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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

March 4, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No. 5!



Before we kick off Inspiration Friday we want to announce the winner of our
CSN Gift Certificate Giveaway!  Thank you to everyone who entered!  And the winner is…

Sharon @ Elizabeth and Co.!
Sharon please email us and we will send you your electronic CSN gift certificate, so you can use it right away!
Watch for more upcoming giveaways At The Picket Fence over the next few weeks…cause we love giving gifts to our friends…at the fence!


Now on to Inspiration Friday….

Wowee Zowee!!
 Last week we had a grand total of 107 Guests stop by and visit us at
Now, while we were totally amazed and humbled by the number of folks who stopped by and joined in the fun, it did present a little problem.
Here’s a hint…

That was sent on Friday night and was the first of many texts flying back and forth between us as we ooohhhed and aaahhhed over every single link that popped up!
You amazingly talented and creative people don’t make this easy on us!
But, as hard as it was to choose, and it was HARD, we did manage to narrow it down.
Here are just a few of the High-Lights from last week!



First up we have Janet, a.k.a. The Craigslist Queen.
She tranformed her hallway from


This…

To This!

Janet did this entire project for $50! The detail in the trimwork and the carefully thought out placement of the frames and the crosses just gives this space an entirely new look.
Fabulous job Janet! To see more of this transformation hop over and pay a visit to
The Craiglist Queen!



Next up is Patty from Nuestras Aventuras en Texas.


She took an inexpensive Kitchen Pantry Door Rack and turned it into a
Gift Wrapping Station!

                   

Hung on the back of a closet door, everything can be neatly tucked away and out of sight. We think this was very clever of her and one of us plans to try this in our own home…
We’ll let you guess which one!
Check out more of Patty’s projects by visiting her at:
Nuestras Aventuras en Texas.


Now, normally we try and Feature Bloggers who are fairly new to our community, but we just could NOT stop talking about how fabulous this next entry was.

Amanda from House Revivals shared with us the Design Solutions she came up with for a lovely couple whom she now considers more friends than clients.
This is truly like taking a virtual tour of a remodel…before it has even been remodeled!
Her first recommendation was removing the entry closet which was not serving the family’s active lifestyle very well. This was the rendering she did of what would go in its place. Is this not incredible?


And here are just a couple of more snippets of how she cleverly redesigned these spaces to be not only more functional, but beautiful as well!


To see more of this project, head on over and visit Amanda at House Revivals.


Now, last but not least is Rebecca from You’re Talking Too Much.

We are pretty sure that, judging by the name of her blog, we must all be related somehow!
She named her Party Link: “Panels for Newbies”.
That seems innocent enough, right?
Nope!


It all started out as a dream, inspired by Miss Mustard Seed‘s wonderful tutorial on making curtain panels.



It quickly spiraled into a nightmare of extremely hilarious proportions which involved 
this…

(You know you are DYING to know what this is!)

And it also, sadly, involved some of this…

I’m pretty sure when the chili dog enters the picture you have entered a dark decorating place.
very, very dark!
You must go over and read this post for yourself to get the full impact of Rebecca’s humor, style (minus the chili dog), marvelous way with words and so much more!
 Pay her a visit at You’re Talking Too Much!


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

We can’t wait to be inspired!

Love the girls at the fence,

After linking up to Inspiration Friday click the graphics below and pay a visit to our other
Friday Party Friends!

The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage

And our newest Friday Party Friend, Alison from Stuff and Nonsense

link up every friday!

And now, let’s get this party started! 

*Please note that due to some technical problems with Linky Tools, some thumbnail images are not currently appearing. The links to those posts are still accurate and accessible. We have notified the service provider and hope to have this corrected shortly!*


It’s so easy to link-up…here’s a few rules to help you:

  • Follow Us At The Picket Fence
  • 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!
  • Visit a few of the other links and leave a comment, we try to visit everyone but sometimes it’s impossible, so thanks for helping us be good hostesses by visiting other guests! 
Link Up!

30 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    Thanks for hosting girls!

    Reply
  2. Melissa Miller says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    Everything is beautiful Vanessa!

    Thank you for hosting. I always appreciate you taking the time.

    Warmly, ~Melissa 🙂

    Reply
  3. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Great inspiration, as always! Wow I need to do that with my gift wrap. Thanks for hosting us again this week!
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  4. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    Hi ladies, Great projects and thanks for hosting!
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  5. Honey at 2805 says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:53 AM

    Great project highlighted. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  6. laxsupermom says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    Terrific featured project. Thanks for hosting this party! I love getting inspiration from everyone else in blogland.

    Reply
  7. Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:17 AM

    Hi Girls,
    This is a fun party!!! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  8. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    Phew, finally remembered to link up! Happy Friday, girls!

    Reply
  9. NanaDiana says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    I love coming here to see what you girls are up to! There is such amazing talent out in BlogLand…I know how hard it must be to pick anyone. And, Congrats to Sharon…she is going to be soo excited…cuz she is just that kinda gal! xxxoo Diana

    Reply
  10. Desire Empire says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:56 AM

    Thanks for sharing the love. Great to be inspired by so much talent.

    Best wishes Carolyn

    Reply
  11. Anita says

    March 4, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    Hi Vanessa, thanks for stopping by!! Looks like you girls are doing great over here!!! Too much fun!

    Reply
  12. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    March 4, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    Wowee,zowee is right! I’m so excited to win the CSN gift certificate! Thank you so much Vanessa and Heather!

    Reply
  13. Deidra says

    March 4, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    So much talent – all in one place! This could keep a girl busy for days! 🙂

    Reply
  14. ~K @ VintageSkye says

    March 4, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    Thanks for hosting! I linked my VERY quick and VERY easy White Glass Jar Project #49 – So fun for spring! -Even though I have a bunch of snow outside my window:)

    Reply
  15. Janet says

    March 4, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    SOOO excited to see that you featured me! THANK YOU!!!! I feel fabulous 🙂

    Reply
  16. Lynn Richards says

    March 4, 2011 at 5:44 AM

    Hi girls!!!
    Thanks for hosting. I love this party!
    That hall way is unbelievable!!!!
    xo
    lynn

    Reply
  17. Betty says

    March 4, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Hi
    Thanks for having this wonderful party every week. It is so much fun for me to share a story about the good old days.
    Thanks for your comment.
    xo
    Betty

    Reply
  18. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 4, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Hi ladies~ Thanks so much for hosting!! 🙂 All linked up!

    Reply
  19. Patty says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    Thank you soooo much ladies for featuring my post.
    I really enjoy coming over and linking up and learning and being inspired by the many talented people out there in blog land!

    Reply
  20. alison says

    March 4, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    i’m so glad we did the party share thing…i hope you both have a wonderful weekend.

    blessings,

    alison
    stuff and nonsense

    Reply
  21. Jodie says

    March 4, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    Vanessa,

    It was so nice to hear from you! Thank you for hosting this wonderful party!

    Have a fantastic weekend Ladies!

    Jodie

    Reply
  22. Kristin says

    March 4, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Hey pretty girls! I finally feel like I am getting my linky groove back on! Thanks for hosting!

    Vanessa, Happy Late Birthday! Love the tribute from Heather. Also, thank you for all of your prayers and reaching out to my sister during this tough time. So sweet.
    Stop by sometime so we can chat about Malibu. ;o)
    Love, Kristin

    Reply
  23. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    March 4, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Did I say how much I LOVE your blog? Oh, I did!!? Well, I do. I do. I do!!!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  24. Becca says

    March 4, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    Hey, hey, hey! My eggs and I are here to crash your party! Thanks for hosting! What a great transformation of the picture gallery! And, I love the blue and white fabric that CG chose! I hope you have a fabulous weekend. Becca

    Reply
  25. sweet european dreams says

    March 5, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    Super excited that I found you girls today – I’m already inspired! -diane
    https://www.sweeteuropeandreams.com

    Reply
  26. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    March 5, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting this…I have had the best time this morning visiting some new blogs. Amazing women out there doing such fun stuff. Very inspirational!

    Reply
  27. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    March 5, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Lovely party and one in which I am always inspired. Keep up the great work. Love your humor and being able to see what so many people are busy doing. Thanks for hosting.
    Lynn

    Reply
  28. thatsmyjob says

    March 6, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    Thank you for featuring me! My first feature! Just took your button and made a spot for it on my blog! Thanks both of you! Love, me
    http://www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Bauble Ring says:
    February 24, 2013 at 2:39 PM

    […] Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence […]

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  2. DIY Bauble Ring | Great Oak Circle, blog design, logo and print design, DIY blog says:
    March 1, 2013 at 2:28 PM

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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. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

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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