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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 9, 2011

Holiday Dining at Vanessa’s House and a winner!

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Before I share my Dining Room with you we need to announce the winner of last week’s giveaway for these gorgeous Burlap Stockings! (Giveaway for Blogger Block Party still going on!)
  from
The winner is:
Kathy from A Delightsome Life!
Congratulations!
We will put you in contact with Judy so that you can add these to your Christmas Collection.
Now, are you up for seeing another Dining Room today?
 I only wish we could go so quickly from Heather’s house to my house in real life! One of the best parts about us blogging together is that we actually get to see each other’s homes all decorated for Christmas since we so rarely get the chance to see them (or each other!) in person.
This has truly been one incredible week so far in Blogland and it’s not even over yet! Whew!
You are one talented group and I cannot believe the eye candy I have seen in the last few days.
I know we will see lots more still and I’m excited to share a little bit of my own creations this afternoon.
Welcome to my Dining Room at Christmas!

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Now, Heather had her Dining Room table all set and ready to welcome guests, but I had to leave my table with some free space since it will soon be filled with every kind of cookie you could imagine.
Each year I host a Cookie Exchange for the gals in our Community Group at church and that will be taking place this Sunday. The hubbies are very encouraging of their wives attending this event!
We also hosted a neighborhood Open House last weekend and I got my 
centerpiece done just in the nick of time!

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The only thing I had planned ahead of time was to have these pots of paper whites on the table. 
Other than that I was just kinda winging it!
They are slowly but surely growing and I hope by Christmas to see some actual blooms.
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Bunched up sage green burlap creates the perfect foundation to build the arrangement.
I filled a large apothecary jar with pine cones and then added the berry branches for a pop of color.

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I’ve used these for years in a variety of places and I love the sheen the berries have. 
They look fantastic when they pick up the light at night!

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These Candle Holders were such a fun and inexpensive project and are based on some I saw at Tuesday Morning (for about 3 times the cost!). I’ll be showing you how I made them next Wednesday when Heather and I share a Guest Post over at Lisa’s from Before Meets After! 

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With the berry branches all around I was a bit nervous placing candles on top of the holders. So I used these Battery Operated ones from Target and I still can’t get over how realistic they look!
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Of course, I had to have the real deal too so I placed these low pillar candles on top of 2 of my small Spode 
 “Winter’s Eve” plates. I love this pattern and I’m constantly on the lookout for more!

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Here’s another peek at my Citrus and Evergreen centerpiece on my side table as well as my homemade boxwood wreath. I’m definitely going to be keeping that up on into the New Year!
The windows were dressed with Cranberry wreaths and I love the pop of color they bring to the room.
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So, there you have it! My dining room at Christmas.

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Should I save you some cookies? 
Be sure and come back in the morning with Heather will be revealing her remodeled Kitchen all dressed up for Christmas and you will get the chance to share from the Heart of your Home too by linking up to her Christmas in the Kitchen Party!
And, don’t forget, my Doors and Porches party is going strong and there is still plenty of time to join in the fun along with all of the other amazing parties happening as we speak!
Including this one:
Thanks so much for stopping by the Fence today,

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22 Comments Filed Under: Decorating

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Next Post: Blogger Block Party~Doors and Porches! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debra @ Common Ground says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    Just gorgeous! I love those wonderful plaid drapes!! xoxo

    Reply
  2. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    December 8, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    Looks so beautiful and festive in your neck of the woods!

    Reply
  3. Honey at 2805 says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    What a delight it would be to dine at either your home or Heather’s!

    Reply
  4. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    You and Heather have added such festive touches to your dining rooms! What a treat for your family and friends. (Was last weekend’s Open House the Sally List project you wanted to do? Just curious…)

    Reply
  5. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:15 AM

    Congrats to Kathy! It’s very lovely and I’d never know you were winging it, Vanessa! : ) I love how everything flows together.

    Reply
  6. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:17 AM

    Your dining room is lovely! I love the natural elements you combined in to your decor! The fresh greenery must smell so wonderful! It’s has such a casual elegance about it all!

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    December 9, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    Your home looks gorgeous all decorated for the holidays. I love the idea of a cookie exchange. It’s so nice to get to tour both of your dining rooms.

    Reply
  8. Jann Olson says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    Very pretty Vanessa. Love the berry branches. Also love all of the natural greens. Your paperwhites will bloom before you know it. They grow so dog gone fast. Mine have buds and are just about to open. Can’t wait. My red amaryllis burst forth with a beautiful red bloom yesterday.

    Reply
  9. Tanya@takesix says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:58 AM

    Vanessa, your diningroom is beautiful and looks so festive!! I love your berry branches and your gorgeous red transferware!

    Reply
  10. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:10 AM

    Oh how I love your blue dishes in your cabinet. Everything is so beautiful…oh and did you say COOKIES? mmmmm. that sounds like fun!

    Reply
  11. Sue says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    You and Heather both have such beautiful homes! So warm and inviting.

    Reply
  12. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    December 9, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    I would love a cookie right about now Vanessa LOL!! Your dining room looks beautiful and I love the centerpiece you created for your table! You girls are the best for hosting this fun week long party! Martina

    Reply
  13. Crimson Heart Studios says

    December 9, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    How fun, I would love to do this with my sister. Come over to my blog. I have a vintage garland tutorial and giveaway. Thanks, Cindy

    Reply
  14. https://findingsecrettreasures.blogspot.com says

    December 9, 2011 at 6:47 AM

    Your dining room looks wonderful! I love the candlesticks, and all the cranberries!

    Reply
  15. Betty Sneeringer says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    I like the naturalness of your table. Hope your paperwhites perform just on time. Mine are about to bloom but are up about two feet tall – didn’t want them that tall! Had to put a ribbon around them already.

    Reply
  16. Wendy @HerBallistic Garden says

    December 9, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    It’s all so pretty, but I like the chippy split candlesticks best! Very cool!

    xo

    Reply
  17. Crafty Mischief says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Wow! Beautiful!

    Reply
  18. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    December 9, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    Hi Vanessa, The candlesticks are so cute! I am looking forward to seeing how you made them. Thank you for sharing your beautiful dining room at my party.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    Reply
  19. Angela says

    December 10, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Visited the sponsors for another chance to win. It would be so hard to choose, but I like the the numbered napkins at Cottage in the Oaks and the wool headbands at Curly Willow Collections.

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    December 10, 2011 at 12:55 AM

    I wish I could come to the cookie exchange, sounds like fun and your home is so beautiful and inviting…those candle sticks look great!
    Debbie

    Reply
  21. adventuresindinner says

    December 9, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    What gorgeous ideas, thanks so much for hosting this fun party. The whole week has been a total treat.

    Reply
  22. Becca says

    December 10, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Let’s see … where do I start? The fabulous centerpiece with the perfect addition of burlap … the traditional and beautiful cranberry wreaths on the windwo … the gorgeous handcrafted candles … the fruit tucked in the vase on the sideboard? It’s all stunning, Vanessa! I wanna come to the cookie exchange!

    Reply

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The first weekend in December seems like a good ti The first weekend in December seems like a good time for my annual gentle reminder about this month. I don’t know about you but, for me, December is a month of mixed emotions, ranging from joy-filled moments to ones that have me wanting to pull my hair out.

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 families 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.

Let’s stop putting so much pressure on this one month out of the year. Let’s be surprised at the ways we might be able to celebrate the baby in the manger without a dozen countdown calendars. Let’s give our kids some grace when they are focused more on gifts because…well…they’re kids after all.

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. Or have a good cry. 

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.

My hope for you is that, as you head into this season, you will be given fresh perspective and that you will give yourself (and your family) permission to just ‘be’. ✨
✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “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! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year 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!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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