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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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    • Featured

August 26, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 29!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
WOWEE! What an incredible turnout at last week’s party! We just can’t thank you all enough for taking the time to come over and join in the fun and we know you are getting as much
inspiration from all of the incredible talent as we are.



Inspiration Friday continues to be a place where we want to hear about what is inspiring you.
Whether it is DIY projects, decorating, crafts, life experiences, recipes and everything in between.
ALL are welcome here!

Now, speaking of inspiring, Vanessa wanted to share with you how she was inspired by something shared at the party a few weeks ago.

Yep, that’s right folks!
Not only was I inspired by this recipe once, I’ve been inspired a shameful number of times since I first saw it!
These doughnuts were shared with us a few weeks ago by One Shabby Chick and as soon as I clicked on the link I knew I was in trouble.
Easy homemade doughnuts?
Sign me up!

After opening my can of biscuits I was faced with the dilemma of how to cut out the hole in the center.
No worries! The cap from a jar of sprinkles did the trick!

Fried up and generously dusted with that magic fairy dust (combination of sugar and cinnamon), they only lasted long enough on the plate for me to snap one picture!

My early riser on that Saturday morning gave them 2 thumbs up!
That is the ultimate seal of approval, don’t you think?

picketfence_20010

Now let’s get to the rest of our Features from last week’s party!

Lisa of House Dressing shared this absolutely gorgeous Floor to Ceiling Gallery Wall. Her entire home is just beautiful and she has shown here how to make a bold statement which still flows naturally with the other design elements in the space.

Here’s an awesome idea just in time for “Back to School” (which we are totally in denial about by the way!)!


Lina of Fancy Frugal Life transformed this $1 Goodwill lunchbox into this fantastic “note from mom” version with just a little bit of chalkboard spray paint!

We had several furniture re-dos this week! Seriously so much talent!
Two stood out to us for the shear amount of work involved.  Rebecca from You are Talking Too Much transformed what was in her own words a totally “BU-GLY (butt ugly)” sofa and chair into a gorgeous Pottery Barn inspired set!

You will not believe what she endured to rescue the foam for this project!
She is such a hoot and very talented!
Then we have the dynamic duo! Kahli and Milla from Design Par Deux! They took what was in their in their words a “fugly” (hehe…we love all of these creative adjectives for ugly furniture!) armchair and after teaching themselves to sew turned it into this

Double Take: Before & After Armchair
Yep…fabulous! Head over and read their very armchair makeover  post!
If you are in love with all things vintage than you will love this Mason Jar Soap Dispenser Tutorial shared with us by Kristin of Chi-Chi Studio Designs. I seriously need one of these in my kitchen and laundry room! So cute!

Kristin is so generous to share the step by step instructions on her blog, since she also sells these in her Etsy shop! So, if you don’t feel like tackling making your own you can always purchase one from Kristin!
And we wouldn’t be “Inspiration Friday” if we didn’t leave you with this very inspiring post from Lori at Always Learning.  A picture is worth a thousand words…

In this scary world we live in sometimes…having a “scary kind of love” is a blessing! Thank you Lori for reminding us that “newlywed love” can last throughout a marriage!

And thank you to all of our features this week as well as to all of you who share your amazing ideas, projects and inspiration with us each and every week!
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 as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows and especially during the busy summer months, 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

“specializing in vintage and antique items and creating
one of a kind pieces from the unexpected…”

If you would like to become a sponsor of At The Picket Fence and be featured during Inspiration Friday please visit our Advertise With Us page for more details!

45 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Comments

  1. Debbie--https://refreshrestyle.com/ says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Yummy Donuts and features! I’m going to check them out! Thanks for hosting and making me want donuts!

    Reply
  2. housedressingblog.blogspot.com says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Thank you ladies for the feature! Ya’ll always host such a fun party, and I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of it.

    Reply
  3. Brandi says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    beautiful features ladies. thank you for hosting. hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

    Reply
  4. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    I’ve made those donuts for years and they really are fabulous. So glad everyone like them. Your little princess is darling. Thanks for hosting such a fun party. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  5. Belinda @ Wild Acre says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Joining in from England today, thanks for hosting! x

    Reply
  6. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    I’ll take one of those doughnuts and apply it straight to my hips. Yum. Great features and thanks for hosting, girls.

    Reply
  7. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    YUMMY! thank you so much for hosting. I just think you two are pretty wonderful! Have a great week!

    Reply
  8. Amanda says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Oh my goodness! Those doughnuts look sinfully delicious! Yummmmm!!! Thanks so much for the feature last week! What a sweet surprise that was! And thank you for hosting again this week! Have a wonderful weekend!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

    Reply
  9. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Those doughnuts look scary good! Thanks soo much for hosting ladies. I love the features this week. That chair makeover is gorgeous. I’m off to check it out. : )
    ~ Catie

    Reply
  10. stefanie says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    the two thumbs up is always the best!!!

    Reply
  11. Christina says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    Lovin the mason jar soap dispenser! I may be making one or two of these soon!
    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  12. Kahli says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Oh my those donuts! Yummy! Thank you so much for the armchair feature Heather! We appreciate it 🙂

    Reply
  13. Debra @ Common Ground says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Hi Gals, love those great features! Homemade doughnuts…yum! just linked up, xoxo

    Reply
  14. NanaDiana says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Great features and I love your donuts..and I can see someone else does too! xo Diana

    Reply
  15. Lina - Fancy Frugal Life says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Whoot whoot! That’s my little lunch box up there 🙂 Thanks ladies for hosting and for making my day!
    xo
    Lina
    Fancy Frugal Life

    Reply
  16. Richella says

    August 25, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    Vanessa and Heather, thank you so much for hosting this fun party!

    Those donuts look wonderful–I haven’t made those in so long! I’ll bet my boys would enjoy that reminder of things we used to do when they were little tikes!

    Reply
  17. Honey at 2805 says

    August 25, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Absolutely terrific features! Thanks, ladies, for always being terrific hostesses! (The picture on link #60 was a bust, so you could delete it as I re-linked.)

    Reply
  18. Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life says

    August 25, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Yum these sound so good for a weekend morning.

    Reply
  19. Tres Chere says

    August 25, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    OMG! I am making those donuts this weekend,they look delicious.

    Thank you for hosting. Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

    Reply
  20. Stuff and Nonsense says

    August 25, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    well let’s be honest…that furniture is just too good not to be featured…i think courtney’s featuring it too…giggle…all linked up girls!

    alison

    Reply
  21. Sherry says

    August 25, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Your doughnuts look way too good and easy…I better not make them!:) Thanks for having us over!
    Sherry

    Reply
  22. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    August 26, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    Hmmmmmmm, donuts. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  23. Natasha in Oz says

    August 26, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    It looks like there are lots of wonderful projects and ideas being linked up again today! What fun!

    Thanks for having me today.

    Best wishes for a lovely weekend,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  24. Laura Beth says

    August 26, 2011 at 2:29 AM

    Thank you so much for having me!

    Reply
  25. Kristin @ Chi-Chi Studio says

    August 26, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    Thank you so much for the feature! This made my week!

    Reply
  26. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    August 25, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    Hi Girls!!! Great features…and little Miss is too cute!
    Thanks for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  27. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    August 26, 2011 at 4:16 AM

    I LOVE homemade doughnuts! Yum! Thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  28. Eleni says

    August 26, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Those are some great features:) And as for the donuts… irresistibly yummy looking!!!Thanks for hosting this great party:) Just linked up!!
    xoxo
    eleni

    Reply
  29. Graces Goodies says

    August 26, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    You are making me hungry!! Great post and thanks for hosting:) much appreciated!

    Bianca

    Reply
  30. Jennifer S. says

    August 26, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    This is my first time linking up! Thank so much for hosting. I found you over at La Famille blog. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Terrie says

    August 26, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    Yummy doughnuts. Tea time for me here in Hong Kong. Thanks for hosting. Love to share all inspiring blogs.

    Reply
  32. Nancy says

    August 26, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Mmmm. Homemade doughnuts. Yummy!

    Reply
  33. Christie says

    August 26, 2011 at 2:50 AM

    The party is ROCKIN’! I have MISSED it and all the fun! I will enjoy looking through the links. LOved the lunch box with chalk..will be trying that one! The doughnuts are on my grocery list now! My kids will love that! Hope you girls had a great summer! Vanessa, weren’t we JUST discussing camp and what we were doing this summer…like yesterday?!! Love, Christie

    Reply
  34. Ott, A. says

    August 26, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Thanks for hosting this great linky party and I wanted to invite you to stop by my blog for our Canning Week Blog Party where we are inspiring others to can their own produce. Each day we’ve posted recipes and tips on how to can and of course have some great canning give-a-ways. Hope you can stop by and join in the fun!! https://alattewithotta.blogspot.com

    Reply
  35. Curtains In My Tree says

    August 26, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    I use to make those donuts also. They are really good

    thanks for the gracious invite to your party

    Janice

    Reply
  36. Kathy says

    August 26, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Yumm, Great idea.
    I am linking up with your Inspiration Fridays, I have been without a computer a few weeks so excited to join.
    Kathy

    Reply
  37. Megan @ PolishTheStars.com says

    August 26, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    I am a new follower and this is my first time linking up here. You have a great party! Thanks for hosting. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Sue says

    August 26, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Haether and Vanessa~You rock! Have a wonderful weekend! XOXO!

    Reply
  39. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says

    August 26, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Great features, thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  40. My Joys says

    August 26, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Love y’alls blog! I’ll be following and linking up to your party! Thanks for hosting! BTW, The donuts look heavenly!

    Reply
  41. Robin @ Happily Home, After says

    August 26, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Heather and Vanessa,

    I’m a first timer in your link party and wanted to thank you for the opportunity to participate. I’ve already visited a few other posts and am inspired by the creativity out there. I’ll visit more posts later.

    Wanted to let you know I also read the “Link Party Like A Dinner Party” article at CraftMinders; as a newbie (less than 2 months) blogger I really appreciate the insight and points shared in the article, and I have bookmarked it for future “refresher” reading.

    Robin
    happilyhomeafter.blogspot.com

    Reply
  42. All About Vignettes says

    August 26, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Hi again Heather and Vanessa. Thanks so much for hosting. I’m sharing my updated 70’s kitchen.

    Reply
  43. Digital Scrapbooking Made Easy says

    August 26, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    Thanks for hosting! I’m your newest follower and LOVE your blog. 🙂

    Reply
  44. Wunkie's Mommy says

    August 28, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting and for your sweet comment on my baby blog! In the midst of all the Irene damage around us, it definitely made me smile. Thankfully we are all ok! Have a blessed Sunday!

    https://sweetsongbirdofmine.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  45. Kathy Owen says

    August 29, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    First time at the party, thanks for hosting.

    Reply

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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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