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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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June 27, 2013

Kindle Fire Giveaway & Fun in the Sun Linky Party!

Fun in the sun summer blog hop

We couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off Summer then with a fabulous group of bloggers sharing their amazing talent and creativity as part of this Fun in the Sun Blog Hop!

Have you seen all of the ideas and inspiration?

Let’s take a look back at these incredible projects, recipes and crafts all celebrating Summer!

www.thealbumcafe.com

Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia showed how to make Pom Pom Lanterns

paper lantern

Kim from Sand and Sisal showed off this Simple Summer Centerpiece

Simple-Summer-Centerpiece-3-1024x756

Shannon from Fox Hollow Cottage made a fun Aloha Summer Pool Noodle Wreath

AlohaSummerFlipFlopPoolNoodleDIYWreathCraft_zpsb2b507ae

Becca from Adventures in Decorating shared her gorgeous Summer Porch

porchsummerlamp

Heather from Setting for Four shared her lovely Summer Mantel

beachmantel

Debbie from Debbiedoos shared 5 Quick Summer Craft Ideas

recycled-cans-022

Courtney from French Country Cottage shared a lovely Summer Table Setting

mason jar table setting

Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline made this gorgeous Beach Inspired Dessert

Beach-Inspired-Desserts-one

And Maryann from Domestically Speaking made the Ultimate All American Sundae

ultimate-all-american-sundae-pin

Vanessa showed how to turn an old TV cabinet into a Chalkboard Outdoor Coffee Table

chalkboard topped outdoor coffee table www.atthepicketfence.com

Angelina from JoJo and Eloise shared the recipe for these Avocado Blueberry Coconut Cream Popsicles

avocado-blueberry-coconut-cream-popsicles-gluten-free-dairy

And Roeshel from The DIY Showoff shared her fun Summer Carnival Mantel

summer-carnival-mantel-1

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN! 

We want to see your Summer projects, crafts, recipes, ideas and inspiration!

Link up to the party below and get in on this “Fun in the Sun” action.


Now, would you like to enter to win a KINDLE FIRE??!! We’re so excited to be giving one away and you can enter to win here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
We’re also going to be pinning some of your projects to our Fun in the Sun Pinterest Board and sharing on FB so be watching for some awesome features!

Fun in the Sun Pinterest Graphic

Whew! That’s a lot of fun in one place, right??

We hope your Summer is off to a great start and that you get plenty of time to enjoy a lot of Fun in the Sun!

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21 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Giveaways

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susie E says

    June 27, 2013 at 5:13 AM

    Love the porch and patio ideas!

    Reply
  2. Dori says

    June 27, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    Love all the great ideas!

    Reply
  3. Charlene@A Pinch of Joy says

    June 27, 2013 at 6:10 AM

    What a fun blog hop! Hope y’all are having a great summer!

    Reply
  4. Melissa Ellen's Loft says

    June 27, 2013 at 6:11 AM

    Love all the project ideas and delicious looking recipes! Thanks for hosting!:)

    Reply
  5. Sandy Heath says

    June 27, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    I am looking forward to time at the beach, boating, reading with my toes in the sand and crafting!

    Reply
  6. Jodi S says

    June 27, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    Love all the ideas!

    Reply
  7. Kristin says

    June 27, 2013 at 7:08 AM

    Great ideas! I’m looking forward to planning a great summer party!

    Reply
  8. Linda says

    June 27, 2013 at 7:27 AM

    Love your blog – sisters. What am I enjoying most this summer? Coffee and Jammies until 9:30-10:00 a.m. each morning. Shhhhhh………..don’t tell on me.

    Reply
  9. Linda says

    June 27, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    I think there are so many great summer fun ideas here…and I am going to try them! Thanks! oh…and I sure would love to win the Kindle Fire! 🙂

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

    Reply
  10. Jill Flory says

    June 27, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    I would love to have a Kindle! Fingers crossed!

    Reply
  11. Aimee - It's Overflowing says

    June 27, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    Thanks LOTS for hosting sweet friends! We have an old Kindle and LOVE it! Such a fun group of blogging decor inspiration! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  12. Marty Walden says

    June 27, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    Awesome summer inspiration. I linked up! We’ve already had our family vacation so I’m just looking forward to hanging around with the kids and getting together with extended family on the 4th.

    Reply
  13. Leena Lanteigne says

    June 27, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    So many wonderful, cute, creative and summer projects! Doing some of these will be a blast! Happy Summer! Hugs, Leena
    PS I am entering your give away as well 🙂

    Reply
  14. Leena Lanteigne says

    June 27, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    I am looking forward to taking my grand babes to see the ocean for the first time! Hugs, Leena

    Reply
  15. Michelle H. says

    June 27, 2013 at 2:34 PM

    Trying to spend a little time everyday doing something “just for me!” I love the inspiration I get from all the blogs and pinterest boards!

    Reply
  16. Carol @arewethereyet says

    June 27, 2013 at 6:21 PM

    Some beautiful projects – need to get our new patio in summer shape! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  17. Nancy B says

    June 28, 2013 at 3:55 AM

    I’m looking forward to spending some time at the beach this summer!

    Reply
  18. Shamene says

    June 28, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    thank you for hosting the link party!

    Reply
  19. Alisa says

    October 11, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    I am not certain the place you are getting your information, but great topic.
    I must spend some time finding out much more or understanding
    more. Thanks for excellent information I used to be looking for this information for
    my mission.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Reveal — Painted Vanity Chair! | Daffodils at Home says:
    June 28, 2013 at 3:54 AM

    […] Linked to the following awesome linky parties: Miss Mustard Seed DIY Showoff Not Just a Housewife Keeping It Simple Crafts Skip To My Lou It’s So Very Cheri Cozy Little House A Stroll Thru Life Today’s Creative Blog Coastal Charm Sugar Bee Crafts Someday Crafts We Are That Family Domestically-Speaking The Thrifty Home House of Hepworths Seven Thirty Three Live Laugh Rowe My Romantic Home Chic on a Shoestring Liz Marie Blog At the Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  2. Kindle Fire Winner and Fun in the Sun Roundup! says:
    July 8, 2013 at 6:48 AM

    […] entry was following At the Picket Fence on Pinterest. So, it’s a win for us too! Click here for verification of Lauren’s winning entry being chosen through Rafflecopter and […]

    Reply

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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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