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December 8, 2011

Holiday Dining at Heather’s House!

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Wow! We are just so amazed at all of the fabulous links we are seeing at the Christmas Blogger Block Party! From Holiday Copycat Challenges, to Mantels, Banisters and Doors and Porches we are just blown away by the talent of bloggers!  Today we are sharing how we do Holiday dining in our homes with Sherry over at No Minimalist Here.
As many of you know, I recently remodeled my dining room and am so happy with how it turned out! It has been so much fun to decorate for Christmas using my new color palette.
holiday dining room
I mainly limited myself to gold, silver, white and a touch of red in here…just like the room itself!
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I worked really hard to use what I already had with a couple of extras from the Dollar Tree
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like these snowflakes in the centerpiece.
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I stenciled Joyeux Noel on the other side of my Thanksgiving pillows, allowing me to get double duty out of them.
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I made these glittery snowflake wreaths out of pool noodles and tinsel! I just LOVE them glittering in the windows. 
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I will show you how I made them in an upcoming post.
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I also love my vignette on my painted buffet.  The trees were made out of scrapbook paper and placed over old candlesticks I spray painted silver.
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My snowflake wreath is made from Dollar Tree snowflakes and…you guessed it I’ll be showing you how to recreate this as well! I hung it over my framed chalkboard…Let it Snow!
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I didn’t go overboard in my dining room but I think I’ve struck a nice balance of festive and Christmas-y in here!
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holiday dining room
I can’t wait to show you my Kitchen tomorrow in the Christmas in the Kitchen portion of the Christmas Blogger Block Party! The post will go up FRIDAY morning so please come back to join me with your Christmas Kitchen decorating and your favorite Holiday Recipes! If it’s Kitchen related you can link it up! And, don’t forget all of the amazing giveaways that will be happening on Friday all from our fabulous sponsors!
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See you then…
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This post is partying with:



Too Much Time On My Hands: Get Schooled Saturday
You’re Talking Too Much: Meet Me Monday

18 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Decorating, Dining Room, Good Ideas, Holiday Blogger Block Party, Holidays

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stuff and Nonsense says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    ahh
    love all the pretty festiveness
    of your dining room

    and the colors?

    delightful.

    alison

    Reply
  2. refresh reStyle says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Oh your dining room looks so good! Looks like you have lots of projects to share, beautiful stuff!
    Debbie

    Reply
  3. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    December 8, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    I love everything about this dining room! It’s gorgeous and festive! I’m on my way to the Dollar Store! LOL! I love your wreath! It amazing! Thank you for putting this blogger party together! It’s so much fun to see all of the amazing ideas and decorations!

    Reply
  4. Pattie says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Looks so festive.. this has been so much fun I can’t wait to see your kitchen… You have out done yourself Merry Christmas

    Reply
  5. Robin says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    It’s all so beautiful and festive! I love all the white and silver. And I’m looking forward to the snowflake wreath instructions. It’s beautiful.

    Reply
  6. Tanya@takesix says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Beautiful, beautiful dining room!! I can’t wait to see how you made the pool noodle wreaths!!

    Reply
  7. Kristin says

    December 8, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Everything looks so pretty! I love the pool noodle wreath and the scrapbook paper & candlestick trees! Something so easy even I can make them!! :)) Looking forward to the tutorial…

    Reply
  8. Ange says

    December 8, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    Beautiful! I love the let it snow frame/sign. Aren’t you just loving your new dining room? Thanks for the great Christmas party you’ve put together!

    Reply
  9. It's All Connected says

    December 8, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    I like how light and airy it feels. There is lots of sparkle and interest without overpowering your new decor! ~ Maureen

    Reply
  10. FABBY'S LIVING says

    December 8, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Gorgeous! I love all your decor for the holidays, fresh, warm and inviting. Your dinig room is perfect! Merry Christmas. FABBY

    Reply
  11. Anna says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Gorgeous ask always!

    Anna
    http://www.askannamoseley.com

    Reply
  12. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    December 8, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Hi Heather! Your dining room is beautiful all decorated for Christmas. Love the gold and silver. Thank you for joining my party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  13. Beth says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:21 PM

    I am all over that snowflake wreath hanging over the framed chalkboard!! I have a thing for snowflakes, except the real ones…

    Reply
  14. Honey at 2805 says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    It’s gorgeous! It would be so delightful to dine at your home, or at Vanessa’s!

    Reply
  15. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:33 AM

    Love all the glitter and sparkle going on in your dining room, Heather! Love the wreath and that snowflake on your chalkboard. Those dollar store hurricanes definitely come in handy!

    Reply
  16. Buttercup Bliss says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:47 AM

    I love your dining room decked out for Christmas! I can’t wait to hear how you made your latest projects – love the snowflake wreath. Of course, my favorite part is still the drum shade! It is gorgeous!!!

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  17. Katie@{The Allred Abode} says

    December 12, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Love this tablescape! Wow, Thank you for sharing this, love it! I just started a new linky party, and would love for you to join in! Monday Myriad Blog Hop

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fun and Easy Tinsel Wreath and a few more decorations says:
    January 27, 2013 at 5:34 PM

    […] a few days, to celebrate her life. I first showed a glimpse of this fun wreath when I revealed my dining room decorated for Christmas.  I wish my photography could do this wreath justice because it really […]

    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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