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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 25, 2013

Mason Jar Advent Calendar & Advent-ures

I could see it all so clearly in my mind. The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. Perry Como’s voice crooning as only he can croon those holiday classics. Snow flakes gently falling outside the window. Steaming cups of hot cocoa with marshmallows and my family gathered together perhaps wearing matching holiday pajamas.

Mason-Jar-Advent-Calendar atthepicketfence.com

 My husband would take out his Bible and read to us about the story of that first Christmas. The kids would be so moved by the moment that they would forever have it emblazed in their memories. They would pay homage to us years later as they recalled to everyone near and far how their parents, particularly their mother, had created such magical holiday experiences for them.

Because I could see all of this playing out so clearly in my mind, I just knew that I could turn this vision into a reality. I informed my husband that come Sunday evening, we would be making Christmas memories as a family like nobody’s business. When I described to him what I envisioned he just looked at me warily. But there was no room for skepticism in my advent dream! Sunday rolled around and after dinner we told the kids that we would be meeting in the family room to do something special.

mason jars with beans and candles for advent calendar

Their little eyes lit up with excitement and I could see all of the pieces of my advent puzzle falling right into place. Oh sure, their holiday pajamas were still in the dirty clothes hamper and there were no snowflakes gently falling outside but I was willing to let those things go. I sent my husband to grab his Bible, checked that the Christmas tree lights were turned on, made sure Perry was crooning at just the right volume, flipped the switch on the gas fireplace and soon the room was filled with the glow of fake logs. I instructed the kids to sit down on the floor and explained that we were going to start a new tradition together as a family. We were going to celebrate advent and daddy was going to read to us the story of the first Christmas a little bit each Sunday for the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas with the last portion to be read on Christmas Eve.

how to make a mason jar advent calendar from atthepicketfence.comTheir lack of reaction gave me my first clue that perhaps this evening wasn’t going to go as planned. But, just as my husband was opening the Bible, my son yelled, “Wait! Can I read it?” Oh, this was even better than I had imagined! Our child showing so much interest in advent that he wants to read the story from the Bible to us himself. I fought back tears as my heart swelled with pride. Without hesitation my husband passed it over to him and showed him where to start reading. And then I blinked and the story was over. Wait! What was that? Did he read actual words? Because all I heard was a bunch of mumbling at such a rapid pace that I couldn’t understand anything coherent let alone holy and reverent. I think I might have picked up the words “wise men” but other than that it was just a big blur.

mason jars in vintage crate advent calendar

And then, just when I was getting ready to ask him to try again without the speed reading element, it happened. Someone passed gas. Loudly. Uncontrollable giggling, the inevitable response, ensued and soon the glow of the fireplace, the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree and even Perry Como couldn’t compensate for the fact that my advent dream was going the way of the leg lamp from the movie ‘A Christmas Story’; crumbling to pieces. We tried to regroup and start over but it was too late. The kids quickly moved from giggling to wiggling to wanting to be anywhere except sitting quietly in some kind of wannabe Hallmark moment.

numbered tags on mason jar advent calendar

After tucking them in bed for the night I returned to the family room and sat staring at those fake logs glowing in my fireplace. I thought about how I had dreamed, had expected, the evening to go. Glancing over at the Bible which had been casually tossed aside amidst all of the gaseousness, I began to think about how often my expectations don’t match up with reality. About how I build things up to unrealistic proportions which so often leave me feeling disappointed and how after all of these years I should know better. I picked up the Bible and began to read about another woman whose dreams for her life didn’t quite turn out the way she had planned.

Mason-Jar-Advent-Calendar atthepicketfence.com

A young woman whose expectations for her future were suddenly and drastically altered. You see, the word advent means “arrival or coming” and as Mary awaited the arrival of her son, I wonder if she was consumed with thoughts of how differently her life would turn out to be. Or was she able to rest in the knowledge that while everything might not be going according to her plan, the outcome would be far more amazing than she could have possibly imagined. So I choose to embrace my own reality, knowing that while there are so many things that have happened differently than I had planned, they always end up better than anything I could have orchestrated.

Hallmark can keep it’s picture perfect moments.

I’ll take the ones that involve speed reading and gas any day!

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17 Comments Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, Decorating, Devotionals Tagged With: Advent, Christmas, Christmas craft, devotions, Faith

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Comments

  1. Marty Walden says

    November 25, 2013 at 5:56 AM

    I just love your writing, Vanessa. Every.single.time. You turn everyday moments into real life lessons, and that’s a gift. I can do that in real life but have more trouble in my writing! My kids get these fabulous stories (ha!) from that I intertwine into their school subjects, and by the time I get ready to write about it I’ve totally forgotten it! I need to record them 🙂

    Having older kids, I can tell you that they do remember many of these moments and they often build them up in their mind as well. Many of our traditions are “written in stone” because my older two cling to those family memories. Yet, our moments in reality don’t always turn out as picture perfect as our memories. We tell ours, friends come and go, but family is forever. It just may be a bit rocky at times!

    Reply
  2. Thistle says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    Vanessa,

    You seriously made me laugh out loud. 🙂 I think perfect is totally overrated! Love the advent calendar idea!

    Happy day rock star!
    karianne

    Reply
  3. Ashley Rane Sparks says

    November 25, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    SO TRUE!! A few years ago we started reading the Christmas Story on Christmas morning. My husband gets out his Bible and we all sit around the fire place drooling at the stockings filled to the brim. The kids have come to appreciate it but those first few years when they bounded down the stairs ready to rip and tear only to find out we were going to start the morning off “right” it was a tough sell. SO- keep at it. One year they’ll be asking for the tradition of Advent.
    P.S. The tie in to Mary is brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Ashley Rane Sparks
    http://www.makeitrane.com

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 25, 2013 at 12:59 PM

      Thank you so much Ashley! I LOVE the idea of reading the Christmas story before tearing into the presents as a way of pausing and remembering why we celebrate. Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Julia G. says

    November 25, 2013 at 7:49 AM

    Thank you for the laugh and the reality check! No, my life hasn’t turned out to be the Hallmark movie that I want but it has had a few Hallmark moments!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 25, 2013 at 12:58 PM

      Thank you Julia! Isn’t real life better than a hallmark movie anyway? 🙂 I’ve had quite a few Hallmark moments and I treasure those but I’m learning to treasure the crazy stuff just as much. Blessings to you!

      Reply
  5. Carol Reddin says

    November 25, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    Can hardly wait to join in your Advent celebration this year! Thanks for the great post! Love, Mom

    Reply
  6. jessica @fourgenerationsoneroof says

    November 25, 2013 at 2:04 PM

    Nice rockstars! I shared on my FB page 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      November 25, 2013 at 6:07 PM

      Thanks friend!! So appreciate it! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Elizabeth says

    November 25, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    Thanks for telling it like it really is!

    Reply
  8. Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs says

    November 26, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    LOL! That is a true Christmas memory! I can hear it now… “Do you remember that year…”

    Reply
  9. Michelle Paige says

    November 26, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    Whoa, how did we end up with the same families? Love this real post and the advent. True on so many levels!

    Reply
  10. Christina Higgins says

    January 2, 2016 at 5:50 PM

    I am so glad that I stumbled on to this blog. I saw an “I did it” article in BHG. I love your Christian spirit and I can relate to all the hopes and disappointments of raising kids in that spirit. I do believe that everything works out in the end, the way it was intended, and when you accept that, it takes the edge off a little. I am a big fan of Advent and have always gotten my kids those chocolate advent calendars that I used to get as a kid. We also have an advent wreath and light one more candle each Sunday, eating all meals as family with only the advent wreath lit on the table and before we eat, instead of grace we read the advent reading for the day. Right now, my children roll their eyes, but someday, when they have their own families, I think those things will come back to them.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 3, 2016 at 8:26 AM

      Hi Christina! I’m so glad you ‘stumbled’ upon us too. Thank you so much for your encouraging words and I’m certain your kids will (and probably already do!!) appreciate all that you’ve done throughout the years to foster their faith. Blessings to you and I hope to see you around here more! 🙂

      Reply
  11. SUSAN SHIPE says

    December 8, 2017 at 11:25 AM

    Amen to this Vanessa – in real life … the best!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      December 8, 2017 at 12:59 PM

      Thank you so much Susan! Even with all of it’s craziness real life is definitely the best!

      Reply
  12. Kristin says

    January 14, 2018 at 8:57 AM

    I so love this story!!! As a mom of four almost all grown children, I can totally relate . Thank you for your wisdom and your honesty, and I too agree that all things do work out the way they should. God does have purpose in all things, even though they may frustrate us in the process. I too have had many Hallmark plans which seem to lose the fizzle, but yet we have so many wonderful and memorable family traditions and experiences. Have a wonderful New Year!!❤️ God is so good!!

    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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