• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

December 9, 2011

Holiday Dining at Vanessa’s House and a winner!

030-1

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!

061-1

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!

036-1

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.
076-1
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.

047-1
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!

048-1

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! 

040

032-1

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!
066
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!

065-1

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.
054-1
So, there you have it! My dining room at Christmas.

043-1

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,

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

22 Comments Filed Under: Decorating

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Holiday Dining at Heather’s House!
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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Why We’ve Chosen Vacations Over Projects April 26, 2022
  • A New Look for the Family Room March 1, 2022
  • Christmas Kitchen and Family Room December 19, 2021
  • Christmas Home Tour Part One December 10, 2021
  • Easy Hot Cocoa Station November 21, 2021

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2022 At The Picket Fence