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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 23, 2011

Porches, Decks, Fashion and Dining…Oh My!

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It’s Day Three of the Blogger Block Party!  Today we are sharing a little bit of everything…porches, decks, a little summer fashion and some outdoor dining…Whew!

First, let’s head over to the NW and pay Vanessa a visit!
Welcome to Oregon! No, you’re not seeing things…that is actual BLUE SKY behind my house!
It may not last long so let me quickly show you around my outdoor spaces. We just got a new lawn put in this year and my hubby couldn’t be happier. They told us that we had about 12 different varieties of grass and that the Horticulture school would probably love to come out and take a look at the “experiment” we had going on in our yard!
Come a little closer and you are on our front “porch”. I still have big plans for this space (painting the trim being one of them), but in the meantime I did a quick makeover just using things from around my home.
I wanted a little table but didn’t want to spend any money. So I pulled out this big planter and added a glass top that goes with those inexpensive round “decorator” tables.
I have about 5 of these stashed away and now I’m glad I held onto them!
Instant Table!
And now let’s head out back to our deck! There were plans to remove the old deck and replace it with a 2-tiered one this summer but…well…we bought a car instead. Isn’t that the way life goes?
So, it just got spruced up a bit and filled with plants to help cover up as much of it as possible!
And just because I love Jenn from Green Door Designs, I’m doing something I never thought I would do. I’m participating in her Summer Fashion Party and actually sharing what I wore yesterday. Yikes!
Most of the day I spent in my “grubbies” as I worked in the yard and around the house.
But we did have to go to a Birthday party in the afternoon so I had to put on non hole-filled-covered-in potting-soil-clothing and here is what I wore.
Ummm…this will probably be the only time I do this so…here goes!
Vanessasummerfashion
That picture isn’t just hazy from the photo editing…that is one dirty mirror in my kid’s bathroom.
One more reason not to do this very often…who wants to clean the mirror every time!
I’m pretty much a walking TJ Maxx Billboard with this outfit. Everything (except the bracelet) was purchased there right down to my Steve Madden sandals and my $12 bag!
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My hubby must have liked that I wasn’t wearing sweats for once because he made me one of my most favorite summer meals last night. We may not have a fabulous pizza oven like Miss Judy but he manages to make this scrumptious pizza on our regular ol’ grill.
pizza
The recipe for this Grilled Pizza with Sausage, Peppers and Onions and Oregano Ricotta is a Bobby Flay specialty and can be found here.
And now, I’m heading down the block to visit Heather. If only it were as easy to do in real life as it is in Blogland!
Hey there’s some blue skies here in Kentucky too! 
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Believe it or not we haven’t seen a lot of this so far this summer.  Usually the South is sunny and hot this time of year but I think Vanessa decided to share some of that Northwest rain with us because we’ve had more than our share of rainy days so far…I’m ready for the hot, lazy days of summer to arrive permanently! We always host several summer parties at our house and spending the 4th of July with us has become a tradition for many of our friends.  This year is no exception!  In honor of the Summer Blogger Block Party I wanted to deck my front porch (heh. pun intended) out a little more than I normally do. 
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Of course it wouldn’t be the 4th of July without a ginormous flag out front!
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I think my favorite spot on our front porch has to be my porch swing…we wrote it into the contract when we bought the house: MUST LEAVE PORCH SWING! Did you spy my herb garden basket that the girl and I made a few weeks ago? It decided to get in on the patriotic act too with a few small flags! It’s doing really well!

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I added a few quilts to the back so on a chilly evening we can curl up out here and watch the fireflies in the woods!  They put on an amazing show every night…it’s like nature’s own fireworks! I often find the girl curled up here with Bear swinging in the breeze and it makes my heart happy!

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Here is where you will often find Bama Boy and me on a summer morning.  We love to come out here and drink coffee together and watch the world wake up

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You can get a glimpse here of my no-sew patriotic pillows! They add a nice touch of the 4th without being too over the top.

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This summer I decided to add a little more seating to my front porch since we often have several people wanting to sit out here during a party.  I added this little table I’ve had hanging around forever in this empty corner by the front door.  I found these two faux wicker and iron chairs at Family Dollar for $13 each and thought they matched perfect!  Now it wouldn’t be a party in Kentucky without some Ale 8! 

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Ale 8 is a regional soda and we were introduced to it when we moved to the Bluegrass State.  I love to keep a bucket of drinks on the porch and deck during a party so our guests can help themselves!

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We often end up with a pile of muddy shoes and flip-flops on our front porch as the neighborhood kids traipse in and out for popsicles and a glass of lemonade.  I like to provide a basket in the summer for them to put their shoes in.  It keeps my porch looking nice and Bear from stealing a flip-flop or two, or three…

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Well it’s time to head on in out of the heat.  I can offer you a glass of sweet tea or how about one of Bama Boy’s special mojitos?  I’ll be sharing the recipe on Friday at my Fresh from the Garden post! If you decide to stay awhile, you can join us back out on the front porch tonight where we can sit by the candlelight, listen to the cicadas sing their song and the fireflies dance!

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My front porch…my favorite place to be!

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P.S. I’ll be teaching you how to make that no-sew 4th of July pendant banner next week so stay tuned!

We are sharing this post with Kim from Savvy Southern Style for her Porches and Decks Party, Jenn at Green Door Designs for her Summer Fashions Party and Judy at DIY by Design for her Outdoor Cooking and Dining Party!  You can also join Kara over at Elements Interiors and share your DIY Summer Projects!  That’s a whole lot of parties on the block people!  Thank you for joining us on this leg of the Blogger Block Party now head on over to the parties above and link up!

And another shout out to all of our fabulous sponsors!

Thanks for joining us today on our porches and decks at the Fence,

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28 Comments Filed Under: Blogger Block Party, Decorating, Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Wendy says

    June 22, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Wow! You both have gorgeous homes! I really enjoyed seeing your front porches & deck!

    Reply
  2. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    June 22, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Fabulous! You look so cute Vanessa. Your home is gorgeous.

    Reply
  3. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    June 22, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Both of y’all have wonderful homes and porches.

    Reply
  4. Richella says

    June 22, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Your porches both look wonderful! Vanessa, I know you were happy to see that blue sky! Heather, I want you to know that it really made me smile to see the photos of Ale-8. One of my college roommates was from Mt. Sterling, and she introduced me to Ale-8. My aunt and uncle live in Lexington, and they brought be a carton when they came to my wedding. I had Ale-8 for breakfast on my wedding day, 26 years ago today! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Pattie says

    June 22, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    They both look fantastic!!!! I wish that my house sat on that piece of land with all those beautiful trees… God Bless America

    Pattie

    Reply
  6. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    June 22, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    Well aren,t you the cutest thing!
    I love both of your outdoor spaces, makes me want to come over, hang out and drink all your wine!

    Reply
  7. Traci says

    June 22, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    Both of your homes are so welcoming! I love the outdoor spaces. Vanessa, you look adorable & I love your sandals!

    Reply
  8. Rachel says

    June 22, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    they both look gorgeous! 🙂

    Reply
  9. All That Glitters says

    June 22, 2011 at 6:00 PM

    Vanessa, I love your outfit. Both porches are really pretty!

    Reply
  10. Katie says

    June 22, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    I love both your homes!! So gorgeous! Vanessa, your outfit was so cute!! Love the sandals and the purse – and Heather, we’ve had our fair share of rain here in TN too! I’m not complaining too much though, our poor lawn and landscaping needed it! But I’m ready for some sun!

    Reply
  11. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    June 22, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    Both of your homes and porches look fantastic! Vanessa, you outfit is very cute! I hate taking photos of myself as I’m always running around in a tank top and shorts with my hair up and no makeup!Even your toes look pretty!

    Reply
  12. Christine @ Stonehouse Living says

    June 22, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Hi Vanessa & Heather,

    You both have lovely homes. Your landscaping & lawns are just perfect! Especially against a Blue Summer Sky!!
    Have a Great Summer!

    All the Best,
    Christine

    Reply
  13. Dayle says

    June 22, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Simply gawgeous, my dear.

    Reply
  14. NanaDiana says

    June 22, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    What fun! You girls are both so different in looks and in your home decor and home “personality” but BOTH have the same big loving,generous heart!

    Both porches are just amazing. How wonderful to see some blue sky in Oregon…and some NOT SO HOT days in the South!! Thank you both for sharing here..that party is phenomenal, isn’t it? xo to you both-xo Diana

    Reply
  15. Jan@southernjunkin' says

    June 22, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Simply wonderful! And the Personality bursts forth in the porches! Visiting from SSS!!
    Blessings!!

    Reply
  16. Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life says

    June 22, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Love the porch swing with all those pillows. It is all very cozy and ready for the 4th.

    Reply
  17. Sarah says

    June 22, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    You two both have beautiful outdoor spaces. I could spend some leisure time in the NW or in Kentucky, especially on that porch swing.
    Thanks for hosting this awesome party all week. I’m having a great time blog hopping. ~ Sarah

    Reply
  18. Judy says

    June 23, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    Thanks so much for the shout out…btw I think your pizza looks very yummy. Better photo than mine for sure.

    Reply
  19. Crystal @ Ordinary Days says

    June 23, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    Both are gorgeous. LOVE ’em!! I recognized the Kentucky girl right away. Ale-8’s are a force to be reckoned with around here. 🙂

    Reply
  20. Pamela says

    June 23, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    Loving your outside spaces ladies!! Vanessa awesome idea on making a table!

    Reply
  21. classic • casual • home says

    June 23, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    Just beautiful. How patriotic…I am thinking classic and comfortable. ha…no wonder I like them.

    Reply
  22. Becca says

    June 23, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Bee-youuuu-tee-ful homes, girls !! WOW !! Vanessa, your entry is full of grandeur and your back deck looks so inviting. (You look beautiful, too!) What time is dinner? And, I’m DROOLING over the pizza … I’m going over to check out the recipe in just a sec! Heather, your front porch is sooo inviting … I can see why you asked (or was that demanded?) that the porch swing stay! Again, thanks to you both for organizing such a fun and successful blog party! xoxo

    Reply
  23. Ashley says

    June 23, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    Both of your outdoor spaces are so lovely. Heather, I love the swing. I can see why you wanted it to stay. Vanessa, you look adorable! Oh and posting a pic of your yummy grilled pizza….so not nice of you to do to a pregnant lady lol! I am hungry now…again!

    Reply
  24. michelle says

    June 23, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Oh my goodness your homes are just gorgeous!! I love your area Vanessa and I love the table idea. You are so adorable, TJ Maxx has some great things. Heather your porch is wonderful, so many spots to choose from to lounge on a summer afternoon.

    Thank you for sharing!!
    xo

    Reply
  25. CAS says

    June 23, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Wow, you 2 rock your spaces! Love that grand entry, Vanessa. It’s formal but very inviting, just like you. Your deck area is truly lovely.

    That is an incredible front porch. I don’t know why front porches aren’t as popular in other areas of the US like they are across the south. Yours is so warm and lovely. It’s easy to understand why it’s a gathering place for family and friends.

    Reply
  26. Honey at 2805 says

    June 24, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    You both have such great porches and outdoor spaces! Love that porch swing! I want one too!!!

    Reply
  27. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    June 24, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    Hi ladies, Both of your homes and porches are beautiful! I love the porch swing and Vanessa you are just so cute! If I looked like you I would be doing the What I Wore party each week.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  28. Patio Furniture says

    August 3, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    You have a lovely porch… really nice home.. its neat..very nice..
    The front porch serves as the face of the home. It is important that you embellish it with the right accents in order for it to exude a friendly and welcoming vibe. With these wooden swings in place, you and your visitors will be immediately greeted by the beautiful and cozy seat as you open the gates of your home. Their lovely designs, superb construction and excellent finishes will surely capture the interest of people walking by.

    Outdoor Swing

    Reply

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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
It’s that time of the year again! Time for me to It’s that time of the year again! Time for me to set up the hot coca station! ⛄️🧣☕️It’s always a favorite spot in the house and I leave it up all winter long.

Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? Here’s a look back at years past if you’re needing a little bit of inspiration!
#hotcocoa #hotcocoabar
I don’t know exactly why this is, but my home se I don’t know exactly why this is, but my home seems to rise up to welcome Autumn like no other season. Maybe it’s the warm, subtle tones. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight streams in at a different angle this time of the year. Maybe it’s the leaves doing their fall dance. Maybe it’s just that this is when everything begins to  feel a bit more cozy.

Whatever it is, I’m savoring every last bit of it as we enjoy the most beautiful final days of Autumn here in the Willamette Valley. The rain is forecasted to return later this week and I’m planning to move onto twinkling lights and evergreen boughs but, for now, here’s a little last look at Autumn in my home. 🍂

When will you begin to transition your home from Autumn to Winter?
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