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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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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

April 14, 2011

Inspiration Friday No. 11

Welcome one and all to Party Central!
You are in for a treat this weekend because we are offering you a “Two-fer”.
As always, we are thrilled to have you join us for

Where we welcome you to Inspire and Be Inspired, by linking up all of your fabulous DIY projects, crafts, home decor, recipes, and life experiences.
And we are kicking things off a little bit earlier this week because….

 We are excited to be bringing you another installment of

We know you have been on pins and needles just waiting for the next Sister Saturday!
Right?
cricket….cricket…cricket…
Well, you are getting it anyway!
And this time, we want you to link up all of your fantastic Easter/Spring Inspiration.
So, be sure to come back THIS Saturday and share your talented selves with us.
We have some fun in store for you too as we share how we knocked-off were so inspired by some previous Easter Inspiration that we made our own versions of your ideas!
Now, let’s get back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Just so you know, from the moment the Inspiration Friday party starts on Thursday all the way through Sunday, the number of phone calls and texts flying back and forth between us is astounding. We actually sit on the phone with each other and say things like this,
“Oh my goodness, did you see #such and such??!! That is incredible!”
“I know! What about the one so and so did? I’m totally gonna try it myself!”
“How do people come up with these amazing ideas?”
“Seriously!”
And then our husband’s say…
“Will we ever be allowed to use the computer again?”
To which we reply,
“Nope!”
Somehow, we do manage to calm down and actually pick out folks to Feature.
So here goes!


Andrea from Life.Love.Larson  shared with us these darling No Sew Napkin Pillows

This is one that Heather said she wants to try.
No sewing! We love it!
Hop over and pay Andrea a visit to her blog. Life.Love.Larson

Burlap!  It’s all the craze right now in the blogosphere and we’ve been seeing some pretty amazing burlap projects here at Inspiration Friday.  We thought this one from Debbie at
reFresh reStyle was a beautiful use of this humble material. 


This is a lovely painting, but Debbie was hoping for a new look.
So she took it from this…



To this!  Talk about your inspirational recycling!


We want to invite you over to see more of this fabulous burlap project from Debbie as well as her beautiful pictures!  
This next one about knocked Vanessa out of her chair!
Audrey  from Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats shared this beyond darling Vintage Schoolhouse Themed Birthday Party.

 Yep, you gotta see it to believe it!  We hope the few pictures we’ve shown will prompt you to get your tail over to Sweet Cheek’s Tasty Treats and see
Harper’s Vintage Schoolhouse Party.  

And finally after all of the hard work y’all spend on your beautiful, inspirational posts we decided you deserved a special treat!  Katie from Everything Reconsidered  shared this fabulous Chocolate Zucchini Cake with us…and guess what, it’s gluten free!
 Isn’t it amazing that these..


Can be made into this..


Ignore the missing pieces…we had to give it a taste test before we shared it with our friends at the fence..and we both declare Katie’s cake fabulous! Visit Katie to get the recipe to her Chocolate Zucchini Cake.

Now, don’t forget to grab your Featured At Button if you were featured at today’s party or during the week as a Facebook Feature! We have started featuring several links during the week on our Facebook page, so make sure you join us over there to see if you are featured! (did we say the word feature enough?? grin.)

Thanks for joining us at the fence!

When you are done linking up head over and party with the other “Friday Party Friends“:

The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage

                        

And our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense

Stuff and Nonsense


Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!

  •  Friend At The Picket Fence in some capacity
  • 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 in the sidebar) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY)
  • Visit another guest Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you!  We are trying so hard between writing posts, homeschooling, and taking care of our families..grin..to visit everyone’s posts. Sometimes we miss one and for that we apologize.  It makes us feed good knowing others are visiting people as well!  Thank you..it truly means a lot to us! 
And make sure to come back to the fence Saturday Morning for



with all of your fabulous Easter Posts..the party will be going on all week At The Picket Fence!


Link Up!!

25 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Next Post: It’s Sister Saturday and An Easter Link Up! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    April 14, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Thank you for hosting the party. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    April 14, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Hi ladies! Thank you so much for hosting this fun party and for all the inspiration.
    Hugs,
    Sherry
    ps: Vanessa did you get my email about Shabby Apple>

    Reply
  3. reFresh reStyle says

    April 14, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Thanks for mentioning me and my burlap on Inspiration Friday!! You guys are the best! I always look forward to Inspiration Friday~everyone’s projects are so inspiring!
    Sincerely,
    Debbie

    Reply
  4. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    April 14, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Hey Ladies!!

    I love the features this week…I can’t wait to go check them out….

    I linked up…thanks so much for hosting each week!

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    April 14, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    Great features this week! I love them all!! Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  6. Audrey @ Sweet Cheeks says

    April 14, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    Ahhhh! Thank you SO much for liking Harper’s Vintage Schoolhouse Party enough to feature it!!! So cool to see it here 😉

    Reply
  7. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    April 15, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Thanks for hosting ladies! LOve all the inspiration I see.

    Reply
  8. Lounging with a Latte says

    April 15, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    Thanks for providing this avenue to find so many inspirational people in one spot. Keep it up, it’s great viewing.

    Reply
  9. Sue says

    April 15, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    It’s always fun to see what everyone is doing! So glad you girls host this. Kinda wish everyone did more visiting and commenting; but I guess that is the nature of the beast. Hope both of you are getting gorgeous spring weather. It was beautiful here today! 🙂 hugs, Sue

    Reply
  10. Cheryl~ZanyMayd says

    April 15, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    My first time here, So Happy to be joining in, I think I came from one of the other Blog Parties, the hours have passed, so not quite sure… Love Your Blog, Looks like Lots of Fun!
    Cheryl

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    April 15, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    The featured ones are great. I hope to be able to venture about a bit over the weekend and get inspired. I was actually hoping to link up with the vignette that lived in my head inspired from the 1000 Gifts books. Too bad the vignette on the table never became the one in the head.

    It’s so difficult being me…

    I was wondering about Sister Saturday and when you were going to do the next one!

    Reply
  12. alison says

    April 15, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    oh boy…i’m so late getting my linky up this week…too much life going on! and hey…we only had one feature in common this time!

    blessings,

    alison

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    April 15, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    Hi Ladies! Thanks for hosting – I’m a new follower and excited to join up. That schoolhouse party is crazy cool and I love that zucchini recipe!

    -Stephanie
    henry  happened

    Reply
  14. Sue says

    April 15, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    So many great features! Love the vintage schoolhouse party!

    Reply
  15. Lynn Richards says

    April 15, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    Thanks so much Heather and Vanessa!! I’m looking forward to getting back into my regular Friday routine!
    xo
    lynn

    Reply
  16. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    April 15, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    Hi there ladies~ What great features this week and zucchini chocolate cake…oh my!!! Sounds delicious!! Thanks for hosting!! 🙂

    Reply
  17. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    April 15, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    I know a version of that cake as Courgette cake….That name is SOOOO much more glam!

    Thank you SO much for hosting. Your blog always makes me LONG for a sister of my own ( in a nice way!).

    Sarahx

    Reply
  18. Kristin says

    April 15, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Happy Friday Girls…
    No crafting, baking or decorating for me. Just encouragement and inspiration on my heart.
    Thanks so much for hosting a lovely linky. Have a beautiful weekend!
    Love, Kristin

    Reply
  19. Curtains In My Tree says

    April 15, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I linked up and i think it’s the first time I am checking out every lady

    Reply
  20. Bonnie says

    April 15, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Love this site. Just stumbled upon it. I have linked up my snowman hat because we all need to get a jump on next winter, right? I’ll following!!!

    Reply
  21. Patricia Torres says

    April 15, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Thanks for hosting this lovely party.. I’ve linked in this week.. I’m now off to check out the fab inspirations you’ve mentioned.. 🙂

    Reply
  22. Christie says

    April 15, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    FIRST! Vanessa, I received the sweetest thing! You will get a note from me, but wanted you to know I received it and that you are so kind! The tears came and my husband, once again, looked at me like I was crazy! Look for my note! LOVE these ideas, especially the vintage school house party! I am throwing (way late!) a paper doll vintage party for my daughter and this gave me some great ideas! Will pop over and tell her! Shamefully, I haven’t done much with decor for Easter! Will try to throw it together! Love to you girls and blessings this Easter to your families!

    Reply
  23. A Vintage Vine says

    April 15, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party!! Love your features!

    Reply
  24. Katie Jones says

    April 16, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    Thanks so much for the feature!!!! I was in Vegas for work all week and was super excited to come home and see that you my recipe was featured on Inspiration Friday 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend.

    Katie

    Reply
  25. At The Picket Fence says

    April 16, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    @Debbie-Wanted to post this on here for others to see. The next Sister Saturday after this week’s Easter Edition will be the 4th of July! So get those patriotic posts ready..ok so you’ve got a little time left. 😉

    Heather

    Reply

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“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 and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
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And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
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If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
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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.

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