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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 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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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….
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…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!
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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. 🌿
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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.

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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.

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