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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

November 11, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 40!

 
Inspiration Friday Graphic
  Boy, 40 weeks just flies by when you are having this much fun! 

And we certainly have a ton of it each week when you share all of your wonderful talent and creativity. Does anyone else out there feel the momentum building and building as the Holiday season approaches? We can just sense the creative juices boiling here in Blogland and some of you have already started sharing your Christmas crafts and décor!

We are right behind ya on that one, but before we jump into the next season with both feet (and hands!), we wanted to share with you a few of the remaining touches of Fall around our homes.


Let’s pay Vanessa a visit, shall we?

The colors in my home year-round provide such a wonderful backdrop for the colors of Fall, so I embrace them with open arms. This dough bowl filled with natural elements sits atop a stack of books in a tray on the living room ottoman. It has been very hard for little fingers to resist and has been known to hide a toy or two down inside!

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The dough bowl shares the tray with this chicken wire cloche.

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On my entry table, this green pitcher is filled with some “faux” Fall.

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And in the family room a new purchase this year. This lantern is super heavy and super duper loved by yours truly! A candle and some little gourds add some Fall-ness to it.

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And because I absolutely adore my sweet friend Becca from Adventures in Decorating and pretty much want to copy everything she does, I had to turn this basket on its side (like she did in her entry)and let the pumpkins spill out.

If I had not seen her do this first, this poor basket would have just been sitting there…all boring and upright. Imagine what it would have missed out on!

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Onto Heather’s home! ~Vanessa

So we just have to say again how much fun it is for us to share a blog! Getting to see each other’s seasonal décor is such a treat!

Whew! I really wasn’t sure if I would be able to pull off Thanksgiving decorating while trying to finish up my major projects, but it’s amazing what a motivator hosting Thanksgiving dinner in your home is to decorating it! One of my favorite little vignettes is my “pumpkin towers” on my kitchen counter.

 fall decor 2


All from the Dollar Tree and recycled pumpkins someone gave to me years ago!

I also found this darling little white ceramic pumpkin at the Dollar Tree, and thought it looked so sweet under my muffin cloche.  I love the combination of the white and silver on this little corner of my counter.

fall decor 3



I wanted to use my DIY Apothecary jars for Thanksgiving, so I filled them with some lacy fallen leaves from my Japanese maple… I love the pop of red!

  The matching dough bowl to Vanessa’s (both were inherited from our grandmother) hold some simple beans and candles on our kitchen table.

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I learned long ago that if I wanted my centerpieces to stay ON the table with Bama Boy around they needed to be low, simple and un froofy…this one seems to fit the bill!

fall decor 6


You might remember my “Tale of Three Pumpkins” Series where we made over Dollar Tree pumpkins.  Here is where they all ended up residing…

fall decor 4


  I love this sweet three tiered basket, I literally stumbled over it in the Goodwill aisle this summer. It has been an herb garden, a pumpkin patch…and who knows what lies in store for it come Christmas…you’ll just have to wait and see… grin.

Up last, another glimpse of my soon to be revealed Design Challenge dining room makeover.  I shared with you my framed chalkboard art last week, and gave you a small view of the changes I’ve made.

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I love the little fall vignette of leaves, pumpkins and candles.

I will be hosting Thanksgiving this year, and while the table will be a little more elaborately set for dinner that day I love to keep it simple during the rest of the season.

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I was able to create this entire centerpiece for $15.00 from the Dollar Tree and clearance items! I love a good bargain, can ya tell? Did ya catch the glimpse of my dining room gallery wall in the background? sigh…I’m so in love with it! I hope to reveal it all to you next week! Well, thanks for stopping by my place! Wish I could have you all sitting at our table…it would truly feel like “Family”! ~Heather




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Now, let’s get to those Features!

Nancy from Nancy’s Daily Dish shared this absolutely gorgeous Brown and Aubergine Fall Tablescape which was inspired by a Ralph Lauren Euro sham she found on Clearance. Ummm…anyone else able to create something this stunning after seeing a Euro Sham? Not us! Notice anything unusual about those “chargers”?

Yep, you guessed it, those are small grapevine wreaths. So clever and yes, we will be copying that Nancy! Winking smile

This next feature absolutely blew us away! We couldn’t believe how Angie from Knick of Time Interiors was inspired by finding an old (albeit beautiful) Dictionary, to transform her entryway into this charming and character-filled space. You must visit her to see all of the incredible details!

As much as we are still enjoying Fall, the Christmas bug has definitely bitten us! So, it is no surprise that we absolutely loved these beautiful Glitter Ornaments from Susan of Hometown Girl.
She shared a wonderful simple tutorial on how she made them as well and we think these would make incredible gifts!

Ornaments 003
We often wonder how y’all with lots of little ones at home can still find the time to create such beautiful projects! Rachael from House of Noise…I Mean Boys is no exception! Rachael handmade this beautiful pillow for her mom.  It has lots of love and sentimentality stitched and stenciled into it! Visit her post to see the details behind this lovely design.

 


Connie from Hartwood Roses is building this gorgeous, fabulous greenhouse out of salvaged materials, and pretty much on her own!! We think she is just amazing! We’ve provided the link to her entire greenhouse series so you can see the step by step process.

Okay, so if you know Heather at all you know she wasn’t going to just let this houndstooth chair slide by! This gorgeous chair and these starburst mirrors are part of a living room redo by Barbara the “mother” of the blog, A Mother and A Daughter! Now I know they live in Arkansas (Go Razorbacks!)…but I think that a University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) fan my lurk way down there in Barbara somewhere with this chair. Winking smile 

We’ve been asked before to create some projects using sheet music, we think these THREE sheet music ideas from Fancy Frugal Life fit the bill perfectly! All three ideas were created for a wedding but they could be used for all occasions!

Now, don’t forget! There is still time to enter to win this gorgeous Vintage Silver Teapot from our Sponsor

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The Giveaway runs through next Wednesday so click here to find out all the details!

  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 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 (MANDATORY) 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! 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 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!
Are you new to linky parties and kinda confused how they work? Have you wondered if you’re following “linky party etiquette”? We invite you to pay Donna at Funky Junk Interiors a visit and follow her great Linky Party Series! She’ll be answering all of your linky party questions and more! (no pressure or anything Donna Winking smile )


This Inspiration Friday is Sponsored By:

64 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays, Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ruby Jean says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Lovely features… And Yes Angie’s Dictionary Wall was just simply Amazing!!!! Just linked up thank you for hosting…

    Reply
  2. Stuff and Nonsense says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    love that chicken wire cloche
    and all the yummy autumness going
    on y’all’s homes

    great features and thanks for hosting!

    alison

    Reply
  3. FABBY'S LIVING says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Great features! I specially love the black and white chair and decor. I like Nancy’s tablescape too. Thank you for hosting and having me. Hugs, FABBY

    Reply
  4. Sherry says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    You have been getting your fall on Vanessa! It looks wonderful! Thanks for hosting the party!
    Sherry

    Reply
  5. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Wow! So many great features! Thanks for sharing! I look forward to linking up each week. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  6. Amanda says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    The features are wonderful, love the dictionary pages wallpaper!
    Thank you for hosting another inspiring linky.

    Reply
  7. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Hey Girls your fall decor looks amazing! You guy’s are such an inspiration! Thanks for hosting, Martina

    Reply
  8. Richella says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Things are looking beautiful for Thanksgiving at BOTH your houses! Man, this makes me wish one of my sisters had a blog!!

    Reply
  9. Hartwood Roses says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Thank you, THANK YOU for featuring my greenhouse. I’m practically working my fingers down to the nubs, racing to get it all closed in before Old Man Winter makes his annual appearance.

    There’s always such great inspiration here! I’m off now to see what’s inspiring this week.

    Reply
  10. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party every week.

    Reply
  11. Lina - Fancy Frugal Life says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Hi Girls! Thanks so much for the feature..always a fantastic surprise 🙂 Your thanksgiving decs look so beautiful.

    Lina
    Fancy Frugal Life

    Reply
  12. Yummy Mummy says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    You have the greatest parties, Ladies! Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Martha says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Great features! Love them, especially the greenhouse and the cloche! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  14. Laurel says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Hello ladies, thanks for the fall tour. Makes me think I need to spend more time at the Dollar Tree…who knew??? 🙂 All linked up…thanks for hosting! Laurel@chippingwithcharm

    Reply
  15. Ange says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Hey girls, I don’t have anything fun to link up but just wanted to say that I love stopping over, checking out the fun stuff and love all your fall decorating! Also, that houndstooth chair, gorgeous!!!!!

    Reply
  16. Jann Olson says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Hi,
    Wow, I have faux pumpkins spilling from a basket in my entry. Never thought I couuld be as cool as you gals. lol! Love the pumpking towers!! I have a three tiered basket I just love. It is so fun to decorate for every holiday! Thanks for hosting. I love the features. Can’t wait to check out that greenhouse!

    Reply
  17. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Your fall decor is inspiring…as are the awesome features! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  18. A Mother and A Daughter says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Thank you Heather and Vanessa for featuring my Houndstooth and Starburst! I am a little jealous that Alabama gets to wear houndstooth instead of Arkansas. Why couldn’t Frank Broyles or Lou Holtz have been the houndstooth wearing coach that Bear Bryant was? Oh well, I still love to wear it and I still love to decorate with it! Roll Tide!

    Reply
  19. Judy says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Wonderful features. So much inspiration at your party. I love both of your homes all decked out for Thanksgiving. Looks beautiful. Thanks for hosting each week.

    Reply
  20. NanaDiana says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    I love the way BOTH you girls do things…and each of you has your own style! Nice features here today, too! xo Diana

    Reply
  21. Debra @ Common Ground says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    I just LOVE every little bit of your Fall decor, just linked up, be sure and come by and enter my new GiveAway!! xoxo

    Reply
  22. Christina says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Vanessa and Heather – I love your autumn decor SO MUCH – but most especially Vanessa’s lantern (I mean, it’s totally hideous Vanessa; but if you insist I will take it off your hands…), and Heather’s table decor (it may be simple for the season, but it’s stunning!)

    Thanks for another great party! This time I’m linking up a mini pumpkin wreath I made (link #64). I have actually finished two of them.. and yeah, I’m already ready to take ’em down and start the x-mas decorating! But darn it I toiled away on those babies so they are staying up! Hope you like them 🙂

    Take care,
    Christina
    http://www.designingbynumbers.com

    Reply
  23. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:33 PM

    I love what you’ve done in both of your homes! Gorgeous and warm! I feel for you with regard to Bama Boy complaining about things being unnecessary or “froofy”. Ugh. I don’t go in his garage and complain that it’s cold and uninviting…

    Great features. LOVE that monogrammed pillow. Thanks for hosting. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    I love your features and blog! I don’t know how I entered this link twice! Please remove one! I’m so sorry! Thanks for providing the opportunity to link!

    Reply
  25. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Thanks for hosting, girls.

    Reply
  26. Sue says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Such gorgeous fall vignettes!!! I have to admit that I have taken mine all down and am readying myself for the Christmas holidays!! Seeing yours made me regret it a little bit… But- on to other things now that the bug has bit! hugs, Sue

    Reply
  27. Tammy @BeatriceBanks says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    So much beautiful inspiration! Thank you for hosting this fun party!

    Reply
  28. Debbie says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    I don’t even know where to begin to start clicking. All of your features look wonderful.

    I also loved the fall decorating ideas from the Picket Fence Sisters. Those stacked pumpkins are a cute idea, and now I will definitely be looking through my baskets for a prospective tipper.

    Reply
  29. Honey at 2805 says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    Such great inspiration! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  30. Lorna says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    Thanks for hosting such a great party. This is my first time linking and I have found so much inspiration.

    I especially love the touches of fall in your homes. The Chicken Wire Cloche is awesome as well as the Apothecary Jars. Great job!

    Reply
  31. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    Gorgeous decorating, ladies! : ) So many great ideas that I may steal from you for next year. I haven’t hosted Thanksgiving in years, but I almost wouldn’t mind doing it again. It is now my daughter’s venue, although I’ll be cooking and bringing along some family favorites!

    Reply
  32. Dawn @ Redbird Cottage Art says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Love all the fall decorations and that greenhouse! Wow!

    Reply
  33. andrea says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    Hello! Thank you for hosting! My fav little pumpkin on your post is the petite white one under the muffin cloche- very chic! andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  34. Gail says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Beautiful fall features from you both! Can’t wait to see your reveal Heather! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  35. Anita says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    Vanessa, I frequently find toys inside everything! And Heather, I LOVE the Japanese maple leaves in the jars! Too pretty!!

    Reply
  36. Nancy @ Nancy's Daily Dish says

    November 11, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    I also welcome Fall colors. I could live with them everyday and do have quite a bit of colors in my home that seem to welcome Fall! Your dough bowl is so pretty and I laughed because I remember so many times I’d find kids toys in a plant or bowl of fruit, etc.

    Thank you for featuring my table to! I’m flattered to be with all of these other great features. I’m going to make some of the paper covered balls..so pretty!

    Nancy

    Reply
  37. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    November 11, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Oh my, unreal eye candy and inspiration. Thanks so much for hosting such a fun party. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  38. Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says

    November 11, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    I love linking to your fun party. Thanks so much for hosting. The blogs you featured are fabulous. Happy Friday. xo

    Reply
  39. Lynn Richards says

    November 11, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Shoot. Your homes are stunning. But, I have to tell you, when I read Heather’s remark about being motivated to decorate because of Thanksgiving, I snorted water all over my keyboard. It struck me as so funny!!! Nothing quite like that motivator…I want to know where you are putting all the dust from all the renovation!!!
    thanks for hosting!
    xoxo
    lynn

    Reply
  40. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    November 11, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    So many pretty Fall decorations. I feel my house is sorely lacking! Love the warm colors and interesting vignettes. Thanks for hosting, girls.
    Lynn

    Reply
  41. Pamela says

    November 11, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Awesome features ladies!! Thanx for hosting!

    Reply
  42. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    November 11, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    Gorgeous, that sums up both of your homes decor for fall and Thanksgiving! I’m happy to see it. Everyone seems to be jumping right into Christmas, (Vanessa! lol) but I LOVE Thanksgiving and don’t want to skip over it.

    Have a great weekend and thanks for hosting, girlies!!

    ~ Catie =)

    Reply
  43. Cherished Bliss says

    November 11, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! I haven’t linked up in a while. Glad to be back! : )

    Reply
  44. Kerry Rossow says

    November 11, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    I love your fall colors!
    Thank you so much for hosting!
    Have a great weekend!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  45. Simply Beautiful Now says

    November 11, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    Lots of lovely ideas and recipes…first time linking to your party…thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  46. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Hey girls!! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  47. Angie says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    What a lovely surprise – I came by to link up the Inspiration Friday, only to discover you’d featured my Dictionary Page Wallpaper Entryway!

    Thanks so much for the feature.

    Your Fall decor is so warm & cozy – I can practically smell the pumpkin pie!

    Thanks for all the lovely features you had today and for the link party! I find so much inspiration here!

    Blessings,
    Angie @ Knick of Time Interiors

    Reply
  48. Myric says

    November 11, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    Thanks! Makes me happy to know you like it! Always looking forward to Fridays fir this! I love that lantern! I have something similar given by my mom in law! And. The centrrpieces are sooo gorgeous!
    Thanks for hosting 🙂 looking forward to your coming project!!

    All the blessing
    Myric

    Reply
  49. Christie says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    That greenhouse is to die for!! WOW! I thought I would make it early to the party, but sixty some people beat me to it! Hope you girls are well and getting ready for the holiday season. I can’t believe it is upon us! I feel like I just took my tree down yesterday! Thanks for hosting! Christie

    Reply
  50. Ivy and Elephants says

    November 11, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Awesome features, as always. Thanks for hosting yet another spectacular party.

    Paula

    Reply
  51. Shannon says

    November 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Sisters…I love ya! Thanks for your wonderful posts!

    Reply
  52. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    November 11, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies. I’ll be back to look at the features ;).

    Reply
  53. Val says

    November 11, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    You have completely inspired me….I’m in awe.

    Reply
  54. Mimi says

    November 11, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Love the colors you’ve used in your home. Also love the black and white ornaments. I pl;an to use red white and black Christmas decor in our boutique flower shop this year. I’ll definitely check out that tutorial.

    Reply
  55. Pink Little Cake says

    November 11, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    I am so glad to find you, wonderful ideas for the season.

    Reply
  56. Savvy Seasons says

    November 11, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    I love this post, fabulous features. Thanks so much for hosting. Happy Friday, too! xo ~Liz

    Reply
  57. Veronica says

    November 11, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Wow there is so much wonderful inspiration here… I wish I had time to visit each one and give it the due it deserves! Thanks for having us all!

    Veronica
    Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds

    Reply
  58. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    November 11, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    I Love all the Fall decor and especially the cute muffin cloche! Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  59. Dayle says

    November 11, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Thanks for hosting such a great party, ladies. Always a joy to come by.

    Reply
  60. Stylebaggage says

    November 11, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    You always have the best “eye candy”…Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  61. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    November 12, 2011 at 2:57 AM

    Love your DIY apothecary jars Heather and I’m so jealous over you inherited dough bowl! Someday I will have one of the big ones….someday 😉 Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  62. CAS says

    November 12, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Yep, you just keep on with the inspiring & fun-filled parties! Thank you both so much for hosting.
    CAS

    Reply
  63. Vanessa says

    November 12, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    Hi, Vanessa and Heather

    I found your blog from Addicted 2 decorating. I just love looking around your blog. Thank you for hosting a link party. I am a new follower.

    Vanessa

    Reply
  64. Good Time Charlie says

    November 13, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Great picks! Definitely linking up next week. Those Glitter Balls are my favorite!

    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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