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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

March 16, 2012

Inspiration Friday No. 56 and a Cottage in the Oaks GIVEAWAY!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Hey, hey, hey!!
We are so excited to be bringing you another awesome Giveaway today!
We’re poets and we know it! Winking smile
This one is coming to you from one of our incredible Sponsors.
Daune of the Cottage in the Oaks blog and Cottage in the Oaks Etsy Shop is one of the sweetest gals around. And she also happens to be incredibly talented!
Her shop is filled with some amazing items including these newly added pieces.
Like this European Grain/Flour Sack Jar Candle Holder. How fantastic to be able to cover up those unsightly candle jars as they are burning down and leaving wax around the edges.
This way you just see lovely European fabric!
European Grain Sack / Flour Sack Jar Candle Cover
We are seriously loving this Leather Cuff/Bracelet! You can pick from one of her premade pieces or customize it by choosing your own wording. So cool!
Leather Cuff / Bracelet, HOPE
Or how about these darling European Grain Sack/Flour Sack Covered Votives. Same concept as the jars but on a smaller scale. How adorable would these be lined up on a mantel?
European Grain Sack / Flour Sack Covered Votives-SET
Now for the awesome
GIVEAWAY!!!

One lucky Picket Fence reader will win this fabulous
Vintage Mini French Tabletop Café Chalkboard!
Vintage MINI Tabletop French Cafe Chalkboard, French Cafe Sign
A $39 value, this darling piece is a replica of the large sidewalk ones you would find outside of a quaint French bistro. It is hinged and folds flat for easy storage. Plus, it is double sided!
We could see this used in so many ways…on a counter top, sideboard, centerpiece…
the possibilities are endless!
Vintage MINI Tabletop French Cafe Chalkboard, French Cafe Sign
 
Want to know how to enter to win this awesome prize?
Here’s how:
(Mandatory) 1. Follow Daune at her blog, Cottage in the Oaks and come back and leave us a comment letting us know you did or already do. (1 entry)
(Optional) 2. “Like” Cottage in the Oaks on Facebook and leave us a comment letting us know you did. (1 entry)
(Optional) 3. Visit the Cottage in the Oaks Etsy Shop, take a look around and come back and let us know which item(s) caught your eye! (1 entry)
(Optional) 4. Share this giveaway on Twitter or on your Facebook Page and leave us a comment letting us know you did. (1 entry)

That’s 4, count ‘em 4, chances you have to win this prize!
Giveaway open to US residents only. 
This Inspiration Friday and the Giveaway open until Midnight (EST) on Wednesday, March 21 with the winner being announced at next week’s Inspiration Friday Party.
So, what are you waiting for?

Get on over there and enter to win and then come right back here to party with us!
 
picketfence_20010_thumb[18]
Here are the Features from last week’s party:

INSPIRED ROOMS

 This is a seriously incredible Kitchen Transformation shared with us by B in Real Life!
You must see the “before” to fully appreciate this fantastic “after”. And stick around her blog for awhile because we know you will love her other projects too!
 
 and speaking of kitchens…you MUST see this Tropical Kitchen Makeover of Betsy Speert’s Florida home. AMAZING! We love the fun pops of color..and we think we spy us some tangerine in there…;) 
 
Julie from Knot All That I Seem shared how she spruced up a neglected corner of their lounge room! It is so bright and fresh now, and we’re sure they will be using this little cozy corner often!

 

We couldn’t wrap up the Inspiring Room portion of Inspiration Friday without sharing this inspiring kitchen!

It’s a wee one, but it’s fabulous nonetheless! Our friends at Low Country Living created this Pottery Barn Knock Off Play Kitchen for their daughter…people this looks like the real deal! What little girl or boy wouldn’t want to spend all day in this culinary dream! You must pay them a visit to see all of the details.

  

MAKEOVERS
If we told you what this Floor Mat was made of, we’re not sure if you would believe us! Seriously, this Cajun Kitchen Mat from Roeshel at DIY Showoff is one of the coolest transformation we’ve seen in a long time.  Make sure to go over to see what this faux wood mat was in it’s former life! 

DIY, tutorial, painted floor mat 
Now if this isn’t a “makeover” we don’t know what is! Can you guess what this adorable little play house used to be?? Do you see it hidden in there…you may even have a grandparent that has one hanging around still or maybe you just can’t see pass these adorable little young ladies. 🙂 Did you guess it lived it’s former life as a Console TV!?! Head over to Sugartot Designs to see how Sarah created this amazing place for her kiddos to play and imagine the day away! 
 
We had to include the before and after of this chair makeover cause you might not have believed us. Kandi from Woven Home made over this yard sale find and shared the process it took to get from trash to treasure! 
 


CRAFTS AND CREATIONS

Now, talk about a conversation starter! This Spoon Pendant Lamp from Miss Flibbertigibbet is one of the coolest creations we have seen in a long time!

 
Amanda from My Heart’s Desire shared these darling Spring Hurricane Vases with Burlap Rosettes. Love that pop of green with the burlap!

 
Karen from Places of my Heart shared this absolutely beautiful front door creation which was inspired by something she saw at Better Homes & Gardens. It is just so fun and whimsical and unexpected. Well done Karen!
We don’t think there’s a parent of a toddler out there who isn’t familiar with Yo Gabba Gabba…oh wait you’ve never heard of Yo Gabba Gabba? 😉 Well Sheila from Note Songs, sure is familiar with it after she created the most ADORABLE Felt Yo Gabba Gabba Finger Puppets for her darling granddaughter! 
 
It was a toss up for us which picture to feature here…the actual finger puppets or beautiful little Carter.  We decided to show you the puppets (in case you really didn’t know what Yo Gabba Gabba was..lol) BUT we insist you head over and visit Sheila so you can see Carter opening her puppets! SO CUTE!!

RECIPES

Roasted Chickpeas from Inspired by Felicity
Stevie from Garden Therapy shared this amazing tutorial on how to Grow Your Own Mason Jar Sprouts! Bet you never thought of that use for a mason jar…;) If every dish we created could looks this beautiful with bean sprouts sprinkled on top, we would be adding them to everything for sure! 
 

Whole Grain Fruity Nutella French Toast…you had us at Nutella! We love this nutritious but also decadent french toast recipe from Pamela at Inspired By Felicity!


 


INSPIRING STORIES
Kerri from HouseTalkN is seriously one of the funniest people we know, but in this feature she shares a little bit of where she grew up: in a small town in Indiana.  Kerry shows us how living in a small town can be truly luxurious! 
 
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,
And…one last thing we want to share with you…Are you following us on
Pinterest
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here!


We are asking you to PRETTY PLEASE (with sugar on top) visit the ACTUAL PROJECT and PIN from there! PLEASE take that extra step to PIN from ORIGINAL SOURCES…it will make Pinterest a better place for all bloggers!  Now, if you like what you see here At The Picket Fence that WE create, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉
THANK YOU !!
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:

stuffandnonsense
vif187
Redoux



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 on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY to be featured At The Picket Fence) 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 feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!
Did you get a chance to see Kim at Savvy Southern Style’s Link Etiquette post? It’s a must read!
Email Updates
Facebook Page
Pinterest
This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:

Don’t forget to enter the Cottage in the Oaks Giveaway
AND they are generously offering a 10% discount off your total purchase in their shop through March 30 for friends of At The Picket Fence with the code: picket10

104 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways, Inspiration Friday, Sponsors

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls! Have a super weekend!!

    Reply
  2. Kathy A Delightsome Life says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    This goes to show that I cannot do two things at once at some times. I was talking to my daughter while linking – so I put my email in the wrong place – I should have typed Verdigris! Such is life! Great features – love your eggs!
    Thanks ladies for hosting
    Kathy

    Reply
  3. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Thanks for the party.

    Reply
  4. Debra @ Common Ground says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    That console tv makeover is so cute and fun! thanks for hosting gals, just linked up! xoxo

    Reply
  5. miss flibbertigibbet says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:45 PM

    Thanks Vanessa and Heather for featuring me! I’m SO flattered! Thanks so much for hosting too…that’s a LOT of dedicated work!
    Lorraine

    Reply
  6. telisa@sugartotdesigns says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    Thanks for the party ladies! And thanks for featuring Sarah’s tv console!!! She is awesome, I found a free tv console on craigslist and don’t think I can pull off what she did!

    Reply
  7. Eclectically Vintage says

    March 15, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    Hi Girls!
    I’m back – my move to WordPress was successful and I’m back to linking (was going thru withdrawal)! Went a bid overboard today! LOVE that spoon light!
    Kelly

    Reply
  8. The French Hutch says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:03 PM

    Great features. AND, what a great giveaway! Thanks for hosting.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    Reply
  9. Fox Hollow Cottage says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:05 PM

    I love feature day! So much GOOD stuff =) Yum. The kitchens are gorgeous… I love B in real life. She has some awesome projects. Those aqua shutters are super cute, might have to paint a set of mine? And I totally pinned and bragged on that rug from the DIY Show Off. I think I NEED me one of those 😉 Thanks for hosting girls =)

    Reply
  10. Julie @ Knot All That I Seam says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Thanks Heather for featuring my Cozy Corner! I’m thrilled!!! x Julie

    Reply
  11. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thanks LOTS for hosting!!! Awesome features!!! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  12. Inspired By Felicity says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    Oh I’m just giddy with excitement that I’m featured!!!

    My husband thinks I’m a terrible cook, I can’t wait until he gets home from work so I can show him that you featured My Food =)

    -Pamela

    Reply
  13. Jessica Kielman says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    Thanks so much for having me! I already see tons of fabulousness!

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

    Reply
  14. Good Time Charlie says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    Oh how I love to look at beautiful kitchens! I especially love that Cajun rug. How fun is that! Thanks for the party, happy weekend. -K

    Reply
  15. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    March 15, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    Those are wonderful features…lovin’ those kitchens! And the spoon lamp…simply amazing!

    Thank you for hosting. You lovely ladies have a wonderful weekend!
    Kristine

    Reply
  16. Lindsay says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    Beautiful party! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  17. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    Thanks for hosting, girls. I’m going to have to check out how that kitchen rug was done.

    Reply
  18. Jessica Kielman says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    Visited and Followed Cottage in the Oaks!

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

    Reply
  19. Jessica Kielman says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    Liked them on fb too!

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

    Reply
  20. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    Love the tabletop chalkboard! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  21. Natasha in Oz says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    Thanks for having me today. I have finally unveiled my new design for my blog! I am so excited! Please pop by if you have a moment and say G’day!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz!

    Reply
  22. Debbie says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    I will be clicking your shout outs this evening. They all look great. I’ve been so busy lately that all I have time to do is browse and click.

    Reply
  23. Carol says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    I am now following Cottage in the Oaks Blog!

    sowingstitches [at] yahoo [dot] com

    Reply
  24. Carol says

    March 15, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    I liked Cottage in the Oaks on FB.

    sowingstitches [at] yahoo [dot] com

    Reply
  25. Lynn says

    March 15, 2012 at 11:30 PM

    Looking forward to checking out all the features. Thanks for hosting, girls. Love your party.
    Lynn at Cottage and Creek
    http://www.cottageandcreek.com

    Reply
  26. Miss Gracie's House says

    March 15, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    Hey girls! I just wanted to say *THANKS* for the feature March 10…you’re so sweet! Congrats on making RH-how exciting! I’m enjoying your delightful blog.
    Rene

    Reply
  27. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:08 AM

    Those are some amazing features. So much talent out there! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  28. Cherished Bliss says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:21 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  29. M.j. says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:21 AM

    I am following Daune on google plus….I don’t know where else to leave comments for the giveaway. ciao4now64@yahoo.com

    Reply
  30. M.j. says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    I like Cottage in the Oaks on fb too….ciao4now64@yahoo.com

    Reply
  31. M.j. says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    I like Leather Cuff bracelet HOPE…ciao4now64@yahoo.com

    Reply
  32. suzyq says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:27 AM

    Thanks for the party ladies!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  33. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:27 AM

    I liked Cottage in the Oaks on FB.

    Reply
  34. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    Love the features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  35. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    I visited the Etsy shop. I liked the tags with the numbers on them. Thanks for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway!

    Reply
  36. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:33 AM

    What a great party and wonderful giveaway!! follow Cottage in the Oaks via GFC!!

    Reply
  37. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:34 AM

    What a great party and wonderful giveaway!! follow Cottage in the Oaks via GFC!!

    Reply
  38. thistlewoodfarm says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    Thanks for an AWESOME party today 🙂 You guys always have the best features. I am off to pin some right now.

    blessings,
    karianne

    Reply
  39. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:35 AM

    “LIKE” Cottage in the Oaks on Fb!

    Reply
  40. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:36 AM

    LOVE the mini chalkboards!!!

    Reply
  41. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    March 16, 2012 at 12:39 AM

    Shared on Fb!!! thanks ladies! 😉

    Reply
  42. Julianne says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:04 AM

    I subscribed to the blog.:-)

    Reply
  43. Julianne says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:06 AM

    I “LIKED” Cottage in the Oaks on FB. Can’t wait to read the posts about “Setting Aside Time!”

    Reply
  44. Julianne says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:07 AM

    Of course I *would* fall in love with the most expensive item in the etsy shop! That coffee cup canvas is fabulous! As far as things I could actually afford, I love the chalkboard and the leather bracelets.

    Reply
  45. Julianne says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:08 AM

    I posted about the giveaway!

    Reply
  46. Sharon L says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:09 AM

    I liked cottage in the oaks on FB. Please enter me into the drawing! Thank you!

    Reply
  47. Ruby Jean says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:12 AM

    Oh thank you so much Ladies for hosting… I finally have finished my New Sewing Room and just linked it up… 🙂 Have a Lovely rest of the week!!!

    Reply
  48. Sharon L says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:14 AM

    Also, signed up to follow the cottage in the oaks blog AND looked around their Etsy shop. Love the flour sack pillow! Two more entries, please?

    Reply
  49. Jen says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    Love the features!! Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend!

    Reply
  50. Our Pinteresting Family says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:37 AM

    Vanessa & Heather, thank you for hosting such a great party. I can’t wait to check out all the wonderful ideas. 🙂 Megan

    Reply
  51. Lynn says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:44 AM

    I subscribed to the blog and “liked” on Facebook. Love the chalk board!

    Reply
  52. Delilah Love says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:47 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! What a great party going on tonight. Have a wonderful Friday!

    Reply
  53. Kerry Rossow says

    March 16, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    Wowzadoodle! Thank you so much for featuring my “Field Of Dreams”!
    Also, thank you for being such an awesome set of bloggers- you raise the bar for all of us!
    I linked up my “Hotness” vlog this week.
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  54. Something Nice and Pretty says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:05 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  55. elizabeth@themustardceiling says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:24 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Have a nice weekend.

    Reply
  56. Shelia says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:34 AM

    Oh, ladies, I’m so honored you would feature my little finger puppets! They were so much fun to do. Thank you so much, you’ve made my day.
    Thank you always for hosting.
    You are a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  57. FABBY'S LIVING says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:36 AM

    Great features and I’m loving the roasted peas, I never seen this before, ama try it soon! Thank you for hosting this terrific party. Happy weekend.
    FABBY

    Reply
  58. How to Nest for Less says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    THanks so much for hosting! Hope you’re having a fabulous week 🙂

    Reply
  59. Linda taylor says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:06 AM

    I Follow Cottage in the Oaks via email
    daisy522 (at) aol dot com

    Reply
  60. Linda taylor says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:08 AM

    I Like Cottage in the Oaks on Facebook
    daisy522 at (AOL DOT)com

    Reply
  61. linda taylor says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:11 AM

    I visited the Cottage in the Oaks Etsy Shop and I love the lettered clay tags
    daisy522 at (aoldot)com

    Reply
  62. Linda Taylor says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:13 AM

    I shared this on Facebook
    daisy522 at (aoldot)com

    Reply
  63. Jody and Stan says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:38 AM

    Love the features. I’m a New Follower. Hope you stop by my linky party Simple & Sweet Fridays.

    Jody

    Reply
  64. Vanessa says

    March 16, 2012 at 3:51 AM

    Hi, Vanessa and Heather

    Thank you so much for hosting this lovely party. I appreciate it. I’ve been away to long and I am so glad I am able to share my new project. Have a great weekend ladies!

    Vanessa
    http://www.homesweetbutterfly.com

    Reply
  65. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    March 16, 2012 at 4:25 AM

    Hi ladies, Wonderful inspiration this week. I love the childs kitchen! Thanks for hosting. Hugs, Sherry

    Reply
  66. Craftygyrl says

    March 16, 2012 at 5:00 AM

    Thanks for hosting. I love the kitchen inspiration this week!

    Reply
  67. Scribbler says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:20 AM

    Thanks for hosting. Those roasted chick peas are calling my name! Nice features.

    Reply
  68. andrea@townandprairie says

    March 16, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Thanks for hosting the party again!

    Reply
  69. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    March 16, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    Enjoyed reading all the features this week. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  70. Mimi says

    March 16, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  71. Pamela says

    March 16, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    Thanx for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  72. Natural Mothers Network says

    March 16, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    Hi- thanks for hosting this great linky. This week i posted EASY SOAP RECIPE, 5 NATURAL HAIR RECIPES, EASY IRISH SODA BREAD and HEALTHY LUNCHBOX IDEAS
    I am looking for wonderful creative bloggers to come share their posts at Seasonal Celebration Sunday over at Natural Mothers Network. And, I really hope that you will put Seasonal Celebration, on your list of carnivals to visit and link to each Sunday/Monday! Here’s the link: https://naturalmothersnetwork.com
    Rebecca x

    Reply
  73. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 16, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    Hi girls! Fantastic features over here! All linked up~ thanks for hosting!!

    Reply
  74. Annie Wetherbee says

    March 17, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    I adore the table top chalk board!! I went to Cottage in the Woods Etsy shop and whats not to love there??? I love the number tags, the glitter chalkboard tags and most of all the table top chalk board! Thanks for the opportunity to win!!

    Reply
  75. Brenda Hoyt says

    March 17, 2012 at 1:48 AM

    I’m a follower! Love it all.

    Reply
  76. Annie Wetherbee says

    March 17, 2012 at 1:50 AM

    I went to Cottage in the Woods facebook page and “liked” them!! (#2) Thanks again!

    Reply
  77. Annie Wetherbee says

    March 17, 2012 at 1:51 AM

    I shared your generous give away on my personal facebook page! (#3)

    Reply
  78. Annie Wetherbee says

    March 17, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    I am the newest follower of Cottage in the Woods blog! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  79. Donata @ DK's Craft Cafe says

    March 18, 2012 at 12:38 PM

    What a lovely chalkboard!
    Thank you for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  80. The DIY Show Off says

    March 18, 2012 at 3:12 PM

    So many inspiring projects! Wow! Thank you so much for sharing mine. 😉

    Hope you’re having a great weekend, ladies!

    Reply
  81. Sally says

    March 19, 2012 at 1:18 AM

    I already follow Cottage in the Oaks 🙂

    sally.puckett@yahoo.com

    Reply
  82. Sally says

    March 19, 2012 at 1:19 AM

    I like Cottage in the Oaks on Facebook 🙂

    sally.puckett@yahoo.com

    Reply
  83. Sally says

    March 19, 2012 at 1:20 AM

    Lucky for me that my fave thing from the Etsy shop is the chalkboard that you’re giving away. Thanks for hosting 🙂

    sally.puckett@yahoo.com

    Reply
  84. freddie says

    March 19, 2012 at 4:59 AM

    I follow Cottage in the Oaks – dwelchert@yahoo.com

    Reply
  85. freddie says

    March 19, 2012 at 5:02 AM

    I liked Cottage in the Oaks on Facebook/Debbie Welchert dwelchert@yahoo.com

    Reply
  86. freddie says

    March 19, 2012 at 5:05 AM

    I liked the Red Stripe Flour Sack Pillow at Cottage in the Oaks. dwelchert@yahoo.com

    Reply
  87. freddie says

    March 19, 2012 at 5:09 AM

    I tweeted giveaway. https://twitter.com/#!/flipper211/status/181607350904434688 dwelchert@yahoo.com

    Reply
  88. CAS says

    March 19, 2012 at 4:14 PM

    OMGoodness, I keep thinking each week that you could never top that week’s inspirations & all the wonderful links, but then you go and top it the next! I’m so happy for the success of your blog. Thanks so much for hosting.
    CAS

    Reply
  89. CAS says

    March 19, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Well shoot, I have something to link up but I just keep getting a message that it hasn’t been approved yet. I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong — hope not. Anyway, hope I get linked up before you close the party!
    CAS

    Reply
  90. craftyfirefly0407 says

    March 20, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    I follow Cottage in the Oaks via email

    Reply
  91. craftyfirefly0407 says

    March 20, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    I Like Cottage in the Oaks on Facebook.

    Reply
  92. craftyfirefly0407 says

    March 20, 2012 at 1:45 PM

    I like the vintage book bundle in the Cottage in the Oaks Etsy shop.

    Reply
  93. craftyfirefly0407 says

    March 20, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    I shared this giveaway on my Facebook page.

    Reply
  94. Unknown says

    March 22, 2012 at 1:21 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  95. Unknown says

    March 22, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    I LOVE the chalkboard!! I visited and follow Cottage in the Oaks blog website.

    Robyn
    RNS0319@yahoo.com

    Reply
  96. Unknown says

    March 22, 2012 at 1:24 AM

    I liked them on FB too 🙂

    Robyn
    RNS0319@yahoo.com

    Reply
  97. Unknown says

    March 22, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    The Red Stripe Flour Sack caught my eye in their ETSY shop! Love it!!

    Robyn
    RNS0319@yahoo.com

    Reply
  98. Unknown says

    March 22, 2012 at 1:31 AM

    I tweeted this give away letting everyone know that it ends at midnight tonight!! 🙂

    Robyn
    RNS0319@yahoo.com

    Reply
  99. JENN says

    March 26, 2012 at 3:05 PM

    Following Cottage in the Oaks! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Reply
  100. JENN says

    March 26, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    I liked Cottage in the Oaks on FACEBOOK too!

    Reply
  101. JENN says

    March 26, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    I liked Cottage in the Oaks on facebook too!

    Reply

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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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