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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 24, 2017

Cozy Home Decor Gift Ideas

Hello everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving from redheadcandecorate.com. It’s hard to believe that we are entering the holiday season, but here I am in my fuzzy slippers (as small snow flakes fall from the sky) and straight across the table from me in our family room is our Christmas tree 1/2 decorated 😆 . You see, we decided to put the tree up a bit early this year, and it really has added that “cozy warm” feeling that we all crave when it turns cold outside. I truly believe that is one of the reasons Christmas trees are so enjoyable to have in our home. They add a warm cozy comforting atmosphere that is difficult to achieve otherwise. Now, although I can’t send you my cozy Christmas tree…I can recommend a few simple ideas, tips and products to help bring the cozies into your home. You might also notice that the household items I have chosen below would also make amazing gifts this holiday season.

I know most of you probably enjoy a nice cup of coffee, right? In fact I bet you could go for a cup right now 😆 . Well, I couldn’t help but start out things today with this colorful coffee cup tower that received a lot of attention in our “Colorful Family Room Makeover“. My daughter uses them for soup, too. Can you spot them in the back right corner?

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Read full disclosure policy here.

Ceramic Coffee Cup Tower

I admit folks that I have way too many pillows, and I still gravitate towards them when I enter a home decor store. I’m thinking the reason for that is because pillows are usually affordable, but still make a huge statement in the room we use them in, and are so easy to switch out. I fell in love with these large checkered pillow covers and the price is reasonable.

Classic Checker Black & Cream Plaid Pillow 18×18 inch Pillow Covers

(several choices available)

Now, if you are going to have pillows, you just got to have a “throw” near by so you can get cozy right on the spot next to those pillows. This creamy blanket is very pretty, but I also want to let you know that I have found some gorgeous thrifty afghans at the thrift store. FYI, just remember to wash the used afghans twice in very hot water when you bring them home. The dryer should be set on hot, too. Don’t worry…I have done this several times and they always turn out perfect.

Cream Herringbone Throw 50×60 inch Blanket

(several choices available)

Here’s a photo of one of the thrifty afghans I found at the thrift store. Isn’t it just beautiful?

Candles are another way I love to add not only a warm glow, but the scent can be very soothing as well. I found these seasonal aromatherapy pine soy candles that I bet would help a faux Christmas tree smell like the real deal. Bonus…the jar turns into a cute juice glass for later. Remember to always be very careful when burning candles.

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Soy Candle Iowa Pine Scent

(many scents to choose from)

Moving on to the bedroom which is probably the coziest, warmest room in the house, right? If not, flannel sheets are the ticket to the comfiest sleep you will ever have. I have a few sets of flannel sheets and I actually use them year round. The more I wash them, the softer they become. Here’s the full tour of our Christmas Bedroom if interested…

Here is cute collection of flannel sheets for pretty much everyone in the family. These sheet sets would make an amazing gift for Christmas. They are worth every single penny because they last a long time.

Flannel Sheets

(several patterns available)

A few years ago I mentioned on my redheadcandecorate.com Facebook page that I couldn’t live without my heated mattress pad. I guess I just assumed everyone knew what they were. Well, it turns out that many folks were very interested and couldn’t believe they existed (these are very different from “electric blankets”). My husband and I have one that has separate controls, so if I want it on, and he doesn’t, then we are still okay. I like to turn my heated mattress pad on about an hour before bed and then I turn it off after my feet warm up. I will tell you I miss it so much when we go to hotels that I actually bring a heating pad with me to warm up the bed in the hotel. I’ve become quite the heated bed queen.

Heated Mattress Pad

Speaking of heating pads…I purchased this exact one for my husband for Father’s Day and he still thanks me over and over for it. He has shoulder pain from bow shooting so this really helps him because it wraps around the shoulders. Ahhhh…what a very useful kind gift they make.

Wrap Around Heating Pad

Now that we are all warm and cozy in bed, the last thing we want to do is hit the cold floor with our toes. This cute faux sheepskin rug is perfect for right next to your bed or vanity sink. I would absolutely love this as a gift. I wonder if my husband is listening?

Faux Sheepskin Ivory Area Rug

(available in many sizes)

Lastly, is one of my all-time-favorite ideas if you have always wanted a fireplace in your home. Electric wood burning fireplaces really give off some wonderful heat, and they are truly so cute when you put them into one of your favorite cozy nooks. I actually just purchased one for our cold family room that has many windows in it. The entire family spends so much more time in there now because they aren’t cold. I will be sharing ours with our Christmas tree this year. I hope you will subscribe here so you don’t miss it.

Electric Fireplace

Join Julie from redheadcandecorate.com and 1319 others in her first ever “DIY Home Decorating & Cooking Group” on Facebook. It’s a very warm, friendly atmosphere where folks enjoy sharing their home decor & cooking ideas. Members also love to help with decisions and color choices. Julie would love to have you join the fun!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

2 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, Good Ideas, Holidays

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Comments

  1. Norma Rolader says

    November 24, 2017 at 5:02 PM

    Thank you for sharing all the adorable items

    Reply
    • Julie says

      November 24, 2017 at 5:37 PM

      Merry Christmas, Norma!

      Reply

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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
The first day of December and the first Sunday of The first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. As we enter into a month that can be filled with stress, anxiety, worry and even sadness, let us turn our hearts towards the ONE who came as the ultimate, undeserved gift. Because it’s all about Him. 

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form “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! 🍂
Its that time of year again. I share this recipe e Its that time of year again. I share this recipe every November 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!! 🦃
It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be ma It’s that time of year again!! Chex Mix will be made on repeat for the next month and I’ve figured out the secret to getting the BEST flavor.

Want to know what it is? It’s all about being EXTRA! 

Take the base recipe up a notch by using a full stick of butter, extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and an extra 1/2 tablespoon of Lawry’s seasoning salt.

I guarantee you’ll never go back!

You’re welcome. 😉🎄

#chexmix #chexmixupgrade
Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the w Happy Friday!! I limped my way to the end of the week and I’m feeling especially grateful for the twinkling lights around my home which give me so much joy.

The great debate on social media over whether or not Christmas decorations should appear before Thanksgiving is one I just let roll on past me. Because I am so unbelievably thankful for this life, my family, my friends, this country, this home and most of all my Savior. 

Having my home all ready to welcome the next sacred season doesn’t take away one iota from my ability to express gratitude on the official day set aside each year where we do that collectively.

And when the last slice of turkey has been eaten and all of the leftovers put away, I’ll be over here ready to be fully present in the month of December and soak up every bit of it! 🦃🎄
IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures “ IKEA vs Heirlooms: Why we need family treasures

“My children have grown up seeing antique books on a coffee table, vintage toys in their bedrooms and even pieces of furniture that were all passed down from one generation to the next. But as my nest gets closer and closer to being empty, I’m keenly aware of the fact that many of these cherished items might not be as welcome in the homes of future generations.”

*Read the rest over at @cleartruthmedia*
All of my CTM articles are saved in my highlights
Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked Not too long ago, someone told me that they liked it better when I just talked about decorating and didn’t mention anything else. This person preferred me to keep any opinions or convictions to myself and just focus only on content about home decor, crafts and recipes. Aside from the fact that I’m always astonished that people feel so free to say things like that, I do agree that it would be a lot easier and more palatable if I didn’t talk about things like a Biblical Worldview, apologetics and the nature of reality itself. For one thing, Instagram wouldn’t throttle my account with its algorithms that are skewed to diminish voices like mine. It would be much easier to be so tethered to this app that I change everything I post to fit into its preferred framework. I would be asked to be part of influencer groups and activities like I was years ago. But I’m not that person anymore. Yes, the core of this community will always be an emphasis on homemaking which will include decorating and recipes but I can’t separate that from the core of who I am as a follower of Jesus Christ.

It would be so much easier for me to just show you the latest Amazon products I’ve bought and tell you to “comment” to get the links. But I’m not called to take the easy path. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”

I truly believe that so many have been lulled into thinking that the narrow gate wasn’t really all that narrow. But, it’s never been more obvious that it really is. And every day I seek to stay on that very narrow way.  More than ever before, I believe that our world needs to know that there is objective truth and a solid foundation to stand upon as we navigate our lives. My role as a homemaker is predicated on that foundation and everything else flows out of it. Talking about these things isn’t going to get me lots of views here. 

But I live for an audience of ONE.
The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was The first time we hosted my in-laws for a meal was in 1998. I was a new bride and eager to impress them. It did not go well. Let’s just say there was a bit of a garbage disposal mishap. 

It’s been over 25 years since then and I’ve learned so much about what really matters when it comes to hosting and caring for my family well during the holiday season. 

The peace we long for in our home begins with our hearts. If you want your home to feel more peaceful during the upcoming holiday season, I have five things to consider that will make that not only possible but predictable.

✨ Read the full article over at @club31women ✨

#club31women #wearethehomemakers
Here, in my little corner of social media, you won Here, in my little corner of social media, you won’t find a lot of unboxing of brand new items for Christmas. 

What I’m unboxing are the decorations in the attic that  I’ve had for years and figuring out how to give them a fresh look. I added new lights to an old pre-lit tree that no longer worked because I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. I’m putting out a different set of mugs at the hot cocoa station and the advent candles are arranged with greenery from outside.

As our feeds are filled with so.much.stuff, I want to offer you a reprieve. A place where you will find less emphasis on what’s happening in our homes and more on what’s happening in our hearts.

More than ever before, I can see just how much people are needing the hope found in Christ and that will always be the focus here. 

So, while you may not see me unpacking a massive, new tree or telling you to “comment for the link”, what you will see is encouragement to turn our hearts to what matters the most and let that reflect in every corner of our homes this season and all year long. 🌲

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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