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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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    • Featured

February 21, 2018

Hobby Lobby Gift Card and DIY Home Planner Giveaway!

There are a lot of times in life when ‘winging it’ is essential. For example, taking my 3 month old son on a plane for the first time and realizing I had only brought one pacifier (rookie mom mistake!) and watching as if in slow motion as it dropped out of his mouth and onto the floor and realizing that either he was going to be crying the whole time or I was going to have to ‘sanitize’ it by putting it in my mouth first. You gotta do what you gotta do folks.

But when it comes to home design, ‘winging it’ isn’t always the best approach. Which is why I’m SOOOOOO happy that my amazingly, talented friend Karianne from Thistlewood Farm has a brand new book, The DIY Home Planner,  to help make the process of creating our homes not only as easy and seamless as possible while also reflecting our personalities and personal style.

And friends, this is so much more than just an ordinary home planner. Woven throughout are gentle reminders that point us back to the truth about the purpose behind the making of a home.

The DIY Home Planner covers every single area of your home.

From fabric choices…

To selecting the perfect lighting for each room…

 

To rules of thumb for accessorizing.

 

It’s all here in one lovely resource that is accessible, practical and filled with the absolute best ideas and inspiration for creating a home that you will love.

And to celebrate the release of The DIY Home Planner I’m so excited to be offering a fantastic giveaway! Not only will one of you win your own copy of the DIY Home Planner but I’m also throwing in a $25 Hobby Lobby Gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can visit Karianne every day at Thistlewood Farm for more great decorating and diy ideas and while you’re there I highly encourage you to pick up copies of her beautiful books.

Thank you for meeting me at the fence today,

109 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Giveaways

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tamra Gibson says

    February 21, 2018 at 3:46 AM

    I have a hard time deciding how pictures will go good when I’m trying to hang ones of my 5 grandkids. That 5th one gets me uneven lol.
    I also can’t seem to find a way to be able to rearrange my furniture like I used to when I was feeling down. We moved and downsized big time

    Reply
  2. Brenda Brewster says

    February 21, 2018 at 3:47 AM

    I had a friend ask me what my decorating style would be. My reply was, I decorate to please myself and I don’t worry about what other people think. I love looking at how other people decorate and can appreciate their creativity.

    Reply
  3. Laurie Warren says

    February 21, 2018 at 3:51 AM

    I always have trouble picking out paint colors so I tend to stick with neutrals.

    Reply
  4. Karen says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:01 AM

    My challenge right now is figuring out what to do with a long rectangular living room!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      February 21, 2018 at 8:51 AM

      Break it up into 2 different areas. One could be seating and the other could also be chairs and a settee or a table and 2 chairs. I found the only way to decorate a long room is to break it up.

      Reply
  5. Becky Jones says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:19 AM

    I find the most challenging part of home design to be the slow acquiring of pieces…trying to keep a cohesiveness while avoiding looking like you picked out everything from a single store display!

    Reply
  6. Jo Wyrosdick says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:33 AM

    The most challenging room in my home is the kitchen. I need help with finding the right white paint for the cabinets and island.

    Reply
  7. Tammie N. says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:33 AM

    I find the most challenging part of decorating is just getting started on big projects such as painting a room. I’ve lived in my current house for 18 months and still haven’t gotten around to painting two bathrooms that have hideous colored walls!

    Reply
  8. Dinelle says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:40 AM

    I would love to have this book. We are doing some remodeling/updating to our home. This looks like it could be very helpful.

    Reply
  9. Margie Hall says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:49 AM

    This is awesome! I am having issues trying to figure out how to arrange my awkward family room that has a fireplace and too many doors. I swear it’s impossible to get the furniture to accommodate the flow

    Reply
  10. Alison S says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:11 AM

    I find it hard to know what to hang on the walls and where things should go.

    Reply
  11. Nicole Robinson says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:13 AM

    My most challenging aspect is just stepping out there and going for it. I do however find a lot of great inspiration here 🙂

    Reply
  12. Karen Varney says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:19 AM

    I need ideas for my mantel! Maybe this book could help!

    Reply
  13. Cynthia Lucarotti says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:19 AM

    The most challenging thing for me is getting my husband on board to what I like🤣. I LOVE Karianne and follow her blog and have her book “SO CLOSE TO AMAZING” so would devour her new book also! and…who doesn’t love hobby lobby!

    Reply
  14. Ruthann says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:33 AM

    My challenge is finding colors that compliment each other. Thanks for the chance to win the book! Looks great!

    Reply
  15. Carol says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:39 AM

    The biggest challenge for me is finding all the pieces I need to complete my vision without spending months shopping.

    Reply
  16. Melanie says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:43 AM

    All decorating is a challenge for me!

    Reply
  17. Angela says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:45 AM

    We built a house a few years ago and I’ve had such a hard time decorating it. The living room and kitchen are open and the living room has a cathedral ceiling. It’s never really felt like a reflection of my family. I need this home planner to inspire some ideas!

    Reply
  18. Regina says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:53 AM

    That book looks fun! Would love to win.

    Reply
  19. Bernice says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:59 AM

    The challenge in my house is the constant clutter in the family room. I need to find a way to get more storage space.

    Reply
  20. Jo Maddox says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:08 AM

    I am so ready for Spring–this book and gift certificate would get me on the right track!

    Reply
  21. Sally Christiansen says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:10 AM

    The hardest thing for me is picking colors for rooms and then not having every thing that color.

    Reply
  22. kimberley says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:21 AM

    My challenge has and always will be my family room mantle!

    Reply
  23. margaret says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:34 AM

    My challenge seems to be finding the right pictures and selecting a new rug for our living room.

    Reply
  24. Norma Balbo says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:35 AM

    Choosing wall color in a remodeled bathroom and accessories

    Reply
  25. Dinah says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:35 AM

    Wow, a great giveaway…..a way to buy more yarn!!!

    Reply
  26. Mary says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:36 AM

    I would love having everything put together in one book. I, also, have a long skinny family room and have trouble with furniture placement.

    Reply
  27. Dinah says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:36 AM

    what a great giveaway! would love to win this!

    Reply
  28. libby says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:36 AM

    My challenge is what colors to mix and match in all my different rooms, should I go with the same colors basically in all the rooms, or completely different colors!

    Reply
  29. Cece says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:41 AM

    My biggest challenge is organizing and making a functional studio for both quilting and metalsmithing. Both activities require so many tools and supplies, and of course my space is limited. IT is still a work in progress .

    Reply
  30. Jan says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:41 AM

    This book looks uniquely special-thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  31. Carol says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:43 AM

    We are planning on remodeling some rooms in our home. This book would be a wonderful guide!

    Reply
  32. Deb Wostmann says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:52 AM

    Great book to have for planning decorating projects.

    Reply
  33. Pam says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:52 AM

    I think the most challenging is time and money, lol. When I have money I don’t have time and now that I am retired it’s hard to find the money for what I want.

    Reply
  34. Nancy Curitti says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:59 AM

    I love the idea of a whole house planner. I have new flooring, windows and the removal of a fireplace. Now it’s time to decorate!

    Reply
  35. Nancy Curitti says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:01 AM

    I’m ready for a whole house decorating.!

    Reply
  36. Martha says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:02 AM

    My challenge is trying to come up with a better way to arrange my living room furniture for a more updated look.

    Reply
  37. Catalina says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:06 AM

    Most challenging is to get everybody to agree on decorations, everyone has their own taste.

    Reply
  38. Robyn says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:06 AM

    The book looks lovely! I sure need help in some areas of my home. This looks like the next best thing to a personal decorator.

    Reply
  39. Sandy says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:43 AM

    I am always looking for new ideas, inspiration.

    Reply
  40. Teresa Ann Harral says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:51 AM

    I think the most challenging aspect of home design is trying to determine the proper size of furniture for a room . It is too easy to buy furniture or pieces that fit into the room but than makes the room appear crowded or much smaller to the eye.

    Reply
  41. Karen Finchum says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:51 AM

    I think the most challenging thing about design, is making sure each room is cohesive with the next room.

    Reply
  42. Kristie says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:54 AM

    I have a hard time arranging wall decor.

    Reply
  43. Sharon Bolderson says

    February 21, 2018 at 7:57 AM

    Too much brown in my living room, floor, chairs, tables and curtains. Having trouble deciding what colours to add and where to put them.

    Reply
  44. Shelley Scarbro says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:00 AM

    I have a hard time making everything flow.

    Reply
  45. Sharon Colburn says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:08 AM

    I don’t have a sense for decorating at all. I know what I like when I see but can’t put it together for myself.

    Reply
  46. Mia White says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:20 AM

    With decorating, I think I have the hardest time knowing when to stop— when enough is enough in a space. I just love my things and instead of rotating them out tend to clutter things atop each other. 😂 This book looks so fun and I LOVE some Hobby Lobby!

    Reply
  47. Kate D. says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:35 AM

    Picking the right colors is a challenge!!

    Reply
  48. Dawn says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:39 AM

    My biggest challenge is the corner fireplace in our very large living room. I’ve had trouble arranging the furniture around it.

    Reply
  49. Karen says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:55 AM

    The most challenging for me is changing my taste as many times as there are seasons (or more). I’m learning in my old age, that just because I love a style, doesn’t mean I have to use it,

    Reply
  50. Tami says

    February 21, 2018 at 9:02 AM

    The thing I find most challenging is to keep my vision for my house in mind when decorating is a slow process. I don’t want to spend money on things that may be beautiful but don’t fit in with the end result I’m aiming for.

    Reply
  51. Wanda Patterson says

    February 21, 2018 at 9:08 AM

    I like modern and my husband likes country. I have a hard time mixing the styles and making it work.

    Reply
  52. Lynn Czap says

    February 21, 2018 at 10:12 AM

    Right now it has been finding the right accessories and special touches to make my husband’s at-home work office have some character.

    Reply
  53. Deirdre Kovalcik says

    February 21, 2018 at 10:50 AM

    How fun & perfect timing. We’re about to close on a new construction home and the gift card and home planner would be PERFECT!

    Reply
  54. Rosa says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:16 AM

    I have trouble decorating around the TV. Thank you for the chance to win.

    Reply
  55. anita roth says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:30 AM

    I love hobby !!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to see what to see what diy home planner has to offer!

    Reply
  56. Cheryl says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:32 AM

    My struggle would be lighting, like in the master bath,above the sink…up or down lights and how many, side lights.

    Reply
  57. Celia says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:33 AM

    The transition from one room to another, making the design flow.

    Reply
  58. Samantha says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:40 AM

    Love KariAnne and the DIY Home Planner. The little planning pages and pockets are my favorite part!!

    Reply
  59. ROSE says

    February 21, 2018 at 11:56 AM

    I never know how to put things together so i call my look potpourri eclectic! LOL

    Reply
  60. Bethany says

    February 21, 2018 at 12:08 PM

    Styling bookcases is the hardest thing for me. woulld love this book

    Reply
  61. Bethany says

    February 21, 2018 at 12:09 PM

    I have the hardest time knowing what to put on a bookshelf.

    Reply
  62. Donna Gonzalez says

    February 21, 2018 at 12:40 PM

    The hardest thing for me is committing to a wall color. Everyone says “it’s only paint, you can redo it”. Well, that’s a LOT of work. I want to get it right the first time!

    Reply
  63. Sherri says

    February 21, 2018 at 12:43 PM

    My biggest challenge is trying to hang things on old plaster walls!

    Reply
  64. Katherine says

    February 21, 2018 at 12:52 PM

    Redoing some paint in kitchen and figuring out how to coordinate with the dining, hall and living room. This book looks like it would answer alot of questions.

    Reply
  65. Jamie Asper says

    February 21, 2018 at 1:21 PM

    For me the most challenging aspect would be how small my house is and working within a one income budget! Thanks for a chance at your giveaway!!

    Reply
  66. Pat says

    February 21, 2018 at 1:26 PM

    Love Karianne’s blog and her story. And always enjoy reading your blog too!

    Reply
  67. Nicole says

    February 21, 2018 at 2:02 PM

    I find it hard to find things in my budget that I have a vision of in my head!!

    Reply
  68. Cathy says

    February 21, 2018 at 2:49 PM

    I need help organizing my craft area. I have decided that creative souls have a hard time being neat when they get started on a project. I also would love to mix patterns I my home.

    Reply
  69. Julie Briones says

    February 21, 2018 at 2:56 PM

    Fun give away! Thanks, Vanessa! Wonderful book!

    Reply
    • Julie Briones says

      February 21, 2018 at 2:58 PM

      Were we supposed to day what was challenging to us? I missed that part! 🙂 My most challenging aspect are vignettes. They take me styling over and over again. 🙂

      Reply
  70. Marilyn says

    February 21, 2018 at 3:09 PM

    I find home designing the best when we change accessories and other things i accordance with the seasons.
    Marilyn

    Reply
  71. Denise Barkel says

    February 21, 2018 at 3:14 PM

    I have a problem choosing patterns that work well together…

    Reply
  72. Ashley says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:09 PM

    I think the most challenging aspect to me would have to be choosing paint colors. I am a neutral fan but then I see other pretty colors that I like but know would hate them in my home.

    Reply
  73. Margaret Shipley says

    February 21, 2018 at 4:57 PM

    One of the hardest things for me to do is find the pieces that I want to use in the room.

    Reply
  74. Norma Rolader says

    February 21, 2018 at 5:56 PM

    Oh what a wonderful giveaway and thank you for the chance My problem is paint for furniture

    Reply
  75. Mary says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:01 PM

    It would be really great to win this!

    Reply
  76. Alicia Boyde says

    February 21, 2018 at 6:19 PM

    Making sure that everyone is a part of the design process in the main rooms of our home. There is so much I want to do and little space for creativity as well 🙂

    Reply
  77. L. Bryant says

    February 22, 2018 at 3:19 AM

    I recently repainted the hallway and front room. Although the paint is a perfect color choice for me I didn’t realize how much it would clash with the drapes I love and the area rug under the couch. So now I’m scrambling to get things to “HARMONIZE” with each other. Simple project that I’ve turned into a major project.”

    Reply
  78. grammygoodwill says

    February 22, 2018 at 6:07 AM

    My biggest decorating problem is deciding how to add accessories and not clutter. We’ve moved to a patio home and space is truly a premium. Thanks for the chance to win this planner.

    Reply
  79. Teresa Nankervis says

    February 22, 2018 at 6:58 AM

    I love this. My style is very eclectic. I want to just pick one!

    Reply
  80. Diane says

    February 22, 2018 at 7:06 AM

    Committing. I know that sounds crazy, but as a gal who second guesses every decision I make, committing to a color or theme or whatever can be challenging. There’s always something out there that’s pretty that can throw me off course. 😉

    Reply
  81. Dee says

    February 22, 2018 at 1:24 PM

    KariAnne Wood’s new book is so amazing and incredible useful resource that will become a staple in our home! Thank you so much for sharing this on the blog, what a lovely posting!

    Reply
  82. Susan says

    February 22, 2018 at 2:41 PM

    I find it challenging to balance the right mix of different shapes in a room. For example if I have too many rectangular things on the walls it looks BORING! If there’s a formula, I’d sure like someone to share it!

    Reply
  83. Lynne says

    February 22, 2018 at 5:15 PM

    I’m challenged by colors and choosing ones that will flow through my house.

    Reply
  84. Julia says

    February 22, 2018 at 7:31 PM

    Love your blog and love Karianne’s blog!

    Reply
  85. Susan says

    February 22, 2018 at 8:59 PM

    Challenge is just having the house “flow”. Small 12×16 family/ living room with fireplace and doorway to kitchen on one wall, solid wall (no windows or breaks) where we have the tv wall unit, third wall has large windows and door to backyard, and forth wall is the side or staircase and door way to dining room. Impossible to pull together! I only see one option for my 82″ sofa- in front of the windows but hate furniture “wallflowers” all around the room. I need help!

    Reply
  86. Adrienne says

    February 23, 2018 at 6:53 AM

    What fun! This is perfect timing – I am beginning to make big changes in the look and feel of our home.

    Reply
  87. Mardell says

    February 23, 2018 at 8:28 AM

    We are in the midst of a major remodel and I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. This book looks like a good planning tool.

    Reply
  88. Tim says

    February 23, 2018 at 9:32 AM

    The biggest obstacle in home design is finding something that we all agree on. No matter how much a husband and wife have in common, when it comes to decorating the home, there seems to be little common ground!!

    Reply
  89. Andi McDonald says

    February 23, 2018 at 10:16 AM

    My bedroom is always a challenge. I can never seem to come up with a look that we can agree on that’s also a bit minimalist. We don’t need much in the way of bedroom furniture but I would still like it to look “grown-up.”

    Reply
  90. Rachel says

    February 23, 2018 at 10:32 AM

    I have a hard time knowing which pieces should be “seasonal” and how to incorporate seasonal pieces that are easy to switch out/rotate.

    Reply
  91. Denise arrieta says

    February 23, 2018 at 2:41 PM

    I have a hard time decorating w color. I have a very beige neutral home and every time I try to incorporate color and make my home more eclectic it just looks like nothing matches 👎🏼

    Reply
  92. Jeanine says

    February 23, 2018 at 4:57 PM

    We moved, I painted our living room navy blue. I have never used a bold color before and not sure how to decorate.

    Reply
  93. Lynn Osborne says

    February 23, 2018 at 5:03 PM

    My biggest challenge is melding pieces I love into a coordinated whole.

    Reply
  94. Maria Conover says

    February 23, 2018 at 8:53 PM

    I find that I have too much sentimental value on things and I don’t have effective storage. This makes decorating a real challenge!

    Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

    Reply
  95. Cynthia Hilliard says

    February 24, 2018 at 1:55 AM

    Trying to get the colors of the living room to smoothly transition to the colors and style of the kitchen.

    Reply
  96. Laura says

    February 24, 2018 at 4:01 AM

    My challenge is arranging a room that looks beautiful but functional

    Reply
  97. Katharine says

    February 24, 2018 at 1:44 PM

    Finding a good balance between style and function is tricky for me.

    Reply
  98. Gena says

    February 24, 2018 at 8:01 PM

    I love Thistlewood farm and this planner looks amazing! Thanks for the chance to win one!!!!

    Reply
  99. Wehaf says

    February 24, 2018 at 8:04 PM

    For me, finding stylish options that fit within my budget is the most challenging part.

    Reply
  100. April V says

    February 25, 2018 at 6:40 AM

    The hardest thing for me is knowing what looks good together & how much without looking “cluttered”.

    Reply
  101. Katie Sullivan says

    February 25, 2018 at 1:05 PM

    I’m a perfectionist so I’m always afraid to just try something- I obsess over it and shortly I’ve abandoned that idea and am on to another.

    Reply
  102. Tracey says

    February 25, 2018 at 6:23 PM

    I need more storage and seating in my living room. I would so love to win this planner. I love KariAnne. Her first book did not disappoint at all. I’m sure this one will be even better.

    Reply
  103. Tracy DeLoach says

    February 25, 2018 at 11:35 PM

    I can look at a photo and know immediately why I like it, yet when I get ready to put a room together I suddenly have a swimming head and fast paced heartbeat. It’s aweful. Others say I’m creative but I’m more overwhelmed than anything. Also I have trouble getting paint shades right as well as pulling all the colors together where they look cohesive.

    Reply
  104. Carolsue says

    February 26, 2018 at 1:15 AM

    I don’t have much of a sense of what colors look well in certain places, so I find that challenging

    Reply
  105. latanya says

    February 26, 2018 at 11:10 AM

    matching items or having cohesiveness with color, prints, patterns, etc.

    Reply
  106. Jaclyn Reynolds says

    February 27, 2018 at 6:51 AM

    My biggest challenge is working with small spaces and keeping the rooms kid friendly.

    Reply
  107. Janice Stewart says

    February 27, 2018 at 2:53 PM

    My biggest challenge is thinning out. We have way to much stuff and I am wanting a cleaner fresher look.

    Reply

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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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