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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

July 29, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday and a big welcome to Joss and Main!

Inspiration Friday Graphic
We are so excited to welcome you to the 25th edition of Inspiration Friday!
We also would like to take a moment to welcome Joss & Main to At The Picket Fence!
Many of you may already be familiar with this fabulous online retailer.  If not, you are certainly familiar with it’s parent company CSN…one of the most popular places to shop online!  Joss & Main is an exclusive members only retailer “that offers private, limited-time sale events on the world’s best brands for your home and life. Each day, members receive an email invitation to exclusive sale events on the best merchandise at prices up to 70% off retail.  New brands and products are added daily by their talented group of buyers who continually strive to find you the best deals on the brands you love.” 
So what are some of the “brands you love” that you can find for rock bottom prices at Joss & Main? Tommy Bahama, Graham & Brown, Rachael Ray, Le Crueset… just to name a few.  After Vanessa acquired her fabulous new steal of a deal potting bench, we were so excited when we saw this adorable line of potting supplies from Potting Shed Creations available starting TODAY Saturday, July 30th, at Joss & Main! Here were just a few of the beyond cute items that caught our eye!
We loved this vegetable planting kit! How cute would this be for a newbie gardener, or a child that you want to interest in gardening?
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We adore the galvanized tin container and the cute little seed tins!

Or how about this Tulip Tree Kit?!

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What a perfect shower gift for newlyweds or a nice present for someone purchasing their first home?  Everything they need to plant a tulip tree is included wrapped up pretty in a burlap bag!

This next idea would be perfect for a child to give to a grandparent or Mom for Mother’s Day! So, so cute!

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These are just a few of the items being offered by Potting Shed Creations at fabulously discounteds prices through Joss & Main starting this Saturday!
2011-07-27
So are YOU wondering how you can join this exclusive online retailer and receive emails for upcoming sales?  Well we want to personally invite our friends here At The Picket Fence to just click on the Joss & Main button below or in our sidebar under Sponsors and you can get signed up lickity split!

Joss & Main

And, if you needed even more incentive to sign up to be a member of Joss & Main…then come back to the fence on Monday for a fabulous surprise courtesy of Joss & Main!
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Now onto our Inspiration Friday Features! Again y’all amaze us with your talent! Here are a just a few of the inspiring links that stood out from last week!
Considering our Potting Bench Creations feature from Joss & Main we couldn’t help but share Debra from Common Ground’s beautiful potting bench with you!
Isn’t it just lovely?! We love the use of the drawer underneath to hold pots and all of the fabulous details are just swoon worthy! Be sure to visit Debra and also join her Vintage Inspiration Friday Party!
On the same potting note, we fell in love with these beautiful French Flower Pots that Laurie from Heaven’s Walk….um hello…made…
…with…Mod Podge! FAB.UL.OUS.!! You will not believe how easy and clever this idea is! Head over and visit Laurie at Heaven’s Walk to see her tutorial..and also be sure to come back here to the fence on Sunday where Laurie will be sharing her lovely heart with us at Simply Sundays!
Now this next Feature, heads in a completely different direction but as moms we fell in love with this idea! Kricia from Palmer Home had a little guy who wanted a “rock star” room! Now we all know that every rock star needs a stage! So, Kricia went to work and designed her own DIY stage…
You can read more about how she created this stage (including Ping Pong ball marquee lights!) at Palmer Home!
And last, but certainly not least…La-De-Da Creations shared with us her fabulous transformation of her grandparents vintage suitcase into the most adorable picnic “basket”.
2011-07-28
We think this is such a fabulous way to honor and remember someone, and this picnic basket could not be more adorable!
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button located in our sidebar!
Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook?  Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well! Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week!  We appreciate you!
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends
The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage
Our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense
Stuff and Nonsense
And the gracious Debra from Common Ground
vif187

Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!

This week’s Inspiration Friday is sponsored by our newest sponsor
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where you can find fabulous vintage home décor!
If you are interested in being a sponsor of At The Picket Fence you can find out more information on our Advertise With Us page.  We are running a 2 for 1 summer special. Contact us to find out more information!

29 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Inspiration Friday, Sponsors

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Thank you ladies! I do like Joss & Main. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Honey at 2805 says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Hi ladies! Thanks for being gracious hostesses! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  3. Debbie--https://refreshrestyle.com/ says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Love your parties! And I noticed the new pic of Vanessa, looking good! Have a great weekend!
    Debbie

    Reply
  4. Kricia Palmer says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Thank you for featuring my stage this week and for hosting! Great party! Have a great weekend…
    Kricia

    Reply
  5. Shelia says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Hi ladies and what great features you’ve shared with us. Thank you so much for hosting your fun party. I’m partying with you today.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  6. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting, girls!!! Love last week’s features!

    Reply
  7. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Hey Girlies, thanks so much for featuring my potting bench, just linked up! xoxo Debra

    Reply
  8. Poppy says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Hi ladies, thanks for having us each week and for these lovely features… Laurie’s french pots are truly amazing!Have a wonderful weekend!Hugs~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  9. Catie says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Thanks for hosting Vanessa and Heather!! Love the link parties. Soo much inspiration. : ) ~ Catie

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Great features and wonderful products from Joss and Main. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  11. Wendy says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Cute features! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  12. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Been a member ever since they started and have enjoyed lots of freebies. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  13. Jann Olson says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Nice features! I love the potting bench and pots!!

    Reply
  14. Heaven's Walk says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    THANK YOU both so very much for all of your love and encouragement! You are so sweet and I am humbled by your thoughtfulness in mentioning my flower pots this week! ♥ Hugs to you both!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  15. offset printing says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Oh this is lovely and encouraging. This is a great read and I am going to share it with my folks so they would also have their own “Inspiration Friday”. See, they all look good and the sunflower is so lovey.

    Reply
  16. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    July 29, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! 🙂

    Reply
  17. laura@imnotatrophywife.com says

    July 29, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    just signed up with joss and main! thanks for the partay.

    Reply
  18. classic • casual • home says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    I just bought a rug for our bedroom from Joss and Main today. Great price.

    Reply
  19. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    The gardening kits are too cute. And so glad you liked my weird little anatomy plates. I linked up to make sure everyone can appreciate just how weird they are (and how weird I am) :).

    Thanks again ladies for hosting the best party on the blog block! Hope you had a great day!

    Reply
  20. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    Hi Girls! I have been a member of Joss and Main since they first started up too~Great features- thanks so much for hosting!! Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  21. Stuff and Nonsense says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    all linked up my friends…love that ‘tulip to be’ kit! have a wonderful weekend.

    alison

    Reply
  22. FlyAwayHome says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    thanks for hosting a great party. I have been trying to link up and it doesn’t seem to be working – just thought you might want to know.

    Reply
  23. CAS says

    July 29, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Once again, ya’ll are the “hostesses with the mostesses”–huh? Well, you get my point!
    🙂 CAS

    Reply
  24. Diann says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Thank you for hosting Girls! And have a great weekend!

    Reply
  25. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    July 29, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    I’m loving all the inspiration. Thanks for hosting this fun party.
    ~Lynn

    Reply
  26. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜@ Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing says

    July 29, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Awesome inspiration girls. I have to check out Joss and Main, looks like great stuff.

    Reply
  27. Judy says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    Great features. I am still away at a tennis tournament with my daughter so I don’t have anything to link up. Enjoying the party anyhow. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  28. Debbie says

    July 30, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    I had heard about Joss and Main one other time but hadn’t done anything about it. I really need to since I love nothing better than a bargain.

    Loved the potting bench. I’ll be working on a turning our old playhouse into a potting shed this fall so it was inspiration.

    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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