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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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October 25, 2012

Thanksgiving Tablescape, Corn Husk Flowers and a Linky Party!

Like many people, having family spread out across the country means

we often have to combine our holidays or celebrate them “off season”.
We may be totally confusing our children but at least we have the memories, right?

On a side note, one time I took my then 3 year old son to visit my parents before Halloween and dressed him up in his little train engineer costume, had him go out their back door, walk around the yard to the front door and ring the doorbell so that he could “trick-or-treat” at Nonna and Poppa’s house.


We have no shame.
 

 

Often, Thanksgiving and Christmas wind up being combined at our house which could make it easy to just skip right over this lovely day set aside for gathering together and giving thanks.
But, I’m determined to keep it special and to help my kids remember what it’s all about.
I know at many homes, the children sit at the “kids’ table”.
But, at our house, the added mayhem of having them at the “grown-up table” is what makes Thanksgiving so special.
Even the occasional escaped “toot” is forgiven when we are all hopped up on Turkey!

 

One tradition we are starting this year is the making of our
“What Are You Thankful For? Table Runner”

 

The only supplies you will need for this simple craft are:
A roll of Butcher Paper
Leaf Cutouts
Pencil
Crayons
And here is how you make it:

 

 

Don’t forget to put some crayons on the table so that your guests can add to it!

 

 

Who knew that a butcher paper table runner layered over a burlap tablecloth could look so elegant?

 

 

Another tradition I cherish is using heirloom pieces in my table settings.
The glasses are part of a set that my grandmother (my mom’s mom) began collecting for Heather and myself when we were young and added to over the years.
She passed away right before Christmas last year and every time I see these they remind me of her and her love for all things “vintage”.
The silverware belonged to my husband’s grandmother and was given to us as a wedding gift.
I love having both sides of the family heritage represented on one table.

 

Last year, I found myself thrilled by the endless uses for Corn Husks and some of you may even remember my Corn Husk Wreath.
Well, believe it or not, I still had some corn husks left over and I still wasn’t about to actually use them to make tamales.
So, I decided to try my hand at making a

Corn Husk Flower Napkin Ring

 

Here’s how to make these:

 

 

1) Gather your tools: curling iron, scissors, corn husks, hot glue gun
2) Take a small, narrow piece of corn husk and twist and wrap into a “knot”
3) Cut petal shapes out of the corn husks
4) Glue petals around the knot to resemble a flower
5) Use curling iron to curl back each corn husk petal
6) While curling corn husk petals, wonder if your hair will forever smell like tamales
7) Take a wider corn husk piece and dampen with water to make pliable
8) Roll into ring shape and glue ends together
9) Using hot glue gun, attach flower to ring
10) Wrap a small piece of corn husk around the base of the flower to cover where it attaches to the ring and glue it in place.

 

 

 

 

 Keeping things simple and natural are the name of the game this year.

Glass Dollar Tree plates were decoupaged with images from The Graphics Fairy and then topped with a little grapevine wreath, also from Dollar Tree.


An old tool caddy filled with autumnal (don’t you love that word?) goodies and mercury glass votives rests on a bed of branches.

A sweet twiggy pumpkin sits on top of a small urn.

And real pumpkins on top of mercury glass candlesticks add just the right finishing touch.
I think I can safely stop worrying about my kids sitting down for Thanksgiving someday with their in-laws and asking if they are going to open presents after dinner!

The only thing that could possibly make things more special, is if we were celebrating this Thanksgiving with my beautiful sister, her wonderful family and a glass of this 
Pumpkin Pie Latte
she shared yesterday!
pumpkin, pie, latte, coffee, Thanksgiving

  
We’re so excited to be sharing both of these posts as part of this awesome celebration of
 Thanksgiving Traditions!


How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?
Do you have special recipes, decor, traditions, crafts?

We want to see them!
Link up here to join in the fun as we travel from the North, South, East and West celebrating together!
Here are the rules for linking up!

.
…and here are the fabulous projects already shared by the hostesses:
Settings for Four…Tablescape and Maple Acorn Squash
A Cottage Industry-Thanksgiving Leftovers Printables
Mrs. Hines Class-Pork Tenderloin in Raspberry Chipotle Sauce and a Fall Mantel

We’ll be featuring our favorites…so link up!


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41 Comments Filed Under: Celebrations, Crafts, Good Ideas, Holidays, Kids, Thanksgiving

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Comments

  1. Heather SettingforFour says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    I absolutely love your table setting and corn husk napkin rings Vanessa! Sweet kids craft too! Heather’s yummy drink will be one I make often now too! Your heirloom glassware and silverware is stunning. Thanks for cohosting this party with us 🙂

    Reply
  2. Ramblings of a Southern Girl ~ Rhonda G says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM

    I LOVE your tablescape! The burlap does look so elegant, and the “table runner” is an excellent idea, especially for small kids! The husk flower napkin rings are pretty! …Very welcoming sight!

    Reply
  3. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    Love the idea of adding the paper down the center to write what you are thankful for, Vanessa. Your table looks beautiful!

    Reply
  4. Laura from Top This Top That says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:58 PM

    I think this idea for the kids ( and us big kids) is just so special. I think we will be doing this too!

    Reply
  5. JodieMo says

    October 24, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    As soon as I make something for Thanksgiving, I am totally linking up. 😉

    Reply
  6. cherished bliss says

    October 24, 2012 at 1:29 PM

    Thanks so much for the awesome party! I linked up my thankful board, I’m so excited to use it this year with my kids : ) : ) Thanksgiving is so fun…eeeek. Can you tell I’m excited! I put a link in my post and now off to check out the others : )

    Reply
  7. Sylvia says

    October 24, 2012 at 1:46 PM

    Love, love, love this table setting! Original, inviting, Autumn – ish, simply perfect! The idea of ” What are you thankful for? ” table runner is brilliant!!! Awesome job!

    Reply
  8. CK Mangold says

    October 24, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    I love that you use hand-me-downs to set your table. To me, those are the most cherished things that I have and such a great idea to bring them out on special occasions! Great post!

    Reply
  9. Janel from NellieBellie says

    October 24, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    Thanks for the party!!! I don’t have much ready to link up yet. Okay, maybe I won’t ever :). But…I threw in my fabric leaves. Cause I want to party with you all!!! Have a great week!

    Reply
  10. Debra @ Common Ground says

    October 24, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    Love this post! Wonderful having the kiddos involved with this beautiful project!

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    October 24, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    I really love the napkins rings. I happen to have left over husks as well from when I copied you with the wreath. (It’s hanging in a different spot this year, but it’s still hanging.) I have pinned this to try.

    Reply
  12. Karen says

    October 24, 2012 at 7:06 PM

    Vanessa, I love all the different textures you have added to the tablesetting from rustic to shabby chic (as they say). But, most of all how special your children feel by sharing the table with the adults and letting them share what they are thankful for. Girl, this is where I fell short, was teaching gratitude with my two. I encourage you to instill this while they are young.

    Reply
  13. Tammy Partin Spangler says

    October 24, 2012 at 7:55 PM

    I love your table! I have started a collection of candlewick glasses and have a large set of Rogers First Love silver as well!!

    Reply
  14. Stacy Curran says

    October 24, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    What a beautiful, beautiful post! I love the table runner idea! One thing i am thankful for is blogs like this, and the awesome ladies who wrote it!
    Stacy

    Reply
  15. Penny Phillips says

    October 24, 2012 at 10:37 PM

    I just joined the party and want to thank you for hosting! I love your table, especially the napkin rings! Hugs, Penny

    Reply
  16. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    October 25, 2012 at 12:27 AM

    Your table looks lovely! I’m happy to link up to your party too!

    Reply
  17. Michele Cole says

    October 25, 2012 at 12:30 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! I am enjoying all of the beautiful fall links.

    Michele @ Betterorganizedliving.com

    Reply
  18. Eclectically Vintage says

    October 25, 2012 at 1:20 AM

    Ah, nothing says Thanksgiving like a random toot or two from the kids (or grandpa)!

    Love a craft where I can break out my curling iron – it really hasn’t gotten much action since the 80’s!
    Kelly

    Reply
  19. Leslie says

    October 25, 2012 at 1:26 AM

    Thankful for God? Me, too, kids. Me, too.
    Thankful for you two sisters, too <3
    Love, me

    Reply
  20. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    October 25, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    I so loved reading about your traditions…the love of God and family..and the memories of the past and making beautiful memories in the moment. We had started that tradition a long time ago with writing our thoughts of what we were thankful for..our blessings… on craft paper on the table. Our Thanksgiving table could have up to 40 people at a time…of family, extended family and friends who are alone at Thanksgiving…Thanksgiving was always my dad’s favorite holiday…as he would say, I love that day because we all gather tougher to give thanks and count our blessings and not count our presents!…:)

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    October 25, 2012 at 2:28 AM

    Love the table setting and all the reminders of days gone by. Can hardly wait to be together at Thanksgiving and an early Christmas with you, too! We do what we can when we can, huh? Love you, Mom

    Reply
  22. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says

    October 25, 2012 at 2:39 AM

    I loved this post Vanessa! The table runner is a great idea, that I think I will implement at our house too. I love the burlap tablecloth, the wood tool caddie, the heirloom pieces. So awesome!!!

    Reply
  23. Anne @ Domesblissity says

    October 25, 2012 at 3:55 AM

    Hi Vanessa! Thanks for hosting.

    Anne xx

    Reply
  24. Maxie Sykes says

    October 25, 2012 at 8:08 AM

    Love the table centerpiece, and I love corn too. Your pumpkin pie latte is a perfect coffee recipe for the Halloween season.

    Reply
  25. perfume sample says

    October 25, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    Good post Vaneesa ! You have tried your best and it is looking very nice so keep it up dear we appreciate such type of pages . Conratulations.

    Reply
  26. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    October 25, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    Vanessa your table looks beautiful and what a sweet idea making that table runner! Love that!!

    Reply
  27. Dewdrop Gardens says

    October 25, 2012 at 3:12 PM

    Your dining room looks wonderful! I love the tool caddy all decked out for the holidays. The napkin rings are so cute, and wow, what a fantastic idea for the table runner!! Everyone will have so much fun adding to it, and what a keepsake for your family…remembering what everyone is thankful for.
    Debbie 🙂

    Reply
  28. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    October 25, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    What a lovely post, Vanessa. I love your centerpiece, and I really like the Dollar Store plates with pretty graphics and grapevine! I think I have some corn husks left over, so I will have to try out the corn husk napkin rings–they’re lovely!

    Reply
  29. Lisa says

    October 29, 2012 at 7:00 AM

    Never EVER cease to amazing me. Wonderful post. 🙂

    Reply
  30. yard light says

    March 16, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    Thank you, I have recently been searching for information about this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve discovered so far. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you positive about the supply?

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. fabric leaves tutorial says:
    November 4, 2012 at 4:15 PM

    […] in a pretty vase and you have….Linking this craft at these great linky parties:-The DIY Showoff–At the Picket Fence–C.R.A.F.T.- -Uncommon Designs-google_ad_client = "ca-pub-0886170766488099"; /* under post */ […]

    Reply
  2. you’re invited to celebrate Thanksgiving with me says:
    November 7, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    […] printables. Heather & Vanessa of At the Picket Fence (Midwest) showed us how to make a cornhusk napkin ring. Cheri of It’s So Very Cheri (South) made a very cute bunting. And next week, Clydia of Three […]

    Reply
  3. Something new…best of the week | livingsimplyfree says:
    November 9, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    […] a peek into a Simple Thanksgiving Tradition?  Take a peek at how one family celebrates Thanksgiving and learn how to make a corn husk napkin ring, although I was drawn to their table runner, no craft […]

    Reply
  4. http://www.atthepicketfence.com/2012/11/fall-decorating.html says:
    November 13, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    […] a butcher block paper table runner where you can write down what you are thankful for…and where your loved ones (for whom you […]

    Reply
  5. Thanksgiving Traditions N-S-E-W continues at Three Mango Seeds says:
    November 14, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    […] printables. Heather & Vanessa of At the Picket Fence (Midwest) showed us how to make a cornhusk napkin ring. Cheri of It’s So Very Cheri (South) made a very […]

    Reply
  6. With Thankful Hearts says:
    November 21, 2012 at 10:01 PM

    […] This is so easy to make and the tutorial can be found here. […]

    Reply
  7. Autumn tablescape 2012 says:
    June 24, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    […] Party at Setting for Four, Weekend Wrap-up at tatertots and jello, Thanksgiving Linky At The Picket Fence, Blog Linky Party at Somewhat Simple, DIY Fall Festival at DIY […]

    Reply
  8. 22 Easy DIY Projects for Your Thanksgiving Table says:
    November 19, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    […] Corn Husk Flowers : Corn husks are a great crafting supply this time of year! (by At the Picket […]

    Reply
  9. DIY Thankful Board - Cherished Bliss says:
    February 4, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    […] linking up this post here: Today’s Creative Blog, here, and to the Traditions Link Party over At The Picket Fence The DIY […]

    Reply
  10. 16 Simple Fall Napkin Rings says:
    July 9, 2014 at 8:52 AM

    […] corn husk flower napkin ring (via atthepicketfence) […]

    Reply
  11. 16 Cool Yet Simple Fall Napkin Rings says:
    July 9, 2014 at 6:06 PM

    […] corn husk flower napkin ring (via atthepicketfence) […]

    Reply

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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 kids 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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What’s been the best part of your day today? ❄️
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When I was a little girl we took a trip to Silver Dollar City theme park in Branson, MO. One of the attractions there is the Marvel Cave. The whole theme park was actually built right around the cave! I will never forget the feeling of descending into the darkness. We had to walk down a steep, narrow path and I could feel the rocky walls beginning to close in on me. From time to time, our guide would even have to call out for us to duck our heads so as not to whack them on rocks that were jutting out. And just when it felt like we had been walking forever; just when it felt the most narrow and the most dark; just when we were starting to get really weary from navigating this path, we turned the corner and found ourselves awestruck as we gazed at this enormous room. Everywhere we looked there were stalactites and stalagmites. Lights had been installed and they reflected off of these formations creating the most beautiful colors on the walls. There were pools of water in a shade of aquamarine I had never seen before and waterfalls flowing from upper levels. That long, winding, damp trek had been so very worth it. The descent into darkness had revealed light…and life!

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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