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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

October 28, 2011

Inspiration Friday No. 38!

Anyone else out there having a hard time believing that this is the last weekend in October? Sheesh!
The end of this month always seems to be bittersweet. Each gust of wind pulls more and more leaves off the branches and the vibrant colors are slowly fading away. Crisp mornings give way to down right freezing ones and even though we are some Christmas-lovin’ fools around here, the hustle and bustle of the holidays gives little time to pause and enjoy your surroundings.
So, we are going to drag out Fall as long as we possibly can!
Vanessa has been getting a little bit snap-happy with her new camera (Nikon D3100) and wanted to give you a taste of what Oregon is like in all of it’s Autumnal glory.
Maybe this will help convince people that it doesn’t actually rain there every.single.day!

Hey guys! See that mountain peeking up in the distance of the picture below?
That is Mt. Hood and this was my view Wednesday morning outside my front door.

And yes, that is the actual sunrise…we do have those here! Winking smile

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Prior to moving to the Pacific NW, I had no idea that there would be such distinct seasons and that Fall would be the most glorious of events! I grabbed my camera as we left the house that morning so you could get a glimpse of what I see when I take my son to school each day.

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I pass by this gravel road every day and always imagine where it leads. Doesn’t it look full of possibility? I would venture up there except I’m afraid it will be disappointing when I see what it leads 
to so I will just keep it all in my imagination.

Plus I don’t want them to call the police for trespassing!

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If I am heading back towards town after dropping my son off at school, this is what I will see on the way.

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The Willamette Valley has a winery on practically every corner so there is no shortage of gorgeous scenery right outside our doors.

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Next time you are at the store, pick up an Oregon Pinot Noir.
You won’t be disappointed!

034


Unless you don’t like it.
In which case, forget I said anything!

Thanks for letting me share a bit of my world with you today,
1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B
Now to our features from last week!
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We fell in love with this gorgeous French Chalk Paint Bench from Kim at Savvy Southern Style! Whenever we think Kim couldn’t top her last project she shares something like this…
Sigh…just lovely with those fabulous pillows! And speaking of pillows…


RitaJoy from Harbour Breeze is working through a 31 Days of Craft Fair Preparation and she shared these gorgeous DIY Flour Sack stenciled pillows with us! Yes you can make these pillows!  
pile of pillows ps
Or maybe we can just sweet talk RitaJoy into making  us one…Winking smile


Maureen from It’s All Connected shared this great tutorial on how to age galvanized steel! So if you’re having a hard time finding vintage buckets this is the perfect way to age a new one!
We loved this unique Welcome Sign that Sarah from Sidetracked Sarah shared with us.  She created it for a one of a kind DIY wedding present!
We think nothing could be more welcoming than falling into this gorgeous bed at night! Christina from Designing by Numbers shared how she MADE this fabulous Upholstered Headboard!
She gives a step by step tutorial with lots of details…and we think the results were amazing!
We wanted to leave you with two great recipes! Up first Nellene from Style Baggage shared with us a Dinner In A Bag! We just love this idea, so original and just plain cool!
 
and to finish off this fabulous dinner we’ll serve you up some of Aimee from It’s Overflowing’s Pumpkin Mouse. Yep, we want to lick the screen too! grin! 
Thank you to all of our features this week as well as to all of you who share your amazing ideas, projects and inspiration with us each and every week! If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located in on our Buttons Page found under our header!
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:

stuffandnonsense
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 (MANDATORY) and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows sometimes we miss some 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 Inspiration Friday is brought to you by the following sponsor:

where you can find fabulous original watercolors!

66 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    I love all your photos Vanessa!! It’s absolutely gorgeous where you live! Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  2. Debra @ Common Ground says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Hey Gals, those vineyards look so beautiful in the Fall! Just linked up, thanks for always hosting a great party! xoxo

    Reply
  3. Martha says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    gorgeous, gorgeous photos! thanks for sharing them and for hosting! have a wonderful day!

    Reply
  4. Katie says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    Beautiful photos! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:17 PM

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FEATURING MY BENCH! Great fall pics. Thanks again and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  6. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    Sigh. I miss the PacNW so much that I could cry. I lived in downtown Vancouver for about 10 years and used to drive on the 14 all the time and I miss that view of Mt. Hood. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! And yes, I am a huge fan of Willamette Valley wines, especially the pinots. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Ladies thanks soo much for hosting!! I would gobble up that pumpkin mousse right now. Mmm!

    Gorgeous pics, Vanessa! I didn’t realize you live in Oregon. I’m originally from Northern Ca. I miss it big time in the fall!! I linked up a post with a couple recipes perfect for a fall day. Sweet potato biscuits, need I say more? lol =)

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  8. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    My, my, my, I do love that view outside your door. Thanks for the great fall pics, and for being such wonderful hosts.

    Reply
  9. A Vintage Vine says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  10. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    What gorgeous photos; and great features!! Thanks for sharing!! Thanks for hosting this great party each week! I look forward to it!

    Reply
  11. Ruby Jean says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    You have some Very Beautiful and TASTY!! features this week… Thanks for hosting once again… Just linked up… Have a wonderful rest of the week…

    Reply
  12. Debbie says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    Your photos are just stunning! I would love to visit there, and without a doubt I would imagine myself up that winding little road every day too.

    I actually followed one here after imagining for years. I wasn’t disappointed…

    Reply
  13. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! : ) Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  14. Sherry says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Vanessa,
    Your photos are very pretty! Amazing view of Mt. Hood. Lovin’ the features too. Thanks for having us over!
    Sherry

    Reply
  15. Anita says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Beautiful photos Vanessa!! I almost got the same camera! I have always had Nikon and was ready to get that one, but I am so instructionally challenged, I got the Canon Rebel T3 instead. I think it is really use friendly. but nothing can beat the way colors come straight out of the Nikon. Enjoy it!! I tried to link up, but my link is not showing. I’ll try again later.

    Reply
  16. Aspiring New Moms says

    October 27, 2011 at 9:00 PM

    Hi! Linking up 3 Ways to Wear a Teal Cardigan. I always enjoy the link-up! Thanks so much 🙂

    Reply
  17. Judy says

    October 27, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Those photos are beautiful. What gorgeous landscape. Awesome features. I am off to check them all out in more detail. Thanks as always for hosting a great party.

    Reply
  18. CalypsoInTheCountry says

    October 27, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Beautiful photos! I love this time of year. Thanks for hosting!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  19. debbie--https://refreshrestyle.com/ says

    October 27, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Now I want wine, food in a bag, dessert, a new pillow, to paint my bench, make a headboard, age a bucket, make a sign, and move to Oregon. What’s a girl to do? Y’all are some amazing ladies! Thanks for hosting!
    Debbie

    Reply
  20. Savvy Seasons says

    October 27, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Those photos are gorgeous and wonderful features, too! Thanks for hosting! xoxo ~Liz

    Reply
  21. Liz @ thequickjourney.blogspot.com says

    October 27, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    thank you for hosting. that headboard is amazing!!! love it!

    Reply
  22. Honey at 2805 says

    October 27, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    So happy Vanessa got happy with her new Nikon 3100 (I have the same camera) as Fall the the Pacific NW is gorgeous. I must come to see it in the Fall some day!

    Thanks gals for being such good friends and great hostesses!

    Reply
  23. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    October 27, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Thanks for hosting Girls! Have a great weekend, Martina

    Reply
  24. ritajoy @harbourbreeze says

    October 27, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing my pillows…and your sweet comments about them ~ and for hosting this weekly link party for all of us!

    Reply
  25. AshTreeCottage says

    October 27, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    Reply
  26. andrea says

    October 27, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Thank you for hosting and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  27. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    October 27, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    My goodness…that is one beautiful ride you have!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  28. Heaven's Walk says

    October 28, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    Vanessa – I can not believe the beauty that right outside your door! A mountain? Seriously? Wow! 🙂 Awesome autumn photos today, sweetie!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  29. The Bold Abode says

    October 28, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    sigh… that’s all I can say…

    Thanks for the party! Gwen

    Reply
  30. June Scott says

    October 28, 2011 at 2:53 AM

    Beautiful photos, Vanessa! Thanks for sharing and thanks for hosting this week!

    Reply
  31. A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    What gorgeousness you live by! I would love to have wineries on every corner around here!
    Have a beautiful weekend!
    Jo-Anna

    Reply
  32. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    October 28, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Hi, Girls! So glad to be linking up this week! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  33. trumatter says

    October 28, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    OMG Vanessa. Thanks to you for sharing this wonderful piece of your world with us. DO you know, where I live Fall is very short lived and on all accords goes unseen.

    I wish I was staying where you stay.

    Reply
  34. Andrea Brand . Charcoal and Crayons says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    I just love the Autumn season… thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos and for hosting the party!

    Reply
  35. Kelli @ The Turquoise Piano says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  36. It's All Connected says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    Thanks for the great fall tour! I can’t thank you enough for my first “feature” with my humble bucket! It’s an honour to be mentioned on your beautiful site and enough to be in such illustrious “inspiration” company.~ Maureen

    Reply
  37. Lynn Richards says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    So much loveliness here…it makes me so happy!!! Wish I could take your walk in the mornings…
    xo
    lynn

    Reply
  38. Suzy says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    Beautiful pics. Lovely colours.

    Reply
  39. Kay Ellen says

    October 28, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    So many pretties to gaze at..
    I love all the Fall foliage photos you shared…beautiful!!

    We are finally feeling a little cooler weather in Southern California…well it at least it not 90 + degrees this week Yeah!!

    Have a blessed weekend:)

    Kay Ellen

    Reply
  40. Stuff and Nonsense says

    October 28, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    sorry that i’m
    a little late this week

    it’s just been a crazy few days

    love the features girls
    and thanks for hosting!

    alison

    Reply
  41. Christie says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    Hey! I love to see a peak into your world! It is very lovely and I think I will need to go get that wine…it has been an extremely busy month! I could use a break with a nice glass of something yummy! I hope you girls are well! The holidays are upon us, so I imagine the craziness is really just beginning! Love to you! Christie

    Reply
  42. Jenny @ Embellishing Life says

    October 28, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Beautiful autumn pictures! Thanks so much for hosting. Enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  43. Julianne says

    October 28, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Love your pictures! This is my first time linking up on your blog, and im also a new follower, id love if you’d check out my blog!

    http://www.sewfantastic.blogspot.com

    Reply
  44. Anonymous says

    October 28, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    I’m always so surprised when someone on a blog I love posts a photo of a similar view I have! From my dining room east of Portland, I see Mt. Hood as well!

    Reply
  45. Marla and Steve says

    October 28, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    My Fall is your Fall. It’s sure been beautiful lately, hasn’t it? Love the photos. Thanks for hosting the party. I brought apple butter but forgot the wine 🙂

    Reply
  46. Christina says

    October 28, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    THANK YOU!!!! Heather and Vanessa, for featuring my headboard on your GORGEOUS blog!!!

    Just in case you’re wondering… yes, I’m still squealing!!! 😉

    You two are just awesome!

    (And, thanks for hosting another amazing party and featuring some other fantastic projects!!!)

    Take care,
    Christina
    designingbynumbers.blogspot.com

    Reply
  47. Nellene says

    October 28, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Thanks for featuring my dinner in a bag! I hope you all get a chance to try it. It’s one of my favorite things to make for company. Your photos were gorgeous and an extra treat for someone like me who lives in Southern CA. Our scenery is pretty much the same 24/7. Have an amazing weekend sisters!

    Reply
  48. Sally says

    October 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    I LOVE your blog! Thank you so much for hosting!

    Reply
  49. Mimi says

    October 28, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    What a breath-taking sunrise. You are truly blessed!

    Reply
  50. Kahli says

    October 28, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Lovely pictures!

    Reply
  51. { Repurposed By Emily } says

    October 28, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! So many great ideas to get me inspired for the weekend.
    I’m also a new follower!

    Reply
  52. lesley says

    October 28, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    thanks for hosting!
    beautiful photos!

    lesley
    freakingcraft.blogspot.com

    Reply
  53. lesley says

    October 28, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    thanks for hosting!
    beautiful photos!

    lesley
    freakingcraft.blogspot.com

    Reply
  54. Andrea @Oasis Accents says

    October 28, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    What great photos! Thanks for hosting ladies =)

    Reply
  55. Jodie says

    October 28, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    Hello Ladies!

    Thank you so much for hosting! Love the fall pics, so pretty and serene.

    Jodie

    Reply
  56. Sharon, aka Bootersmom03 says

    October 28, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Great pictures! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  57. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    October 28, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    Hi Ladies, The photos of Fall are beautiful! Thank you for hosting each week.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  58. Jane says

    October 28, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    Fall in the Northwest can be beautiful! Your photos were so pretty (I’ve been to your “neck of the woods” and love Mt. Hood.) I’m up in Gig Harbor and saw amazing color driving through the pass to Spokane. Today? Raining…

    Reply
  59. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    October 28, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  60. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    October 28, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    Hi girls!!! Love your gorgeous photos Vanessa~ soo pretty! Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  61. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    October 29, 2011 at 5:12 AM

    Great features and those outdoor pics are gorgeous! Fall is such a beautiful time of year!

    Reply
  62. Ann says

    October 29, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Your pics look so amazing!

    And I love your inspirations,

    that is one lovely French Bench.

    Reply
  63. Amy @ 11Magnolialane says

    October 29, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    Hey Ladies! Saw your fab kitchen redo featured on The Hidden List today (via Tobi Fairley)… congrats!
    Amy
    http://www.11magnolialane.com

    Reply
  64. Live*Laugh*Love says

    October 29, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Hey my name is Tara. I am your newest follower on your blog site would you be so kind & follow me back it would mean so much to me. Thanks 🙂 Feel free to Like or Follow me on my facebook fan page & my Twitter!!!

    https://taracl2011.blogspot.com/
    https://twitter.com/NicholasMommy07
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/LiveLaughLove/123392547737823

    Reply
  65. Kay Ellen says

    October 31, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    oh my goodness…. I have no clue what happened to my picture on the linky…oh well..

    Happy Halloween~~Have a blessed first week of November!!

    Hugs,
    Kay Ellen

    Reply

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  1. Fabulous Finds - Petticoat Junktion says:
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    […] the ceiling tin. Loved these finds and just wanted to share them.   Thanks, Kathy Sharing with At The Picket Fence Inspiration Friday  Technorati Tags: mantel,ceiling tin,rusty,crackle,antique shops Tags: home decor, junk shopping, […]

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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….
.
…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!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

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. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

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.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

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.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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