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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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December 21, 2012

Inspiring Christmas Features!



 Welcome to our round-up of amazing Christmas features from last week’s Inspiration Friday! We felt that there were  so many amazing holiday and everyday links that we thought TWO features were deserving of last week’s party! Today we are sharing some of our favorite Christmas and Holiday posts and next week Inspiration Friday will resume as normal with another round of features!

So, grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa and take a moment to enjoy these gorgeous Christmas features!

 Inspiring Christmas Rooms

Laura from Top This Top That shared her beautiful Living Room all dressed up for Christmas and looking so lovely in all of it’s winter-y whites and silvers.

 Kathy from Kate’s Place showed us her lovely Christmas bedroom and it has such a serene feeling to it. Perfect for resting after those long days of shopping and baking!

Jennifer from Town and Country Living gave us a tour of her entire home all decorated for Christmas but what we especially loved is that she even gave the bathroom a gorgeous winter makeover. So stunning!

Katie from Creatively Living showed off her beautiful Dining Room all decked out for Christmas and there are just so many fabulous details here. We love the numbered burlap chair slips!

Inspiring Christmas Wreaths

Angelina from Shop Ruby Jean  knows the way to a man’s heart…a DIY Man’s Wreath!

Linda of It All Started With Paint  created this gorgeous Anthropologie Inspired Pom-Pom Wreath

anthropologie-pom-pom-wreath

Taryn of Design, Dining and Diapers used some left over dough to create these darling White White Dough Wreaths

Inspiring Christmas Trees

We love Suzy of Worthing Court ‘s beautiful and meaningful Silver Bells “Memory” Tree

Christmas tree via Worthing Court blog

The garden has never looked so beautiful as Kristen of Sophia’s Garden-Inspired Tree does!

Cindy of Beaux R’eves designed this classic white Tabletop Tree full of beautiful detail!

Inspiring Christmas Projects

We adore these Anthropologie inspired Frosted Reindeer from Monster Circus

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

There’s still plenty of time to make these DIY Gift Boxes from Brooke of Blissful Roots

These “Sillouette” DIY Paper Ornaments from Ashbee Designs are simple yet sophisticated!

Robin from Happy At Home created this Christmas Woodland Display. We love the attention to detail!

Inspiring Christmas Recipes and Parties

Grab  cup of cocoa and enjoy one of Sue of Munchkin Munchies Cup O’ Cocoa Cookies!

Tanya of TwelveOEight‘s No Bake Gingerbread House is almost too cute to eat!

Tracey of The Kitchen Is My Playground has rounded up her 16 Sweet Treats for Christmas in one post. There’s a treat here for everyone!

 Inspiring Christmas Stories

There’s only one person we know who could take a simple “Elf on the Shelf” photo shoot and turn it into something so hilarious and so…ahem…naughty. You’ll have to go over and visit Kerry from HouseTalkN to see more of the Elf on the Shelf Gone Wrong!

 Debra from Homespun shared how feeding the birds has played such an important role throughout all the stages of her life and the treasured memories that have been created as a result.

 If you have one of the fabulous posts featured here today, we’d love you to grab the I’ve Been Featured Button!

 

We hope you’ve enjoyed these inspiring Christmas project, ideas, recipes and decor! We know you’ll want to remember some of these for next year.
Please visit each blog directly to pin these amazing posts so that the original authors get full credit! Thank you!

See you back at Inspiration Friday next week with some more amazing features!

22 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Features, Good Ideas, Holidays, Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Sharing Simple and Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas with Glynnis Whitwer
Next Post: Hosting a Holiday Party! »

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Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:18 AM

    Great features!!…The Elf on the Shelf made me laugh til I cried…!!

    Reply
  2. debra says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:30 AM

    Thank you for featuring my post ..I was reading through everything and got quite the surprise when I saw my name there! 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and your families !

    Reply
  3. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    Oh goodness – I’m surprised and delighted to see my Silver Bells Memory tree featured as part of your Inspiring Christmas Features. Thank you! I hope both of you and your loved ones have a joyous and blessed Christmas!

    Reply
  4. laura@Top This Top That says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:37 AM

    Oh- what a lovely surprise to see my living in your inspiration features! Tell ya, I love all of the features but the elf on the shelf is tooo funny! Merry Christmas my friends!!

    Reply
  5. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    December 21, 2012 at 5:32 AM

    So many wonderful features! It makes me sad that all the Christmas decor posts will soon be over! I gotta go check out that elf on the shelf!
    Merry Christmas!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  6. Anita @ Cedar HIll says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:00 AM

    The features are all so inspiring! I’m really drawn to those hot chocolate cookies! What a clever, clever idea.

    Reply
  7. Brooke says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:30 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting and for featuring my DIY gift boxes. I’m a new blogger, so it’s thrilling to see something of mine being featured. Thanks again! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  8. Cynthia says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    what beautiful featurews. I enjoyed them all, thanks for sharing.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  9. monsterscircus says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    Hi Girls! Thank you so much for the feature, it such an honour to company alle those great feaures! The trees are so fantiastic like your, and you’ve got more than one, lucky you! You are right, it’s so good to know, that there’s an opportunity to give al those lovely ideas a try next year! Have a blessed Christmas both of you and your family! Thank you for being cool crafters:-)

    Reply
  10. HouseTalkN says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:56 AM

    I love you, sistas! Thank you for sharing my naughty elf!
    Happy Holidays!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN, home of the naughty elf

    Reply
  11. Angelina says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Ah! thank you ladies for featuring my “Man’s Wreath” I can’t wait to stop in and take a closer look at some of these Lovely features.
    Merry Merry Christmas!
    Angelina

    Reply
  12. ange says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Love all these amazing features! Thanks for rounding them up in one post. Merry Christmas to you Heather & Vanessa! So happy to have met you at Haven this year and hope to see you all again one day!

    Reply
  13. Robin says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    Awwwwww, you two are the sweetest. Thank you so very much for featuring my simple red and white cabin display with this fabulous roundup of Holiday cheer. You have made me day. Merry Christmas and thanks again.

    Reply
  14. Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Thank you so much for including my 16 Sweet Treats Round-Up in your feature picks! Such a nice treat to pop on over to your blog and see ‘me’ in the list. Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

    Reply
  15. Andrea Schuneman says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    What a wonderful post and what amazing talent out there. Wishing you both a wonderful holiday and new year. Thank you for always inspiring me with your words and talent!

    Blessings to you,
    Andrea

    Reply
  16. Julie says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Beautiful features! Enjoy the break, you deserve it! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  17. classic•casual•home says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:38 AM

    Love that pom pom wreath and the Joy Tree.
    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  18. Carol Reddin says

    December 21, 2012 at 11:11 AM

    So many ideas for Christmas 2013!

    Reply
  19. Sue says

    December 21, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    So many great features! Thanks so much for including my Cup O’ Cocoa cookies! I need to go check out the others, starting with the Elf:) Have a very Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  20. Michele (Finch Rest) says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    EACH and EVERY one of those features are drop-dead fabulous!

    Have a blessed and Merry Christmas and happy healthy New Year!

    Reply
  21. katie goldsworthy says

    December 21, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    Thank you so much for the feature ladies! Wishing you both a very blessed Christmas!

    –Katie

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Inspiration Friday No. 94…Welcome! says:
    December 27, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    […] features are from Inspiration Friday No. 93, last week we featured some amazing Christmas Inspiration, today we are featuring some other amazing projects! […]

    Reply

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I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
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