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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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Crafts

Simple and Sweet Hot Cocoa Bar
Moss Ball Topiary
Spring Tulip Inspiration
DIY Love Mug from At The Picket FenceHow to Make a Custom Mug
DIY Chalkboard Leaf Napkin Rings
10 Unique Coffee Ideas
Weekend Wonderings
Simple and Sweet for Mother’s Day
Lilac Ideas and Inspiration
Repurposed Wreath Ideas
Our Best Spring Ideas and Inspiration
Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day
Five Cute Christmas Ideas
DIY Wood Slice Thanksgiving Serving Trays
Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree
Our Best Fall Ideas…So Far!
Decoupage Pumpkins and Cottages and Bungalows!
Wood Chargers Turned Wall Art
How to Make Framed Fabric Wall Art with Target Kitchen TowelsTurn Kitchen Towels Into Framed Wall Art
Weekend Wonderings
how to make a wood ruler basketHow to Make a Patriotic Wood Ruler Basket
Weekend Wonderings
French country home entry decorBi-fold Shutter Doors Turned Entry Decor
Weekend Wonderings
Aged Galvanized Metal Tray
Simple Easter Egg Tabletop Craft
How to Make a Memory Bench
Chalkboard Valentine’s Day Crossword Puzzle
White and Gold Decoupage Pumpkins
Ballard Designs Monogrammed Wall Plaque Knock-Off
DIY Coastal Rope Mirror
American Flag Candle Log
Patriotic Ideas and Projects
Ballard Designs Pillow Knock-Off
Nesting Trays Makeover
Capturing a Memory
Repurposed Candelabra Flower Planter
Homemade Valentines Day Gifts
How to Paint a Pillow
Our Song ~ A Personalized Record
Sequined Heart Valentines Day Accessories
Photo Box Tree Topper & Giveaway!
Scripture Wrapped Advent Candles
DIY Gratitude Tree
A Lewis and Clark Birthday
Free Thanksgiving Printable …
Sharpie Stenciled Thanksgiving Lazy Susan
Setting a blue and white Thanksgiving Table
How to Make a Branches and Burlap Frame
Mini Rock Pumpkin Family
Chalkboard Clock Pumpkin
Five Fun and Fabulous Pumpkin Ideas
Pottery Barn Inspired Fall Decor
How to Make a Faux Olive Jar
“Hello Fall” Free Fall Printable …
100 Fabulous Fall Projects
Modern miniature pumpkin topiary …
A Recycled Bird Feeder …from a fondue pot!
A Coast By Any Other Name
Leg Warmers & Last Minute 4th of July Ideas!
DIY Patriotic Beverage Stand
Bandana Rosette 4th of July Shirt
Recycled Bottles Patriotic Centerpiece
If Heaven Had a Fragrance
Homemade Organic Coffee Scrub
Five Minute Party Decorations
Gift Bag Turned Wall Art
Take Five: Five Five Minute Spring Crafts!
Chronicles of Narnia Birthday Party
Moss Covered Easter Eggs..and she sent me what?
Flower Easter Egg Tree & a Spring Party
Am I Going to Get in Trouble for This?
How to Paint Glass Bud Vases for Spring
A Mom Fail and a Button Shamrock Shirt
Thrift Store Game Board Photo Display
Wrapping Paper Letters and Burlap Art
Tiered Clay Pot Centerpiece
Recycled Paper Bag Hearts
A Proposal Story & The Recipe for Love
Date Night and a Chalkboard Word Search Puzzle
DIY Painted Cork Board
5 Minute Valentine Craft and Free Printable
Burlap Bulletin Board Gallery Wall
Take Five: DIY Poppers for Valentines Day
Five Minute Valentine’s Day Craft: Notes Jar
Winter Pine Cone Terrarium
Easy DIY Gift Wrapping Ideas
Five Minute Crafts: West Elm Inspired Tinsel Ornaments
A Christmas Tree Made from Cabinet Knobs?
Monogram Themed Christmas Tree with Balsam Hill
Five Minute Crafts: Gold Dot Christmas Ornament
Last Minute Thanksgiving Decor Idea
Mason Jar Advent Calendar & Advent-ures
Homemade Vanilla Extract & Creative Gift Packaging
Fabric Scrap Christmas Trees
Five Minute Crafts: DIY Faux Snowballs
A Thankful Thanksgiving Mantel
Of Sisters and Pumpkin Pie Recipe Wall Art
Five Minute Crafts: Faux Stenciled Holiday Platters
Five Minute Crafts: Glitter Candles
Presenting at The Country Living Fair and The Chapel Market Recap!
How to Make a Decorative Picket Fence
Five Minute Crafts: Gold Gilded Leaf Plate
It’s a Pumpkin Linky Party!
5 Pumpkins 5 Ways ~ Burlap Pumpkin Basket
Five Minute Crafts: Decorating Pumpkins with Stickers
Feathered Owl Pumpkin ~ It’s a Hoot!
5 Pumpkins 5 Ways ~ white & gold decoupage pumpkins
5 Pumpkins 5 Ways ~ DIY Pumpkin Clock
Five Minute Crafts: Magnetic Letter Tray Art
Nature Inspired Fall Decorating & A Break-Up
How to Make a Popcorn Kernel Wreath
House Numbers Pumpkin Topiary
A Golden Makeover
Etched Glass Snowflake Lamp! Let it Snow!
Hosting a Detective Birthday Party Picnic
How to make a kids teepee from a shower curtain!
DIY Mason Jar Dining Caddy and Home Depot Giveaway
How to Make Framed Fabric Wall Art with Target Kitchen TowelsHow to Make Framed Fabric Wall Art with Target Kitchen Towels!
How to make a beach terrarium
Dollar Store Crafts Jute Wrapped Utensils
Easy Summer Burlap Wreath
Ice Cream Birthday Party and Being 6…
Creativity, Imagination and kiwi crates
Last Minute 4th of July Decor & Recipes!
Recycled Patriotic Party Ideas for the 4th of July
My Good Housekeeping Feature!
Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover Wall Art
Chalkboard Outdoor Coffee Table
For Love of a Slipcover and Toddler Bed Guardrails
A Father’s Love
How to make a Mod Podge Leaf Necklace
Super Science Party
In the Beginning…a No-Sew Stenciled Pillow
Petite Spring Wreath from JoJo and EloisePetite Spring Wreath
Glittered Egg Place Cards
Lace Dyed Easter Eggs
Muffin Tin Nests
Spring Centerpiece and Mantel Decor from At The Picket FenceSpring Centerpiece and Mantel Decor
DIY Anthropologie Inspired Spice Jars from www.atthepicketfence.comMake your own Anthropologie Inspired Spice Jars
American Girl Doll Sized Dollhouse
Painting Themed Birthday Party
A Love Story
DIY Flower Necklace
Hearts Made of Clay for Valentine’s Day
DIY Love Mug from At The Picket FenceDIY Love Mug…for Valentine’s Day!
What Is Love? Valentine’s Day Tree
Faux Wood Valentine's Day Candles from At The Picket FenceFaux Wood Valentine’s Day Candles
Mini Boden Inspired Heart Applique T-Shirt
The Accessories Make the Outfit, Right?
Winter Terrarium
Pinecone Christmas Trees from At The Picket FencePine cone Christmas Trees..simplicity at its best!
Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint NOEL Sign from At The Picket FenceMiss Mustard Seed Milk Paint…NOEL Sign
Metallic Sea Shell Christmas Trees from At The Picket FenceMetallic Sea Shell Christmas Trees
Ribbon Banner Ornaments and Being Blog Worthy
Book Page Birds & FOLK Magazine Blog
a tale of two Christmas treesA Tale of Two Trees..Christmas Tree Blog Hop
Simple DIY Advent Calendar
Glitzy Thanksgiving Place Setting Menus from At The Picket Fence and KrylonGlitzy Thanksgiving Place Setting Menus…a fun last minute craft!
How To Make an Antique Enamel Sign from Knick of Time Interiors
Ballard Holiday Table Runner Knock-Off
Corn Husk Wreath and Flower Napkin Ring
Thanksgiving Tablescape, Corn Husk Flowers and a Linky Party!
Sparkles make everything better! Spiderweb Blinged Out Pumpkin!
How To Make a Creepy Crawly Halloween Canvas
Stenciled Fall Jar…autumn words of change
Back to School Party Ideas
Ballard Designs Coral Topiary Knock-Off
A Picket Fence 4th of July!
Patriotic Pool Noodle Firecrackers!
How to make a faux wine box from www.atthepicketfence.comHow to make a Faux Wine Box Planter
BlueMing Deals Amazon Card Giveaway!
How to age new garden pots
Bunny Blog Hop~Resurrection Garden
Damask and Book Page Easter Egg Topiaries
At The Picket Fence Valentine’s Day Recap…
Make Your Own Tiered Tray Tutorial
Christmas Garland turned Valentine’s Wreath
Valentine’s Day Garland and Vignette
Dollar Tree Valentine’s Day Ring of Roses Wreath
Feathered Boa Heart Wreath
Fun and Easy Tinsel Wreath and a few more decorations
Three Dollar Tree Wreaths
Chalkboard Frame Tree Topper
Anthropologie Snow Globe Knockoff
DIY Halloween Candy Jars
A Tale of 3 Pumpkins … Pumpkin Two: Faux Nailheads
How to make a book page pumpkin
No-Sew Owl Pillow
Corn Husks…they’re not just for Tamales!
Making Outdoor Dining Easier…

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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