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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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    • Featured

April 2, 2011

Inspiration Friday Party No.9

April…April! April! April! 

I love April…it means spring, and flowers, and Easter and spring, and warmth..except it’s snowing outside while I’m typing this, but we’ll just ignore that little fact and shout from the rooftops it’s

APRIL!!


I think you all are as ready for it to feel like spring as we are.  Our first feature…made us long for warm evenings outside grilling and hanging with friends. 

Jamie from Okla-HOME-a inspired us to look towards the summer with her beautiful pergola remodel.  Here’s what it looked like before they undertook this project:


Certainly not horrible, I’ll take that pool off your hands for ya Jamie! 😉 , but not quite as spectacular as it could be.   And here it is mid-project:


And now here it is in all of it’s new glory!


Um…hello!  Fabulous!  We are headed over to hang out with you on your new back porch Jamie.   


You can  read more about Jamie’s great pergola project over at her blog, so head on over and say hi!

Up next we have this great frugal project…can you get more frugal than a $1 folks?!  That’s how much it cost Bianca at Walnut Avenue to turn a nice but not very exciting pendant light in her newly remodeled kitchen 


from “blah” (those were Bianca’s words) to awesome!  She headed to Ikea and found an adorable lampshade for…a whopping buck..yep a buck!  Isn’t Ikea the best?!  She took that dollar lampshade and made an awesome new pendant:


Yep, this one definitely has more character Bianca!  Check it out in it’s new home:


Visit Bianca and see how she made this quick but dramatic change to her pendant light! P.S. We love your post title Bianca…Gotta love a gal who references The Doors in her title. 😉

This next project caught our eye because well, we would love to have it in our house.  Jill at Peanut Butter Plaza (how cute is that name?!) took this sad little cabinet and like any good furniture restorer saw it’s potential hidden away in there.  


It spoke to her and said, “hi, I want to be painted grey!” okay so maybe not quite like that but Jill listened and this sad little cabinet was transformed into this beauty! 


Yes, grey suits her quite well..don’t ya think?  Um…love, love, love!  The details are what makes this little cabinet so special.


Pay a visit to Jill and see how she transformed this pretty cabinet. 

And last but never least, a post that really touched us both.  We have featured Dianne from The Inspired Housewife before, but this post had to be shared!  Dianne heard about the need to provide quilts and blankets for children and babies in Japan who are currently facing bitter cold during the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami.  She immediately answered the call for help and went to work creating a very special project:


Piecing the blocks together, and praying over the child this would warm as she ironed it.  She lovingly added precious words of hope in Japanese onto the quilt:


“Jesus Loves You”


Thank you for inspiring us Dianne to think beyond ourselves and about others.  You can visit Dianne at her wonderful blog and read for yourself the beautiful words she wrote in her post.

I want to take a moment to also introduce two new friends of At The Picket Fence.  I was privileged to have some great email conversations this week with these two ladies.  I want to invite you to take a moment to visit their blogs.  

This week I got to meet Telisa from Sugartotdesigns who makes incredible custom invitations, announcements and cards.  Um..hello…I might have another baby just to order some of these:

We’d love it if you’d pay Telisa a visit to see all of the beautiful custom options she has for parties, announcements, prints to frame, etc.  They are stunning and reasonable..which is a great combination!

And we also got to meet Gail from Casual Loves Elegance this week.  We think we might just show up on her doorstep for our next vacation, her home is that beautiful!  


We know…fabulous! Visit her to see some other incredible photos of Gail’s home.  She’s lived a pretty exciting life, head over and find out more!  

Now, don’t forget to grab your Featured At Button if you were featured at today’s party or during the week as a Facebook Feature! We have started featuring several links during the week on our Facebook page, so make sure you join us over there to see if you are featured! (did I say the word feature enough?? grin.)

Thanks for joining us 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
                        
And our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense


Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!

Just a quick reminder we’ve noticed lately several people have forgotten to link back to Inspiration Friday.  While we’ve decided we won’t delete your entry 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!  Thank you for honoring this mandatory requirement! (I am putting this in bigger font this week…please honor this one request.  We have found that again, several are forgetting.  If you don’t know how just ask we’ll help ya!)
   
  •  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! 

Link Up!!
This Inspiration Friday is sponsored by our April Etsy Shop of the Month

26 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Comments

  1. Kristine: Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    March 31, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Thank you for hosting! I saw Natalie’s kitchen and it is so pretty. Cannot believe she found that lamp shade and did all of that for $1

    and I am headed to go and check out Gail’s home now!

    Kristine

    Reply
  2. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    March 31, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    That pool and pergola look so inviting! I would LOVE to just pull up a chair and sit for a couple of hours! Love the kitchen re-do and that lamp! Thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  3. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    March 31, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    So many great ideas! I really want to build a pergola this summer, and can’t wait to show this to hubby. Thanks for hosting, ladies! Have a fab weekend.

    Reply
  4. Martina says

    April 1, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Hi Girls sorry for the double post #33 has to be deleted it wouldn’t link back to me so I had to redo it and I didn’t know how to delete it. Martina

    Reply
  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    April 1, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    Great features and thanks always for hosting.

    Reply
  6. Revamped French Maison says

    April 1, 2011 at 1:38 AM

    Hi there Vanessa and Heather,
    I’m all linked up with you on recommendation from Courtney over at French Country. My most favorite blogger ever…. I have a few favs actually but she is definitely the top five.

    So far I love what I see in here. Great pergola project! I’ve been talking about adding something similar to our back upper deck. It’s just not the same as being able to have a pool and patio though. I will definitely be back to dig around in your blog a little later. My link looks as it my fall under your Good Grief category.

    See you soon,
    Shanna
    http://www.revampedfrenchmaison.com

    Reply
  7. Sue says

    April 1, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Love all the transformations and inspiration! Great party as always!

    Heather and Vanessa, I accidentally posted my bicycle cookies again(from last week)and wasn’t able to delete them!? Will you please delete it for me? Thanks! Sue:)

    Reply
  8. Jill says

    April 1, 2011 at 2:42 AM

    You girls are the best! Thanks so much for the feature! I am new to blogging & I appreciate the encouragement y’all have given me! Thanks!

    Reply
  9. telisa van leeuwen says

    April 1, 2011 at 3:11 AM

    seriously you girls are way tooooo nice, encouraging, welcoming and awesome over here at the picket fence. i am working on making my blog more user friendly to make payments on so people can get prints quickly and i truly appreciate your feature!!

    Reply
  10. Trisha says

    April 1, 2011 at 3:34 AM

    Just found your blog & linked up too! Can’t wait to check out all the great projects 🙂
    Trisha

    Reply
  11. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 31, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Hi there girls!! I love the features and that pergola is certainly catching my eye… thanks for sharing and thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Gail Peterson says

    April 1, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    Hi Girls,
    Awe..I am so excited you featured my blog today on Inspiration Friday*
    Thankyou for the SWEETEST comments… Seriously if your ever in my area come on by!!
    I am happy to be in such great company!
    Happy Spring*
    xo,
    Gail
    casualloveselegance

    Reply
  13. Nancy's Notes says

    April 1, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    What a fabulous pool and pergola!! Thanks for hosting, I’m happy to be at such a fun party!

    Nancy

    Reply
  14. alison says

    April 1, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    whew…i think we broke the cycle…tho’ i came very close to featuring that light makeover…tee hee…all linked up…have a wonderful friday.

    blessings,

    alison

    Reply
  15. Kristin says

    April 1, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Finally…I have something to bring to the party! Better late than never, huh? Thanks girls for being some of the sweetest in blog land!
    Happy Friday!
    Love, Kristin

    Reply
  16. Little Brick Ranch says

    April 1, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies, and also for my feature!! I am glad that little $1 makeover got ya’ll to do a happy dance…to a Doors song, of course! 🙂

    Reply
  17. Kindra-At Home With K says

    April 1, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Congratulations of your succesful blog and linky party! I can’t wait to visit some links. I shared my free cabinet door picture frame #119. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Val says

    April 1, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Wow, so many wonderful things this Friday!! I might be on your page all day. Better start another pot of coffee!

    Reply
  19. Judy says

    April 1, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Those are some great features. I’m all linked up…a little late, but here now. Looking forward to checking out all the talent. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  20. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    April 1, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    I;m late I’m late for a very important date..yes that would be with you girls. I am here. I just forgot is all:) Thanks for hosting. Love the inspiration. I have that very same outdoor candle chande in our bedroom.

    Reply
  21. CAS says

    April 1, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    Thank you, Vanessa & Heather, for your “awesomeness” in creating such a fun blog & blog party.
    CAS

    Reply
  22. Leslie says

    April 1, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    I love Fridays at the fence with you girls!
    SNOW!?!?!?!?!?!?! YIKES!
    I’m sorry to hear that.
    I’m mailing you some sunshine, pronto!

    Reply
  23. Claire says

    April 2, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    Sorry I double booked my reservation to your party-oops I’m #57 and #162-sorry for the mix-up! Claire

    Reply
  24. Kristine: Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    April 2, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Vanessa, thank you so much for letting me know about the link!

    I fixed the link so you can delete the first one.

    Thank you again…you are a sweetie!!!

    Kristine

    Reply
  25. Kristine: Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    April 2, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Hey, back again…just read your other comment regarding being an adoptive Mommy!!! LOVE that we have that in common. I knew I liked you 😉

    Glad we found each other. Have a wonderful weekend.

    Kristine

    Reply
  26. Penny @ The Comforts of Home/Lavender Hill Studio says

    April 2, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Definately a lot of great inspiration here!!
    Penny

    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….
.
…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!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

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. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

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.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

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.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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