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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

October 21, 2011

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 37!

 
Inspiration Friday Graphic large
Welcome! Can you believe October is almost over?! Weather is cooling down, the leaves are falling and linky parties are full of Fall Inspiration! Before we share this week’s features with you we have two special announcements.  First…the winner of the Sutton Place Designs Giveaway!



Random Generator chose entry # 34: Deb (chedeb5353@hotmail.com) is the winner of a $35 credit towards anything of her choosing at Sutton Place Designs.  Congratulations!! Please contact us and we’ll put you in touch with Ann!
We also want to welcome Cottage In The Oaks as our newest sponsor At The Picket Fence! Daune has the most beautiful items for sale in her store.  Here’s just one of the lovely things you can purchase at Cottage In The Oaks.

  GATHER Burlap Banner / Pennant
Please pay Cottage In The Oaks a visit! We appreciate the support of our sponsors!
Now onto our Features!
 
picketfence_20010_thumb[18]
Since we officially deemed this Pumpkin Week here at the Fence, we thought it fitting that we would show off just a few of the fabulous Pumpkin creations which caught our eye at last weeks party!
Rope Pumpkin from Completely Coastal            Ruffled Pumpkin from My 1929 Charmer
pumpkin craft with rope
   Fox Hollow Cottage Fall Décor                              A. Steed’s Life Black/White Pumpkins
              
Fancy Frugal Life Pumpkin WhoopiePies                    Primp Pumpkins and Bistro Chairs
  
Mitzi’s Miscellany A Wicked Arrangement                 Home Savvy A to Z Pumpkin Topiaries
 
        
Ready for even more fabulous features?
Last week you all just stunned us! Truly, we would feature every single one of you if there was room in this post, but since we can’t, we will highlight just a few more projects and hope that you will trust us when we tell you how talented all of you are!

What do you do when your home doesn’t have a fireplace? Why, make one of course!
That is just what Holly from Heartbreak Kids did with the help of her hubby.
Using reclaimed barn wood, bi-fold doors and other cabinetry, they created this beautiful addition to their home. They even made it easy to move to another place in their home by building it in four separate pieces. We love how she decorated her new mantel too!

We just absolutely adore this darling Ladybug Party from A Simply Klassic Home! There are so many more incredible details that went into making this an extra special celebration so we encourage you to head over and check it out for yourself! 

 
And while we are on the subject of things that are red, black and polka dotted, check out this amazingly adorable apron crafted by the talented Angelina of Ruby Jean.
It all began when she found a darling Dot to Dot printout of Little Molly Fitcher which she used to embroider onto the oversized front pocket of this sweet apron.

Photobucket 
Lisa at Take Six made us completely ready to head up north and join her family so that we too could celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving in the Country. Hey! Someone is hogging our hammock!
Photobucket
Blue Chateau Interiors shared this wonderful post with us about how to get your kids to be proud of their Goodwill Clothing. Not only does her daughter Grace look adorable in her $10 Abercrombie and Fitch ensemble, Grace has taken this new found thriftiness to the next level and has started her own blog to encourage other young people to not only shop for bargains but to be proud of it!
We know she would be thrilled if you went over to pay her a visit at Grace’s Good(will) Closet.
We think you will agree that she is one pretty amazing (and adorable) 10 year old!

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!

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



55 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « A Tale of 3 Pumpkins … Pumpkin Three: Ribbon
Next Post: End of Pumpkin Week … Curried Pumpkin Soup »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    October 20, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies! It is definitely feeling like Fall here this week!

    Reply
  2. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    October 20, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls. Have a fabulous weekend. Cold here in South Carolina!

    Reply
  3. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    October 20, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    Love the pumpkins! And I just adore little Grace, a girl after my own heart! My daughter Abby is always super-proud of her thrifted treasures, too, and seems to have my nose for sniffing out the good stuff :)Thanks for hosting us again this week! xo, Andrea

    Reply
  4. Vivienne @ the V Spot says

    October 20, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party ladies! Love the features. That white monochromatic mantel is gorgeous!

    Reply
  5. Bella Vista says

    October 20, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Thanks for hosting and all the wonderful inspiration.

    Barb

    Reply
  6. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    October 20, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Great pumpkin inspiration. Thanks for being such wonderful hosts.

    Reply
  7. Kristin says

    October 20, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    WOW!! Thanks so much for featuring my ladybug party!!! I had so much fun putting it all together and I am thrilled to have been included in your line up of very talented ladies!!!

    Reply
  8. debbie--https://refreshrestyle.com/ says

    October 20, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Thanks for hosting! It’s so much fun seeing what everyone comes up with each week!
    Debbie

    Reply
  9. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    October 20, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Girls, great features. It is amazing the talent out there and that we can get completely different participants at our parties. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  10. Stuff and Nonsense says

    October 20, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    your features are
    just fabulous
    as usual

    i am all linked up and
    thanks for hosting girls!

    alison

    Reply
  11. The Polka Dot Closet says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    I am thrilled to link up! I am your newest follower and looking forward to following your lovely blog!! Thank you for hosting!!

    Carol

    Reply
  12. Katie says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    SO hard to believe October is almost over! I love all the creative ways everyone uses their pumpkins!! Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  13. Maya @ Completely Coastal says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Thanks so much for including my rope pumpkin!!!

    Reply
  14. Ruby Jean says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    Oh, ME, OH MY!!!!! Thank you so much for this Very kind feature… I was so thrilled when I was reading and scrolled down to see My name and Apron…. So Very Sweet of you…Truly…

    Reply
  15. Diann says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Lots of fun inspiration here today! Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  16. Debra @ Common Ground says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Hi Gals, love all the great pumpkin inspiration! just linked up, xoxo

    Reply
  17. andrea says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Hello, and thank you for hosting again! This time, the pumpkin whoopie pies take the cake! andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  18. Laurel says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Hi ladies 🙂 So many fun features…especially that little Grace, too cute! Thanks for hosting, Laurel

    Reply
  19. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Loved your features! Those are some creative pumpkins.

    Reply
  20. A Cozy Cottage in the City says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:06 AM

    Awesome features!!! Thank you for your blog’s constant inspiration!!! 🙂

    XOXO’s,
    Jessie

    Reply
  21. Gwen @ The Bold Abode says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather! You’ve just reminded me…

    I NEED TO GET A PUMPKIN!

    AAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!!!

    My poor babies…

    Thanks for throwin’ this rockin” party!

    Reply
  22. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa! Thanks for all the inspiration you share each week. You are the most gracious hostess.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  23. Cathy @My 1929 Charmer says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    Thank you for hosting this great par.tay every week. A big THANKS for featuring my ruffled pumpkin. So COOL!

    Reply
  24. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    Heather and Vanessa, Thanks so much for hosting each week! I look forward to all of the inspiration!

    Reply
  25. Christina says

    October 21, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting; there are so many amazing projects here!!!

    Take care,
    Christina
    designingbynumbers.blogspot.com

    Reply
  26. Natasha in Oz says

    October 21, 2011 at 1:24 AM

    Thanks so much for having me today. Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  27. Marla and Steve says

    October 21, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Thank you, thank you for hosting!!

    Reply
  28. Kerry Rossow says

    October 21, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    Thank you so much for organizing and hosting such an awesome par-taaay!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  29. Cindy says

    October 21, 2011 at 3:56 AM

    Thanks for hosting this great party, Ladies. Love the mantle. New follower here.

    Cindy @ changeofpacecreations.blogspot.com

    Reply
  30. Leslie says

    October 21, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    Thanks for hosting another wonderful party! Just wanted to say that this week I posted about a more personal story, instead of my usual recipe. 🙂 It’s called, “The Gift”.

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Blessings,
    leslie

    Reply
  31. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    October 21, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    Hi Ladies! Some great features. The lady bug party is soo cute! Thanks soo much for hosting. I think I’ve missed a week or two being sick. Felt strange not “partying”. lol Know what I mean? Anyway, I’m feeling better and I’m all linked up! Have a great weekend. =)

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  32. Kahli says

    October 21, 2011 at 5:17 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Great features you have here

    Reply
  33. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    October 21, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    Thanks for hosting 🙂 Have a fantastic weekend!

    Reply
  34. Gail says

    October 21, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    Great features this week. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  35. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    October 21, 2011 at 4:02 AM

    Hi girls!!! All liked up!! Thanks for sharing such fabulous highlights and for hosting!! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Debbie says

    October 21, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    Great features. You even featured one of my favorite blogs (Ruby Jean). I would have linked up my trash can corn husk pumpkin, but well… you know…

    Reply
  37. trumatter says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    After hearing so much about picket fence, here I am finally! Have shared obviously and wanted to tell you that I was missing this amazing party 🙂

    Block Rocking Beats.

    Reply
  38. Karen says

    October 21, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    dropping by to say hi & thanks for hosting and sharing all these great crafting ladies with us!

    Reply
  39. Jenny @ Embellishing Life says

    October 21, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Thank you for hosting! Enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  40. Carole @ Blue Chateau Interiors says

    October 21, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    Thanks so much for the shout-out and for featuring Grace’s Good{will} Closet. She’s THRILLED! I am, too.

    Getting ready to link-up. Hope you dears have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  41. Dawn @ Redbird Cottage Art says

    October 21, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Wow! I might be here all day!

    Reply
  42. CalypsoInTheCountry says

    October 21, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Hi Girls,
    Thanks for hosting again! I am looking forward to checking out some goodies. Have a great weekend!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  43. Mimi says

    October 21, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    Thanks for hosting this party. Great opportunity to learn about new blogs.

    Reply
  44. Becca says

    October 21, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Thanks for hosting !! Fabulous features, and I love all of the pumpkins !! Have a wonderful weekend !!

    Reply
  45. Sherry says

    October 21, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Thanks for hosting!
    Sherry

    Reply
  46. Pam says

    October 21, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls. Have a wonderful fall weekend.

    Reply
  47. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    October 21, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  48. Tanya@takesix says

    October 22, 2011 at 12:27 AM

    Hey you sweet sisters…thanks so much for featuring our Canadian Thanksgiving table from Take Six. We really appreciate it!!! :0)

    You are welcome to relax on the hammock any time!!!

    Reply
  49. hilary @ oldhouse.truelove. says

    October 22, 2011 at 1:22 PM

    love! your blog… newest fan here
    : )

    Reply
  50. NanaDiana says

    October 22, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    All I gotta say is WOW! xo Diana

    Reply
  51. Emily says

    October 23, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    thank you so much for hosting!!!
    ~emily
    nestnestingnested.blogspot

    Reply
  52. Erin of HomeSavvyAtoZ.com says

    October 23, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my Pumpkin Topiaries. I love your party and always look forward to it. I am thrilled to be featured!

    Reply
  53. Marcia - Crafty Sewing and Quilting says

    October 23, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Thanks for hosting just linked up and linked back and I tweeted your party too!
    Again … lots of creative ideas!
    Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

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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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