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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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Vintage Inspired Hot Cocoa Bar November 21, 2022
Autumn Home Decor Tour October 7, 2022
Built In Shelving Makeover in Family Room August 31, 2022
Why We’ve Chosen Vacations Over Projects April 26, 2022
A New Look for the Family Room March 1, 2022

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Last night I attended an absolutely beautiful Chri

Last night I attended an absolutely beautiful Christmas event hosted by the women's ministry team at our new church. Every single detail was so thoughtfully executed and I know that the guests were as blessed as I was by the opportunity to just soak up the joy of the season. But, it wasn't just a relaxing evening for me. You see, I was the speaker. And, if I'm honest, it's been awhile since I've given a message to 250 women. I felt a bit rusty but as I prepared and prayed I believed in my heart that God would give me the words to encourage and maybe even reach hearts for Him. Afterwards I had some wonderful conversations with a few women who shared their life experiences with me and then I headed home. After climbing in bed, it happened. The same thing that, without fail, happens to me every time I've had a public speaking engagement. The doubt began to creep in. "Did my words matter?" "Did I make any sense?" "Did the ladies sitting there think I was so boring that I sounded like the teacher in Charlie Brown?" I shared my swirling emotions with my husband and he gently reminded me that these thoughts were not from the Lord. The enemy of my soul wants me to doubt and question the calling God has placed on my life. The enemy of my soul wants me to feel like a hypocrite when I encourage women to step out in faith and trust in the Lord while being wracked with insecurity and fear myself.

So today, as I sit here editing photos of my home for a Christmas tour, I'm doing one of the things I know will silence that lying voice. I'm flooding my mind and my heart with thoughts of gratitude. I look at these rooms, think about the people who live here with me, the cherished friends who prayed for me last night and checked in this morning to see how it went and I feel truly overwhelmed by God's goodness.

Gratitude is an antidote to the fear, doubt, insecurity and lies from the pit of hell.

If you are struggling today, may I encourage you to take a few minutes to just press pause. Let your anxious soul be comforted by the tangible and intangible things in your life for which you are grateful. I promise, it works! ✨

I think it’s time for my annual gentle reminder

The hot cocoa station is up and already getting a

The hot cocoa station is up and already getting a lot of use! You never quite realize how much these simple traditions matter to your kids until you hear them expressing their excitement over it year after year no matter how old they get.

These days I feel like I’m craving the predictable and doing everything I can to create a cozy, secure haven for my family and a cup of hot cocoa with yummy toppings is definitely a good place to start!

✨You can see all of the details of the hot cocoa station in the latest post on my website by visiting the link in my bio! ✨

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. And, I just h

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. And, I just have to say it, 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 #christmasdecor

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form

"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! 🍂

Confession...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smo

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 hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next wee

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week! And, then, my favorite part of the season begins...advent. No, not the version we see in stores where you open up a little door or box to find candy or a toy for the 25 days leading up to Christmas. That's a countdown.

Advent literally means "the arrival of a notable person, thing or event." And, as a follower of Christ, this is an opportunity for me to prepare my heart for celebrating the greatest Gift ever given in all of history. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, it is so important to take the time to pause and reflect on the significance of His arrival and what it means for me personally.

This year, I'm so excited to be using these advent devotional cards created by my friend @betsypendergrass. And, Betsy is graciously offering a HUGE discount to our community! Use code PICKETFENCE when you place your order to get 30% off and join me in taking a few minutes each day to remember and honor the events leading up to Christ's birth and how it impacts our lives in more ways than we can imagine. ✨To order these beautiful advent cards, use the link saved in my highlights! ✨

I'm working in my home office this morning, finish

I'm working in my home office this morning, finishing up my monthly newsletter (you can subscribe via link in my bio!), editing photos and starting an article that is due soon. I glanced up momentarily and was just overwhelmed with gratitude for this view of the sunshine streaming through my windows and the immense comfort I find in my home. Especially when touches of Christmas are popping up in every room! Life has felt a bit heavy lately but within these walls we cultivate peace because it's here that we have more control over what happens. As we enter a season where thankfulness is literally on the calendar, I'm more aware than ever before of just how much I have for which to be grateful.

What are you thankful for today?

It’s tempting to feel overwhelmed as the Christm

It’s tempting to feel overwhelmed as the Christmas season approaches and our feeds are filled with ideas and inspiration. So many people even do a new theme in their home each year. But that’s simply not realistic for most of us.

I’ve found that one of THE easiest and inexpensive ways to freshen up your holiday decor is to try out a new ribbon color or style. It’s a simple, affordable way to get a new look for less! 🌲

#christmasdecor #christmaswreath #holidaydecorating #christmasdecorating #christmasforless

It’s almost that time!! My family knows that whe

It’s almost that time!! My family knows that when the hot cocoa station appears that we’ve officially kicked off the holiday season. Here’s a look back at how I’ve set it up in the past. Do you do a hot cocoa station at your house too? 🎄

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