I loved your story of this beautiful and peaceful season that is coming upon us once again and how you are decorating this year! Your home looks so pretty and inviting!…..God Bless You and your Family….Thank you for sharing with us….Love it!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 27, 2019 at 3:47 PM

      Thank you so much Michele! I hope you have a wonderful Autumn weekend! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Calypso in the Country says

    September 27, 2019 at 2:10 PM

    I completely understand how you feel! My boys are 13 and 15 and I feel like time is flying by. I often feel sad that they don’t need me as much yet I am proud of them as they grow into young men. Your home is beautiful and your simple decor is so inspiring. Enjoy your weekend!
    Shelley

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 27, 2019 at 3:46 PM

      Oh Shelley, you are right in the thick of it too my friend!! It’s nice to know we aren’t alone, right? Thanks so much for your kind words and I hope you have a great weekend too! xoxo

      Reply
  6. Marlene Stephenson says

    September 27, 2019 at 2:11 PM

    I think it was beautifully said and just a reminder that time goes on whether we are ready or not. I love your decor and your home, you have a beautiful fall weekend.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 27, 2019 at 3:45 PM

      Thank you so much Marlene! I hope you have a beautiful fall weekend too! xoxo

      Reply
  7. Peggy Renie says

    September 27, 2019 at 2:52 PM

    Your home is gorgeous, and I completely understand what you are feeling about your children. Enjoy everyday to the fullest and treasure all the changes.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 27, 2019 at 3:45 PM

      Thank you so much Peggy! I really appreciate your encouragement!

      Reply
  8. Karen Gauvreau says

    September 27, 2019 at 4:58 PM

    Thanks for being a champion of the tween and teen years. We need more voices of hope during this stage. Love how your Mama story is reflected in your decorating choices – simply stunning.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 29, 2019 at 4:58 PM

      Thank you friend!! I agree that we need to talk more positively about these years of parenting. It’s definitely filled with some angst at times but so is every other stage of parenting, right? LOL! But the good far outweighs the bad! <3

      Reply
  9. Carol Reddin says

    September 28, 2019 at 10:01 AM

    This is so beautifully written. Your Dad and I were just talking yesterday about the meaning of bitter-sweet. I believe you described it perfectly. Your home is lovely – as are you in every way.

    Reply
  10. Pamela says

    September 29, 2019 at 11:21 AM

    I adore brown transfer ware and you just gave me the excuse I needed to add a little to my small collection, thank you.

    Reply
  11. Margaret Ogle says

    September 30, 2019 at 6:32 AM

    I love how you are using the dresser in your entry. I have one that is almost identical that
    belonged to my great Aunt. You gave me inspiration for using mine in the same way. I am now
    in the season as a grandmother that you are in as a mother. I miss the days when they were
    small and all the fun we had then. I am trying to embrace each moment that we are able
    to spend with them now as they are growing up and busy with friends and activities. I like your
    decorating style.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 3, 2019 at 10:52 AM

      Thank you so much Margaret!

      Reply
  12. Patty says

    September 30, 2019 at 1:40 PM

    Absolutely loved all of this! Pictures and words!

    Reply
  13. Katarina - Sukhirugs.com says

    October 1, 2019 at 9:26 AM

    Love how perfectly you showed that Fall decor doesn’t have to be too overwhelming. Subtle accessories and gentle, earthy tones make every corner of your home stunning, peaceful and relaxing. The cozy vibe is there too, as well as the layers and textures, so I’d say you’ve done a pretty amazing job here with just a few simple touches.

    Reply
  14. Christa Brockway says

    October 25, 2019 at 9:51 AM

    I understand you completely. I’m nearing the end of my parenting days too and it makes me nostalgic. Thanks for sharing what was on your heart.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 4, 2019 at 11:01 AM

      Thank you so much Christa! It’s so bittersweet isn’t it?!

      Reply

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
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…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
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If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

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If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

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