My daughter-in-law, Colleen, and I are slightly obsessed with things you can make out of pallets.  I look at sites, pin things to Pinterest, oogle and swoon, but don’t seem to get around to ever doing anything about it.

So how surprised and excited was I when my son, Jake, and Colleen presented me with this beautiful handmade pallet wine rack for my birthday?!

I found a cozy little corner of the dining room to hang it and just love it.

And if that wasn’t enough, I got a text from Jake the other day asking if I would like this pallet table he made for Colleen’s cookie exchange party (remember that amazing post?!).

Uh – let me think about it…..    YES!!!

So I found a home for it in another corner of the dining room.  I love that it gives me more room to display some fun collectibles and special antiques.

Our dining room is one of my favorite rooms.  (Charlie doesn’t mind hanging out there too when I’m nearby.)

Many a holiday meal have been eaten here. Countless party games have been played around this table.  Innumerable stories shared, gifts opened, wine drank, laughter echoed.

There are actually very few things we have purchased ourselves in this room, but many things that we have been gifted with, that are handmade, that have been passed down, and that are very special to me.

This cow creamer has a long history in hubby’s family with many happy and humorous memories.  (and I know my boys will never forget the year I filled it with questions on pieces of paper for “conversation starters” at the Thanksgiving table – I’ll never live that one down!)

Colleen knew just how to “butter me up” with this knife and butter dish!

And I was so honored to receive this family heirloom cutter this past Christmas when I mentioned to Aunt Gwen that I would adore having something from my paternal Grandmother’s home.

A very prized possession is this handmade heirloom Noah’s Ark set passed down to me from my sweet cousin, Joyce, and my dear Oh Rob.

It sits atop the most beautiful “china closet” that was an old beat up, painted, book case hubby resurrected from a run-down barn that we had refinished and filled with hand-me-down Pfaltzgraff stoneware – also from Joyce and Rob – and full of happy memories.

And as if they haven’t shared and given us enough, they continue to give and grow our collection, with this new pair of deer in honor of hubby’s big buck this year.

And in memory of our sweet Mikey last year.

Another miniature Noah’s Ark set was made by Great Uncle Carl and sits on a “dry sink” made by him too!  (The only thing missing is one of the sheep, which Charlie enjoyed during his early days in his new home with us.)

Two different antique sewing machines sit in corners of this room,

and a very cherished treasure box sits on the trundle of one.

My BFF, Jill, gifted me with this beautiful memory box for my birthday this year.

We have shared so many memories in this home for the past 15 years, as well as our home before this one.

And I know we will cherish many more in the years to come – no matter where the brick and mortar takes us.

Because, as you can see, my home is not filled with extravagant, expensive, fancy furniture and decorations, but it is overflowing with cherished gifts and wonderful memories.

The thing I love most about this room – and my entire home – is the people I share it with.

Cherish the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi