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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

April 28, 2011

Inspiration Friday No. 13!

 
Welcome, welcome everyone! We were going to show you a picture this week of Vanessa pulling her Recycling Can to the curb but we thought that might just be a little bit too much after the whole tree-hugging thing.
If you have no idea what we are talking about…well…you might just be better off!
 What we are going to share with you this week is a sneak peek at the progress Heather is making on her Kitchen Remodel on a Budget!

“Hey my favorite girlies and guys?! in blogland!  After a month..yes a month..of this kitchen remodel I am finally putting cabinet doors back up!  And just in time for 40 kids to show up Friday night for the boy’s 17th birthday party..17…sigh..but that’s for another post.  Anyhoo, I thought you all might like to see a quick sneak peek of one of two open cabinets I will have in the kitchen now.  I have been inspired by so many wonderful bloggers out there that I will give credit to in the final reveal but I have to give major props to my friend Courtney at French Country Cottage for inspiring me to create arches in the open cabinets!  I am in L.O.V.E. with how they turned out…Now it was a horribly cloudy day yesterday so I apologize for the lighting…any one else having raining days lately…heh. Pretty much the whole country right?  So ya ready…

Wood beadboard on sides of cabinets

 

Beadboard wallpaper added to backs, tops and sides

My beautiful curved arches thanks to Courtney’s inspiration and Bama Boy’s jigsaw cutting skills
“I’ll share all the details in future posts!  Needless to say this is a time consuming but totally rewarding project! Cant’t wait to show you everything…but you’ll have to wait just a lil while longer. 😉


And now, let’s get to our Features from last week’s party!
 
First up this week is an absolutely GORGEOUS vintage themed picnic, created by Lisa at Simply…This That & The Other for her college-bound daughter.

 
This, as you can see, was no ordinary picnic. Not only did she haul a dresser (you read that right!) to a local park in order to create this stunning setting, she also used this opportunity to speak into the life of her daughter and to reflect on their relationship with each other.
 
 There is also a wonderful video at the end of the post which truly captures how special this moment was and how close these 2 women are. Get your tissues ready and pay a visit to Lisa at Simply…This That & The Other.
 
 
Next up we have another Lisa. This one from Before Meets After, who shared this gorgeous dining room table transformation. It was actually completed, with Lisa’s help, by her friend Christine and we think it looks like the perfect addition to Christine’s already stunning dining room! Isn’t the fabric choice on the seats just perfect with the wall color?


Lisa has so many other fabulous projects happening at her lovely blog and we hope you will pop over and pay her a visit at Before Meets After.
 
 Now, would you believe that you could take these….
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
And use them to make this?

 
Well, whether you believe it or not, you need to head over and visit Jess from
Hill Country Homebody and check out this incredible artwork she created!

 
Elizabeth from Just Following Jesus shared not only her talent as an artist with us, but also the lovely story behind this gorgeous Bluebell Painting.
Did you know that Bluebells are actually considered a weed?
 002

When Elizabeth painted this she had someone particular in mind.
Someone who was feeling a lot like a “weed“.
We’ve all been there haven’t we?
Well, you must go and visit Just Following Jesus to find out more about this story and how this painting of Bluebells helped someone realize the “flower” that they actually are!

 
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.)
 
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday 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
Our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense
Stuff and Nonsense

And the gracious Debra from Common Ground

vif187

 
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! 
This week’s Inspiration Friday party brought to you by our
Featured Etsy Shop of the month!

26 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Comments

  1. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    April 28, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    LOVE that table….I just re-did my very similar…

    I’m new to her fab blog!

    Thanks ladies for hosting!!

    Reply
  2. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    April 28, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    That table is fabulous! Thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  3. Pam says

    April 28, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    I love the new cabinets! And the metal basket among the wicker looks so cute! Great job!

    Thanks so much for having the party. It’s so fun to see the amazing projects that people post.

    Have a great day.
    Pam

    Reply
  4. bj says

    April 28, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    I have really loved seeing all the talent displayed here.
    Thanks so much for hosting such a pretty and all-around meme. And, thanks so much for putting the link up early. That is SO helpful.
    xo bj

    Reply
  5. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    April 28, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    LOVE that beadboard! Such a great project, the arches are so fab. Hope you girls are finally getting some sun! Thanks for hosting, and have a great weekend :))
    xoxo, Andrea

    Reply
  6. AshTreeCottage says

    April 28, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Lots of talented women! Thanks for some great inspiration and for a great party.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    Reply
  7. A Vintage Vine says

    April 28, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Thanks for hosting…I am loving the kitchen so far!!!

    Reply
  8. elizabeth says

    April 28, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    I love your new cabinets and am a wee bit jealous!
    Thank you beyond words for featuring my bluebell painting! I feel so blessed!

    Reply
  9. Judy says

    April 29, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    Great features. Thank you as always for hosting. I look forward to your party.

    Reply
  10. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    April 29, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Thanks for hosting girls! Heather your kitchen cabinets look amazing can’t wait for the big reveal!! Martina

    Reply
  11. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    April 29, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    Thanks for hosting girls. I love that white kitchen table, all your features are lovely!

    Reply
  12. Magpies and Magnolias says

    April 29, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    the beaded board wallpaper is amazing! I need to remember that …

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  13. Eleni says

    April 29, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting this great party:) So much inspiration!!! I love it!!!

    Reply
  14. Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents says

    April 29, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    Anything beadboard is really REALLY doing it for me these days! Beautiful post! Thanks so much for hostessing this fun event!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

    Reply
  15. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    April 29, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Oh your open cupboards are just FAB-U LOUS Heather! They look amazing- and thanks so much for the sweet shout out! Can’t wait to see the final kitchen reveal- thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Cozy Home Scenes says

    April 29, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    40 17 year olds? You’re either a saint or crazy! Happy birthday to your son.

    About your pictures…. If you have a despeckle option on whatever photo enhancement program you are using, that will erase some of the grainy issues. That’s what I have to do on rainy days. Yesterday was one of those days. Today was sunny, so I was retaking pictures like mad to get my post.

    Thanks for the party and have a great weekend!

    Reply
  17. Christie says

    April 29, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    The cabinets look awesome!! I can’t wait to see it all! And that feature of the mother/daugther picnic? Well, I am crying just from these images! I will check it out! So sweet and that time will be here before we know it…guess Heather you are feeling that, too with a 17 yo birthday! Have fun and enjoy soaking in every minute! Much love! Christie

    Reply
  18. Curtains In My Tree says

    April 29, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    Thanks for hosting today.

    I love seeing all the ideas others have

    I have so many projects to get done

    Reply
  19. Lindsay says

    April 29, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Thanks for hosting!! Love all the inspiring projects.

    Reply
  20. stefanie says

    April 29, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    how fun, glad I joined this party, off to visit, thanks!

    Reply
  21. alison says

    April 29, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    perhaps we’re no longer on the same wavelength? too sad…:( did you love the wedding as much as i did…and i did a whole lot…my daughter and i were up at 4 to sip tea and munch scones while enjoying the show…in the words of mary poppins, ‘it was practically perfect in every way.’ have a great weekend girls!

    alison

    Reply
  22. Green Door Girl says

    April 29, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    love the art work! I am glad to be linking up again, my three/four week hiatus had me missing all the wonderful projects! 🙂

    Reply
  23. CAS says

    April 30, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Heather, love the open shelves with the arch. Saweet! Can’t wait to see the whole finished kitchen. By-the-way, my link to the party is about the give-away I won on your blog from Larkspur Interiors. I tried to give everyone lots of credit. Ya’ll rock!!!
    CAS

    Reply
  24. Debra@Common Ground says

    April 30, 2011 at 4:38 AM

    Hi Gals, so glad you joined in today, the more the merrier. Such fun “spreading the bloggy love”!!
    xoxo, Debra

    Reply
  25. andiejaye says

    April 30, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    thanks so much for hosting! i just painted and distressed the base of my white table and am getting ready to do the chairs! great minds think alike!

    Reply
  26. jessica @www.hillcountryhomebody.blogspot.com says

    May 15, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    Oh myI don’t know how I missed this! Maybe it is because I have been a wee bit absent from blogging for a couple of weeks! Anywho..Thank you, Thank you for featuring our wall art!

    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.
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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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