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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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October 23, 2013

Presenting at The Country Living Fair and The Chapel Market Recap!


Whew! It’s been a crazy couple of weeks for me.

I’ve hit the ground running after returning from spending the weekend down in Alabama at The Chapel Market! It was such a blast!

The_Chapel_Market

Logo via The Lettered Cottage courtesy of Poppy Pedals

Rhoda and I road tripped it down to Pike Road, Alabama from Atlanta, with lots of goodies in tow to sell at the Market…



There were so many amazing moments, from setting up in the gorgeous Chapel….

Rhoda-Heather

to a special dinner prepared for us by the ladies in Layla and Kevin’s little community The Waters.  A big huge, Southern hug to Kathy and Eddie for opening up their gorgeous, but even more importantly, warm and inviting home

…to getting a tour of the new “The Lettered Cottage”,

to staying up late into the night laughing with my roomies Rhoda, Myra and Susie!

Sharing a booth with my dear friends Laura and KariAnne was the icing on the cake!

I love these two girls so much and every moment I spend with them is full of laughs, good conversation and lots of hugs!

A big thank you to Layla, Kevin and Evan for creating such an amazing event! I’m officially throwing in my vote for The Chapel Market, Part Deux next year! 🙂

Now I’m back home and gearing up for the Atlanta Country Living Fair, where I am so honored to be presenting a demonstration on the Main Stage, this coming Saturday at 11 am!

DIY Mini Christmas Tree Ideas

I will be sharing how to make DIY Mini Christmas Trees like these…..

 Yarn Christmas Trees

and these…..

 Pinecone Christmas Trees

and these…

 Seashell Christmas Trees

I can’t wait to see many of our friends who will be there shopping or set up in booths, like our fabulous sponsors Jeanne of JuNxtaposition and Lucy of Bel Monili! If you are planning on being there Saturday, I hope you’ll come by and say, “Hi!”  I’d love to see some of our readers!

I feel so blessed for these amazing opportunities, but even more importantly for the friendships made.  They are the true blessings in life!

See you back here soon…at the picket fence!
signature

 

12 Comments Filed Under: Community, Crafts, Good Thoughts Tagged With: Country Living Fair, The Chapel Market

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Comments

  1. Doreen@HymnsandVerses says

    October 23, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    I told my husband yesterday that I wanted to move to the south! So many wonderful things happening for you Southern girls lately! Thank you for sharing with us – it’s fun to see you all having such a great time! Can’t wait to hear all about the Country Living Fair and I’m sure you will be amazing!

    Reply
  2. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    October 23, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    Oh Heather…did not know you were presenting at the Fair..fantastic!…See you there….and it looks like you had such great fun with some pretty great people at the Chapel Market!

    Reply
  3. Laura @ Finding Home says

    October 23, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    Such a blast to spend time with you – and you are going to rock the fair!

    Reply
  4. Beth@Unskinny Boppy says

    October 23, 2013 at 9:14 AM

    Woohoo! I cannot wait! So very excited to see your presentation, Heather. I still have to get my wording finalized for my presentation, and I might be preparing right up until the minute I step on stage, but I’ll be there to see you for sure. You’re the first thing I’m headed to see! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    October 24, 2013 at 3:51 AM

    Bummed that I missed the Chapel Market but looking forward to the CL Fair this Sat! Hope to see you there, Heather!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  6. Jennifer says

    October 24, 2013 at 6:31 AM

    Looking forward to catching you at the Country Living Fair this weekend!

    Reply
  7. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    October 24, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    So exciting! Thanks for the recap. Looks like you guys had a great time!

    Reply
  8. Sandy says

    October 24, 2013 at 5:44 PM

    The Chapel Hill Market looked like an amazing experience! Over at Thistle she had some photos of the booths. I saw so many things that I would have loved to buy. The church and town looked like it was out of a Norman Rockwell painting. How cool for all of you to be together for such a great sale. Love the photo of you and KariAnne and your houndstooth sweater. I heard about the quick fix for her earring. You have inspired me with the sea shell christmas trees. Perfect for a coastal style living room.

    Reply
  9. Carol @arewethereyet says

    October 24, 2013 at 5:52 PM

    Had so planned to be up in Atlanta to go to the fair, but some family issues (mom’s health) has kept me in good ole South Florida – so no go this year. Have a blast and I’ll have to live through your blog post and look forward to seeing lots of pictures of all the great fun – I’ll make it up there one day!

    Reply
  10. Lana says

    October 27, 2013 at 5:02 AM

    I found you through Rhoda and any friend of Rhoda’s is a friend of mine….and your blog is FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just signed up as a subscriber and am THRILLED. What gorgeous content you share!!! And with such a spirit of JOY behind it!

    YOU

    ARE

    UTTERLY

    FABULOUS!!!

    Love/hugs/blessings,
    Lana

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Chapel Market 2013 | The Lettered Cottage says:
    October 23, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    […] Accents, Southern Makers, Mary K. Andrews, Perfectly Imperfect, Thistlewood Farms, At The Picket Fence, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Home, Acres of Hope, Maple & Magnolia and Poppy Pedals. I love […]

    Reply
  2. #TheChapelMarket Recap says:
    October 25, 2013 at 8:56 PM

    […] Accents, Southern Makers, Mary K. Andrews, Perfectly Imperfect, Thistlewood Farms, At The Picket Fence,Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Home, Acres of Hope, Maple & Magnolia, Rachel Odom andPoppy […]

    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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