• 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

July 29, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday and a big welcome to Joss and Main!

Inspiration Friday Graphic
We are so excited to welcome you to the 25th edition of Inspiration Friday!
We also would like to take a moment to welcome Joss & Main to At The Picket Fence!
Many of you may already be familiar with this fabulous online retailer.  If not, you are certainly familiar with it’s parent company CSN…one of the most popular places to shop online!  Joss & Main is an exclusive members only retailer “that offers private, limited-time sale events on the world’s best brands for your home and life. Each day, members receive an email invitation to exclusive sale events on the best merchandise at prices up to 70% off retail.  New brands and products are added daily by their talented group of buyers who continually strive to find you the best deals on the brands you love.” 
So what are some of the “brands you love” that you can find for rock bottom prices at Joss & Main? Tommy Bahama, Graham & Brown, Rachael Ray, Le Crueset… just to name a few.  After Vanessa acquired her fabulous new steal of a deal potting bench, we were so excited when we saw this adorable line of potting supplies from Potting Shed Creations available starting TODAY Saturday, July 30th, at Joss & Main! Here were just a few of the beyond cute items that caught our eye!
We loved this vegetable planting kit! How cute would this be for a newbie gardener, or a child that you want to interest in gardening?
image009
We adore the galvanized tin container and the cute little seed tins!

Or how about this Tulip Tree Kit?!

image010
What a perfect shower gift for newlyweds or a nice present for someone purchasing their first home?  Everything they need to plant a tulip tree is included wrapped up pretty in a burlap bag!

This next idea would be perfect for a child to give to a grandparent or Mom for Mother’s Day! So, so cute!

image004

These are just a few of the items being offered by Potting Shed Creations at fabulously discounteds prices through Joss & Main starting this Saturday!
2011-07-27
So are YOU wondering how you can join this exclusive online retailer and receive emails for upcoming sales?  Well we want to personally invite our friends here At The Picket Fence to just click on the Joss & Main button below or in our sidebar under Sponsors and you can get signed up lickity split!

Joss & Main

And, if you needed even more incentive to sign up to be a member of Joss & Main…then come back to the fence on Monday for a fabulous surprise courtesy of Joss & Main!
picketfence_20010
Now onto our Inspiration Friday Features! Again y’all amaze us with your talent! Here are a just a few of the inspiring links that stood out from last week!
Considering our Potting Bench Creations feature from Joss & Main we couldn’t help but share Debra from Common Ground’s beautiful potting bench with you!
Isn’t it just lovely?! We love the use of the drawer underneath to hold pots and all of the fabulous details are just swoon worthy! Be sure to visit Debra and also join her Vintage Inspiration Friday Party!
On the same potting note, we fell in love with these beautiful French Flower Pots that Laurie from Heaven’s Walk….um hello…made…
…with…Mod Podge! FAB.UL.OUS.!! You will not believe how easy and clever this idea is! Head over and visit Laurie at Heaven’s Walk to see her tutorial..and also be sure to come back here to the fence on Sunday where Laurie will be sharing her lovely heart with us at Simply Sundays!
Now this next Feature, heads in a completely different direction but as moms we fell in love with this idea! Kricia from Palmer Home had a little guy who wanted a “rock star” room! Now we all know that every rock star needs a stage! So, Kricia went to work and designed her own DIY stage…
You can read more about how she created this stage (including Ping Pong ball marquee lights!) at Palmer Home!
And last, but certainly not least…La-De-Da Creations shared with us her fabulous transformation of her grandparents vintage suitcase into the most adorable picnic “basket”.
2011-07-28
We think this is such a fabulous way to honor and remember someone, and this picnic basket could not be more adorable!
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button located in our sidebar!
Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook?  Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well! Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week!  We appreciate you!
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends
The lovely Courtney at French Country Cottage
Our beautiful friend Alison from Stuff and Nonsense
Stuff and Nonsense
And the gracious Debra from Common Ground
vif187

Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s the rules!

This week’s Inspiration Friday is sponsored by our newest sponsor
5964774130_e0e90ace0b
where you can find fabulous vintage home décor!
If you are interested in being a sponsor of At The Picket Fence you can find out more information on our Advertise With Us page.  We are running a 2 for 1 summer special. Contact us to find out more information!

29 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas, Inspiration Friday, Sponsors

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Good Grief…How did I get roped into this?
Next Post: Simply Sunday…A Special Guest! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Thank you ladies! I do like Joss & Main. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Honey at 2805 says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:52 PM

    Hi ladies! Thanks for being gracious hostesses! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  3. Debbie--https://refreshrestyle.com/ says

    July 28, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Love your parties! And I noticed the new pic of Vanessa, looking good! Have a great weekend!
    Debbie

    Reply
  4. Kricia Palmer says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Thank you for featuring my stage this week and for hosting! Great party! Have a great weekend…
    Kricia

    Reply
  5. Shelia says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Hi ladies and what great features you’ve shared with us. Thank you so much for hosting your fun party. I’m partying with you today.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  6. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting, girls!!! Love last week’s features!

    Reply
  7. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Hey Girlies, thanks so much for featuring my potting bench, just linked up! xoxo Debra

    Reply
  8. Poppy says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    Hi ladies, thanks for having us each week and for these lovely features… Laurie’s french pots are truly amazing!Have a wonderful weekend!Hugs~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  9. Catie says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Thanks for hosting Vanessa and Heather!! Love the link parties. Soo much inspiration. : ) ~ Catie

    Reply
  10. Karen says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    Great features and wonderful products from Joss and Main. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  11. Wendy says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    Cute features! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  12. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:06 PM

    Been a member ever since they started and have enjoyed lots of freebies. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  13. Jann Olson says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Nice features! I love the potting bench and pots!!

    Reply
  14. Heaven's Walk says

    July 28, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    THANK YOU both so very much for all of your love and encouragement! You are so sweet and I am humbled by your thoughtfulness in mentioning my flower pots this week! ♥ Hugs to you both!

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  15. offset printing says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    Oh this is lovely and encouraging. This is a great read and I am going to share it with my folks so they would also have their own “Inspiration Friday”. See, they all look good and the sunflower is so lovey.

    Reply
  16. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    July 29, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! 🙂

    Reply
  17. laura@imnotatrophywife.com says

    July 29, 2011 at 3:59 AM

    just signed up with joss and main! thanks for the partay.

    Reply
  18. classic • casual • home says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    I just bought a rug for our bedroom from Joss and Main today. Great price.

    Reply
  19. Emily@LovelyBeasts says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    The gardening kits are too cute. And so glad you liked my weird little anatomy plates. I linked up to make sure everyone can appreciate just how weird they are (and how weird I am) :).

    Thanks again ladies for hosting the best party on the blog block! Hope you had a great day!

    Reply
  20. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    Hi Girls! I have been a member of Joss and Main since they first started up too~Great features- thanks so much for hosting!! Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  21. Stuff and Nonsense says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    all linked up my friends…love that ‘tulip to be’ kit! have a wonderful weekend.

    alison

    Reply
  22. FlyAwayHome says

    July 29, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    thanks for hosting a great party. I have been trying to link up and it doesn’t seem to be working – just thought you might want to know.

    Reply
  23. CAS says

    July 29, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    Once again, ya’ll are the “hostesses with the mostesses”–huh? Well, you get my point!
    🙂 CAS

    Reply
  24. Diann says

    July 29, 2011 at 4:11 PM

    Thank you for hosting Girls! And have a great weekend!

    Reply
  25. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    July 29, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    I’m loving all the inspiration. Thanks for hosting this fun party.
    ~Lynn

    Reply
  26. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜@ Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing says

    July 29, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Awesome inspiration girls. I have to check out Joss and Main, looks like great stuff.

    Reply
  27. Judy says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    Great features. I am still away at a tennis tournament with my daughter so I don’t have anything to link up. Enjoying the party anyhow. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  28. Debbie says

    July 30, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    I had heard about Joss and Main one other time but hadn’t done anything about it. I really need to since I love nothing better than a bargain.

    Loved the potting bench. I’ll be working on a turning our old playhouse into a potting shed this fall so it was inspiration.

    Reply
  29. Best Vines Compilation - August 2014 says

    August 27, 2014 at 2:51 AM

    I think this is among the most vital information for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The
    web site style is wonderful, the articles is really nice :
    D. Good job, cheers

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic

    Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic
  • A New Podcast

    A New Podcast
  • Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive

    Taking Decorating Thoughts Captive
  • Kids Need Real Answers

    Kids Need Real Answers

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Making the Case for Heirlooms

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Nostalgia is Not an Aesthetic March 21, 2026
  • A New Podcast March 21, 2026
  • An Autumn Home Tour October 9, 2025
  • How to Adapt Your Traditions as Your Kids Get Older December 13, 2024
  • Christmas Home Tour 2024 December 13, 2024

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November 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!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 At The Picket Fence