• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

January 1, 2013

Our Best from 2012 ~ Happy New Year!

Community.

That was the word that kept flying back and forth between us as we planned and dreamed of a joint blogging venture.

It would be called At the Picket Fence, because we envisioned people walking out of their front doors, coffee (or whatever your beverage choice may be) cup in hand and meeting us there. A magical fence line that extended from one home to the next….to the next…to the next.

We would probably be in the same pair of sweat pants every day but we knew you wouldn’t mind, right? 😉

Our heart was for creating a place where you would always feel welcomed, cared about and hopefully inspired.

As 2012 began we never could have imagined just how much our community would grow and how many incredible opportunities we would have!

Happy New Year

And as we usher in 2013, we look back not only to share some of our favorite projects and experiences, we also look back to remember what is most important to us. Why we do this blogging thing. We are reminded of how much we have to be thankful for. How many incredible things have happened.

But, most of all, how very blessed we are that you choose to meet us here…At the Picket Fence!

So, as we say good-bye to 2012, we also say “thank you” to all of you who have supported and encouraged us along the way. We hope that you have always felt that same support from us because YOU are our community and we cherish you!

Now, how about some highlights from this past year?

Heather’s Kitchen Remodel

Christmas 2012 Kitchen At The Picket Fence

 

which led to an incredible feature in

Better Homes and Gardens

Vanessa’s Under Stair Closet Turned Butler’s Pantry

silver trays, vintage silver trays on wall

Heather’s Powder Room Makeover

19932285291

 

Vanessa’s Mudroom Makeover

DSC_0566-1

Heather’s 4th of July Jello Shots

jello, shots, 4th of July, desserts, firecrackers, patriotic, alcohol

 

Vanessa shared her insights into Talking to Your Kids About Adoption

2012 found the Picket Fence sisters hitting the road and our first stop was the Haven Conference where we had more fun then should be legal and made lasting friendships!

Fall of 2012 found Heather having the opportunity to be a speaker at the Southern Blogger’s Conference.

And Vanessa worked with LG and represented At the Picket Fence in NYC.

In 2012, we also welcomed our new Contributor Julie to the Picket Fence team.

Be watching for a lot more from her in 2013!

Pioneer Birthday Party

And, 2012 found us starting exciting new partnerships!

We love our roles as Ambassadors for Hometalk and being apart of the incredibly supportive community there.

You will also now find us over on another blog!

Being regular contributors to the FOLK Magazine Blog is a dream come true and we have been having so much fun sharing our projects, recipes, fashion and more!

 Heather’s Croquembouche and Kentucky Champagne

Easy to make Croquembouche and Kentucky Champagne for New Years Eve

 

Vanessa’s Homemade Vanilla Extract

homemade vanilla extract ingredients

Community.

It is still the heart and soul of At the Picket Fence.

And as we look towards the future, you are always on our minds.

Oh great. Now we’re channeling Willy Nelson.

“Maybe I didn’t hold you, all those lonely, lonely times. And I guess I never told you I’m so happy that you’re mine. If I make you feel second best, Girl, I’m sorry I was blind. But you were always on my mind, you were always on my mind.”

Ahem…

So, as we say farewell to 2012 we hope you know that our biggest goal for this New Year is to continue to provide a place for you to come and

Be inspired

Get new ideas 

Hear from our hearts

and

Always, ALWAYS feel apart of the community here At the Picket Fence.

Happy New Year friends!

dual signature

22 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Holidays Tagged With: DIY, New Years

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Ring in the New Year with Cake!
Next Post: Inspiration Friday Party Hiatus »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    January 1, 2013 at 7:02 AM

    Such a great year. It was fun to read about all your projects and fun trips again. Can’t wait to see what you are up to for 2013. Happy New Year. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  2. Lisa says

    January 1, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    Beautiful Blog! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  3. kim says

    January 1, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    Great post and Happy New Year to y’all!

    Reply
  4. Miriam@bebookbound.blogspot.com says

    January 1, 2013 at 11:17 AM

    I think you’ve really created that community here! And I hope you don’t mind that I am always in the same pair of sweats too, haha 🙂 Happy New Years to you both!

    Reply
  5. Robin says

    January 1, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    So many great projects. Oh how I love post like this! Thanks and Happy New Year. Can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for At the Picket Fence.

    Reply
  6. Judy Clark says

    January 1, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    Heather & Vanessa – Thank you both for being such an inspiring blog for me this past year.

    You helped me so much when I did my advertising with you and I’m very grateful for your assistance.

    Wishing you both a great 2013.

    Judy

    Reply
  7. Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says

    January 1, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    I’m so glad to have found your blog recently! I can’t wait to see what you talented ladies have in store for us in 2013!! Happy New Year!!!

    Reply
  8. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 1, 2013 at 4:40 PM

    Happy New Year ladies…hoping 2013 will be a great one for y’all.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  9. Christie Thomas says

    January 1, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    Happy New Year girls! I hope 2013 brings you much laughter, joy and peace! I enjoyed looking back at all the great projects! I can’t wait to see how the Lord blesses you in 2013! Blessings to you! Christie at Three Pixie Lane I registered for the Haven Conference in Atlanta! I sure hope you are going and/or speaking!! I am so excited!

    Reply
  10. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    January 1, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    Heather and Vanessa, Community is the perfect word! You have wrapped your arms and hearts around all the blogging community and anyone who visits your PICKET FENCE! Thanks for the help you have given me this year!!!
    You two have had a wonderfully successful… and giving year! I am totally inspired by you!
    xo Happy New Year! Here’s to a great 2013!

    Reply
  11. Ann says

    January 2, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    What a year…it was fun seeing all you accomplished in one place! Best to you both in 2013.

    Reply
  12. Debbie says

    January 2, 2013 at 6:17 AM

    Happy New Year ladies! Wow, you’ve had a great year! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2013. 🙂
    Debbie

    Reply
  13. Cynthia says

    January 2, 2013 at 6:37 AM

    Lovely post, it was great to see your favorites throughout the year. Can’t wait to see what you are up to for the new year. Happy New Year.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  14. Angelina says

    January 2, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    I have to say that it TRULY has been such a Blessing to get to know the both of you. Your love and honest concern and joy for others is a unique quality and inspiration to all, I am sure. I enjoyed looking and reading through your Year end wrap-up, some I am familiar with and others are new to me, being I was sick for 1/2 the year. I can’t believe I missed that ADORABLE pioneer birthday party.. Love it!!! I am looking forward to seeing what this 2013 has in store for you two SWEET ladies… 🙂
    Blessings
    Angelina

    Reply
  15. jp says

    January 2, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    Happy New Year, Ladies! I have been enjoying your blog since I found you sometime mid 2012 and look forward to seeing what new ideas and stories you post for us all to see. Wishing you continued success for 2013!
    JP

    Reply
  16. Jane says

    January 2, 2013 at 10:16 AM

    What a great post! I have only been following your blog for a few months so a lot of your projects were new to me. You girls have had a great year and I hope 2013 is just as wonderful! Thanks for all of the ideas and inspiration and for being just like “The girls next door”!

    XO,
    Jane

    Reply
  17. Leslie says

    January 2, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    Happy New Year to you, too, girls!
    You sure were busy!
    And blessed!
    I am always inspired by you ladies~!
    Love, Leslie

    Reply
  18. Carol Reddin says

    January 2, 2013 at 1:19 PM

    Happy New Year to you two lovely kindred spirits!

    Reply
  19. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    January 2, 2013 at 1:38 PM

    Heather and Vanessa…what a remarkable year of blessings…for you and us!!..as we are blessed to be a part of your projects and stories and beautiful successes…I remember the excitement of Heather seeing her kitchen makeover in print for the first time….and was so happy when Vanessa was able to go to the “Big Apple” for an amazing experience with LG ….I have so enjoyed visiting you two..and finally meeting the two of you….May the year ahead bring you both joy and many blessings!!!

    Reply
  20. Judy says

    January 2, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    What an awesome year you have had. Meeting you Vanessa was one of the highlights of 2012 for me too. Hopefully I get to meet you too Heather in 2013!!

    Reply
  21. Becca says

    January 2, 2013 at 3:32 PM

    Happy New Year! What a truly incredible, fun, creative and blessed 2012 you both had! I love all of your amazing projects and how exciting for you, Vanessa to travel to NY and, for you, Heather to be featured in BH&G! Loved getting to meet you, Heather and, Vanessa, I’m REALLY hoping I get to meet you at Haven. Until then, I’ll just continue to be inspired by the gals At the Picket Fence. xoxo

    Reply
  22. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    January 3, 2013 at 12:05 PM

    What a fabulous year! And Heather is was so wonderful to meet you and be a part of the big BH&G reveal. Vanessa, I’m hoping that we get a chance to meet at Haven this year …

    🙂 Linda

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Open Now December 17, 2020
  • Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour December 9, 2020
  • Tabletop Hot Cocoa Station November 29, 2020
  • A New Front Door November 10, 2020
  • Gaining Perspective October 26, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

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!
Follow
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence