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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

March 18, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No.7

Top o’ the morning to ya!
Or afternoon or evening!
Whatever time of day it is where you are, we want to welcome you to
We would say that without a doubt the “luck of the Irish“ was with us last week when we found ourselves elbow deep in the pot of gold that was at the end of our party rainbow!
All of these lovely lasses (we are lacking in laddies around here) being featured are new friends to us here At the Picket Fence.
And let us just say, that aside from all of the amazing talent and creativity on display each week, we are having the most fun just getting to know all of you a little bit better. 
You are warm, witty, welcoming, and…ummm…another ‘w’…let’s see…way cool!

So raise your pints of Guiness and let us make a toast to our Features from last week’s Inspiration Friday Party!

First up we have Emily from Lovely Beasts and this is her
“La Bete Premiere“
She transformed this Beast
Into this Beauty!
Ooo la la! You must go visit Emily at Lovely Beasts and see more of her chez magnifique creations!
Next up we have Shelley from Crazy Wonderful who shared an amazing kitchen makeover with us.
She said that she felt like she was slowly being swallowed by oak!
Here is her kitchen Before
And here it is After!
Doesn’t it make you just go…ahhhhh
Light, bright, cheerful and we are so happy that the oak didn’t end up swallowing Shelley after all!
Now, Shelley just kept sharing her lovely self with us and also linked up a wonderful tutorial on how to make these absolutely fabulous ruffled shades for her dining room.

You won’t want to miss out on meeting Shelley so pay her a visit at
Crazy Wonderful!
Now we want to introduce you (if you haven’t already met) to Ann-Marie from
 Brambley Home and Garden.
When we saw these photos we were certain that the first one was from a magazine and the second was from her home. And then, it dawned on us! Well, actually, it dawned on Heather first. I mean, she is the oldest after all. And with age comes wisdom right?
These two UNBELIEVABLE “Kindred Arches” are situated across from each other in
Ann-Marie’s stunning kitchen!
This area they use as an Espresso counter.
We like ours with extra foam Ann-Marie!


And it’s “kindred spirit” across the way she uses as her baking station.
Uh huh….that’s right…we know your mouth is hanging open. Ours were!

Can you believe the gorgeousness?
And here is the thing. Not only is Ann-Marie’s home lovely and charming and gracious, but so is Ann-Marie herself!
Pay her a visit at Brambley Home and Garden!
Can you tell that we have kitchens on the brain here?

Maybe it is because Heather is getting ready to make BIG changes to her own kitchen!

You will have to stay tuned for that!

And in honor of St. Patrick’s Day we would like to feature the lovely St. Patrick’s Day Inspirations that were linked up this past week!

It is never a surprise when Sue from Munchkin Munchies links up some beautiful treats!  She shared these beautiful St. Patrick’s Day inspired cookies with us.

  
Michell from Girl In Air shared these adorable “Lucky Penny” necklaces she made! Cause who couldn’t use a lil bit o’ luck on St. Patrick’s Day!

Christine shared these delicious Mint Chocolate Sandwich Cookies on her blog Great Oak Circle.  Seriously…Mint and Chocolate?!  One of the best combinations ever!


And we fell in love with these adorable St. Patrick’s Day Burlap Pillows from Messy Mimi! Talk about your cute holiday decorations!


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

Before we sign off we have two more guests Bear Bryant (left) and Zoe (right) who Heather claims as her second two babies…most days, that would like to tip their top hats to all the lassies and laddies who hang out at the fence and wish them very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!



Now it’s time for you to share you inspiration with us! Please take a moment to read the instructions and then link up your favorite posts!

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 beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense

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

Just a quick reminder since it’s so easy to just skim over the instructions.  We’ve noticed lately several people have forgotten to link back to Inspiration Friday.  While we we’ve decided we won’t delete your entry or “call you out” on it we pretty please ask that you take an extra minute to link your post BACK to At The Picket Fence.  It’s a pretty standard “rule” for linky parties and is a way to “thank” your hosts for well…hosting the party!  We want “your guests to be able to come back here and see all of the wonderful inspiration in blogland and to maybe link up one of their posts.  Thank you for honoring this mandatory requirement!

  •  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! 
So go on now and link up!

28 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « At the Kids Table…For St. Patrick’s Day
Next Post: Simply Sundays….Create In Me A Clean Heart »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michell @Girl in Air says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    Thank you so much for featuring my Penny!

    Reply
  2. Ange (Love From My Kitchen) says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    Ok guys, am I missing it? Wait, don’t answer that! Anyways, I can’t find where to link my blog to. Maybe I ate too much spaghetti.

    Reply
  3. Melanie says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    @Ange You are not alone. I don’t see it there either.

    Reply
  4. Martina says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    Hi guys trying to link up but I don’t see the button. Martina

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Love all the features this week! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  6. Mimi says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Oh wow – you are the cutest sisters with one of my favorite blogs. I was just checking your blog {’cause I love it} and saw you featured my Burlap Shamrock pillows! I am so honored! Thanks so much.
    Big hugs! Mimi

    Reply
  7. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:31 AM

    Thanks for hosting gals! Lots of inspiration around here!
    Have a great weekend.
    Hope you join me next Friday for my color my world partay.

    Reply
  8. Sue says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Thanks SO much for the feature, girls. It’s a wonderful St. Paddy’s day surprise! There’s always so many fantastic ideas linked! Pat the pups’ heads for me:) Happy St. Patrick’s day!

    Reply
  9. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Hi Ladies, Thanks so much for hosting and Happy St. Paddy’s Day.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  10. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    March 18, 2011 at 12:44 AM

    Thanks girls for hosting!

    Reply
  11. Honey at 2805 says

    March 18, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    Hi girls! Thanks for hosting…you are so gracious! Hoping I don’t get kicked off this week for have 3entries. They were all screaming to be here!
    Hugs, Honey

    Reply
  12. molly susan strong says

    March 18, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    So much loveliness to see!!!

    Reply
  13. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    March 18, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    I’m lovin’ that kitchen makeover! Thanks for hosting girls.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  14. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    March 18, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    Great features, girls! I just love that you actually used “Ooo la la” in your post. It’s been the most fun word around our house this week. You should see the grin on my 19-mo-old grandson’s face when he says it. Priceless! Thanks for making my night. 🙂

    Reply
  15. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    March 18, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    Thanks for hosting. LOVED Crazy Wonderful’s shades!

    Reply
  16. Colleen @ MuralMaker&More says

    March 18, 2011 at 3:22 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Sorry, I was having Linky problems and there’s a duplicate link. Would you delete one of them? Sorry!

    Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  17. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    March 18, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    Ahhhh! Thank you so much for featuring my blog Vanessa and Heather! I’m beyond excited…scary excited actually. I had to share with everyone via Facebook and mention it in my blog. It means so much to me.

    Thanks for taking the time to read all the entries. I was hoping one day to be able to display a “I was featured” buttons and now I can. And by one of my favorite blogs. 🙂

    You girls are the best! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
    Emily

    Reply
  18. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 18, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    Thanks for hosting ladies!!Love the features ~ Happy St. Patricks Day! 🙂

    Reply
  19. alison says

    March 18, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    hmmmm…great minds think alike? too funny…happy friday vanessa and heather!

    blessings,

    alison
    stuff and nonsense

    Reply
  20. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    March 18, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting this party. I have visited one of your featured bloggers and hope to find time to get around to all of them. This is my first time to link up. I’m a newbie and I’m just joining parties.
    https://cottageatthecrossroads.com

    Reply
  21. poindextr says

    March 18, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    thank you so much for hosting! Your featured projects are awesome. I can’t stop looking at Ann Marie’s kitchen photos, they are lovely. And the mint chocolate cookies? Oh my. hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂

    Reply
  22. Shelley says

    March 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Squeal!!!!! Thank you SOOOO much for featuring my kitchen and chandy shades! My husband thought there was something wrong with me when he heard me squealing with excitement when I saw your post 😀

    Have a great weekend ladies!

    Shelley

    Reply
  23. Megan @ Cut the Craft! says

    March 18, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    LOVE those necklaces! Thanks for hosting.:)

    Reply
  24. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    March 18, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Those necklaces are gorgeous. You pick out such lovely things to feature. That’s such an original idea too. Love it!!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  25. Kristine~Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    March 19, 2011 at 2:02 AM

    Vanessa,

    Thank you for always taking the time to visit and write the SWEETEST, MOST encouraging comments. I really appreciate them. That chair redo in the first pics is so wonderful and I am going over to visit Ann Marie right now! That is one amazing picture.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting such a fun linky party!

    Reply
  26. Becky says

    March 19, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    New follower and participant in Inspiration Fridays! Thanks for hosting! Happy Weekend!

    Reply
  27. Kristi says

    March 19, 2011 at 3:50 AM

    I’m your latest follower! Thanks so much for hosting. What an adorable site you have!

    {hugs},
    kristi

    https://ishouldbemoppingthefloor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  28. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    March 21, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    Thanks Vanessa and Heather for checking out my latest French chair entry! You leave such cute personal notes, I don’t even want to know how you find the time or the words to respond to everyone…but it’s pretty amazing.

    You both are the best bloggy friends any blogger could ask for 🙂

    Hope you had a great weekend!
    Emily

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “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! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year 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!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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