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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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Holidays

Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour
Tabletop Hot Cocoa Station
The Imprint
Christmas Home Tour
My French Country Christmas Mantel
Incorporating Advent Candles Into Your Christmas Decor
Simple Hot Cocoa Station
My Crazy Christmas Shopping at Hobby Lobby
Simple and Sweet Hot Cocoa Bar
Holiday Housewalk Christmas Tour 2018
Simple and Traditional Christmas Mantel
Dear Hallmark Channel
10 Delicious Brunch Recipes
Simple Spring Tabletop Decorating
Spring Tulip Inspiration
DIY Love Mug from At The Picket FenceHow to Make a Custom Mug
10 Fabulous New Years Eve Appetizers
And the Soul Felt It’s Worth
Your Turn to Shine!
Take Your Mantel From Fall to Christmas
Winter Decorating in the Dining Room
Simple Christmas Front Porch Decorating
Christmas Home Tour 2017
Cozy Home Decor Gift Ideas
How to Make a Hot Cocoa Bar in 10 Steps
DIY Chalkboard Leaf Napkin Rings
Simple Christmas Ideas and Inspiration
Patriotic Desserts
Scars….
Baked Lemon Rosemary Donuts
Repurposed Wreath Ideas
Our Best Spring Ideas and Inspiration
Affordable Easter Table Decorating Ideas
Budget Friendly Valentine’s Day
Christmas down South….
Easy Eggnog Cake with Eggnog Icing
Healthy Holiday Appetizer
Winter Buffet Table in the Dining Room
My Christmas Home Tour
A Winter Inspired Christmas Mantel
Five Cute Christmas Ideas
DIY Wood Slice Thanksgiving Serving Trays
Thanksgiving Gratitude Tree
Apple Hazelnut Cocktail Recipe
Weekend Wonderings Fourth of July Edition
Weekend Wonderings
Creamy Brown Sugared Strawberries
how to make a wood ruler basketHow to Make a Patriotic Wood Ruler Basket
Mother’s Day Brunch Table Setting
My Snowball Tree Love Story
Aged Galvanized Metal Tray
A Stroll Through the Garden
When You Don’t Feel Easter-y
Plum Tart with Puff Pastry
Easter Recipes and Table Decorating Ideas
Simple Spring Decorating Ideas
Easter Mantel
Spring Buffet Table Decor
Simple Easter Egg Tabletop Craft
Valentine’s Day Hand Pies
Chalkboard Valentine’s Day Crossword Puzzle
DIY Holiday Wood Centerpiece Planter
How to Make an Appetizer Tree
Grandma’s Box
A Simple Hot Cocoa Station
Paper Angels and Pretty Trees
Glam-ish Christmas Entry Decor
Christmas Home Tour 2015
DIY Mirrored Christmas Tree Stand
Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas
American Flag Candle Log
Patriotic Ideas and Projects
Repurposed Candelabra Flower Planter
Homemade Valentines Day Gifts
How to Paint a Pillow
Our Song ~ A Personalized Record
Sequined Heart Valentines Day Accessories
Our Best Holiday Recipes
Our Family Christmas Tree
Photo Box Tree Topper & Giveaway!
Gift Ideas for Foodies ….
Original Fantasy Fudge Recipe … a sweet treat!
Christmas Home Tour ~ Holiday Housewalk
Scripture Wrapped Advent Candles
Christmas in the Kitchen
The Best and Easiest Cranberry Sauce Ever!
DIY Gratitude Tree
Hosting holiday guests … and a Hoover giveaway!
A Few of My Favorite Things
French Country Christmas Mantel
Free Thanksgiving Printable …
Christmas Decor Sneak Peek!
Sharpie Stenciled Thanksgiving Lazy Susan
Setting a blue and white Thanksgiving Table
Hot Apple Pie… A Low Calorie Cocktail
Roasted Hazelnuts and Being an Oregonian
Leg Warmers & Last Minute 4th of July Ideas!
DIY Patriotic Beverage Stand
Bandana Rosette 4th of July Shirt
Recycled Bottles Patriotic Centerpiece
Easy Lemon Creme Brulee
Take Five: Five Five Minute Spring Crafts!
Moss Covered Easter Eggs..and she sent me what?
Spring Projects and a DecoArt Giveaway!
Flower Easter Egg Tree & a Spring Party
Ten Inspiring Spring Ideas and a winner!
It’s a Spring Thing Linky Party and Giveaway!
A Mom Fail and a Button Shamrock Shirt
Date Night and a Chalkboard Word Search Puzzle
5 Minute Valentine Craft and Free Printable
Nutella Hand Pies for Valentine’s Day!
Take Five: DIY Poppers for Valentines Day
Five Minute Valentine’s Day Craft: Notes Jar
Gluten Free Cranberry Cake
Merry Christmas Dear Friends!
Outdoor DIY Marquee Sign for the Holidays! #damagefreeDIY
The Box
Easy DIY Gift Wrapping Ideas
Five Minute Crafts: West Elm Inspired Tinsel Ornaments
A Christmas Tree Made from Cabinet Knobs?
Holiday bar cart ideas and a Home Goods giveaway!
12 Creative Christmas Tree Ideas & $1800 Balsam Hill Giveaway!
I’ll have a Blue Christmas Tree…
Decorating for Christmas …Heather’s Home Tour
Christmas Home Tour ~ Vanessa’s house
Monogram Themed Christmas Tree with Balsam Hill
Five Minute Crafts: Gold Dot Christmas Ornament
Last Minute Thanksgiving Decor Idea
Mason Jar Advent Calendar & Advent-ures
Homemade Vanilla Extract & Creative Gift Packaging
Mirrored DIY Christmas Tree Stand
Fabric Scrap Christmas Trees
Five Minute Crafts: DIY Faux Snowballs
A Blue, Blue, Blue Thanksgiving Tablescape!
A Thankful Thanksgiving Mantel
Holiday Appetizer: Roasted Beet Salsa and Brie…and a giveaway!
Five Minute Crafts: Faux Stenciled Holiday Platters
Of Groaning Sideboards and Apple Pan Dowdy
Creatively Made Home…Home for the Holidays!
Five Minute Crafts: Magnetic Letter Tray Art
Blue and White Fall Dining Room Reveal ~Kirkland’s Giveaway
Etched Glass Snowflake Lamp! Let it Snow!
Last Minute 4th of July Decor & Recipes!
Recycled Patriotic Party Ideas for the 4th of July
Easy 4th of July Dessert ~ Patriotic Hand Pies
A Father’s Love
Celebrating a Legacy of Patriotism on Memorial Day
Petite Spring Wreath from JoJo and EloisePetite Spring Wreath
Hallelujah! He is Risen!Hallelujah! He is Risen!
When Good Friday Doesn't Feel Very GoodWhen Good Friday Doesn’t Feel Very Good
Glittered Egg Place Cards
It's A Spring Thing Feature Round Up from At The Picket FenceIt’s A Spring Thing Party Features!
Lace Dyed Easter Eggs
Muffin Tin Nests
its a spring thing round up from At The Picket FenceFourteen Fabulous Spring Projects and a Linky Party!
Easter Brunch Buffet ~ Care to Join Me?
Spring Centerpiece and Mantel Decor from At The Picket FenceSpring Centerpiece and Mantel Decor
Bird’s Nest Cupcakes in Mason Jars
Before and After Easter Treats from atthepicketfence.comBefore and After Easter Treats!
Chocolate and Mint Shamrock Brownies from At the Picket FenceChocolate and Mint Shamrock Brownies
A Love Story
DIY Flower Necklace
Hearts Made of Clay for Valentine’s Day
Decadent Valentines Day Chocolate Bark from At The Picket FenceDecadent Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bark
DIY Love Mug from At The Picket FenceDIY Love Mug…for Valentine’s Day!
Chocolate and Himalayan Pink Salt Dipping Spoons from At The Picket FenceChocolate and Pink Salt Dipping Spoons
What Is Love? Valentine’s Day Tree
Faux Wood Valentine's Day Candles from At The Picket FenceFaux Wood Valentine’s Day Candles
Mini Boden Inspired Heart Applique T-Shirt
Strawberries and Cream Pound Cake from At The Picket FenceStrawberries and Cream Pound Cake! I heart it!
Our Best from 2012 ~ Happy New Year!
Ring in the New Year with Cake!
The good news of Christmas….
Hosting a Holiday Party!
Inspiring Christmas Features!
Pinecone Christmas Trees from At The Picket FencePine cone Christmas Trees..simplicity at its best!
O Holy Night Mirror and Advent Mantel
Framed Christmas Wreath and Front Porch Decor
Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint NOEL Sign from At The Picket FenceMiss Mustard Seed Milk Paint…NOEL Sign
Metallic Sea Shell Christmas Trees from At The Picket FenceMetallic Sea Shell Christmas Trees
Ribbon Banner Ornaments and Being Blog Worthy
Holiday House Walk 2012 At The Picket FenceAt The Picket Fence….our Holiday Houses!
Two Fun Holiday Announcements!
a tale of two Christmas treesA Tale of Two Trees..Christmas Tree Blog Hop
Simple DIY Advent Calendar
Small Business Saturday Shopping!
A Song of Thanksgiving
Glitzy Thanksgiving Place Setting Menus from At The Picket Fence and KrylonGlitzy Thanksgiving Place Setting Menus…a fun last minute craft!
Ballard Holiday Table Runner Knock-Off
Farewell to Fall in My Home
Corn Husk Wreath and Flower Napkin Ring
Thanksgiving Traditions Party Highlights
Thanksgiving Tablescape, Corn Husk Flowers and a Linky Party!
Pumpkin Pie Latte…a perfect fall treat!
How To Make a Creepy Crawly Halloween Canvas
Thrift Store Door Decor For Fall
A Picket Fence 4th of July!
Fourth of July Fire Cracker Jello Shots (kid and adult version) from www.atthepicketfence.comFirecracker 4th of July Jello Shots!
Patriotic Pool Noodle Firecrackers!
Perfectly Patriotic Memorial Day Features
Lemon-Raspberry Coffeecake…a spring dessert for the hop!
Bunny Blog Hop~Resurrection Garden
Damask and Book Page Easter Egg Topiaries
Spring Mantel Copycat
At The Picket Fence Valentine’s Day Recap…
Valentine’s Day Features!
Make Your Own Tiered Tray Tutorial
Envelope Chair Backer and Giveaway Winner!
Christmas Garland turned Valentine’s Wreath
Valentine’s Day Garland and Vignette
Dollar Tree Valentine’s Day Ring of Roses Wreath
Feathered Boa Heart Wreath
Fun and Easy Tinsel Wreath and a few more decorations
Three Dollar Tree Wreaths
Banisters and Foyers~Welcome to Vanessa’s Home
Chalkboard Frame Tree Topper
Two Mantels…One Meaning~ Vanessa’s Turn!
Heather’s Mantel~ Christmas Blogger Block Party 2011
Citrus and Evergreen~A Christmas Copycat
Anthropologie Snow Globe Knockoff
Let’s get this holiday season started…
DIY Halloween Candy Jars
A Tale of 3 Pumpkins … Pumpkin Two: Faux Nailheads
How to make a book page pumpkin
A Tale of Two Mantels…Part One
Labor Day Gone Dreamin…
4th of July Decor-“Bang” for your Buck!
A perfect Valentine’s Day Dessert…Chocolate Nutella Lava Cakes!
3 Ideas for Getting Your 3 Year Old…
A Good Idea…for Valentine’s Day!

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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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