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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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October 8, 2012

Thrift Store Door Decor For Fall

Do you ever complete a project and take a step back only to realize that it has confirmed some things you’ve always known about yourself?

Things you try to not dwell on because who wants to dwell on the things they know they aren’t good at, right?

Let’s just be honest here.
I KNOW I’m not an artist.
(There’s a reason no one wants to be on my team when we play Pictionary.)
And, I KNOW I don’t have the best handwriting.
(My mother didn’t want me addressing our wedding invitations. Oh the shame of bad penmanship!)
And, yet I’m just crazy enough to decide to put a chalkboard on my front door for Fall.
And write on it.
And draw leaves on it.
So, if you will all show me some grace on this one I would really appreciate it!
On a recent trip to the Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store I found this treasure waiting for me.
I’m pretty sure it used to be some kind of wall calendar.
This was all that was left of it and while the tag said $5 I only paid $2.50 for it!
I also scored some packages of fall grain/wheat/thingys and even though you see that .95 cent tag on it I only paid .25 cents! Either the lady at the counter thought I qualified for the Senior Discount or I just happened to be there on the right day!
My plan was to use this in my kitchen but I decided it could make a temporary detour to the front door for awhile. I painted the frame a creamy white and gave the inside piece a couple of coats of Chalkboard Spray Paint.
I gathered up my thrift store grain/wheat/thingys and tied them with some leftover jute webbing and tucked it in on top.
And then I just had to go and get too big for my britches.
(That phrase is used a lot lately in our house and not just referring to me!)
I thought, “If I can rescue this thing from the thrift store, paint it and hang it on my front door, then certainly I can write a simple phrase on it and draw some leaves, right?”
Look away, Mom, just look away!

I realized there was a problem when I was looking over my son’s homework and noticed a startling similarity between his 3rd grade level cursive and my…ahem…considerably older version.
And I’m pretty sure my daughter could draw better leaves.

So, would you please pretend that my children are responsible for the “artwork” on this
 Front Door Fall Chalkboard? 
I know I’m going to! 
But, here’s something else I had confirmed this weekend.
And this time, I’m ok with it!
I can take our family photos
AND
save us money
AND
no one outside our family needs to hear me telling my kids that “if they don’t smile they are going to have a serious time out when they get home and no treats after dinner!”.
That’s a win/win if you ask me!
Of course, in order to make it up to my mom about my horrible handwriting, I have to include a couple of the photos (pre-editing) from our “session”. Love you Nonna and Poppa!
Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today,

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Tuesday’s Treasures
Fall Into Fall
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34 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays

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Comments

  1. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:14 PM

    I think it looks great, Vanessa! I like how you were able to use both the items you purchased at that thrift store. They come together beautifully. Great family photo, too!

    Reply
  2. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    What a beautiful family photo Vanessa!! I think the chalkboard looks fabulous!
    Have a great week!

    Reply
  3. Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    ha! you should see the stuff on our kitchen blackboard (made from an old frame and hangs on the pantry door)….tacky handwriting and all but we love it and I simply adore your new door decor. Pure genius! Now won’t it be fun if the mailman leaves you a note….. Have a happy week! xo

    Reply
  4. Wild Oak Designs says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    I have picked one of those calendar things too….still deciding what I want to do with it….I think your idea is cute. Your family is precious!!
    Nancy
    https://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

    Reply
  5. Debbiedoo's says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:45 PM

    Oh I just love this. I am cracking up because I have the very same piece from Goodwill! I love what you did with yours. Happy Monday!

    Reply
  6. CK Mangold says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    I LOVE how this turned out! I think you did a great job! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    Love the chalkboard and your writing looks fine. Mine isn’t good either. I print more than using cursive. Love the family shot.

    Reply
  8. Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    That turned out to be a great piece! Love the touch of wheat! And your family is beautiful, great pictures! …Look forward to meeting you at the conference this weekend! I am so super excited! 🙂

    Reply
  9. 20 North Ora says

    October 8, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    Vanessa – I think you did a MARVELOUS job with your chalkboard – printing, leaves and all. That’s really a cute idea. Your family pictures are awesome.

    Judy

    Reply
  10. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    October 8, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    Your door looks very festive as well – you did a great job! What a great family photo! Don’t you just love our fall weather we get to experience here in Oregon? Perfect setting for some special pictures 🙂

    Reply
  11. Savvy Seasons says

    October 8, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    Vanessa.
    How creative and it looks beautiful. I think you’re going to start a trend here, as I have not seen this done before, such a unique idea. Love the fall family photo, y’all are so adorable! XO ~Liz

    Reply
  12. Dawn says

    October 8, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    It’s just perfect and so unique:)

    Reply
  13. Kristi says

    October 8, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    You are way too hard on yourself. So glad you decided to post photos anyway. Keep it real–the decor looks great (artwork, handwriting, and all!)

    Reply
  14. Richella says

    October 8, 2012 at 5:15 PM

    Who says you’re not an artist? Isn’t photography an art??

    I had terrible handwriting in 3rd grade. . . then I had a 4th grade teacher who said, “I’m not going to accept this. You’re going to learn to write in cursive ALL OVER AGAIN.” Honestly, I’ve always been grateful for Mrs. Degraffreed! 🙂

    Reply
  15. Shelia says

    October 8, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    Hi Vanessa, you little silly. Your project looks great! Now who would think to close up that space at the top with the burlap ribbon? You! Your handwriting looks great and your leaves too. Heck, after I graduated High School, I quit writing all together and started printing. I’ve printed since I was 18 years old! 🙂
    Love your lovely family snaps. You have such a beautiful little family.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  16. Vicki Shead says

    October 8, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    Remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder… and I think it’s beautiful and so are you!

    Reply
  17. Pamela says

    October 8, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    Vanessa I love this idea!!

    Reply
  18. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    October 8, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    Vanessa, what a beautiful family you have!!! LOVE your photos… and your chalkboard. I would like to try this for my door that comes in from the garage. It would be a whole lot more utilitarian… great idea! You must have had a good handwriting day!
    You have an eye for great bargains and a vision for using them!!!
    Please stop by TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS and share this on Wednesday evening… link goes up at 8:00.

    Reply
  19. Judy says

    October 8, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    I love that you put this all together with thrift store finds. I love anything with a chalkboard right now so I absolutely love this. You are always super creative and you know I think everything you do is great!!

    Reply
  20. Anne says

    October 8, 2012 at 11:03 PM

    What a cool idea for a chalk board! LOVE this on your front door!You did a great job on your chalkboard art!!!! What a beautiful photo of you and your family!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  21. thistlewoodfarm says

    October 8, 2012 at 11:34 PM

    Vanessa,

    You go girl! I love this chalkboard…..and wedding or no wedding invitations….your handwriting is so pretty!

    Have a great day rock star!
    karianne

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:14 AM

    Vanessa, You are hiding your light under a bushel(le?)! When I write on a chalkboard, I reach for the sky and look like my dog found the chalk! Nothing wrong with your board, my girl. I love it. What a beautiful family. Blessed thou art. Love The Picket Fence. Regena in TN

    Reply
  23. Shelly says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:51 AM

    Vanessa, I think your project turned out perfect for your front door. The fact that it is your handwriting for your home makes it that much more special. I love it and am glad that you shared it with us. Hugs, Shelly

    Reply
  24. Art and Sand says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    I love chalkboards for decorating and yours is particularly cute.

    Reply
  25. craftythriftydecoratingwifemom says

    October 9, 2012 at 2:09 AM

    Don’t be so hard on yourself, I’m trying not to be and I’m 57 with no better writing (though it once was beautiful at one time)I can draw a covered bridge that vaguely resembles one, that’s about it. My leaves would be no better. Have you ever read “400 Days til 40”? Within the week one post was about the wonder of creativity in children before they grow up to be adults who think they have to be Picasso good or they can’t draw. I’m a reforming one of that lot. Join me? We’ll have fun up & down the east coast by several hundred miles. 🙂 Janet

    Reply
  26. Cynthia says

    October 9, 2012 at 2:09 AM

    I love this look. Great job!

    Cynthia

    Reply
  27. Kelly says

    October 9, 2012 at 2:56 AM

    You are too funny! I think that the idea of putting this whole thing together for your front door is genius. It has so much personality. I think you did fine with the leaves and the writing. I am no artist either. I have artists in my family that can draw and paint like a pro…..not me! That gene just passed me by. ha! Glad to know that there are others out there like me. My son’s can both draw and I’m so jealous. Hey, you may feel like you can’t draw, but you can create!

    Reply
  28. Good Time Charlie says

    October 9, 2012 at 3:45 AM

    Vanessa, this could have been me writing this post! I was thinking, poor penmanship, me. Mother not wanting me to address wedding invites because of this. ME! Cannot draw, which baffles my husband being that I can paint anything and everything, as long as you don’t ask me to paint a shape of something!

    What a great idea to put this on your door! I can hear Van Morrison singing this song as I read your cute little note. You definitely did not have to put all those disclaimers on this project, it turned out perfect!

    Reply
  29. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says

    October 9, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    We are on the same track here . . . I was just brainstorming last night for ideas to decorate ‘on the cheap’. I came up with a few things but I love your chalkboard and how you decorated it and yes, the writing and the leaves ARE cute!

    Reply
  30. Anonymous says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    Vanessa, love the chalk board. You and I can be on the same Pictionary team. The photos are beautiful. You redeemed yourself by including the pictures.

    Mom

    Reply
  31. debra says

    October 10, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    Hey it’s cute as can be…not as cute as those adorable kids but it’s a nice decoration and creative / different !

    Reply
  32. Christie says

    October 10, 2012 at 5:32 PM

    You have the most beautiful family!! I LOVE the front door chalkboard!!! Christie

    Reply
  33. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    October 11, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    Nice!! I actually like it — you can’t have it looking all Starbucks/menu board-like — just wouldn’t be homey. 😉
    You go, girl!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  34. Mary says

    October 13, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    Vanessa, love your sense of humor and thank you for posting your family portrait it inspires me to go out and try this with my own family. I love taking pictures but this year we couldn’t even afford school pictures and now that I saw your picture I decided to give it a go too.Love your thrifty door chalkboard it puts me in the mood for Fall. Great work!

    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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