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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

September 29, 2012

Inspiration Friday No. 84…Welcome!

It’s really Fall Y’all!! We’ve been counting down the days and around here At The Picket Fence it has definitely arrived in full force!  We are so excited about all of the amazing things happening during the Fall here at the fence.  We have a fun trip to NYC, an amazing conference and a magazine feature of Heather’s kitchen just around the corner! It’s going to be a busy October! 
It’s also been a fun week here at the fence.  
We shared our newest sponsors of At The Picket Fence and some of their amazing products and talents. 
We were partying Pioneer Style this week when our guest contributor Julie shared with us her fabulous Pioneer Party with all of the amazing details. 
Heather also shared a fun trip she took to a local Farmhouse Shoppe, Sweet Buy and Buy
where she picked up an amazing vintage tool box and transformed it into a Fabulous Fall Centerpiece!

We also want to welcome back one of our fabulous sponsors Ambivalent Relics!
Here you can find gorgeous vintage and repurposed Steam Punk Jewelry like this fun piece! 

Memento Mori Necklace In Red


Now onto this week’s Inspiration Friday Features! 

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INSPIRED ROOMS

Jamie from Crafty Scrappy Happy revealed her gorgeous and elegant dining room that was part of a major home renovation.  We love the sophisticated and calm color palette and that chandelier…oh my! 



Brenda of Cottage4C revealed her fabulous new kitchen wrapped in this fun and fresh cabinet color! The lovely color against the dark counters make this kitchen full of charm! 


INSPIRED MAKEOVERS

Angela of Number Fifty-Three shared how she pulled some pieces from other rooms and created this darling owl silhouette (which she share instructions for) to makeover her foyer for fall.  We love the pop of color with the addition of the mustard seed gossip bench. 


We love the makeover of this “Sad to Fab” Table by Bethany of Pitter and Glink.  The contrasting white legs and dark tabletop is just lovely. 



Ashley from Domestically Speaking updated as set of Craigslist stools with stenciled numbers adding a bright and crisp look to her kitchen bar. 


Erin from How To Nest for Less recently revealed her gorgeous Laundry Room Makeover.  We were in awe over the update she gave her washer and dryer.  After stenciling them with this gorgeous pattern, they are the envy of every washer and dryer on the block! 




INSPIRED CRAFTS AND CREATIONS

How sweet is this Origami Pillow created by Dear Emmeline!? She shares the full tutorial so you talented “sewers” can create one too! 


While there can’t be anything cuter than the Little Miss wearing this coat, you have to admit the darling Herringbone Swing Coat, Amy from While Wearing Heels made for her daughter, comes in a close second! 


Would you believe this 3D Star Garland from Christine of Lets Get Crafty is not metal..but cardboard! Made from recycled cereal boxes this garland could be used for so many different occasions! 



INSPIRED RECIPES AND PARTIES


Tracey from The Kitchen Is My Playground made us this lovely Pear Walnut Crisp and brought it by for everyone to enjoy last week here at Inspiration Friday….well we can dream anyways! 🙂 


How about some Caramel Apple Munch Mix from Keri of Shaken Together?! A perfect Fall Gathering or Game Day snack! 


The gals from Be Book Bound whipped up a batch of these fabulously fall pancakes drenched in Pumpkin Spice Syrup…should we say these are for breakfast or dessert? 



INSPIRED FALL DECOR

We love the darling fabric covered pumpkins from Sarah of Alderberry Hill. Dollar Tree Pumpkins never knew they could have it so good! 

1 165 682x1024 Fabric Covered Pumpkins


Athena of Minerva’s Garden has set a gorgeous and affordable Autumn Table for Two!


Amanda of Bullfrogs and Bulldogs shared her beautiful Yarn Wrapped Autumn Wreath in this unique and sophisticated color palette! 


The Call of Autumn, it speaks to us all! Sylvia of Sylvia’s Simple Life shares the tastes of Fall through her lovely photography! 



INSPIRING STORIES

Reannah of Shaped By Grace shares how we can overcome “Wearing Our Insecurity” 

insecure

We’re used to seeing posts of gorgeous vignettes and lovely rooms from our friend Laurie of Heaven’s Walk but this week she shared a post of another sort. One just as lovely and full of inspiration.  Please read how Laurie is “silencing the Noise” and the journey God is taking her on “one run at a time.” 

If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located on our Buttons Page found under our header!
We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog. Thank you! Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest where we also pin each week’s Inspiration Friday Features. 


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:

vif187Fridays Unfolded
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Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday
  • 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


This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:

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Previous Post: « Vintage Tool Box Turned Frugal Fall Centerpiece
Next Post: At a Snails Pace…Simply Sunday »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Thanks for hosting another great party! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

    Reply
  2. K Coake says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  3. Angela @ Number Fifty-Three says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting and for featuring my fall entry and tutorial. What a nice surprise! Have a great weekend.

    Angela

    Reply
  4. Cristina Garay says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    I love the colors on those kitchen cabinets! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  5. Jessica Kielman says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    Thanks you so much for hosting girls! The features are gorgeous!

    Reply
  6. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Thanks ladies for hosting another FUN party!!! Gotta go by and check out that kitchen table makeover.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  7. Hi I'm Shannon! says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    You guys have the best features! Man, over the top goodness. Nice seeing so many blogging friends. Congrats to all 🙂

    Thanks for hosting so much girls. Happy Fall! Shannon

    Reply
  8. Honey at 2805 says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    What fabulous features! All so inspirational! Many thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  9. Kathy A Delightsome Life says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:25 PM

    Hello Ladies – great posts and fantastic features – I appreciate you hosting!
    Kathy

    Reply
  10. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:25 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls, have a great weekend!

    Reply
  11. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Love your pics and fall features. Love the season. Thanks for the party 🙂 Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  12. suzyq says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Beautiful features ( can’t even pick a favorite this week!!!
    but those blue kitchen cabinets have me swooning )
    Have a wonderful weekend
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  13. Penny Phillips says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    I just linked up and wanted to thank you girls for hosting each week! Great features this week! Hugs, Penny

    Reply
  14. Debbiedoo's says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:43 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls. It has been forever since I joined your party….I cut back my party bashes:) Trying to get back in the swing of things again. Have a great weekend. LOVE the features.

    Reply
  15. Becca says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Whoa … look at all of those incredible features … love them ALL! Thanks so much for hosting, ladies! xoxo

    Reply
  16. FABBY'S LIVING says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    Great features for fall, I like them all. Thank you for hosting yet, another great party at The Picket Fence. Very happy to be here.
    FABBY

    Reply
  17. Anita says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:55 PM

    Great features girls! I always love a great box too! Thanks for hosting:-)

    Reply
  18. Sherry says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    Great features! Love that washer and dryer! Thanks for hosting and for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

    Reply
  19. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    Awesome features!!! Thanks SO MUCH for hosting!!! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  20. Stuff and Nonsense says

    September 27, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    all the features
    were totally lovely

    but yowsa
    on that washer and dryer!

    thanks girls
    for being such wonderful hostesses!

    alison

    Reply
  21. Alderberry Hill says

    September 27, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    I’m featured! I’m so excited…thanks so much & thanks for another fabulous party!

    Reply
  22. Nici - Posed Perfection says

    September 27, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! Beautiful features. Hope you have a great weekend!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    Reply
  23. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    September 27, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    Love the features, guys. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  24. keri @ shaken together says

    September 27, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    Thank you SO much for featuring my caramel apple munch mix!! I love your party!

    Reply
  25. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:03 PM

    Love Heather’s centerpiece! Great features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  26. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Hello Heather and Vanessa: Thank you both so much for hosting the party for us today, and I was thrilled to see my Autumn Table for Two was featured today–so thank you very much! I loved your Vintage Toolbox centerpiece as well–it really captures a feeling of fall. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get to enjoy it doing something fun!

    Reply
  27. Debra @ Common Ground says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    Hi gals, what a great bunch of features! just linked up, thanks for hosting such a fun party!

    Reply
  28. Sara Pliske says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    Heather and Vanessa – this is only the second time I have done one of these linky parties…I am new to the blogging world. :0 So I am trying to make sure I use the proper etiquette and don’t miss anything that I am supposed to do. If you have noticed that I missed something or did not do it properly will you let me know!

    Thanks so much for hosting! 🙂

    Blessings – Sara

    Reply
  29. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    September 27, 2012 at 10:55 PM

    I’ve been pinning a bit but wanted to say thank you for hosting! I’m late but I made it. :o)

    Reply
  30. Hilani Ellis says

    September 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    Thanks Lovely Ladies for a great party! Have a great night!

    Reply
  31. Good Time Charlie says

    September 27, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    Everything looks so yummy, for my eyes and for my taste buds, but I have to say my favorite is the photography of the figs. Figs are my most favorite food in the whole world. Have a wonderful weekend! -K

    Reply
  32. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    September 27, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    thanks for the party sweet girls!!!

    Reply
  33. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    September 27, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  34. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    September 28, 2012 at 12:13 AM

    i am drooling over that kitchen! and love jaime lyns dining room- she has done an amazing job on her home so far!

    Reply
  35. Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says

    September 28, 2012 at 12:31 AM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  36. Bethany Lee says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    Thanks so much for the feature and for hosting a great party!

    Reply
  37. Kathy Moody says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:37 AM

    Thanks so much for another party, sweet ladies! Love the awesome features. Happy Friday. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Liz Fourez says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    Those Pumpkin Pancakes look amazing!! Great features and a great party… thanks for hosting : )

    Love Always,
    Liz

    Reply
  39. Rosemary and Thyme says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    Everyone is so creative. Love the ideas. Hope everyone has a wonderful and creative fall. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  40. Jaime Lyn says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:47 AM

    Oh my GOSHHHHHH!!! Thank you SOOO much for the feature! I am beyond thrilled and honored that you guys stopped by my blog!!!! AND that you love my chandelier like I do!!! :o) <--- me smiling HUGE! Thanks for hosting!
    Jaime from crafty scrappy happy

    Reply
  41. ~ Liz ~ says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:09 AM

    I appreciate the opportunity to link up with so many talented and inspiring bloggers. Thank you for making the time to put on a party for us!
    Liz

    Reply
  42. Kerry Rossow says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:32 AM

    Holy features! This is a record breaking, stop the presses, back that truck up, awesome set of features!
    Thank you for hosting, ladies!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  43. cherished bliss says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:34 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend ladies!

    Reply
  44. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    Thank you so much for the party,ladies! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  45. Lauren @ mercy(INK) says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:54 AM

    Loving all the featured fall decor, ladies! Thank you for another lovely party, as always.
    When I get back from Guatemala I need to get you girls a print from the shop for your donation to Operation Baby Rescue… so feel free to look at what you’d like 😉 (etsy.com/shop/mercyink)
    hope you have a lovely weekend!
    Lauren
    http://www.mercyinkblog.com

    Reply
  46. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    September 27, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    Fantastic features girls! Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  47. Christie says

    September 27, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    Hey Vanessa and Heather! I will go and check out those lovely features as soon as I tuck three little people into bed! Thank you so much for hosting! I hope you are both having a beautiful week! Thanks for kind words about kitchen! Yes, Rob and I are still married, but I wasn’t sure there for a while!(; I think the good Lord did a good bit of ‘remodeling’ on us, too! heehee Heather, I linked my pumpkins, too! Christie

    Reply
  48. Laurie says

    September 28, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    Thanks for hosting this weekly party!

    Reply
  49. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    September 28, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    Thanks for hosting, Heather and Vanessa! Always so much inspiration to be had here. 🙂
    Enjoy your weekend!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  50. Poppy says

    September 28, 2012 at 12:51 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa,

    It’s my first time visiting. Love your creativity and your beautiful blog! Thanks for the inspiration! Have a great weekend.

    Poppy

    Reply
  51. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    September 28, 2012 at 1:11 PM

    Oh my gosh that washer and dryer!!!!!! Amazing!!!! Thanks for the party pretty girls! Happy Weekend!

    Reply
  52. Amanda @ Bullfrogs and Bulldogs says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    Thanks so much for featuring my wreath! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

    Reply
  53. Live Laugh Rowe says

    September 28, 2012 at 3:24 PM

    Thanks for hosting lovely ladies! Have a fabulous weekend. xoxo
    p.s. Honored that you linked up with me this week! HUGS!

    Reply
  54. Richella says

    September 28, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    One of these days I’ll be organized to be at your party in a little more timely manner–here I am late again! But I’m glad to be here, and so thankful to you for hosting. Hope you’ve both had a wonderful week!

    Reply
  55. Foy Update says

    September 28, 2012 at 4:29 PM

    I’m sharing the crunchiest apple crisp recipe you could ask for and finally how to freeze a bumper crop of peppers.

    Thanks for hosting!

    We also host a blog hop called Eat Make Grow we are always looking for folks who write about gardening, cooking, crafting and kids to link up.

    Stop on by if you get the chance:
    https://foyupdate.blogspot.com/search?q=eat+make+grow&max-results=20&by-date=true

    Foy

    Reply
  56. Meredith @ Wait Til Your Father Gets Home says

    September 28, 2012 at 5:00 PM

    Loving all of your features ladies!!

    Thanks for hosting this fabulous party each week…I always look forward to linking up here! Have a nice weekend!!

    Reply
  57. CAS says

    September 28, 2012 at 5:06 PM

    Thank you, Heather & Vanessa, for hosting an always inspiring party!

    Reply
  58. melissa @ daisymaebelle.com says

    September 28, 2012 at 6:15 PM

    Thank you girls for hosting! Life to the full, Melissa

    Reply
  59. twelve-O-eight says

    September 28, 2012 at 6:19 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting ladies! Have a wonderful Friday 😉

    Hugs, Tanya

    Reply
  60. Leslie Harris says

    September 28, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa, I’m happy to have something to link up today, (at lucky #370)yay! i’m finally getting some Fall decorating done, possibly one of the last ones. Thanks for hosting, you girls rock!
    Leslie (aka Gwen Moss blog)

    Reply
  61. Shelly W. says

    September 28, 2012 at 7:18 PM

    Popping over from Richella’s at Imparting Grace. Thanks for the opportunity to link up!

    Reply
  62. Reannah @ {Shaped by Grace} says

    September 28, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    So much fall lovin’! I love it! And thank you SO much for including my writing on Insecurity. xoxo Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  63. Deidre says

    September 28, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    WOW! Crankin the inspiration out over here:) Thank you for hosting:) Deidre~

    Reply
  64. JP says

    September 28, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Hello girls! I am happy to have just found your wonderful blog and thank you for hosting adding to the spots #388 & #390.
    I look forward to catching up and having more contact.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  65. Nancy at maddalee™ says

    September 28, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    Thank you all for linking and sharing, I really appreciate it!
    Have a good day, Nancy

    Reply
  66. Julia @ JuliasAlbum.com says

    September 29, 2012 at 12:47 AM

    Hi! How do include a link to your party? I don’t see a link box or a way to submit my link. Thank you!

    Reply
  67. Julia @ JuliasAlbum.com says

    September 29, 2012 at 12:48 AM

    Opps, I just saw where to do it. disregard my question.

    Reply
  68. Anne says

    September 29, 2012 at 1:20 AM

    Great inspiration!!! Thank you so much for hosting! Have a great weekend!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  69. Shatzi @ Love and Laundry says

    September 29, 2012 at 3:45 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  70. may lim says

    September 29, 2012 at 3:45 PM

    Truly an inspiration. I so love the vintage jewelry. Now I know that I can use my old stuffs to make a jewelry. Thanks so much!
    website hosting australia

    Reply
  71. Sylvia says

    September 30, 2012 at 4:38 AM

    Dear Heather & Vanessa,
    I am pleasantly surprised to see my photography featured on your inspiring blog in the company of so many talented bloggers. I very much appreciate that! Thank you for always being kind to me. Enjoy the beautiful season! !

    Reply
  72. Tani@Tagana Rose says

    September 30, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend:)

    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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