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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

January 6, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 46!



We’re back folks! Did you miss us?
Did ya? Did ya?
Well, we missed you! But, we sure did have a fantastic time finally getting to see each other when we all got together at our parent’s home in Arizona. Our mom and dad are the best and we are so grateful for all they did to make our time with them so meaningful and fun. You can check out some of our adventures in the previous couple of posts!
We are so excited about the year ahead and had lots of time while lounging poolside 
to dream and plan about what we hope to share with you in the coming year.

Of course there will be the usual home decor and DIY projects, but we also want this to be a year filled with developing an even stronger sense of community and connection among all of us here in Blogland. So be sure to stay tuned for all we have in store for you!
Now, let’s take a look at some fabulous features from 2 weeks ago!
Sherry of Pondered Primed Perfected gave her chairs a fresh face-lift by adding these beautiful slipcovers. Aren’t those ties just the perfect finishing touch?

Shelley from Calypso in the Country cleverly hid the clutter behind the glass doors in her entertainment center by tacking on burlap fabric. 
We love this quick, simple and inexpensive update!
Christmas may be over, but we think these Paper Doily Trees from Small Home Love could be used in your home decor all winter long!

doile christmas trees
Cottage Living~From Beach to Burbs shared her absolutely beautiful kitchen makeover.
We are only slightly jealous of her brick fireplace!

We may still be coming down off of the Holiday Sugar high, but we can’t just go cold turkey!

Barb of Keeping Up With the Times shared this recipe for Little Sticky Toffee Puddings and we think it sounds like a warm and delightful way to start the New Year.

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 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 (MANDATORY) 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! 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!


Are you new to linky parties and kinda confused how they work? Have you wondered if you’re following “linky party etiquette”? We invite you to pay Donna at Funky Junk Interiors a visit and follow her great Linky Party Series!



53 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynn at Cottage and Creek says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    So glad to hear you girls had a wonderful Christmas – and relaxing by the pool? Doesn’t get much better than that! Looking forward to all you have in store for 2012. I’m feeling a movement – everyone seems ready for community, creativity, and challenges that make us better women. Thanks for hosting and Happy New Year!
    Lynn

    Reply
  2. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    Glad you had such a great time together, ladies! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  3. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    Sounds like fun! Great features! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  4. Calypso In The Country says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:13 PM

    So nice to hear you had a nice holiday! What a surprise to see my burlap doors featured! Thank you so much! And thank you for hosting today! Cheers to the New Year!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  5. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Welcome back and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  6. FABBY'S LIVING says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    I’m so glad you girls had such a great time! Thanks for hosting and thank you for last year’s fun linking to Inspirations Friday at The Picket Fence and for having me.
    Happy and blessed New Year 2012.
    HAPPY KINGS DAY!
    FABBY

    Reply
  7. Eclectically Vintage says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    Looks like you gals had a blast!
    Welcome back
    Kelly

    Reply
  8. Sherry says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Oh, this looks like my kind of planning session! Glad you had a nice vacation! Thanks for hosting.
    Sherry

    Reply
  9. Andrea at Opulent Cottage says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:18 PM

    Happy New Year Heather and Vanessa! Thank you for hosting, and have a great weekend,
    xo, Andrea

    Reply
  10. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    So glad you girls had a great visit. LOVE that pic of the two of you! Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend, Martina

    Reply
  11. A Mother and A Daughter says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    I love that picture of you ladies lounging with your drinks, reading your Traditional Homes magazines! That is so cute! ~ Barbara

    Reply
  12. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    Welcome back. Thanks for hosting. Happy New Year.

    Reply
  13. Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:52 PM

    Glad you girls had such a great trip. Loved the pic of you two by the pool looking at magazines!:)Thanks for the party!

    Reply
  14. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    Thanks, as always, for hosting. Glad you enjoyed your vacay!

    Reply
  15. debbie refresh restyle says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:57 PM

    Y’all are so cute! Glad you’re back, glad you got to spend time with each other and the family! I linked my mantel and Shabby Apple giveaway, hope that’s ok.
    Debbie

    Reply
  16. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    January 5, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  17. Barb says

    January 5, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    So awesome! thank you for featuring my Little Sticky Toffee Puddings!

    Reply
  18. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    January 5, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    Happy New Year, Ladies!! Glad you had such a great holiday!! Thanks for hosting and sharing these great features! Glad to link up!

    Reply
  19. Jacky says

    January 5, 2012 at 11:31 PM

    Thanks for featuring my trees and for hosting! I am actually going to leave them up all year 🙂

    Reply
  20. Kristi says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:50 AM

    Looks like a super fun time!! I linked back to you in my countertop post…Heather’s island transformation is on my to-do list!! LOVE it. Happy New Years, ladies!!

    {HUGS},
    kristi

    Reply
  21. Trish says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:54 AM

    Thanks for hosting and Happy New Year!

    Reply
  22. Richella says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:11 AM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather! Looks like y’all had a wonderful time at your folks’ house. How wonderful for all of you to be able to get together! I’m sure your parents are so grateful they had daughters. I sometimes wonder if there will ever be Christmases when all my children and (Lord willing) daughters-in-law and grandchildren will be together at my house–seems that families seem to gravitate to the wives’ parents’ homes! I’ll just have to be the world’s best mother-in-law and try to make our house extremely welcoming.

    I’m linking up a little wreath I made from leftover Christmas stuff. I’m always a little sad to take down our Christmas decorations. I LOVE putting them up, by taking them down. . . not so much.

    Thanks for hosting! Hope y’all have very smooth re-entries to regular life!

    Reply
  23. Mary Ellen says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:12 AM

    Oh Those little paper trees are so adorable!

    Thank you for the party!

    Reply
  24. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:15 AM

    Glad your family had such a good time together. Times to remember. Thanks for hosting…I’m really late but I made it. Have a super weekend!

    Reply
  25. Shelia says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:36 AM

    Happy New Year, ladies! What a great way to start off the year with your fun party! I’m looking forward to another year of blogging with you!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  26. andrea says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:48 AM

    Thank you for your weekly dose of inspiration and have a great weekend! andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  27. Ivy and Elephants says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:59 AM

    Happy New Year girls! Sounds like you had a blast. Thanks for hosting!

    Paula

    Reply
  28. Debbie says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:16 AM

    Welcome home! I smiled every time I thought about the two of you spending time together. Did the rest of the family put the kabosh on any use of the word “BLOG” while you were there?

    Probably not. They’re probably a great bunch of cheerleaders.

    Or maybe they have earplugs.

    Loved your sampling this week. I am pinning that doily tree. That’s cute! I am saving for next year.

    Reply
  29. Miriam says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:19 AM

    Hahaha. I love the Traditional Home Mag shot. It looks like me and my sis 🙂 Thanks for hosting again, and Happy New Year!

    Reply
  30. Kerry Rossow says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    Welcome back! It looks like y’all had a great holiday!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Happy New Year!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  31. Honey at 2805 says

    January 6, 2012 at 4:28 AM

    Welcome back girls! Hoping you had a wonderful vacation! Thanks for hosting this lovely party!

    Reply
  32. Tina´s PicStory says

    January 5, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    very inspiring pics! 🙂

    Reply
  33. Sherry says

    January 6, 2012 at 5:51 AM

    Thank You, Heather and Vanessa, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing my slipcovered dining chairs! It means so much to have wonderful, inspiring bloggers such as yourselves take notice of something that I have done! You ladies give me the kick start I need to keep at it and make it work! Your holiday looks like it was fantastic…so glad for you. Wish I could give you two a hug.

    Reply
  34. Nann from At Nann's Table says

    January 6, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather…This is my first time here. And I am SO excited about participating in your linky party. I put in 3 or 4 only because I have been doing The Twelve Days of Christmas Series. And I’ve been told by many how inspired they got from seeing them. I will only put one or two or whatever the limit is next time.

    I am a brand new blogger of only seven weeks and it has been so fun finding and meeting great bloggers like yourselves. Thankyou for hosting these linky parties where people can get to know each other. I look forward to many more.

    Nann

    Reply
  35. Stuff and Nonsense says

    January 6, 2012 at 12:37 PM

    you are two peas in a pod
    just settin’ there in your jackie-o shades
    sippin’
    readin’
    and
    gossipin’

    love the features
    and glad you’re back

    all linked up!

    alison

    Reply
  36. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    Again, thank you for hosting this party. I love participating and viewing all the posts of so many talented people. Much success in 2012! Looking forward to all of your great inspirations!

    Reply
  37. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    January 6, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    Thank you for hosting this link party! It’s always fun to see so many talented people! I accidentally put my link on twice! Please delete one! I’m so sorry!

    Reply
  38. Mary says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    Love the picture of you two reading Traditional Home – very cute!

    Thanks for hosting!

    Cheers to 2012!

    Mary (sweetlittlebluebird.com)

    Reply
  39. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:38 PM

    Welcome back!

    Reply
  40. Deidre~ says

    January 6, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    “Welcome Back and Happy new Year”!! Just wanted to stop by and say Thank you for hosting:)Deidre~ https://simplysimplisticated4.blogspot.com

    Reply
  41. New Every Morning says

    January 6, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    Just found your blog and joined the PARTY!
    Happy New Year!!!

    Reply
  42. stefanie says

    January 6, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    oooohhhhh, so much inspiration…thanks!

    Reply
  43. janet says

    January 6, 2012 at 6:30 PM

    Welcome home Gals!

    happy to be sharing my rejection notice with your readers this week.

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

    Reply
  44. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    January 6, 2012 at 8:39 PM

    LOVE the first picture…so cute and true I am sure! lol

    Thank you for your comment about blogging nicely. You are so sweet!!! I just needed to say a few things, you know?! Have a great weekend Vanessa!! Kristine

    Reply
  45. Maria Elena says

    January 6, 2012 at 11:55 PM

    Happy New Year! It is so good to hear you guys had such a great time!
    Welcome back!

    Reply
  46. NanaDiana says

    January 7, 2012 at 12:04 AM

    How wonderful that you girls had such a great time together. I love your featurs, as always, U think those little doiley trees are just darling. xo Diana

    Reply
  47. Cinnamon Rose Cottage says

    January 7, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    Thank you for hosting and Happy New Year to you both!
    hugs,
    Beverly

    Reply
  48. Crafty Mischief says

    January 8, 2012 at 3:10 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! I hope you’re having a fabulous New Year! 🙂

    Reply
  49. Jen @ Creating with the J's says

    January 8, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Have a Great week!!!

    Reply

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. 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.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
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