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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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April 18, 2016

My Snowball Tree Love Story

Several years ago, on a rainy Spring day, my son noticed me staring out one of the back windows. He came over and stood next to me and said, “What are you looking at Mama?” (I miss the days of being called mama!)

“I’m watching Daddy get some clippings from the snowball tree for me to bring into the house”, I replied.

vintage vignette

“Why does he have the ladder and those long clippers?” he asked as he watched his father maneuvering around the tree.

“So that he can get the blooms that are on the top and out of Mommy’s reach. Isn’t it so romantic that Daddy would do that for me? That is love right there buddy!”

“WHAT? That’s romantic?” he said with such indignation and almost downright disgust. This boy was definitely in the ‘blech’ phase when it comes to all things lovey-dovey.

“Absolutely!” I declared.

In that moment I realized that right then and there, standing in the kitchen next to my boy I not only was looking out the window at my beloved who through rain and wind was determined to get me those flowers.

I was also looking at a window of opportunity.

Here was my chance to share with my son about love…and romance…and how it’s not like those Disney movies where all of the lovey-dovey stuff is so obvious and predictable and over the top.

I put my arm around him and said, “Here’s the thing sweetie. Daddy knows me better than anyone else on this earth. He knows how much I love that snowball tree. He remembers the time that he trimmed the branches back thinking that it would be helping it that year but instead it didn’t bloom at all and I cried and blamed him and might have called him a ‘snowball killer’.

snowball blossoms centerpiece

He also remembers how the next year when it bloomed even bigger and better than ever before he didn’t say, ‘I told you so!’ but instead graciously accepted my sheepish apology for freaking out the previous year. And he and I still laugh about that. Daddy knows that every day I look out the window and see all of the enormous blossoms at the tippy top of the tree and I ache thinking that they are going to go to waste and how badly I want to bring them into the house or give them away to friends by the armful.

And, because Daddy knows me so well and loves me so much, he is out there in the rain hauling that ladder around and asking me to point out exactly which branches I want him to cut. He does that because when you love someone…really, really love them…you know them through and through. Heart and soul.”

“And that, precious son of mine, is romantic.”

Spring bouquet with lilacs and snowball blossoms

He shrugged his shoulders and turned to walk away. He may or may not have mumbled, “whatever you say mom” but I was too distracted as I gazed adoringly at my husband to notice.

I turned to finish cleaning up the kitchen but a few minutes later walked back over to the window to check on the snowball clipping progress and was greeted by an incredible sight.

My boy…the same boy to whom the word ‘romance’ seemed almost repulsive, was there in the backyard.

Sitting on top of the ladder.

Pointing out the snowball blossoms he thought his dad should cut.

As he turned around and saw that I was watching him, he gave me a grin.

I sat there staring at him and marveling over the fact that the baby boy I cradled in my arms almost 11 years ago was the same big kid with the long legs dangling from his perch on the top of the ladder.

I thought about how quickly the time was passing and imagined a day in the future when his wife will be in awe at how thoughtful and loving and caring and romantic he is.

And how I will say to her, “You’re welcome!” 😉

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27 Comments Filed Under: Good Thoughts, Spring

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Comments

  1. Marie says

    April 18, 2016 at 3:19 AM

    How true and poignant. I told my daughter she can always determine the character of a man by his relationship to his Mother, and his honesty and integrity by how he treats her, his isters, and even strangers.
    Great post…it made my day!

    Reply
  2. Jane Windham says

    April 18, 2016 at 3:25 AM

    What an awesome story and those snowballs are gorgeous!

    Reply
  3. Laura Booten says

    April 18, 2016 at 3:57 AM

    What a great post.Thank you for sharing

    Reply
  4. Rebecca Turner says

    April 18, 2016 at 4:20 AM

    Who doesn’t love a love story? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a snowball tree, but since I love white, I’m sure I would love to own one. I had to laugh at your story about freaking out over the pruning, because it sounded like me. I’m sure I would’ve been doing a war dance. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Amy Paparone says

    April 18, 2016 at 4:28 AM

    This post was the BEST! A little piece of real life, filled with all the good stuff life can hold all rolled into one. You are Blessed!

    Reply
  6. Marlene Goodman says

    April 18, 2016 at 5:11 AM

    Beautiful story. It made me tear up. What a wonderful lesson on love. So happy for you he listened and got the message.

    Reply
  7. heidi @ Decor & More says

    April 18, 2016 at 5:31 AM

    SO sweet!! thanks for sharing!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  8. Beverly Collins says

    April 18, 2016 at 5:52 AM

    What a teachable moment, straight from the “throne of grace”. You are correct in recognizing how time flies, and one day his wife will thank you for teaching him the important things in life.
    Beautiful snowball tree, as well. I just bought two to plant in my yard, hoping they will survive here in Central Florida. I am going to give them a try.

    Reply
  9. june says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:39 AM

    I love your story today! I too love snowballs but mine are not in bloom yet in Minnesota! I suppose it is because just over a week ago we could literally make “real” snowballs. So I will enjoy the many I have dried around my home for now.

    Don’t you love having a son. I have two and they continue to bless my life every single day.
    I will warn you…they grow up quickly:( Our youngest will graduate college in a few weeks and then it is off to grad school mid summer.

    Our oldest will be getting married in less than 8 weeks. Just wait until your son brings home the girl he wants to marry. We are being bless with an amazing daughter in law. I told her the day they were engaged that when he was a baby I would hold him and wonder what the girl would be like that he falls in love with. I would pray that she would have all the wonderful qualities of someone he would want to be with the rest of his life and most importantly love his heart as much as I did. He hit it out of the ballpark and we LOVE her to pieces. I told her that it is with honor that I give her his heart.

    Don’t mean to get all mush and serious on you…your pics and story really warmed my heart today and brought back a lot of memories of the little guys that still needed mommy.

    Reply
  10. Karen Green says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:33 AM

    This is one of the most beautiful stories ever. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Gwen says

    April 18, 2016 at 5:16 PM

    Just loved this. Plus I didn’t know what flower this is–blush–as they do not grow here. And I get to see them in their glory from your photo. Glorious!! Your guys–oh and the huge flowers too

    Reply
  12. Lisa Mothersead says

    April 19, 2016 at 1:25 AM

    I love this story. Sweet. ❤️

    Reply
  13. Catherine says

    April 19, 2016 at 9:58 AM

    What a beautiful message and that tree is gorgeous!

    Reply
  14. Irene says

    April 25, 2016 at 7:48 PM

    Hi What a sweet story. Love your snowball tree. Do you know the correct name of your plant and how
    old is it. Do you cut it back at all anymore. Thanks

    Reply
  15. Wendy Johnson says

    April 26, 2016 at 4:00 PM

    Obviously I am behind on my reading but i had to comment anyway on your beautiful post. Way to teach a lesson mom. You told him and showed him and you will deserve that thank you. I hope you get it.

    Reply
  16. Leslie says

    May 7, 2016 at 9:16 AM

    Precious!! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  17. TwoPlusCute says

    May 7, 2016 at 9:28 AM

    I came over Thistlewood Farms.
    What a lovely story. What a unique, wonderful memory your son created for you!

    How sensitive and loving and perceptive he is. And your husband just set the married-guy standards really high. 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 7, 2016 at 5:04 PM

      Oh thank you so much for coming over and for the sweet comment!

      Reply
  18. Bonnie says

    May 9, 2016 at 5:28 AM

    I live in Texas and I don’t recall ever seeing a snowball tree. The blossoms are just beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m so glad that you are taking the time to teach your son how to love in tangible ways and to instill in him the qualities that make a truly good man.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 9, 2016 at 6:24 PM

      Thank you so much Bonnie! So glad you enjoyed the story and the glimpse at my snowball tree. It is definitely a favorite! 🙂

      Reply
  19. SusanP says

    May 9, 2016 at 3:02 PM

    I am so excited I just discovered your blog. A new one to add to my favorites. Also I love this sweet, sweet story you shared about the special men in your life. If I may share…..my 39 year old son still calls me mama. For Mother’s Day he took his daughters to pick out flowers for me and my mom. I was given a dozen beautiful pink roses and she received yellow. He always gives his wife flowers. He also gave me a beautiful card with the sweetest handwritten message. So I’m sure some day not only will he be a loving husband but a son who remembers his mom.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 9, 2016 at 6:23 PM

      Susan I am so thrilled that you came over to say ‘hi’ and I hope we will be seeing more of you in the future! My son still calls me ‘mama’ even in front of his friends and I’m holding onto it for as long as I can but you’ve given me hope that maybe he’ll never stop. 😉 Sounds like you did a wonderful job raising your son!

      Reply
  20. Pamela-FromMyFrontPorchToYours says

    May 4, 2017 at 9:38 AM

    Yes, time is going by way too fast! Our boys are growing into men. Sigh….love your hydrangeas!! That shrub is HUGE!

    Reply
  21. Charlene says

    April 24, 2020 at 3:49 PM

    Beautiful!!!

    Reply
  22. Michele M. says

    April 24, 2020 at 4:46 PM

    Ah, Vanessa you did it again. Read this twice and I am bawling my eyes out.

    Golly you have a way with a story. This was extra precious.

    LOVE those snowballs!!!! Enjoy every single second of them! ♥

    Reply
  23. Tiffany says

    April 25, 2020 at 5:08 AM

    This story is a gentle and beautiful reminder the little things in life can have the longest lasting impact. Thank you so much for sharing it.

    Reply
  24. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says

    April 25, 2020 at 10:40 AM

    Thanks for sharing your heart with us! Such a beautiful story! Bless you! It’s always great to be able to meet you at The Picket Fence! Always look forward to your chats!

    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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