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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 3, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 67!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Whew! I feel a little lost here this week at Inspiration Friday. We’ve been wrapped up in a whirlwind of graduation activities and family coming and going over the last few weeks! A big thank you to Vanessa, the best sister on the planet, for holding down the fort around here and hosting Inspiration Friday the last few weeks all on her own…betcha didn’t even realize I hadn’t been around…she’s just that good! 😉

We were so proud this week to graduate our son from high school! I say “we” because I have homeschooled him for 10 years so I truly did “graduate” him…and I couldn’t be prouder of the man he has become.

He has already started a college course for the summer and is busy working and saving to buy his first car in a few weeks.  We love you Michael Robert…you are our joy…and a young man after God’s own heart!

I’m glad to be back in the swing of blogging and hanging out with all of you lovely, talented people…and speaking of talented here’s our features from last week! Y’all just make it so hard to choose!

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INSPIRED ROOMS

Kelly from Eclectically Vintage just so perfectly captured the title of her blog when she took us on a tour of her Family Room and Breakfast Nook. It is eclectic…vintage…and beautiful!
Betsy blew us away with her Cottage Country Living Room! She shares so many details, each one perfectly cottage!

MAKEOVERS

The talented Angela from Unexpected Elegance turned an old wooden ironing board into a fantastic sofa table! This gal has so many great ideas and we really hope you will pay her a visit!
A Vintage Fairy shared her Succulents Planter…do you know what it used to be? An $7 plastic umbrella stand!

We’ve been following with Linda from It All Started with Paint as she’s been making over her front porch.  We love the red, black and white!

terracotta_pots_geraniums


CRAFTS and CREATIONS


Have you seen this yet? Carmel from Our Fifth House knocked another one out of the park when she created this incredible Union Jack Pegboard Headboard for her son’s room. We’re pretty sure she is in the running for coolest mom of the year!

Shari from Turnstyle Vogue made these fun Pottery Barn knock off glow jars! Perfect for summer evening. These would be so fun to make with the kiddos!

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Viv from The V Spot always comes up with the cutest and most clever DIY gift ideas and projects.  She didn’t disappoint with this clever wedding or anniversary gift idea!

 How to make a unique, personalized wedding or anniversary gift for less than 20 bucks!

RECIPES and PARTIES

Crepes…good. Cake…good. Vanilla Crepe Cake? Yes please! Doesn’t this look and sound incredible?
We are so glad that Leslie from Goodbye House, Hello Home shared this amazing recipe with us!

Strawberries with Toffee Sauce from Tracey at The Kitchen is My Playground 

and for summer we are introducing a new category…

OUTDOOR LIVING

We’d love to have some of these Brick Herb Markers from Pam of Simple Details are the Difference hanging out in our garden!

We love this old work bench turned potting bench from Heather of Tallgrass Design. It has so many cute details.

 

We adore Lorrie at Finding Secret Treasure’s Aqua Garden! You have got to visit her to see all of the amazing details…we could spend all day there!

 

INSPIRING STORIES


Kristen from Ella Claire shared this two part post on a vintage inspired wedding. So many inspiring details and ideas!

Our friend Kelly of Live, Laugh, Rowe shared a beautiful post on infertility, prayer, hope…and how we must learn to live in God’s perfect timing, even if He says, “Not Quite Yet..”



We were so inspired by Sylvia from Sylvia’s Simple Life’s post “Paddle Your Own Canoe.”  Take a moment to read it and see her exquisite photos…we know you will be inspired too!

We also featured some fabulous Patriotic Posts last week in honor of Memorial Day! Be sure to check them out!

If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located 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!
Are you following us on
Pinterest
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog…unless it’s one of our own creations, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉
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:


vif187Fridays Unfolded
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Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday
  • 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 to be featured At The Picket Fence) 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 feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us
And while it’s not a requirement, we’d sure love ya to be following along with us in some capacity! Below are some great options!

Email Updates
Facebook Page
Pinterest


This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:


Fence


where you’ll find amazing, unique jewelry and gift ideas! 

67 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Turning 40 in style…my surprise birthday party!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    Yes, Vanessa did a fine job. Did not know you were missing. What fabulous features and congrats on the graduation. Always makes a parent proud when that day comes.

    Reply
  2. Laura from Top This Top That says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Congrats on your son’s graduation and your accomplishment as well. Well done!!!

    Reply
  3. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Beautiful features, ladies! Such a busy time of year for you. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  4. ~ rooms FOR rent ~ says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    Congratulations!!! Such an exciting time for you guys! Thanks for hosting.. and sharing those gorgeous rooms 🙂 ~Bre

    Reply
  5. SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Lovely features 🙂 Congrats on your son’s graduation! Beautiful family photos 🙂
    Greetings from Australia♥
    ~Pernilla

    Reply
  6. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls and have a super weekend!!

    Reply
  7. CAS says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Wow, birthdays & graduations, you have been very busy , Heather. And yes, Vanessa “rocked” this little ‘ol blog party pretty well in your absence, but welcome back. Looks like a wonderful party & some great features. Thanks for hosting.
    CAS

    Reply
  8. Becca says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Congratulations on your son’s graduation, Heather! And, thank you so much for hosting … glad I could play this week!

    Reply
  9. suzyq says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:37 PM

    Congratulations! I am so impressed with home schoolers – could never do that!!!
    Many many thanks for hosting
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  10. Kelly Rowe says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Congrats!! Thanks for the feature on my infertility post — and for being such wonderful hostesses 🙂 Love you, ladies!!

    Reply
  11. Vicki Shead says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Beautiful picks, as always! Congrats to the whole family on your son’ graduation! It’s so fun to watch them become adults!!

    Reply
  12. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    May 31, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Heather, bet you can’t believe you’re the mom of a high school graduate! lol Welcome back.

    Great features. I will most definitely be stopping by a few. Have a great weekend ladies. And as always, thanks for hosting!!

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  13. Eclectically Vintage says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    Doing my dorky moonwalk – thanks for featuring my family room girls!

    To be in the same company as Betsey Speert – how cool is that!

    And love it all started with paint’s porch and that flag headboard and those solar lights … love it all!
    Kelly

    Reply
  14. Good Time Charlie says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    Huge congratulations to your entire family Heather!!! That is something for all of you to be very proud of. Happy Weekend celebrating!

    Reply
  15. Anne Lorys - Fiona and Twig says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Sounds like a very busy and blessed week in your life! Congrats all around!

    Big hugs,
    Anne

    Reply
  16. Mary Ellen says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Congratulations to you son on his graduation and you too! I homeschooled my boys till they were in 8th grade then we sent them to a Christian school as I felt to inept for math and science they needed. Wish I had taken the plunge and schooled them all the way through now.

    Thank you for the party! Linking up my cute cupcakes I made for a friend’s son’s rehearsal dinner.

    bee blessed
    mary

    Reply
  17. Kerry Rossow says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Congrats to your family! What a proud time!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  18. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    Congrats on your son’s graduation! What a special moment! Love the features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  19. NanaDiana says

    May 31, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Heather, Congratulations. You are a beautiful family and you don’t look much older than a kid yourself. God bless your son as he moves past this milestone in life. Great features here and I will go visit a few of them. Love to you-xo Diana

    Reply
  20. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    Congrat’s to the grad! Happy 40th as well, loved looking at all the pictures. This weeks features are awesome, nothing to link up but so much for me to look at 🙂
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  21. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    Happy 40th and Congrats to the Grad!!! Wow! This is an exciting time for your family…thanks for sharing the excitement with us! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  22. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    AW!!! Congrats to you and to your graduate! So how does that work for home-schoolers? It looks like you guys get together and have a formal ceremony…? How cool is that!? 🙂
    Thanks for hosting the party and triple thank you for featuring my spoon artwork alongside those great features!

    Reply
  23. reFresh reStyle says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    Congratulations on the graduation! You have a beautiful family 🙂 Thanks for hosting, hope y’all are having a great week!

    Reply
  24. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    May 31, 2012 at 10:11 PM

    Heather- Congrats on your son’s graduation. What a special time! Thanks to both of you for hosting and hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply
  25. Amanda says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting! Congrats on your son’s graduation! You just don’t look old enough to have a graduate! Great photos of the proud parents and handsome boy!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

    Reply
  26. Laurel@chippingwithcharm says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    Hi ladies…congratulations to you and your son Heather!! Thanks for hosting 🙂 Laurel

    Reply
  27. Betsy Speert says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    You featured ME!!!!!
    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  28. Debra @ Common Ground says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:32 PM

    Congrats Heather on your milestone!! just linked up, hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

    Reply
  29. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:37 PM

    Heather, I want to commend you for being dedicated enough to homeschool your son. Congratulation on his graduation! I linked up a salad dressing that is so awesome. Off to visit some of your features and linkers.

    Reply
  30. Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:43 PM

    Oh, thank you so much for featuring my Strawberries with Toffee Sauce! Congratulations on your son’s graduation, Heather. Such a wonderful milestone in your lives!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

    Reply
  31. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:21 AM

    Heather, congratulations to your family! What an exciting time! Thanks so much for hosting this great party each week!

    Reply
  32. Anne says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    Thanks for the party! and congrats to your son!!

    xox

    Reply
  33. Heather says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:43 AM

    Wow! Thanks for featuring my potting bench! I was so surprised to scroll through the beautiful features and then…hey, that’s me!!

    Reply
  34. Little Bit says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    Thank you girls for hosting! congrats to you and your son too! Little Bit

    Reply
  35. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:59 AM

    Thanks for the party, lovely ladies!

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    We sure do love that handsome graduate and his parents and sister.

    Proud grandparents,

    Poppa and Nonna

    Reply
    • Linda @ it all started with paint says

      June 1, 2012 at 3:26 AM

      🙂

      (and I’m tearing up again …)

      Reply
  37. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    Thanks for the feature – cool mom – I wish! 😉 Honored to be included with so many awesome projects! Congrats on your boy’s graduation! What a special moment!

    Reply
  38. Debbiedoo's says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:52 AM

    Awesome features! Congrats to your son! What an exciting day indeed. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Reply
  39. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    June 1, 2012 at 3:15 AM

    Congratulations to you and your son! He’s off for even bigger things! How exciting! Thanks for hosting again!

    Reply
  40. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    June 1, 2012 at 3:25 AM

    I usually try to bring out the funny but Heather you made me cry with those pictures of you and your two handsome men! Graduation! College! Your baby leaving the nest …

    This annoying menopause has turned my entire life into a Hallmark commercial … because now I’m crying over life moments of my virtual friends …

    And then you feature me. And in the feature you say you’ve been following my progress. And then the waterfalls fall again …

    Thank you so so much. I’m honored. I’m humbled. And now I need to go stand in front of the freezer with the door open …

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  41. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says

    June 1, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Thanks for sharing your proud moment with us. I’ve loved seeing all your wonderful celebration photos lately!!

    Amazing features and I’m off to check out all the inspiration!

    Reply
  42. Sylvia says

    June 1, 2012 at 4:17 AM

    Dearest sisters! I am genuinely surprised to see my post featured today-you haven’t wrote a comment to indicate that you read it:)But I am happy, humbled and honored! I am also touched by this wonderful happy family on the picture and this handsome,smart young man! And you, Heather, have every right to be proud. May Michael soar forward…
    Thank you for having me again and I hope your readers enjoy my Provence-inspired table.

    Reply
  43. { Kristen } says

    June 1, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you for featuring me!! How exciting!

    Reply
  44. Jen Lossing says

    June 1, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting. Congratulations on your son’s graduation!

    Reply
  45. sweet european dreams says

    June 1, 2012 at 5:21 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Congratulations on your graduate! -diane

    Reply
  46. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    June 1, 2012 at 5:33 AM

    thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  47. Lynn Richards says

    June 1, 2012 at 5:44 AM

    Holy, Moly, it’s been waaay too long since I have linked up to the fun party!! Thanks, as always, for being such gracious hostesses!
    Heather, there is nothing quite like your child graduating from high school. Such emotions and excitement. Congratulations!!!
    Now, I’m off to spend some fun time gazing at the links…oh, and definitely getting the recipe for the strawberries and toffee sauce..
    xo
    lynn

    Reply
  48. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    May 31, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    Congratulations to your son – and you!! Thanks for hosting girls!

    Reply
  49. Liz - Imageremix says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Congratulations to your son and to you for raising him up and teaching him well. What a great time of celebration! Thank you so much for sharing so many wonderful inspirations with us and for hosting the party even with all you have going on. It’s much appreciated.
    Liz

    Reply
  50. Calypso In The Country says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Congrats on the graduation! Have and wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  51. Debbie says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:49 AM

    Congratulations to the graduate and the teacher. Well done! I had also missed your surprise party post. That looked so fun and wonderful. BTW, you have the most awesome taste in clothes. I loved both outfits you were wearing, especially that color you wore for his graduation.

    Great features. I confess that sometimes when I read your features I wonder why in the world I’m ever blogging. Such talented people out there. Really!

    Reply
  52. Our Pinteresting Family says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    Congratulations to you and your son!! Thanks so much for hosting! Enjoy your weekend.

    Reply
  53. Angela says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    Thank you guys SO much for the feature!! And CONGRATS to Heather’s son and Heather for molding what appears to be a fine young man! They truly grow up way too fast. I’m experiencing that right now with my two.
    Hugs,
    Angela

    Reply
  54. Laurel Stephens says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Congratulations to both you and your son on his high school graduation! Welcome back from your whirlwind couple of weeks, and thanks to you and your sister for hosting your wonderful parties every week. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many terrific features in one place before, and I’m off now to investigate them and do a LOT of pinning.

    Reply
  55. Laura @ cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    Congrats on your son’s graduation! That’s an accomplishment.

    Thanks for hosting!

    I appreciate it,
    Laura

    Reply
  56. Catherine {Stone and Rose} says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    Congratulations to you and your boy! Thank you for hosting and I hope you have a great weekend.

    Reply
  57. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    Congrats to your son… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  58. Heather says

    June 1, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Thanks for taking the time to host your linky party again this week – its always fun to link up! Happy 40th Bday, Heather!!! Have a great weekend 🙂 Heather

    Reply
  59. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    June 1, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    Wow – Huge Party. Great features. Thanks for hosting. Congratulations to Son and Family on Graduation.

    Reply
  60. Kristin@ A Vintage Fairy says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    Thanks for the feature. Honored to be featured with all those other talents!

    Reply
  61. twelve-O-eight says

    June 1, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    Vanessa & Heather,

    Heather, I was so encouraged to read of your son graduating from homeschooling. I have a few years ahead of me but wanted to say congrats on your dedication!

    Thank you to you both for hosting such a beautiful party each with with such amazing talent. And the hard work that goes into this. You are a blessing 🙂

    Tanya

    Reply
  62. Andrea says

    June 1, 2012 at 11:07 PM

    You are SO cute, and congrats on the GRAD!! You DO NOT look old enough to have a graduate by the way.
    YOU ARE WELCOME! LOL!!!
    XOXO

    Reply
  63. Chase the Star says

    June 2, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    Congrats to your son! Great job mom!!!! Thanks for hosting!
    XO, Barbara
    https://chase-thestar.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  64. Rob Hunt says

    June 2, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    Congratulations to your family. A milestone. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  65. Meegan says

    June 2, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    What a GREAT week for you Heather!! Congratulations! What a wonderful milestone in your family. I know you are very proud 🙂
    Even though we didn’t know you were gone-we did miss you! Great Job Vanessa!!So glad to have you back Heather.
    Thanks for hosting ans letting me share what I love to do.
    Meegan@whatmeeganmakes

    Reply
  66. malia says

    June 3, 2012 at 11:39 PM

    Congrats! That’s fabulous (-:

    What a great party. LOVE your features esp Eclectically Vintage and the Union Jack headboard…I think the queen needs one for her diamond jubilee! xo

    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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