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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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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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Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to sha Happy Friday!! I’m working on a blog post to share all of the details of our family room shelving makeover but I’m super impatient and just had to give you all a sneak peek!! We are SO happy with how they turned out and it finally looks like I’ve always envisioned. Our quick fix years ago (scroll to see the before photo) never felt quite right but now? Soooo much better!! 🙌🏻 Big shoutout to our amazingly talented friend Matt @redemptive_woodworx for bringing our vision to life and doing such impeccable work.

I hope you all have a great start to the 4th of July weekend and make sure to check my stories later for Friday Funnies!
The month of June is coming to a close and it has The month of June is coming to a close and it has been JAM packed! The highlight by far though was my son's graduation from high school. When I started blogging, he was only 6 years old and some of you have been apart of my community here for that entire time. Now, he's 19 and there is a reason parents are told not to blink because the years truly do go faster than I ever could have imagined. He has become such an incredible young man we are so excited to see how God is going to unfold the next chapter of his life. We celebrated with parties galore (SO many open houses to attend!) and made memories we'll forever cherish. My mama heart was filled to bursting with the joy of it all! Now we're taking some time to just enjoy these warm, summer days making even more memories because, when you’re at this stage of parenting, you know all too well how much you need to grasp every opportunity to spend time together.

I hope your summer is off to a great start too dear friends! 🪴
“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts o “And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Happy first day of summer dear friends!! I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted something new here but life has been crazy. I’ll have some new photos of house projects and life events to share with you soon but, got now, I’m just going to enjoy this gorgeous first day of summer after our ridiculously long, wet spring. ☀️
“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. Th “It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” (Maud Hart Lovelace) 

Welcome June!
“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. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. 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.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
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