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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

July 20, 2012

It’s Inspiration Friday No. 74! Welcome!

Inspiration Friday Graphic
Is it really the middle of July?

Did we really see Back to School Supplies and Fall Décor appearing in stores?

We love Fall as much as the next gals but we definitely are going to make the most out of these lazy (ha!) days of summer!

And what better way than partying here with you each week?!

We are thrilled this week to be welcoming a new Sponsor to the Fence.

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Lauren has an incredible Blog filled with everything from recipes and crafts to encouragement for women and inspiring stories as well as a weekly Linky Party called Heart & Home Link Up which takes place every Tuesday.

She is also a self-taught Graphic Designer with an Etsy Shop, Mercy INK.,  carrying Digital Subway Art Prints like this Night Night Subway Art which would be so perfect for a nursery!
NIGHT Night Subway Art - Modern Childrens Nursery Art Decor DIGITAL PRINT - Orange & Teal - Languages
And this set of Social Media Icons which are just one of many options!

BLUE & GRAY Custom Social Media Icons - Blogs or Websites -
We hope you will help us welcome her by paying her a visit at her Blog or her Shop or both!
Also, Heather is honored to be guest posting for the fabulous Amanda of Serenity Now! While she’s digging her toes in the sand on vacation, Heather’s sharing her fun DIY Dining Caddy project.  Be sure to head over and take a peek! 

and Vanessa is excited to have her Ballard Inspired Sea Shell Topiary featured at Knock Off Decor!

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Now, are you ready to check out some amazing features from last week??!!
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INSPIRED ROOMS

Cas from Peaches and Maple shared the incredibly gorgeous room she submitted to Australia’s Home Beautiful Magazine’s Most Beautiful Room competition. And, while this room is undeniably beautiful, what we appreciated most about this post was what Cas shared
 about discovering her passion and developing her gifts!

And speaking of beautiful rooms, there was just no way we could not include Amanda from Dixie Delight’s incredible kitchen. Get out a napkin folks, cause this one is drool-worthy!

July 2012 112 copy
MAKEOVERS

This is a fantastic hallway transformation from Katie at Creatively Living! One of our favorite parts is what is hiding behind those closet doors….
you’ll just have to go over to visit Katie to see what we’re talking about!

Now technically, this room could also be up among the Inspired Rooms Features but what we are highlighting here is the wonderful job Lisa from Shine Your Light did painting the tiles that are on top of that bay window ledge. You will not believe how this looked before!!

You HAVE to go check out how an old dresser became this amazing Portable Bar over at Bliss Ranch! There’s even a built in ice trough for chilling beverages. And we can’t get enough of the lettering on the side!

 
  CRAFTS and CREATIONS

How cool is this light?? It was created by Serendipity Refined and made using paint stirs! It is a knock-off of one she saw priced at over $200. She shows exactly how she got that wonderful aged patina and you should see how it looks on her gorgeous patio!

And while we are on the subject of cool lighting knock-offs, check out this Horchow Natural Cane Lamp Shade Knock-Off from At Home on the Bay. We love how fresh and summer-y it looks!
And check out this Twine Towel Basket made from a cereal box!! That’s right…a cereal box! You have to go over to Inspired By Family Magazine to see how she did it.

 
OUTDOOR LIVING
Have you met Miriam and Erika from Be Book Bound? How do we love them? Let us count the ways…they are sisters who blog together…they love words as much as we do…they are kindred spirits in their passion for Anne of Green Gables and Jane Austen and Laura Ingalls…and they create gorgeous settings like this Apple Pie in the Orchard inspired by Little House on the Prairie! Sigh…

The Country Farm Home showed us some beautiful photos from a Rustic Barn Wedding she attended and we think these ideas are just fantastic and could translate into our own decor.



RECIPES and PARTIES
Oh Anna…can we please, please, please come to one of your fabulous parties??! We promise we would dress the part to join in this Mad Men themed Birthday Party. Even when it’s for your own birthday you put together the most incredible events and we hope it was all you had hoped for and more…even if we couldn’t be there!

Mad Men Women
Have you ever heard of an Iced Tea Float? Well, we hadn’t either but after seeing the recipe for this one from The Alchemist we are definitely going to be trying it out!

INSPIRING STORIES
Heather’s in-real-life friend Nedra of Adventure Mom shared with us the story of her first TRYathlon and we loved hearing about how she conquered her fears and had the experience of a lifetime!

Jordan from The 2 Seasons shared with us about The Ultimate Makeover when she traveled to Argentina to help remodel a local elementary school and we loved seeing the details of how they made a huge difference for the students there!

 
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located on our Buttons Page found under our header!
Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook? Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well!
Are you following us on

Pinterest
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog…unless it’s one of our own creations, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉
Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week! We appreciate you!
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:

vif187Fridays Unfolded
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Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday
  • 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 on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY to be featured At The Picket Fence) Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize. It makes us feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us
This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:
 
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Disclaimer: At the Picket Fence may feature any of the projects linked up to Inspiration Friday in other posts or on Facebook, twitter and hometalk with all credit being given to the original source. If you would not like your projects featured please email us.

77 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    SUPER features, girls. Thanks so much for hosting.

    Reply
  2. Eclectically Vintage says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    Must hop over to Be Bound Brook – anyone who loves Jane Austen is a friend of mine!

    And of course, Bliss’s bar has me in cocktail heaven!
    Kelly

    Reply
  3. allisamazing says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  4. Honey at 2805 says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Hi sweet ladies! Thanks to your both for always being gracious hostesses! Great features! I always appreciate you linking to Potpourri Friday!

    Reply
  5. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    Oh what great features, love that toolbox caddy. Thanks for hosting. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  6. Anita says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    So many great ideas again girls…thanks for hosting the party!!

    Reply
  7. Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Love all your beautiful features; I’d never leave Dixie Delight’s kitchen! Thank you so much for hosting Inspiration Friday.

    Reply
  8. The Farmer's Daughter says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    What a wonderful surprise! Thanks you so much for featuring the Rustic Barn Wedding we had here at the farm! The bride and groom will be thrilled! And, thanks for hosting another great link party!

    Reply
  9. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies! Hope you both have wonderful weekends!

    Reply
  10. Trish says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!

    Reply
  11. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Great features as always. Amazing the entries you two get. Thanks for doing this every week. I sure appreciate it!

    Reply
  12. suzyq says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting – absolutely incredible features this week!
    Off to browse
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  13. Savvy Seasons says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:00 PM

    Love Inspiration Friday and I love to browse all the fabulous blogs. Thanks for hosting! xo ~Liz

    Reply
  14. keri @ shaken together says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting, ladies!!

    Reply
  15. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    Love the features! Thanks so much for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  16. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    Hey Girls, just linked up, thanks for the Friday Party Love!!

    Reply
  17. Paula says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    Great features! That rolling bar is really neat. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  18. Janette - The2Seasons says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Thanks for featuring The 2 Seasons. We hope you like this week’s makeover entry that we did on the porch for under $100. We appreciate your hosting this party so that our blog can get more exposure. Love, Jordan and Janette

    Reply
  19. Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    Thanks for hosting – have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  20. Dixie Delights says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my kitchen and for your kind words 🙂 Now I’ve got to check out that breakfast room!

    Reply
  21. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Awesome features as always!!! Thanks for hosting! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  22. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    July 19, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    Hello ladies,
    Y’all have some wonderful features this week…thanks for hosting.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  23. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    July 19, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  24. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    Incredible features this week…thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  25. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    There is so much creativity out there, and you gals always do a great job of highlighting it! I’m celebrating two years of blogging on Saturday, so stop by if you get a chance and visit my Vintage Linen & Dish Auction benefiting Hope Unlimited for Children. Auction runs through 9PM EDT Wednesday.

    Reply
  26. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa: Thank you for hosting the party today–the featured projects are certainly beautiful. I look forward to seeing today’s creative projects! Have a super weekend!

    Reply
  27. Miriam@BeBookBound says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:43 PM

    Oh Heather and Vanessa. I don’t think we could love you more if you crowned us the joint queens of England. Thank you so much for featuring us, and for visiting us, and for being kindred spirits, and for being just so incredibly awesome! I can’t tell you how many times we have said to each other, “I just love these AtThePicketFence girls.” We truly do- thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

    Reply
  28. Carmella says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    What a great party {as always!} and I just love MercyINK, great sponsor to have!

    I hope you ladies have a great weekend!

    Reply
  29. Katie Goldsworthy says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:12 AM

    Thanks for the feature gals! Hope you are having a wonderful week!

    –Katie
    @ Creatively Living

    Reply
  30. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    Wish I had time to visit all these great features, but I’m busy PINNING! Hehe!
    I linked up my tomato pie recipe. Thanks for hosting, girls!

    Reply
  31. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    This is always such a great party! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  32. Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:39 AM

    You guys always have the best features 🙂 So many beautiful ideas and inspiration.

    Reply
  33. Lauren @ mercy(INK) says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:01 AM

    As always you’ve featured such fabulous projects and inspiring posts!

    And thanks SO much for the sponsor shout out! It’s such a blessing! 🙂

    xo,
    lauren @ http://www.mercyINKblog.com

    Reply
  34. Anne says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:13 AM

    I am so impressed by all the talent out there – what marvellous features!!!

    Thanks for your fabulous party!

    xox

    Reply
  35. Calypso In The Country says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:16 AM

    Ooops…something went wrong when I linked up! Could you delete two of those! thanks! Thanks for hosting today!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  36. Bliss says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:07 AM

    I’m honored to be among such great features, thank you. A lil ‘ol portable bar’s got nothing on those inspiring stories.

    ~Bliss~

    Reply
  37. SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:17 AM

    Lovely features – as always! Thanks for hosting a fun party! Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

    Reply
  38. Good Time Charlie says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    I love the inspired rooms, and oh what fun that party must have been. That Bliss, she has more talent than one person should be allowed to have! Happy weekend girls!

    And yes, my kids go back to school in one week, those school supplies in the stores are there for people like us….Ugh.

    Reply
  39. Poppy says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    Loved Heather’s dining caddy, looks so pretty with the hydrangeas and silverware. Thanks for hosting,girls. Hugs,Poppy

    Reply
  40. Kathy Moody says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  41. classic • casual • home says

    July 20, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    So much fun and inspiration here!

    Reply
  42. Tani@Tagana Rose says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Have a wonderful day:)

    Reply
  43. Danni says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    What a wonderful site! So much Inspiration! Thanks for hosting

    Reply
  44. Liz Fourez says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Hi ladies! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  45. Alderberry Hill says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    Thanks for this great link party!

    Reply
  46. Maury Kilgo says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls!

    Reply
  47. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    You always choose the most amazing features… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  48. Kelly Rowe says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting, lovely ladies 🙂 Hugs to you both. Have a fabulou weekend!!

    Reply
  49. Vintage Street Designs says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:54 PM

    Thanks for hosting ~ have a super great weekend! ~ Judy

    Reply
  50. Emily says

    July 20, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    Love your linky parties!! You are both such great hostesses!! Thanks again!!

    Reply
  51. South Shore Decorating Blog says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    Thank you SOOOO much for hosting! I know it’s a LOT of work!
    Stacy

    Reply
  52. Shelia says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    Hey Cuties! Oh, what wonderful inspiration snaps you’re sharing with us. We do have the most talented ones in Blogland! I hooked up to your party this morning but didn’t have time to leave a comment but I’m back now! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    Be a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  53. Upscale Downhome says

    July 20, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    Thank you ladies for hosting. I certainly am inspired by many of these projects! Lots to pin!

    Reply
  54. Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says

    July 20, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    Thank you for hosting! Great features! Wishing you gals a grand weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply
  55. Mimi says

    July 20, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  56. ~ Liz ~ says

    July 21, 2012 at 1:03 AM

    Your features are definitely an inspiration! Thanks for bringing us this packed house of a party!
    Liz

    Reply
  57. Mary says

    July 21, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    Thanks so much for featuring the cane lampshade among so many great projects, and as always thanks for hosting such a fun party each week.

    Mary

    Reply
  58. FABBY'S LIVING says

    July 21, 2012 at 3:40 AM

    Fabulous features, thanks for sharinmg them! Thank you for hosting this wonderful party, although I’m late as I didn’t have internet for almost 3 days..I’m here!! Enjoy the weekend.
    FABBY

    Reply
  59. Jenni@MomEssentials.Net says

    July 21, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    Hi!
    Thanks for letting me share my own recipe of delicious, healthy mayo!
    Here’s the link:
    https://www.momessentials.net/delicious-healthy-mayo-spicy-or-mil/

    Reply
  60. Christie says

    July 21, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Hey friends At The Picket Fence! I hope you girls are having a wonderful summer! Such lovely features! I recognize some of the sites from Pinterest! Will check them out! Christie at three pixie lane

    Reply
  61. Sherry says

    July 22, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather,

    Great features and new submissions. Thank you for hosting. Have a great week; enjoy!!!

    Reply
  62. Dewdrop Gardens says

    July 22, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    Hi Heather & Vanessa!
    I saw Heather’s guest post over at Serenity Now and LOVE the outcome of your adorable caddy!! I have a similar item collecting dust since the 70’s and now I know exactly what I’m going to do with it! I forgot I still had it, lying under old pots in the lean-to. 🙂
    Debbie 🙂

    Reply
  63. portland condos says

    July 23, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    The greatest more inspiration and interesting post shared we can be watch and read in this video and fantastic also. This is very nice and informative post shared.

    Reply
  64. Peaches & Maple says

    July 25, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Thanks so much for featuring my post, I really appreciate it 🙂
    Cas x

    Reply
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    January 14, 2014 at 3:13 PM

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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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