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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

October 8, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 35!

Inspiration Friday Graphic large
Well it was a record! You lovely party guests linked up 312 posts this week! We love that so many of you find Inspiration Friday a worthy place to share your magnificent talent and we appreciate you all so much! We often hear that there’s a hesitancy to link up projects after a party reaches a certain amount of links, so to help with that we thought it would be fun to have a place of honor each week on our Facebook page for the LAST post of each linky party! So starting this week, if you find yourself joining us later in the party don’t worry you might just end up being featured the following week for being “fashionably late”! grin! Now don’t you ALL start showing up late though, cause the early bird does seem to get the worm in click throughs! As a reminder we do our best to always have Inspiration Friday up and running by 4:00 pm EST on Thursday!
Now onto this week’s Copy Cat Feature! You’re up Vanessa!
We are making history here today folks!
This is the first (and only!) time that we are going to be doing a copy-cat feature involving…
HAIR!
Yep, that’s right. We will go to great lengths to show you all how much we love and appreciate you.
Get it…lengths…hair…cricket…cricket…
Anywho, once again Vanessa has been following in Heather’s footsteps and is growing her hair longer. Let’s let her tell you more about this recent development.
There seems to be a bit of pattern here of me trying to keep up with my big sis.
Fingerless, lace Madonna gloves when I was 10…check.
Layering 2 pairs of Neon colored socks to match oversized Guess sweatshirt when I was 12…check.
Sneaking out at night to go T.P. houses when I was 15….check
(Oh wait…umm…Mom and Dad, that one didn’t really happen.
Nope, we never would have done that!)
Growing my hair longer in my mid 30’s…check!
But, here is the problem. My forever stick straight hair has started to take on a life of it’s own. Some spots are still stick straight, others are wavy and still others are actually curly.
What is up with that?
So, when I saw this fantastic How to Curl Your Hair My Way Tutorial  a few weeks ago at Inspiration Friday I was so excited to try this out and see if it would solve my hair issues.
This is Janae from The Letter 4. Isn’t she just so beautiful?
She showed in a video tutorial how to use a small flat-iron to achieve these perfectly imperfect curls.
She also does a super cute dance at the end of the video!
I will not be doing a dance as part of my copy-cat since it would be neither super or cute.
Here I am before in all of my
got-ready-in-10-minutes-rushed-out-the-door-to-drop-off-kiddos-at-school-and-still-in-my-sweats glory! Be kind please.
036
Can you tell I’m not a teenager anymore…I’m not quite sure if it’s hip and cool to look up at the mirror….
041

or down..so I gave you one of each…Winking smile 
And now, check out me and my bouncy-hair self after following Janae’s instructions!
056
060
It took a bit of practice but I’m really loving it and feel like it gives me just the right “lift”.
Now if only it were so easy to give other areas some “lift”. Can I get an Amen?!
Thanks Janae for helping to give me AND my hair a spring in our step!
And now, let’s get to our Features from last week’s party!
picketfence_20010
We had an Inspiration Friday First last weekend when we had not on but two men join in the fun!
We absolutely love B & B’s Nest gorgeous Wood Pallet Outdoor Sofa and thought it was so fantastic that not only was this project primarily completed by her talented hubby, HE was the one who actually wrote the post with the tutorial for how to build it yourself!
And speaking of men who blog, we were so thrilled to have met the lovely couple behind
The Rooster and the Hen. Dustin and his wife Whitney have so many fantastic ideas and their blog is full of gorgeous creations, including this wood stacked fireplace. It may look easy at first glance, but when you read through the post you will realize just how much work was actually involved!
Photobucket
Dana from Make Them Wonder shared with us her secrets for creating this absolutely stunning striped foyer. Would you believe that one of the essential elements to this masterpiece was good old Mod Podge? Believe it! And, head on over and check it out for yourself!
Um yes please I’ll have some Biscoff Buttercream! Seriously!? Does this not look fabulous! If you are unfamiliar with Biscoff well they are a cookie and they make a Biscoff Spread and Mamie from Homegrown Beanes made a cake and created Biscoff Buttercream frosting for it.  Shut the front door! You know this has got to be fabulous. Be sure to visit to get her recipe and instructions.  
And we couldn’t not feature this last fabulous project because as those of you know who hang with us on Facebook, Heather will be tackling painting and stenciling her dining room floors here soon. Jeri did such an amazing job renewing the floors of her new shop and she share’s how she created this masterpiece at her site, Annabellea Design Studio. Aren’t they just lovely?!
Thank you to all of our features this week as well as to all of you who share your amazing ideas, projects and inspiration with us each and every week! If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located in on our Buttons Page found at under our header!

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:

stuffandnonsense
vif187

Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!
  • Friend At The Picket Fence in some capacity
  • Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY) Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows and especially during the busy summer months, sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize.  It makes us feed good knowing others are visiting people as well!  Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!
We would love to recommend this fabulous post over at Crafter Minds for a quick tutorial on partying at a linky party! We couldn’t say it better ourselves! “Linky Party Like a Dinner Party?”


We also wanted to let all of our fabulous At The Picket Fence friends know that we will be offering a special advertising rate for the remainder of the fall!
$5 for Fall

If you sign up to advertise with us anytime during October or November* for a 2 month commitment we will offer you a sidebar ad for $5 for each of the month, that’s $10 for two months of advertisement! If you are a current sponsor of At The Picket Fence you can also purchase this special price to add to the end of your current contract! That’s a great deal folks! Email us through our contact page for more information. *Two month time period will begin from day of payment.

63 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    You are too funny Vanessa! I love the lift you gave your hair, you look beautiful! Thanks for hosting Girls, Martina

    Reply
  2. Cherished Bliss says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Thanks for hosting!!

    PS. Love your hair!

    Reply
  3. Poppy says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Loved reading how you copy-cat your big sis… and it sounds sooo familiar! Loving the new lift in your hair… charming and pretty as ever. Thanks for the party girls!Hugs~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  4. janet says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Hello Vanessa,

    Happy to be joining this week with my take on Fall decor ;->

    Janet xox

    https://theemptynest-janet.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  5. Honey at 2805 says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    Your too funny! Thanks for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  6. Melissa Miller says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Vanessa you look very pretty with the big curls. I hear you on that one. I’m no teen anymore either. Ha!

    Thanks for hosting such a nice party each week. It’s inspiring!

    Reply
  7. debbie~refreshrestyle.com says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Oh my goodness, your hair looks amazing! And these features, I can’t get to them fast enough! Thanks for the party!!! Oh and I see a painted floor in someone else’s future!
    Debbie

    Reply
  8. Pamela says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Vanessa you are too funny! Loving the hair girl!

    Reply
  9. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Love the curls girl! Great features as always… thanks for hosting and have a great weekend, Lisa

    Reply
  10. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Thank you ladies for hosting!! Some really great features. That floor is amazing and that cake in the jar, OMG!!

    Vanessa, your hair looks great! Too bad I chopped most of mine off at the end of May. =)

    ~ Catie

    Of course I’ll be back later to link up this week’s Frivolous Fashion Friday.

    Reply
  11. Jann Olson says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    Love, love your hair! Lookin like a stylin teen to me. Great features! There are some AMAZING people out there in blogland!

    Reply
  12. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    October 6, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Amen, Amen and AMEN! You had me laughing out loud. LOVED this post. And girl…you are BEAUTIFUL! I really love the way you curled it and my hair is stick straight so I will have to go and check out that little redhead’s blog and figure things out for myself! Thank you for the lead on this one!! And I think you would be super and cute if you did a little dance for us…so just think about that one lol. Thanks for the smiles!

    Reply
  13. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Vanessa, your hair looks great. It has really gotten long, too. Great features. I need to check out that entry with the stripes. Thanks for hosting, girls!

    Reply
  14. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Looking good, Vanessa. Thanks for hosting ladies.

    Reply
  15. Sherry says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Your hair looks great! Wonderful features too! Thanks for hosting.
    Sherry

    Reply
  16. Suzy says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    You look beautiful and so does your hair! When you figure out how to lift those other areas, please make sure you blog about it!!! lol

    Reply
  17. andrea says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    AMEN!! What happened to us?! Age. The hair looks great! After they showed me how to do that at the salon I do it everyday b/c my hair is sooo thin now. I needs me some body!! Thank you for hosting, I love coming to your weekly linky now. Great blog, beautiful photography. xo, andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  18. Debra @ Common Ground says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:14 PM

    You look “MAVALOUS!”!! Lets’ not even talk about what needs to be “lifted”, that’s a whole nother linky party, LOL!! just linked up, you crazy girls! xoxo

    Reply
  19. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Love the hair! Haven’t seen y’all in awhile, it will be fun to catch up. Thanks for hosting!
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  20. CalypsoInTheCountry says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    So funny! Thanks for hosting today!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  21. Debbie says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    Holy Cannoli.
    These are some unbelievable shout outs. I’m not sure what I want to see first.

    And the hair? It looks beautiful! Of course, I have to admit to giggling because you actually copied someone’s blog hair…

    I think we have reached a new level of blog addiction if we’re creating blog dos.

    Reply
  22. The Rooster and The Hen says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    Thanks so much for the feature! We love your blog and you’re the perfect party hostess! We’re proudly displaying your button on our blog!

    Reply
  23. elizabeth says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Love the new “do” Vanessa. You’re beautiful! Thanks for the linky each week!

    Reply
  24. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Looking good Vanessa:) Thanks ladies for hosting!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  25. Katie says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Your hair looks great Vanessa!! I love all of these features! Thanks for hosting – hope you both have a great week!

    Reply
  26. Judy says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Love the new look. I have to check out her tutorial. Thanks for hosting. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  27. Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    The hair is too cute and so are you! Thank you Vanessa for hosting this fun day. 🙂

    Reply
  28. Gail says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    Your hair looks great! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  29. B and Bs Mama says

    October 7, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    Wow! You look incredible! And thank you so much for the fabulous feature. “We” had a lot of fun working on that sofa. I hope it inspires someone else to create one. You guys are terrific! Thanks for yet another wonderful post. XOXO Laura at B & B’s Nest

    Reply
  30. Lynn Richards says

    October 7, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Vanessa, your hair is GREAT!!!
    And I will add my AMEN (heartilly) for the needing of “lift”.
    xoxo
    lynn

    Reply
  31. Jeff N Julie says

    October 7, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  32. Janae says

    October 7, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    Thanks so much for featuring my tutorial! It’s always fun to see how it works for everyone. Your hair looks GREAT! 😀

    Reply
  33. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    October 7, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    Thanks so so much for hosting, girls! Vanessa! Your hair looks terrific! I’ll definitely be trying this…;) Hope you guys are having a great week!

    Reply
  34. Town and Country Mom says

    October 7, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    Vanessa, thanks so much for your kind comment on my post. I was really planning to link up with some house pics of fall decorations, and then I just felt like maybe someone needs to read the anniversary post this week. I hope you get a chance to read Part 2 to see how God in His incredible grace continued the story. Oh, and I love your curls!

    Reply
  35. Sue says

    October 7, 2011 at 3:25 AM

    Your bouncy hair looks so pretty!

    Reply
  36. Sharon, aka Bootersmom03 says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Love your hair! Very pretty! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  37. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    October 7, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    Love the bouncy curls! Thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  38. Shelia says

    October 7, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    You look so pretty and yes, you do look like a teenager to me! I’m very old! Love your pretty fluffy hair too! Thank you ladies for hosting.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  39. Becca says

    October 7, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Well, hey there, gorgeous! I love your hair, Vanessa! You totally rocked Jane’s tutorial (and, yes, she is beautiful). I watched it, too, and just might have to try it … wish me luck! Your other features are fabulous, as always (still lovin’ the “tree” that looks as though it’s blowing in the wind)! Thanks for hosting, friends. Love, your friend who ALSO wore Madonna lace gloves, layered socks (wait, actually, I wore leg warmers, instead) and snuck out on weekends! Hollaaaa! xo

    Reply
  40. Stuff and Nonsense says

    October 7, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    love the curls and
    adore the features

    all linked up!

    alison

    Reply
  41. modestymatters says

    October 7, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Wow! I just found you, and I’m glad I did. Thanks for hosting this wonderful hop. Please come visit if you get a minute: https://wp.me/pYcKQ-fw
    *New Follower*

    Reply
  42. Brenda Watts says

    October 7, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Love the ‘hair’..I have put my coat rack in your linky party, I made it as a donation for Labrador Life Line which is an organization who raise funds to help families whose dog needs serious medical attention and they find themselves short of funds. With so many families struggling these days I wanted to get the word out about LLL and about the cyber auction that starts today. Thanks a million.

    Reply
  43. CAS says

    October 7, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Thanks again for hosting this wonderful party! And, Vanessa, I just adore your bouncy hair — looks super with your cute face!
    🙂 CAS

    Reply
  44. Mallory says

    October 7, 2011 at 1:44 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Love the hair!

    Reply
  45. Molly says

    October 7, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Good morning! This is my first time linking up here, I can’t wait to browse through these projects! Also, I just became GFC follower #1,000 🙂
    -Molly
    creativityblog@yahoo.com

    Reply
  46. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    October 7, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    My hair also went from sleek and straight to partially wavy and terribly frizzy after the birth of my children… hormones, I guess. Anyway, your hair looks beautiful and so do you!

    Reply
  47. stefanie says

    October 7, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    another great party!!! thanks!

    Reply
  48. Modern Country Lady says

    October 7, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    “Can you tell I’m not a teenager anymore…” No, Vanessa!! You look cute with and without the girly hair and no older than.. 18 or 19 at a push 🙂 Don’t you worry about the mirror!
    Have a great weekend
    XOXO
    Bea

    Reply
  49. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    October 7, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    Hey Vanessa, thought I’d let you know my fashion post is linked up. Thanks for always giving such great feedback. I really appreciate it!! Hope you like this week’s outfits.

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  50. Nellene says

    October 7, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Thanks for hosting another great party! My favorite are those floors! Oh, those gorgeous stenciled floors…how I want them!

    Reply
  51. saltbox treasures says

    October 7, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Great features, and your hair looks great!
    ~ Julie

    Reply
  52. lesley says

    October 7, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Thanks for hosting! I’m a new follower of your blog. It’s lovely!

    lesley

    freakingcraft.blogspot.com

    Reply
  53. Dayle says

    October 7, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Love the hair-lift! I agree with you … how wonderful if lifting other–uh–things were so simple.

    Reply
  54. Ela says

    October 8, 2011 at 12:14 AM

    Thanks for hosting. It’s a great party with a lot of great projects. I love the curly hair. The “cake” looks so yummy.

    I am a new follower. Hope you can visit my blog too.

    Reply
  55. Kristin @ Chi-Chi Studio Designs says

    October 8, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting!

    Reply
  56. Andrea @Oasis Accents says

    October 8, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    Amen! Your hair looks so cute! I cut all mine off years ago and sometimes miss being able to put some curls in my thin flat hair. Thanks for hosting =)

    Reply
  57. NanaDiana says

    October 8, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Vanessa-First off – I LOVE the hair…wonder if I could use that flat iron to lift a few parts of my own too? lol

    ALL the projects are just so wonderful..it is hard to even see them all-what wonderful inspirations you have provided here-

    Love to you, sweet girl(s)-xo Diana

    Reply
  58. Alisa and Sky says

    October 8, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Love the hair!! Just found your site and linking up to this great party! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  59. Linda Jordan says

    October 8, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    I love the hair!! It looks amazing 🙂 Thanks for hosting such a great party every week, there is so much inspiration!!

    Linda
    https://lasteve1.blogspot.com

    Reply
  60. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    October 8, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    Vanessa- I LOVE your bouncy hair!! 🙂 You look fabulous! I can’t believe I wasn’t linked up yet! Apologies for being late to the party! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  61. Traci says

    October 9, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    Vanessa, your hair looks great!!

    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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