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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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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

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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

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