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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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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 16, 2015

Summer Home Tour 2015

(Be sure to go all the way to the end of this post for a fabulous Giveaway from bHome and Painted Fox Treasures!)

You know what? I don’t live in a farmhouse. Or a cottage. I live in a traditional style stucco house.

And I like it. Really I do. Actually, I like it a WHOLE lot and I’m incredibly, incredibly grateful for it. But, lately, I’ve noticed that you never really see my kind of house on Instagram or Pinterest or Facebook or…anywhere, really.

arched two story entry on stucco home

And sometimes that makes me feel a bit left out. Just a bit.

You see, I 100% believe that you should decorate your home the way YOU want no matter what. YOU live there and you need to feel comfortable and surrounded by what makes you happy.

But that being said, I think there is something wonderful that happens when you honor the architecture of a home. When you pay attention to its lines, its nuances, its inherent style. It can be almost magical when a flow is created between the outside of a home and the inside. Where you are able to get a feel for what the home will look like on the inside before you ever cross the threshold.

boxwood wreath on front door

So, what you will find inside my home won’t really come as a surprise.

There are traditional pieces of furniture. Like an antique chest of drawers in the entry and other pieces which will never see a paint brush.

fresh flowers on entry cabinet for summer atthepicketfence.com

But, if you look closely, you might begin to notice that those traditional lines provide the perfect backdrop for adding in touches of other styles here and there.

A hint of cottage style here. A touch of farmhouse there. And healthy dash of French country for good measure.

summer chalkboard quote and decor ideas atthepicketfence.com

Over the weekend my daughter and I went shopping for some summer clothes. While at H&M (seriously LOVE that store!) I came across a truly fabulous skirt.

It was fitted where it needed to be fitted and flowy where it needed to be flowy. And when I tried it on and looked at my reflection in the mirror I couldn’t help but think about how perfect it was.

knot tassel on coffee table summer decor

Because it could be dressed way down or dressed way up.

I could envision it with stiletto heels, a fabulous blouse and the perfect clutch in my hands.

summer buffet table decor atthepicketfence.com

But, then again, I could also see it with a tank top, flip flops and my hair in a ponytail.

glass bottles for summer decor

And I guess that’s kind of how I want my home to be.

seashells under glass cloche

I want it to be like that skirt.

I want to be able to dress it up or dress it down.

I want to know that a bucket filled with lavender will look right at home on the buffet table in the dining room.

french lavender

Or that simply by putting metal lanterns on the sofa table I’ve added a touch of summer casual to the family room.

summer family room atthepicketfence.com

Metal lanterns with candles surrounded by seashells of course.

metal lantern with seashells

I want the way I decorate my home to rise to the style occasion.

easy summer decor in family room atthepicketfence.com

I want to be able to add a trend here or there.

seashell and vintage books on mantel

But I also want it to be true to itself.

wood sailboat on coffee table

And mostly, what I want more than anything…

vintage scale

…more than how it’s decorated…

Summer built-in china cabinet

…or whether it’s ‘on trend’…

deck decorating ideas atthepicketfence.com

I want all who walk through the doors of this traditional stucco home to feel warmly welcomed. To know that they can take their shoes off or leave them on.

And that those shoes can be stiletto heels or flip-flops or that they can just pad around the house barefoot with a warning about the possible stray Lego here and there.

Outdoor coffee table atthepicketfence.com

What I really want is for them to feel…well…at home.

So, welcome to my home sweet friends. My door is always open! 🙂

boxwood wreath hanging on front door

Vanessa signature

I’m so thrilled to be joining these amazing ladies as part of our fantastic bHome Summer Open House!

Monday

My Soulful Home

Home Made by Carmona

AKA Design

On Sutton Place

Tuesday

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Garden Therapy

At The Picket Fence

Unskinny Boppy

Miss Mustard Seed

French Country Cottage

Shabbyfufu

Wednesday

StoneGable

Housepitality Designs

Craftberry Bush

Cupcakes and Crinoline

Shabby Art Boutique

Setting For Four

A Healthy Life For Me

Thursday

Southern Hospitality

Top This Top That

Rooms FOR Rent

Savvy Southern Style

Lilacs & Longhorns

Eclectically Vintage

Cynthia Weber Design

Friday

Maison de Pax

Buckets of Burlap

Love of Home

Debbiedoo’s

Edith & Evelyn

Inspired By Charm

bhome summer open house 400x400

And we have a totally awesome giveaway for you too!! In thanks for being part of the bHome family already, or to welcome you today, we are giving away a $200 gift certificate to Painted Fox Treasures. PFt has the summer time & any time home decor we all love. It is simple to enter, just download bHome ~ the app for free and leave me a comment with your bHome Username. Winner will be chosen at random on June 20th & notified with a message on bHome.” (Android Users don’t worry! We will offer this again when you can download too!)

82 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Home Tour, Summer Tagged With: decor, decorating, summer, summer decorating

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alison S says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:05 AM

    My user name is asoppe.

    Reply
  2. Peg says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:06 AM

    You have definitely achieved your goal.
    It all looks so very welcoming and comfy! : )

    Reply
  3. Nancy says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:10 AM

    My first thought after reading your post is amen! I live in a house very similar to yours except it is one story. (Better for old retired people!) The inside is decorated with things I love from our parents and grandparents. That’s what makes it home.

    Reply
  4. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:23 AM

    Vanessa, I so love your home…so filled with warmth and love and decorated with the things that you love, the things that make you and your family happy….the things that when you look at them, they remind you of good times, treasured family memories….and those things you place so lovingly for you and your family to enjoy. Those things are “you” and I give you a standing ovation for being true to yourself and loving what surrounds you.

    Reply
  5. Beth @ Unskinny Boppy says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:43 AM

    Perfectly stated. I’m in the middle of figuring out exactly what style I want this new home to be, and sometimes you have to live in a space and wrestle with different ideas before you find the perfect solution for a house. I don’t want it to be a duplicate of my old house because it’s not the same home. I want to figure out what this house needs and make it happen. But, so far, I haven’t figured that out so I’m in a nice, comfortable holding pattern that is not very blog worthy. LOL And that’s ok! I’m happy being normal for a minute. You’ve expressed my feelings perfectly, though. Love you!

    Reply
  6. Jan Howard says

    June 16, 2015 at 4:46 AM

    Your home is lovely!! It is fully of wonderful welcoming things. I would feel right at home there! I’m just beginning to work on a home I’ve “re-purchased” that I built 31 years ago and it’s sometimes a struggle to mix the old with the “what I want now!”..

    Reply
  7. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    June 16, 2015 at 5:06 AM

    Welcoming and inviting are always “on trend!” Love your beautiful home! Hope you are enjoying an amazing summer! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  8. Pat@Back Porch Musings says

    June 16, 2015 at 5:21 AM

    Vanessa, I love your gorgeous home and always enjoy visiting.
    We are still unpacking and rediscovering treasures for our new home. We moved from our story and a half in March. We are now living in a smaller one story home and I’m furnishing it with things we love and memories, just as I did our larger home. I call my style traditional, transitional, rustic refined, eclectic.:-) It is rich colors and new mixed with old. I rarely see that style represented on Pinterest or Instagram, so I tend to play it by ear.

    I felt very welcomed as I “walked thru” your front door this morning.

    Reply
  9. Pamela says

    June 16, 2015 at 5:35 AM

    Oh my word, I could hug you! This so resonates with me and our home. I, too, firmly believe insides and outsides should speak the same language while still leaving room for the occasional, country, English and/or French accent . I was so caught up up in the writing that I forgot to look at the pictures! Will do that now. Thank you.

    Reply
  10. Cynthia @ A Button Tufted Life… Cynthia Weber Design says

    June 16, 2015 at 5:45 AM

    Vanessa,

    Your home is everything you have strived to achieve and I am absolutely sure that everyone who enters your front door feels both welcomed and inspired. I know you have inspired me today! 😉

    I am so glad to be part of the amazing bHome tour on Thursday!
    Cynthia

    Reply
  11. Nancie says

    June 16, 2015 at 5:53 AM

    Your home is gorgeous inside and out. You deffinately know how to decorate! I keep going back for inspiration!

    Reply
  12. Barbara says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    Love your house! I would like to see a few more seashells under the cloche!!!

    Reply
  13. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    Vanessa, Kudos to you for decorating your home the way you want. It’s so so beautiful… just like you! Your style is timeless and I see you fitting so many other wonderful details that are farmhouse, and industrial and cottage here and there in your home. That is the best way to decorate and you, my friend, have nailed it! LOVE your welcoming home… and you!!!!!

    Reply
  14. Linda says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:06 AM

    Lovely, and very well said.

    Reply
  15. Sheran Steading says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:06 AM

    Vanessa, I love your house! And I know how you feel. I live in South Carolina, and here in the upstate, Georgian homes, ranchers and Victorian clapboards are everywhere. So, my 1970’s house that was built by a family who transferred here from Southern California is REALLY different with it’s stucco and white brick. It definitely has a Spanish influence. We have been there for over 20 years, though, and I have come to love this house so much. I celebrate the difference, even though I sometimes long for a farmhouse. 🙂

    Reply
  16. lynne@lynnesgiftsfromtheheart says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:34 AM

    You’ve certainly achieved your goal. Your home is lovely. Warm and inviting. Thank you for opening your doors to give us a tour of your beautiful home. fondly ~lynne~

    Reply
  17. wendy / life on the shady grove says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:49 AM

    Vanessa-
    Your home and your heart are simply beautiful! I would not paint that gorgeous antique dresser either! I firmly believe our homes should feel like a warm hug. Some of us hug strong and reassuring and some hug softly with a little pat on the back You just KNOW the way the people you love hug you….and you wouldn’t want it any other way. Thank you for being yourself and letting us in on the way you hug! It is just perfect in every way!
    Blessings!
    Wendy

    Reply
  18. Sondra says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    Your home is fabulous, inside and out! Speaks my language. Can you share your exterior paint colors? Makes for stunning curb appeal!!!

    Reply
  19. Kim says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    Enjoyed the tour, Vanessa and you can be proud of your beautiful home.

    Reply
  20. Ann says

    June 16, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    I love that you made this home your own. I know exactly how you feel…my house is not what’s popular either…but I am working with what I have and somehow it’s ended up to be a true reflection of our family. I hope you have a perfect rest of the summer. <3

    Reply
  21. cookie says

    June 16, 2015 at 7:30 AM

    I love your home with everything from shells to cloches.

    Reply
  22. FABBY says

    June 16, 2015 at 8:17 AM

    Vanessa your house for summer is gorgeous! I love all your elements, they are so pretty and each so special.
    Beautiful job.
    Have a happy summer enjoying by that inviting deck.
    FABBY

    Reply
  23. jane@Bluebird1959 says

    June 16, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    Hi Vannessa- always love seeing your home, but I have to say I am absolutely smitten (madly in love, actually) with the cute floral teacup filled with toothpicks on the old scale!!! Sweetest thing ever. Jane

    Reply
  24. debbiedoos says

    June 16, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    You have done so much to make your house a home through the years Vanessa. It looks absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  25. Sue Tait says

    June 16, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    Omigosh, I feel like I JUST went “back home” for a little visit… Your beautiful house looks nothing like the homes I lived in, but the FEELING is exactly the same… So warm and friendly and comfortable besides being so beautiful. Yes I think I could walk in barefoot, or with high heels on and feel just as much at ease either way. What a wonderful post! Thank you Vanessa, I sure did enjoy my visit~~~

    Reply
  26. FrenchGardenHouse says

    June 16, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Your home is perfect. What you wrote in your post is what I constantly tell my clients, it doesn’t matter what the “trends” are, or how much you spend on your interiors, what matters most is that your home reflects YOU and your family, and that all who enter it feel loved and welcomed. Perfect post, thank you for sharing your lovely home too.

    Reply
  27. Janet (Shabbyfufu) says

    June 16, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    Honestly I get it and know how you feel. My home is decorated in my style, with the things that I love and I don’t follow trends. I’ve been around the block enough times to know that trends come and go and although it may give one higher follower numbers on some of the social media at the end of the day it’s not as important as staying true to yourself. Your home is lovely and reflects your style…great post!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:40 PM

      Thank you so much Janet! 🙂

      Reply
  28. Cindy Hancock says

    June 16, 2015 at 12:35 PM

    Beautiful decor! I love the mixture of all those styles! That’s the way I decorate, also. I felt very welcomed in your home! 🙂 Wish I could have pinned some pics, it was so pretty! 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:39 PM

      Thank you so much Cindy! Were you not able to pin the photos you wanted because of a problem on our end? Want to make sure nothing is wrong. 🙂

      Reply
      • Cindy Hancock says

        June 17, 2015 at 7:03 AM

        Normally, a “pin” button will automatically pop up on the pic when I move the cursor over it, but no pin buttons appear. I’ve not had that situation before. : ) Thank you for your reply.

        Reply
  29. Anita from Cedar Hill Farmhouse says

    June 16, 2015 at 1:10 PM

    Your home is lovely and I agree with what you said. I love it when people think my house is pretty, but in the end I need to be happy with it, since I live here.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:38 PM

      Absolutely Anita! So fun to be part of the tour with you! 🙂

      Reply
  30. Cheryl Blackwell says

    June 16, 2015 at 1:28 PM

    Cblackwell
    Love your philosophy of home decorating. Great advice for all !

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:38 PM

      Thank you Cheryl!

      Reply
  31. Cindy says

    June 16, 2015 at 1:52 PM

    Vanessa,
    Your home is lovely and so warm and comfortable! And it is, as it should be, a reflection of you. It tells your story. That’s what makes a home beautiful! Enjoyed visiting!
    Cheers,
    Cindy
    Edith & Evelyn Vintage

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:36 PM

      Thank you so much Cindy!

      Reply
  32. Richella Parham says

    June 16, 2015 at 1:55 PM

    Yes, ma’am! Your home is beautiful, just like you. And that skirt analogy is spot-on! You’re brilliant. And I’m glad I know you!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:32 PM

      Awwww….back atcha my friend!! So blessed by your friendship!

      Reply
  33. Kelly@mysoulfulhome says

    June 16, 2015 at 3:44 PM

    LOVE your home and your spirit & couldn’t agree more! Honor the house – make it comfortable – make it welcoming – make it your own!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:29 PM

      Thanks friend!

      Reply
  34. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    June 16, 2015 at 3:49 PM

    Your home is a reflection of your warm, beautiful spirit and personality! I love how you’ve decorated simply for summer, which I have not even done because right now I’m enjoying some sparseness! I have a wonderful friend who moved to Seattle and the two of you have a lot of common. Wish I could get the two of you together!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 4:28 PM

      Oh thank you so much Jane!! I’m sure that any friend of yours would definitely be a friend of mine! 🙂

      Reply
  35. laura@top this top that says

    June 16, 2015 at 5:21 PM

    oh vanessa- you could live in a tee-pee and make others feel so welcomed and loved in your home. Happy summer to you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 7:29 PM

      Laura you seriously brought tears to my eyes! Thanks so much my friend. Hope your summer is off to a fantabulous start!

      Reply
  36. Heidi Parker says

    June 16, 2015 at 5:51 PM

    Truely stunning! The perfect example of a “real” home. Not too over the top with any one design fad. I think the reason we don’t see too many homes like yours, is because yours is like so many of ours…..Pintrest and the like are dreams, fantasies, what if’s, if that quick pick ever pays off…… and maybe some day…
    You make it all seem more obtainable., without uprooting our families, moving to the mountains, beachside, or overseas!……..Brilliant!

    bHome username Mardi

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 16, 2015 at 7:25 PM

      Heidi I can’t thank you enough for your lovely comment!! Truly warms my heart and I just so appreciate it! 🙂

      Reply
  37. Julie {Lilacs & Longhorns} says

    June 16, 2015 at 6:47 PM

    So well said, Vanessa! Sometimes I feel a little left out or bummed that my house isn’t all farmhouse or cottage when I’m browsing around the blog world, but I truly like the style of my home and it feels just like “us” — my family. I love that. Thanks for the awesome reminder — you are always so good at getting to the heart of things. And, of course, your home is beautiful, welcoming and full of love!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 17, 2015 at 2:20 PM

      Awww…Julie thank you so much!! Hope your summer is off to a great start!

      Reply
  38. Stephanie Rose says

    June 16, 2015 at 8:11 PM

    I’m on my way! haha – thank you for welcoming us into your home, it does feel welcoming. I don’t care what is popular, your home is personal and inviting. I love it!

    Reply
  39. Paige.Rose says

    June 17, 2015 at 12:51 AM

    Your home is so lovely! I love all the cream,white,green, yellow touches!

    Happy Summer, Vanessa!

    Paige.Rose
    from
    http://www.TheQuaintSanctuary.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 17, 2015 at 2:19 PM

      Thank you so much Paige!

      Reply
  40. Mia says

    June 17, 2015 at 7:18 AM

    How neat! I just joined bHome and am enrapt. User name is mamamia. Your summer home touches are perfect and practical.

    Reply
  41. ginette4 says

    June 17, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    Stunning home..love it
    bHome Username; ginette4

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 17, 2015 at 2:18 PM

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  42. Marijean Jenson says

    June 17, 2015 at 1:19 PM

    I think your home is beautiful inside and out. You have impeccable taste !

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 17, 2015 at 2:08 PM

      Thank you so much Marijean!

      Reply
  43. Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says

    June 17, 2015 at 3:48 PM

    I love that you made your home your own. I live in a old home, and we have done a bit of remodeling, so I understand staying true to the homes arcitecture. Thank you for opening your home and taking me on the tour, it is lovely.

    Reply
  44. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says

    June 17, 2015 at 5:13 PM

    Vanessa, I think you home is absolutely beautiful and a true reflection of your taste. We all have totally different homes and decorating styles, but I love seeing how everyone chooses to decorate their own home. I think as bloggers we appreciate the love and time that others put into finding their treasures, styling and making their home their own… or at least I know I do. I live in a beach house that is far from special, but for me it is perfect!

    Reply
  45. Ursula @ Home Made by Carmona says

    June 18, 2015 at 5:42 AM

    What a lovely home! Being originally from the high desert of Southern California I can appreciate your beautiful stucco exterior! That is the style of all the homes in that area! 🙂

    Reply
  46. Elizabeth@ Rustic Maple says

    June 19, 2015 at 6:30 PM

    Your home is lovely and you have done a great job honouring the traditional lines and making it stylish and yours at the same time. I am especially loving the outdoor space today, must be all the sunshine we are getting today after lots of rain. Thanks for the tour!

    Reply
  47. Michael Wurm, Jr. says

    June 20, 2015 at 5:23 AM

    I just love your home and I love that you embraced IT’S style. I just talked about that on IBC too. It’s so important to pay attention to what works with the style of your house but still make it your own. You’re spaces are the perfect example of that. Bravo!!

    xo Michael

    Reply
  48. martina says

    June 20, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    Loved the tour Vanessa! Your home always looks beautiful and you have it filled with so many beautiful pieces!! Happy summer my friend!

    Reply
  49. Becca says

    June 22, 2015 at 4:09 AM

    Trust me, ALLLL who enter your gorgeous home WILL feel warmly welcomed, although, admittedly, you won’t see me walking through your door with stilettos on! lol It all looks beautiful, Vanessa … love the coastal accents and all of your awesome vignettes! Happy Summer, friend!

    Reply
  50. Heather says

    June 25, 2015 at 5:37 AM

    Your home is the exact reflection of you Vanessa – it’s warm, inviting, graceful and relaxed! You’ve made such a gorgeous home for your family – it’s full of soul and beauty! Happy summer my friend! xo Heather

    Reply
  51. Mary Beth|Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    June 25, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Oh, Vanessa! You made me chuckle…your home is so a pinterest home…it would be my dream home. I live in a split entry from the 1970’s that’s stuck in a time warp ~ I’m ready for Greg Brady to welcome me home one day but that being said, I am very, very thankful to God for it! Everything about your space is beautiful, warm and loving just like you.

    Reply
  52. Debbie says

    June 27, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    Lovely! But I can’t stop wondering about your perfect skirt……..

    Reply
  53. KatheenTheLavenderBouquet says

    July 23, 2015 at 6:07 AM

    Your home is simply lovely! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  54. Mindy says

    May 28, 2016 at 4:39 PM

    Do you know what the exterior colors are? Lovely!

    Reply
  55. Malea says

    September 23, 2016 at 6:17 PM

    My home is very similar to yours….down to the big picture window. I love your decor style! Do you mind sharing the paint color of your front door?

    Reply
  56. Ana lorenzo says

    September 13, 2017 at 2:34 PM

    Hello, would you happen to have the names of your exterior stucco and trim colors? Also, are the roof shingle colors black?
    Thank you.

    Reply
  57. Marissa says

    October 10, 2017 at 8:02 AM

    I love your stucco color! Do you mind me asking what color it is?

    Reply
    • Tracie Robbins says

      May 3, 2018 at 6:23 PM

      Has anyone gotten a reply on the stucco color? I am curious also. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Tracie Robbins says

        May 3, 2018 at 6:25 PM

        Oops, typed the wrong letter in my email address. Interested in the stucco colors. thank you!!

        Reply
        • At The Picket Fence says

          May 3, 2018 at 6:33 PM

          Hi Tracie!! Oh my goodness I’m SO sorry that I haven’t gotten back to you! I must have missed your other comments. Let me go find the names of the paint and I will get back to you!

          Reply
          • Tlg says

            May 8, 2018 at 5:57 PM

            I would also like to know the stucco colors please.

          • At The Picket Fence says

            May 9, 2018 at 1:08 PM

            Hi there! The main body of the house is painted in Sherwin Williams Cobblestone and the trim is called Alley Gravel.

          • Tracie Robbins says

            May 18, 2018 at 10:37 AM

            Thank you so much!!

  58. Rachel says

    June 15, 2018 at 6:13 AM

    Your exterior pain colors are beautiful. I’m actually picking out exterior colors today and my head is spinning! What colors did you use (primary, trim, door)?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 15, 2018 at 7:20 AM

      Hi Rachel! We used Sherwin Williams paint and the main body of the house is painted in a color called Cobblestones and the trim is painted in Alley Gravel. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  59. Adam says

    September 29, 2018 at 5:18 AM

    What are the colors of your home?? Love them!

    Reply
  60. Adam says

    November 6, 2018 at 6:54 PM

    Hi, can you please let me know what paint colors you painted your exterior? Thanks! Love it!

    Reply

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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