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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

July 6, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 72!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Ugh. Anyone else still recovering from 4th of July festivities?
Huh? What?
We can’t hear anything after all of those fireworks!

Well, even if we’ve suffered some hearing loss, at least we can still enjoy all of the eye candy which you will be sharing here!
Before we get to the party this week, we have a little bit of business to take care of.
The first thing is that it is time to announce the winner of the $50 Rusted Chain Giveaway!
And the winner is:
Sally Puckett!!
Congratulations Sally! We’ll be in contact with you so that you can claim your prize.
Next, we are so thrilled to be welcoming a new Sponsor to the Fence!
Linda is the talent behind Drop Cloth Designs
and this gal knows how to rock a drop cloth! Check out these Union Jack Pillow covers,
21 x 21 Union Jack Drop Cloth Pillow COVER ONLY
and lumbar Monogrammed Ribbon & Button Pillows.
Linda’s pillows are all custom and made-to-order which leaves so much room for getting exactly the look and size that you want.
We would love for you to head over and check out more of her incredible shop!
Linda is also the author of the amazing blog It All Started With Paint where she shares even more of her talent, amazing projects and hilarious writing. You will want to pay her a visit there too!

Finally, we are so thrilled to be guest posting on Thursday with Kathy at A Delightsome Life 
as part of this wonderful series! Want to know more about how we blog together? Head on over and read about a day in our blogging lives…that sounds kinda like a Soap Opera doesn’t it?
“These are the Days of Their Blogging Lives”!

All-righty then, let’s get to some Features shall we?

picketfence_20010_thumb[18]_thumb[2]
INSPIRED ROOMS

Erin from How to Nest for Less shared with us her beautiful Craft Room and we weren’t jealous of it at all…nope…not one little bit!
Laura of The Ironstone Nest showed off her incredible Dining Room and you just can’t appreciate how lovely this is until you go over and see the “Before” photos.

MAKEOVERS

Melissa from Shabby Love showed us how she turned an old door into an awesome set of shelves for displaying her wonderful collections in her kitchen. We love the burlap backing detail!
Kimberly of Serendipity Refined did an incredible job transforming an old cabinet into this perfectly beautiful French-y piece.

CRAFTS and CREATIONS
The talented Poppy from With a Dash of Color showed us how to make these beautiful Decoupaged French Pots and her tutorial is excellent!
Kristin of Craftiments put her own spin on things by transforming a thrift store lamp into this Nautical Rope Lamp with an Openwork Globe Shade. So cool!
Craftiments.com:  Nautical Rope Lamp with Openwork Globe Shade
RECIPES and PARTIES

Now if these Pineapple Juice Fruit Infused Popsicles from Homespun With Love don’t say Summer than we don’t know what does!

Sabrina from Neverland Nook  shared with us the recipe for this Apple Honey Lemon Smoothie. We just love the uniqueness of this and can’t wait to try it ourselves!
Jen from City Farmhouse showed us how to take her recipe for Simple Bruschetta and turn it into a delicious sandwich she calls the “Toasted Triple B”. This looks like heaven on a plate to us!
              
OUTDOOR LIVING

Erin from Just Grand linked up this incredible  Outdoor Shower and the only thing we wanted to know was whether or not she was taking reservations at her beautiful beach cottage!!
 Erin’s Outdoor Shower was also featured over at hometalk this week!

Our talented friend Courtney from French Country Cottage revealed the amazing Outdoor Fireplace she built. We just love how it looks like it has always been there and we envision many a Summer evening out there enjoying the glow of the fire.
INSPIRING STORIES

We couldn’t resist featuring this post called, A Male Haven Maven which was written by Leo, husband of Jane from Cottage at the Crossroads. It was so fun to hear about the conference from his perspective and it sure looks like he had a great time, doesn’t it?
And, we tearfully read this post, The Long Good-Bye, shared with us by Rita Joy of Harbour Breeze. She beautifully and honestly conveys the difficult journey of watching her mom battle dementia and the lessons she has learned along the way. We were blessed by her vulnerability and willingness to share her heart with others.
me and mom cropped

If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located 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!
Are you following us on
Pinterest
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAYand like to PINthe great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog…unless it’s one of our own creations, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉
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:

vif187Fridays Unfolded
Photobucket



Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday
  • 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
And while it’s not a requirement, we’d sure love ya to be following along with us in some capacity!
Below are some great options!

Email Updates
Facebook Page
Pinterest



This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:
Drop_cloth_designs_co_union_jack_ad_2_250x125
where you can find beautiful pieces like this:
Rosette Drop Cloth Pillow
Disclaimer: At the Picket Fence may feature any of the projects linked up to Inspiration Friday in other posts or on Facebook, twitter and hometalk with all credit being given to the original source. If you would not like your projects featured please email us.

71 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « A Picket Fence 4th of July!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivienne @ The V Spot says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    OH MY GOSH! all of your features look amazing! Going to check them out. xoxo

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    Great features. I must check out that smoothie recipe. Looks good. thanks for hosting, girls!

    Reply
  3. Jenny @ The NY Melrose Family says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting and for the tip about Hometalk. I love it!

    Reply
  4. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    Just saw your tweet so I came over and linked up. Thanks for hosting! I just found a recipe for smore cream puffs…can you even believe it? Two of my favorite things. :o)

    Reply
  5. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  6. Janel@hatingmartha says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Thanks for the party! Hope your 4th was great fun!

    Reply
  7. Eclectically Vintage says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    I’m not jealous of Erin’s craft room either … ok, maybe just a tad!

    You girls sure know how to pick winners!

    Here’s to getting your hearing back after the fireworks!

    And Linda does have the most amazing pillows!!
    Kelly

    Reply
  8. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls, have a great weekend!

    Reply
  9. suzyq says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Wow – every one of those features is amazing!!! Especially love the cabinet!
    Thanks so much for hosting –
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  10. Serendipity Refined says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    Thanks girls!!! I came over to link up and was excited to see “Grace” featured. Needless to say, I’m shocked and thrilled! Hugs to both of you and have a wonderful weekend! xo, Kimberly

    Reply
  11. Kristin says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    Thank you ladies for showing off our Popsicle’s!!! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Kirstin says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Thank you for featuring my lamp makeover. Have a great week!

    Reply
  13. Honey at 2805 says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Great features again each and every week! Thanks for being gracious hostesses, ladies!

    Reply
  14. Erin~Just*Grand says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my outdoor shower! The other features all look wonderful, too. Very inspiring. I will have to carve out some time to visit those other blogs. Thanks again for hosting the party.
    Erin

    Reply
  15. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Hi ladies. Amazing features, as always. And I can’t wait to read Leo’s story about Haven!

    🙂

    Linda

    (And thanks for the sponsor post …)

    Reply
  16. ✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Thanks for hosting. Wonderful features this week.

    Dee

    Reply
  17. Kathy A Delightsome Life says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    Hello Ladies – Amazing features – I just love the door and the collection – swooning! The lamp is fantastic, the fireplace – all just too great! I do appreciate you all being one of my guest bloggers – it has been an honor! I do appreciate you hosting too!
    Have a blessed day,
    Kathy

    Reply
  18. SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    Such a lovely selection of inspirational features! Thanks for hosting!
    Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

    Reply
  19. Jana@Transformations From the Heart says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Love the features, really like that outdoor shower. We need one of those.
    Thanks for hosting and have a great day!

    Reply
  20. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    Fantastic features. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  21. Poppy says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa,thank you so much for featuring my pots among all the other beautiful features here.I appreciate it so much and I am humbled:) Have a lovely evening!Hugs,Poppy

    Reply
  22. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:53 PM

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

    Reply
  23. Anita says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Those popsicles look too good! Thanks for hosting girls!!

    Reply
  24. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 5, 2012 at 10:16 PM

    Hi gals, just linked up, thanks so much for hosting such a great party!!

    Reply
  25. Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says

    July 5, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Can’t wait to try the Popsicles.

    Reply
  26. Anne says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    Thanks for the party! Enjoy the rest of your week!!

    Reply
  27. Sue says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:16 PM

    Wow! Some really great features this week, girls! I’m so glad I could link up- life has just been so busy and it’s all we could do to get our yard ready for this photo shoot. We spent a very hot and humid day cleaning up the storm debris on Wed. Whew- not fun! Thanks so very much for hosting and for the very, very sweet comments on Hometalk!!! xo Sue

    Reply
  28. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies! Hope you had a fabulous 4th 🙂

    Reply
  29. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    So many great fearures, off to browse 🙂
    XO

    Reply
  30. CAS says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    Thanks for hosting, Heather & Vanessa!
    CAS

    Reply
  31. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:30 AM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies. And congrats on becoming Hometalk ambassadors! Love that site!

    Reply
  32. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:14 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Hope you had a FABULOUS 4th!!! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  33. FABBY'S LIVING says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    Thank you for having me. Congrats on the Hometalk embassador, wow, but you sure deserve it!
    FABBY

    Reply
  34. ~ Liz ~ says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:36 AM

    I love how you break up your features by category. Look forward to reading the story you featured. Thanks so much for providing the party!
    Liz

    Reply
  35. Peggy~PJH Designs says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:41 AM

    Thanks for hosting ladies! I love all of the features but especially that armoire.

    Reply
  36. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    All the features are great but wow, that fireplace is awesome! Thanks for the party!

    Reply
  37. Kerry Rossow says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:54 AM

    As usual, your features rocked my socks! (And, made me cry!) Thank you for hosting- love hanging out here!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  38. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    Love all the features….Linda’s pillows are the best…she sure can work magic with drop cloths…and that Leo…he is the best…enjoyed him and Jane so much at Haven!…and the heartwarming story of Rita and her mom..Thanks for hosting ladies and have a wonderful weekend!!!

    Reply
  39. A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Thanks for hosting! I hope you had a great 4th of July!
    Jo-Anna

    Reply
  40. allisamazing says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:46 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  41. Jen Lossing says

    July 6, 2012 at 4:02 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting. I hope you guys had a great 4th!

    Reply
  42. Addicted2HomeDecor says

    July 6, 2012 at 4:10 AM

    Thanks for hosting such a wonderful party! This is my first time here and I’m loving it! I’m now a follower and would love to have you stop by for a visit! Blessings ~ Judy

    Reply
  43. Meegan says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    Can you believe the fireplace? And the pillow, and the rope lamp?? Oh! And the craft room!! Absolutely incredible features this week!
    Thanks for hosting Heather and Vanessa!!
    Meegan
    What Meegan Makes

    Reply
  44. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Aww thanks so much for featuring my fireplace girls!! Loving all the other features too-great choices!! I just linked up~ thanks so much for hosting!!

    Reply
  45. Nancy W says

    July 6, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    Thanks for hosting, I just love visiting your blog, so much inspiration!

    Reply
  46. City Farmhouse says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Hi Vanessa & Heather, Thank you so much for the feature:)!I am LOVING the outdoor shower & of course the beautiful outdoor fireplace. Have a great weekend & thank you for hosting and giving all of us a place to share.
    Jen

    Reply
  47. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Heather and Vanessa, it was so wonderful meeting the two of you at Haven. Thanks for the feature, and because of that photo, I think more men will be signing up for Haven next year! Hehe!

    Reply
  48. Liz Fourez says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Lots of inspiration this week! Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  49. Maury Kilgo says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls! I hope yall have a great weekend!

    Reply
  50. Kelly Rowe says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    Thanks for hosting lovelies 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend! xo-Kelly

    Reply
  51. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  52. must love junk says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting 🙂
    Susan

    Reply
  53. Heather says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    Wow! I am drooling all over my keyboard looking at all the gorgeous features here! Thanks for hosting the fun and hope you have a fab weekend! Heather 🙂

    Reply
  54. ReiLynnDesigns says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    Thank you for hosting such a great linky party- so many unique and amazing ideas! I think I will be reading blogs for the rest of the day! LOL

    Reply
  55. Tammy says

    July 6, 2012 at 5:15 PM

    Great features…you two really know how to host a party! I am doing my very first one right now, I sure hope it turns out as good as your…well I know it won’t be as good as yours, but one can wish right?

    Reply
  56. Kim @ La Belle Époque says

    July 6, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    Thanks for hosting, girls!

    Reply
  57. Debbiedoo's says

    July 6, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Thank you for hosting. I am so late! I have been a pinning fool at our pin fest! Have a happy weekend.

    Reply
  58. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    July 6, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    Fun features, girls! I especially loved reading Leo’s take on Haven — isn’t he something? Happy weekend!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  59. Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls! I’m working on a little something, I’ll actually be able to play next week =) Love the features, especially that buffet! I am smitten with it!

    Reply
  60. RaNae at Ewe Creek Cottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting your blog is always a joy to visit.
    RaNae

    Reply
    • RaNaeLuvsEwes says

      July 6, 2012 at 11:26 PM

      I signed in with my name and url for my blog and it takes u to a free blog forum I don’t think it is spose to work like that is it?? I am new to blogging I thought if I did that it would link back to my blog

      Reply
  61. Janis@All Things Beautiful says

    July 7, 2012 at 2:25 AM

    Oh girlies…how did I miss you at Haven? I will hunt you down next year! Loved meeting so many great bloggers! Leo & Jane were so sweet (I’m the one “kissing” his head in the pic). Thanks so much for hosting this awesome party!!

    Reply
  62. Dayle @ A Collection of This and That says

    July 7, 2012 at 5:50 AM

    I always enjoy coming here. Great party, and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  63. Tani@Tagana Rose says

    July 7, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    Thanks for hosting!! First time I linked up here!!

    Reply
  64. Erica {let why lead} says

    July 10, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    You have some really fun features here. Thanks!

    Reply
  65. seo rankings says

    January 12, 2014 at 4:52 PM

    This is my first time go to see at here and i am truly happy to
    read all at alone place.

    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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