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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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December 11, 2011

Doors, Porches and Kitchen Highlights from the Christmas Block Party!

Wow! We are just so blow away by all of the participation and fabulous posts shared this week during the Christmas Blogger Block Party! Every stop along the block has revealed so much talent, creativity and just plain gorgeousness! So humbled to belong to a community of amazing bloggers.
We wanted to feature some highlights from the Doors and Porches and Christmas in the Kitchen parties.  Believe it or not these are just a FEW of the amazing links shared with us…and both parties are still going strong! There’s plenty of time this week to link up new posts and to enter to win the AMAZING giveaways we are offering at both parties!
Vanessa is hosting the Doors and Porches Party.  Here are some of the highlights!
Home Is Where the Boat Is: A Gardner’s Christmas
Fabulous garden themed porch!
A Pretty Life in the Suburbs: Festive Front Porch
Love the wrapped planters, so creative!
Cottage in the Oaks: Christmas Front Porch
So vintage, so lovely!
Kim Macumber Interiors: Red Doors
Wow! The pop of red is gorgeous…as are the two beauties standing watch!
The Old Post Road
Southern charm at it’s best!
Heather hosted the last stop on the party block with her Christmas in the Kitchen party and a reveal of her kitchen remodel.  Here are some of her highlight picks!

Loved the white palette and the sweet country charm of  Faded Country: Country Christmas Kitchen.
country farmhouse christmas
So simple yet so much detail….just beautiful!
country farmhouse christmas
Keeping Up With The Times: Rustic Meets Refined shared how the marriage of rustic and refined can be a perfect pairing!
The pops of red are a lovely contrast with the white and burlap.
Thistlewood Farm: Deck the Halls post is so lovely. Such a lovely arrangement against the back of the fireplace, located in the kitchen.
Ahhh, costal living! Love this costal take on Christmas decorating from
 Low Tide High Style: Coastal Christmas in the Kitchen 
The pops of of turquoise are perfect for this costal home and the sweet touches like the evergreen on the kitchen scale are just perfect!
They say the most amazing things come in Brown Paper Packages.  And this kitchen is no exception!
Brown Paper Packages: Christmas in the Kitchen
A lovely combination of bright and cheerful with a touch of vintage!
This kitchen is truly heavenly!
Heaven’s Walk: Joyeux Noel in the Kitchen
Love the softness and ethereal feel. So calm, so beautiful!
How about some amazing Holiday recipes!
It’s Jello people…amazing!
The Kitchen Cookie: Jello Poinsettia
It’s Rice Krispes! So, so cute!
Sweetology: Rice Krispe Tree Christmas Tree Lights
and I’ll leave you with an invitation to join me for a glass of this lovely Christmas Sangria from Yummy Mummy…gorgeous!
Hope you can take a moment to pay these gorgeous posts a visit! You will leave inspired!
Thank you again to the amazing sponsors of the Christmas Blogger Block Party, be sure to enter to win the amazing giveaways provided by all of these fabulous shops and websites!
sponsorgraphicfinal
Thanks for visiting the Picket Fence and be sure to link up your posts all this week!
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22 Comments Filed Under: Community, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holiday Blogger Block Party, Holidays

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Comments

  1. Yummy Mummy says

    December 10, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    I am so thrilled to have my sangria in this list of amazingly beautiful images of gorgeous doors, porches, and kitchens. Wow, what a turn out!

    Happy Holidays!

    Marina

    Reply
  2. Debbie-refreshrestyle says

    December 10, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Oh my goodness! These are amazing! I will spend some time visiting! Thanks for putting all these parties together! At the Picket Fence rocks!
    Merry Christmas!
    Debbie

    Reply
  3. Curtains in My Tree says

    December 10, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    It’s all art

    I love the 2 dogs on the pretty front porch or steps

    Reply
  4. Eclectically Vintage says

    December 10, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Loving that coastal kitchen!
    Kelly

    Reply
  5. Pattie says

    December 10, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    It was a fun week… Great picks.Merry Christmas to the both of you and your families

    Pattie

    Reply
  6. ' Kimmy's Garden ' says

    December 10, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Hello ,so muany ispiring wonderful ideas ,what a treat to join yor community .Thankyou !

    Reply
  7. Barb says

    December 10, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    I’m so thrilled that you featured my Rustic meets Refined tablescape! thank you so very much!!

    Reply
  8. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    December 10, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    This was so much fun! Thank you for hosting this Blogger Block Party! I love your features! So much inspiration!

    Reply
  9. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    December 10, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Unbelievable party features. The red door with the two stunning dogs is seriously over the top better than a magazine cover! WOW, all fantastic. I loved the party.

    Reply
  10. Honey at 2805 says

    December 10, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    What fabulous features! They are all so inspiring…love ’em all!

    Reply
  11. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    December 10, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    Awesome features! All of them are so gorgeous!

    Reply
  12. Mary says

    December 11, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    I’m honored to be among these amazing features! What inspiration & creativity to be found at this party! Wishing you all the Joy of the Season! Thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  13. NanaDiana says

    December 11, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    OMGOSH girls! There is so much to look at I hardly know where to begin…but begin I shall! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend- xo Diana

    Reply
  14. Brooke @ Spruce Your Nest says

    December 11, 2011 at 2:02 AM

    Wow! Great choices…they are all amazing! There are some super talented ladies out there 🙂

    Reply
  15. Heaven's Walk says

    December 11, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    Thank you both so much for featuring my Christmas kitchen, you two! I am deeply honored and humbled once again! 🙂 Hugs to you!!!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  16. A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says

    December 10, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Thank you SO much for including my front porch in your inspiring round up!! YAY!
    Jo-Anna

    Reply
  17. Shannon@FoxHollowCottage says

    December 11, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    I’m following some new blogs now. What a wonderful event! Thank you. Love all the beautiful features.

    Reply
  18. Elizabeth (Blue Clear Sky) says

    December 12, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    I’m a new follower and I will be coming back many times before I work my way through all the lovely links. Thanks to you both for hosting.

    Reply
  19. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    December 12, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Some lovely features ladies! I’m soo bummed my computer is dead and I haven’t been able to join in on the fun. : ( Hopefully next month we can afford a new computer. What a terrible time of year for it to die! And I’m a Mac girl, so that makes a new computer even more expensive.

    Happy Holidays, Heather & Vanessa!!

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  20. Kim says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Thank you so much Heather and Vanessa for featuring my red door and the “boys”! I love it! I just put up today’s post on my blog and didn’t see this … so tomorrow and the rest of the week I will make certain to link you up!! Thanks again for such a fun time … I will be a “regular” from now on!! Merry Christmas to you both!

    Reply
  21. Daune | Cottage in the Oaks says

    December 13, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    Thanks for the feature! What fun ideas and talent you all have listed….I love them all! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Evie says

    December 13, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Thanks so much for the feature ladies! I don’t know how I missed this one…didn’t even know about it until a reader mentioned it! Haha! Such an honor to be included with so many other fantastic decorators…thank you! : )

    evie @ brown paper packages

    Reply

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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“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! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November 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!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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