Friday Musings

30 Friday May 2014

You have made it. The beginning of the weekend is here. That means work for us, as the fence building continues…but that is good work. It’s progress on our little farm. It also means worship…and that is a very good thing. 🙂

I need to go to the grocery store. When we are out of snacks…the kids think that we are out of groceries. My granny said that older folks think that too. lol! The grocery store is nuts on Friday, so I may have to “keep a good thought.”

My Mister got our pool up and running last night! We are so excited. We, like others, have faced a year where the pump and filter were shot. Right when the kiddos thought that swimming was on the agenda, we had to wait. That is a little tough. Our weather hasn’t been super summery though…so it hasn’t been just too awful bad.

I have a little decorating surprise to share with you next week. Be sure and stay tuned. We were actually blessed with something amazing…and I can’t wait to share…but I don’t have pictures yet. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Good Lord willing, I will fill you in next week.

(Just keeping it real…as they say. 😉 And…showing you my Wal-Mart clearance rug.)

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. I hope that it’s full of intentional moments. I hope that you pause and count your blessings. He has good things for all of us, we just have to look and see.

Jelly Cupboard in the Farmhouse

29 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

Yesterday…a bit of “grandma’s house” came to live at the Farmhouse.

Isn’t a jelly cupboard fun?

I agree.

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders.

Love from ~~grandma’s house~~….I mean the Farmhouse kitchen,

Sorry Grandma, There is a New Fried Okra in Town

28 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style

≈ 8 Comments

Really Grandma. I am sorry. I am sorry because your okra is my favorite. I love it breaded and deep fried the best. I love a big ol’ pile of it on my plate. At home, I love it straight from our garden and dipped in egg/milk and then deep fried in my cast iron chicken fryer. The thing is…when I need to be good, your fried okra is so bad. No wonder you have that cute little belly roll going on. Under that floral dress…is a testament to fried okra. (By the way…I’m not talking about a real grandma.) No wonder you feel so good to squeeze. Okay…maybe I should just give up…put on a floral dress and grab a bowl of fried okra! No…that is not the answer. For now…while I am still a little on the “youngish” side…I will eat your fried okra once in a while and then eat my version the rest of the time. Deal? Grandma…you are so understanding.

Ha! How are we doing so far with adding a little “grandma’s house” to our summer journey? We are off to a good start if you ask me. Have you heard of Granny Chic? It’s adorable. People are thrifting and incorporating things into their homes that make them think of days past. It’s adorable. Oh wait, I already said that. It’s so sweet. I tend to lean toward the simple side of farmhouse decor, but I have started to pick up a few little things. One of my favorites is the little mustard colored doily from my sweet IG friend. It just makes me feel happy. Another thing that I have seen, are garlands made with colored doilies. All of the little house plants here and there have a very “grannychic” feel too. Love!

Okay…so enough of that. You are dying to have my recipe, I just know it! This is actually a variation of an okra and tomatoes recipe that I have. I will also tell you how to make that. It’s just the addition of tomatoes at the end. In this recipe I used okra that I had frozen from our garden. Did you know that you can just wash it and chop it and freeze it? It’s amazing. I was just trying to finish some up yesterday, so that is why I had okra for lunch. That, and the fact that I am trying to be a good girl and eat my veggies!

2 tbsp. olive oil

minced garlic

onion

fresh okra, not breaded

sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

seasoning

Heat olive oil in pan, add minced garlic and onion. Stir and let garlic turn golden. (Don’t let it burn…bitter, bitter!) Add okra and then season with s & P and whatever seasoning that you desire. (It’s great with nothing…but you could use a lemon pepper or whateves. 😉 ) Keep stirring and “frying.” When it gets done…to your liking…enjoy! This is a wonderful summer side…or it can be a meal in itself. If you love okra and tomatoes…towards the last few minutes throw in some halved grape or cherry tomatoes. Cook until they are heated through. DELISH! (Oh yeah…and I don’t really do measurements. Just because I figure you can decide how much okra, minced garlic and onion that you like. My Dirt Roaders are smart that way. If you used a ton of okra…add a bit more oil.)

I hope that you enjoy the new “fried okra” in town. It’s waist friendly and heart healthy. I plan to enjoy it a lot this summer with my family…when the Lord blesses our little okra plants. (Gotta have a little faith in this farming business.) I also plan to eat Grandma’s version once in a while too. It’s fun to have a treat now and then.

Love from the Farmhouse kitchen,

Quiet in the Summer

27 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, heart and soul

≈ 4 Comments

Okay. Not really. It doesn’t start until the last part of next month. That being said, doesn’t Memorial Day seem like the kick off to summer? Exactly. We actually didn’t do one thing yesterday, except eat Chinese take-out. Well, we did chores…like feeding the animals, but other than that…we were kind of knots on a log. It was wonderful. It takes my sweet Mister a bit to unwind because he goes 90 to nothin’ all the time. I love that about him…but it’s a little hard on a day when work is all around, and we need to just stop and enjoy. We are trying to have a good balance for our kids. We eased into it yesterday and it was an amazing day. Not the fireworks kind of amazing. It was the good for your mind, heart, and soul kind of amazing. I love those.

Soooo….do you have lots of projects planned for the summer? I do not. Well, we have big projects for outside that I am so excited about and I have the usual canning to do, as the Lord blesses our garden, but other than that, I don’t have big plans. I have sort of taken a little sabbatical this year in a few areas. I am spending quiet moments with God for a good dose of healing. This is where I have felt Him lead and I want to be obedient. I am loving what I am learning so far. Someday, I will be back into projects and ministries and all sorts of things…but for now, in this year of firsts without my dad, I am being quiet. Quiet is good…especially for those…who are normally…um…not. 😉

This doesn’t mean that life won’t go on. I have tons of little ideas brewing in the back of my mind. I dream of ways to add more “farmhousey” to our home. I dream of creating and cooking and all “home” related things. I know that life continues to crank into high gear at times. This year of quiet is actually something that I can grab in moments…not hours. It’s a bit of healing in the yard swing that the Mister bought for me. (I don’t think that I can ever explain how much this meant to me…that he understood my need for that.) It’s a thoughtful walk out in the yard. It’s pruning the oregano and the kids tying it up in bunches for me. It’s seven baby puppies and their mama on the front porch. It’s Peaches, the smallest goat, laying her head on my shoulder. You see…it’s really…just being quiet and noticing. There is healing in that. After the storms of life have raged and you didn’t feel that you could even lift your head…the Master whispers to your heart in the quiet. He tells you that it will be okay and that He has it all under control. He tells you that if you trust in Him with all of your heart, and lean not to your own understanding…He will direct your paths. Then sometimes when you lift your head, a jet is soaring through the clouds and you are reminded that your daddy was living…ready to fly. The blessing is topped off by your husband wrapping his arms around you and telling you “He’s waiting on us.” Your heart then whispers thanks for the wisdom that comes from a good man.

I waxed a little emotional and serious on you today, Sweet Dirt Roaders. I am thankful that you have chosen to stick with me…even in the more serious times of life. I plan on celebrating the simple things all summer long. I hope that you will join in and enjoy that with me. I promise…it won’t be sad. It will be delightful and maybe a little nostalgic. Remember summers at your grandma’s house? We may incorporate some of that into our summer…along the dirt road.

Love from ~~Grandma~~ ….I mean…the Farmhouse,

The Life of a Dreamer

23 Friday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

Are you a dreamer? I am. I am learning to appreciate that about myself. You see, when times get tough and those that are totally analytical cannot see what good… could come from the ashes…the dreamer steps in. Actually…in the life of a Christian…it isn’t really dreaming. It’s called faith. Believing in what you cannot see. It’s very hard at times…but if we hand God our hearts…He will make dreamers out of you and me.

A dreamer’s decor differs from others. In our case, I dream of a more simple time and it shows in our surroundings. In other homes, people dream of modern things or Victorian days and it shows there too. Some homes reflect dreams of travel to other countries. Probably everyone that loves home decor has a bit of “dreaminess” down inside.

For some…the dreaming starts the moment they step outside. (My husband.) They look at their yard and imagine the possibilities. They see the harvest, before they see the hard work. Isn’t that inspiring!? A life of faith sees the reward at the end…before the trusting. I am speaking from experience. Sometimes it’s hard, this trusting. God has amazing things for us though, if we just believe. The Mister and I…just had one of those “aha!” moments last night in our yard. We were talking about a tree that we had planted. The kids and I bought him a white pine for his birthday…during a rough financial period. We planted that tree and in my heart I had hopes that we would live here and watch it grow. Five years later…by the grace of God, we are here and the tree and our faith has grown. God is faithful, isn’t He? He provides for His children.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, Sweet Dirt Roaders. I’m not sure who…out there…needed to hear this. It just bubbled in my heart. Whoever you are, hang on. God has amazing things for you. He just wants you to trust Him. I am praying for my readers…right now.

Love from the dirt road,

Little Things

22 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

I am sure that you know this already. I am all about the little things. When I was a little girl, I loved the teeniest of the tiny when it came to toys. I also loved pens and paper, but that is kind of beside the point. Well, maybe not…those are small things…that I delighted in. Okay…that figures in to this too. Sorry. I had to figure that out. Anyway, now that I am an adult, (Yes…my age qualifies me for that.) I have discovered that the little things are still, very much, what I delight in.

You can discover this throughout our home. The things that I keep and treasure…mostly have meaning. They are things that probably wouldn’t mean as much to others. I laugh and say that I am a grandmother at heart. The things that I have kept of my dad’s wouldn’t mean much to others, but they mean the world to me. Yes…I am very sentimental. I do not apologize. God created me this way. It’s high time that I embrace that.

These little things in our home…bring me happiness. Notice that I didn’t say “joy.” I am learning though a study on the Fruits of the Spirit that happiness comes from happenings. Joy comes from the confidence of having Jesus Christ within. So…these little “treasures” make me happy when I glance at them, in passing. They are a part of what is happening around me. I love that. That is an amazing little nugget to learn. Don’t apologize for wanting to fill your home with happiness, Dirt Roaders. That doesn’t mean that you should overspend. Just put thought into what is surrounding you. Does it make you feel happy? If not….change things. It’s your nest to fluff. Enjoy it.

I am crazy about the basket that I picked up at a yard sale. It does not have sentimental value…but it was a bargain and that is a biggie for me. Old baskets seem to whisper a story of a time when things were actually used…not just a part of the decor. So…it brings me aesthetic happiness. It gives a feeling of another time. I love that. The little yellow doily, under my fun Target lamp, was sent to me, by one of my sweet Instagram friends. It was just the pop of mustard that I needed…at a really hard time. I don’t know what my deal with yellow is…but it has been color therapy over the last few months. Lastly, the feed sack pillow is such a sweet little testament of the things that have been going on, this spring, at the Farmhouse. Fencing and cattle and more goats and all of the things that are proof of a little dream…coming true.

Don’t forget to pause and look around, Dirt Roaders. You don’t want to miss the little things.

Reflectively yours,

Summer Laundry

21 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ 2 Comments

It hasn’t started yet, but it will.

Loads and loads of wet, soppy, towels and clothes from the swimming pool.

I cannot wait.

I love summer and I love swimming. Doing summer laundry…is my favorite laundry.

In other news…I am about to show you one of my favorite places, right now, in our farmhouse.

Do you see why? There is something about the addition of those cafe curtains that makes it feel all “Waltonesque” kinda like Mr. Godsey’s store. Do you see it and feel it? Maybe it’s the huge jar of beans and the enamelware table. Whatever it is…it’s simple and lovely and quiet and it soothes my weary heart. I am being so drawn to the farmhouse style of late…that I have been wondering how I could do this all throughout the house. We live in a newer farmhouse…but I love the old farmhouse feel. If the Mister is reading this post…he is probably thinking “Oh great.” lol! Well…he might not be. He is such a laid back kind of guy…I think that secretly he loves riding this decorating roller coaster with me. It definitely keeps things interesting.

Back to the laundry room,

Embracing Home

20 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest

≈ 7 Comments

It’s my very favorite, this summer season. Okay…so technically it’s still spring…but the kids are home. It’s my happy time. This momma hen is CRAZY about having her chicks in the nest. I am not one of those mothers that dread having her children home. (That doesn’t mean that there is never any yelling…apologizing…hiding from my children, and things like that.) Maybe it’s genetic. I come from a long line of men and women that embrace home and enjoy being there. Okay…so maybe not all of them had hermit tendencies like me…but they made and make home a happy place. I want to have a home like that. One that always draws your heart back. (See what I’m doing? Investing in my adult children….coming to see us…someday.)

Did you know that home doesn’t have to be boring? Of course you did. We have too many chores to do around here, to ever be bored. Plus…as an only child for almost 18 years…I can always find something to do, for myself and the kids. Actually our children learned at a very young age to never use the word “bored” around Momma. She will find something to remedy that. 😉

Yesterday we worked hard. We embraced our home in that way. The kids helped and we knocked out some much needed cleaning that needed to be done. Today…I have a bit more of that to do and then maybe time to piddle. That is my favorite way to embrace home. You know, baking or tweaking (decor… 🙂 ) rearranging. Fluffing the nest is what we call it here at Along the Dirt Road. Mom and I have always called it “piddling.”

Exciting news for tonight’s supper. The Mister is grilling us a burger! I love it when he embraces our home by manning the grill. I know…I know…it doesn’t take much to excite me. You guys know how I roll. Simple pleasures and embracing home is one of my all time favorites.

Love from the dirt road,

Inspiration to Fluff this Nest

19 Monday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in fluffin' the nest

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Someone inspire me. It’s Monday and I have a farmhouse to clean.

Are you scrubbing and cooking and doing laundry today?

I love homemaking. It’s my jam. (Am I allowed to say that? Our girls would roll their eyes.)

Okay, this post is not very deep…but I’m giving you pictures to gaze uponst. (I love my made up word…uponst. Spell check…does not.)

Have a wonderful Monday, sweet Dirt Roaders. Time to roll up the ol’ sleeves.

A Day of Rest

18 Sunday May 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

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I don’t usually post on Sunday. It is my day to worship, relax, and then worship in the evening. That is our church tradition. It is a very good thing.

That being said…tomorrow will not be a day of rest. Our farmhouse needs a major scrubbing. We were in fellowship meeting last week and everything got pushed to the side. Yesterday, I didn’t make much headway either. Groceries don’t buy themselves. 😉

The thing is, I love a clean house. I mean…that is at the top of the list for me. But…the older I get, the less I stress about spic and span. I have learned, by the grace of the Almighty…to give myself some…grace. I have learned to enjoy our home and the people in it, even when I can’t keep it all together.

Now..lest you think I am nuts…I do have a limit. Clutter drives me batty after a while and I turn into a crazy woman until I can breathe again. Things are kinda piled here and there at the moment and tomorrow we are going to tackle that.

But for today…I’m going to rest and worship.

Kelli