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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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September 4, 2012

Thistlewood Farm hops over the Fence!


You know how you read a blog and you just feel like you know that person?
And you wonder, “If I were to meet her in real life, would I feel the same way?”

And then, you finally do get to meet her and you are fairly certain that you have actually known her forever and that she may, in fact, be related to you. 

She is even more warm, more friendly, more hilarious, more kind, more gracious and
 more REAL than you imagined. 
And you know that you have made a friend for life.

Well, that is exactly how we felt when, at the Haven conference, we got to hug the neck of our very special At the Picket Fence guest today.

Without further ado, please help us welcome our beautiful (inside and out) friend Kari 
from Thistlewood Farm!

 

   Hello At The Picket Fence readers!   My name is KariAnne and I blog about…..well…..actually…..I blog about a lot of random bits of life over at Thistlewood Farm.   
 Thistlewood Farm is a turn-of-the-century farmhouse at the corner of where a cornfield meets a long winding country road. 
 It is our forever and ever house.
 A house filled with laughter and joy. 
 A house where games of Monopoly never end, where you can read books in the leafy branches of a treehouse, follow a winding path to create projects galore in a tiny art house and tell jokes that always end with “orange you glad you didn’t say banana.”
 A house with turtles and fish and dogs and cats.
 A house where a warm fire, a good book and a cup of hot tea are always waiting.
 A house for friends and family to know they are special. 
 There are a lot of chapters in our story.   
  Here’s one I hope you enjoy:

  The Stinky Sock Playroom   
 According to a recent survey of 2000 people, the stinkiest smell in the universe was the smell of wet dog. Hmmmm. 
 Wet dog. 
 Stinkiest smell ever. 
  Really. 
 Have they ever smelled the socks of a teenage boy and an almost teenage boy? 
  I think not. 
 Because if they had…..trust me….wet dog would never even have topped the list.  
When we re-did the upstairs for the boys. I spent hours ripping out blue shag carpet (yikes).
And when I tediously stripped wallpaper with a bottle of vinegar and tiny scraper…..
…..and when I patched and sanded and painted until I could paint no more…..
 
  
 …..it was all done with the understanding that stinky socks were not to grace this freshly sanded and painted grey wooden floor.   
 T-shirts, legos, video games, cards, ball caps, books, papers, train tracks….. ….even a stray remote or two. All these were on the acceptable list.  
  But socks? 
 No way. No how. 
 We do have standards here at Thistlewood Farm.
  
 So far we are all on the same page. 
 So far the inhabitants of the second floor of Thistlewood Farm are
 keeping their socks out of sight and out of smell.  
 But if the day comes…. …..and the stinky socks of the world take over the playroom, drastic decorating measures may have to be taken…..
….. and that blue shag carpet may rear its ugly head again 🙂
  If you would like to read more about all our farmhouse adventures…..stop by for a glass of sweet tea at Thistlewood Farm.
As mothers of boys we can fully appreciate this subject matter…but we just never imagined we would be thanking someone for doing a guest post on our blog about it! 

Leave it to Kari to keep us on our toes…get it…toes…feet…stinky socks…
ahem

Thanks for stopping by the Fence today and we hope you will pay Kari a visit over at her place!

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18 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Guest Posts

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Comments

  1. Leslie says

    September 4, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    I’m so glad you featured KariAnne! I love following her at Thistlewood Farm, especially since I found out she lives near my hometown! She’s hilarious with true to life stories and a gorgeous home. (What an adorable, little red desk that is!) I like her clean white walls with pops of color.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

    Reply
  2. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    September 4, 2012 at 2:35 PM

    Thanks for featuring our dear KariAnne! I think stinky socks should be banned to the garage!!! That and little dogs that jump in nearby ponds!

    Reply
  3. Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says

    September 4, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    I do have to second the “teenage boys and NO stinky socks” mom stance 🙂 Otherwise… we might all keel over! Super guest girls. Always enjoy Karianne.

    Reply
  4. One bolt short of a toolbox says

    September 4, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    Too funny!!

    Jan @ door251.com

    Reply
  5. Angela says

    September 4, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    Love, KariAnne!! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    September 4, 2012 at 3:51 PM

    Love KariAnne! She. is. the. best. period!

    Reply
  7. thistlewoodfarm says

    September 4, 2012 at 3:56 PM

    Heather and Vanessa,

    You are the best of the best…..the whipped cream on my sundae….the peanut butter to my jelly…and I absolutely adore you both 🙂

    Have a great day rock stars 🙂
    karianne

    Reply
  8. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 4, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    I never ever tire of reading Kari’s stories…seeing her beautiful photos of gorgeousness….She is the bestest of the best!…

    Reply
  9. Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says

    September 4, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    Ladies,

    You invited one of my absolutely FAVIIE FAV bloggers, thank you.

    And I am certain she felt/feels the same way about meeting YOU as well.

    I hope to meet all 3 of you one day. One can dream.

    Have a fabulous week, sans les sockages du stenche.

    ~Michele

    Reply
  10. Savvy Seasons says

    September 4, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    I just recently came across her blog and LOVEEEEEEE it! She has so much talent and it shows! Thanks for featuring her! =) XO ~Liz

    Reply
  11. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    September 4, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    Karianne is such a joy to follow! She is witty, talented and sweet as can be! I enjoy her projects and love life on Thistlewood Farm!

    Reply
  12. Ann-Marie ~ Brambly says

    September 4, 2012 at 11:30 PM

    Now that I’m back to blogging I just had to stop by and see what you two have been up to. Wow, your blog looks amazing! My next stop is Thistlewood Farm.Looking forward to catching up with your posts.

    Ann-Marie

    Reply
  13. Debra @ Common Ground says

    September 4, 2012 at 11:48 PM

    fun post! I don’t have boys, but DO have nephews!!

    Reply
  14. Anne says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:59 AM

    Karianne is a sweetheart! No I don’t know her other than reading her posts.But she has reached out to me as a friend and I feel as though we are friends.Her posts always inspire me and put a smile on my face!She has a beautiful home to boot!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  15. Petticoat Junktion says

    September 5, 2012 at 2:40 AM

    I bet those stinky socks show up again, after all we’re talking teenage boys. Can’t wait to meet KariAnne, Heather, and dozens of other bloggers at the Southern Bloggers Conference. I just registered tonight and can’t wait. I’ve been telling everyone. It’s my first blogger conference, YeeHah!!

    Reply
  16. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says

    September 5, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Gorgeous guest poster today.It is always a pleasure to read KariAnne’s posts.

    Reply
  17. Judy says

    September 5, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    I’m headed over to read KariAnne’s blog right now. Thanks for featuring her.

    Reply
  18. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    September 5, 2012 at 7:25 PM

    Kari is so awesome. I swear she’s one of those people that make you feel like you’ve been best friends for years as soon as you meet her. I think that’s such an incredible trait because it’s definitely not one that I have. She’s amazing and so is her blog!

    Reply

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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.

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Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
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Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
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*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!! 🦃
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