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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

February 11, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No. 2!


It’s Inspiration Friday time once again here 

At The Picket Fence!


We were so excited by the response to last week’s Inspiration Friday!  We had 82 entries!  

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!


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 “I’ve been featured” button from our sidebar!


I am so excited that Vanessa let me choose this week’s bloggers to highlight!  I secretly have been jealous of Vanessa getting to choose such great projects to show off each week.  Don’t tell her but it’s one of my secret reasons why I wanted to combine our two blogs…well that and the fact that she’s pretty much all around awesome.  Of course that’s not at all due to my cool influence as her big sister…;)

So without further ado here are my inspirational highlight picks from last week!



First up we have Bethany at Our 3 Sons Plus 1!  Her husband and she built the most beautiful custom mantel!  Not only am I impressed with her husbands ability to build something like this I am equally impressed with the love for Bethany he must have..since I’m sure he knew how important it was to her!  See men often don’t care about these things quite as much as we do, so it is with much love that they undertake the projects we come up with. 


This is Bethany’s before mantel



This is also before Bethany completely redid her living room.  You can see all of the details on her blog.  A fireplace with pretty tile..but it’s missing some oomph!



Here comes husband to the rescue!  Bethany and her husband put many, many hours into this project and the results are fabulous!



Look at the attention to detail!




 I just love the crisp white against the wall color.

I hope Bethany doesn’t mind, I stole this picture from her most recent post!  Head over and read more about Bethany’s Family Room makeover!  Kudos Bethany (and husband…grin!) for a job well done! 




Up next we have what is a perfect remedy for those of us with limited space.  Meet Ange at Love From My Kitchen and her incredibly creative…
Cloffice 
(I told her that was my new favorite word!)


Here is the before, I can so totally relate to this closet.  I have several one just like it!


and Ange’s office space before..who can relate to this?  The poor office space often gets relegated to a remote corner




BUT check out her office (cloffice) space now!



Are you as jealous impressed as I am?!?  Ange did such a fabulous job on this space, it’s soothing and pretty with special touches like this



Such a beautiful space Ange!  Thanks for sharing it with us.  You can read more about Ange’s cloffice (heheh another chance to say it) here!

and because I am such a foodie…I of course HAD to feature a super fun Valentine Cookie…actually make that two fabulous and fun Valentine Cookies!  Both are from Sue at Munchkin Munchies.  Sue’s blog is named for her adorable grandbabies!  How fun must it be to be Sue’s grandchild when she makes cookies like this:


Are these not so adorable!  What kid wouldn’t love to give or get these for Valentine’s Day!



Look how cute they are all wrapped up!  Sue even gives a demonstration for us! 😉


Sue also shares a simple but oh so sweet Valentine cookie…


Double Thumbprint Heart Cookies



These cookies are just so “Valentiney” and Sue shares a wonderful tutorial on how to make them!


Pay Sue a visit…ooh and ahh over the pictures of her sweet grandchildren and check out all of the many, many beautiful recipes that she shares at Munchkin Munchies! 


and last but certainly not least a link up that touched our hearts!  
Susan at My Place To Yours shared a thought provoking post on what makes a beautiful tablescape

it doesn’t have to always be fancy

What really matters are the people gathered around the table. Here’s a little bit of what Susan had to share about this special group of young ladies:


“This table has heart — a really big heart — and it must … because those who sit around it desperately need all of the acceptance and embrace, the love and security, the stability and hope that it offers.  They’re just children — on average 10-16 years of age — but their young lives have known a lifetime … or several lifetimes … of pain.  



They’re little girls … who have faced abandonment by family and society, unspeakable abuses, and unimaginable exploitation, often including forced prostitution. (Yes, even the youngest ones.)  There are FIVE tables like this at the girls’ campus of Hope Unlimited for Children — each one embracing up to 16 girls. There are similar tables at the two boys’ campuses … and in the day student cafeterias … and in the preschool. By the time all of the place settings are counted, over 1200 children are served a life-transforming portion of hope every day….”



You can read more of Susan’s incredible story here..and a follow up post here with more details about this wonderful ministry she and her husband are involved in!
Thank you Susan for sharing what I believe is the “prettiest” tablescape I’ve seen!



Don’t forget to grab your “Featured At” button ladies!

Also, a quick reminder that tomorrow is Sister Saturday here At The Picket Fence!


It’s our Valentines’ Day Edition!

Come back to link up all of your fabulous Valentine Crafts, Recipes, and Decor on
Saturday and be sure to grab our Sister Saturday button from the sidebar so that other’s can see all of the fabulous Valentine Ideas featured on Sister Saturday!

And now, let’s get this party started! 
Before linking up we’d love it if you’d take a second to become a friend of At The Picket Fence through google friend connect, email or our RSS Feed.  We’d love to get to know you better!

Now 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.
4) Give some linky lovin’ to some of the other Inspiration Friday link ups!  It’s always nice for others to hear how they’ve inspired you!  Of course we love to hear from you too so leave us a comment and say hi!

We can’t wait to be inspired!
Thanks so much for stopping by the Fence today!
Heather and Vanessa



After linking up to Inspiration Friday pay a visit to our Friday Party friends at:

      




21 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « A perfect Valentine’s Day Dessert…Chocolate Nutella Lava Cakes!
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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:47 AM

    These are just wonderful!! I look at these things week after week and feel like the biggest dork because I can’t do any of it!

    I want a cloffice! I have plenty of space around the house and don’t even need an office. I just think hers is cute and want to go around saying cloffice.

    Reply
  2. Honey at 2805 says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Thanks for hosting another great party! Happy Valentines to all!

    Reply
  3. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Such great ideas! Thanks for hosting us all again this week. Hope you ladies have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  4. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    February 11, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    Heather and Vanessa, how honored I am to be featured at Inspiration Friday! Thank you for bringing attention to the children we serve — and children around our world who desperately need what we privileged adults have to share…

    Bethany, Ange, and Sue… I’m inspired by all of your projects!

    Reply
  5. Judy says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    I’m so excited for your second party. Thanks so much for hosting.

    Reply
  6. NanaDiana says

    February 11, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    What a wonderful post! I love all your projects and re-dos that you are highlighting here…and the last story is incredible. Thanks! xxoo Diana

    Reply
  7. michelle says

    February 11, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    Wonderful features this week and that last story just touched my heart. I can’t even imagine the life that they have lived already and it is so wonderful to know that there are angels out there to help them.

    Reply
  8. Sue says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    THANK YOU so much for including my cookies in your Inspiration Friday feature! I am truly honored. Kudos to both of you, Heather and Vanessa, for hosting such a wonderful linky party!

    Reply
  9. Heather@The Black's Best says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Vanessa,

    Thank you so much for the great comment you left on my blog. Definitely linking up!

    Reply
  10. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    February 11, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    That fireplace makeover is incredible.

    I’ve linked up twice but one of them is to my garden, which has the link party at the end of it. If I’m not allowed to do that then please feel totally free to delete it.

    Sarahxx

    Reply
  11. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    February 11, 2011 at 3:45 AM

    Hey there girls~ Happy to be joining in your party! Great features-and what a great story!! Thanks for the shout out! Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    February 11, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    Thank you so much for your invitation to link up my headboard project. What a great idea, thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  13. Bethany {3SonsPlus1} says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Thanks so much for highlighting all our hard work! 🙂 So appreciative!!

    Love this link party- there are tons of fantastic ideas! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  14. Bethany {3SonsPlus1} says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    I forgot to add how amazing the last story is. Wow!

    Reply
  15. kara@elements-interiors.net says

    February 11, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Congrats Ladies!!! Your new blog is REALLY taking off! Im SO EXCITED for yall! I KNOW God is smiling down on what yall are doing here :0)

    xoxokara

    Reply
  16. AshTreeCottage says

    February 11, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    Thank you for a fun party! Happy Valentine’s Day!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

    Reply
  17. Wendy says

    February 11, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    So many inspiring ideas! The office is amazing. Would love to sit there and work. Great party!
    Wendy

    Reply
  18. Christie says

    February 11, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Heather, you have some awesome picks! I loved the ‘best tablescape ever!’ I read every bit of the story and cried! I had to come back and check out some of the other links! I am lovin’ that beadboard heart…so cool! So many great things! Have a great week! Christie at threepixielane

    Reply
  19. Richella says

    February 11, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather! Hope you girls are enjoying your new joint venture! It’s a pleasure to have something to link up this week. Thank you so much for hosting!

    Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  20. Green Door Girl says

    February 12, 2011 at 2:20 AM

    omigosh that mantel is amazing! LOVE IT – definitely see why you picked it – they did an awesome job! Thanks for hosting as always 🙂

    Reply
  21. Jodie says

    February 12, 2011 at 4:25 AM

    I’m a new follower. I’ve recently joined your linky party #78, thank you for hosting. I look forward to your weekly posts!

    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….
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…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!
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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. 🌿
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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.

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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.

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