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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 3, 2018

Bumped From Our Hotel by the Prince of Saudi Arabia

Once upon a time there was a mother and her tween daughter who set off on a fun adventure together during spring break to explore a beautiful city and enjoy some wonderful bonding time. The mother had carefully planned this trip, even calling the hotel the morning they were due to arrive and confirming their reservation. She was so excited to stay in this historic downtown hotel and knew it would be a lovely surprise for her daughter.

Fifteen minutes away from their destination, as they navigated the busy, unfamiliar freeway system with mom carefully listening to the directions being called out on her phone, suddenly that phone rang and the number for the hotel appeared.

“Hi! This is the Fairmont hotel in Seattle and we are calling to let you know that we have an unexpected event happening here that is causing us to have to move your reservation to another hotel. The secret service has informed us that they need any remaining rooms we have available. I can’t tell you why but I can tell you that we’ve booked you a lovely room at another downtown hotel.”

At first, the mother thought this must be some kind of a joke. The secret service? Really? She tried to get more information from the hotel representative but was basically given the “if we tell you we’ll have to kill you” treatment.

So, bizarre as it all seemed, mother and daughter had no choice but to embrace the change in plans and be redirected to another, less historic but equally lovely, hotel.

The daughter seemed a little bit concerned. How was this all going to work out? Would her mother know how to get to the new hotel? Would they really have a room there? Did her mother know how to navigate around this huge city?

And, as her mother easily found the hotel, parked the car, seamlessly handled the transition of being unexpectedly moved from one hotel to another and even got them a room upgrade(!), the daughter began visibly relaxing.

Upon entering their hotel room, marveling at the amazing view of the city and the water and then stretching out on the comfy beds, the daughter said that she had been a little bit worried about how it was all going to work out. The mother was quick to remind the daughter that this is just part of the adventure of traveling! And that, her mother traveled all over the United States on her own and managed just fine.

But, in that moment it dawned on the mother that she and her daughter had never really experienced a trip like this just the two of them. Most of the time, they went as a whole family and on those trips, the father took the lead (driving, navigating, negotiating) while the mother did a lot more of the ‘behind the scenes’ (making reservations, packing, stopping the mail).

The mother realized something. This was more than simply a fun mother/daughter vacation.

This was an opportunity.

Here was a chance to not just have a really great time adventuring with her daughter, but to show her how to adventure with CONFIDENCE.

How to navigate her way through an unfamiliar city.

How to ask questions of the locals.

How to open your heart and mind to new experiences.

And how to find the best views.

The mother wanted to show the daughter that traveling, like life, sometimes means making adjustments. It means that even though you should plan and prepare, you should also expect the unexpected.

Because, you just never know when the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is going to bump you from your hotel. 😉

Thanks for meeting this mother and daughter at the fence today,

13 Comments Filed Under: Family, Good Thoughts

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Comments

  1. laura says

    April 3, 2018 at 3:12 PM

    What a lovely life lesson and it’s not everyday you get bumped because of a prince. I heard he was doing a bit of pr blitz in the united states. love this, laura

    Reply
  2. Sharon O says

    April 3, 2018 at 3:16 PM

    Oh that area is pretty we went last year and the glass museum was amazing. Glad you enjoyed it.

    Reply
  3. Judy says

    April 3, 2018 at 3:18 PM

    When my two sons were teenagers, I took two trips to Colorado (from the Midwest) just mother and son, one son at a time. It was a wonderful adventure. Some stops we had preplanned, others were spontaneous. We got sort of “lost” a few times, but always found our way by studying the map and asking locals.

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Laird says

    April 3, 2018 at 3:28 PM

    Traveling with your daughter is such a great thing. The change presented an issue that you smoothly dealt with. Kudos to you and your daughter! I hope it was a great trip!

    Reply
  5. Sarah Braden says

    April 3, 2018 at 4:09 PM

    Loved reading about your adventure! It is so good for our girls to see us take the lead sometimes, equipping them in the process of making lasting memories.

    Reply
  6. Leslie Watkins says

    April 3, 2018 at 4:10 PM

    How perfect! The unexpected always happens with us and navigating through those bumps are great life lessons! And who else has a story like this! Memories made! Check.

    Reply
  7. Dorothy says

    April 3, 2018 at 4:30 PM

    I love this post, you can do much more than most kids realize, some things quite well.

    Reply
  8. Marty Oravetz says

    April 3, 2018 at 6:17 PM

    Oh my what an adventure. Sounds like a fun time after all.

    Reply
  9. ROSE says

    April 3, 2018 at 7:20 PM

    I am looking forward to visiting Seattle one day. I want so much to see the glass museum! Lots to see and do, especially with a discount pass.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      April 4, 2018 at 1:30 PM

      Hi Rose! The glass museum was definitely my favorite! It was just absolutely amazing and so beautiful. There is truly so much to do and most of it is all within walking distance. We purchased the city pass which gave us great discounts. I hope you get to go soon!

      Reply
  10. anita roth says

    April 4, 2018 at 8:42 AM

    What a wonderful memory making trip for you and your daughter !

    Reply
  11. Julie says

    April 4, 2018 at 11:47 AM

    The Lord give you such neat stories! Thanks for sharing, Vanessa (and Lauren!)

    Reply
  12. Jayne says

    April 5, 2018 at 7:16 AM

    I’M SO HAPPY THAT YOU BOTH A GOOD TIME !

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
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! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*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! 

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!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

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

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

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

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

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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