• 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

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! 😉

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

 Blue and White Dining Room

blue and white fall dining room

 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…

 Detective Themed Birthday Party

invitation

 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  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 countless 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

dual-signature_thumb2

Sharing this here:

Unskinny Boppy 2013 Year in Review Linky Party

Southern Hospitality Best DIY Projects of 2013

22 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Merry Christmas Dear Friends!
Next Post: Gluten Free Cranberry Cake »

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. 🙂
    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! 🙂 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!

    🙂 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 🙂
    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

Leave a Reply to Amanda 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

Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”.
.
When I was a little girl we took a trip to Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO. One of the attractions there is the Marvel Cave. The whole theme park was actually built right around the cave! I will never forget the feeling of descending into the darkness. We had to walk down a steep, narrow path and I could feel the rocky walls beginning to close in on me. From time to time, our guide would even have to call out for us to duck our heads so as not to whack them on rocks that were jutting out. And just when it felt like we had been walking forever; just when it felt the most narrow and the most dark; just when we were starting to get really weary from navigating this path, we turned the corner and found ourselves awestruck as we gazed at this enormous room. Everywhere we looked there were stalactites and stalagmites. Lights had been installed and they reflected off of these formations creating the most beautiful colors on the walls. There were pools of water in a shade of aquamarine I had never seen before and waterfalls flowing from upper levels. That long, winding, damp trek had been so very worth it. The descent into darkness had revealed light…and life!

My prayer for you friends, is that you will look at that narrow path with the small gate as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that our souls are longing for. The wide and broad path of the world promises us a freedom that is fleeting and temporary. But at the end of the narrow path, there is hope and peace and life everlasting.

I’m choosing the narrow path. And in spite of the hardships, in spite of the challenges and the fears and the times that can feel as dark as the journey down into a cave, I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it.
Happy weekend!! My limelight’s are finally bloom Happy weekend!! My limelight’s are finally blooming and I try really hard to not play favorites among the flowers in my garden but these beauties have my heart and bring me so much joy.

What’s bringing you joy today dear friends?
I can’t properly express how much joy it gives m I can’t properly express how much joy it gives me to know that my family loves being home. After a weeklong vacation, we all feel so happy to be back in our haven. As a homemaker in the truest sense of the word (the maker of a home), knowing my husband and children consider this the place where they feel the most relaxed and at peace means all of my intentions and efforts in this area are worthwhile. It’s not perfect and WE are not perfect by a long stretch. But, it’s where we feel the most free to be imperfect. And that makes it pretty wonderful! 🌱
Looking for a super simple summer meal? I made the Looking for a super simple summer meal? I made these last night and they were a big hit! I’ve seen variations of these online but this is my version. So yummy and ready in no time! 
#summerdinner #summerrecipes #grillingseason #grilling #easydinner #easydinnerideas
It’s been the weirdest summer so far here in the It’s been the weirdest summer so far here in the Willamette Valley! Extreme rain and cooler temperatures followed by extreme heat then back to cloudy and rainy. But the silver lining is that when the sun finally does reappear we definitely don’t take it for granted. My mood is lifting along with the clouds and I’m here for it! ☀️
Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙 M Happy Independence Day!! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

May we never take for granted the freedom given to us not by earthly authorities but by the ONE true authority. And may we live in such a way as to honor those who fought for and protect freedom and liberty. 

“Independence Day, freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
“Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Blowing thro “Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. Blowing through the jasmine in my mind.” Nothing captures the aroma of summer for me quite like jasmine. With my windows open, the whole house is naturally scented and it’s one of my favorite parts of the season.
The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts o “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 At The Picket Fence