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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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November 22, 2014

Cabin in the Woods Tour ~ Our Parent’s Home!

You know, there aren’t many children who can say that they literally do go ‘over the river and through the woods’ to get to their grandparents’ home. But mine can!

And as you go through the gate…

fall gate atthepicketfence.com

Down the narrow road covered in leaves…

road covered in fall leaves atthepicketfence.com

And up the steep driveway, the anticipation builds.

driveway in the fall atthepicketfence.com

It’s then that you get that first peek at it through the trees.

Can you see it there nestled among the old growth forest?

cabin in the woods at fall atthepicketfence.com

When our parents decided to purchase a home in Oregon, they definitely embraced the spirit of the Pacific NW.

And while, on the outside, they’re home might look like a ‘cabin’ in the woods, on the inside it is light and bright and filled with elegant touches.

My mom has managed to seamlessly blend the more rustic elements of their home with a more modern flair and it all comes together in the most warm and welcoming way.

front door with woodsy wreath atthepicketfence.com

When they sold their home in Arizona, the new owners purchased all of it’s contents…furniture…towels…bedding…right down to pictures on the walls! Crazy, huh?

So, starting from scratch has been a bit of a daunting task.

glittery Christmas trees in tray on coffee table atthepicketfence.com

But not only have they completely transformed this home in a very short period of time, my mom also managed to get it all decorated for Christmas prior to leaving to spend Thanksgiving with Heather in Georgia!

white reindeer on mantel atthepicketfence.com

Everywhere she has lived, my mom has always made all of the pillows and draperies. She’s an amazing seamstress who, until recently, was still using the same sewing machine that she used to make her wedding dress almost 50 years ago!

But, this time, she decided to try out some ready-made pillows for her living room.

Online Fabric Store ready made pilllows atthepicketfence.com

These beauties come courtesy of the new ready-made pillow line from Online Fabric Store and added just the right touches of color to her neutral furniture.

ready made Online Fabric Store pillows atthepicketfence.com

Not only are they so incredibly well made (even my seamstress mom was impressed!) but they are incredibly reasonably priced!

winter white living and dining rooms atthepicketfence.com

Mom went neutral in her Christmas decor and the colors in her new pillows blend in perfectly.

white paper Christmas trees atthepicketfence.com

The tree absolutely sparkles and my kiddos were pleasantly surprised to find some presents under it with their names on them.

Each year my parents give them a new ornament and they were thrilled to have a little bit of Christmas fun even before Thanksgiving!

Christmas tree in blues and golds atthepicketfence.com

After I took these photos, we sat down for an early Thanksgiving dinner together. It was such a sweet time of laughter and fellowship.

pine wreaths on french doors atthepicketfence.com

Later on, as my mom and I stood in the kitchen slicing up the pumpkin pie, I found myself reflecting on the fact that while I’ve never lived in this home, it still feels strangely like coming ‘home’ to me every time we are there.

Save for this little Nativity scene (which was the same one we had growing up!), there is nothing that is from my childhood.

Not the same furniture, not the same dishes and not even the same Christmas decorations.

Yet, it still feels like ‘home’ to me.

vintage nativity scene atthepicketfence.com

And I realized in that moment, that my sense of going ‘home’ had nothing to do with an actual house, or furniture, or dishes or even Christmas ornaments.

My sense of being home has everything to do with the two people who raised me.

They are my ‘going home’.

mom and vanessa

 

Because we all know that the feeling of being at ‘home’ has less to do with a house and everything to do with the people who live in it!

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” 

Maya Angelou

Vanessa signature

Here is just a sampling of some of the other ready-made pillows you will find at Online Fabric Store!

pillow 1

pillow2

pillow3

And be sure to take advantage of their awesome Cyber Monday Sale!!

24 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Home Tour Tagged With: decorating, house tour

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Comments

  1. Judy McMillon says

    November 22, 2014 at 4:11 AM

    If this is not appropriate, please feel free to delete. Your sweet mom and I went to high school together. I was at her bridal shower (I was out of town at the time of her wedding) and remember how impressed I was that she was making her own wedding gown. Coincidentally, my grandchildren also go over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house. We have recently reconnected through Facebook and I love seeing what her family looks like as well as enjoying your blog. Her home is simply beautiful. I enjoy mixing a little rustic along with the sparkle as well. I hope your family enjoys a blessed Thanksgiving.
    Please say hello to your mom 🙂

    Reply
  2. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle says

    November 22, 2014 at 4:49 AM

    Beautiful home! Looks like such a warm and welcoming place! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  3. Kerry Purcell says

    November 22, 2014 at 5:18 AM

    What a beautiful story. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  4. Linda H. says

    November 22, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    We lived in the same house for 20 years and each grandchild loved that house and hated it when we built a new home in the same town. BUT they soon realized that the new place felt like Grams and Grandpa’s place too…and now 8 years later they have adjusted to it…and we are planning yet another move. All of the 11 grandkids are age 15 on up to 24 now…except for our 7 yr. old grandson…so this move will not be as hard on them as the last one.

    Home is where you make it, and how you put yourself into it! Your parent’s home is lovely…and your mom certainly has beautiful taste in decorating! I love her neutral Christmas touches…and my tree looks very similar!

    I enjoyed my visit here today!

    Linda H. @ Truthful Tidbits

    Reply
  5. Nancy Sharp says

    November 22, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    As adults we appreciate going to our parents homes so much more. Enjoy those days as much as enjoy your children because the end of that comes way too soon.

    Reply
  6. Stacey says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    What a beautiful home!!

    Reply
  7. Anne@DesignDreams says

    November 22, 2014 at 6:30 AM

    Very pretty home, so inviting!!

    Reply
  8. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    That’s such a nice picture of you and your Mom, Vanessa. It was funny to read that they went the other way in moving – from Arizona to Oregon. A lot of people would have gone the other way. : ) I’m sure it is great having them nearby now. Your Mom’s home looks great. My husband says if we ever move again, especially out of state, we would just sell everything and start over. I don’t think he realizes how hard that could be!

    Your parent’s property reminds me of a lovely woman I used to know back on Long Island. She taught me a lot about plants and such; she was like a third grandmother to me. She had a driveway very much like your parents and I always felt like I had to put my foot down on the gas pedal to make sure I got up it!

    Reply
  9. Michele says

    November 22, 2014 at 7:54 AM

    What a wonderful post. I loved everything about it – and seeing where you and your sister get your pretty looks – the apples didn’t fall far from the tree.

    Reply
  10. Darrielle Tennenbaum says

    November 22, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    What a cozy and comfortable home! Happy Holidays to you!

    Reply
  11. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    I love seeing a picture of the woman who raised you and Heather to be the fabulous women you are!!! When I get around you girls all I want to do is hug you… and now your mom! The apples do not fall far from the tree!!! I love your mom’s decor style!!!
    Beautiful home… beautiful post!

    Reply
  12. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Such a special and loving post. Your mom has done an amazing job decorating her home. Beautiful.

    Reply
  13. Nancherrow says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    What a lovely and secluded place. I love your mum’s style too. Thanks for sharing, Vanessa!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

    Reply
  14. janice says

    November 22, 2014 at 9:42 AM

    I miss your mom and dad here in Arizona…She is so talented,It’s not surprising that the house has the beautiful and homey feeling to it. You have colored leaves, what a great change. I’ll be in Georgia next week as well, maybe I’ll get to see them while I’m there.

    Reply
  15. Jane says

    November 22, 2014 at 10:09 AM

    This brought a tear to my eye, Vanessa! I know what you mean about coming home and Christmas seems to be that time when all of our memories come to the surface. I no longer have my parents and our family home is now “home” to someone else. I do have a small collection of old ornaments that would appear every year to grace our Christmas tree. They are precious to me!

    The “cabin” is simply gorgeous. I thought you were going to say at any minute that your mom was an interior designer. Just lovely!!

    Jane xx

    Reply
  16. Cheryl Ann says

    November 22, 2014 at 10:30 AM

    Love this story…family is what we are most thankful for. We moved from the northwest to Nashville to be near our daughters and get to spend the holidays together. Now we aren’t the only empty driveway in the neighborhood!

    Reply
  17. Martha Franks says

    November 22, 2014 at 11:15 AM

    What a beautiful post! Enjoy your parents and include them in as much of your life as possible. I surely miss my Mom and Dad and treasure many moments with them. Thank you for sharing so much of yourselves (your sister too!) God bless you all…

    Reply
  18. laura@top this top that says

    November 22, 2014 at 12:18 PM

    Vanessa- you have such a beautiful soul. i love this post and your mama sure did raise you and Heather just right! Happy thanksgiving!

    Reply
  19. Esther says

    November 22, 2014 at 1:01 PM

    I loved this story! We raised our family here in the Willamette Valley and then one daughter moved to Georgia. So we’re an Oregon/Georgia family too. We too have moved homes from when the kids were little and I do hope they feel like they are “coming home” when they all come here for an event or just to hang out! (although it’s downtown and not over the river and through the woods). 🙂

    Reply
  20. Bonnie Morgan says

    November 22, 2014 at 4:30 PM

    Such sweet and heartfelt sentiments about your parents. You are so right and the sweet picture of you and your mother is very special.Cherish each phone call, visit and any communication with your parents. I lost both of mine at age 33 and it has been 30 years. Your post was so touching.

    Their new home is beautiful. I enjoyed the tour very much. Precious nativity!

    Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

    Reply
  21. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    November 22, 2014 at 8:03 PM

    Your parent’s home is beautiful…I can see how you and Heather got your love for decorating…I so love the photo of you and your mom…Beautiful post Vanessa….I held on to every wonderful word from your heart…..as my granddaughter says, “home is where you are loved” . . .

    Reply
  22. Kim says

    November 23, 2014 at 5:53 AM

    Such a beautiful home and a great photo of the two of you. I know you have to be thrilled to have them close by.

    Reply
  23. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    November 23, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    Your parents have a beautiful home and I love how your mom decorated it for the holidays. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  24. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    November 23, 2014 at 4:55 PM

    Vanessa, I loved seeing the photo of you and your mom together! I know you are delighted having your parents nearby. Such a touching post!

    Reply

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

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My prayer for you friends, is that you will look at that narrow path with the small gate as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to experience the kind of freedom that our souls are longing for. The wide and broad path of the world promises us a freedom that is fleeting and temporary. But at the end of the narrow path, there is hope and peace and life everlasting.

I’m choosing the narrow path. And in spite of the hardships, in spite of the challenges and the fears and the times that can feel as dark as the journey down into a cave, I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it.
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