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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

October 15, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 36!

Inspiration Friday Graphic large
Wreaths, pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, lots of “treating” and thankfully no “tricking”!
Blogland is overflowing with fantastic creativity and talent and we are so thrilled that you come here each week to share it with us! There is a bevy of activity going on around the Picket Fence these days too so we are just going to jump right in and get this party started.
This week we have not one but two Giveaways going on!
As a thank you to our Fabulous Facebook Friends (say that 3 times fast!), we offered a chance to win at $30 Pottery Barn Gift Card! Today (Thursday) is the last day to enter before we announce the winner on our Facebook Page Friday Morning. So, get while the getting’s good!
In addition, our Giveaway from

iusb_760x100_8821385
is still going strong! One lucky reader will win a $35 Credit to Ann’s gorgeous Etsy Shop.

The winner will be announced at next week’s Inspiration Friday so there is still plenty of time for you to enter for a chance to win this awesome prize!
Ann is just one of our incredible sponsors here At the Picket Fence and we would like to take a moment to introduce you to our newest Sponsors as well.

We are thrilled to have Kelli from More Bang For Your Buck and The Encouragement Project
joining us! We love having the opportunity to promote other Blogs and this serves as a reminder that we always welcome partnering with folks in this way.
We would also like you to meet Vicki from

This Etsy Shop is filled with absolutely gorgeous handmade products and we
encourage you to pay them a visit!
And we are so excited to be working with Dawn from

Her incredible shop is filled with “affordable, original art, greeting cards and prints” and we know you will be just as stunned by the beauty of her work as we are!

We so appreciate the opportunity to partner with these talented folks and we hope you will take a moment and stop by and check them out for yourself!
Now, let’s get to those FEATURES, shall we?
We absolutely adored this wreath from Brown Paper Packages and loved the darling little fabric rosettes she made. “These are a few of our favorite things” after all.Winking smile

They add such beautiful color and texture and the entire wreath is just gorgeous!

Next door to her at the party we spotted this beautiful bunting from Rhett Didn’t Give a Damn.
We just think it is so soft and feminine and there was a really cute reason behind the phrase she selected. Her photography is absolutely incredible as well and she does some fantastic tutorials!

How adorable is this pumpkin coach from Fairfield House? The details on this are incredible right down to the key “stem”. We are amazed at the creativity and skill that went into creating this darling work of art!

Pumpkin Carriage
Now for some “treating”!
We never thought we would say that Black Widow Spiders are cute, but these ones from
The Seven Year Cottage are definitely the only kind of spiders we want around our house!
These are made using Oreo Cakesters and Hollie gives great instructions on how to put them together.

Black Widow Pops, Spider Pops, Black Widow Spiders, Arachnids, Cake Pops, Spider Cake Pops, Oreo Cakesters, Red Hourglass, Gum Drops, Lollipop Sticks, Jelly Beans
And here is another treat that is just too cute to be scary! We think these Mummy Pretzels from the Midwestern Sewing Girl are so adorable and would be the perfect addition to your Halloween/Fall Party!

Finally, you know that one of the things we love about our Inspiration Friday Party is that it provides an opportunity for you to share not only about your home, but also about your heart.
Town and Country Mom shared with us her love story. But, this isn’t your usual love story.
It involved loss, grief, the testing of faith and a heart opened to welcome a new love.
We encourage you to head over to read it, knowing that you will be  just as moved and touched as we were!

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 code located in on our Buttons Page found at under our header!
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:

stuffandnonsense
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 on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY) Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • 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 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 also wanted to let all of our fabulous At The Picket Fence friends know that we will be offering a special advertising rate for the remainder of the fall! $5 for Fall  If you sign up to advertise with us anytime during October or November* for a 2 month commitment we will offer you a sidebar ad for $5 for each of the month, that’s $10 for two months of advertisement! If you are a current sponsor of At The Picket Fence you can also purchase this special price to add to the end of your current contract! That’s a great deal folks! Email us through our contact page for more information. *Two month time period will begin from day of payment.


This Inspiration Friday is brought to you by the following sponsor:


Thank you Angela for renewing your partnership with us!

49 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday, Sponsors

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    These features are great! Love all the ideas! Thanks for hosting! Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  2. Kahli says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Great features

    Reply
  3. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Thanks for hosting Girls and have a great weekend! Martina

    Reply
  4. Michell @ Girl In Air says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Adorable features!! Hope you ladies have a wonderful fall weekend! Thanks for hosting this lovely party:-)

    Reply
  5. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Thanks ladies for hosting and I hope you both have a great weekend.

    blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  6. Sherry says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Hi,
    You have featured some great tricks and treats! Thanks for having us over!
    Sherry

    Reply
  7. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    Great features, girls. Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  8. debbie~refreshrestyle.com says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    Oh that pumpkin carriage is so cute! Thanks for hosting and did I hear the sound of a nail gun coming from The Picket Fence?? 😉
    Debbie

    Reply
  9. Evie says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    Thank you SO much for the feature ladies! What a lovely surprise when opening up your page!! 🙂 I can’t wait to check out those other features as well!

    Have a great weekend!
    Evie @ Brown Paper Packages

    Reply
  10. Stuff and Nonsense says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    such lovely features

    especially that adorable
    fairytale pumpkin

    all linked up girls!

    alison

    Reply
  11. CalypsoInTheCountry says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:23 PM

    Love the features. Thanks for hosting. I am looking forward to checking out more projects!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  12. A Cozy Cottage in the City says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Thank you kindly for hosting a lovely link party. It was a pleasure to be able to join in the fun this week. 🙂 Thanks for the continued inspiration from your blog and from the other bloggers that post!

    Hugs,
    Jessie

    Reply
  13. Judy says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Those are some awesome features. That pumpkin carriage is absolutely incredible. I’ve never seen anything so cool. Thanks as always for hosting. I’m all linked up.

    Reply
  14. Town and Country Mom says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Thank you so much for including my story in your features this week. I am honored and deeply touched.

    Reply
  15. Richella says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:41 PM

    Hi girls! By the time I get here on Thursday afternoons, there are always lots of people linked up–congratulations on hosting such a great party each week!

    I’m linking up a post about giving a shower for a baby girl–with nothing pink! 🙂 What can I say? I’m not a pink girl. 🙂

    Thanks so much being such gracious hostesses. Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  16. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    October 13, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Thanks for the party! Great features this week.

    Reply
  17. Marianne says

    October 13, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Hi Ladies, thanks so much for hosting and for the great features!
    Marianne 🙂

    Reply
  18. andrea says

    October 13, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    Wow, I love that featured wreath! Thank you for hosting this linky party, andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  19. FABBY'S LIVING says

    October 13, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    Wonderful features. Thank you for hosting and having me. Have a great weekend. FABBY

    Reply
  20. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    October 13, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Those are some great features, girls! I never cease to be amazed at all the talented folks in blogland. Off to visit now!

    Reply
  21. Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says

    October 13, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    thank you for letting me attend your fun party….

    Reply
  22. Honey at 2805 says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Cute features! What an adorable pumpkin! Thanks for being great hostesses!

    Reply
  23. The French Hutch says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:34 AM

    I Love the features and so much inspiration here. Thanks for hosting.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    Reply
  24. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Enjoyed your featured projects and yummy treats. Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend.
    :)Lynn

    Reply
  25. NanaDiana says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:07 AM

    OMGOsh~ What great features you have this week. Love that little pink bunting. I will pop around and visit some of these blogs when I have a bit of extra time.

    BTW- I love the pictures of you two girls with your husbands on your sidebar…even if one of the members IS a Yankee!;>) You are both beautiful- xo Diana

    Reply
  26. janet says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:13 AM

    So happy to be joining with al these fabulous links this week!!!!

    Janet xox
    https://theemptynest-janet.blogspot/

    Reply
  27. Carolyn@SweetChaos says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    That pumpkin carriage is amazing!! Thank you for hosting! Have a fabulous weekend 🙂

    Reply
  28. RhettDidntGiveADamn says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:16 AM

    Oh Lord have mercy guys! I have spelled YOU wrong in the bunting post! Lol. Thanks for featuring my post – even if I can’t spell. 😀 Best thing that’s happened to me all day.

    Reply
  29. Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    My first time here, and as a participate! Have enjoyed browsing over your fabulous blog! Adding you to my blog roster!

    Thanks for hosting this event! 🙂

    Reply
  30. Savvy Seasons says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:52 AM

    What lovely features! Thanks for hosting! I LUV coming her on Fridays! =) XOXO ~Liz

    Reply
  31. xinex says

    October 14, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Thanks for all the inspirations!…Christine

    Reply
  32. Doreen Grace says

    October 14, 2011 at 3:13 AM

    Oops! My internet was being really slow and it looked like it didn’t stick the first time so I tried again. Now there’s doubles. Can you please delete #163? Thanks!

    Reply
  33. Tina´s PicStory says

    October 13, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  34. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    Hi girls!! Love your features- I’m all linked up – thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  35. Amanda says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    As always, great projects to browse thru. Thanks for hosting. I know it’s alot of details and work for y’all!
    Amanda

    Reply
  36. Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting says

    October 14, 2011 at 4:15 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  37. Becca says

    October 14, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Once again … I’m super impressed with the features and see lots of creativity linked up this week that I look forward to visiting! Thanks so much for hosting, friends! xoxo

    Reply
  38. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    October 14, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    I am thrilled to have my black widow spider pops featured, thank you!

    Reply
  39. Marla and Steve @ Always Nesting says

    October 14, 2011 at 2:06 PM

    Wow, lots of great projects and links! Thank you!

    Reply
  40. Kelley @ TheGrantLife.com says

    October 14, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    ooops i accidentally double posted my link 🙁 im sorry!

    Reply
  41. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    October 14, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Lots of fun features this week – as usual! I’m so glad you mentioned Town and Country Mom’s love story. I’ve followed her blog for a long time but missed those posts. God is so faithful!

    Reply
  42. Ivy and Elephants says

    October 14, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    You gals always have such wonderful features. Thanks for hosting!

    Paula

    Reply
  43. Kahli says

    October 15, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    My link posted twice. Sorry about that. My internet had went down and I didn’t think it posted :(. Please delete one if you can.

    Reply
  44. Abbie says

    October 15, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    Lovely features, ladies! I just linked up my new fall entryway arrangement, complete with $3 Goodwill lamps (gotta love a bargain! : ))–#304. Thanks so much for hosting!

    ~Abbie (Five days…5 ways)

    Reply
  45. Natasha in Oz says

    October 15, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Thanks so much for having me today. I hope you might have time to visit my Pink Post this weekend: it’s a post honouring all women who have have been touched by breast cancer.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha @ 5 Minutes Just for Me

    Reply
  46. CAS says

    October 15, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    Wow, already at 320 entries — ya’ll are awesome! Thanks for being the “Hostesses with the mostesses!”
    🙂 CAS

    Reply
  47. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    October 16, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Thanks for hosting! I hope you are enjoying your weekend 🙂

    Reply
  48. Red Rpse Alley says

    October 17, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    That pumpkin coach is wonderful!! I have a coach that is similar, but it’s made out of iron. I always love seeing creative ways to make a fairytale coach.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

    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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