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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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July 4, 2012

A Picket Fence 4th of July!

pennant-banner-11_thumb2 (1)
Can you tell how much we LOVE celebrating our nation’s Birthday?!!
As we are busily preparing to enjoy this holiday with family and friends, we thought we would do a recap of all of our 4th of July Projects we have shared with you over the last couple of weeks. Some of them are so simple that you could still get them done in time for your own celebrations!
So, let’s take a look back at
A Picket Fence 4th of July!

“4th of July Jello Firecracker Shots”
jello, shots, 4th of July, desserts, firecrackers, patriotic, alcohol
“Patriotic Pool Noodle Firecrackers”
4th of July, pool noodle, craft, patriotic, firecrackers, Dollar Tree
“Tissue Paper Firecrackers”
Tissue Paper Firecrackers
“4th of July Paper Wreath”
4th of July Paper Wreath
“Tissue Paper Ball Topiary”
Tissue Paper Ball Topiary
“Mod Podge Flag Hurricane”
Mod Podge Flag Hurricane
And here are some of our projects from last year!
“No-Sew” Patriotic Pillows
no sew pillow at the picket fence patriotic 4th of July
“No-Sew Pennant Banner”
pennant-banner-11
“4th of July Flower Tower”
“4th of July Bandana Pillow”
We want to wish Americans everywhere a Happy Fourth of July and remind you to take a moment to remember the WHY behind this holiday!


We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.  ~Robert J. McCracken
illustration_rockwell_freedom_of_religion


We have enjoyed so much freedom for so long that we are perhaps in danger of forgetting how much blood it cost to establish the Bill of Rights.  ~Felix Frankfurter
Graves at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery San Diego, California, USA


One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for All! 
~United States of America Pledge of Allegiance
MP900305844


Thank you so much for joining us as we celebrate this very special day and we wish all of you and your families a very
Happy 4th of July!!
dual-signature_thumb2

21 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Fourth of July, Good Ideas, Holidays, Recipes Tagged With: 4th of July

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Comments

  1. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    July 3, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    Happy 4th to you both! Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating with your family and friends! Loved all of this inspiration!

    Reply
  2. Shelia says

    July 3, 2012 at 7:49 PM

    Wonderful post, ladies. Love seeing all of your projects and I too want to wish you and your families a fabulous 4th of July!
    Be a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  3. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    July 3, 2012 at 7:51 PM

    Happy 4th to you both!!!

    Reply
  4. Patty (Patty's Pretty Things) says

    July 3, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    You did a beautiful job with this post. Love the picture of the front porch – lovely. Have a fun time with family and friends.

    Reply
  5. FABBY'S LIVING says

    July 3, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    Gorgeous everything in your post, I love it!!..so, have a wonderful 4th. of July!! Yes, I can tell you love the celebration..and so do I!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!
    FABBY

    Reply
  6. Coastal Cottage Dreams says

    July 3, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    Beautiful post…Happy 4th!

    Reply
  7. NanaDiana says

    July 3, 2012 at 9:18 PM

    Wonderful project. I especially love the banner. I hope you have a wonderful 4th. xo Diana

    Reply
  8. Honey at 2805 says

    July 4, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    Gorgeous! Have a wonderful 4th of July!

    Reply
  9. Kelly says

    July 4, 2012 at 2:32 AM

    Y’all featured some wonderful patriotic decorations! Hope y’all have a great 4th tomorrow too.

    Reply
  10. Heather says

    July 4, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    Happy Independence Day Heather and Vanessa! Wishing you and your family a wonerful July 4th celebration today! Wonderful inspirational projects featured here and as a miliary spouse its fantastic to see your remiinders of the true meaning of the day! Heather 🙂

    Reply
  11. Dewdrop Gardens says

    July 4, 2012 at 2:19 PM

    Happy 4th of July to my friends south of the border!! We just celebrated our equivalent on the 1st of July, Canada Day, marking the day we became a nation. Our countries are close in so many ways…and I am proud to call the United States a friend and neighbour. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    Loved the recap….have a very safe and fun 4th with your families!!!

    Reply
  13. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    Love your projects … love the reminder (yeah, I teared up) … and happy 4th to two of my favorite bloggers! Hope you have a wonderful day surrounded by friends and family!

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  14. Sue says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    Happy Independence Day Heather and Vanessa! You two are amazing!

    Reply
  15. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    July 4, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Happy 4th girls! Such great ways to incorporate a little patriotism in our everyday lives!!!

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    July 4, 2012 at 8:40 PM

    Have a great 4th! Lot’s of inspiring projects! Cindy

    Reply
  17. Vicki Shead says

    July 4, 2012 at 11:45 PM

    Happy 4th! Stay cool and be safe!!

    Reply
  18. Maggie Ann says

    July 5, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    What a beautiful and touching post! Loved it…

    Reply
  19. Cocalores says

    July 5, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    Happy 4th July! Love those pillows =)

    Reply
  20. Dixie Delights says

    July 7, 2012 at 1:01 AM

    Hi ladies – I nominated y’all for the Versatile Blogger Award. I find inspiration every day on your site and have thoroughly enjoyed becoming your “virtual friend.” All the best! Amanda
    http://dixiedelights.blogspot.com/2012/07/blush.html

    Reply
  21. Four Marrs and One Venus says

    July 7, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    Great Post- loved all the photos and projects! Hope your 4th was Amazing!

    Reply

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Instagram post 17842669984877531 I thought I had added the right ‘Perry Como Christmas’ album to my playlist. But apparently there’s more than one! Frankly it shocked me because I still have the actual vinyl Perry Como Christmas album that belonged to my mom when she was a girl and, in my mind, that’s the ONLY one that should ever be played! But, as I decorated my tree one night, a song began to play that I had never heard before. One that so simply and perfectly captured all that I desire my home to be. It goes like this:
.
You can tell, 
When you open the door! 
You can tell, 
If there's love in a home!
Every table and chair seems to smile, 
Do come in, come and stay for a while. 
You almost feel you've been there once before, 
By the shine and glow of the room!
And the clock seems to chime, 
Come again anytime, 
You'll be welcome wherever you roam! 
You can tell when there's love in a home!

Today on the blog I’m giving you a tour of my house all dressed up for Christmas. And I hope you can tell that there’s love in this home. ✨
Instagram post 18118328449043115 One of my favorite Christmas songs is ‘O Holy Night’ and while each word, each lyric is as familiar to me as the back of my hand, there is one line that somehow, until recently, I managed to never really pay much attention to. It says, “Long lay the world, in sin and error pining till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.” Think about that for a moment. Our souls are longing to feel their worth. Prior to the arrival of the infant King in Bethlehem, the world waited, pined, engulfed in their sin and their error. And it was only through His birth, death and resurrection that our souls would experience their true value, their full worth.

Titus 3:4-7 says, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” The world tells us that our worth is based entirely on the external, on what can be seen. We’re not measured simply by our existence but rather by what we can offer.

But, thousands of years ago, when our Savior was born, we were told something very different. Before he walked among us. Before he performed miracles. Before he challenged the leaders of the day. Before he was betrayed. Before he was sacrificed. Before he rose from the dead. Before all else, he simply appeared. And it was through his lowly, humble, anything but royal appearance that our souls were given the opportunity to experience the fullness of their worth. It is only through being in his presence that we are able to feel the full magnitude of our value.

Who he is allows us to know, really know, just who we are.

We are beloved.

We are cherished.

We are worth it.
Instagram post 18074214343167043 It always seems like the simplest things are my favorite when it comes to Christmas decorating. I found four transferware egg cups in a vintage shop and knew they would be perfect for our advent candles! Aren’t they just so sweet? With the little paper Putz village underneath this centerpiece in my dining room brings a smile to my face every time I walk by. ✨
Instagram post 18042969043211010 Raise your hand if these cold, dark mornings have you feeling a bit befuddled. 🙋🏻‍♀️ So far this week I’ve put a sweatshirt on backwards resulting in me getting a really good look at the inside of the hood and today I tried to put sweat pants on without taking my pajamas off first. 😂 #winning.

But, hey, at least I can take comfort in the soft glow of twinkling lights and having my halls decked for Christmas!

Today on the blog I’m sharing the details of my soft and simple mantel decorations and I’d love for you to stop by! ✨
Instagram post 18116596168021683 Happy Saturday friends! Can you believe that tomorrow is December 1?! I think it’s 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 kids 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.

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’. ✨
Instagram post 17937591637321018 Have you ever longed to belong?

Have you ever felt like you are on the outside looking in at everyone else who seemingly have it all together?

Are you craving more peace in your heart and your home?

Well, today I’m having a conversation with @drbarbaralowe on her podcast and it could not be more timely with the holiday season now upon us!

You can find the link to it on her page and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it and what resonates with you! ❤️
Instagram post 17903771584388964 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!! 🦃
Instagram post 17846094718750175 Temperatures are dropping here in the Willamette Valley and I got our hot cocoa station set up just in the nick of time! My kids LOVE this sweet (literally!) spot in our house and my daughter added her own personal touch with the little sign on the wreath. I’ll be happily restocking ingredients over and over throughout the season as my kids and their friends make a pit stop here. We’re definitely ready to cozy up!! Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? What are your must-haves for the perfect hot beverage? ☕️🎄
Instagram post 17880974047462626 It’s begun!! 🎄🎄 My best girl LOVES decorating the family room tree (we do a fresh tree in the living room after Thanksgiving) but she does NOT like me to take her picture while she’s doing it (see photo two). Ahhhh...preteens. 😂🤪 I’m just so grateful to have a buddy who is as obsessed with Christmas as I am and who still wants to be apart of it all with me!
Instagram post 17864348974529213 I'm struggling to find the right words on my book proposal for a book that I never thought I would dare to write. The words are in me, I just can't seem to get them onto the page. I'm so passionate about this message even though it is so different from anything I've ever done and might not be considered 'on brand'. And yet it's never been more clear to me that I'm supposed to keep moving forward. It's a message that might not be considered very 'popular' (this ain't a 'pull yourselves up by your bootstraps' kind of message about being a Christ-follower) but it's one that God has placed on my heart and in my very BEING and I have to get it out there.

But at every step of the way I find that the enemy of my soul tries to keep me silent and what should be so simple (writing two paragraphs giving an overview of the book or writing an outline) ends up being paralyzing. He whispers words into my ear that are lies tinged with just enough truth to tempt me to keep silent. “You're first book didn't sell well enough so why should any other publisher take a chance on you? They won't care that it wasn't really your fault." "You write a lot about home decorating so why would you have any authority to talk about scripture?” And that's how satan works...he is masterful in his deception, weaving our fears and insecurity into the lies so that we are much more likely to believe them. And if we believe them, we stop being obedient to the Lord and the callings He places on our lives.

But, I WILL NOT BE HINDERED. “Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders us. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. What then? We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary." - Charles Spurgeon
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