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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

January 28, 2011

New Blog! New Beginnings!


Welcome to At the Picket Fence!

We are so excited that you decided to meet us here! We hope you will stay awhile, find a little something to enjoy and come back often.
Just who are the crazy girls behind the Picket Fence?

Well, we are 2 sisters, living in 2 different states but wanting to stay connected across the miles.
Until now, we have maintained 2 separate blogs
Gourmet Meals for Less
and
Southern in my Heart
But we couldn’t ignore the fact that not only were we having so much fun being on this blogging adventure together, we were both looking to take our blogs in a new direction.

One that would be more all encompassing.
Because we aren’t just women who love to cook and decorate.
 Our lives are much more than that.
And so are yours!
Our favorite part of blogging has always been the connections we have made with the amazing folks in this one-of-a-kind community. YOU were the inspiration behind this new adventure! A desire to go Beyond the Blogs and into the hearts and homes of those we now call friends and those friends yet to be made.
Whether it’s through Good Ideas, Good Eats, Good Thoughts or just a Good Grief moment, we hope you will find Inspiration and Encouragement for every area of your life.
So what will you find here?

Good Ideas
Home Decorating
Party Planning
Hospitality
Holidays

Good Eats
Meal Planning
Foodography

Good Thoughts
Reflections
Ramblings
Encouragement
Support

Good Grief
We all have our moments!

 To kick things off, we are going to be doing
an ENTIRE WEEK of


GIVEAWAYS!!

So be sure to come back tomorrow when the fun really begins!


In addition, the Inspiration Friday Party now has a new home here At the Picket Fence.
So, for those of you coming over from Southern in my Heart, we would love it if you would still consider joining in the fun at this location!


Take some time to make yourselves familiar with this new site.

Click on the
Community
 tab to join in our Blog Frog Forum, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Visit some of the
Bloggers we Love
to find more great ideas and inspiration.
Learn more
About Us
and our families.


Thanks again for coming by and meeting us here
At the Picket Fence!

Heather and Vanessa

Modern Country Style


33 Comments Filed Under: General

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bella says

    January 30, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    AWESOME, Michelle, sent us here, and I am so excited. Vanessa, I heart you and all your lovely comments you always leave, I read them all, even when they aren’t on my blog, lol, You always have such sweet things to say.

    I’m happy to get to know your sister Heather, I bet you gals will be putting on quite the show here, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.

    CONGRATS, the new blog, looks AWESOME!!!!

    Bella 🙂

    Reply
  2. Infatuated with Homes and Gardens says

    January 30, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    Congratulations ,girls you ahve something that I cannot buy ,sisterley love and friendship ,I am so happy for you.I am your newest follower!
    Take Care ,Sharon X

    Reply
  3. Melanie says

    January 30, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    I am so excited! I read both of your blogs and love you both. Congrats!

    Reply
  4. JodieMo says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Oh Hooray! I’m so excited for both of you!

    Reply
  5. ⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜ says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    This is fantastic! You and your sister are both so very clever. I wish your new venture much success!

    Reply
  6. Belinda @ Wild Acre says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    How very lovely! What a gorgeous blog you have made, clever girls! Look forward to following.x

    Reply
  7. Shelia says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Well, hello gals. What pretty sisters and this sounds like it’s going to be lots of fun!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia 🙂

    Reply
  8. Carol says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    Heather and Vanessa,

    How fun for us, as your parents, to be even more a part of your lives by reading your blog each day.

    We are blessed to have you as our daughters.

    Mom and Dad

    Reply
  9. Melissa Miller says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Wow! Congrats ladies! Great job on the blog. I’m very excited to see what you will do here.

    Vanessa what a precious video of you. You look and sound beautiful!

    Warmly, ~Melissa 🙂

    Reply
  10. The Decorative Dreamer says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    Congrats! This is so neat! I loved seeing and hearing your real voice. I can’t see your sister though. ??? I think this is going to be a fantastic blog and I wish you both all the best!

    Reply
  11. The Decorative Dreamer says

    January 30, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Oops! Nevermind you must have been tweeking things a bit. I see her now! So cute!

    Reply
  12. Honey at 2805 says

    January 30, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Congrats on the two of you being together and your beautiful new blog! You girls certainly have been busy bees.

    Wishing you much success!

    Hugs, Honey

    Reply
  13. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    January 30, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Congratulations to you both. This is going to be awesome. I look forward to all of your posts. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  14. Vicki says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    Congrats ladies! This is a really nice set up here. I’m following (and already cutting and pasting recipes!). Best of luck with the launch.

    xoxo Vicki

    Reply
  15. Judy says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Vanessa – I’m so excited. The new blog is absolutely GORGEOUS. I love it. I’m following. I will grab your launch button and add your new blog to my blog role on my sidebar. Congratulations!! Looking forward to getting to know your sister as well.

    Reply
  16. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:17 AM

    Hi Vanessa & Heather, I just watched the videos and both of you are so cute! I am now following so I’ll be back often. Congrats on the new blog.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  17. Cathy~Mille Fleur says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:31 AM

    Oh girls! I am so excited for you both! Count me in! I am so looking forward to following along!

    Reply
  18. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    January 31, 2011 at 3:23 AM

    Congrats on your new venture girls! I’m sure it will be tons of fun and a huge success. I’m following along!

    Reply
  19. Erin @ EKat's Kitchen says

    January 31, 2011 at 4:43 AM

    Congratulations ladies! How very exciting for you both. I can’t wait to see more of your new venture.

    Reply
  20. Erin @ EKat's Kitchen says

    January 31, 2011 at 4:45 AM

    me again! Thanks for including me in your foodie bloggers blog roll – I’m honored (and in highly esteemed company!)

    Reply
  21. NanaDiana says

    January 31, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    Well, you know I am just so tickled for you I could do handflips..but trust me..that would NOT be pretty! I am sure this is going to be successful…and hey…you are even cuter than I thought you were! Hugs- I’ll be back…you know I will! Love to you both- Diana

    Reply
  22. SavannahGranny says

    January 31, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    Congratulations on a beautiful blog. I wish both of you lovely ladies much success. I am looking forward to this new experience. I am following. Hugs, Ginger

    Reply
  23. Pamela says

    January 31, 2011 at 5:45 AM

    Awe, that is sooo super sweet your mom left y’all a comment!!! Ya know I am excited for ya!:)

    Reply
  24. Stormy says

    January 31, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    I found you through Michelle as well!
    Looking forward to visiting yr blog!

    ~Stormy

    Reply
  25. Debbie says

    January 31, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    This is going to be wonderful. I can feel it in my bones!

    The still photos of you two don’t capture the “sisterness” of you two like those videos do, btw.

    Looking forward to tomorrow… which is technically today here on the east coast. I can’t sleep so I stumbled downstairs and out to the fence.

    Reply
  26. Kelly says

    January 31, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    Love it already! Congratulations!

    Kelly

    Reply
  27. Sue says

    January 31, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Ok, sounds like fun with this new venture of yours, Vanessa and Heather. ♥ Sue

    Reply
  28. michelle says

    January 31, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    You gals are so wonderful and beautiful and talented! Everything looks amazing and I am so excited for you!! I can’t wait to to see everything that unfolds in this blog throughout the years!!

    Reply
  29. Karen At Home says

    February 1, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Congrats on the launch!!!

    Reply
  30. Becca says

    February 1, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS !! This is so wonderful, and I can’t wait to come along for the ride !! Vanessa, I actually got a bit teary-eyed watching your video and hearing you speak … so sweet, friend !! You and your sister are going to have so many fans and will be such a great source of inspiration for all of us !! Again, congrats … love ya, girl !! *Becca*

    Reply
  31. CAS says

    February 3, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    Wow, take a few days off to help with a new grandbaby and just look what happens. Congrats to the both of you. This looks like so much fun. Vanessa, you’ve always been one of my favorite bloggers, so there’s no reason to believe that you and your sister together won’t just have a wonderful new blog. I’m, of course, a new follower & subscribed to the email updates. Good luck to both of you. Please pop over & take a look at Avery Quinn, our 5th granddaughter & 6th grandchild!
    CAS

    Reply
  32. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    April 14, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    I’ve watched your videos before when you first started but I’m afraid I couldn’t resist watching them again!! I lurrrrrve your accents!! Love. Love.

    I love this post. It sets out so exactly what you aim to do. I knew as soon as I read it that your blog was going to be AWESOME….and I was so right!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  33. GLENDA CHILDERS says

    April 14, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Hi,
    I am joining Sarah’s lovely party from my vintage apartment in Chicago. So glad you joined, too.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Gg – Notes on the Journey
    Link #26

    ps. how fun to blog together as sisters.

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

There are so many expectations and we put so much pressure on ourselves to create magical memories. And for years I have felt the added weight of wanting to make sure my family had opportunities throughout the month to grow in their relationship with Christ.

We celebrate advent and read all of the appropriate Baby Jesus books and encourage a spirit of generosity and heavily emphasize the real reason for the season.

But sweet friends, I want to remind you today that one month out of the year does not a strong relationship with the Lord make. December doesn’t define our faith in Christ.

For our families or for us.

There are 11 other months in the year. 11 other months to live out our faith in front of our children. 11 other months to pray with them. 11 other months to help them wrestle through their questions and add depth to their walk with the Lord. 11 other months to encourage them to have generous spirits.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

And while we’re at it, let’s give ourselves some grace too.

Grace when we think we should feel all the warm fuzzy feelings about Christmas but we really just want to take a nap. Or have a good cry. 

Grace that reminds us that this month will soon be over and we will have a brand new year ahead of us.

A new year filled with big moments and little moments and everything in between.

A new year to draw even closer to our Savior.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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