• 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
  • Shop My Home
  • 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

August 21, 2011

Rooted…Simply Sunday

Hello dear friends!
We returned on Friday after spending a glorious week at the Sunriver Resort in Bend, OR.
It was the perfect way to cap off our summer and we made such wonderful memories together.
If you have never been to Central Oregon you are surely missing out!
It is absolutely gorgeous and the drive alone is one of the most breathtaking experiences.

Photos of Sunriver Resort, Sunriver
Source
While there we rode bikes and explored and went swimming in the pool every single day.
We awoke to crisp mornings which gave way to wonderfully warm afternoons
and lost count of how many deer we spotted.
My daughter named each one ‘Bambi’ of course.
Determined to make this a true adventure for our kiddos, we decided that a float down the Deschutes River was in order. We rented a canoe and the 4 of us set off for 2 hours of awe inspiring scenery and memory making moments.
Photos of Sunriver Resort, Sunriver
Source

As we “merrily rowed along”, the kids kept spotting trees which had tumbled over into the water with their roots exposed and mangled.

Photos of Sunriver Resort, Sunriver
Source
Still others remained standing but were brown and leafless while
ones on either side remained lush and green.

Why, the kids wanted to know, would one tree be so visibly alive
while the one next to it was apparently dead.

So we talked about roots…and our hearts.

And Daddy explained how what we see on the surface is
 only a reflection of what is happening below the soil.
Because what is happening underneath that dirt is what determines whether or not that tree will live or die.

The trees that had toppled over with their roots exposed for us to see, no longer had a foundation from which to draw strength and nourishment. Instead, they were now at the mercy of the elements.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
John 15:5-7

But, what about the other trees?
The ones that still stood tall among their peers but no longer bore any signs of life.

“Will their leaves grow back?” our son asked.

Will those branches ever again be lush and green?
Will they bear “fruit”?

“It all depends on those roots”, Daddy replied.

“…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17-19

Thank you for joining me today for this Simply Sunday at the Fence,

Sharing this here:

Imparting Grace

17 Comments Filed Under: Simply Sundays

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Welcome to Inspiration Friday N0. 28!
Next Post: Picture Frame Molding in the Bathroom »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barbara F. says

    August 21, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    Great post, love the photos. A very valuable lesson to teach your children. xo,

    Reply
  2. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says

    August 21, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    I love this post. Sunriver is a lot of fun! Glad you got to canoe too. Happy Sunday!

    Pam

    Reply
  3. Ginger Zuck says

    August 21, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    Beautiful country. Would love to visit there. The canoe trip looked like a fun experience.

    Reply
  4. Reannah @ {Shaped by Grace} says

    August 21, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    I LOVE this post!! So simple, and so true. Way to make every moment a teachable moment! Great verse at the end of it as well. Thank you so much for sharing. xo, Reannah

    Reply
  5. Thoughts for the day says

    August 21, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    WELCOME to Oregon my home state. We did a canoe trip last summer and was completely in awe of the beauty and the birds, we even saw an eagle or two high up in the trees. So glad you experienced a bit of our ‘world’… I live in the rural area of Portland about 45minutes away. Sunriver is about 3 hours or more from my home but we still go there to enjoy the ‘sun’.

    Reply
  6. Dayle says

    August 21, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Beautiful countryside.

    Happy Sunday!

    Reply
  7. Dayle says

    August 21, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Beautiful countryside.

    Happy Sunday!

    Reply
  8. Marie C. says

    August 21, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    A beautiful lesson…and lovely pictures! It makes me miss living in Central Oregon. Your trip sounded very enjoyable.

    Reply
  9. Carol says

    August 21, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Can we go with you next year?

    Can hardly wait!

    Mom and Dad

    Reply
  10. Mona Kay at Blissfully Refurbished says

    August 21, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    It looks so clear and cool and beautiful!! Nice contrast from humid & rainy here in NJ!! Thanks for sharing !

    Reply
  11. elizabeth says

    August 22, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    Wonderful post Vanessa, and a great spiritual truth shared. Also love the photos and am proud of our beautiful Oregon!

    Reply
  12. Judy says

    August 22, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Awesome post. I look forward to you and your sister’s Sunday posts. They are always so inspirational.

    Reply
  13. Debbie says

    August 22, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Wonderful, Vanessa! What a teachable moment for your family.

    Reply
  14. My Cottage Charm says

    August 22, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Lovely post Vanessa…I love the part about the roots. We all have to have a strong, rooted foundation to grow..so good!
    This part is for Heather…
    Thanks for your comment on the cabinet feet..I can’t believe I’m the only one you know of that’s tried them..they make such a huge difference and are SO cheap! 🙂 You’re welcome for the shout out..I would never do anything without giving credit where it is due..You had a brilliant idea, so you should get the credit! 🙂
    Hope you both have a great day!
    Missy

    Reply
  15. Kristin says

    August 22, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Beautiful post, Vanessa!
    Loved the photos!
    Loved the back drop!
    Loved the analogy!
    We will be taking a vacation soon, very similar to this and I can’t wait!
    Much love to you and your family!

    Reply
  16. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    August 24, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    Way to go, Mom and Dad! Teachable moments in such an undistracted setting are rare. So glad you didn’t miss it — and that you shared it here, too. It’s a great life lesson review for all of us!

    Reply
  17. Always Nesting says

    August 24, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    This is a beautiful post and oh how well I know Bend. This past spring I couldn’t take one more gray day or I thought I would lose my mind so Steve and I went in search of sunshine. That took us all the way to Bend for lunch. Fabulous day. Love your photos.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

Grandma’s Banana Bread

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022
  • Vintage Inspired Hot Cocoa Bar November 21, 2022
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour October 7, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

It’s time for another #tiptuesday and this week It’s time for another #tiptuesday and this week I’m showing how easy it is to decorate an entry table for spring in under five minutes! The formula is SO simple…

1. A lamp is your staple element and provides height.
2. Add a stack of books.
3. Bring in depth with a small framed seasonal print.
4. Add a small tray
5. Place seasonal accessories and a candle on that tray especially if you have cute brass bunnies!
6. Put a vase or urn on top of the books and add fresh or silk spring flowers.

And that’s all there is to it! Happy Spring dear friends! 🌸
Happy Friday! I’m oh so thankful for beautiful s Happy Friday! I’m oh so thankful for beautiful sunshine especially when our family has been hit by illness this week. Everyone is on the upswing, thankfully, and I’m hoping we’ll fell well enough to get outside and soak up some much needed natural vitamin D. After so many days of wet, gloomy weather this is like balm for my soul! 🍃 What’s the weather like where you are?
Here is a friendly PSA for you...do not, I repeat, Here is a friendly PSA for you...do not, I repeat, DO NOT attempt to apply eyeliner while you have the hiccups. It won't go well. Trust me on this one! 😜

In other news, the hot cocoa station is finally gone and in it's place is a fresh new look that was kicked off by finding a beautiful, rustic vase at @homegoods. It feels like my home is rising up to welcome Spring and I'm so ready for sunshine and longer days. 🍃

Don’t forget to check out my stories tonight for Friday funnies! I love hearing from so many of you who say it’s your favorite way to wrap up your week. ☺️

Happy weekend to you dear friends!
It’s Tip Tuesday time! This week I’m sharing o It’s Tip Tuesday time! This week I’m sharing one of my most favorite ways to simply and inexpensively add seasonal decor to your home. There’s nothing like getting big impact with little effort and without breaking the bank! #tiptuesday #decorforless
What a gift it was to wake up on the first day of What a gift it was to wake up on the first day of March and see glorious sunshine greeting us after a few days of ice and snow. This is the month of hope and expectation and I’m here for it.

Happy March first dear friends! 🍃
Our first ‘laundry room’ wasn’t actually a r Our first ‘laundry room’ wasn’t actually a room at all. The 20+ year old washer and dryer we inherited after we got married was hooked up in the garage of our small townhouse. Our second ‘laundry room’ was an improvement because it was actually INSIDE the house but it was in our family room behind bifold doors.

So when we moved into this home 15 years ago I literally jumped up and down when I saw this real laundry room. Never mind that it had dated counters and an old stained sink. It was an actual room!

We made minor updates to it over the years but other, more visible, spaces took priority so we spent our resources on beautifying those.

But, last summer, we finally had new counters installed and made a few more updates that have completely transformed this room. 

Now, it’s almost a joy to do the laundry…almost! 😉

For more photos and details head on over to my website using the link in my bio.
“In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.
I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.”

Psalm 25:1-6
Ronald Reagan famously said that “all great chan Ronald Reagan famously said that “all great change in America begins at the dinner table.” I think this is true for everyone worldwide. You simply can’t put a value on the importance of gathering together for a meal with those you love. But, sometimes, we can struggle with getting the conversations flowing. So for this #tiptuesday, I’m sharing some tools we’ve used in our home. 🍃
There is just something about the combination of l There is just something about the combination of lemon and honey. It’s rustic yet fancy, sweet yet tart, spring-like yet comforting on a cold winters day. 

And that’s why this is hands down one of my favorite recipes! I decided to take a basic tea cake and turn it into a loaf of sweet, tart, simple yet fancy goodness and the only thing bad about it was how quickly it disappeared!

🍋You can find the recipe by following the link in my bio 🍯
“Have regular hours for work and play; make each “Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.” (Louisa May Alcott).

The sun is shining and it’s the perfect day to photograph our laundry room which got a bit of a makeover. This space is definitely useful as it bears the brunt of everyone tromping through it all day long but I think I’ve managed to make it pleasant as well. One of my greatest realizations in my homemaking journey was when I recognized that those two things weren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, it’s the pleasant that enhances the useful and vice versa.

I’ll have the rest of the makeover reveal on my website soon but I just couldn’t resist sharing a sneak peek with you today! 🌿
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence