• 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

November 5, 2014

Sharpie Stenciled Thanksgiving Lazy Susan

Sometimes I think I suffer from short-term memory loss.

Correction…sometimes I think I suffer from short-term ‘thankfulness’ memory loss.

Sharpie stenciled thanksgiving lazy susan atthepicketfence.com

I always like to think of myself as someone who recognizes the many blessings in my life and never takes anything for granted. And yet, again and again, I find myself repeating a familiar pattern.

When life gets challenging or things don’t go as planned or you slip into a ‘woe is me’ mindset and find yourself in need of the ‘waaaaa’mbulance 😉 , it’s so easy to forget to look back on your life and see how you many times problems have been resolved and prayers have been answered.

So, I think that when we reach the end of another year, it’s even more important to look back and remember.

Faux engraved Thankful words wood board atthepicketfence.com

Remember how much for which we are thankful and grateful.

faux engraved board with sharpie pen

To remember the moments of contentment and gladness.

faux engraved cutting board using sharpie pen

To remember how blessed we are. And how even in the midst of difficult circumstances or the challenging seasons of life, we can still find peace and joy.

faux engraved lazy susan or cutting board with words of thanksgiving atthepicketfence.com

And the end of the year is also a time for looking forward. For feeling hopeful for the future.

faux engraved board for thanksgiving

And I thought that maybe those who gather at my table this Thanksgiving could also benefit from an easy remedy for short-term ‘thankfulness’ memory loss.

A simple wood lazy susan, letter stencils and a black sharpie pen are all you need to create this centerpiece.

stenciled lazy susan supplies

Turn it this way or that way and allow your guests to see the words and reflect back on their year too.

thanksgiving lazy susan centerpiece atthepicketfence.com

Sometimes we simply need gentle reminders of God’s faithfulness.

Of how He has carried us over those mountain top highs and through those valley lows that are all an inevitable part of our journey here on earth.

You know, it’s kind of ironic. On the one hand, it seems that the older we get the more forgetful we become. And yet, on the other hand, we reach a point where we’ve experienced so much of life that it becomes easier and easier to remember.

simple thanksgiving centerpiece atthepicketfence.com

To remember how much we have to be thankful for, even when everything around us seems to be going wrong. Or when prayers are going unanswered or we are experiencing deep pain and loss.

Maybe, just maybe, our ‘thankfulness’ memory is actually getting sharpened by those tough times.

“Without darkness, we may never know how bright the stars shine. Without battles, we could not know what victory feels like. Without adversity, we may never appreciate the abundance in our lives. Be thankful, not only for the easy times, but for every experience that has made you who you are.” Author Julie-Anne

And among the many things I’m thankful for this year, I hope you know that I count you, dear friends. 🙂

Now, speaking of being thankful…I’m so thrilled to be joining this amazing group of bloggers who are all sharing their take on what it means to be ‘Thankful at Home’.

thankful at home tour

Monday, Nov. 3

Funky Junk Interiors

French Country Cottage

Savvy Southern Style

Lilacs & Longhorns

Maison de Pax

Tuesday, Nov. 4

My Soulful Home

On Sutton Place

Cedar Hill Farmhouse 

Wednesday, Nov. 5

Stone Gable

At the Picket Fence

Top This Top That

Housepitality Designs

Debbiedoos

I hope you will pay them all a visit and enjoy the inspiration provided to help you usher in this season of thanksgiving.

Blessings to you,

Vanessa signature

 

16 Comments Filed Under: Autumn, Crafts, Decorating, Thanksgiving Tagged With: cheap crafts, fall, fall crafts, fall decor, Thanksgiving

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Setting a blue and white Thanksgiving Table
Next Post: A Fall Back Giveaway! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    November 5, 2014 at 3:53 AM

    Well said and well done Vanessa!….such beautiful sentiments on the Lazy Susan….practical and inspirational!
    I so love the quote by Julie-Anne….I am writing that one down now!…I am blessed to know such a wonderful person as you, Vanessa!….

    Reply
  2. Dawn says

    November 5, 2014 at 3:58 AM

    Brilliant idea and it looks terrific 🙂

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    November 5, 2014 at 4:29 AM

    So true so true. Well said and I love the centerpiece idea.

    Reply
  4. laura@top this top that says

    November 5, 2014 at 4:53 AM

    love the idea of spinning that around the table and having guests talk about what they are thankful for etc. I think the beauty of getting older is that we recognize the gifts we need are the gifts that we already have and are thankful for. Have a wonderful fall season!

    Reply
  5. Anne@DesignDreams says

    November 5, 2014 at 5:56 AM

    So pretty! and I even have all the supplies on hand to do this… hmmmmm 🙂

    Reply
  6. Anita from Cedar Hill Farmhouse says

    November 5, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    I love the project and the sentiment. The bitter makes the sweet better for sure. You always encourage and inspire!

    Reply
  7. debbiedoos says

    November 5, 2014 at 8:10 AM

    Oh how sweet and special Vanessa! What a beautiful sentiment. Wishing you and your family a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving season.

    Reply
  8. Funky Junk Interiors says

    November 5, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    There’s nothing lazy about that susan… she’s a smart one! 🙂

    You are so right. Forgetfulness and remembrance kinda flip flop as we age. I like to think we forget the stuff that truly does NOT matter, so we can move forward with the things that really count.

    LOVE the post and your project!

    Reply
  9. Jessica says

    November 5, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    Any chance to use a Sharpie, I’m in!

    Reply
  10. Rachel Paxton says

    November 5, 2014 at 1:02 PM

    I love this, Vanessa! It is so simple and such a wonderful reminder… perfect for this season. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us!

    Reply
  11. Kelly says

    November 5, 2014 at 1:15 PM

    Wonderful project and even more wonderful sentiments! Thank you for helping us to remember what really matters, what we have & have to be grateful for now & throughout the year. Lovely post Vanessa!

    Reply
  12. Ann says

    November 5, 2014 at 6:04 PM

    Oh Vanessa I love this! There are so many times when we all need a gentle reminder to count our blessings. This is perfect. Thank you for always being such a sweet friend to me…you are a gracious and beautiful person. Hoping your Thanksgiving is peaceful!

    Reply
  13. Kim Macumber says

    November 5, 2014 at 6:54 PM

    I haven’t visited in a while and love that you reminded me of how blessed and grateful I am! I might just steal this idea for Thanksgiving! I hope you approve!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 5, 2014 at 7:39 PM

      So glad you visited today Kim and I would absolutely be thrilled if you ‘stole’ the idea! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Courtney says

    November 6, 2014 at 8:22 AM

    What a cute project- and love your post Vanessa!

    Reply
  15. Contessa says

    November 6, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    Totally, absolutely love it.

    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

  • 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
  • Built In Shelving Makeover in Family Room August 31, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake a I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake and grabbed a banana out of the freezer and was about to put it into my shake before I realized it was a frozen egg roll. Sooooo that's how my day is going so far! 🤪How about you?

It's honestly fairly representative of my state of mind these days as I can't seem to make the date on the calendar match the date in my spirit because it feels like it should be January 45th. Every year this month drags on and every year it seems to surprise me for some reason. In addition, my heart just feels heavy as I witness a lot of darkness and sadness around me. So, I'm choosing to control what I can control by making my house feel as cozy as possible, relishing the sunshine whenever it dares to peek through the clouds, gathering inspiration for warmer weather projects and, most importantly, resting in the comfort of the sovereignty of my Father.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work..." Job 37:5-7
What if you could do something at the beginning of What if you could do something at the beginning of your day that would be a gift to yourself later on? That’s what we’re talking about on this week’s Tip Tuesday! #tiptuesday
The sun decided to make another appearance today! The sun decided to make another appearance today! It’s been such a lovely Sunday. Chocolate croissants for breakfast followed by church then naps/football/reading/etc and soon we’ll be heading out to dinner with friends. These are my favorite kind of weekends. Hope yours has been lovely too! 🌿
Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshi Yesterday was stormy and cold but today the sunshine is breaking through the fog and my house just seems happier. We definitely needed to see that light streaming in through the windows and it’s a gift I don’t take for granted.

And yes, there are still twinkle lights on my mantle because those help when the sunshine goes away again. ✨
Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here i Happy weekend! The rainy and gloomy weather here in the Willamette Valley has me feeling less frustrated about my migraine forcing me to just snuggle up indoors and these flowers in my kitchen are lifting my spirits. What are you up to on this holiday weekend?
It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offe It’s time for TIP TUESDAY! This week, I’m offering a gentle reminder from my own parenting experience after feeling my heart pricked with conviction about what was waiting for my daughter every day after school. I hope it will encourage you! 🌿#tiptuesday
The day after Christmas I found myself laundering The day after Christmas I found myself laundering and folding all of the linens we used the previous night as we hosted my husband's side of the family for dinner and other festivities. As I laid out each cloth napkin and folded them one by one, I couldn't help but be struck by what a simple, yet meaningful, task it was. It's such an honor and privilege to be the hostess and, at this stage of my life, I realize that this has almost one hundred percent become my role now. Our parents are in their 70's and have either downsized significantly or simply don't have the energy to take on hosting duties for a large group. I could resent this. I could feel overwhelmed by it. But, instead, I'm choosing to embrace it knowing that, someday, I too will pass the hosting torch and I hope that I will be welcomed with love and attentiveness. So, I fold the linen napkins, taking pleasure in the way all of the creases line up and how neat and tidy they look in the drawer of my dining room buffet. These seemingly simple chores are part of the lifeblood of homemaking and my attitude towards them can either be one of gratefulness or grumbly-ness (yes, I'm making up words now). 

And I’m choosing gratefulness. 

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” (Elisabeth Elliot⁣)
Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kic Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kicking off the year with a brand new series! Each weekly installment will feature a tip for everything from your home to faith to parenting to family life and so much more. My goal for 2023 is to have far more personal interaction with this community while continuing on with the mission of weaving together all things heart and home. I hope you enjoy this first tip and I’d love to hear from you about whether or not you decorate for winter! 
#tiptuesday #organizing #winterdecorating
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. H “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

Here’s to beginnings. Happy new year friends! May you experience the majesty and sovereignty of the Lord in 2023 like never before! ✨
Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favor Oh how I love this week each year! It’s my favorite for sure. Everything is still festive and decorated but there’s none of the stress of the cooking and wrapping and making preparations. It’s the week where we get to take everything slowly and simply enjoy being together while the house still has twinkling lights and we can just be cozy.

What about you? How will you be spending this week? ✨
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence