• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

November 4, 2012

A Simply Sunday Thanksgiving Series

As we enter a new season, we want to take a moment to

pause

reflect

offer thanks

share from our hearts

hear from yours

Each Sunday in November, we will give you the opportunity to tell us what you are thankful for.

And, we also want to know how we can be praying for you.

Our hearts are full as we think about all we have to be thankful for….and you are all on that list!

Life is full of challenges..

Hurts

Loss

Tragedy

Stress

But…

source

So, are you ready?

What are you thankful for this week?

and

How can we be praying for you?

We’d love to hear from you so leave us a comment with your answers to these questions.

 We look forward to meeting you here every Sunday this month at the Fence,

20 Comments Filed Under: Simply Sundays

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « It’s Inspiration Friday No. 88! Welcome!
Next Post: We are joining the FOLK Magazine team and other fun news! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    You girls are so awesome. I just love that you would open up your hearts to ask what you can pray about for your readers.
    Ok, here goes, this week I am thankful for my blogging family. It’s such an amazing support system of people I have never met.
    Prayers would be appreciated for me to be able to just take some time to relax. Life’s been pretty overwhelming lately.
    Thanks so much ~ love you ladies!!!

    Reply
  2. Chenoa says

    November 4, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    I love this! Thank you for encouraging all of us to pause and reflect.

    I am thankful and extremely grateful for my sobriety. Last February, I started my recovery for alcoholism and, today, I can say it was the best decision I have ever made. It has given me a joy and peace I had never known before. Like many women, it snuck up on me – quietly, yet with force. In times of stress, grief, anger – even joy- I found myself turning to the bottle of wine for comfort. However, nothing, not even the wine, could fill the emptiness I felt inside. It wasn’t until I hit my bottom and made the decision to get sober, that I realized only my relationship with God could truly fill that void I felt. It hasn’t been easy, but by the grace of God, support from my amazing husband, family and friends have I been able to experience the life I always dreamed of. Because of my sobriety, I am able to be the mother, wife, daughter and friend that I always wanted to be. For that I am grateful.

    Please continue to pray for strength and guidance as I continue on the path of recovery.

    Thanks so much and a very happy Thanksgiving to both of you!
    Chenoa

    Reply
    • Heather & Vanessa says

      November 4, 2012 at 1:44 PM

      Oh, thank you so much for sharing your story with us Chenoa! I know that God is using you to reach many others facing similar struggles. 🙂 By sharing your own journey, you are proving that God can take something like addiction and turn it into an amazing reflection of His mercy and grace. I’m so thankful for you and appreciate your openness and honesty!
      Blessings to you friend,
      Vanessa

      Reply
    • Renee says

      November 4, 2012 at 2:41 PM

      Oh my I just fumbled across this insightful bit of thankfulness site and ladies today this Sunday November 4th, 2012 I am so eternally grateful for my heartbeating and lungs expanding as my eyes blink that God has saved me. Easily back in 2009 he should have left me die but choose to forgive me again and give me another chance at life, love and being a Mother of my beautiful twins and a vibrant daughter to my Mother and Father and a respected Sister besides a happy, healthy friend, girlfriend and fiance to others in my life.

      U offered to say pray for people on here well ladies and others, this may sound pathetic or repetitive but please I beg kindly from the bottom of my heart. Rodger and myself are broke financially no savings, no job, laid-off, no assistance granted. But as my health falls apart i so cry and ask for help with our issues, dear Lord i do not deserve to be called your child but through faith in your Love answers will come. I please just ask for prayers for help in any form anyway and at anytime.

      Thank you and Sincerely appreciative for prayers
      Renee M. Stubbe

      Reply
  3. Richella @ Imparting Grace says

    November 4, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    OH, YES. Always something to be thankful for! I would love for y’all to pray that I have the perseverance I need to finish a couple of tasks that have been set before me. I am easily distracted, I’m afraid, but these I believe to be opportunities from God and I want to honor Him by attending to them. I am weak but He is strong–if you would pray that I stand not in my weakness but His strength, I would really appreciate it!

    Reply
  4. Daniela @frugal ain't cheap says

    November 4, 2012 at 11:51 AM

    what a great idea!
    Well, first of all I am thankful for freedom. So many people people in this world (more than we think) don’t have freedom.
    As far as prayers, I am focusing this month ofNovember on praying for orphans (more that 147 million of them) and the persecuted Christians…join me. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Sharon says

    November 4, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    What a thoughtful idea! So many things to be thankful for. I just filled out my ballot and dropped it in the mailbox, so the thing foremost on my mind right now is that I’m thankful to live in a country where I can vote my choices without fear of persecution or retribution. And thankful for mail-in voting!

    Reply
  6. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    November 4, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    What a darling and sweet post!! Thank you so much! What a wonderful thing to see God’s love open up your hearts to care so much about others!!!
    I am so thankful for my family, my home, my country. I am so thankful for contentment. That is such a biggie!!!
    I think we need a lot of prayer for our country. It is not a godly nation anymore… We need to ask God’s forgiveness and mercy.
    I’ll be praying right along with you!
    NOW, how can I pray for you?

    Reply
    • Heather & Vanessa says

      November 4, 2012 at 4:39 PM

      You are so sweet Yvonne! I’ll answer for me. 😉 Would love prayers that our home sells soon. We are trusting God’s timing, but still feel anxious about it. We too pray daily for God’s mercy on our nation. Thank you for sharing with us. Appreciate you! ~Heather

      Reply
  7. Atta Girl Amy says

    November 4, 2012 at 6:11 PM

    I am thankful for new friends and old, people with pure hearts and who so kindly share their talents and knowledge with others.

    I’m thankful, too, for all the wonderful blogs and bloggers out there who inspire me every day and who also inspire me to create.

    Reply
  8. Judy Clark says

    November 4, 2012 at 6:28 PM

    I am so blessed and thankful for a precious great granddaughter this season of gratefulness. Four years ago, we lost an amazing little great grandson to cancer who was only four years old. I didn’t think I could ever love another child like that for fear of losing another child. But, the Lord brought this darling little girl into our lives and we are so in love with her. We are truly grateful for this wonderful gift.

    The bloggers I have met in the last two months have really blessed my life.

    Thanks for the prayers lifted up for all those requests. May the Lord bless you for your faithfulness.

    Judy

    Reply
  9. Regena Fickes says

    November 4, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    Thank you for this sweet post. How wonderful to be surrounded in this cyberworld with sisters.
    I am so thankful for the saving grace of my lord. I can never list all the things He has placed in my life and I can never express my gratitude enough. I am thankful I found your blog. Your are both in my prayers.

    Reply
  10. Sharon O says

    November 4, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    I am thank ful for my husband who has stood with me through many highs and lows, yesterday it was our 39th anniversary and believe me it has been a miraculous adventure.

    Reply
  11. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    November 4, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    As my mom would say every day, “Life is good as I woke up and saw the sun”….Where do I start?..I have so many things to be thankful for…so many blessings..I have the blessing of a wonderful family, my immediate family and my extended family…I am so blessed with so many wonderful life long friends…and new friends….I am blessed with health and the warmth of a home that I love and sharing that home with the love of my life, the guy that I have known since the 2nd grade……a man that is always supportive of me.
    I pray Heather that you sell your home soon…I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to be in such transition…You ask about what you can pray for…I think we need prayers for our Country…as Yvonne so eloquently stated….We need for God to Bless our America…
    This is such a wonderful post….thanks Heather and Vanessa!!!…

    Reply
  12. Sharon Smith says

    November 4, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    Thankful. Not nearly enough. Ive received many blessings in my life. My worst trails and losses are now my most thankful times. I became a different person. I grew in many ways and closer to God. Today I have spent time in prayer for the east coast and for our country. I’ve had a different thankfulness this year. I will also say a prayer for everyone that has gathered at the picket fence. Bless you all!

    Reply
  13. Leena Lanteigne says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    This is a great idea and I thank you so much! I have just started daily posts on my blog, 30 days of being thankful. The first one I posted was about my husband’s health issues and recovering from two amputative surgeries since February. He continues to heal despite a few hurdles, but keeping his spirits up is often difficult. He has not been able to work since February and is now on disability through work at 60% of his salary. This gives cause for more stress, as it is becoming more and more difficult to manage our financial obligations. We are not big-time spenders, but have obligations like everybody else, including having my daughter and her two little ones living with us, rent free. Please pray for Jim’s continued recovery and that we can find a way to manage things. Right now, I’m not even sure how we will have a Christmas and I’m working hard to sell things in my etsy shop, but sales are slow. I have my own health issues that keep me from working outside the home, so I got my business license and started on something I’d always wanted to do – selling vintage pieces and original art work. Plus, I spend my days caring for Jim and driving him to 5 or 6 different medical appointments per week. Your prayers are very much appreciated. I know how strong the power or prayer can be. Please let me know if I may include you in my prayers as well. Thank you again! Hugs, Leena

    Reply
  14. Brooke says

    November 5, 2012 at 3:36 AM

    Love it!

    =)

    Brooke

    Reply
  15. laura says

    November 5, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    I’m thankful that we have family and work family and we can come to each other, no matter what, and that we have a God that will keep asking us to come to him with EVERYTHING, knowing that the only solutions will come from Him. Thank you for this opportunity.
    Many blessings.

    Reply
  16. Sharon says

    November 5, 2012 at 7:24 AM

    I am thankful for my daughter who is beautiful inside and out. I’m thankful for a husband who makes it his mission to love me well. I am thankful for community, here at home, far away and online. I’m thankful for contentment. Thank you ladies, for being so transparent, caring, and giving.

    Reply
  17. Vanessa says

    November 5, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Hi, Heather and Vanessa
    My favorite verse, it give me hope and knowing I serve a great Big God! I am always thankful for each day I can share with my family and friends and with precious bloggers too! Thanks for sharing.

    Vanessa

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Why We’ve Chosen Vacations Over Projects April 26, 2022
  • A New Look for the Family Room March 1, 2022
  • Christmas Kitchen and Family Room December 19, 2021
  • Christmas Home Tour Part One December 10, 2021
  • Easy Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2021

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 At The Picket Fence