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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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August 25, 2014

A Tour Through Blogland…

 

If you read a variety of different blogs, like I do, you may find yourself wondering what makes the bloggers behind the blogs tick? How do they come up with their projects? How do they determine their style and what they are going to write about each day.  Maybe you’ve even wondered that about ME!

I was so excited when my dear friend Yvonne, from Stone Gable, asked me to join her for this fun Tour Through Blogland Series!

Stone Gable

If you aren’t familiar with this talented, and more importantly funny, kindhearted and warm blogger, than you are in for a treat! Be sure to visit Stone Gable today!

Me 11 - BLOG

 I was asked to answer FOUR questions about myself to give a glimpse to the inner workings of my brain (can be a scary place occasionally) and how I come up with ideas for the blog!  Then I’ll be introducing you to THREE of my blog friends that will share their answers next week!

1. What am I working on?

I know it’s still August but I am already swimming in pumpkins, mums and the color orange.  I have FALL on the brain!  Fall Home Tours are just around the corner and I am already transitioning the house from my summer decor to autumn decor.  There is a lot of discussion on social media these days on, “when is too soon to start thinking about the next season” but in blog world, where much of the seasonal ideas and inspiration come from, we have to always be two steps ahead!  I can’t wait to share this years Fall ideas an decor with you!

Southern fall front porch

Fall 2013 Front Porch

 

2. How does my work differ from others in my (lifestyle blog) genre?

This is such a difficult question to answer because there are so, so many talented bloggers out there! I think one way my (our) style differs is that we love to weave a story in with our projects.  We want to inspire people to find their inner creativity, that we believe the Creator, has instilled in everyone.

You may get a recipe, but you’ll also get a side of some encouragement  for your heart or some humor (we love to laugh at ourselves) along with it.  Like when I shared about my “beautiful” 1987 white and gold checkered lamé homecoming dress and showed you how to make White and Gold Decoupage Pumpkins.

white and gold decoupage pumpkins

 

With us….you’ll always get a story, for good or bad! ha!

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

The short answer….because when you feel full of creativity you have to let it out!  Both Vanessa and I have always loved to express ourselves through our homes.

Lemon-Lime Dessert Shots

Whether that was decorating, crafting, cooking or just writing we feel passionate about surrounding ourselves with beauty and inspiring others to do the same.

Inspire

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

The end of the process ends right here.  Sitting here at my breakfast table typing up a post for the blog.  In fact this is where I am sitting right now typing the answer to this question.

Summer Home Tour Breakfast Room

The beginning of the process can start anywhere.  Wandering the aisles of a store and seeing something that I KNOW I could DIY for cheaper.  Or in the middle of the night with a moment of inspiration! Maybe it’s a small nudge from God to share encouragement with a fellow mom who needs to know we are all on the same path, trying to do the best we can.   The in-between is where the work lies.  The creating, the photographing, the editing.  It is FUN, don’t get me wrong, but it is also work to take an idea from conception to conclusion.  But it’s rewarding work…and we wouldn’t trade it for anything!

 

Now three of my blogging friends will introduce themselves to you! You can see how they answered the four questions above on Monday, September 1st!

My lovely friend Heidi, from Parties for Pennies is a “party girl” through and through….

Parties for Pennies

“Hi! I’m Heidi Rew and I love to party. I know that probably sounds like a sorority line. But on my blog, Parties for Pennies, I like to show you how to throw caviar-style parties on a hot dog budget. I’m a Georgia peach that loves champagne, watermelon bubble gum, and fun aprons. Hope to get to know you better, too. Until then…party on!”

 

If you need to know it, then my friend Anna, of Ask Anna, will have the answer….

Ask_Anna_Moseley

“I’m a girl that never thought she’d end up as a blogger. I’ve always loved cleaning, organizing and decorating but I never dreamed I’d be able to help people on a large platform. My blog, Ask Anna, is filled with lots of tips to make cleaning, organizing, decorating, party planning and more, simple and easy for everyone. It absolutely makes my day when I get a comment from someone, that something I posted made a task easier and/or helped them with their problem. I’m a wife and a mother of 2, a 5 year old and an adopted 16 year old. Each day is a new adventure for us as we try to figure out our lives as a blended family. A year ago, when we adopted, we moved into a new home so we have spent the last year demoing, remodeling and designing a house for our new family.”

and last but never least my friend Leslie, of Chaotically Creative, who has found ways to be creative in the chaos of life….

lesley chaotically creative

“Hey Ya’ll I’m Lesley of Chaotically Creative and I blog with my mom Denise. On our blog we are finding the keys to calming the chaos of life. And when we find them we teach you through tricks and tips that are simple and affordable. We write tutorials on subjects like organization strategies, kid-friendly design, DIY and gardening which help make your life just a little bit easier. We understand that life is chaotic! We also know a thing or two about challenges. Not only do we write about the fun stuff but we get honest about the real stuff. Like challenges with anxiety, struggles with food addiction and chaos in general. Through these real life experiences we foster a community of growth and mutual support with our readers. We love hearing your stories and hope you join us today!”

See you back here soon and as always, than you  for meeting me….at the picket fence!

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8 Comments Filed Under: Behind the Blog Series, Community

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janelle@The Peaceful Haven says

    August 26, 2014 at 6:40 AM

    So many lovely ideas that inspire me! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  2. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    August 26, 2014 at 9:14 PM

    So lovely to hear a little more about you sweet Heather! You are such a bright spot in the blog world!!!!! Thanks for the very kind shout-out!!!
    xo

    Reply
  3. HVAC says

    August 26, 2014 at 10:18 PM

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    August 27, 2014 at 12:21 AM

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  5. Search Web Video says

    August 27, 2014 at 2:59 AM

    Howdy are using WordPress for your blog platform?
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  6. Suzi says

    August 27, 2014 at 9:07 AM

    Just alerting you that when I click on Ask Anna it takes to YOUR blogpost 5 pumpkins 5 ways.

    Reply
  7. Klaus says

    August 27, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    Hi there Dear, are you in fact visiting this site on a regular basis, if so then you will without doubt get
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  1. A Tour Through Blogland - Parties for PenniesParties for Pennies says:
    September 1, 2014 at 4:42 AM

    […] I was so excited when my friend Heather, from At The Picket Fence, asked me to join her for this fun Tour Through Blogland […]

    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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