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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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  • Meet Vanessa
    • 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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“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
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