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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 28, 2014

Believe You Can…

…and you’re halfway there.

This past weekend we, along with over 500 of our closest friends , attended the SNAP conference in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah.

Heather and Vanessa at SNAP

And we wished there was some way to have packed you all up and brought you along with us. Imagine what the over-sized luggage fee would have been for that! šŸ˜‰

Because, well, you see it was amazing.

Not only did we get to spend time with some of our most favorite people in the whole wide world…

…and rock out at an 80’s themed dance party…

But it was also an absolute honor and privilege to be apart of two incredible speaking teams.

And while it may have seemed that on the surface what we shared had mostly to do with blogging, the truth was that there was a common theme throughout the entire conference.

That theme was YOU.

You. The woman who is dreaming.

Dreaming of trying something new.

Dreaming of answering a call.

Dreaming of turning a hobby into a business.

Dreaming of wanting to remember how to dream.

We found ourselves surrounded by over 500 women who are all pursuing their dreams. And there is an energy, a truly palpable energy, when that many dreamers are gathered together in one place at one time.

There we were, 500 women from all around the world (literally the WORLD). We were all so very different and yet all so very much the same.

Because we are all dreamers.

And what we’ve come to realize over the course of these last few years as we pursue our own dreams is that often the biggest hurdle we have to get over is…well…ourselves.

Our doubts.

Our fears.

Our insecurities.

believe you can

 

‘Believing’ seems like such a simple thing to do, doesn’t it?

But getting out of our own way can truly be the hardest part of pursuing our dreams.

So, we suppose, what we really want you to know is that…well…we get it. Truly, we do.

But, let’s make a deal. Right here, right now.

We’re going to start believing that we can.

And we want you to start believing that YOU can too!

Want to start believing together?

Let’s claim this moment.

On this day, April 28, 2014 we’re going to believe that we can…which means we’re already halfway there!

dual-signature_thumb2

 

 

 

29 Comments Filed Under: Blogging 101

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erica Goodman says

    April 28, 2014 at 4:36 AM

    Thank you for the motivation! I’m super pumped yup for the day ahead of me!

    Reply
  2. Thistle says

    April 28, 2014 at 5:03 AM

    You go girl!!!!!! I love this post. So true and that is exactly what I took away from the conference, too! You are amazing!

    Happy day!
    karianne

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 28, 2014 at 4:34 PM

      No, YOU are amazing sweet friend!! šŸ˜‰

      Reply
  3. martina says

    April 28, 2014 at 5:10 AM

    Awesome post girls!! Have a great week!!

    Reply
  4. Doreen says

    April 28, 2014 at 5:27 AM

    You girls rock! Thanks for sharing a bit of SNAP with us! I so wish I could have been there! My dream is what keeps me going (and inspiring posts like this one are like a boost of energy)! This was just what I needed this Monday morning!

    xoxo
    Doreen

    Reply
  5. Judy K says

    April 28, 2014 at 6:41 AM

    Found this so inspirational and motivating.

    Reply
  6. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    April 28, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    Great post and it looks like such a great time to connect and enjoy and learn.

    Reply
  7. aimee coker says

    April 28, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    Happy the conference went well! Very inspiring!

    Reply
  8. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    April 28, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    Love this. Love you both. It was so amazing to meet you both in person!! xoxo

    Reply
  9. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    April 28, 2014 at 9:52 AM

    See so many familiar faces…Glad you all had a magnificent time!!!

    Reply
  10. debbiedoos says

    April 28, 2014 at 12:22 PM

    I really needed this today Vanessa! Thank you:)

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 28, 2014 at 8:34 PM

      Well it makes my day hearing that Debbie!

      Reply
  11. Cori @ Let's Eat Grandpa says

    April 28, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    It was so great to meet you at your storytelling class! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be the most inspirational and helpful class (and HILARIOUS) of the whole conference. Thanks for everything! <3

    Reply
  12. Vivienne at The V Spot says

    April 28, 2014 at 5:27 PM

    I double puffy heart love both of you. That is all.

    Reply
  13. Sharon Rexroad says

    April 28, 2014 at 6:14 PM

    Being able to connect with new friends and reconnect with friends like you was part of what made SNAP so awesome. And yes, I believe…

    Reply
  14. Jillene@inkhappi says

    April 28, 2014 at 7:51 PM

    You two are darling! I love this and your take on “Believe in YOU”. You may have motivated me to start writing my SNAP post right now! I enjoyed your class so much and it really inspired me and I know it will help me to be a better blogger. I was able to talk to KariAnne and Vivienne before the class but missed you. I hope you got my little swag from inkhappi that was “mint” for you hah. Thanks for the inspiration! ~ Jillene

    Reply
  15. Tauni says

    April 28, 2014 at 8:50 PM

    Remember that one time you came all of the way to Utah to support your friend and attend a conference you didn’t know all THAT much about? I do and I won’t ever forget it. Thank you for sharing this beautiful message! xoxo

    Reply
  16. chelsea says

    April 29, 2014 at 5:43 AM

    This looks like it was so amazing!

    Reply
  17. Judy says

    April 29, 2014 at 6:23 AM

    You two are amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  18. Kimberly ~ SerendipityRefined says

    April 29, 2014 at 9:15 AM

    Thanks for the inspiration, ladies! Just when I needed it most! xo

    Reply
  19. Kerry Purcell says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:23 PM

    Thank you both SO MUCH for this perfect post. I needed to read it and I definitely need to get out my own way. I have a new blog and a dream of a small business. However, I often say, “I can’t do this”, “I’m not talented”, “I already have a full time job” . . . instead of saying and believing that with God all things are possible. I’m recharged and ready to go!

    Reply
  20. Maria Gonzalez says

    April 29, 2014 at 2:50 PM

    Thank you for sharing and I accept the challenge of believing that I can!

    Reply
  21. Kelly says

    April 29, 2014 at 5:17 PM

    Ladies! Meeting you and your ever so kind spirited souls was a highlight for me. You empower(ed) me in so many ways. Thank you for your kindness, encouragement and hugs. Hoping to see you at Haven! Hugs and Kisses. #thatsall

    Reply
  22. Genny says

    April 30, 2014 at 2:11 PM

    Love this post! And, you two look amazing!

    Reply
  23. Barbara Ann says

    April 30, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    I am a California girl. Where would there be one of these close to me? I really would like to start a blog but am looking for beginners tips..
    Thank you. šŸ™‚
    http://Www.etsy.com / shop / barbaraannscreations

    Reply
  24. Sue {munchkin munchies} says

    May 1, 2014 at 7:06 PM

    Thanks so much for the inspiration! <3

    Reply
  25. Jordan@the2seasons says

    May 7, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    Ok first of all you ladies look great and I love the scrunchy on the wrist for the 80’s party. Our plan is to make it to snap next year, as this year I was out of the country. Looked like a great time had by all. Now this is getting me excited for Haven.

    Reply
  26. crown garage doors houston says

    August 1, 2014 at 6:25 AM

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied
    on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos
    to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

    Reply

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  1. Will You Help? - At The Picket Fence says:
    July 15, 2014 at 3:01 AM

    […] traveled the around country, spoken at conferences, been given an all-expenses paid trip to NYC, toured the HGTV Smart Home, been featured in […]

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Happy first day of Autumn!! šŸ‚ Here’s a super Happy first day of Autumn!! šŸ‚ Here’s a super simple centerpiece that you can make in five minutes (or less) with just a few pumpkins and extra faux greenery. Let’s spend less time decorating and more time enjoying this season. It’s my favorite!! 🧔

#fallcenterpiece #falldecor #centerpiece #fiveminutedecorating
"Define your day", she told me as I held my newbor "Define your day", she told me as I held my newborn son. My mom and I were talking about how blurred my days and nights had become and how easy it would be to just stay in my pajamas 24/7. She encouraged me to make an attempt to put on 'real' clothes in the morning even if they were just nice sweatpants (bonus if they were clean!) and to throw a little bit of makeup on. That simple advice helped chart a course for my years of motherhood that continues today. And recently I began thinking about how critical it is that we not only seek wisdom from those ahead of us in our stage of life but that we are willing to apply it as well.

So, I asked this question on my personal Facebook page; "What is something you feel you've done well to create a peaceful/meaningful home for yourself and your family?" The catch was that the question was geared towards women in the 40+ age range. The responses came flooding in and were so wonderful and insightful. So, I'm going to be starting a new series where I share this wisdom with you and will include the first name of the woman who offered it. 

Today we start with Alison who said "I learned to set my alarm early to get up and moving before my kids woke up. I showered, got dressed and did my devotions while the house was quiet. It set my heart and perspective for each day.ā€

Is this something you do in your life too? What wisdom would you offer to a mom of young children?

I truly think our culture would greatly benefit from more women in different seasons of life being willing to invest in each other. šŸ‚

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #motherhood #parentingwisdom
If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a resta If bread pudding is on the dessert menu at a restaurant I’m definitely ordering it! It’s one of my all time favorite treats. So I decided to try my hand at making some here at home with a little fall twist and it was SO delicious!! šŸŽ

Ingredients:

6 slices of day old bread (french, sourdough or even brioche works great)
2 cups of heavy cream
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
For the apples:
3 peeled and chopped apples of a tart variety
1 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons flour (or corn starch)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350
Cut bread into cubes and place in a greased 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish
Whisk together in a bowl the eggs, cream, vanilla, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg and then pour it over the bread cubes. In a separate bowl, mix together the apples, brown sugar and flour/corn starch. Pour the apple mixture on top of the bread mixture making sure to spread the apples evenly across every part of the bread mixture.
Bake for 45 minutes. 
Enjoy!

#falldesserts #breadpudding #fallrecipes #desserts
When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after onl When one kiddo wakes up not feeling well after only a week of school, you take the opportunity to make Saturday a truly restful day. Pancakes on the griddle, puttering around the yard admiring the way the limelights have begun their autumn journey from white to green to pink. Sprinkling touches of fall around the house a little bit at a time. Savoring the slowness of it all and taking care of my people in this place that provides us all with a respite from the world even if just for a day.

Hope you’re weekend is off to a great start and that you make it a priority to slow down for a bit and soak up the beauty around you. šŸ‚

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #falldecorating
As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but thin As summer slips into fall, I can’t help but think about how grateful I am for the reminders all around me of God’s Sovereignty over everything including the seasons. It can be challenging in our world today to trust that there isn’t a single thing happening that surprises Him.

In a way, decorating my home to reflect the changing season serves as a tangible reminder of this trust. Even something as simple as seeing a pumpkin on my mantel or a basket of mums on the coffee table fill me with peace because they represent the things that remain constant and true.

ā€œThe grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.ā€ Isaiah 40:8

#wearthehomemakers #homemaking #club31women
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. šŸ‚

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
ā€œAs the alluring song of September begins to whi ā€œAs the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.ā€ (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! šŸ‚

#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 šŸ¤

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, ā€œWhoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.ā€

Have you done any ā€˜watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ā€˜watered’ you in return?
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