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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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May 4, 2012

Derby Day Recipes and Inspiration Friday No. 63

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
I’m so excited to be a part of the Derby Day Week Celebrations along with some amazing Kentucky Bloggers!

There are a few traditions associated with The Kentucky Derby that are a must.  Horses, Hats…and Mint Juleps!  First consumed in the late 1700’s, the granddaddy of cocktails, The Mint Julep, was traditionally served on Kentucky Derby Day.
Comprised of a few simple ingredients, mint is the defining component of this popular Southern drink.
Served with Kentucky Colonel Mint and a high quality bourbon (also a Kentucky native) this cocktail is sure to please the most discerning and sophisticated among us!
and of course if you want to really serve these drinks properly…you must serve them in a silver mint julep cup!
Classic Derby Day Mint Juleps
from At The Picket Fence

1/2 ounce simple syrup
3 mint sprigs

2 oz. high quality bourbon (we love Makers Mark!)


Muddle the sugar, one mint sprig, and the bourbon in a mint julep cup or rocks glass.
Add crushed ice and garnish with the remaining mint sprigs. (Serves 1)
The perfect accompaniment to a mint julep is a slice of Kentucky Derby Pie.  This is our families Kentucky Derby Pie recipe, and it couldn’t be a more simple but decadent pie to make.
Kentucky Derby Pie
from At The Picket Fence
1 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup pecans
1 cup high quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
1 unbaked pie shell (homemade or store bough roll out shell)

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Mix sugar and flour together well in mixing bowl.  Add eggs and melted butter, blend together well.  Add coarsely chopped pecans, chocolate chips and vanilla, mix well.  Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell.  Bake for 40-45 minutes and light golden brown on top.  Allow to cool for 20 minutes. (Serves 8)



If you are hosting a Derby Party this Saturday, you can’t go wrong with serving these two classic Derby Day recipes, your guests will think you are a Derby Day Diva!
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Check out all of this week’s amazing Derby Day Posts from my fellow Kentucky Bloggers!

We kicked off Derby Week over at The 2 Seasons, where we got a history lesson on the Kentucky Derby.

Up next, the fabulous Carmel of Our Fifth House showed us how to incorporate the most important aspect of the Derby into our home decor, the horse…of course!

Then we headed back over to The 2 Seasons for a lesson on hats and hat making!
The lovely Kari Anne of Thistlewood Farm is teaching us how to monogram our own glasses (us Southerners love a monogram!) and is sharing a great Lemonade Mint Iced Tea recipe.

Be sure to stop by and visit all of these amazing and talented gals…

and a big thank you to the fabulous mother daughter team of Janette and Jordan at The 2 Seasons for hosting this great Derby Day Party!

Now ya ready for some fabulous features from last week?!

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INSPIRED ROOMS

This kitchen makeover from Blissful Blooms will definitely put a smile on your face! With all of these charming details, you wouldn’t believe how this space started out. It is definitely an amazing transformation!


Our friend Richella from Imparting Grace shared her beautifully redone Guest Bedroom.
Our bags are packed and we are on our way Richella!  Two beds, two sisters…perfect, right?
We promise not to jump back and forth on them like we did on the one’s at our Grandma’s house years ago!



and since we’re hanging out in your bedrooms, we just had to share Erin’s, from How to Nest for Less, beautiful  master bedroom makeover.  She installed wood paneling in her beautiful master bedroom makeover and gives a full tutorial on how they created this look, you could be installing some yourself in no time!



MAKEOVER

Kristin of A Vintage Fairy did an incredible job on this PB Knock-Off! For literally a fraction of the price (the Pottery Barn piece was $999!) she gave this a wonderfully vintage look and we love the two tone paint treatment on the doors.


Angie from Postcards from the Ridge upcycled this their dining room buffet into this gorgeous bathroom vanity.  She shares the step by step instructions of this beautiful makeover!


This harlequin table makeover from Rukmini at Trumatter is fabulous! She shares how she painted it as well as how she was inspired be her Granny.


CRAFTS and CREATIONS


Jo-Ann from Growing in Grace showed us how to make this darling House Number Flower Hanger!
We love any kind of two-for-one project!


Kendra from the The Good Life, Adventuring Through Goodwill, created this adorable ruffled dress…out of a bed sheet! Isn’t it adorable? We applaud your creativity and ingenuity!



Aimee at It’s Overflowing showed us how to knock-off this beachy Pottery Barn vignette, for just a few dollars! Makes us so ready for summer!


RECIPES

Rebekah from Woven Home shared this guilt free Strawberry Trifle with us last week…guilt free?! We’re all over that!


Pulled Pork Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Apples? Yes please! This recipe came to us courtesy of Ashbee Design and all we can say is that we might have drooled a little bit when we saw it.


and Lori from The Stonybrook House shares her “world’s best” Homemade Granola Recipe with us, who wouldn’t want to start the morning out with a big bowl of such loveliness!




Inspiration

Meredith of I Am a Mother Seeking, allowed us a glimpse into how she honored her daddy on the anniversary of his death by celebrating his life. Thank you Meredith for sharing this with us!


If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located on our Buttons Page found under our header!

Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook? Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well!
Are you following us on
 
Pinterest
 
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog…unless it’s one of our own creations, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉
 
Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week! We appreciate you!
 
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
 
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:
Fridays Unfolded
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Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday

  • Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post  and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY to be featured At The Picket Fence) Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize. It makes us feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us

And while it’s not a requirement, we’d sure love ya to be following along with us in some capacity! Below are some great options!


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Facebook Page
Pinterest



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72 Comments Filed Under: Desserts, Inspiration Friday, Recipes Tagged With: pie

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Previous Post: « Better Homes and Gardens comes to Kentucky…behind the scenes of a photo shoot
Next Post: Shopping for Mother’s Day with the Picket Fence Girls! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ange says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    I want a mint julep, those look delicious! Great features this week, as always! Thanks for hosting such a fab party girls, you sure are the hostess with the mostess.

    Reply
  2. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    That bathroom vanity is stunning. Enjoy your derby! It sounds like a lot of fun!!

    Reply
  3. Brooke @ Spruce Your Nest says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:19 PM

    Great features! Thank so much for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  4. Cindy says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    Great Features! And thanks, now I want a Mint Julep!

    Reply
  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:28 PM

    Super features, girls and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  6. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    I love what’s holding the Mint Juleps. Thanks for hosting. Great features, as always.

    Reply
  7. reFresh reStyle says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  8. Judy says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    I’ve never had a mint julep. Sounds great. Thanks as always for hosting. Great features!!

    Reply
  9. Sue says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    I could use a refreshing mint julep after a long afternoon in the hot, humid OH weather. Planting flowers in the heat isn’t fun. LOL What wonderful features, girls! 🙂

    Reply
  10. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:54 PM

    Great features girls! Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  11. Cristina Garay says

    May 3, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    I would love to try a Mint Julep in one of the silver cups!
    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  12. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    May 3, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    Thanks LOTS for the SUPER FUN feature and thanks so much for hosting! Kentucky was one of our FAVORITE states to visit as we drove from TX to PA and then back another route!!! I’ll have to see if we can play next time I visit my baby sister!!! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  13. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    May 3, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    Those mint juleps look awesome! Will have to make some Saturday. Thanks, as always, for hosting such a wonderful party.

    Reply
  14. Richella says

    May 3, 2012 at 9:31 PM

    Ohhh. . . thank you so much for featuring my guest room! The beds are made and just waiting for you two! Come right on!

    Your Mint Juleps and Derby Pie look decadent and oh so good. I like Maker’s Mark, too, as well as Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, and Blanton’s. I’m a fan of your native Kentucky drink! I once dated a boy who hailed from Bourbon County–but alas, he was from a family of teetotalers, so I don’t know if he ever actually drank any bourbon. Of course, he’s nearly 50 years old now and has lived in Lexington his entire adult life; surely he drinks juleps on Derby Day! 🙂

    Thanks so much for this wonderful party. I’m excited to be linking up my front porch makeover–and I’m so glad to FINALLY be getting some projects done around here!!

    Reply
  15. Eclectically Vintage says

    May 3, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    HI Gals,
    Loving Blissful Blooms kitchen – the mismatched stools are great!

    I wish I could put on a big hat, sip a mint julep and meet you at the Derby! But the Derby pie is the next best thing!
    Kelly

    Reply
  16. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    May 3, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    Great features today. Thanks for hosting. Today I discovered iPiccy and Collages, seems to have a few less and a few more features than Picnik but whew! collages made easy again.

    Reply
  17. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    May 3, 2012 at 9:58 PM

    Thanks for hosting, Ladies! I’ll take a slice of that pie while I check out the cute kitchen you featured. Have a lovely weekend!

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  18. Good Time Charlie says

    May 3, 2012 at 10:10 PM

    I love it! We are featuring the same bathroom vanity. Oh my, that kitchen, so cute!!

    Reply
  19. Sarah says

    May 3, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Those silver goblets of mint juleps looks gorgeous! Hope your Derby Day is filled with delights.
    Thanks for hosting. ~ Sarah

    Reply
  20. Fox Hollow Cottage says

    May 3, 2012 at 11:04 PM

    Love that shot of the Juleps in those goblets!! The features just get better, and better. Darling kitchen, great bedrooms, the PB knock off. WOW. Have a fab week =) Shannon

    Reply
  21. Stuff and Nonsense says

    May 3, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    whoo
    it’s a hot one
    out there today
    so i could sure go for
    a frosty mint julep right about now

    and don’t you just love
    amy’s new kitchen?

    i guess great minds
    think alike;)

    all linked up girls

    have a wonderful weekend
    and thanks for hosting!

    alison

    Reply
  22. FABBY'S LIVING says

    May 3, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    Great decorating features, wow! Thank you for having me. Hugs,
    FABBY

    Reply
  23. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  24. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:18 AM

    Looks yummy! Great features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  25. pam {simple details} says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    Thanks for hosting ladies! Mint juleps aren’t too popular in CO, I’ve never had one, we’re into margaritas for Cinco de Mayo!

    Reply
  26. SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:26 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting:)
    A lovely mix of awesome features!
    Greetings from Australia♥
    ~Pernilla … Time to party!

    Reply
  27. Jamie says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:42 AM

    The pie recipe looks amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe. Going to the Kentucky Derby is on my bucket list! 🙂 It’ll never happen… Thanks for hosting! ~ Jamie

    Reply
  28. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    May 4, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    Loved all the features and really enjoyed the Derby Week Series. Gotta try the Derby pie recipe!….
    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  29. Imageremix says

    May 4, 2012 at 1:54 AM

    I am going to try that pie! Thank you for the party and for all the great features you chose to highlight. Fun!

    Reply
  30. bj says

    May 4, 2012 at 2:02 AM

    How fun this all is…the drink and pie look amazing.
    Now, I can’t see the linky for the party…:(

    Reply
  31. Kerry Rossow says

    May 4, 2012 at 2:18 AM

    Oh, mint juleps. Be still my heart!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  32. Angie @ Postcards from the Ridge says

    May 4, 2012 at 2:18 AM

    Mmmm. Those mint juleps sound so good. I can’t wait to try the recipe.
    Thanks so much for featuring our master bath vanity. I feel honored to have shown wight the other great features. I love the pb knockoff especially. Have a fabulous Derby weekend!
    Angie

    Reply
  33. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says

    May 4, 2012 at 2:25 AM

    Thank you so much for the great party, girls!

    Reply
  34. Blissful Blooms says

    May 4, 2012 at 2:28 AM

    Thank you SO much for featuring my kitchen! What a sweet surprise!

    Reply
  35. A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says

    May 3, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    Oooh, I have never had a Mint Julep before! I think there is one in my very near future – they look so good!
    Thanks for hosting!
    Jo-Anna

    Reply
  36. trumatter says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:35 AM

    an honor to be featured here, really, alonside those wonderful links which I am gonna visit immediately! I have never heard of Mint Juleps but I think now that I have Im gonna try and see how it unfurls.

    Thank you Heather and Vanessa for featuring my table makeover. You all have been very generous and cute and sweet and one of my biggest inspirations.

    Have a wonderful day.

    Reply
  37. Catherine {Stone and Rose} says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    Thank you for hosting! Great features. Have a fab weekend!

    Reply
  38. Kendra says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Thank you for the feature! And, for hosting a great party!

    Reply
  39. Laurel Stephens says

    May 4, 2012 at 4:36 AM

    Your photo of silver mint julep cups is one of the prettiest things I’ve seen, and your Kentucky Derby week celebration such a fun idea.

    Thank you for hosting your party. What a busy week!

    Reply
  40. Fleaing France & French Shopping Tours says

    May 4, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    Thanks for hosting. I am new to the blog, but am linked up and ready to start seeing this week’s offerings.

    Reply
  41. Kristin@ A Vintage Fairy says

    May 4, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    Thanks for featuring me with such other inspiring posts!

    Reply
  42. Natural Mothers Network says

    May 4, 2012 at 10:11 AM

    Hi and thanks once again for hosting- Have a great weekend! Rebecca @ Natural Mothers Network x ( Seasonal Celebration)

    Reply
  43. Laura @ cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot says

    May 4, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    Vanessa and Heather,

    Thank you for hosting!

    I appreciate it,
    Laura #200 link

    Reply
  44. Janette - The2Seasons says

    May 4, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    Your pie and julep photos are beautiful. They look like the BHG pros took them for you. That’s how good they are!!!! I will definitely be making your pie today. Thanks for participating in the Derby Week Event with us.

    Reply
  45. Jordan@the2seasons says

    May 4, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    Yum the derby pie sounds so good. I am going to be making my simple syrup today in preparation for our derby party and the famous mint juelps! Thank you so much for participating in Derby week and have a great derby day!

    Reply
  46. Laurel@chippingwithcharm says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:00 PM

    Hmmm…that pie looks tastey…enjoy 🙂 Thanks for hosting…all linked up! Laurel

    Reply
  47. How to Nest for Less says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:00 PM

    THANK YOU so much for the feature ladies!! I truly appreciate it 🙂 Hope you have a fabulous weekend and thanks for hosting again!

    Reply
  48. Tazas y Cuentos says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Hello! Thank you very much for hosting!
    I’m very happy joining from Argentina!
    Besos! Silvina.

    Reply
  49. Calypso In The Country says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    You picked some beautiful features! I am going to have to try that pie of yours too! Thanks for hosting!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  50. Sherry says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    The Kentucky Derby pie sounds yummy! Thanks so much for hosting.

    Reply
  51. Ann says

    May 4, 2012 at 12:54 PM

    Hi, Vanessa and Heather. This is my first time linking up here. I really enjoyed what you shared today. I’ve never been to the Kentucky Derby, but the hubs and I used to own and ride horses a lot. We did visit the Kentucky horse park in Lexington, which was a lot of fun! I also like that you highlight some of the different posts that other bloggers share here!
    Blessing to you both – Ann

    Reply
  52. Gabby says

    May 4, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    Hi, ladies! Thanks so much for hosting again, and, Heather, looks like you’ll have a great time with the derby festivities!

    Gabby
    The…Late, Young Family

    Reply
  53. Little Bit says

    May 4, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    thank you for hosting. I’ve never partaken of a mint julep, but have always wanted to. Just not a popular drink I guess in NW Wisconsin, it sounds so romantic though. Great features too. Little Bit from http://www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com

    Reply
  54. Marji Roy says

    May 4, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    Hey, Happy Derby time. It is baby shower time here!
    Thanks for featuring my pulled pork pizza with caramelized onions. I’ve made it three times now it will become a regular feature in the menu rotation for sure.
    And thanks for hosting. It keeps us being able to share and gather inspiration.
    Have a great weekend everyone!- Marji

    Reply
  55. Molly says

    May 4, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    Thank you for hosting! Your Kentucky Derby pie looks AMAZING! Thanks for sharing the recipe, I’m going to have to give it a try 🙂
    -Molly
    http://www.justalittlecreativity.com

    Reply
  56. Val says

    May 4, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    Can we share a mint julep together!!! So thirsty!!! ; )

    Reply
  57. Meredith from A Mother Seeking says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    Thanks so much for the feature. I am truly honored. The story continues this week…
    X Meredith
    ~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking
    https://www.amotherseeking.com

    A Mother Seeking…

    Reply
  58. Savvy Seasons says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:42 PM

    Hi Ladies,
    Happy Friday!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for hosting and I LOVE your features, great picks! xo ~Liz

    Reply
  59. Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    I’ve got my mint all ready to muddle for the Derby:)

    Thanks for hosting!

    Jessica
    stayathomeista.com

    Reply
  60. Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says

    May 4, 2012 at 4:25 PM

    Thanks so much for the party–I linked up my salvaged window project!

    Reply
  61. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    May 4, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    It was so fun celebrating KY this week with you all! I’m definitely going to try your Derby pie recipe. In years past I’ve always ordered mine and had it delivered but there’s nothing like a home baked pie is there? Is it bad that I’ve been trying to decide which would be better- a julep before a margarita or a margarita before a julep. LOL! I can’t forget it’s also Cinco de Mayo- I am 25% Mexican after all. 😉

    Reply
  62. Kim Wilson says

    May 4, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    Gorgeous pictures! I’ll be making BOTH these recipes this weekend! I need to pick myself up some of those silver julep chalices though! I’m very new to your blog but I’m loving it! Thank you so much for hosting!
    Kim @ Sand & Sisal

    Reply
  63. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    May 5, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    Hi ladies, Ther Derby pie looks wonderful! Thanks for hosting.
    xo, Sherry

    Reply
  64. Nann from At Nann's Table says

    May 5, 2012 at 5:58 AM

    Love your features. The guest bedroom redo really took my eye as did the pulled pork pizza. Oh Yum! And that Derby Pie. I have got to have a piece! Have watched Secretariat twice now this week. A fun movie to celebrate the Derby with.

    Also you two. I was in line at Joanns Fabric today and perusing their magazines and came across the April issue of Romantic Homes. I opened it and there you two were….blog and all. I was THRILLED for you! And you so deserve that feature and shout out from them. You gals have such an incredible blog and do so much for the blogging world. I was just busting my buttons for you. I feel like a proud Mamma!! So enjoyed reading it. Congratulations ladies!!!

    Nann

    Reply
  65. GIFT TO INDIA 24x7 says

    May 5, 2012 at 7:41 AM

    very nice, use Gift to India site to use service for sending gifts to India express and midnight delivery. Send Rakhi gifts to india on this wholy rakshya bandhan. FREE SHIPPING.

    Reply
  66. malia says

    May 5, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    BEAUTIFUL! Love you features! What a fabulous party… I am adding to my weekly list of link-ups. Hugs to you! Malia

    Malia
    http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com

    Reply
  67. Imageremix says

    May 5, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    Hi, glad to make it to the party before it was over! Thanks for putting it on. Love the Derby Day Recipes. The images are all so enticing! Keep up the good work.

    Liz

    Reply
  68. Rakhi Gifts to India says

    June 3, 2013 at 6:04 AM

    There is so many festival in india but Rakhi festival have own value. i many time heard send Rakhi to India but here i found something Different.

    Reply

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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!
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. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
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