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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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September 30, 2013

Autumn Abounds Linky Party & $1,000 Prize Package Giveaway!

We don’t know about you but it seems like when Fall hit it really HIT! We’ve been seeing so many fabulous ideas and loads of inspiration for making the most of this beautiful season.

We were thrilled to team up with some amazing bloggers for our Autumn Abounds Blog Hop and here are all of the fantastic projects which have been shared over the last 2 weeks!

www.thealbumcafe.com

 

Fox Hollow CottageThrifty Junky and Free Fireplace Mantel

At The Picket Fence House Number Pumpkin Topiary

Jennifer Rizzo You Can Paint A Pumpkin Canvas Art

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Rustic Fall Mantel

Domestically Speaking Apple Popper Recipe

Yellow Bliss Road Autumn Breakfast and Free Printable

At The Picket Fence Decorating A Fall Mantel

Setting For Four Sparkly Fall Mantel

Cupcakes and Crinoline Sweet Potato Apple Soup Recipe

Adventures in Decorating Colorful Fall Mantel

Ella Claire Sparkling Cider Recipe

JoJo & Eloise DIY Mens Boutonnieres

French Country Cottage Autumn Office Reveal

Debbiedoo’s How To Be Your Own Van Gogh

Sand and Sisal Pumpkin Apple Bread With Streusel Topping

Now it’s your turn to share your Autumn inspiration with us AND be entered to win this amazing $1,000 valued Prize Package!

autumn abounds prize graphic

Take a look at what the winner will receive!

$250 World Market gift card

$300 faucet from Pfister

Teal and Lime custom mood board valued at $300

$25 Decor Steals gift card

$25 to Antique Farmhouse gift card

$100 Minted giftcard

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, we can’t wait to see how you have been welcoming Fall to your homes! Link on up friends! 🙂


28 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways, Good Ideas Tagged With: Giveaway

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nici ~ Posed Perfection says

    September 30, 2013 at 5:36 AM

    Thanks for hosting this fun fall party! Hope you have a wonderful week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:36 PM

      Thanks for coming by Nici!

      Reply
  2. Barbara from 21 Rosemary Lane says

    September 30, 2013 at 6:02 AM

    Thank you so much for the party! Wishing you both a beautiful fall season!
    XO Barbara

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:35 PM

      And you too Barbara! Thanks for coming by!

      Reply
  3. Doreen@HymnsandVerses says

    September 30, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    I really enjoyed the Autumn Abounds series! Thanks for letting us join in!

    Blessings,
    Doreen

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:35 PM

      Thank you so much Doreen! I saw some of your beautiful entries in the linky party! 🙂
      Vanessa

      Reply
  4. Happier Than A Pig in Mud says

    September 30, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    Thanks for hosting this fun party! I look forward to lots of fall inspiration:@)

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:35 PM

      There is TONS of inspiration here isn’t there?! Thanks for coming by to visit! 🙂
      Vanessa

      Reply
  5. FABBY says

    September 30, 2013 at 8:16 AM

    Oh my goodness, so much to see and thank you for the contest chance. Thanks for the great party sweet lady. Have a great week.
    FABBY

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:34 PM

      Thanks so much for coming over Fabby! 🙂
      Vanessa

      Reply
  6. Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs says

    September 30, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    Oh..let me go get my coffee…settling in to browse ladies! Fabulous!

    Reply
  7. Julia@SouthernColor says

    September 30, 2013 at 11:36 AM

    Thanks for hosting ladies!! I love this time of year!! Can’t wait to make a trip to the mountains to go apple picking 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:34 PM

      Thanks for coming by Julia!

      Reply
  8. Mia says

    September 30, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    My favorite thing about autumn is the crisp, cool air outside when you go for a walk outside. (And the boots, and the scarves, and the apple cider…)

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:33 PM

      Mine too Mia! In fact we just got back from a quick walk and it was so wonderfully crisp! 🙂
      Vanessa

      Reply
  9. Sandy says

    September 30, 2013 at 6:26 PM

    Looks like a great linky party but sorry, I’m so sick of rafflecopters on blogs. Too many hoops to jump through. Nice blog though, I’ve commented a lot over the years but never ever have heard a thing from either of you gals……..guess that’s what happens when you hit the big-time blogging world and get too, too busy. 🙂 Just a honest comment with some honest feedback.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 30, 2013 at 7:30 PM

      Hi Sandy! First of all please allow me to apologize. I’m sorry that there have been times you’ve left comments and we have not replied. We readily admit to not being the best at responding to each and every comment. This doesn’t mean that we don’t read and appreciate them though and when we are asked specific questions we do our very best to respond in a timely manner. Yes, our lives are busy, but not because we’ve hit the “big-time” but because we are wives, mothers and business owners who are just trying to do the best we can every day just like everyone else. 🙂 And I completely understand about not liking rafflecopter. Because our current giveaway involves many other bloggers this one is particularly involved but we also know that this gives everyone lots of chances to enter to win! Thank you for your honest feedback!
      Vanessa

      Reply
      • Sandy says

        October 1, 2013 at 7:14 AM

        Good morning Vanessa,

        Thanks so much for responding. I apologize for the curt comment “hit the big time” I know it must be very difficult to run a busy business, care for a home and take care of children because I was there at one time, although I didn’t run the business (which is even more involved) but I worked full-time at a prestigious medical school and ran a household. I regretted my comment right after I hit the enter button, but heck, it did get your attention and thanks for the feedback. I’m not one to leave negative comments, but I was frustrated after many attempts with the raffle copter. Should have taken a deep breath…..

        I really do love your blog and am VERY happy for both of your successes! You both work hard at it. I’m way…..
        ..behind when it comes to social media and hope to attend a blogging conference one day.

        Wishing you the best and continued success.

        Sandy

        Reply
        • Sandy says

          October 1, 2013 at 7:37 AM

          P.S. But you both are rock star bloggers…..and I mean that in a good way! Very profressional streamlined blog with lots of great inspiration. 🙂

          Reply
  10. Debbie says

    September 30, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    I love everything about Autumn, but especially the cooler weather. Living in the south can be so hot and humid sometimes. It also means Christmas is not far behind! Blessings, Debbie

    Reply
  11. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    October 1, 2013 at 4:34 AM

    Woo Hoo! LOVING all of the fall inspiration! Thanks for hosting! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  12. Candyce says

    October 1, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    Fall is my favorite! Thanks for all the great ideas and inspiration!!!

    Reply
  13. Theresa@Shoestring Elegance says

    October 2, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    Good Morning, Heather and Vanessa!! I just wanted to Thank you for hosting your lovely party, and tell you I LOVE your “Autumn Abounds’!! and your Giveaway! (I got my entry in,I think just in time) as you can see I’ve been running a little behind these days!! I hope you are both having a Blessed week!!
    Hugs,
    ~Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 2, 2013 at 10:02 AM

      Awwww…thanks so much Theresa! What a lovely comment! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Sandy says

    October 2, 2013 at 8:18 PM

    Fall is perfect with its colorful leaves swirling in a breeze.

    Reply
  15. Odelia C says

    October 4, 2013 at 4:52 PM

    I love the cooler temps and the holidays.

    Reply
  16. Charlene Glover says

    October 4, 2013 at 6:33 PM

    I love all the different colors and the smell of baking so many goodies.

    Reply
  17. Rachel says

    October 5, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    I love everything about your blog seems as though I get started looking at one page then another then another and omg the day has turned to night…
    The holidays make me feel like a child again with stars in my eyes and joy in my heart..
    Thank you.

    Reply

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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. 

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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.
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“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.

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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
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
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