Autumn…it’s truly here.

31 Thursday Oct 2013

Does it take a while for autumn to show up where you live? It does here. In the Ozarks…it’s just about this time of the year and autumn really starts showing her stuff.

As I sit here and type I can see out our patio doors. I see burnt orange, gold and a green ceder tucked in between. It’s beautiful. The kids and I were talking about the handiwork of God yesterday on the way home. What an Artist!

When the trees start to turn here, I long for Thanksgiving. I think that I’ve mentioned that it’s my favorite holiday. I just read recently that people that tell what they are thankful for before they eat…enjoy their meal much more. It made me glad that we have that tradition with our little ones.

Thanksgiving will always make me think of holidays on my grandparent’s little farm or a huge ham cooked by my Maw Maw. It also makes me think of times spent at my husband’s Granny’s house. She would gather all of us around the food and ask us to sing the song “I Am Blessed.” We didn’t realize just how important that really was at the time. Now that I’m older…and a tad wiser…I do.

I love the holidays of past years and all of the memories. I visit them quite often. Even more than that though…I love the traditions and memories that we are building with our own family. Granny Ruby…you were right. We surely are blessed.

Loving God’s autumn,

Cozimuchness

29 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

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Have you ever heard the word “cozimuchness?” I didn’t think so. I made it up. Can we do that? Sure! It perfectly describes today. It’s dark and drizzly outside. I’m sitting here in my little recliner with a cup of coffee….and I need to be digging stuff out for our church yard sale.

I have a pot of beans going for supper tonight. You can’t get much more “cozimuchness” than a big ol’ pot of ham and beans. I’m going to make the Mr. some of his favorite loaded cornbread and probably fry some potatoes for us too. Our kids and my Mr. love fried potatoes. It’s not something that I fix super-often…but when I do…they are ecstatic. I try to feed us fairly healthy….but sometimes…you must throw caution to the wind, grab the ol’ iron skillet and fry those babies up.

My mom and my mother-in-law are both “cozimuchness” lovers too. They both love to tidy up their homes…have a plan for supper and burn a good smelling candle. They both like to get their work done and then of an evening cuddle up. I am so thankful for the both of them. My step-mom is the same way. She has this amazing evening routine that is so cozy and sweet. She inspires me. I am so thankful for her too. She gets the whole “cozimuchness” thing….like nobody’s business. I love to tease her when we are out and about…that her p.j.’s are calling her name. Her eyes twinkle. P.j.’s and “cozimuchness” go hand in hand.

Our grandmothers all know and knew about “cozimuchness” too. It really just involves a strong love for your home and making others feel welcome there. During this fall season, when I add little things here and there, our little son will come and find me and tell me how he likes it when I put new things out. He has been delighted with pumpkins and gourds this year. His wife will love that someday, when he notices the effort that she makes to add “cozimuchness” to their home. (Someday in the very distant future.) 😉

I hope that your day and your home is full of “cozimuchness” Sweet Dirt Roaders. I hope that Jesus warms you from the inside out today. By the way…in case you have ever wondered….He loves you….unfathomable.

Diggin’ out junk….er…I mean…really great stuff that you should come and buy,

mmmMonday! Weenie Roast at the Farmhouse

28 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style, Yum for the Tum

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Good mmmMonday! all! How on earth are ya? It’s been a few days hasn’t it? I was busy last week getting ready to go to to ladies retreat and I had to put this little blog on hold for a bit. You know…how it goes. I tried to get the house cleaned and all of the laundry done before I left…and then there was packing. Of course, I had a nice little sinus crud to go along with it. Just the norm. Anyway, tonight at the Farmhouse, we are having a weenie roast for supper. I’m just so stinkin’ excited.

Do you all ever do that in the fall or maybe in the spring? Once in a while we get the little fire pit going for a weenie roast at supper time. We had planned to do this anyway…but then it came up that I had a little photo shoot tonight…so….perfect. I love easy suppers.

What are you and yours doing for supper tonight? I would love to hear all about it. Your comments inspire me! Whatever you do…I hope that you have a wonderful time of breaking bread with someone you love…or a good book and the love of Christ “cozies you up” from the inside out.

mmmMonday! A Super Busy Week and Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

21 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Yum for the Tum

≈ 2 Comments

Do you ever have weeks that have tons of things crammed into a few days? Okay then, you need an easy recipe for a delicious side. In a minute: Garlic Roasted Cauliflower. (We learned about this back in the summer, but it would go delicious with our holiday meals!)

Sometimes life creeps along and we just do the same ol’ same ol’. Then we have weeks where we are busy everyday. That is the way this week is going to be for me.

Busy is good though…when it’s good-busy that nourishes the heart and soul.

I will be back…but if you want to keep up with Along the Dirt Road this week…follow along on Instagram at alongthedirtroad. It’s a blast. If you don’t know how to use it (Carol 😉 ) Learn it! It’s so fun.

I am going to leave you with a great recipe for Garlic Roasted Cauliflower this week. May it tide you over…and encourage (there’s that word again…) you to enjoy your time in the kitchen. That is what this blog is all about. Plus…it’s super easy and you know that I’m all about helping you add a little “sweet and simple” into your life. You are welcome. 😉

(The link to this recipe is right here….it is absolutely delish!)

From our busy home…to yours.

18 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ 6 Comments

I have something to tell you. You are not going to be surprised. Are you ready? Okay…..here it goes:

I am not an expert. Are you shocked? Didn’t think so.

My purpose in this blog…is solely meant to inspire and to encourage. You don’t have to be an expert for that.

You just have to have a big heart…and a semi-good eye. I try really hard to have both.

I will try my best…to not let you down.

(btw: You can find the Lemon Herbed Roasted Chicken here and the Burlap Coffee Sack Wreath here.)

Have a wonderful weekend, Sweet Dirt Roaders!

Natural Elements

16 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

≈ 4 Comments

Hello all! I hope that things are going well for you today. We are plugging right along at the Farmhouse. I am enjoying the changing leaves and the cooler temps. Speaking of…today I thought that I would visit with you for a minute about the natural elements that people are using in their home decor. Okay with you? Great. You are such a team player. 😉

Have you noticed that wood has made a major comeback? I am blown away by this. I guess when you are are child of the late seventies and early eighties…all of your childhood memories are wrapped in paneling. Actually some people still have it….and it’s a good thing. I believe that eventually…it will come back with a bang…at least in some form. Anyone spied planked walls lately? Pretty much the same concept. (Sorta.) I told my husband years ago, when Martha started promoting wood…that it would catch on again. Good eye momma….good eye.

Yes….I have jumped on the bandwagon…in a way. I love the warmth that wood adds to the Farmhouse. Natural elements are beautiful and simple. I love to decorate with pine cones and acorns and leaves. Pine cones can be eased into Christmas decor and if you have dried gourds…they will last for years to come.

I’m thinking of going a bit more simple at Christmas this year. I love the message of Christmas but sometimes the hub bub overwhelms me. Maybe we need a woodland theme at the farmhouse this year…with a bit of mercury glass sparkle. That sounds fun doesn’t it? Hmmmmmm………

Covering up my Sheetrock, (Not really Mr. Dirtroad, don’t be afraid to come home.)

mmmMonday! A Room to Dine In

14 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style, Yum for the Tum

≈ 2 Comments

Welcome to mmmMonday! and welcome to our dining room. Or you could call it a room to dine in.

We bought this table years ago. I’m so thankful now for the farmhouse style that we picked. I guess we just knew back then what was “us.”

We actually had the table before we had the farmhouse. When we bought it…I wanted us to purchase a table that we could raise our family around. A piece of furniture that would mean something.

Dining rooms and kitchens are places that people come together and share. We share about our day…and we share food.

Tonight at The Farmhouse we are having grilled pork loin, salad, brussel sprouts and rolls. I’m very excited. I’ve cooked pork loin several ways but never grilled. Actually, I’m not cooking it tonight, the Mr. is. (woo hoo!)

When I look across our farmhouse table at the faces of my husband and children I feel blessed. When others come and share a meal here with us and laughter sparkles around the table….I feel blessed also. A dining room is so much more really, than a room to dine it. It’s a room of sharing and of nourishment….body and soul.

Our farmhouse table has felt the warmth of our hands as we join them in giving thanks. This is a tradition that we started years ago…and I love it. I hope that our children carry it to their own homes someday.

Our dining room walls have heard many prayers of…”Thank You Jesus for this food. Amen.” Sometimes the voice that uttered it was so tiny and the words only understandable to the Mr. and I. Other times the prayer might have been a little longer and lead by the Mr. himself. A very humble prayer, led by a husband and daddy….that is truly thankful for God’s provision for his family.

If you take anything away from this today, Dirt Roaders, I hope that it’s this. Please don’t forget to really look into the real meaning of your surroundings. The rooms in our homes are so much more than a pretty place to stash all of our treasures. They are places that give us comfort from a cold world. They are blessings from the Father above. If you live alone, your favorite place may be at your breakfast table with a warm bowl of soup and your favorite book. Wherever and whatever…that shelter and that routine…is a blessing from above.

Anxiously awaiting supper,

Fall around the Farmhouse Part 2

11 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

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It’s Friday…it’s Friday! Are we excited? Youbetcha! I thought that I would share a few more things from around the farmhouse. Nothing fancy…just a few things for your to take a peek at. A few more shots than normal….to tide you over for the weekend. You are welcome. 😉

This little turkey has lived with us for a long time. I like to put him where the kids will see him. He is hanging out by the back door this year.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, this is my corn husk wreath that I found at the thrift store. Major score there.

After all these years, I’m still a huge wash tub fan. This one stays on the front porch year around. I just change it up for the seasons.

One of my favorite chairs and favorite faux pumpkins. My Mr. brought it to me for a prizey once. Love that Mr. of mine.

I love warty pumpkins. Do you? So much fun.

I don’t do tons of changes at The Farmhouse for fall. A pumpkin or an acorn here or there. I like for our space to still be very breathable.

My hydrangeas did great this year! They produced a nice little crop for drying.

The Farmhouse porch is pretty simple. I did have a mum on that little table…but the dogs wouldn’t leave it alone. I’m thinking about adding another washtub up there with something in it. I may do that this weekend. That sounds fun and relaxing.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, Dirt Roaders and I hope that you have enjoyed Fall around the Farmhouse Part 2.

Keepin’ Cozy!

Fall around the Farmhouse

10 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

≈ 2 Comments

I have been trying to post a little more often. Have you noticed? Why, thank you, Dirt Roaders. 😉 I thought that I would show you fall around the farmhouse today. Just a few things and then more later in another post. Does it sound like a winner? That’s what I thought that you would say.

If you haven’t guessed it by now, simple, farmhouse style is my favorite. Actually right now I need to be cleaning out for our church tag sale. That always feels good doesn’t it? Plans change though. I’ve had a little guy home for the third day in a row now…with the crud. I would rather be taking care of my baby than digging out junk anyway. I will have to do that later.

For all of you that are painting over your red walls…my husband and kids still love this room. They don’t want me to paint over it. Hey…this home belongs to all of us. Their opinion is very important to me. I think that I’m falling in love with it all over again…for now. Have I said this before? (I’m trying to convince myself.) ha!

Things are pretty simple here. A pumpkin here or there. That is usually the way that I decorate for fall. Fall around the farmhouse is never fussy. When I try to do something elaborate…I usually wind up taking it back down. It’s just not me. I admire it in other people’s homes and in snazzy stores…but when I try to live with it…I can’t. What is wrong with me people? 😉

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday! After all, Thursday is the best day of the week right? I thought that you would agree.

Nursing the sick,

Baking up a little Fall

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Yum for the Tum

≈ 2 Comments

How’s it going out there today, Dirt Roaders? We are doing good at The Farmhouse. We have a big ol’ pot of Thrifty Soup going on the stove top today and we have Apple Pumpkin Bread in the oven. You can’t beat that. This time of year I have the urge to bake. This is uncommon for the most part. Cooking is “my thang” and baking….well not so much. Then comes the briskness to the air…and all of that is thrown out the window. Bring on the baking!

Yesterday I spotted a recipe for Apple Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping on the blog of Sand & Sisal. You can find that here. It sounded and looked amazing. So…at present it is in the oven in The Farmhouse Kitchen. How cozy does that sound? I know. Pretty cozy.

I’m so excited for my husband to come home! He loves fresh apple cake and he also loves pumpkin pie…so I’m thinking that he will love this. I haven’t told him that I’m making it…so unless he reads the blog…he will be surprised that I’m baking up a little fall. He won’t be surprised. My blog posts go to his email. What a sweetie, that ol’ Mr. Dirt Road. 😉

Well…that’s about it today. Not every day here is that ambitious. Sometimes we have five dollar pizza’s from Little Caesar’s on Wednesday night. Our church has mid-week service so we try to simplify. Tonight though we will have a little soup, maybe some biscuits (frozen) and Apple Pumpkin Bread. It makes a ton…so I even have little loaves to share. You can’t beat that!

Have a wonderful Wednesday evening, Dirt Roaders. Maybe you can bake up a little fall at your house. May the love of God warm your hearts on a chilly evening.

Up to my earlobes in dishes!