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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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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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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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