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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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June 4, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No. 18 and a Special Announcement!

Welcome everyone! We are so thrilled that you are joining us for another week chock full of creativity and talent and we know you will find so many ways to be inspired just as you inspire others!

Before we get to the amazing features from last week’s party, we have a
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

There have been some very exciting happenings behind the scenes here at the Fence and we have been dying to let you all in on our little secret.
 
12 BLOGS, 6 DAYS, 1 PARTY
We are joining forces with some FABULOUS BLOGGERS 
Debbie-DebbieDoo’s Blogging and Blabbing
Kristin-My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Kim-Savvy Southern Style
Judy-DIY by Design
Kara-Elements Interiors
Jenn-Green Door Designs
Sherry-No Minimalist Here
Jenna-SAS Interiors
Debra-Common Ground
Courtney-French Country Cottage
and
Alison-Stuff and Nonsense
to host one giant blogger block party!  We’ll be kicking off the official start of SUMMER with a continuous week long link party and we are inviting you to join us!  There will be a different theme(s) each day hosted by these lovely gals, with a final wrap up on Saturday!  If you have a summer project to share there’s a theme for you! Paint Projects, Food, Fashion, Outdoor Decorating, Gardening, Summer Activities…you name it we’ve got it!
Each days’ links will connect with the next for one HUGE LINK PARTY!  And to top it all off there will be a fabulous giveaway for each theme! 
That’s 13 GIVEAWAYS people!!
Winners will be drawn at random from all of our link guests and announced Saturday evening!
We have provided a coded PARTY BUTTON in our sidebar under Our Buttons. If you plan on joining us we’d love you to help us get the word out by putting the Blogger Block Party Button on your blog letting others know you are joining us for the party.  We’d love it if you’d also share the party announcement on your Facebook Pages and Twitter streams!
So, get to work on those SUMMER PROJECTS and get ready to join us for the first ever
BLOGGER BLOCK PARTY!!
And now, onto the Features! Once again, it feels almost physically painful to narrow it down and only highlight just a few of the amazing things that were linked up.
But, in the spirit of welcoming summer and it’s warm, lazy days, we want to start things off by sharing 2 amazing Porch Transformations.
First up is Theresa from Momma T’s Place who shared her charmingly delightful porch which is just chock full of character and warmth.
Don’t you just love all of the colors? It reminds of us rainbow sherbet and everything about it says, “come and stay awhile”. Be sure to note the blue on the ceiling!
There are so many more details to see, so be sure and pay Theresa a visit!
Next up is this jaw-dropping porch shared with us by Kathy from All About Vignettes.
No. That isn’t her Inspiration Photo. That is HER porch.
Yep. We think it is pretty spectacular too!
Kathy has gone on to share more of how she transformed this space including wonderful tutorials on how to get those columns and that mirror to look so gorgeous. As well, she recently revealed how she gave that factory cart turned coffee table, a lime washed effect. This is one talented lady!
Up next we are headed inside from the summer heat to rest for awhile in
Gina from GinaCeramic’s Guest Cottage
guest w hat
guest kitchen collage
We are headed over Gina to stay awhile in your fabulous guest cottage!
We had two most unusual recipes shared with us last week, which also helped to put us in a “Summery” mood!
First is an incredible tutorial for making Violet Syrup. You read that right!
Jenn from Frugal Upstate showed us how to make this yummy sounding AND looking treat.
And then we have this recipe for Elderflower Cordial from the Modern Country Lady.
Somehow we can’t type that without thinking of Anne of Green Gables and her traumatic encounter with Raspberry Cordial! But, you can bet that this recipe will not have any such consequences.
In fact, we think that this would help you MAKE even more friends!
Doesn’t that picture look just so divine? We felt like we had just been to an English Garden Party!
And finally, Keri from Pressed Down, Shaken Together showed us how to make these darling
Paper and Twine Seashells. Aren’t they adorable?
So, can you tell we have Summer on the brain or what?
We know we aren’t alone in that sentiment!
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the new featured at button located in our sidebar!

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
The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage
Our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense

Stuff and Nonsense
And the gracious Debra from Common Ground

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 and not just your url (main blog address)

  • Please post our button (code in the sidebar) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY)
  • Visit another guest Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you!  We are trying so hard between writing posts, homeschooling, and taking care of our families..grin..to visit everyone’s posts. Sometimes we miss one 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!

38 Comments Filed Under: Blogger Block Party, Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessica @ O. Alouette says

    June 2, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    June 2, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    I’m always up for a good party! Sounds like fun. ~ Sue

    Reply
  3. Ange says

    June 2, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    Wow! Great party! 🙂 Looking forward to it, hopefully it won’t be while in the midst of moving because my hubby might be annoyed when I stop unpacking to read the blog and possibly whip up a post too. ;p Miss you girls!

    Reply
  4. Debra@Common Ground says

    June 2, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Hey Girls!! Love the party graphic. I’ll do a post to announce this weekend, since I didn’t see this until just now. Thanks so much, it’s gonna be great fun!
    xoxo Debra

    Reply
  5. Brandi says

    June 2, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Thank you for hosting! Hope you have a great weekend!

    Reply
  6. Marianne says

    June 2, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    What a great idea….can’t wait for the party! Thanks so much for hosting.
    Marianne 🙂

    Reply
  7. Kathy says

    June 2, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Great features and a great idea for a party!
    I’ll be hosting a special A Return to Loveliness party -Tuesday, June 21 – Savoring Summer!
    In the summer mood! 🙂
    Kathy

    Reply
  8. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    June 2, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Hi ladies, The graphics look wonderful and I am adding the button now. Kathy’s porch is fabulous and I love Gina’s guest room.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  9. Poppy says

    June 3, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    I’m all excited about the party…such a great idea! Thanks for hosting and for sharing these wonderful features… loved Kathy’s porch transformations. Have a wonderful weekend!~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  10. Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents says

    June 3, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    WooHoo ~ More parties coming! Sounds like such fun! Thanks for hosting!!

    Big TX Hugs,
    Stephanie
    Angelic Accents

    Reply
  11. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    June 3, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Great features and looking forward to the party.

    Reply
  12. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    June 3, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    Hi Girls that blog party sounds like so much fun, can’t wait!! Thanks for hosting, Martina

    Reply
  13. Pamela says

    June 3, 2011 at 1:50 AM

    Hey ladies! What exciting news! Thanx for hosting!

    Reply
  14. Mary @ Redo 101 says

    June 3, 2011 at 1:52 AM

    Thanks for hosting the linky party – I’m excited to visit the other blogs to see what they’ve been up to.

    Reply
  15. Fishtail Cottage says

    June 3, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! oxox, tracie

    Reply
  16. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    June 3, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    Happy to be partying with you guys! Thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  17. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    June 3, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    The block party sounds like fun!!!

    Reply
  18. alison says

    June 3, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    love the features…all linked up…so excited for the summer blog party my friends!

    Reply
  19. Wendy says

    June 3, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    WooHoo! That huge summer blog party sounds fabulous! As soon as I’m done admiring all the linky goodness, I am going to prioritize our summer projects & figure out which ones I can use to link up! So exciting! (I sound like such a nerd!)
    Thanks so much for hosting this party!

    Reply
  20. Anita @ Cedar Hill Ranch says

    June 3, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    Thanks for hosting, I just linked up. Love the cabinet feet idea. I am your latest follower!!

    Reply
  21. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    June 3, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Super excited about the BLOG party!

    WOW! Your Features look straight out of a magazine! I’m off to check them out..

    Have a wonderful Weekend and Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  22. Diann says

    June 3, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Wow, lots of beautiful inspiration! Looking forward to the Block Party! Thanks for hosting! Have a great day!

    Reply
  23. Theresa says

    June 3, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Wow, thanks so much for featuring me this Friday! I am honored!
    The blog-block party sounds like such fun, I’d better get busy!

    Reply
  24. saltbox treasures says

    June 3, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    Thanks for hosting each week and taking the time to visit each link.
    Can’t wait for the summer blog party!
    Sounds like fun! What a great idea. Thanks for helping make blogging more like a community and helping us get to know and support each other.
    ~ Julie

    Reply
  25. Paula Jo @ Home Decor Accents says

    June 3, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    I just love Momma T’s porch. Brilliant idea! Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  26. Keri @ Pressed Down, Shaken Together says

    June 3, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    Excited about your blog party AND so excited about the feature!!! My paper & twine seashells had summer written all over them for me, too! Have a fantastic weekend!

    Keri
    shakentogether.blogspot.com

    Reply
  27. All About Vignettes says

    June 3, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for featuring my porch. I feel so honored to be featured.

    Kathy

    Reply
  28. Karena says

    June 3, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Vanessa this is simply amazing that you all have put this together!! It is truly very exciting and I will participate in your next one for sure!

    Come and enter my amazing $250 Giveaway from Tracy Porter!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    Reply
  29. Dayle says

    June 3, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    I’m loving this party. My first time around.

    Reply
  30. Christine @ Stonehouse Living says

    June 3, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Hi Heather & Vanessa,

    I have recently become a follower At the Picket Fence, and I decided to join the party this weekend. The block blogger party sounds like so much fun. I will add your button to my sidebar. I will mark it on my calender, as the summer event to attend this year. Thank-you for hosting, and all of your hard work.
    All the best,
    Christine

    Reply
  31. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    June 3, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    Hi girls, I am away and typing on the fly here. I am going to make my post here in a minute to make my announcement. (you wrote Babbling) not blabbing again:) I also meant to link up to your party and have it on a link if I get time later I sure will. see ya soon.

    Reply
  32. Conspicuous Style Design Blog says

    June 3, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    I’m SO sorry — i did NOT meant to link up my dresser three times, but I don’t see an opton to delete…can you delete 150 aand 151 for me? SORRY

    Reply
  33. Sarah says

    June 4, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    Just discovered your blog and am now following. What a great idea your Blog Party is. You certainly have an all star cast! Looking forward to participating. ~ Sarah

    Reply
  34. Kadie says

    June 4, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    What a great party!! I love the name. Can’t wait.

    Reply
  35. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says

    June 4, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Thank you for hostessing!

    Reply
  36. c.w.frosting says

    June 4, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    I’m new here… Thanks for hosting & introducing me to the other friday parties! Also looking forward to the summer blog party! Hope you have a lovely weekend.

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

    Reply
  37. Becca says

    June 5, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    You party animals, you !! What FUN this will be. I gotta start getting ready to share my outdoor spaces, fo sho! And, thank for hosting … I crashed your party not once, but twice this week. LOL xoxo (Those are gorgeous features … I could sit on those porches and enjoy the day for hours on end!)

    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. 

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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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