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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

February 3, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 50!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Hey there party people!
Can this really be the 50th Inspiration Friday???
That doesn’t seem possible!

But, we suppose that since we just celebrated our 1 year Blogiversary that it shouldn’t come as a surprise. And speaking of our Blogiversary…did you know we have an incredible Giveaway going on right now? It’s not too late to enter to win this:

$100 Gift Card
to
HomeGoods (also good at TJ Maxx!)

AND an additional giveaway for a $50.00 Gift Card to Homegoods or TJ Maxx on our Facebook Page! So, if you’re not following us over there, we’d love to have you join us!


Two announcements before we dive into our Features from last week.

We want to welcome another new sponsor of At The Picket Fence!  The lovely



The Pink Giraffe is very generously offering a discount code to friends of At The Picket Fence.  Just put in: PICKETFENCE when you check out and receive a 10% discount off your entire order! Seriously people you will LOVE this website!

AND did you see THIS POST! We want to give a special invitation to OUR readers to become a part of a brand new Follower option! If you were as sad as we were at the news of losing GFC for non-blogger blogs (and the rumor it will go away for everyone eventually) then you will love this new option!

Visit the post to get all of the details!

Now, how about some features?

picketfence_20010_thumb[18]
Our mouths still might be hanging open from when we first laid eyes on this incredible transformation from Ashley of A to Being Creations! She created the most darling Playhouse for her kids by using the space underneath her stairs. You have to see the details on this one to believe it!
Spheres seem to be all the rage right now in home décor and we are so digging these DIY versions made by Jess from Hill Country Homebody! They are constructed using embroidery hoops and she has a fantastic tutorial on how she put these together. Love em!
 
Jennifer Cooks shared the recipe for this yummy Blueberry Breakfast Cake.
We agree with her that any time you can have cake for breakfast
means your day is off to a great start!

Jennifer also shared with us this incredible Kit Kat Ice Cream Cake! We could definitely see this one calling out to us in the middle of the night to come and take just a “little” nibble. And another one…and another one!

 
We cannot get enough of the projects being done over at Remodelando La Casa! Cristina has been sharing some of her incredible home renovations and last week she showed us this gorgeous
Fireplace Transformation.

Now, not only is the lovely Abbie from Five Days 5 Ways super funny and super stylish, she’s also always up for a challenge. So when she issued herself a Goodwill Challenge to find 3 full outfits in 30 minutes she knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we think she really rocked it out! And, she did it with 3 kiddos in tow. She should get a prize just for that!

IMG_0931
We love a good upcycle here at the Fence and this DIY Sisal Tray from the Naptime Decorator is just fantastic! You would never know that underneath that sisal rope is an old cookie sheet, would you? Awesome!
 
And finally, we just love this Chalk/Wine Cork Board created by One More Time! She created this from a $5 Goodwill frame and we think it looks like it belongs in the Pottery Barn catalog. So cool!

 

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!


KEEP THOSE VALENTINE’S DAY PROJECTS COMING! WE WILL BE DOING A HIGHLIGHT POST OF OUR FAVORITE INSPIRATION FRIDAY VALENTINE PROJECTS AND POSTS!
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!

Have you noticed that you can now REPLY to comments left on Blogger Blogs? Be sure to check “receive emails to replies” so you can see if we have replied to your comment!
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This Inspiration Friday is brought to you by the following Sponsor:


Affordable Original Art!

68 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday, Sponsors

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barb~Bella Vista says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    Great features. Many thanks for hosting.

    Barb

    Reply
  2. Katie says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    That under-the-stairs playhouse is amazing!! How fun! Thanks for hosting!!

    Reply
  3. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    Great features and thanks tons for hosting. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  4. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:14 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls and thanks for all the info in your last post! I am always so afraid to try something new in few of screwing something up LOL!

    Reply
  5. Sue says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    Some fun features, once again, girls! Good info in your last post, btw. 🙂 Sue

    Reply
  6. Sherry says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks ladies~ Always a pleasure to party with you. How’s it feel to be a year old??

    Have a great weekend~

    Reply
  7. Debbiedoo's says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:18 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
  8. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:19 PM

    Hi Ladies! Wonderful inspiration this week. Thanks for hosting. Hugs, Sherry

    Reply
  9. Debra @ Common Ground says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Hi Gals, congrats on yet another milestone!! just linked up, xoxo

    Reply
  10. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Love the features! Thanks so much for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  11. Poppy says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    Thanks for following on linky followers and for the party! Gorgeous features, this week! Have a great weekend!~Poppy

    Reply
  12. Stuff and Nonsense says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:42 PM

    congrats on your newest sponsor!

    i am all linked up
    and i just signed up
    for my very own Linky Followers account

    thanks for hosting!

    alison

    Reply
  13. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Super features, girls. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  14. Liz says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    !!!! Made my day to see my sisal rope tray on here!!!! Thank you SO much, and thanks for hosting – you gals are the BEST! XOXO

    Reply
  15. c. Joy says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    My first time to enter, congrats on your 50th. I’m still working in my garden but tonight and tomorrow I plan to have fun checking out all these talented bloggers. Happy Friday!

    Reply
  16. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    February 2, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting.

    Reply
  17. Youaretalkingtoomuch.com says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting! Trying to get my rear in gear and get to your wonderful party every Thursday! Your FB status was a great reminder! Thanks! Love, Me http://www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com

    Reply
  18. Christina {Designing by Numbers} says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    Happy Blogiversary and 50th Inspiration Friday, Ladies!!!

    Thanks for hosting another wonderful party!!!

    This week I’m linking up some super cheap paint chip art that I made (link #97) – and I’ve even made my herringbone pattern available for download!

    Hope you like it 🙂

    Take care,
    Christina
    http://www.designingbynumbers.com

    Reply
  19. Jen says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:20 PM

    I accidentaly linked up twice… could you please delete number 102? Sorry!! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  20. chateau chic says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting this party each week. As a newbie to blogging this has been a wonderful source of inspiration and way to meet so many talented women.
    Appreciate you,
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  21. Becca says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:31 PM

    Hey Lovely Ladies,
    Thanks for hosting! I appreciate all your efforts! Hope you guys have an amazing weekend!
    Becca

    Reply
  22. Heidi @ homeingreece says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:42 PM

    I’m following you on Linky Followers 🙂 Thanks for hosting another great party!!

    Reply
  23. Elizabeth (Blue Clear Sky) says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:50 PM

    Thanks for hosting the party! I’m now following on Linky Followers and hope you can follow on my Linky Followers too.

    Reply
  24. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:54 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting and especially for all the FB love you sent my way today! totally made my day!

    And thank you for explaining the new Linky friend tool so well!

    Reply
  25. Cristina @ RemodelandolaCasa.com says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:55 PM

    So Happy you girls feature the Fireplace! Thanks!!

    Reply
  26. andrea says

    February 2, 2012 at 11:04 PM

    Thanks for hosting and keepin gus up to date w/ what’s going w/ blogging. andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  27. Gail says

    February 2, 2012 at 11:29 PM

    Great features this week and I’m linky follower! Have a wonderful weekend, Gail

    Reply
  28. Calypso In The Country says

    February 2, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    Love the features – the playhouse is so creative! Thanks for hosting!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  29. FABBY'S LIVING says

    February 3, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    Nice features. Thank you so much for hosting. Happy Valentines.
    FABBY

    Reply
  30. The DIY Show Off says

    February 3, 2012 at 12:26 AM

    I’m so happy to participate today! I always post my projects on Mondays and miss the party and then I’m not catching up on blogs on the correct day and miss it again. Today the stars have aligned! 😉 I love the features! Those muffins…yum! Definitely see some things in the links that are catching my eye. 🙂

    Reply
  31. Lynn says

    February 3, 2012 at 1:28 AM

    Great features, girls. You sure know how to pick ’em. And thanks for hosting. I so enjoy your blog and enthusiasm. And if you have time and are so inclined, please stop by Cottage and Creek and enter my first ever Choose Joy Giveaway: https://www.cottageandcreek.com/Blog-Archive.aspx?id=2536 Still a newbie, but trying … xo.
    Lynn
    Email: Lynn@nsytes.com
    http://www.cottageandcreek.com

    Reply
  32. Little Bit says

    February 3, 2012 at 1:38 AM

    Thank you girls for hosting! I always look forward to coming over to your place! Little Bit from DecorateWithaLittleBit.com

    Reply
  33. Ruby Jean says

    February 3, 2012 at 1:59 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting… LOVELY features… I just finished linking up Sewing in the RED… I will be emailing shortly.. 🙂

    Reply
  34. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    February 3, 2012 at 2:14 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting, ladies!

    Reply
  35. Jo's This and That says

    February 3, 2012 at 2:23 AM

    Thanks for hosting! I am sorry my post messed up. Joann

    Reply
  36. Tricia says

    February 3, 2012 at 2:30 AM

    Great features! Thanks for hosting!

    makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com

    Reply
  37. NanaDiana says

    February 3, 2012 at 2:56 AM

    Wow! Sometimes I get so sidetracked visiting features that I forget to come back and say thank you. At least I remembered long enough to come back and wish you a Happy 50th! xo Diana

    Reply
  38. jessica says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    Thanks for featuring my little sphere knock off! Those were some fantastic features! I’m gonna go work out now but dream about that kit kat cake later! Yummo!

    Reply
  39. Swede Dreamer says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    Happy 50th!! Thanks so much for being such gracious hostesses! I have also jumped on the Linky bandwagon~thanks for the info!! ~Angie

    Reply
  40. Anita says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:09 AM

    Congratulations to you girls!! Thanks for hosting too!!

    Reply
  41. classic • casual • home says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:41 AM

    Happy anniversary. Always fun to be here.

    Reply
  42. Kerry Rossow says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:52 AM

    Happy Bloggy-versary!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  43. Heaven's Walk says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:53 AM

    Congratulations to you both! I just love visiting here, your party is just the best, and your comments on my bog are always so treasured! Btw – where do I go to sign up for your fabulous giveaway…??? I’m having a “duh” moment…..

    xoxo laurie

    Reply
  44. Leslie says

    February 3, 2012 at 4:10 AM

    Great features this week! Thanks for hosting, again!
    So sorry that I accidentally posted my Maple Fried Apples twice. I didn’t think that it linked the first time around.
    Have a blessed night!
    Leslie

    Reply
  45. Audra @ Once a Mom Always a Cook says

    February 3, 2012 at 5:04 AM

    Thank you for hosting! This is my first time linking up and I am very excited to browse through everyone’s wonderful projects! Have a wonderful, blessed weekend 🙂

    Reply
  46. https://findingsecrettreasures.blogspot.com says

    February 3, 2012 at 5:17 AM

    You have the best parties, so much inspiration! Is this where I sign up for the give away? I signed up on facebook too! I love those stores!

    Reply
  47. Laura says

    February 3, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    Hi-
    Thank you so much for hosting!

    I am entered again this week and it looks like you have a great collection of inspirational ideas.

    I’m #257.

    Thanks,
    Laura
    White Spray Paint

    Reply
  48. Jennifer @ Jennifer Cooks says

    February 3, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    What a great surprise!!! Thanks so much for featuring my Blueberry Breakfast Cake and Kit Kat Ice Cream Cake!

    Today I’m linking up my Portobello Pizzas and Banana Bread Muffins.

    Drop by Fusion Fridays at jennifercooks.com and link up your goodies!

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  49. Curtains in My Tree says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    Happy blogveristy
    I always enjoy coming over here to look around , great features

    Reply
  50. Jan@southernjunkin' says

    February 3, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    Thanks for hosting! So much inspiration! Drop by for a visit sometime!

    Reply
  51. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    February 3, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  52. Val says

    February 3, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    I need that Kit Kat cake in my life.

    Reply
  53. The Hell on Heels Housewife says

    February 3, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    Thank you for hosting! New to your site…love it! Looking forward to following you!
    Maggie

    Reply
  54. melanzana says

    February 3, 2012 at 8:34 PM

    Bravo cure,drago mi je da sam i ja dio ovog druženja!!!
    Pozdrav iz HRVATSKE!!!!

    Reply
  55. Ivy and Elephants says

    February 3, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    Oh that Kit Cake fabulous ice cream cake looks wonderful. Thanks for hosting!

    Paula

    Reply
  56. Marla and Steve says

    February 4, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting. I’ll take 2 pieces of that yummy cake while I browse the links.:)

    Reply
  57. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    February 4, 2012 at 1:09 AM

    Okay, I’m Linky following. Will you follow back? That is the question of the day…

    I also sent an email to Brent Riggs because I’m concerned about how the Linky followers doesn’t “collapse” into a 30 per view option with a “next” page like GFC. The way it is now, you Linky Followers could potentially cannibalize your entire sidebar …

    Linda
    itallstartedwithpaint@gmail.com

    Reply
  58. Mrs. T says

    February 4, 2012 at 1:38 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  59. Something Nice and Pretty says

    February 4, 2012 at 1:50 AM

    Thanks for hosting, now I have to go see how Naptime Decorator made that sisal tray;0

    Reply
  60. Shelia says

    February 4, 2012 at 3:24 AM

    Hi ladies and thank you for hosting your party! Oh,you just tear me up each week by showing all these wondering inspiring projects!
    Be a sweetie,
    shelia:)

    Reply
  61. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    February 4, 2012 at 4:51 AM

    thanks for hosting 🙂 have a wonderful weekend 😉

    Reply
  62. Pamela says

    February 4, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    Thanx for hosting gals!

    Reply
  63. Fifi @ AboutBloggingTime! says

    February 5, 2012 at 2:37 AM

    Thanks for hosting.

    new follower.

    Reply
  64. Mimi says

    February 5, 2012 at 4:19 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting.

    Reply

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I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
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