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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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December 3, 2015

Christmas Home Tour 2015

Welcome, welcome to new friends and old friends!
Holiday Housewalk collage At the Picket Fence

I’m so thrilled that you stopped by today. If you are following along on the Holiday Housewalk hosted by Jennifer Rizzo (click here to start at the beginning of the tour) then you might be coming here after seeing the beautiful home belonging to my wonderfully talented friend Jenna Burger. We’re also so excited because this year we’re teaming up with Joss and Main and Good Housekeeping to bring you some truly inspiring Christmas ideas for your home.

holiday housewalk Jenna Burger design 19  2015.jpg

When I was a little girl, the holiday season didn’t officially begin until we had our Christmas tree.

Front door basket with greenery and ice skates atthepicketfence.com

We would pile in the car and head out to the Christmas tree lot (we lived in Southern California for most of my childhood).

My mom and dad would examine each tree, turning them this way and that way until they found THE tree. The one which had been deemed worthy of gracing our family room.

Christmas entry with garland on staircase

And when the box of decorations was opened, I loved nothing more than to pull out each ornament. I would gingerly pick them up, one by one, and feel like I was greeting long lost friends.

But, of course, the lights and ornaments couldn’t be added to the tree until it had been properly placed in the plastic stand.

greenery spray on banister atthepicketfence.com

One year, when I was about 7 years old, after finding the perfect tree and bringing it home strapped to the top of our Datsun station wagon, my dad brought it inside and began the thankless task of putting it in the stand. And for whatever reason, this particular year the trunk of the tree just wasn’t cooperating. Or maybe it was the stand that wasn’t cooperating. Or maybe it was the tree AND the stand that weren’t cooperating.

Either way, our warm and fuzzy Christmas moment was quickly vanishing as my dad wrestled that beast of a tree. There was some mumbling. There was some grumbling. There were some ‘helpful’ tips from my mom standing nearby. And there were two wide-eyed little girls watching the scene unfold in front of us.

Christmas entry decor atthepicketfence.com

 

(Holy Night Pillow)

No matter how hard my dad tried, that tree just wasn’t going in that stand. And money was tight in those years, so the thought of having to buy a new stand added even more stress to an already stressful situation.

sled with vintage books and little tree atthepicketfence.com

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it appeared that my dad had achieved success. The trunk was in the stand and as my dad let go of the tree we eagerly moved forward to begin decorating.

branches and greenery in metal basket

But, in that split second, the tree suddenly tipped right over, stand and all!

We all froze.

And one look at my dad’s face told us that the best thing we could do in that moment was to stifle any giggles that threatened to leave our mouths.

french country style Christmas living room atthepicketfence.com

He turned on his heel, marched out to the garage, grabbed a big metal bucket and some bricks and that year our family officially started the galvanized bucket Christmas tree stand trend! 😉

Christmas mantel with noel letters in twig frame

(NOEL Garden Plaque)

This year, as I went out with my own precious family to cut down our Christmas tree, I imagine I had all of the same hopes and expectations that my parent’s did all those years ago.

pine cones and fresh greenery on mantel

A longing to create memories. To enjoy spending time together, celebrating all of the magic of this season.

cream colored snowflake pillow atthepicketfence.com

(Snowflake Pillow)

 After trudging all over a local farm in freezing cold temperatures, we finally found our perfect tree.

wood reindeer ornament

(Wood Reindeer Ornament)

It was shaken and baled and carefully tied to the top of our SUV and we made our way home singing Christmas carols and feeling all of the warm fuzzies that those moments can bring.

metal santos doll angel atthepicketfence.com

My son and husband unloaded the tree and as they were getting ready to bring it in the house, my husband showed me the branches that would probably need to be cut in order for it to fit in the stand.

I expressed concern. You see, I like the branches to hang down lower than the top of the stand and this year we had tried a different variety of tree so I was worried that it might not look right if we cut off too much.

Large Urn on Christmas buffet table atthepicketfence.com

But, my husband assured me that it would be fine so I gave him the go-ahead.

Those lower branches were snipped off and the grand moment of bringing in the tree arrived. As my son removed the twine and we watched each branch fall into place we just KNEW that this was going to be our best tree ever.

My daughter and I stood to the side holding lights and ornaments, eager to get to the decorating.

winter buffet table from atthepicketfence.com

But, when at last the final piece of twine was removed, the truth was revealed.

Those lower branches? Well, we kinda needed them.

There was a lot of trunk showing.

winter bird in nest under glass dome atthepicketfence.com

I wasn’t happy. And I informed everyone of my unhappiness. And my husband informed me that I had given him the go-ahead to trim those branches. And I informed him that I went against my gut instinct when I gave him the go-ahead. And he informed me that even though we’ve been married for 17 years he can’t be expected to be aware of my gut instincts.

And, meanwhile, our kids stood off to the side fighting the giggles with all their might.

As I was alternating between fuming and trying to come up with a solution, praying the tree skirt would be big enough, I remembered a day many years ago.

One involving a Christmas tree and frustrations and situations that go from Norman Rockwell moments to ones we would just as soon forget.

Christmas family room atthepicketfence.com

I realized that out of all of the years of getting Christmas trees as a young girl, that was the only one that really stood out to me.

It wasn’t the years where everything went perfectly. Where all of the light strands worked and the tree didn’t topple over and the cookies didn’t burn.

Winter mantel with white pitchers and greenery atthepicketfence.com

No, it was the years when real life happened. When a tree didn’t stay in the stand and we had a bucket in our family room before they were ever considered stylish.

It was the year that my parents encountered a frustrating situation but came up with a solution and laughed about it later.

And have laughed about it every year since.

Christmas mantel with white pitchers and greenery

So, I apologized to my precious family. And we laughed. We laughed at our tree that looks like it’s trying to show some leg. We laughed at mommy’s reaction and at daddy’s reaction.

And we made a memory. One I’m sure will stand out in my children’s minds far more than the times when everything came together seamlessly.

greenery in white cup on mantel

And when I really think about it, that’s the gift I want to give my children at Christmas. I want them to know that it isn’t about the perfect tree or the perfect decorations.

It’s not about the perfect moments.

simple and sweet hot cocoa station atthepicketfence.com

It’s about the unexpected ones. The ones we don’t orchestrate or have expectations for.

hot cocoa station details atthepicketfence.com

Like when your sweet girl asks if she can help make the banner for the hot cocoa station and you didn’t expect her to add a drawing of a mug of steaming hot cocoa. But you can’t imagine that banner without it and when you praise her talent and see her beaming face you realize that you will never forget that moment…and that you will save the banner forever.

It’s the unexpectedness of life that allows us to really experience it.

simple pennant hot cocoa banner

It’s the unexpected, like a King being born in a barn, that reminds us that really living means embracing it all. The joy with the sorrow, the bitter with the sweet, the gain and the sacrifice.

nativity

My heart’s desire is that my children will embrace the unexpected in their own lives. That they will see it as an opportunity to grow and stretch and get to know themselves better.

Pots spell out Joy to the World

So maybe Christmas trees surrounded by bricks and stuck in buckets or ones that are showing too much trunk are really the gifts that keep on giving.

Because, they are the memories that are made when we least expect them.

And, perhaps, those are the sweetest memories of all!

Vanessa signature

Now, be sure to head on over and take the tour at The Yellow Cape Cod!

holiday housewalk Yellow cape Cod 21 2015.jpg

 

For more holiday inspiration follow our Pinterest board with Good Housekeeping here.

35 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decor, Christmas decorating, Christmas home tour

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Comments

  1. JoeyfromSC says

    December 3, 2015 at 2:54 AM

    I absolutely love your decor! I also thoroughly enjoyed yoyur story!! You are such a great writer!

    I’m going to be putting up my tree & decorations this week & I’mj excited because I have new ornaments to add to my collection:)

    Thanks for making my day with this story!

    Reply
    • JoeyfromSC says

      December 3, 2015 at 2:55 AM

      I absolutely love your decor! I also thoroughly enjoyed your story!! You are such a great writer!

      I’m going to be putting up my tree & decorations this week & I’m excited because I have new ornaments to add to my collection:)

      Thanks for making my day with this story!

      Reply
      • JoeyfromSC says

        December 3, 2015 at 2:56 AM

        OOPS, I was trying to correct my typos ha..I need to be asleep & I’m blurry eyed lol

        Reply
  2. paige says

    December 3, 2015 at 3:47 AM

    love the candles/art/greenery over your mantle especially!! so pretty!
    merry christmas!

    Reply
  3. Courtney @ Golden Boys and Me says

    December 3, 2015 at 4:24 AM

    I loved this post, Vanessa, not just for the gorgeous Christmas decor, but for your words. I could relate to almost every one of them! Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  4. MimiMatthewsPassionistaAtLarge says

    December 3, 2015 at 4:48 AM

    Fabulous stories. Thanks for sharing what is important!

    Reply
  5. Eilis says

    December 3, 2015 at 5:32 AM

    Lovely post and lovely tree! You reminded me of the scratch on the living room ceiling of my childhood home. We used to go to a “real” Christmas tree farm up in the mountains, where you picked a growing tree and then they cut it for you. One year, the tree was just too tall and scraped the “popcorn” ceiling when my dad was setting it up. As kids, that scrape was kind of a badge of honor….”remember when we had that huge Christmas tree?”
    Eilis@MyHeartLivesHere.

    Reply
  6. Lisa Mothersead says

    December 3, 2015 at 5:33 AM

    Beautiful stories and home! Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  7. cassie @ primitive & proper says

    December 3, 2015 at 5:38 AM

    glad i now know how the galvanized tub trend started! 🙂 great story and your home is lovely as always- love the mantle!

    Reply
  8. Velia says

    December 3, 2015 at 5:39 AM

    Vanessa, your home looks lovely decorated for the holidays, it evokes warmth and comfort. Your use of greenery throughout the home added a festive holiday touch and your cocoa station is especially nice. Thank you for sharing your childhoid memories, your writing was delightful. Blessings to you and yours.

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Rizzo says

    December 3, 2015 at 5:52 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful home and being a part of the tour!

    Reply
  10. Kim says

    December 3, 2015 at 6:11 AM

    Vanessa, what a fun story. Yes, life is not perfect and I remember several trees and accidents through my childhood and with my family. Beautiful home tour!

    Reply
  11. Becca says

    December 3, 2015 at 6:41 AM

    Beautiful post and gorgeous holiday home! I love your “hot cocoa” banner and cute station below! Happy Holidays, friend!

    Reply
  12. Angela says

    December 3, 2015 at 6:57 AM

    Your home is alway so beautiful!! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving…and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
    xoxo,
    Angela

    Reply
  13. Carol Reddin says

    December 3, 2015 at 8:21 AM

    Your Dad and I laughed again this morning remembering the bucket with the bricks. Our tree skirt had a big job that Christmas trying to hide that rather large bucket. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Vanessa! Love you!

    Reply
  14. Vanessa says

    December 3, 2015 at 8:30 AM

    Your Christmas decor is beautiful. I love the basket on the bottom of the tree. It’s great.

    Reply
  15. kristin says

    December 3, 2015 at 8:36 AM

    Your home is just gorgeous, warm, welcoming and loved! I love the story of the tree growing up, such great memories. Ray and I have had that problem a few times with the trunk, finally we went out and purchased a bigger stand, should have just put it in a bucket 🙂
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  16. Nikki says

    December 3, 2015 at 8:44 AM

    I enjoyed reading this! Merry Christmas.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 3, 2015 at 9:56 AM

      Thank you Nikki!

      Reply
  17. Maggie says

    December 3, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    We also had a similar story where the tree fell. I remember my parents not being too happy. P. S. May I ask where you purchased those cute felt skates. So sweet

    Reply
  18. Cami says

    December 3, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    What a warm and inviting home you have created for the holidays! It was so fun to look through it!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 4, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      Thank you Cami!

      Reply
  19. Delilah says

    December 3, 2015 at 12:24 PM

    So beautifully written! Thank you for sharing.
    I love your décor!

    Reply
  20. Sheran Steading says

    December 4, 2015 at 2:00 PM

    I love this story!!!!! more than your beautiful home and gorgeous decorations. it’s real. and wonderful. Thank you!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 4, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      Oh thank you so much Sheran! So appreciate you coming by. 🙂

      Reply
  21. Pat says

    December 4, 2015 at 6:48 PM

    Vanessa,
    Thank you for reminding us that truly living is about embracing it all– especially this time of year when rushing around trying to do too much we lose our joy and often forget the very reason for celebrating. The birth of a King, what could be more joyful?
    Your home is beautiful and your words are always inspiring.
    Pat

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 4, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      Thank you so much Pat! Merry Christmas to you and yours! 🙂

      Reply
  22. laura@duke manor farm says

    December 5, 2015 at 2:41 AM

    love your story, love your heart. merry Christmas to you and your sweet family. I will think of you all sitting around your beautiful tree sharing a little too much leg! hugs!

    Reply
  23. Robyn MacLaine says

    December 5, 2015 at 2:55 PM

    Thank you for your beautiful words that go along with your photos. It can be so overwhelming, especially when viewing so many other people’s beautiful homes and decor. Your post was like a breath of fresh air and just what I needed. Gorgeous

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 5, 2015 at 6:26 PM

      Oh that means so much to me Robyn! Thank you for stopping by and visiting!

      Reply
  24. Tonya | Rustic & Woven says

    December 6, 2015 at 9:07 AM

    Everything looks beautiful!! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Janie baker says

    December 9, 2015 at 9:25 AM

    What a precious post! Like a favorite book, I didn’t want it to end!
    Loved it and your beautiful decor!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 9, 2015 at 8:02 PM

      What a lovely compliment Janie! Thank you so much. And hopefully that means you will enjoy our book when it comes out next year! 🙂

      Reply
  26. Beth Moore says

    December 11, 2015 at 1:22 PM

    Yes! I love the truth of this as it mirrors so my own Christmas expectations in many ways. Followed by the wisdom and gentle reminder to embrace the unexpected. Thank you for sharing your heart, and your home. It’s so cozy and stunning all wrapped up in one.

    Reply
  27. Rachelle Reda says

    November 4, 2016 at 6:41 PM

    Silly question. How did you tie that burlap bow on your railing? It’s simple and perfect!

    Reply

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This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
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Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

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Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
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Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
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Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
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