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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

March 24, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 57!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Before we can start to party hearty, it’s time to announce the winner of last week’s giveaway for this
Vintage Mini French Tabletop Café Chalkboard
!
Vintage MINI Tabletop French Cafe Chalkboard, French Cafe Sign
from

And the winner is:
 Julianne!


Congratulations to you and please email us so that we can put you in contact with
 Daune from Cottage in the Oaks!
 
 
 And, speaking of Giveaways, don’t forget that there is still plenty of time to enter to win a
$50 credit to Cutting Edge Stencils!
DSC_0051-001 
Just click here for details or scroll down to the previous post.

Now, before we get to this week’s party we just wanted to let you know about
another party going on right now!

Our wonderful friend Richella from Imparting Grace has started a brand new linky party and we would love to have you pay her a visit, link up any post related to “making your home a place of grace” and let her know that gals at the Fence sent ya. You can party there with her (and us!) every Thursday!

Photobucket

 
  picketfence_20010_thumb[18]
  Are you ready to see the incredible highlights from last week’s party?
Let’s get to it!
INSPIRED ROOMS

We said it on Facebook last week but we’ll say it again here. It take A LOT for these two sisters to be rendered speechless. But that is exactly what happened when we saw what Angelina of Ruby Jean did with her exquisite Sewing Room! There aren’t enough adjectives we could use to do this space justice, so we urge you to head over to check this stunning studio out for yourself!
 
  And speaking of beautiful spaces, have you ever paid a visit to Thistlewood Farm? Not only is her home absolutely gorgeous as is evidenced in this beautiful Remodeled Library, but Karianne herself is just such a wonderfully encouraging and funny lady!
Our lovely friend Kristine from Lakeshore Cottage Living, shared her positively darling Girl’s Bedroom which just seems to glow with sunny colors and fabrics. Check out that incredible stencil on the wall too! We think Kristine did an amazing job on this room but it doesn’t surprise us at all since the rest of her home is a perfect reflection of her sweet, warm spirit.
 
MAKEOVERS
We think these re-purposed table leaves from Cloches and Lavender are absolutely beautiful! What a fantastically clever way to create unique artwork and it will be a conversation starter for sure!
 
In order to fully appreciate this gorgeous “After” you really must visit Start at Home to see the “Before”. 
There are so many incredible details to take in and we know you will end up spending tons of time over there and enjoying it as much as we do!
 
 
CRAFTS AND CREATIONS

Bonnie and Trish of Uncommon Designs shared this darling Burlap Bunny Garland which hopped its way right into our hearts. We love its sweet pink nose and little cotton tail and we’re pretty sure this one’s name is Peter!

  The talented and creative Jessica Lynette of Making the Home a Haven showed us how to make these adorable DIY Hobby Horses. Her blog is filled with wonderful ideas for kids and families and we know you will find a lot of inspiration there when you pay her a visit!
  DSC0088picture 512x340 How to Make a Hobby Horse
Amy of  While Wearing Heels showed us how to create this charming Easter Bunny Basket inspired by Pottery Barn. We could think of several little “bunnies” we know who would love to carry this while hunting for eggs!

 
Joanne of Our Double-Wide in the Sky blew us away with this Peeps Sunburst Mirror! Seriously, how fun is that? We have never seen anything like it and we think these are going to be popping…or should we say…”peep”ing up all over blogland now!

 
RECIPES

Heidi of Lightly Crunchy shared this quick and easy Coconut Oil Granola and threw in a dash of humor about “going granola” for good measure!

 
We’re positive that this Apple Crostata from Treat & Trick would last all of 2 seconds in our homes!
And not just because we would be sneaking around nibbling on it every time we walked by.
We share with our families…honest we do!

 

INSPIRING STORIES

  Every week Heather’s “in-real-life” friend Nedra, a.k.a. the Adventure Mom, shares her wonderful tales of the many ways in which she is challenging herself, and those around her, to be bring more adventure to their lives. From fencing to being in a flash mob this gal is doing it all!
Last week she shared with us her latest adventure which truly proves the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine”. We know you will love coming along on her adventures as much as we do!
 
 
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,
And…one last thing we want to share with you…Are you following us on

Pinterest
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here!


We are asking you to PRETTY PLEASE (with sugar on top) visit the ACTUAL PROJECT and PIN from there! PLEASE take that extra step to PIN from ORIGINAL SOURCES…it will make Pinterest a better place for all bloggers!  Now, if you like what you see here At The Picket Fence that WE create, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉


THANK YOU !!
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:

stuffandnonsense
vif187
Redoux



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 to be featured At The Picket Fence) 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 feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us!
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Pinterest


This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:




Where you can find gorgeous pillow covers like these and many more!

Decorative Pillow Cover - Accent Pillow - Throw Pillow - Kravet Home Decor Designer Fabric - SAME Both Sides - Blue/Winter White - Ikat

73 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways, Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « Cutting Edge Stencils Review and Giveaway!
Next Post: Praying for your Kids series…Part 4 and a Guest! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cherished Bliss says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Love all your features this week!! : )

    Reply
  2. It's All Connected says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    That sewing room left me speechless, too. Thanks for hosting! ~ Maureen

    Reply
  3. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    Cool features. Thanks for having the party.

    Reply
  4. Jessica Kielman says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Thanks so much for having me! The bedroom with all of the yellow is beyond perfect…great features!

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

    Reply
  5. reFresh reStyle says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Thanks for hosting! those features are awesome!
    Debbie

    Reply
  6. Our Pinteresting Family says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Thanks for hosting. I love the features! 🙂 Megan

    Reply
  7. Kerry Rossow says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Thanks for hosting, y’all! I linked up another hawt vlog!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  8. Lindsay says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:51 PM

    Lovely party! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  9. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:55 PM

    Great features in fact we featured some of the same things. I will have to check out the apple crostada. We love to order that at Carrabas. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  10. Debra @ Common Ground says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:58 PM

    Hi Gals, love those stenciled table leaves, just linked up, thanks so much for hosting, xo

    Reply
  11. Ruby Jean says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    Thank you so much for the very sweet feature and generous words. Such a blessing, Truly. Have a lovely week and thank you for hosting. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    These are all great features! Thanks so much for hosting each week! Glad to link up!

    Reply
  13. Ange says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    Great features, as always! 🙂 You girls sure know how to party!

    Reply
  14. Trish - Mom On Timeout says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  15. Savvy Seasons says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    Thanks a bunch for hosting! xo ~Liz

    Reply
  16. Anita says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Wow, I wish my girls’ room looked like Kristine’s. Thanks for hosting ladies!!

    Reply
  17. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies…love that darling little burlap bunny!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  18. Becca says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Hello dear friends! What a lovely party! The features were so beautiful! Just gorgeous! Even the party sponsor has gorgeous products!!

    xo Becca

    Reply
  19. NanaDiana says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Congratulations to Julianne! You are doing a great job hosting- xo Diana

    Reply
  20. Anna says

    March 22, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    Thanks for another great party girls! 🙂

    Anna
    http://www.askannamoseley.com

    Reply
  21. Becca says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    I sound like a broken record when I say what fabulous features you guys highlighted !! And, thanks so much for hosting … I’m off to par-tay !! xo

    Reply
  22. Dawnn says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:23 PM

    Thanks for hosting!! Love your blog! I’m your newest follower!!

    Dawnn @anewdawnn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  23. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    Late again. I’m all linked up though…your features are incredible. The links here at your party are top of the line. I could literally move in to Thistlewood Farm and hang out for the rest of my life. Stunning. Thanks for hosting…hope you both have a fabulous weekend!

    Reply
  24. Rani @ La Maison Jolie says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Thanks for hosting!!! some great and inspiring ideas here!!! off to read some!!! Thanks again!
    Rani

    Reply
  25. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    Thanks LOTS for hosting!!! LOVING your features!! XO, Aimee Lane

    Reply
  26. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:53 PM

    oh..we are tickled to have been featured with these other amazing projects! Our sweet little burlap bunny is happy too!! Thanks for hosting !! 🙂

    Reply
  27. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    March 22, 2012 at 11:48 PM

    Your features are lovely! I always enjoy your link party! Thank you for hosting! It’s always fun to see such wonderful ideas!

    Reply
  28. Sue says

    March 22, 2012 at 11:50 PM

    Another fun party, girls! Glad I can link up my project. Off to a furniture show but plan to visit as many links as I can on the trip up and back. aahh… technology! LOL
    ~ Sue

    Reply
  29. Debbie says

    March 22, 2012 at 11:51 PM

    I was speechless as well about Angelina’s sewing room. It is the loveliest thing I’ve seen in a long time.

    Your other shout outs look great too. I love to come here on Thursday night and see your features. I have so little time these days for anything, it seems. It’s nice to get a pointer to a blog or two.

    Reply
  30. suzyq says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Thanks for the party!!! Your newest follower!
    Hugs
    Suzan

    Reply
  31. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:16 AM

    Hi Ladies,
    Recuperating from gallbladder surgery – and what am I doing? You guest it – linking up to your party! What a great giveaway – I love chalkboards!
    Kelly

    Reply
  32. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:23 AM

    Gorgeous features!! And it is an awesome party..thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  33. Pamela says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:32 AM

    The features this week are beyond amazing! LOVE that sewing room! Thanx for hosting!

    Reply
  34. Heidi says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:50 AM

    Thankyou for the feature! I’m glad you liked my recipe. I’m linking up again this week, but this time with a crafty post. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  35. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:53 AM

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

    Reply
  36. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    Wow, what great inspiration this week. The sewing room is crazy beautiful. Thanks for hosting. Hugs, Sherry

    Reply
  37. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    Went out on a date with hubby tonight and came home to you girls featuring my girls’ room…icing on the cake! Thank you SO MUCH!!! You girls are toooooo good to me. I too love Thistlewood Farm…some amazing decorating going on over there.

    Hugs to you both!

    Kristine

    Reply
  38. FABBY'S LIVING says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:06 AM

    Great party! Thanks for hosting and wish you a terrific weekend.
    FABBY

    Reply
  39. thistlewoodfarm says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:38 AM

    You are both rock stars. Thank you so much for the incredible feature! You know that I am the president of both of your fan clubs and I can’t wait until Haven.

    BTW…..that kitchen from Start At Home ah…ma…zing!

    blessings,
    karianne

    KY rocks the house 🙂

    Reply
  40. Delilah Love says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! I hope you have a wonderful Friday!

    Reply
  41. Peggy~PJH Designs says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    Love the features this week especially that wonderful sewing room & the blue little girls room both are just gorgeous. Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful party.

    Reply
  42. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    March 22, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls!

    Reply
  43. Jana says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:53 AM

    Love the features again. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  44. Good Time Charlie says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Better late than never! Just getting back from a fun CeCe Caldwell workshop! I am off to check out some of your amazing features. Happy weekend! -K

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

    March 23, 2012 at 4:09 AM

    Thank you ladies for hosting this lovely party! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂

    Reply
  46. SavannahGranny says

    March 23, 2012 at 4:24 AM

    Sweet Ladies, Thank you so much for hosting each week. Have a great weekend. Ginger

    Reply
  47. Meegan says

    March 22, 2012 at 10:51 PM

    Simply put: Love your blog, features and your party! Thanks for hosting!
    Make it a great day!
    Meegan@whatmeeganmakes

    Reply
  48. ImSoVintage says

    March 23, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    Looks like a fun party. Thanks so much for hosting.
    Laura

    Reply
  49. Stuff and Nonsense says

    March 23, 2012 at 11:56 AM

    as usual
    i adore all the features

    but that sewing room?

    to
    die
    for

    thanks for hosting ladies!

    alison

    Reply
  50. How to Nest for Less says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Wow, you guys always have the best features!! Can’t wait to go visit all these beautiful ladies this morning 🙂 Thanks for hosting again!!

    Reply
  51. Anita @ Cedar Hill Ranch says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    I’m with you; that sewing room is amazing!! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  52. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    March 23, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Unbelievable features, thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  53. Tina says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:03 PM

    Great features.The sewing room is beautiful, I don’t think I would ever get any work done.

    Thank you for hosting

    Reply
  54. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    After seeing all of the amazing features, I feel like I’ve been sitting around doing nothing!

    Reply
  55. Sarah @ Just The Bee's Knees says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:28 PM

    I now follow you via linky followers! (and sorry for linking up to the same post twice….something screwy was going on when I was linking up, and it wouldnt let me delete it.)
    Thanks for hosting!

    Sarah

    Reply
  56. Richella says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting! I’m learning that hosting a linky party is a lot of work, so I have even greater appreciation for you!

    I linked up a bit of inspiration–hope it makes you smile. 🙂

    Reply
  57. Cynthia says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    Thank you for featuring me. I am so excited. I worked hard to come up with that idea. Thanks again.

    Reply
  58. Calypso In The Country says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    I am so excited to go check out some of the blogs you featured! Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  59. Laurel Stephens says

    March 23, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Thank you for hosting this great party!

    Reply
  60. Whitney @ The Rooster And The Hen says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Those are some amazing features – that sewing room is divine! I’ve got to get in gear and start my next project so I can link up next time! Thanks for hosting and providing a venue for so much inspiration!

    Reply
  61. Joy@aVintageGreen says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:42 PM

    Thanks for hosting, lovely features.
    Joy

    Reply
  62. Brandon says

    March 23, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    I’m sorry, Linky tools did something funky and it linked mine twice.

    Reply
  63. Vanessa says

    March 23, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Hi, Vanessa and Heather

    I really appreciate you ladies hosting this awesome party. Thanks so much and have a great weekend. By the way, something is wrong with linky tools, it gave me an error message that it didn’t post my thumbnail. So, I refresh and came back to your web site and there was two thumbnails posted. I’m not sure how that happen, but something is up with Linky Tool. Thanks again.

    Vanessa

    Reply
  64. Val says

    March 23, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    The cottage girls bedroom is so adorable and that table is swoon worthy!! Great features, ladies.

    Reply
  65. Amy - while wearing heels says

    March 23, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    My heart about stopped when I saw you featured my bunny basket. I can’t thank you enough!

    amy @ whilewearingheels.blogspot.com

    Reply
  66. Treat and Trick says

    March 24, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Thanks so much for featuring my Apple Crostata! Seems your linky isn’t working. Happy hosting!

    Reply
  67. Joanne says

    March 24, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    What a pleasant, sweet, and WONDERFUL suprise….

    Thanks SO much Heather and Vanessa for featuring my Peeps Sunburst Mirror!
    And thanks for your time and effort for hosting these parties and for your time and energy in presenting features. It is SO appreciated!

    -Joanne
    Double-Wide in the Sky

    Reply
  68. lindaharre says

    March 24, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    Sorry about the triple posting on link
    party!!! It kept saying that there was an error and try again…..which I did…LOL!

    Reply
  69. Jen says

    March 24, 2012 at 11:36 PM

    Thanks for hosting, hope you are having a great weekend!

    Reply
  70. Natural Mothers Network says

    March 25, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    Hi- thanks for hosting this great linky. This week I posted SURPRISING BENEFITS ABOUT BEING LEFT HANDED, EASY IRISH SODA BREAD and HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN TOOTHPASTE.
    I am looking for wonderful creative bloggers to come share their posts at Seasonal Celebration Sunday over at Natural Mothers Network. And, I really hope that some of you will put Seasonal Celebration on your list linky parties to visit and link to, every Sunday/Monday! Here’s the link: https://naturalmothersnetwork.com
    Warmly,
    Rebecca x

    Reply
  71. Katie Sue says

    March 25, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting. Such wonderful features!
    Katie
    Let’s Add Sprinkles

    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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