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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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April 11, 2011

Blog of the Week…From Across the Pond!


This is the lovely Miss Sarah.

Doesn’t she look like she belongs in a Jane Austen Novel?



And this is her blog.

Modern Country Style

We have decided that everyone must have a friend who uses words like “nappies” (diapers) and “nattering” (chatting with friends) and is called “Mum“.

Upon arrival at her blog, she greets you with words that make you feel like you are standing at her front door and being warmly welcomed right in for a spot of tea.
Would that be called a “cuppa“, Sarah?
She uses phrases like,
“Hello again, rabbits!”
and
“Hey there sugarplum!”
and
“Hello poppitt!”

I (Vanessa) had a dream come true several years ago when my husband and I visited England and Scotland. My hands-down most favorite place we stopped was in the Cotswolds. Imagine cobblestone streets, cottages with thatched roofs, wisteria winding it’s way over brick walls and picturesque pastures with stone hedges.
When we got off the train, I almost cried!
Ok. I did cry.

And you know what?

Sarah lives there!!
Or, near there at least.
This is her garden.


The green-eyed monster would be rearing his ugly head if I didn’t like her so much!
You see, I’m a wannabe.
I watch Masterpiece Theatre classics.
I read Austen and Bronte.
And, I’m working my way through Volume 2 of the Sherlock Holmes novels.
I’m what you call an Anglophile.
Wikipedia defines this as “a person who is fond of English culture”.
Yep…that’s me all right!

But, I have come up with still another term to describe myself…

I’m a “Sarahphile“~A person who is fond of Sarah.

Because, you see, Sarah is the real deal.
She values tradition and beauty and all of those things that we imagine about an English way of life. Yet, she does it with her own twist.
She is also a bit…..ahem….”cheeky“.
And she never hesitates to mix the old with the new. Hence the name of her blog,
Modern Country Style.
Here is a taste…just a taste, of what she shares there.

Valentine\

I told you it was just a taste. You will have to head over there yourself to see more!

And while you are there, here is what you will also find.

Someone who is gracious and kind.
Someone who makes you feel as though you and she were the only 2 bloggers in the world…just “nattering” away together.
Someone who has been a VERY lovely friend to the girls At the Picket Fence.
Someone whom you know, even without having ever really met, is truly genuine!
And yes, someone who is definitely Cheeky!

That is why Sarah from Modern Country Style is our Blogger of the Week.

And that is why we are honored to also call her our Friend!

So please pay her a visit and thanks for stopping by the Fence today,

10 Comments Filed Under: Featured Blogger

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Comments

  1. The Hopeless Romantic says

    April 11, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    I was hangin out at the picket fence this morning and came across this post. As a new blogger, im still seeking out great blogs that i can connect with and enjoy reading and living vicariously thru, lol………Headed her way now, she may end up in the sidebar. Thanks for posting Vanessa and have a wonderful bloggie day…………Bonnie

    Reply
  2. Hyphen Interiors says

    April 11, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    What a great post about her blog! I’ve been a follower for a little while now… it’s good stuff.

    Reply
  3. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    April 11, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Oh Vanessa and Heather,

    You’ve absolutely made me day. Made my WEEK!! What a sweet, kind and lovely post. Thank you so much.

    Errrr, wait a second. Cheeky? CHEEKY? Me???!! Oh, alright, maybe a tinsy, tiny bit!! But only with people that I really, reeeeeeeally like…like YOU!!

    Sarahxxxxx

    Reply
  4. NanaDiana says

    April 11, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I am on my way out the door but when I get back I am going to go visit that cheeky chick! She sounds like my kinda gal!!! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  5. michelle says

    April 11, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Ahh yes, sweet Sarah is all that you described! She is so sweet and such a daffydowndilly as well! 🙂 I love her style and you can feel her warmth as a friend across the pond. Thank you for featuring this beautiful lady and her inspirational blog!!!

    I hope you are doing well!! Hugs to you!!!!

    Reply
  6. Patricia Torres says

    April 11, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Oh.. so so gorgeous!! Im off to check her blog!! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cheri says

    April 11, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Vanessa, thanks for your comment on my DIY Lightbox. You will LOVE it if you make one. Very addicting…..

    Reply
  8. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    April 11, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Thanks for introducing us to such a lovely blog!

    Reply
  9. Ann-Marie ~ Brambly says

    April 12, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    I love Sarah’s blog and she is hilarious! When you pointed out that she looks like she should be in Jane Austen novel something finally clicked in my brain.Each time I see Sarah’s photo she reminds me of somebody-I just realized it’s the actress who played Jane Bennet in the last Pride and Prejudice film.

    Ann-Marie

    Reply
  10. Deborah says

    April 14, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    Sarah is absolutely lovely
    and loads of fun!!!
    I’m so glad our paths brought us together 🙂
    Love this cute blog and Im following (purehunnybee).
    I followed you, Vanessa on your other blog and Im so glad to follow you over here and meet your sweet sister Heather too!
    And btw I LOVE picket fences..love the name of your blog too!!

    With all my heart…Deborah

    Reply

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Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
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*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

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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!! 🦃
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✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

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How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

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In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? Here’s a look back at years past if you’re needing a little bit of inspiration!
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Whatever it is, I’m savoring every last bit of it as we enjoy the most beautiful final days of Autumn here in the Willamette Valley. The rain is forecasted to return later this week and I’m planning to move onto twinkling lights and evergreen boughs but, for now, here’s a little last look at Autumn in my home. 🍂

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After the heartache of leaving the church we had attended for over 20 years, it was such a joy to have this incredible shepherd and his wife and daughter in our home. We’ve witnessed them tirelessly, sacrifically giving so much to their congregation and the community at large and we loved that we were able to give them the opportunity to receive. They are some of the warmest, kindest people you’ll ever meet.  The meal was simple (roasted chicken and vegetables recipe from @jocooks), the dessert was made the night before and it really required so little from us in terms of effort.

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