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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 24, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 24!


It’s that time again!

Are you ready for another copy-cat feature? This one comes to us courtesy of Catie’s Corner.

Nothing says Summer more to us than S’mores! And when Catie shared this quick, easy and frankly a lot less messy version of a good old-fashioned treat, Vanessa knew she would be copying it.

These “S’mores on a Stick” were a huge hit when she took them to “Family Night” at her son’s camp last weekend. They didn’t last long on that platter!
Sitting around the campfire in the woods with all of the kids running around eating these felt like a quintessential Summer night. Thanks so much Catie for upping Vanessa’s “cool mom” status!
Our next feature we promise we are doing because these gals shared with us some pretty amazing projects last week and not just because they are sisters who also blog together! We kinda have a soft spot for that “sister love” but the gals from The Letter 4 also have so much creativity and talent between them that we were so thrilled when they shared it with us at last week’s Inspiration Friday party.

You just have to check out this darling “Touchy-Feely” Board  that Jamie made for her adorable daughter.  We’re thinking those chubby little hands are upstaging the project!

Now, she could have just used these spice racks from Ikea to actually hold Spices, but that would have just been too conventional for Katie from On the Banks of Squaw Creek!

image

Instead, she attached them to the sides of this dresser and then refinished the entire piece to create one pretty fantastic storage solution!

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Isn’t that so clever?? Look out Pottery Barn!
You absolutely must go and visit Katie On the Banks of Squaw Creek to see the rest of this transformation.
Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours has been a fabulous friend of At The Picket Fence since it’s beginning and we couldn’t be happier to show off her incredible DIY hardwood floors!

Pamela and her husband laid these gorgeous floors for half the cost quoted to them by a professional installer! What makes these even more unique and beautiful is the decision to lay the flooring horizontally! Sigh…lovely, just lovely. You can read about Pamela’s flooring journey at her blog including even more before and after photographs!

It seems everyone’s gardens are in full swing or er um bloom and Nettie’s from This Dusty House is no exception. 

She shared with us the pleasure of picking the first carrots from their lovely garden and a very funny video that most gardener’s will appreciate! Please visit Nettie and her husband at This Dusty House.  They are an newlywed couple renovating their home and we know you’ll think they are as adorable as we do!
This last feature was too good NOT to share with you all. Libby from A Perfectly Crazy Life took burner covers and candlesticks from The Dollar Tree and made this out of them…
Yep! We Know! Pretty amazing and clever and so many other superlatives we can think of! Libby gives you detailed instructions in her post at A Perfectly Crazy Life.  We will be “copy catting” this one for sure!
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
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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 week’s Inspiration Friday is sponsored by
where you can find the most amazing stencils to decorate your life with! 
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!

34 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Comments

  1. Pamela says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Thanx ladies for the feature!! I am also loving the spice racks on the side of the dresser! How ingenious and how did I ever miss that!! And thanx again for putting my Annie Sloan Follower Appreciation Party on your sidebar! Heres hoping I get a ton of questions to pick from!

    Reply
  2. Amanda says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    Thanks for hosting, love the features this week! Such great ideas.

    Reply
  3. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    Hi Girls!! OK, the smores look so yummy. everywhere I’ve gone today in blogsville has delish tempting treats. eeecck! Just linked up,
    xoxo Debra

    Reply
  4. Poppy says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    The S’mores on a stick looks so yummy and I can understand why it became a super hit…I’m enjoying all these wonderful features.. that burner cover-candlestick cake stands are so amazing… such an inspiring idea. Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend!~Poppy

    https://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  5. Coley says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Those smores are so dang cute! Thanks for hosting 🙂

    http://www.whatyoumakeit-coley.blogspot.com

    Reply
  6. Katie says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies! Hope you both enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  7. Catie says

    July 21, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Wow it’s soo exciting to see my smores featured and copied!! Vanessa I know I’ve already tole you, but I’m happy they were such a hit! I’ve linked up two little side table makeovers this week. Thanks again for the lovely feature and for hosting! Have a great weekend ladies.
    ~ Catie : )

    Reply
  8. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    July 21, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Thanks for hosting. Love the features.

    Reply
  9. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    July 21, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls, have a great weekend!! Martina

    Reply
  10. bj says

    July 21, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    mmmm, love all these features.
    Thanks so much for hosting, ladies.
    xo bj

    Reply
  11. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 21, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Nice features, girls and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  12. Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl says

    July 22, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting, girls! I hope you both have had a wonderful week…;)

    Reply
  13. Jenni says

    July 22, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    WOWZA, wonderful features this weekend ladies! Thank you so much for hosting! Hope you both have a fabulous weekend!
    HUGS~
    Jenni

    Reply
  14. Honey at 2805 says

    July 22, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Nice features, girls. Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  15. Richella says

    July 22, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    Thank you for hosting a wonderful party! It’s such fun here at the picket fence!

    Reply
  16. Julianna, Jade, Janae, Jamie says

    July 22, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    Thank you so much for the feature! We have happily buttoned up!

    jamie @ theletter4.blogspot.com

    Reply
  17. Jo says

    July 22, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    sorry I posted twice honey, there was a problem with blogger. Judging by the other post which went on twice, I wasn’t the only one having problems. I don’t feel such a nonse now!! lol

    Jo

    Reply
  18. Karen says

    July 22, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Thanks girls for sharing the wonderful creative ideas of yours & others. Vanessa, don’t fall out of your chair, but I’m linking up today. Have a great weekend, both of you!

    Reply
  19. classic • casual • home says

    July 22, 2011 at 5:32 AM

    Oh how cruel…I am on a diet…those s’mores? Yum. Guess I need to grow some delicious carrots 🙂

    Reply
  20. Eileen @ CottageBeachHouse says

    July 22, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Yummy is all I can say. Thank you for this wonderful party each week!

    Reply
  21. Stuff and Nonsense says

    July 22, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    love the features…we made those s’more pops a few weeks ago for a party and they are a messy hit…don’t know if i’ll ever be brave enough to lay my own hardwood flooring…but hers look wonderful…all linked up girls!

    alison

    Reply
  22. Life-n-Reflection says

    July 22, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    OMG smores on a stick!!

    Reply
  23. Nette @ This Dusty House says

    July 22, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Thanks so much for featuring our garden! And those s’mores on a stick… I think I will definitely have to try them! Mmmm…!

    Reply
  24. Becca says

    July 22, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Love the features, girls … the s’mores on a stick look fabulous! And, love that you shared Pamela’s amazing floors! Thanks for hosting … have a wonderful day and weekend. xoxo

    Reply
  25. Sue says

    July 22, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Heather and Vanessa, Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for hosting!
    I am in love with the tiered dessert stand!

    Reply
  26. Diann says

    July 22, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    Thank you girls for hosting! Have a fun weekend!

    Reply
  27. Linda Jordan says

    July 22, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Thanks for hosting! There are so many interesting links to check out 🙂

    Reply
  28. Ana says

    July 22, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather,
    I’m so exciting about joining in all the party fun this week for the first time. Can’t wait to see what others are sharing this week. Thank you so much for hosting. Wishing you a wonderful and fun weekend.

    Hugs and Kisses,
    ♥Ana~A Petite Cottage

    Reply
  29. michelle says

    July 22, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    Those look so YUMMY and so perfect when it is too hot to have a fire. 🙂 I hope you gals have a great weekend!!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  30. Cami @ Four Jokers and a Queen says

    July 23, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    Love all these ideas…Thanks for hosting this and letting my blog be part of this event!
    xoxoxo, cami
    http://www.fourjokersandaqueen.com

    Reply
  31. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 23, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Hi Girls~ I tried to comment when I linked up but it wasn’t letting me- just wanted to say thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  32. sarah says

    July 24, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    got to try those mello smores out with the kids….they look so yummy

    Reply
  33. Nancy says

    July 24, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Those wood floors are gorgeous, and that dresser outfitted with the open shelving is just too clever! Great features.

    Thanks for hosting,

    Nancy

    Reply
  34. Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says

    July 25, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    thank you thank you thank you for the feature! I’ve had quite a few visitors from it!

    Reply

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Yesterday on the way home from school I had the ra Yesterday on the way home from school I had the radio tuned to my daughter's favorite station and a song that was playing had a line in it that really stood out to me. It made reference to a 'season of the sticks' which I think its safe to say must mean winter. I thought that was such an accurate, albeiet kind of depressing, picture of this time of the year.

While we definitely have more than our fair share of evergreen trees here in Oregon, we also have plenty of trees and bushes that are reduced to sticks during the cold months. But, this morning as I looked out my kitchen window, greedily sipping from my mug of coffee, I marveled at the beauty of the winter sunrise. The sky was all pinks and oranges with frost on the rooftops and a little bit of fog. And, I realized that part of why it was so amazing is because I could see it more clearly through the sticks. The bare branches allowed me a view that I wouldn't be able to see if those same branches were covered in leaves. Being stripped down to almost nothing revealed something magnificent.

We have seasons of the sticks in our lives too, don't we? Times when we feel as though we've been stripped bare and left exposed. It's easy to think that this is a place where all is ugly and dark. And yet, just like the winter sunrise was more visible because of the bare branches, the vulnerability we feel in the winter season of our souls allows us to get a glimpse of beauty that we wouldn't see otherwise. In the lush, warm seasons it's so easy to become comfortable. But in the bare, cold seasons we recognize just how much we need to rely on the One who placed the stars in the heavens and is sovereign over all.

If you feel like your soul has been stripped bare and you've been left exposed and vulnerable, may I encourage you today to ask the Lord to help you to see the beauty in this 'season of the sticks'.

“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:7
I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake a I just went to make my mid-morning protein shake and grabbed a banana out of the freezer and was about to put it into my shake before I realized it was a frozen egg roll. Sooooo that's how my day is going so far! 🤪How about you?

It's honestly fairly representative of my state of mind these days as I can't seem to make the date on the calendar match the date in my spirit because it feels like it should be January 45th. Every year this month drags on and every year it seems to surprise me for some reason. In addition, my heart just feels heavy as I witness a lot of darkness and sadness around me. So, I'm choosing to control what I can control by making my house feel as cozy as possible, relishing the sunshine whenever it dares to peek through the clouds, gathering inspiration for warmer weather projects and, most importantly, resting in the comfort of the sovereignty of my Father.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work..." Job 37:5-7
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And yes, there are still twinkle lights on my mantle because those help when the sunshine goes away again. ✨
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The day after Christmas I found myself laundering The day after Christmas I found myself laundering and folding all of the linens we used the previous night as we hosted my husband's side of the family for dinner and other festivities. As I laid out each cloth napkin and folded them one by one, I couldn't help but be struck by what a simple, yet meaningful, task it was. It's such an honor and privilege to be the hostess and, at this stage of my life, I realize that this has almost one hundred percent become my role now. Our parents are in their 70's and have either downsized significantly or simply don't have the energy to take on hosting duties for a large group. I could resent this. I could feel overwhelmed by it. But, instead, I'm choosing to embrace it knowing that, someday, I too will pass the hosting torch and I hope that I will be welcomed with love and attentiveness. So, I fold the linen napkins, taking pleasure in the way all of the creases line up and how neat and tidy they look in the drawer of my dining room buffet. These seemingly simple chores are part of the lifeblood of homemaking and my attitude towards them can either be one of gratefulness or grumbly-ness (yes, I'm making up words now). 

And I’m choosing gratefulness. 

“This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift. Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him. Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in some other, God looks for faithfulness.” (Elisabeth Elliot⁣)
Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kic Welcome to Tip Tuesday! I’m so excited to be kicking off the year with a brand new series! Each weekly installment will feature a tip for everything from your home to faith to parenting to family life and so much more. My goal for 2023 is to have far more personal interaction with this community while continuing on with the mission of weaving together all things heart and home. I hope you enjoy this first tip and I’d love to hear from you about whether or not you decorate for winter! 
#tiptuesday #organizing #winterdecorating
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. H “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” 

Here’s to beginnings. Happy new year friends! May you experience the majesty and sovereignty of the Lord in 2023 like never before! ✨
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