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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
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June 17, 2011

Inspiration Friday No. 20

 

At The Picket Fence Inspiration Friday Graphic
Whew! How on earth are we already celebrating 20 weeks of Inspiration Friday??It has been our extreme pleasure to host you all here week after week  and to be so inspired it makes us dizzy sometimes!
Last week we had so many of you link up that we are still making the rounds to thank you and if we forgot someone we want you to know that it was purely for lack of hours in the day. As the party continues to grow (which we love!) we hope you know that you will all continue to be gracious guests and go and mingle with the other party-goers. It sure helps to ease our minds when we worry about folks feeling left out!

And speaking of Parties…

Have you heard about this one? We just haven’t talked about it enough, have we?
We just wanted to remind everyone that this will be happening next week INSTEAD OF our weekly Inspiration Friday Party! We are joining forces with all of these fabulous bloggers to host one big week long summer link party!
We each will have a summer related theme everyday of the week and you are welcome to link up as few or as many projects as you want throughout the week related to any of the themes..and trust us there is a theme for everyone! Because this is a “blog hop” the entire link party will show up on all 12 blogs the entire week so you are free to hop from blog to blog linking up your theme related projects!  We will wrap-up the Block Party on Saturday, here At The Picket Fence with a highlight feature of some of our favorite links! How cool is that?!

So what are the themes you ask?  Well here ya go!

DebbieDoo’s Blogging and Blabbing-Summer Paint Projects
At The Picket Fence (Vanessa)-Summer Activities for Kids
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia-Drop Cloth Projects
Savvy Southern Style-Summer Decks and Porches
DIY by Design-Outdoor Cooking and Dining
Elements Interiors-Summer DIY Projects
Green Door Girl Designs-Summer Fashions
No Minimalist Here-Summer Entertaining
SAS Interiors-Summer Spaces
Common Ground-A Vintage Summer
French Country Cottage-A Shabby Cottage Summer
Stuff and Nonsense-Summer Sales (Thrifting, Flea Markets and Yard Sales)
At The Picket Fence (Heather)-Fresh from the Garden (Garden Recipes and Projects)

Links to all of these blogs can be found in our sidebar!!

WHEW! See we told ya there was something for everyone!  We hope you will visit each of the blogs where they will share what they have been up to this summer and then link up your theme related posts! You will see some blogs share a party date! That makes it even more fun!  Just hop over to the other themes and if you have a post (past or present) related to their theme you can link it up!
And, what would a party be without PRESENTS!?! Except these presents aren’t for us…they’re for you!  Yep! That’s right! There will be 13 GIVEAWAYS..one for each theme! So you will need to visit each blog to see what their giveaway is!  That’s a whole lot of giveaway loving!  All giveaways will be drawn from those who link up projects! The more projects you link the more chances you have to win one of the incredible items we will be giving away!   We’d love it if you’d share the Blogger Block Party with your friends!  Feel free to grab any of the graphics or the code for the Blogger Block Party button located in our sidebar!  Thanks!

Onto the Highlights from Last Week!

This feature has to be one of the most darling 1st Birthday Parties we have ever seen! It comes to us courtesy of Meg from My Cup Runneth Over. You must go over and see more of the details of this Vintage Garden Party!
We also flipped over this Angry Birds “Bird”day Party created by Lindsey of A House on the Rock for her son’s 7th Birthday. They were so creative in how they executed this!
IMG_0216 (2) (533x800)IMG_0195 (2) (536x800)
This incredible Kitchen Transformation from J&J Home completely blew us away!
You absolutely must go over there and see the Before photos as well as hear how they did all of this on a tight budget using mostly Ikea Cabinets and Fixtures.

Kristen from Blessed Beyond Measure shared how they created this beautiful banquette seating in their breakfast nook. Her husband did the building and Kristen did the sewing and decorating.
We think they make a pretty good team, don’t you?

We just loved how Jeri from Annabellea showed how many ways she has been using Drop Cloths in her home. This would be the perfect thing to link up to Kristin’s Drop Cloth Projects Day at our
Blogger Block Party next week!

She has so many beautiful projects going on in her home and her jewelry line is absolutely incredible.

Jeri also wowed us with this gorgeous setting for a Summer Porch Party! Hmmm…
Speaking of Porch Parties…this would be the perfect thing to link up to Kim’s Summer Porchs and Decks party next week. Or even Sherry’s Summer Entertaining party!

We are shameless in our plugs of the Blogger Block Party, aren’t we?

We could see these yummy meals being served on that beautiful porch.
Sweet Little Smoothie shared 2 delicious recipes that have Summertime written all over them!

Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook?  Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well! Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week!  We appreciate you!
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
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!

36 Comments Filed Under: Blogger Block Party, Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting…can’t believe it’s No. 20. Congrats on that! I’ll be back over the weekend to visit some links…have a good one. ~Ann

    Reply
  2. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls. I am all ready for Monday..whoo hoo. Just waiting on my giveaway, however, I can still post it even though I may not have it all together.

    Reply
  3. Debra@Common Ground says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    Just linked up, thanks for hosting girls!! xoxo Debra

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    So much inspiration. So little time…

    Reply
  5. Carolyn@SweetChaos says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Thank you for hosting! Happy to be partying with you this week 🙂

    Reply
  6. Coley says

    June 16, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    It’s so much fun to look at everyones projects 🙂
    Thank you for hosting!!

    Reply
  7. Carla @ Hammers and High Heels says

    June 16, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Yay! I made it to the party! Thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  8. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    June 16, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls, have a great weekend, Martina

    Reply
  9. Sarah says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    Thanks for hosting. I’m looking forward to the Blog Party next week. Love Annabellea’s patriotic table. I’m taking inspiration for the details. ~ Sarah

    Reply
  10. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    Can’t believe I’ll be traveling next week! Maybe I can still find a way to party a little… Thanks for sharing this week’s inspiring favs!

    Reply
  11. Becca says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    Would you just LOOK at all of that awesome inspiration?! The IKEA kitchen remodel is amazing, and the summer porch is beautiful. I *so* want that chicken wrap! Thanks so much for hosting! I’m really looking forward to next week … trying to get my porch and patio all ready to go. Have a great weekend. xoxo

    Reply
  12. Sue says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    It’s always fun to link up and meet new friends! hugs, Sue

    Reply
  13. classic • casual • home says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    Great highlights…off to check out this week’s fun happenings.

    Reply
  14. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    June 17, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting, girls! I hope you’ve both had a wonderful week! Lovely features from last week…can’t wait to see everyone’s projects this week!

    Reply
  15. janet says

    June 17, 2011 at 1:01 AM

    Hello Ladies!

    So happy to be here…thanks for hosting!

    Janet xox

    Reply
  16. Diann says

    June 17, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Wonderful featured inspirations! thank you for hosting and have a great day!

    Reply
  17. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    June 17, 2011 at 4:30 AM

    So many great inspiring ideas as always! Thanks, girls!

    Reply
  18. Cozy Home Scenes says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party! So sorry about accidently entering the porch post on last week’s party. When scrolling down, I didn’t notice the dates and kept wondering why I didn’t see it until I relized the old one was still open. Duh! Obviously I didn’t get my nap today. LOL

    Reply
  19. saltbox treasures says

    June 17, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    Next week’s parties sound like fun!
    Thanks for hosting.
    ~ Julie

    Reply
  20. Ivy and Elephants says

    June 17, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    The summer blog party sounds like soooooo much fun. I need to get my ducks in a row and get ready to party. I can’t wait to see everyone there.

    ~Paula of Ivy & Elephants

    Reply
  21. jandjhome says

    June 17, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Wow! Thank you so much for featuring my kitchen. Thanks for taking the time to do this every week.

    Reply
  22. oneshabbychick says

    June 17, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Thanks for the shindig, ladies, as always! Have a wonderful summery weekend! ~ osc

    Reply
  23. Wendy says

    June 17, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Loved the Angry Birds party feature!

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  24. CAS says

    June 17, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    That would be 20 weeks of so much fun! Congratulations! Ya’ll are doing a wonderful job. It’s my “Must check” every Friday.
    CAS

    Reply
  25. blessedbeyondmeasure says

    June 17, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    Thanks for featuring my banquette seating!! It’s so much fun to see others appreciate our hard work! Thanks again,
    Kristen

    Reply
  26. Jeri & Mark says

    June 17, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  27. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    June 17, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Love your features girls~ thanks for hosting! Can’t wait until next week! Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  28. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says

    June 18, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Thank you for hosting… enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  29. Lynn Richards says

    June 18, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    Well, it’s 10 p.m. here on Friday, I’m thinking I missed the party!!
    We are in Oceanside, getting ready for the team to leave tomorrow.
    Stop by and see the pictures so far!
    Thanks again for all your support.
    xoxo
    lynn

    Reply
  30. Write My Essay says

    June 18, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Hey !!!
    thanks a lot for hosting.. have a wonderful weekend…

    Reply
  31. Leslie says

    June 18, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    WOWIE! Does it take you girls a few hours to write a post? So much information!
    I think I can take part in a few of the parties…best get off my fanny and get movin’ 🙂
    I love this linky party this week! What a bunch of fantastic ideas.
    I charged my iPhone, and have an hour and a half ride to Ikea (for my birthday gift) this morning. Guess what I’ll be reading?
    THANK YOU THANK YOU for featuring me this week! I am so totally honored and humbled. You know I love you girls, and to be thought of by you as well, that blesses my heart very much!
    I pray you have a beautiful weekend with much joy and rest.
    Love you!
    ~Leslie

    Reply
  32. Jeri @ Annabellea.com says

    June 18, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    Thanks so much for featuring my Drop Cloth Projects AND my Summer Porch Party! You girls Rock! xoxo Jeri

    Reply
  33. Jessica Lauren says

    June 19, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    Thanks for hosting! I love seeing all the great ideas!
    ~*Jessica Lauren

    Reply
  34. Rita May says

    June 19, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    I’m late to the party and also your newest follower.

    Reply
  35. meg says

    June 20, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    thank you so much for featuring our sweet girls birthday party 🙂 that seriously meant the world to me! love your blog! thanks for hosting these fabulous link parties!! thanks again 🙂

    Reply

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Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap m Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that we’ve completed two decades of parenting! I’ve had time to reflect on this season of life and shared some of my thoughts over at @club31women.

“Someday, years from now, we will watch home movies of the year 2023. And it will seem like I am peeking into the life of another family. I will have vague memories of those moments but my life will be so consumed with what is currently happening that it will seem like another lifetime. So, I embrace this season…this day…this moment. And I choose to declare that the emotional war in my heart between ‘what could have been’ and ‘what might be yet to come’ is over. I’m waving the white flag. I want my children to know that it is good and proper that they grow up and leave the nest. I want them to know that I can celebrate the passing of time rather than resist it even if there may be a few bittersweet tears that spill over from time to time.”

Head over to their devotional page to read the rest and I hope my words bring you encouragement for wherever you are on your parenting journey. 🤍
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“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” John Steinbeck
“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.”
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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?
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*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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