A blast of winter…

26 Tuesday Feb 2013

I thought that I would share part of our view with you.

Hello my friends. How are things? Really? Well…my…my. 😉 Really though, I do hope that things are going well for you. We are trying to have blasts of winter along our portion of the dirt road. I say blasts because it kinda comes in spurts and then the next day warms back up. We should be used to it and we probably are, but it gives us something to talk about.

Our kid’s favorite.

Icy old ten speed.

Winter gets long for me. I’m not complaining ~~much~~…I love all of the seasons. We are blessed to live in a place where we get to enjoy them all. It’s just that I’m a summer type of gal and I get weary of gray skies after a while. (A little spelling tip: Gray is the American spelling and Grey is the English spelling…just thought you might want to know.)

Millie Jane, our brown eyed baby.

Millie is keepin’ watch…like a boss.

Maybe it’s my mom’s fault…she used to sing “You are My Sunshine” to me all the time when I was little. I’ll blame it on Mom. She won’t mind.

Our chickens are brave. A little weather doesn’t phase them. (Can you see Mr. Henry’s crazy-long tail feather?)

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good ol’ rainy day now and then. I just long for Hawaii this time of year and I’ve never even been there! No blasts of winter in Hawaii, that I’m aware of.

A man’s gotta eat.

Don’t you just love it when they turn “just right” for their photo?

I hope that rain, shine, sleet or hail, you are having a wonderful day, Dirt Road Sledders. Wrap your scarves all the way up your heads! We don’t want those precious noses to freeze in a blast of winter! It will be time to sniff the flowers soon.

Brave little tulips.

Warm wishes!

mmmMonday! Best Chicken Salad Yet!

25 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in Yum for the Tum

≈ 4 Comments

Yes, I know. It’s a huge claim. It’s true for our home though. I think that I have made the best chicken salad that has ever graced our bread. I am not kidding you. So I had to share it with my precious Dirt Roaders on this mmmMonday!

You guys know, by now, that I am one of those cooks who add a little of this and a little of that. Actually…whether it’s cooking or home decor…I’m known to spend quite a bit of time “tweaking.” (No..no…nothing drug related…just fine tuning.) 🙂

One of these days I will post a recipe for you that is actually a full-blown meal. Lately though…I’ve been having fun with the simple things. (I want to make your life easier…not more complicated.) I hope that you enjoy this mmmMonday! recipe…from the tippy tip of your taste buds, down to your belly.

Best Chicken Salad Yet

2 cans of chicken (You can also used cooked and shredded boneless skinless chicken breasts.)

2 stalks of celery

1 small apple

1/2 of an onion

1/2 c. of raisins

1/4 c. chopped parsley (fresh)

1/2 c. light mayo

a tad of Lawry’s season salt

freshly cracked pepper and salt, to taste

chopped almonds or pecans (optional)

The big sha-bang in this recipe is the parsley. I have never added it before but it was definitely the star of the show. Parsley just brightens it up so much. The raisins were a new touch too and they were heavenly. (I usually use grapes.) This recipe is a keeper for our home. I hope that you all enjoy it too.

Happy mmmMonday! Dirt Roaders. Go forth….and feed those faces. 😉

p.s. Don’t be afraid to “tweak” this recipe yourself. Adjust everything to your taste. You will love me for this one. 😉

Just stache and relax!

21 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in RaMbLiNgs

≈ 3 Comments

Sometimes in life…when your sisters are helping your mom make a banner…you need to make a big ol’ whoppin’ mustache.
A small mustache will not do. It must rival the stache of Yosemite Sam. If it is covered in white polka dots that is even better. If you can snag a piece of your sister’s fancy schmancy Duck Tape, (Not the old Duct Tape…get with it….elderly.) 😉 then it looks even better. Sometimes you just need to stache and relax.

Sometimes in life…if your brother makes a huge mustache out of the banner paper…then you need to get creative and make a curly mustache. If you can’t make one that is bigger…then it must be better. You need to look quite sophisticated…especially if you are a little lady sportin’ a mustache. Sometimes in the middle of a project…you just need to stache and relax.

Our kids teach me so much in life. They teach me that in the middle of a project…it’s wonderful to be crazy and funny. When I’m too driven or their dad is too exact…they show us that it’s okay to lighten up. This project was actually a part of my chalkboard chart that I gave you a sneak peek of on Facebook. I’m putting that off until next week. This week we have icy weather…kids at home and family time. So until next week…it’s stache and relax for me. Maybe I should go find one of those mustaches and put it on.

Have a wonderful weekend, Dirt Roaders! Go forth and wear a stache!

p.s. No mustaches were harmed during this post. 😉

A day in the country…

21 Thursday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul

≈ 6 Comments

You probably don’t realize this…but today is a special day. Today, February 21, 2013, we have lived in our home for nine years! Here…along this dirt road, we know what it’s like to see a cow pasture and imagine a home place. We know about the blood, sweat and tears involved in starting with drilling a well and praying that it doesn’t cost bazillions of dollars. We know the joy of driving out to “the land” and watching it become a home. It started with a dream and not only became a day in the country…but a life there as well.

I have lived in the country for a big part of my life. My first home, right after birth was on my grandparent’s farm. We lived in a mobile home in the yard over from their farmhouse. They tell me that I would stand in the window and wave at them. (Good times…those late seventies.) Then we moved to an old two-story house…that I still dream about, sometimes at night. It was the home of my childhood. Isn’t it strange the way things from our childhood influence our choices as adults? Could my upbringing cause me to long for…a day in the country?

It’s true that some people cannot wait to get far away from their roots. I understand that. I have family members that were raised on a farm and now as adults…farming is the last thing on their minds and they live in town. I’ve only lived in town for a handful of years…and even part of that time was spent staying in the country, every other weekend. (We live in a very rural community…some of you would crack up and say that our “town” is still in the country. You would be right. 😉 All in all…it’s all about preference. For me…it’s a day in the country.

It’s actually a cold and icy day here today. Our poor little chickens have come out and had breakfast in their frozen yard and ran back up into their cozy little house. Nine years ago today it was sunny and warm. I am so thankful for that. I’m sure that the faithful friends that showed up to help us move beds and dressers up the stairs were thankful too. That was an exciting day in the country.

Thank you for stopping by and celebrating with us, Dirt Roaders. Thankfulness wells up within my heart to live along this stretch of the dirt road. Thank you Father…..for our life in the country.

The Little Red Caddy that Could

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

≈ 4 Comments

Hi friends! I’m keeping my word. I am going to show you the little red caddy that could…become white and blue. 🙂

Some of you are screaming “Don’t do it!” You like it red and I respect that. I like it red too. It’s just that I had this vision of a sort of French-inspired caddy.

I started by mixing a little paint. I had white and kind of taupe color. I didn’t want super-bright white. So I just dribbled in a bit of the darker paint for more of an antique white.

I wound up putting a couple of coats on. I was very pleased. You see…I just knew that my artichokes would pop against the white.

In my original idea bubble….I saw a French stripe on the side of my caddy. I was all set to have my husband (the mathematician) grab his ruler and help me out. Then I started browsing French-inspired things on Pinterest. That is when I came up with a little combo of things. Sort of a French crest type thingy…with a bee. 😉 Can you imagine my delight when I remembered that I had a bee STAMP down in the craft room? (Cue harps and heavenly light!) I was so excited!

It just kind of all came together into this cute little thing that was all my own. I love it when that happens. From buying time until now…my little caddy felt complete.

DrumrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooLL!

So…that is the evolution of my little red caddy that could…. become white and blue. I hope that you are not too broken hearted…because I am in love with the results!

Let me know whatcha think, and be honest. I really want to know. 😉

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders! May you find what you are hunting for.

mmmMonday! Bagel Pizzas

18 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in Yum for the Tum

≈ 4 Comments

I know…I know. Up until now our mmmMonday posts have lacked anything very gourmet. I promise that I do know how to cook. We actually love to try new recipes here, along the dirt road. I just thought that with your busy schedules that you might appreciate something simple once in a while. Was I right? Thought so. 🙂

Sometimes the Mr. has to be out-of-pocket on a week night for a board meeting. I usually don’t push much structure on these nights and try to do something fun with the kids. Sometimes we just eat whatever we want and they love that. Poor kids…so mistreated…having to eat those well-balanced, home cooked meals, most nights.

So cruel…to make our children eat healthy meals…full of vitamins!

This particular night we decided to do bagel pizzas. They are so easy and so fun. Mine actually wound up being made on a thin bun. (Moms still have to be a leetle responsible.) It was really good, as well. (Not so many carbs.)

Doesn’t he make it look good? 🙂

So what do you need for these bagel pizzas? It’s not rocket science…which I’m sure you already knew. Bagels, marinara, pepperoni, cheese, banana peppers…really whatever toppings you choose. We lay a couple of pepperoni slices over the hole first…to keep our stuff ON the bagel. Then you just add marinara and cheese and toppings. Bake at about 350 degrees until the cheese is bubbly and melty. mmm!

Don’t forget to plug the hole with slices of pepperoni!

On my version I added pepperoni, olive oil, feta cheese and tomatoes. Of course anything with feta needs a grind or two of fresh pepper. 🙂 Maybe a little sea salt too! Wouldn’t they be luscious with some marinated artichoke hearts? Yes, I knew that you would..I agree. 😉 (I’m cracking up thinking about those of you who are grossing out over artichoke hearts.) You know…a sprinkle of Italian seasoning would be good too!

My “skinny” version.

Let’s make a list.

1. bagels (Everything bagels are great!)

2. marinara (Pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce works too.)

3. mozzarella cheese

4. toppings (pepperoni, olives, banana peppers orrrrrr…. artichoke hearts)

There you have it. Simple and delish. Fun and not much clean up. How great is that? It’s great and that is the kind of day that I’m wishing for you, Dirt Road Runners. 🙂 I hope that it’s filled to the tip-top with blessings from above.

I would love to hear about your “fun” meals! Happy eating!

Six months in!

16 Saturday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in RaMbLiNgs

≈ 2 Comments

Can you believe it? Six months in! On August 17th of 2012 this little blog was born. (It actually rolled over to the 18th during the birthing process.) Although it’s still such a young little thing…I have learned a lot.

One of my favs. 🙂 I believe that this picture was actually on my second post.

You can read my very first post here. It’s very short and sweet. 🙂 Basically an intro.

My sweet hubby’s hands…holding the fruits of our labor.

The next day was my birthday. My little brother decided to do a major dirt bike stunt and land himself in the hospital. This little blog was born in the middle of much chaos! Thankfully…he was okay. The blog is still bee-boppin’ along.

My first header for the blog.

I hope that your weekend is going great! Happy six months in…..to my readers! You have a special place in my heart.

Spices, straighten up!

15 Friday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in fluffin' the nest

≈ 6 Comments

Hey all! Was your Valentine’s Day wonderful? Was it awful? Don’t answer that. Let’s move on. 😉

As we all know…we are supposed to get bitten by the organization bug on January 1st of every year. Does that happen to you? It happens to me. I even had this little list going this year. ( I usually use the cold winter months for these kinds of things. In the summer…the garden takes up my organizing time.) It’s kind of a pain until I’m done…but when I’m finished it’s oh so nice. Thus, Spices, straighten up!

Does your spice cabinet/drawer/shelf/whatever drive you insane at times? Ours was getting out of hand. It seemed like every time I needed a certain herb or spice I had to take everything out, find the spice, and then put it back in. Sometimes…stuff would even fall out on me. That made me feel a bit grumpyfied. I knew that I needed to clean it up…but then I had a brainstorm!

First…I have to rip everything out. (And throw out the stuff that is 76 years old.) 😉

I thought that maybe if I went down and shopped the basement I could find a little rack or shelf to help my spices straighten up. Imagine my delight when I came upon something that didn’t sell at one of my yard sales! Glory be! It was our baby food carousel! It still had the one dollar sticker with my initials on it. Could it be? Could I keep this wonderful thing that held my children’s nourishment and use it for another purpose?

It was a little dusty. Not too bad though. I was soooo excited. You see, I am ~~very~~ a tad sentimental when it comes to my kid’s baby stuff. Any excuse to use it….I’m there. 🙂 You know…the outcome wasn’t bad at all. It doesn’t move exactly as free as I would like, but it does give a wonderful sense of organization to the cabinet. I moved my most used things to the front. I can see almost everything now and I love…lovity…love that!

Neatness just really does it for me. I could have a slight problem. 😉

Do you have any wonderful organization tips to share? I would love to hear them. Don’t be shy…help a gal out! 😉

I’m pretty pleased with the results.

Have a wonderful weekend, Dirt Roaders. Go forth and tell those spices to straighten up!

Table for Two

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

≈ 4 Comments

Attention: All lovers of the color red…please enjoy this post. Soon, the little caddy featured, will take on a new life. Thank you for your understanding heart. 😉

Sooooooo…..how are ya, Dirt Roaders? We are good. Okay….that’s done…now onto the table for two!

Do you love Valentine’s Day? Do you hate it? Some people just don’t get into the celebration like others. We’re okay with that. We are going to be busy with school parties and such…so this is a tad early. I didn’t think that you would mind. You are sweet like that. 😉

The other day I was out junkin’. I know that this is very shocking for you. Try to grasp it. Just keeding…just keeding! Anywhooooo….I went into this great little store with the MIL and I happened upon the little red caddy.

This was the kind of store where you could say…”Is this your bottom dollar?” So… that is exactly what I said. She then said “What would you give?” and I said “What do you have to have?” We settled on seven dollars and we were both pleased.

Please enjoy it, in all of its red glory now. Very soon I will be mixing some paint and painting it a grain sack color and adding blue French stripes. I don’t know…it’s just one of those things that I can see in my head…ya know? I knew that you would understand. When it’s done…some of you will wish that it was still red. It will be okay though…I promise.

I hope that you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I hope that you feel loved from the tip-top of your wind-blown hair…down to your dusty toes, Dirt Roadies! Enjoy your table for two. (Or more!)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox,

p.s. Today my spell check suggested “toadies” for “Roadies.” I would never call you toadies. How rude. 😉

p.p.s. To my Valentine-Husband…who reads my blog, very faithfully: I love you….indescribable. I’m glad that we picked “us.”

mmmMonday! How bout them chili powder cukes?

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in Yum for the Tum

≈ 6 Comments

Hey Friends! How in this crazy ol’ world are ya? We are doing good…so of course…that is good. 🙂

So…I know this is probably way behind. Sometimes I go about my merry little way, oblivious to what the rest of you guys are doing. I think that it stems from being an only child for so long…(My brother was born right before my eighteenth b-day.)…and being able to entertain myself. I kind of get into “hermit mode” and, well I don’t know….enough excuses. (Enough analyzing my childhood.) I am just now asking the question “How bout them chili powder cukes?”

Is this all Greek to you? They are basically just cucumbers drizzled with olive oil, a splash of lemon juice, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of chili powder on top. I had heard of them…but never tried them. So I decided to remedy that.

I tried them.

My question to you all is this: What do you think about them?

I seriously want some input. Is this a delicacy that I have missed? Is there anything else to add that would jazz them up a tad? What is the big deal-e-o? I want honest opinions here. 🙂

Even if you haven’t tried cukes this way…what is your favorite way to eat them? We usually have them growing like crazy in the summer. I’m always up for new ideas.

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roadikins! Being healthy can be fun…right? Okay then…go be healthy. 😉

Along the Dirt Road

Monthly Archives: February 2013

A blast of winter…

mmmMonday! Best Chicken Salad Yet!

Just stache and relax!

A day in the country…

The Little Red Caddy that Could

mmmMonday! Bagel Pizzas

Six months in!

Spices, straighten up!

Table for Two

mmmMonday! How bout them chili powder cukes?