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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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February 3, 2017

My Television Debut!

I got the email on a Friday.

“We would like to have you on our show, AM Northwest, to promote your book and we happen to have a time slot we need to fill THIS coming Monday. Are you up for it?”

My reply to them was a resounding YES with the added reassurance of  “Oh no, having such little warning is no problem at all!” while inside I was trying to figure out how on earth I was going to get everything ready in time. It didn’t help that my very first book signing was that Sunday and my son had a swim meet too. Oy vey!

In hindsight, though, I think it was much better to not have more advanced warning because that would have just meant more time for me to have panic attacks and nightmares about being on live TV!

I left the house very early Monday morning for the drive up to Portland and after pulling into the studio parking lot my nerves really kicked into high gear.

What if I miss a step in the craft demonstration?

What if I forgot some of the supplies?

What if I forget how to talk?

What if my nose looks big?

You can see how quickly my thoughts went into a downward spiral.

I made my way to the studio door and was buzzed in and directed to the ‘green room’ (which wasn’t actually green at all) and was shown where I could freshen up and then told to just wait there until the producer came to get me. Before I knew it, I was being whisked backstage where they showed me where to set up my craft demonstration.

backstage at AMNW

The plan was for me to show how to make these Book Page Bird Nest Ornaments which are included in our book ‘Life in Season‘.

Book Page Bird in Nest from At The Picket Fence

I quickly got all of my craft supplies laid out on the table and quadruple checked to make sure that I had everything just right.

A production assistant came and got my microphone hooked up and before I knew it the table was being wheeled into the studio. I was introduced to the lovely host of the show, Helen, and given minimal instructions before we went LIVE in 3.2.1.

AMNW Studio

Are you ready to see how I did? Click here!

Whew! I’m not gonna lie. I had such a hard time watching it back afterwards and was very critical of myself, that I looked in the camera when I wasn’t supposed to, my shaking hands and the fact that I said the word ‘awesome’ one too many times but at the end of the day I chalked it up to a really cool once-in-a-lifetime experience.

AMNW with Helen

That was until…they asked me to come back again! What?? That’s right! Just last week I had the opportunity to do another craft demonstration live on the air!

This time I decided to show how to make these fun and easy Valentine’s Day Poppers.

diy valentine's day poppers

And let me tell you, this time I was WAY more relaxed.

Want to see how I did this time around? Click here!

I can honestly say that I never would have imagined that I would have these opportunities and it’s so incredibly humbling and frankly just a lot of fun!

And I’m so grateful to have you join me in this adventure and meet me here at the picket fence,

Vanessa signature

10 Comments Filed Under: Book, Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Michelle says

    February 3, 2017 at 3:45 AM

    You were great on TV! Very natural and beautiful. I foresee you becoming a regular guest on their show!! Thx for sharing the fun popper idea. Will be making these with the grandkids!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:29 AM

      Thank you so much Michelle! Have fun making the poppers. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Margaret Allegretto says

    February 3, 2017 at 5:17 AM

    Congratulations Vanessa!!!!
    Well done!! You’re beautiful!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:30 AM

      Awww…thanks so much Margaret!

      Reply
  3. Bonnie says

    February 3, 2017 at 7:25 AM

    What a great opportunity! I’m so happy for you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:30 AM

      Thank you Bonnie!

      Reply
  4. Rose L. says

    February 4, 2017 at 12:28 PM

    Cool! I probably would stutter and drool! LOL

    Reply
  5. Richella Parham says

    February 8, 2017 at 1:16 PM

    You are just the best. I am so happy for you! You looked beautiful and sounded great. Proud of you and for you!!

    Reply
  6. Angie g says

    February 11, 2017 at 9:35 PM

    I love you Vanessa! You were so wonderful on TV!!!!! I finally got a chance to check it out and I was so delighted. You sound so confident and at ease. I am sure you were a ball of nerves, but I couldn’t tell.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      February 12, 2017 at 5:06 PM

      Oh thank you so much for your kind words Angie! I was definitely a ball of nerves. LOL!!

      Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “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! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year 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!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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