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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

January 13, 2012

Inspiration Friday No. 47

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Welcome friends of At The Picket Fence! Heather mentioned in her post yesterday, that we are creeping up on our One Year  Blogiversary!! That is just really hard for us to believe.
It seems to have FLOWN BY, yet we feel like we have known so many of you forever.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being so supportive of our blogging endeavors! Many of you have been with us from the first post and since then we have met so many fabulous new friends! We have some fun things in store to celebrate the occasion, one being interviews with us! Whose doing the interviewing you ask?
Why…you of course!

We want to know what you want to know about us! Is there anything you’ve been curious about? Are you wondering if we’re harboring some deep dark secret? grin! Wanna know some trivial, mindless facts about us? Like our favorite color, favorite TV show, little know vices. Our bra sizes….er um…okay so maybe not that. Winking smile 

If you feel so inclined and let’s face it… just plain nosey, then please leave a question in the comment section on this post OR you can email them if you would like! That will give us time to answer and contemplate and cringe over our answers. lol! We’ll also be posting this our Facebook Page, if you  want to ask there. So, in advance, thanks for participating. 


We hope it’ll be fun and stay tuned for our Blogiversary week!
We also want to invite you to join us each week for a fun new series…Proving Pinterest!
pining pinterest
Each week we will create a “vlog “(that’s a fancy word for a video on a blog post) where we will “prove” a pin from Pinterest! You can see this past week’s Proving Pinterest video and stay tuned Saturday for Vanessa’s Proving Pinterest choice…will it be a “pinner”!?


Now onto our Fabulous Features!

picketfence_20010_thumb[18]_thumb[2]
Katie at Creatively Living has started a fantastic new series called With the Kids Wednesday.
Her first installment entitled “Putty Buddies” proves to all of us that allowing our kids to help us provides incredible opportunities for bonding, learning and yes, some good old-fashioned messy fun!

Lynnette from {Decor}ography shared with us one of the most gorgeous nurseries we have ever seen!
The details in this space are truly incredible and we think the color palette is so sophisticated and sweet.

Margo of Joyful Homemaking used Dollar Store buckets to create this fantastic and customized storage for her boys. We have a slight case of organizational envy now!

This gorgeous Mod Podged Vintage French Script  Fruit from Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict jumped out at us from the party! Aren’t they just lovely.  Perfect for winter and spring decorating!

deco fruit
Okay folks, this next feature had us scrolling back and forth through the pictures, because it’s hard to believe it’s the same room! You must check out Amy at Grown from Scratch’s living and dining room makeover! Fabulous! Go leave her some comment love on her hard work!

livingroomfeature
We thought this idea from Decorating With a Little Bit was ingenious! She installed a beautiful stained glass window as an INTERIOR window to let in more light to the vanity area of their master bath! Just gorgeous and so clever.

And as you know here at Inspiration Friday, while we adore and are amazed at the talent and creativity of our DIY crowd, we also cherish the special posts that touch us deeply.  The posts where you open your hearts to us and share special words of encouragement, joy and even pain and disappointment.  This last feature is from Heather’s friend Nedra of Adventure Mom! She’s just the coolest person…full of life! Her post “Why Death has Made Me Want to Life” touched us deeply, and we promise it will touch you too.

 
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!

Are you new to linky parties and kinda confused how they work? Have you wondered if you’re following “linky party etiquette”? We invite you to pay Donna at Funky Junk Interiors a visit and follow her great Linky Party Series!

This Inspiration Friday is sponsored by:
20 North Ora

62 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Drum Shade Chandelier Tutorial
Next Post: Proving Pinterest Video Series…Candle Wax and Irons »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin @ How to Nest for Less says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    WOW, absolutely amazing features! Definitely inspired by some of these space 🙂

    Reply
  2. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    These are all such great features! Thanks for hosting each week!

    Reply
  3. Lisa - A Room with A View says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    Thank you for hosting! There is a lot to look at here.

    Reply
  4. Stuff and Nonsense says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    love the features
    as usual girls

    all linked up
    and thanks for hosting!

    alison

    Reply
  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    Great features. I will check some of them out. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  6. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Wow! Thanks for the feature! And thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  7. debbie refresh restyle says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thanks for the party! Hope y’all are having a great week!
    Debbie

    Reply
  8. Heaven's Walk says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Hi Vanessa! Thank you so much for your sweet comment about my feature at Faded Charm! I felt so honored to be asked! 🙂 Also, thank you for hosting this great linky party, too! It’s certainly one of my favs! 🙂

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  9. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  10. Sue says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    I have got to get out from under my chaos and go visiting! These features and some of the entries from today look wonderful! Thanks so much to you two sissies for hosting. And I mean “sissies” in a good way. That’s what I call my husband’s sisters!
    🙂 Sue

    Reply
  11. Eclectically Vintage says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    Wow – congrats on one great year – here’s to many more!
    Kelly

    Reply
  12. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Looking forward to your upcoming blog anniversary. It’s been a pleasure linking, and getting to know you both. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  13. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    Wow! Time does FLY!! Congrats on a year:-) Love this feature…thank you ladies for hosting!

    Reply
  14. Sherry says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:14 PM

    Thanks for hosting.
    Sherry

    Reply
  15. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    Happy Blogiversary! I CAN NOT believe you’ve been up and running a year already! Hugs, Kim

    Reply
  16. Katie says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    Really? One year already!! Wow! Congrats on an incredible year you two!! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  17. Richella says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    WOW, girls, I can’t believe it’s already been a year! 2011 was full of challenges for me–I have to admit I was glad to see the ball drop this year!–but I guess it went by pretty quickly, didn’t it??

    I’m so glad to see your success. You two deserve it.

    As always, thanks for hosting a really fun party. You bring out the best in people. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Debra @ Common Ground says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    Hi Girlies! I just love everything that Debbie from Confessions of a Plate Addict does. I’d feature her every week if I could. LOL!!!! just linked up, xoxo

    Reply
  19. Kathy says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:45 PM

    Isn’t it amazing all the talent shared in blogland! You’ve presented some wonderful features – I loved the Mod Podged fruit! Gorgeous! Your lamp shade is amazing – My daughter would swoon over it! Thank you for hosting and thank you for sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    Reply
  20. Kristin says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    Happy almost blogiversary!!! I’ve loved your blog from the moment I found it, and you ladies have become one of my favorites. I always look forward to new posts!!

    Thanks for hosting the party!!

    Reply
  21. Youaretalkingtoomuch.com says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:03 PM

    Thank you for hosting this awesome party! Finally stopped by again! Love, Me

    Reply
  22. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:09 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  23. Betsy says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    Love these features! Thank you so much for hosting, this is my first time at your party.

    Reply
  24. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:32 PM

    Happy Blogiversary, girlies! I sure have enjoyed being a part of your first year.
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  25. NanaDiana says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    Congrats on your one year anniversary. Wow! Can hardly believe it has been that long.

    Love all your features- I always find a new blog or two. xo Diana

    Reply
  26. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    Hi ladies, Happy one year anniversary. I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed following along with you this year! Thank you for hosting.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  27. Pamela says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:18 AM

    Has it been a year already??? WOW times flies when you are having fun I guess! Y’all turned into avower house! Congrats! Thanx for hosting!

    Reply
  28. Calypso In The Country says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:20 AM

    Happy One Year! Thanks for hosting today!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  29. Bonnie@Creative Decorating says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    I’m joining with an inspirational story of another blogger. I hope everyone will take the time to read her story!

    Reply
  30. Rebecca says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:18 AM

    Congratulations on one year!
    Thanks so much for hosting.
    Blessings
    Rebecca

    Reply
  31. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    Happy One Year Bloggerversary! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  32. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:47 AM

    Congratulations for your one year anniversary! I love your features; they’re wonderful! Thanks for hosting this great link party!

    Reply
  33. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:48 AM

    Hi there! I’m a follower but I’m new to your party 🙂 Thanks for hosting it.

    Would love it if you stopped by Turnstylevogue.com to say hi!

    Shari

    Reply
  34. Anne Lorys - Fiona and Twig says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:05 AM

    Happy Blogiversary!
    So happy yo call y’all friends!

    XOXO,
    Anne

    Reply
  35. Katie @ Creatively Living says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:31 AM

    Thanks so much for the feature! I linked the 2nd “With the Kids Wednesday” up tonight!

    Happy Anniversary!!!

    –Katie

    Reply
  36. Gallamore West says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:32 AM

    Happy One Year!! This is my 1st time linking up here and I’m your newest follower. I love the projects you featured from last week, especially that nursery {swoon!}
    xo,
    Laurie @ Gallamore West

    Reply
  37. Nann from At Nann's Table says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Heather and Vanessa…I’ve just come to love you two to bits. Not only do you have a wonderful blog but you hostess such a great link up party. I am so thrilled that I can be a part of it. I loved the feature of the organizational bins from the Dollar Store. Now that is creative and functional besides being downright thrifty. What great bloggers you have to come to participate!

    Nann

    Reply
  38. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:26 AM

    Hi Ladies~
    As always, thanks for hosting. Watched your Pinterest video and look forward to seeing what’s up next on your vlog!

    Reply
  39. SavannahGranny says

    January 13, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Great features, thanks for hosting.
    Blessings, Ginger

    Reply
  40. Amanda says

    January 12, 2012 at 11:34 PM

    My last comment vanished:(

    Great features today. So much talent in blogland!!

    Thanks for hosting us!
    Amanda

    Reply
  41. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    January 13, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  42. Natasha in Oz says

    January 13, 2012 at 10:59 AM

    Thanks for having me today ladies-it’s fun to be back after a long bloggy break!

    See you soon for your pinning post!

    Best wishes and happy weekend,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  43. Amy From Grown From Scratch says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    Thank you SO much for featuring me today. It really means a lot, you totally made my week!

    Reply
  44. Margo says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Thank you guys so much for featuring my boys room organization!

    Reply
  45. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    January 13, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  46. Kerry Rossow says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:25 PM

    That drum chandy is gorgeous!
    Thank you so much for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  47. Debbie says

    January 13, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    I’m in catch up mode here. I had to tell you before I forget that I love Heather’s drum shade fixture and am now trying to figure out where to put one up.

    I’m sure I can come up with a nosey question if I give myself some time.

    In the meantime, I plan to get a cup of hot cocoa and let myself get inspired as the weekend progresses. I need some project motivation!!

    Reply
  48. classic • casual • home says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:34 PM

    Lots of fun and creativity…how pretty is that nursery? Off to check our the sites you recommend! Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  49. Mimi says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Happy New Year and thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  50. Little Bit says

    January 14, 2012 at 1:14 AM

    Girls, thank you so much for featuring my master bath interior window! It’s super exciting for us to be featured. We just started our blog less than 2 months ago and already I can’t believe how much I’ve learned about a whole new world, and so much more to learn. I really appreciate it. Little Bit from DecorateWithaLittleBit.com p.s. Heather: love the new pic 😉

    Reply
  51. Becca says

    January 14, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    Fab features … you girls sure know how to throw a par-tay !! As always, thanks for hosting and letting me play !! xoxo

    Reply
  52. CAS says

    January 14, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    Oh, you two are so fabulous! Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. I’m one of those who has followed from the beginning, & it’s always fantastic. Look forward to your new ideas.
    CAS

    Reply
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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “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! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November 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!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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