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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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February 4, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No. 1!

Welcome to the very first Inspiration Friday Party
here At the Picket Fence!

Previously, this party was hosted by Vanessa at her Southern in my Heart blog.
But, you know what?
New Blogs mean New Beginnings!

So, even though this is technically the 22nd Inspiration Friday party, we are starting fresh this week.

Just what is Inspiration Friday?

Well, this is one of the very few Linky Parties where you can share pretty much anything with us.
Decorating, Cooking, Crafts, Great Ideas, Poetry, Inspiring Stories, they are all welcome here.

We hope you will be inspired just as you inspire others!

And for the first time ever, this week we are unveiling our
“Featured At” Button

At the Picket Fence

In keeping with tradition, we will be mostly featuring bloggers who are fairly new to our little community here. So, if you are featured this week, or even in weeks past, please feel free to grab the new button from our sidebar!

And now, just like the roots of my hair, it is time for some High-Lighting!

Here are the Featured Inspirations from Last week

Katie from Craptastic (just typying that name out makes me giggle) shared her latest project that she lovingly did for her mom.

This was her inspiration.
A wonderfully aged and “chippy” barstool.

Her mom’s barstools started out looking like this

And Katie transformed them into this

Now that’s a good daughter right there!
We love the detail you put into this Katie and think you did a fantastic job!


Next up is Agatha from Audistree.
She shared her favorite Before and After Project.
Taking this hutch from this…
To this!
Doesn’t it just pop up against that gorgeous shade of blue?
And, last but not least, we have Kim from Dear Sweet Home.
She found this darling plaque with what has now become their Family Verse for the year.
She decided to hang it from a frame she found in her attic and displayed it on the mantel above her cooktop in the kitchen.
I covet that mantel.
Thanks for sharing this with us Kim!
Don’t forget to grab your “Featured At” button ladies.
Now, make sure to mark your calendars for the next installment of
Valentines’ Day Edition!
Link up all of your fabulous Valentine Crafts, Recipes, and Decor on
Saturday, February 12th.
And now, let’s get this party started at the very first
Inspiration Friday
At the Picket Fence!
Link it on up friends!
Here’s how…
1. Add your Permalink to your entry but not your General Blog Address. To get your Permalink, click on the title of the blog post you are wanting to submit and copy and paste the address into the URL box. You will also have to add your email address but it will not be visible to anyone else.
2. Do not try and Link up until you have actually published that particular post on your blog.
3. Please link back to the host blog, At the Picket Fence, so that those who visit your blog will be able to find some wonderful Inspiration from everyone else.
We can’t wait to be inspired!
Thanks so much for stopping by the Fence today.
Heather and Vanessa

29 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Comments

  1. Karen says

    February 4, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    I am so excited to be at the first party and it looks like I’m the first one there. (I’m usually late for everything!) Can’t wait to see what everyone brings to the party!

    Reply
  2. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    February 4, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    Love the new blog! I’m a big picket fence lover, you know :)) Can’t wait to see what everyone has to show!

    Reply
  3. Melissa Miller says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    The new blog is wonderful! Thank you for hosting. 🙂

    Reply
  4. shopannies says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:24 AM

    very cool blog I linked up this week as well

    Reply
  5. Laurie says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Congrats, girls, on your great new blog! I love it and have come by several times this week. Also linked up today. Best, best wishes!!! And thanks for the linky!

    Reply
  6. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    Great new blog, girls! Thanks for hosting.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  7. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    Hello ladies,
    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  8. AshTreeCottage says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    Hi girls! Thanks for a great party and lots of inspiration!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    Reply
  9. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    You girls are off to a great start! Congrats! And thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  10. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    February 4, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    Vanessa and Heather, congratulations on your new blog! I LOVE the idea of meeting at the picket fence. I’m so far away from my sister, too… I hope you’ll stop by if you get a chance.

    Reply
  11. A Vintage Vine says

    February 4, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    Thanks for hosting this party! I have been over here alot these last few days….love the new blog, you are off to a great start!

    Reply
  12. sheri says

    February 4, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    Those are some great project pics – and i might have to steal (like i do a lot of stuff here) that verse idea – that’s gorgeous. Can i have her mantle too?

    Off to visit some links.

    And since i have been honored to have been featured before for my front doors – can i grab a button – huh – can i – can i ??? 😀

    Reply
  13. NanaDiana says

    February 4, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    I love your new blog…and I love you girls. Congrats on what is looking to be a very successful first week! You did good, girls…you did good! Hugs- Diana

    Reply
  14. At The Picket Fence says

    February 4, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    Sheri….you go right ahead and grab that featured button! It’s all yours! lol

    Heather

    Reply
  15. Katie says

    February 4, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    Congrats on the new blog ladies!! It looks like you all have been busy this week and it’s definately paying off!! Thank you so much for the feautre!! How exciting to be a part of the first party on At The Picket Fence!!!

    Reply
  16. Chrissie says

    February 4, 2011 at 3:44 AM

    Great new blog! I am excited to be part of the first party!

    Reply
  17. Infatuated with Homes and Gardens says

    February 4, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Happy 1st party of your new blog!

    Reply
  18. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    Hi ladies~ Thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  19. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    February 4, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Just to say that I’m LOVING your blog. It’s fast turning into one of my daily reads.

    Thank you so much for hosting. Have a fab, fab weekend.

    Sarahx

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    February 4, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    I love that verse framed on the mantel. I have a primitive frame at the house just waiting for a project like that.

    I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I love the way “The Picket Fence” has come together.

    Reply
  21. Happier Than a Pig in Mud says

    February 4, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Thanks for hosting-Happy Weekend:@)

    Reply
  22. Katie @ This Chick Cooks says

    February 4, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Congrats on the new blog and happy weekend!

    Reply
  23. michelle says

    February 4, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Great features and it is going so well!! Thank you for hosting, I am having fun this week with everything you gals have been doing! 🙂

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  24. Bethany {3SonsPlus1} says

    February 4, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    What fun!! So glad you’ve had a great week at the fence! 🙂 I can’t wait to read through all the wonderful entries!

    Reply
  25. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    February 4, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I love your new blog and linky party. I’m your newest follower (#134) and look forward to reading more. My sister and I are very close and she’s the one who designed and built my blog. Sisters are such a blessing! Thanks for the fun party … I’ll go check out all the inspiration right now!

    Reply
  26. Honey at 2805 says

    February 4, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    You are off to a great start. Congrats!

    Reply
  27. Christie says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Hey girls! It does look like you are off to a GREAT start! Ya’ll have done an awesome job! Nothing new to link up! I will have to work on that for the next party!! Have a great weekend! I will link these up on the 12th too!!!
    Christie at threepixielane

    Reply
  28. Jo says

    February 4, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    It’s gonna be fun girls! I’m excited to be part of the adventure, We will be inspired!
    whoo hoo.
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

    Reply
  29. CAS says

    February 5, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    I hope this new blog is as much fun for you and your sister as it appears to be for all of the rest of us. It’s crazy good bloginess!
    CAS

    Reply

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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
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“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)
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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!! 🦃
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#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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