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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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June 5, 2014

Fruit Infused Liquor for Summer Cocktails

Whenever I even see the word ‘cocktail’ I immediately want to go put on a flouncy outfit, swipe some bright red lipstick over my lips and slip my feet into stiletto heels.

fruit infused liquor in jars atthepicketfence.com

There is just something about that word that makes you feel like you should be in an episode of ‘Mad Men’, don’t you think?

Or maybe flinging bottles behind the bar with Tom Cruise. 😉

But, just because my feet are more likely to be in flip-flops than stilettos and being stuck behind a bar with Tom Cruise would probably mean I’d have to be up past 9 pm doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy a little bit of fancy being added to my everyday!

How to make fruit infused liquor atthepicketfence.com

One of my most favorite things to do in the summertime is to sit out on the deck with my husband after the kids are in bed. Those warm evenings when it seems to stay light forever are sacred moments. We get totally uninterrupted time to catch up on life, our plans for the future and the kids’ crazy antics. We laugh, we cry, (ok, it’s mostly me crying but sometimes a girl just has to get it out of her system right?) and we just get to reconnect.

I’ll take him over Tom Cruise any day!

And my husband makes us yummy cocktails to sip on while we watch the sun fade and the beautiful colors of sunset light the sky.

making fruit infused liquor atthepicketfence.com

I thought it would be fun this year to try my hand at enhancing our cocktail experience.

pear infused gin atthepicketfence.com

 How to Make Fruit Infused Liquor

Determine which fruit and liquor combination  you would prefer.

I chose Pear & Gin, Watermelon & Vodka, Peach & Bourbon

Slice fruit and place in mason jars. Pour in liquor and give it a few shakes.

Store in a cool, dark room for 3-5 days.

fruit infused liquor in jars atthepicketfence.com

 Pour the liquid out over a strainer into a measuring cup with a spout.

straining off liquor

 Then pour into a bottle, attach a label and you’re ready to start enjoying those cocktails!

Peach infused liquor atthepicketfence.com

I’m so thrilled to be joining an incredible line-up of bloggers this week as we celebrate all of our favorite elements of Summer!

elements of summer tour button

I hope you will pay them a visit for loads of ideas and inspiration!

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Thanks so much for meeting us here at the Fence today! 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, my favorite guy (no not Tom Cruise!) is waiting for me on the deck

with a cocktail that has my name on it. 😉

Vanessa signature

21 Comments Filed Under: Beverages, Good Ideas, Recipes, Summer Tagged With: beverages, cocktails, summer, summer recipes

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Comments

  1. Leo@cottageatthecrossroads says

    June 5, 2014 at 3:23 AM

    You guys are looking great. Loved your post. I’m afraid Jane might pick Tom Cruise. Not sure. Have a great summer.

    Reply
  2. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    June 5, 2014 at 4:31 AM

    I’ve never tried this, but it looks totally yummy! All of the combos sound great, but for some reason the peach and bourbon sounds especially good. Funny thing is, I don’t even like bourbon. Go figure. 😀

    Reply
  3. Ann says

    June 5, 2014 at 4:42 AM

    These look amazing and I think hanging on the deck with your husband sounds wonderful. My husband would have to have a TV out there! Lovely pics too.

    Reply
  4. Suzan says

    June 5, 2014 at 5:05 AM

    Peach bourbon? Yes, please!! Thanks for such a great idea. I think I am going to throw some fruit in vodka give it a whirl. We are expecting a glorious weekend and something different for 5pm on the patio would be great.

    Reply
  5. laura@top this top that says

    June 5, 2014 at 5:22 AM

    oh my… i feel like I have already had too many cocktails! 🙂 what a great idea for a refreshing summer cocktail.

    Reply
  6. Angela says

    June 5, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    What a great idea!! When can I join you for a drink?!?! 😉

    Reply
  7. Linda @ It All Started With Paint says

    June 5, 2014 at 5:47 AM

    Mmmmm … that sounds delicious! I will have to give this a try — especially since it can be made in my favorite mason jars! 🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  8. Kathy, Petticoat Junktion says

    June 5, 2014 at 5:57 AM

    Sounds like the perfect way to end the day! I think I would like the watermelon and vodka 🙂

    Reply
  9. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    June 5, 2014 at 6:24 AM

    These sound fabulous, what a fun idea.

    Reply
  10. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    June 5, 2014 at 6:59 AM

    What a fun series!! That peach infused bourbon sounds lovely. They all sound good! Pinned!

    Reply
  11. Richella Parham says

    June 5, 2014 at 7:58 AM

    Ah, Vanessa, I think your husband and mine would get along quite well. Our favorite thing is to sit on the front porch with a cocktail (although, of course, we’re out there BEFORE our kids go to bed–at 23, 21, and 17, our kids are up way after us!). My hubby makes the best Old Fashioned I’ve ever tasted, I must say–wish you could come over and sip one with us!

    Thanks for the idea to make fruit-infused liquors. I’ll have to try this; they sound so fresh and summery!

    Reply
  12. chelsea says

    June 5, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    This is so smart!

    Reply
  13. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 5, 2014 at 11:01 AM

    Oh my yummy goodness! I am right there with these delicious combos!!! I will certainly try these for summer. How fun!!! I just kept saying, “Oh MY Gosh!!!… Oh, MY Gosh!!! If it wasn’t 2:00 pm I’d go for one right now… watermelon please!
    I could just take a big bite or sip right out of your pictures!!!

    Reply
  14. Julianne says

    June 5, 2014 at 1:31 PM

    Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it
    😉 I may come back yet again since I book marked it.

    Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be
    rich and continue to guide others.

    Reply
  15. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    June 5, 2014 at 2:01 PM

    Oh my! Now I can’t wait to get some ripe peaches so I can infuse them with bourbon! Thanks for the idea. Cheers!

    Reply
  16. Paula@SweetPea says

    June 6, 2014 at 4:21 AM

    What a wonderful idea for a summer cocktail. I hadn’t thought about infusing fruit with liquor. I’m going to try this over the summer.

    Reply
  17. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    June 6, 2014 at 5:34 AM

    What a cool idea! I would’ve never thought to do this. Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  18. Allison @ The Golden Sycamore says

    June 6, 2014 at 1:20 PM

    Those sound delicious! What a refreshing treat on a hot summer day!

    Reply
  19. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    June 6, 2014 at 1:21 PM

    That is an awesome idea! Peach bourbon sounds amazing!

    Reply
  20. Courtney says

    June 9, 2014 at 5:32 AM

    Sounds so refreshing and easy to make too! Pinning! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    June 9, 2014 at 7:41 PM

    This sounds decadently fabulous! Now I want to be a James Bond Girl ~ perhaps an older motherly one….I could try to act cool but I’m not sure I could pull it off. 😉 It was wonderful partying with you again ~ have a week filled with joy and blessings. hugs, mb

    Reply

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This is such a busy time of year and I’m always This is such a busy time of year and I’m always on the lookout for easy recipes that use minimal pots and pans therefore requiring minimal cleanup. 🙌🏻

This one sheet roasted veggies, sausage and gnocchi definitely fit the bill! And I don’t know how I’ll go back to boiled gnocchi after tasting it roasted. 😋

Here’s how easy it is to make: 

Preheat oven to 425

Use any combo of veggies you like. I used sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts and red onion. 

Dice into small pieces and spread on a sheet pan. 

Slice up the sausage and add to vegetables. Then add the uncooked gnocchi. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil and add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. You can also add any herbs you like! 

Roast in over for 25 minutes stirring once halfway through. 

While it’s in the oven, melt a stick of butter in a saucepan and add in two teaspoons of garlic. 

When you remove the pan from the oven, drizzle the butter/garlic mixture over the top and stir well to coat everything. Top with Parmesan cheese! 

Easy peasy and SO yummy! ✨

#sheetpandinner #sheetpanrecipes
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
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