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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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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “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! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year 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!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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