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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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December 30, 2013

Almost the Best of 2013

We were going to go BIG for this post!

It was going to be the ‘cocktail dress and stiletto heels wearin’, fireworks exploding, dancing all the way until midnight on New Year’s Eve‘ kind of look back at 2013 post.

Ryan Seacrest was even going to host as we counted down our top projects! šŸ˜‰

But then, we realized that maybe it would just be OK to do a ‘sweats and ponytail wearin’, snuggled in on the couch watching movies and going to bed at 10pm on New Year’s Eve‘ look back on 2013 instead.

Best of 2013 from At the Picket Fence.com

Because, sometimes when you look back over a year of your life you don’t always just see the grand, flashy moments, right?

Oh sure, we did some bigger projects…

How to Build a Window Seat with Storage

window seat slide

Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover

bathroom_makeover_on_a_budget atthepicketfence.com

Ā Blue and White Dining Room

blue and white fall dining room

Ā Bookcase Turned American Girl Dollhouse

Bookcase turned American Girl Dollhouse At the Picket Fence

And some smaller projects…

Framed Fabric Wall Art

How to Make Framed Fabric Wall Art with Target Kitchen Towels

No-Sew Drop Cloth Round Table Skirt

no sew fringed drop cloth table skirt At the Picket Fence

We had parties…

Ā Detective Themed Birthday Party

invitation

Ā Ice Cream Themed Party

sweet shop candy bar birthday party atthepicketfence.com

And recipes…

Birds Nest Cupcakes in Mason Jars

Bird's Nest Cupcakes in Mason Jars from At The Picket Fence

Homemade Vanilla Extract

vanilla extract holiday gifts

Roasted Beet Salsa and Pastry Wrapped Brie Appetizers

Two Holiday Appetizers with Roasted Beets

Mason Jar Breakfast To-Go

Breakfast-in-a-mason-jar At the Picket Fence

There was even some sewing…

How to Make a Layered Skirt

layered rainbow twirl spring skirt

We Ā got personal…

A Different Kind of Makeover

Heather weight loss

Confessions of a Good Christian Girl

confessions of a good christian girl label

And we even took this little ol’ blog on the road at places like the Haven Conference…

Heather and Vanessa

And the Country Living Fair…

Heather at Country Living

But you know what? Those moments, well, those were more like the ”cocktail dress and stiletto heels wearin’, fireworks exploding, dancing all the way until midnight on New Year’s Eve‘ moments. They were fun and amazing and carefully planned out and executed.

And they were almost the best parts of 2013 for At the Picket Fence.

Because the BEST parts of 2013 for At the Picket Fence were the parts that maybe didn’t make it into blog posts or onto our Facebook page.

They were the connections we made with you.

The countlessĀ deeply personal and heart-felt emails.

The encouragement and support.

The comments you left telling us how much you relate to a story we’ve shared and sometimes even sharing your own stories with us.

The rallying around us when we were feeling low.

The laughing along with our frequent mis-adventures.

And coming back here time and time again to join us on our journey.

YOU were the best part of 2013!

You bless us each and every day and we are incredibly grateful that we have the privilege of sharing our hearts and our homes with you.

We pray that 2014 will be a blessed year for you and that you always know that you have friends you can count on right here At the Picket Fence!

happy new year

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22 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    December 30, 2013 at 3:39 AM

    Perfect post. I wish you and your families a very Blessed and Happy New Year!!! Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  2. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    December 30, 2013 at 4:19 AM

    What a great year you had and what a beautiful post! Here’s to a Happy 2014!
    Leslie

    Reply
  3. Amanda says

    December 30, 2013 at 5:44 AM

    So much love for you two and your daily inspiration and amazing creativity! Happy 2014 y’all!!

    Reply
  4. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    December 30, 2013 at 6:54 AM

    Perfectly said! Happy New Year! : )

    Reply
  5. Sue Tait says

    December 30, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    What a great post, Ladies! I love your blog, all your projects are so cute/beautiful/smart/artistic/FUN. Thanks for all the wonderful things you do, and then tell us how to do, too. Keep writing, you are a welcome part of my day and I just want to Thank You.
    (I will be the one in sweats on the couch watching movies and going to bed at 10:00 tomorrow night…)

    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  6. Leo@cottageatthecrossroads says

    December 30, 2013 at 8:24 AM

    Back at ya girls. Jane and I are still big fans.

    Reply
  7. Michelle Paige says

    December 30, 2013 at 8:39 AM

    Always love your posts. What a great year you had! Thanks for all the ideas and inspiration!

    Reply
  8. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    December 30, 2013 at 8:46 AM

    GREAT post!!! It’s been a fun year and I am looking forward to another one in 2014…HAPPY NEW YEAR Y’all!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  9. Martha Franks says

    December 30, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    Have enjoyed you girls so much since I found you this year. Look forward to you every day! And then I won the wreath! You were so sweet and patient in dealing with Balsam Hill. It was worth waiting for and we will enjoy it every year! God bless both of you. I look forward to getting to know you even better in 2014!

    Reply
  10. Thistle says

    December 30, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    love. you.

    love. your. hearts.

    Happy new year rockstars. šŸ™‚
    karianne

    Reply
  11. Courtney says

    December 30, 2013 at 12:58 PM

    Happy New Year ladies!!!
    xo
    Courtney

    Reply
  12. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 30, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    I so love following you ladies…you certainly have had a most wonderful year of projects, travel and personal achievements!…Have a most happy and healthy New Year Vanessa and Heather!!!

    Reply
  13. Kim (TheKimSixFix) says

    December 30, 2013 at 10:14 PM

    What a wonderful year you ladies had! I can’t wait to see what 2014 has in store.

    Reply
  14. Julia G. says

    December 31, 2013 at 9:58 AM

    I didn’t find your post until late in the year and what a find! Thank you for your year in review because I am looking for a “no-sew round table skirt”! I can’t wait to find the perfect trim (on sale) and get started cutting out my big ole circle!

    You ladies are funny and inspiring! May God continue to bless you in the New Year!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 31, 2013 at 1:07 PM

      Thank you so much Julia! So glad you found us! šŸ™‚ Blessings to you and yours in the New Year too!

      Reply
  15. june says

    December 31, 2013 at 11:22 PM

    Right back at you! Happy New Year! Looking forward to more great posts in 2014.

    Reply
  16. Laurel Stephens says

    January 1, 2014 at 10:50 PM

    What a wonderful post recapping a great year. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  17. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    January 3, 2014 at 11:11 AM

    Happy New Years ladies! Loving the recap and all your amazing projects and recipes and stories!

    šŸ™‚ Linda

    Reply
  18. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    January 4, 2014 at 2:29 PM

    Happy New Year to you both!! I have loved reading your blog from the beginning, and it just gets better and better. You girlies are an inspiration! wishing you a blessed and successful 2014, and I truly hope I get to meet you two sweeties this year šŸ™‚
    xoxoxo, Andrea

    Reply
  19. Sharon says

    January 8, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    I loved this post!

    Reply
  20. laura Madalene says

    January 10, 2014 at 5:26 AM

    WOW! You’ve decorated your house in an amazing way – everything looks so beautiful. I like the black chandelier with some crystals but your dog is definitely one of the cutest ‘decorations’ in this room;)
    Have a wonderful 2014! Home design

    Reply
  21. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    January 11, 2014 at 7:05 PM

    You ladies are awesome! So many great projects and so sweet! Happy New Year! Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

    Reply

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Front door wreath….āœ”ļø The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….āœ”ļø

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

ā€œWho can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.ā€ (Corrie Ten Boom)
ā€œI would maintain that thanks are the highest form ā€œI would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.ā€ ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! šŸ‚
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. šŸ˜‰šŸŽ„

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! šŸ¦ƒšŸŽ„
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures ā€œ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

ā€œMy children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.ā€

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to ā€œcommentā€ to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, ā€œEnter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.ā€

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to ā€œcomment for the linkā€, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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