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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

July 9, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 22!

Is it just us, or did this week FLY by??
Of course with Monday having been the 4th of July and Tuesday being the day to recover from the 4th of July, it is no surprise that the end of the week snuck up on us!

Before we get to this week’s Features, we wanted to let you know how thrilled and honored we are to be guest posting for Judy over at DIY By Design where we are sharing this fun project!
  
DSC_0293
Galvanized Magnetic Drop Cloth Art
 When you are done linking up we’d love you to pay us a visit over at DIY by Design! 
And now, onto our Features from last week’s Inspiration Friday Party!
We just adored this Tractor Themed Party that Audrey from Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats created for her son’s 3rd Birthday! It came complete with rides on a real tractor courtesy of his grandpa and good old-fashioned sack races. There are so many darling details to see that you must go over and check them out!
We were beyond thrilled when our wonderful friend Debbie from Words on Wheels linked up to our party last week! Vanessa may or may not have actually shrieked with delight which may are may not have caused her husband to think that she had just won the Nobel Peace Prize or something equally “shriek worthy” in his book. “Nope, just happy our dear friend linked to our party, honey!”
Not only did she link up, she shared something pretty fantastic.
She transformed the top of a light post into this darling and festive tabletop candle lantern!

Now, we know you may have seen this next one all over blogland already. Not only on her own blog,
but also on the MANY others it was featured on. But, we just couldn’t resist.
We love this Burlap Ruffled Tablecloth and think it is beyond gorgeous!
Not only is this one of the most dreamy things we have ever seen, it was shared with us last week by one of our most favorite gals. Courtney at French Country Cottage is not only one of our Friday Party Friends (see below) but she is also one of our most lovely and encouraging supporters. We adore her style and talent and we adore HER!

Being moms we always love to see the creative ideas you come up with for your kids! This next link-up was no exception!
Ashley from Me and My Boys created this Quiet Book for her little guy. 
Blog Pictures1
To see how Ashley created this Quiet Book and even more of the pages you can visit her two posts outlining the details!
There was another fabulous party going on last week and Inspiration Friday benefited from all of the wonderful posts created for it!  Debbie over at DebbieDoo’s hosted a “Copy Cat Challenge” Party and boy were there some fabulous copy cat’s out there! Two of our favorites were also linked up over here.
We have featured her before, but her copy cat post was begging us to share it with you all!  Debbie over at Refresh Restyle created a copy cat that was so close to the original it was hard to tell them apart.
She copied this fabulous magazine cover right down to a magazine title featuring her blog name!  If you have never met Debbie, you are in for a treat! You can visit her post where she gives a tutorial on how she painted glass for this special edition of Refresh Restyle… Winking smile 
Another favorite copycat challenge that was shared with us was from Kate at The Garden Bell.
She recreated the table setting you see above…but we’ll be honest here.  We think her rendition is even better!
We would love to sit here and have a bowl of cherries!


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!
 
  • Friend At The Picket Fence in some capacity
  • Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code in the sidebar) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY)
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit everyone’s posts but as Inspiration Friday grows, sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize.  It makes us feed good knowing others are visiting people as well!  Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!

We would love to recommend this fabulous post over at Crafter Minds for a quick tutorial on partying at a linky party! We couldn’t say it better ourselves!
“Linky Party Like a Dinner Party?”
This Inspiration Friday is sponsored by

Visit Signs by Andrea and receive $5 off your order for being a friend of At The Picket Fence!

34 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Guest Post at DIY by Design…
Next Post: A Labor of the Heart Part Five-There’s Good News & There’s Bad News… »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    July 7, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Thanks for hosting Ladies!! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  2. SavannahGranny says

    July 7, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Thank you for hosting! I hope you enjoy Aunt Annabel’s 100th birthday party on the 4th of July. She is a real firecracker. Hugs, Ginger

    Reply
  3. Shelia says

    July 7, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Hello ladies! Oh, I love all the inspiration I get from your party goers! I’m attending this week.
    Be a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  4. Poppy says

    July 7, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Thanks for hosting and throwing this fun party for us each week. Beautiful inspiring features as always.. Have a wonderful weekend!~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  5. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    July 7, 2011 at 9:25 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls and have a great weekend, Martina

    Reply
  6. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    July 7, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Thanks for hosting. Debbie and Kate’s magazine copy cat challenge blew me AWAY! Really they were unbelievable…so talented these girls.

    Reply
  7. dogsmom says

    July 7, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Thank you for being such gracious hosts. Someday I will take time to actually write a post and not just throw something together last minute. You think as you get older and are involved in less, the kids are off on their own, you’d fit more into a day. It does not happen.

    I wish I had time to visit every link!

    Reply
  8. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 7, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Hey Girlies! I had to look hard to tell the difference of the two photos of refresh/restyle, totally wonderful! Thanks for the great party, just linked up, xoxo Debra

    Reply
  9. Honey at 2805 says

    July 7, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Great features and always great inspiration! Thanks, girls, for hosting!

    Reply
  10. telisa@sugartotdesigns says

    July 7, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    in love with that quiet book. i wish i had the patience to make one. thanks for hosting ladies and always being so supportive of me!

    Reply
  11. Mary @ Redo 101 says

    July 7, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    Thanks for hostessing, so much fun!

    Reply
  12. Diann says

    July 7, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    What wonderful inspirations yu are sharing today! thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  13. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    July 8, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    Hi Ladies, Thanks for being such gracious hostess each week.
    xo,
    Sherry

    Reply
  14. alison says

    July 8, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    oh my gosh…love the tractor cake and burlap tablecloth…wonderful features! all linked up again…have a wonderful weekend girls!

    alison

    Reply
  15. Audrey @ Sweet Cheeks says

    July 8, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Thanks SO much for including my son’s Vintage Tractor Party with the other FAB Features! Yay!

    Reply
  16. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    July 8, 2011 at 2:51 AM

    Great features! Love that ruffles tablecloth! SO pretty!

    Reply
  17. oneshabbychick says

    July 8, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Thanks so much for the chance to party! Have a great weekend! :~) osc

    Reply
  18. bj says

    July 8, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    thanks so much for hosting. i love the features here. 🙂

    Reply
  19. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 7, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    🙂 You girls are just the sweetest! I absolutely adore you both too and I love your blog and partying with you each week! 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing my burlap tablecloth and for hosting today! Hugs, Courtney

    Reply
  20. Jane says

    July 8, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Good Morning,
    I linked up my Mixed Berry Jam. Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  21. Marcia (One Heart) says

    July 8, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    Oh my, that galvanized drop cloth is gorgeous. I am once again inspired for the weekend. I love this link-up.

    Thank you both for being such gracious hosts. Sorry about my link posting twice. One did not show the picture and I cannot delete from my end. Maybe you can. <3 Enjoy a beautiful weekend. Off to DIY.

    Reply
  22. Jenni says

    July 8, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Those features are amazing! I love the ones you guys pick week after week.
    Thank you for hosting again! LOVE it here.
    Jenni

    Reply
  23. mary says

    July 8, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    I can’t get any of the links to work!

    Reply
  24. At The Picket Fence says

    July 8, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Hi Mary,

    I’m sorry something isn’t working correctly. Do you mean the links people have linked up? You should be able to scroll your mouse over the picture and if you click on the picture it will open up a new window with that persons blog in it. The title itself is not a link though. I just tried and it worked for me but please let me know if it’s not working for you so we can see what the problem is. Thank you!

    Heather

    Reply
  25. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    July 8, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    So many great features girls!!! Enjoying my coffee this morning and am going to go check out some new talent! Have a fabulous weekend!
    Thanks for all the love and support, you two are amazing!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  26. Ashley says

    July 8, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    wow thank you so much for the feature! you are so sweet!!!:) made my whole day!:)
    thanks
    xoxo
    ash

    Reply
  27. Jo says

    July 8, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Great feature choices!..thanks girls for hosting.
    Hope the BetterHomes&Garden tomatoe-basil sauce will inspire to get busy canning those fresh tomatoes!I know I really enjoyed this and the homemade sauce is out of this world delish!
    Yall have a fun weekend!
    ~JO
    LazyonLoblolly

    Reply
  28. Cindy says

    July 8, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    So sorry I linked my nachos 2x by accident! I was trying to delete, but it wont let me Yikes! I am a new follower I love your blog and your style! visit me at http://www.thepixietrail.blogspot.com

    Reply
  29. Crystal @ Ordinary Days says

    July 9, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    Thanks for hosting girls! Can’t wait to check out all the inspiration here! 🙂

    Reply
  30. Refreshrestyle says

    July 9, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    Thanks for featuring my magazine copy cat ! Y’all are so sweet! I’ve got to get busy next week! I’m on vacation with my grandsons this week!!! Thanks so much!!!!
    Debbie

    Reply
  31. Debbie says

    July 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    You two just crack me up! Poor Debbie is so uninspired in the crafty department that she causes shrieks when she does. That’s so funny!

    Wait. Or does it say something kind of pathetic about me?

    At any rate, thanks.

    And you happened to highlight some that were favorites of mine too. I was bummed that I didn’t know about that copycat thing. I think that sounded really fun.

    Trying to get caught up in blog reading. Serves me right for getting sucked into the dark side down there in Florida.

    Reply
  32. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    July 10, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting, girls! I hope you’re both have a fantastic weekend!

    Reply
  33. Eileen @ CottageBeachHouse says

    July 11, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    Some great features there. I loved them too, and that copy challenge was so much fun. Thanks again for this great linky, I am off to make some visits.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Link Up! The Theme is...Canning! | Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms says:
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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
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