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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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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

September 7, 2012

It’s Inspiration Friday No. 81! Welcome!

Inspiration Friday Graphic_thumb[3]

 So who else feels like Fall is getting into full swing?  Even though technically it’s still Summer, we are ready for Autumn here At The Picket Fence! In fact, we’re jumping into Fall with both feet…or should we say all four feet. grin.  
This week we shared our first Fall Project, Heather’s Stenciled Fall Jar
stenciled fall jar
We also had a fabulous guest poster, our dearest, darling friend KariAnne from Thistlewood Farm.
Kari is not only uber talented in the home decor department, but also creates amazing desserts like her Cherry Cheesecake in a Jar with the stunning photography to show them off!
Cherry Cheesecake
We want to give a big welcome to our newest sponsor,
Photo Jewelry Making

a fabulous photo jewelry making supply store!
and we also wanted to share a fun new way to see all of the Inspiration Friday features in one location.  We have created TWO INSPIRATION FRIDAY PINTEREST BOARDS where we will pin our 
Inspiration Friday Projects and Crafts
and our
Inspiration Friday Recipes
These will be pinned from the original sources (since this is proper pin etiquette…hint…hint…smile) so be sure you are following these boards!

Also, one more exciting little tidbit of information.  Next week we will be hosting one of the most amazingly, fabulous giveaways we’ve EVER had…shoot…it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen and we can’t wait to see which of our amazing friends here at the picket fence might win it!! So…be sure you are following us in some capacity so you don’t miss the exciting announcement…stay tuned! 😉 

picketfence_20010_thumb[18]


INSPIRED ROOMS
Anne from Fiona and Twig has created such a lovely and charming Farmhouse Bedroom and we think it perfectly captures the essence of her love for all things vintage and romantic.
Another Anne, this one from White Lace Cottage, revealed her beautiful new Creative Space where she can go to be inspired to create the things which will in turn inspire us!
Heidi from Décor and More showed off her newly made over Dining Room and we think she did an absolutely fantastic job breathing new life into this space!
BWOB dining room after


MAKEOVERS

Paul, and his wife Cathy from One Creative Couple, showed off his incredible talent when he shared with us how he hand painted…yes…HAND PAINTED… the beautiful design on this chair!
French Chair with Painted Upholstery and French Florals
Karah from The Space Between shared a seriously amazing tutorial on how she made this Old Door Turned Coffee Table! This girl is so talented!
old door
Janel of Nellie Bellie shared this gorgeous table transformation.  She not only completely made it over with Rub n Buff but also created the most gorgeous Compass Rose design for the top.  She shares the tutorial and pattern on her blog so you can create your own Compass Rose.

rubnbufftable, diy compass rose

Jill of Mak and Jill’s Bed Turned Into Bench is one of the most gorgeous projects we’ve seen! The color is fabulous! 



CRAFTS and CREATIONS

Tammy from A Walk in the Countryside showed us how she made this darling Dry Erase Calendar and we just love anything that can keep us organized in style!
SAM_5459
Susan from Afford Your Passions showed us how she made this adorable Anthropologie Inspired Mason Jar Sewing Kit!
Anthropologie Mason Jar Sewing Kit
We think Amanda of Serenity Now‘s Mini Keyring Photo Album would make darling gifts for grandparents and is a great way to keep those favorite family vacations and moments close at hand!

Mini Keyring Photo Album Craft, from Serenity Now


FALL PROJECTS and INSPIRATIONS

Courtenay from The Creek Line House shared this “Quick and Easy Halloween Pillow” and we absolutely love the sweet ribbon detail on the sides.

Tammy of One More Time to Celebrate created this darling pumpkin from salvaged wire baskets, see how she did it in her Wire Basket Pumpkin Orb post.

We adored Leo and Jane the moment we met them at Haven.  Leo of Cottage at the Crossroads took decorating the mantel for fall in another direction and created this amazing Football Mantel ! He just became the hero of every man out there! 😉

 RECIPES AND PARTIES

Kelly of Live, Laugh, Rowe whipped up this amazing Mango Protein Smoothie, and shared the recipe so you can make one too!

 
Brooke from Design Stash had us at Pumpkin and Raspberry.  These gorgeous Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Raspberry would be a fabulous way to wrap up a Fall meal. 
The quintessential after school snack..the PB and J sandwich…but what if it’s not really a PB and J, what if it’s a CAKE! Yes you heard us right..this fabulous Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cake is the creation of the talented Susan of Munchkin Munchies. 
INSPIRED POSTS

Nedra of Adventure Mom, showed us the amazing way horses can be used to help other in her post Horses Who Help Heal

Kathe of Kathe with an E shared this beautiful post in remembrance of her mother,  Tea With My Mother .

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!
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
Photobucket


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:
 
Don’t forget! There is still plenty of time to enter the $1,000 Visa Gift Card Sweepstakes!


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.

69 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Stenciled Fall Jar…autumn words of change
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Smart School House says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Ok- that PB & J cake is the cutest thing ever! I’m going to check out her blog now:)

    XOXO
    Kelly at Smart! School {House}

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    Thanks for hosting, girls.

    Reply
  3. Courtenay@Creek Line House says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:10 PM

    Thanks for the shout out! Love all the other features you picked too. A little bit different than the ones I’m seeing everywhere else. Share the love!

    Reply
  4. pam {simple details} says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies! Off to check out your great features!

    Reply
  5. Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:18 PM

    What’s not to love with all these wonderful features…so inspiring! Thank you so much for hosting.

    Reply
  6. Anne Lorys - Fiona and Twig says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    You sweet things, thank you for featuring my bedroom photo!!!
    Love you gals!
    XOXO,
    Anne

    Reply
  7. Honey at 2805 says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! I see that one of my titles is a bit wonky, but I’m linked up. Hope you both have wonderful weekends!

    Reply
  8. Shari @ turnstylevogue.com says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    It is has been a long, busy week it appears for all of us. Great posts and picks! Have a great weekend and thanks once again for hosting.

    Reply
  9. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks ladies, love the features! The site must be BUSY mr linky was giving me problems tee hee.
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  10. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    Great features from last week…loved seeing all the ever so creative projects, recipes, and inspirations! Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend!

    Reply
  11. Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Wonderful features to be sure!

    Thank you for hosting a wonderful weekly linky party.

    You two have a great weekend when it comes!

    Reply
  12. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Awesome features ladies! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  13. Cherished Bliss says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  14. Nici - Posed Perfection says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    I love the features…especially the cherry cheesecake in a jar. Thanks for hosting! Hope y’all have a great week!
    Blessings,
    Nici

    Reply
  15. monsterscircus says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    Thank you girls for hosting, you’re wonderful! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  16. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    What great features! Thanks so much for hosting…glad to link up!

    Reply
  17. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls!!! I love PB&J so I just might have to make that cake!

    Reply
  18. Anita says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:42 PM

    Wonderful features again this week!! Thanks for hosting girls! Vanessa, thank you SO much for your comments on my table last week:-)

    Reply
  19. Sherry says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    Great features! Love the stenciled fall jar. Thanks for hosting!
    Sherry

    Reply
  20. Cindy says

    September 6, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    Great features this week! There is so much talent out there! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  21. Kathe says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    Thank you ladies so much for the feature! To be included with such inspiring posts made my day ♥ Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

    Reply
  22. Suzy says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    Thank you for hosting, ladies. Love all of the features!

    Reply
  23. Laurel@chippingwithcharm says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    Hello ladies…lots of lovely inspiration!! Thanks for hosting 🙂 Laurel

    Reply
  24. Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting. I’m with ya, Fall can’t come soon enough. I hope you both have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  25. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    I haven’t been here for so long but I made it today. Thank you so much for hosting…hope you both have a super weekend!

    Reply
  26. A Walk in the Countryside says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    I’m so honored that you chose to features my dry erase board! Thanks so much for hosting! Blessings, Tammy

    Reply
  27. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Thanks for the party!

    Reply
  28. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa: Thank you for hosting the party today–looking forward to checking out the links!

    Reply
  29. FABBY'S LIVING says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    Thank you for yet, another great party at, Inspiration Friday, as you have such lovely features too. Enjoy the weekend weather.
    FABBY

    Reply
  30. suzyq says

    September 6, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    Thanks once again for a fantastic party – your features are just gorgeous!
    Have a great wknd – can’t wait to browse!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  31. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:30 PM

    Thanks so much for the wonderful party!!! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  32. Eileen says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:31 PM

    I absolutely love the bench made out of a bed. What a fab project. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  33. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says

    September 6, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Gorgeous features… thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  34. Becca says

    September 6, 2012 at 11:55 PM

    Such talent … love the features! (Such a cute football mantel!) Thank you both so much for hosting! And, yay(!), I get to play this week. I’m off to be inspired. xo

    Reply
  35. CAS says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    You girls sure know how to throw one heck of a party with talent oozing out in every link! Thanks so much for hosting!

    CAS

    Reply
  36. Sue says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:19 AM

    Thanks for making my day and featuring my PB&J sandwich cake! You girls are the best! Have a great weekend and thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  37. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:21 AM

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

    Reply
  38. Debra @ Common Ground says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:30 AM

    Just linked up gals, hope you have a great weekend!!

    Reply
  39. Alderberry Hill says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:33 AM

    So glad to be here, thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  40. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:37 AM

    Hey girls!!! Thank you so much for the feature!! What an honor. 🙂

    Reply
  41. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:49 AM

    Amazing features and highlights this week! So many great ideas. Thanks for the lovely party, ladies!

    Reply
  42. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    September 7, 2012 at 2:05 AM

    Leo will be so excited to know that you featured his football mantel! He has already gone to bed, but I’ll tell him first thing in the morning. Gotta let the guys have a little fun, don’t we?

    Reply
  43. Deneen@dreaming-n-color says

    September 7, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    Thanks ladies!

    Reply
  44. Kathy Moody says

    September 7, 2012 at 3:35 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting! I can’t wait to check out all the awesome fall posts. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  45. SavannahGranny says

    September 7, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Awsome features. Thanks for hosting. I am looking forward to meeting you in Raleigh. Ginger

    Reply
  46. SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...Pernilla says

    September 7, 2012 at 4:57 AM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! Great bunch of features!! Have a lovely weekend 🙂

    Reply
  47. Jody and Stan says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:09 AM

    Love all the features! Thanks for hosting a fun party!

    Jody

    Reply
  48. Bonnie @ Uncommon says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Incredible features as always!! Thanks for the party sweet girls!! 🙂

    Reply
  49. Foy Update says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    The summer harvest is peaking and so is food preservation. I’m sharing a trick to cutting corn off the cob without making a mess and my side by side comparison of Low Sugar Pectin vs. the Traditional Pectin.

    Thanks for hosting!

    We just started a blog hop called Eat Make Grow and we are always looking for quality bloggers to submit their links.

    Stop on by if you get the chance:
    https://foyupdate.blogspot.com/search?q=eat+make+grow&max-results=20&by-date=true

    Foy

    Reply
  50. Janel from NellieBellie says

    September 7, 2012 at 12:27 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my little table…what a great way to start the weekend! Hope you both have fabulous weekends and can’t wait to hear you spill your secret that you are teasing us with!

    Reply
  51. Mary Sullivan Frasier says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:06 PM

    Happy Friday, Ladies! Love your features this week. Anne’s Farmhouse Bedroom is gorgeous and Leo’s football mantel is just too cute. (although I’m sure he probably wouldn’t agree with my use of the term “cute”. LOL) As always, thanks so much for hosting the party. Have an awesome weekend! ~Mary

    Reply
  52. Leo at Cottage at the Crossroads says

    September 7, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    From Kemtucky to the great Pacific Northwest, you two are the best. As you know Jane and I love a good team effort blog. Thanks so much for the feature. I’ll be keeping up with you two.

    Reply
  53. Shelia says

    September 7, 2012 at 2:17 PM

    Hi ladies! Wow! 320 links! Now I’d say this is one hopping party and I’m so glad I can join you today! Thank you always for hosting and you two are two cute sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  54. Live Laugh Rowe says

    September 7, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting, sweet and lovely ladies! I also did a happy dance to see my smoothie featured 😉 Have a fabulous weekend. Super big HUGS!! xo, Kelly

    Reply
  55. melissa @ daisymaebelle.com says

    September 7, 2012 at 3:03 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting this great party week after week! Life to the full, Melissa

    Reply
  56. Erin~Just*Grand says

    September 7, 2012 at 4:27 PM

    Thank you for hosting the party! I am amazed by your features, and especially love the bed turned into a bench! And so many great links to explore!

    Reply
  57. One More Time says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Wow… Thanks again for featuring me! Just makes my day! Thank you for hosting…love this party!

    Reply
  58. Richella says

    September 7, 2012 at 5:37 PM

    Y’all!! I think I’m Link #370. Can you believe how successful this party has become?!? It just makes my heart swell to see how well y’all have done. It’s funny–I’ve never met either one of you in person, but I feel like I have! And seeing your success makes me think “My sisters have such a great blog!” Yes, ma’am–MY sisters!! 🙂

    Anyway, thank you for hosting a wonderful party. I’m happy to be here with a super-easy little craft for fall.

    Have a great weekend!!

    Reply
  59. alison abbott says

    September 7, 2012 at 9:13 PM

    Thanks for hosting this Inspiration Friday. I took a bit of a different twist with an organization I recently learned about-The Moms Clean Air Force. I hope your readers will be inspired by the group too! They’re all about clean air for our kids.
    Alison

    Reply
  60. Susan says

    September 7, 2012 at 11:10 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my Mason Jar Sewing Kit – I really appreciate it!

    Reply
  61. Brooke @ Design Stash says

    September 8, 2012 at 1:29 AM

    Yipee!! Thank you for featuring my Pumpkin Spice Cookies!! Love all of your wonderful features too 🙂 Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  62. Jenni@MomEssentials.Net says

    September 9, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    Hi!
    Thanks for letting me share my own recipe of healthy, tasty and delicious
    Easy Dried Kale Chips!

    Here’s the link:
    https://www.momessentials.net/easy-dried-kale-chips-recipe/

    Reply
  63. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    September 9, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Thanks for the party girls! I’m late but I’m here! Great features – those pumpkin spice cookies look so good! I’ve got pumpkin on the brain for sure. Hope you had a great weekend!

    Reply
  64. Janis@All Things Beautiful says

    September 10, 2012 at 12:48 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting girlies!! Always love a party at the fence!! Great features too!!! xoxo

    Reply
  65. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    September 17, 2012 at 12:26 AM

    Um, I am just NOW noticing that you all featured me…thank you SO much! 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Framed Baby Bibs | Amanda Jane Brown says:
    November 20, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    […] Mondays Positively Splendid Weekend Bloggy Reading Fridays Unfolded Tidy Mom Feathered Nest Friday Inspiration Friday Mercy(Ink)-Heart and Home Gathering /* Filed Under: Decorating, Kids, Storytelling · […]

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  2. Simple Burlap Fall Wreath says:
    March 15, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    […] and Link Up @ Becoming Martha Friday Fun Party @ CraftionaryHappy Hour Friday @ Happy Hour ProjectsInspiration Friday @ At The Picket FenceCreate and Inspire @ A Night […]

    Reply
  3. Pieces of Autumn 2012 ~ Part I - On Sutton Place says:
    August 13, 2013 at 5:29 PM

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

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  4. Pay it Forward Friday with Mom’s Clean Air Force | Green With Renvy says:
    December 19, 2013 at 8:41 AM

    […] linked this post to Inspiration Friday over At The Picket Fence.  Jpon the fun! Filed under: conserve/ Eco friendly/ environment/ health/ Pay it Forward […]

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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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