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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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March 13, 2013

Spring Centerpiece and Mantel Decor

Spring Centerpiece and Mantel Decor from At The Picket Fence

When we were little our mom would take us on walks. A LOT of walks. We went in every season, every kind of weather and as we would walk she would say, “smell girls, smell!” and we would all stop and take deep sniffs of the air. I can’t speak for Heather but I’m fairly certain that at the time I didn’t fully appreciate just what I was smelling.

But, somewhere along the line, the aromas of the different seasons began to seep into my pores and become apart of my very being. I might have been a city girl but I could smell a change in the weather as well as any farmer! Which would make perfect sense seeing that I am a farmer’s daughter’s daughter.

As soon as the first daffodils begin poking their way through the ground each year I have to call that farmer’s daughter and tell her.

white washed terra cotta pots At the Picket Fence

She says it makes her heart ache. She is a farmer’s daughter, after all. And she knows what she is missing. They might now live where there is plenty of sunshine but there aren’t very many daffodils…or hyacinths…or bearded iris (her favorite!).

glass holders

 Of course when she tells me it makes her heart ache it makes my heart ache too. In that strange, bittersweet kind of way where you aren’t sure if you want to cry or laugh. So you do a little of both.

pots on glass stands at the picket fence

I know she would love seeing this daffodil centerpiece set on top of a tablecloth which belonged to her mother. She would ask me if I had purchased the pots as is and I would tell her that I simply took plain terracotta pots and did a quick white-wash. Glass pieces of varying shapes and sizes provide the perfect little stands for showing them off.

Spring Centerpiece At the Picket Fence

Being a farmer’s daughter means she is also very practical so she would really like that this centerpiece can do dual purpose as Spring mantel decor. She might even go over to one of those pots and stick a finger in the dirt just for fun.

spring mantel At the Picket Fence

I wouldn’t put it past her!

White washed terra cotta pots on mantel At the Picket Fence

And she would bury her head right into those daffodils and inhale their subtle, sweet aroma.

daffodils At the Picket Fence

She would be the first to be invited to my home for a Spring brunch. OK…maybe it would be a tie for first place with my sister.  

*I’ll be sharing more details from my Spring Brunch Buffet later on this week so be sure to come back for that*

Spring tablescape At the Picket Fence

And, there is no doubt in my mind that she would be so proud when she is outside playing with her grandchildren and one of them lifts their nose into the air and says, “smell Nonna, smell!”

This post is  just the latest stop on the It’s a Spring Thing Blog Hop!

Spring Thing Graphic

There have been some incredible projects shared so far!

Lemon and Blueberry Butter Cake from Cupcakes and Crinoline. Spring Tablescape and Dining Room from Dear Lillie. Spring Scrap Wood Sign from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia. Easy Spring Centerpiece from Simply Klassic Home. Spring Mantel from Fox Hollow Cottage. Spring/Summertime Crafts from Debbiedoos. Tips for Decorating a Spring Mantel from Setting for Four. Spring Chevron Tote Bag from JoJo & Eloise.

“Hop” over tomorrow and visit Maryann from Domestically Speaking. Plus, still to come is KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms, Courtney from French Country Cottage, and Jennifer from Jennifer Rizzo

Be sure to follow along and on March 18 we’ll all be hosting one HUGE It’s a Spring Thing! Linky Party where you can link up your spring and Easter posts.  Hope you’ll join us!

Thanks so much for joining me today at the Fence,

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39 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating, Easter, Good Ideas, Holidays, Spring Tagged With: Botanicals, Easter, spring, spring decorating, tablescapes

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Comments

  1. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    March 13, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    I know that smell, Vanessa! It always makes me happy, too, because I know Spring has really arrived and the ground and plants are waking up again. Your daffodils look wonderful in the pots. They look great on your mantel altogether. You can’t get simpler or more Springy than that!

    Reply
  2. Kimberly ~Serendipity Refined says

    March 13, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    Ahhh..the sweet smell of springtime! I know it well and have many, many fond memories of sharing those “walks” with my Grandmothers. I love your daffodils in whitewashed pots…they’re cheery…just like spring! I have a few more weeks to wait but Spring’s coming! xo

    Reply
  3. Leslie says

    March 13, 2013 at 7:10 AM

    Your daffodil arrangements are so pretty!! Also, I love your memory about taking walks with your mom and smelling Spring! It’s really sweet things like that that sticks with us in life, right? I actually love the smell of freshly cut grass that should start wafting in about a month. 🙂
    Blessings,
    Leslie

    Reply
  4. Tonya @ Love of Family & Home says

    March 13, 2013 at 7:53 AM

    So simple & pretty! I love the daffodils in the pots on the mantel! They just scream spring!

    Reply
  5. Becca says

    March 13, 2013 at 7:58 AM

    LOVE these, Vanessa … AND your sweet and sentimental post! What a great idea to place your wonderfully whitewashed pots on glass (love how you flipped a couple of them over). Isn’t it amazing how certain smells can take us right back to our childhood?

    Reply
  6. Michael Reddin says

    March 13, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    Thank you, Vanessa, for the walk down memory lane! It makes my heart happy just thinking of those days spent taking walks with my darling daughters. PLEASE bring some flowers when you come to Arizona soon! Love you, Mom

    Reply
  7. Maryann @ Domestically Speaking says

    March 13, 2013 at 10:08 AM

    Gorgeous… loving the yellow and those cute pots. Love your sweet story too.

    Reply
  8. Angelina says

    March 13, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    This is ABSOLUTELY lovely, Vanessa. The flowers are so pretty and fresh. Your table sings, SPRING with it’s light and airy feeling. The memories and story, PRICELESS!! Love it!!!
    xo
    Angelina

    Reply
  9. Cynthia says

    March 13, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    What a wonderful story. It made me tear up thinking about my mom when she was alive. Daffodils and the smell of spring was her favorite time. She used to say there was a certain smell in the air. Thanks for bringing this memory back for me.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  10. Jill Flory says

    March 13, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    Beautiful Vanessa, just beautiful. the flowers in their white-washed pots on their glass pedestals AND your sweet story. Happy Spring!

    Reply
  11. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    March 13, 2013 at 1:13 PM

    Daffys are one of the first things to pop up here for us. I love the sweet little yellow faces. They sure look pretty all dolled up! Happy Spring!

    Reply
  12. Heather says

    March 13, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Beautiful story and centerpiece!! The smells of spring are priceless aren’t they! Love the cheery yellow daffodils and how you staggered the heights of them for your table!

    Reply
  13. kim says

    March 13, 2013 at 4:52 PM

    So pretty, Vanessa and beautifully written. I do love going outside in the different seasons and taking in a deep breath. So cleansing.

    Reply
  14. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    March 13, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    Such a lovely story and such a beautiful centerpiece!

    Reply
  15. Cindy says

    March 14, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    They are the sweetest things and I loved your story…
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    Reply
  16. Carol says

    March 14, 2013 at 5:59 AM

    Oh, Vanessa, your tablescape and your story are both so sweet. Daffodils are so very pretty! My grandmother is the one who was always introducing me to wonderful smells and the simple beauty of the world. Most things I did not become aware of until I was an adult, but obviously they were sitting there in my brain — in the deep dark recesses. Having grown up in Louisiana, the smell of a warm summer rain was one of those buried memories. Shortly after The Man & I moved to AZ with our then “tween and almost tween,” we experienced our first desert rain. When that rain started, I was immediately assailed with the smell and started squealing and calling the “tween and almost tween” outside so they could experience such wonder. I think they actually thought I had lost my mind, but I had done my job; I had imprinted that wonderful smell on my young, because they truly get it now that they are adults with kiddos!

    Carol

    Reply
  17. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    March 14, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    Oh this is so beautiful. I love that you elevated the pots on glass containers, lovely. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  18. katie says

    March 14, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Love the spring centerpieces!

    Reply
  19. kristin says

    March 14, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    Just stunning Vanessa! I love how you displayed them on glass, unexpected yet so beautiful! I think all the pots I aged have broken…after seeing how gorgeous yours are I might just have to make a stop at the dollar store soon for more pots. Have a wonderful day.
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  20. Susan @ My Place to Yours says

    March 14, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    Vanessa, I love this tribute to your Farmer’s Daughter mama… and I’m certain she would love your simply perfect daffodil mantel as much as I do! Nicely done. (Of course, THIS Nonna’s favorite line was “smell, Nonna, smell!” I’ve heard my Little Man say it many times. Thanks for the memories today. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Tiffany | offbeat + inspired says

    March 15, 2013 at 5:17 AM

    SO pretty!!

    Reply
  22. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    March 15, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    This is such a pretty idea, Vanessa! I’ve got the pots and the white paint just sitting around, so will have to give this a go!

    Reply
  23. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    March 15, 2013 at 1:13 PM

    Always love to read your beautiful stories….and beautiful table and mantel Vanessa!

    Reply
  24. Melanie says

    March 15, 2013 at 7:10 PM

    What a beautiful centerpiece and lovely story, Vanessa. Thank you for sharing it with us!

    Reply
  25. Lee says

    March 15, 2013 at 7:16 PM

    Beauty from such a simple idea, I love daffodils, sadly it’s the end of our Summer now and we are heading into Autumn so a nice surprise to see Spring bulbs again.

    Lee 🙂

    Reply
  26. Laura / The Shed blog by Pet Scribbles says

    March 16, 2013 at 6:40 AM

    I love this project – especially as it can transcend the usual Spring holidays. And that’s initially why I clicked over here from your post on Hometalk. But your story about your Mom, and how she would appreciate these potted bits of Spring… that actually captured my heart. What a sweet homage to your Mom. 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Lemon and Blueberry Butter Cake ~ It's a Spring Thing - Cupcakes & Crinoline | Cupcakes & Crinoline says:
    March 13, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    […] Angelina from JoJo & Eloise {spring chevron tote bag}, Vanessa from At the Picket Fence {Spring Centerpiece and Mantel Decor}, Maryann from Domestically Speaking, KariAnne from Thistlewood Farms, Courtney from French Country […]

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  2. Tea Stained Eggs says:
    March 15, 2013 at 1:45 AM

    […] Lemon and Blueberry Butter Cake from Cupcakes and Crinoline. Spring Tablescape and Dining Room from Dear Lillie. Spring Scrap Wood Sign from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia. Easy Spring Centerpiece from Simply Klassic Home. Spring Mantel from Fox Hollow Cottage. Spring/Summertime Crafts from Debbiedoos. Tips for Decorating a Spring Mantel from Setting for Four. Spring Chevron Tote Bag from JoJo & Eloise.Domestically Speaking. At the Picket Fence […]

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  3. Bir Bahar Şey Paskalya Dekor ve bir çocuk projesi bulunuyor ….. izmir ankara istanbul Armut Koltuk says:
    March 17, 2013 at 4:02 PM

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  4. It's a Spring Thing Blog Hop Recap and One BIG Linky Party - Cupcakes & Crinoline | Cupcakes & Crinoline says:
    March 18, 2013 at 4:59 AM

    […] from At the Picket Fence brought a smile to my face with a story about her Mom and this awesome […]

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  5. Domestically Speaking: It's A Spring Thing Party Time! says:
    March 18, 2013 at 5:01 AM

    […] This chevron Spring Tote from JoJo and Eloise is too cute! Vanessa At the Picket Fence shared her Spring Centerpiece and Mantel. I shared my blue, green and burlap Spring Wreath. We learned how to make sweet tea stained […]

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  6. Spring Fling Linky Party says:
    March 18, 2013 at 6:03 AM

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  7. Fourteen Fabulous Spring Projects and a Linky Party! says:
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  8. It’s A Spring Thing Blog Hop and Wrap Up Party! says:
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  9. Spring Wreath: Blues, Greens and Burlap | Domestically Speaking says:
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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! 

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