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Along the Dirt Road

Along the Dirt Road

Monthly Archives: June 2014

A Peaceful Monday

30 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

In our Fruit of the Spirit workshop…we are studying Peace.  Sometimes…in stretching and growing…you are faced with the exact opposite of what you are trying to achieve.  Last week was not peaceful for me.  We had several little issues…that combined, felt like one big issue.  God is faithful though.  Last night in our church service, a dear sister sang these words:

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“Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above

Sweep over my spirit, forever, I pray…in fathomless billows of love.”

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I needed that.  Others needed it too.

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At one point…a minister in our church stood and testified about fighting back.  Sometimes, we have been through so much in life that we feel too weak to fight.  In truth, we are.  With Gods help though, we can do hard things.  “We wrestle not against flesh and blood…”  Once we realize that truth…we can throw ourselves under the shadow of His wings and He will help us.  I think that sometimes we are afraid to fight back.  We are terrified that things will only get worse.  God is in control.  He will not test us beyond our limits.  Trusting Him…is a must. It’s also one of the hardest things that we will ever do in this life.  Being a human is hard work, isn’t it?  God is always faithful though.  Even when we aren’t.  Talk about love.

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I hope that your Monday is filled with peace, sweet Dirt Roaders.  I hope that if you are fighting a battle of some sort…that you are encouraged to not give up.  God is always way ahead of us.  When we totally hand our hearts to Him…He blazes the trail for us.

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Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

 

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The Canisters

26 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

I have yet another confession to make. This has nothing to do with the canisters that my friend Jodi gave me.  It has everything to do with the fact that I ordered the THM (Trim Healthy Mama) book and yet…I had two cookies for breakfast.  I mean seriously, how could I not?  They are those grocery store kind.  The soft sugar cookies with the soft frosting.  Yeah…you know what I’m talking about.  I have always heard…that if you are going to eat something icky…do it at the beginning of the day, so you can burn it off.  Done and done.  It’s called grace, my friends.  I will do better…but I had two cookies…and they were delish.  lol!

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Okay…enough about my caloric intake.  The Canisters.  They are so lovely.  They make my little junkin’ heart go pitter patter.  I decided that you needed so much more than just an Instagram shot of them.  You needed the whole shebang.  You needed a whole post…dedicated to these beauties.  I mean…come on.  Not everyday…a friend walks into your home, with a brown paper bag, full of the canisters that you were coveting were admiring on her counter.  I had actually forgotten about them.  It had been quite a while.  Isn’t that fun!?  It’s so fun in life to be blessed.  It’s also amazing…to bless someone.

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That whole day was amazing.  It was one of those days that you realize the Master orchestrated.  You have a heightened awareness that things are going on that you really cannot see.  You can only feel them.  I love that.  I haven’t done much rearranging at the Farmhouse lately.  We have been busy with the garden and other things.  I am getting the bug though.  The one where I take everything off of my counters and stand back and analyze the sitch.  lol!  (Spell check loved that little word.)

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I hope that you enjoy gazing at the turquoise goodness today.  I cannot get enough of them.  When I find the perfect spot…I will let you know.  I love our kitchen.  It truly is the heart of our home.  That being said…if I don’t love things…they don’t stay in there anymore.  I like the new me.  It must be the Patchouli.  lol!  No…I’m kidding.  It’s the grace of the Almighty…being revealed in my life.  It’s looking to Him, like a little child, with big eyes full of wonder.  It’s a heart full of love…while sitting in a yard swing, surrounded by a handsome husband, wonderful children, chickens, goats and a bull calf.  It’s the mess that I was yesterday…in the muddy garden, picking beans like a wild woman.  It’s all about Him.  He is with us, Dirt Roaders.  Every. Step. Of. The. Way.  He gives beauty for ashes.  I am so undeserving of the blessings that He gives, but He gives them anyway.  It’s true…the power is His, to give and take away.  Lately though, my healing heart longs to focus on what He gives.  My life is really not my own.  I know…so many things that I’m throwing at you at once…but I am learning so much in this season.  Do me a favor?  Ask God to help me…as a student of His.

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Love from the farmyard,

Sigturquoise

 

I’m In the Garden

25 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style

≈ 2 Comments

I am sitting down for a second.  My poor back.  At 6:30 a.m., I was in the garden, picking enough green beans to feed a small tribe.  Rain makes green beans.  That is my thought for the day.

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I am not complaining.  You guys know that this is a part of our summer life.  God is good to bless us with real food.  Lots of times…people don’t understand that with blessings, hard work is part of it.  Please pass the PanAway.  (An eo for sore muscles.)  (eo stands for essential oil.) (You are welcome.)  😉

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So today…I am not decorating or moving furniture.  I am cooking beans, washing beans and putting beans away.  If you need me…I could possibly be in the garden.  More than likely though…I will be in the kitchen.

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Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli
p.s.  A huge thank you to God…for helping our garden grow.  Please forgive my grumbles, Lord. I love you!  Also a huge thank you to my Mr. and my children.  They work very hard.  All of them.  We are in this “farmin’ thang” together. I love you…my people!

Monday Babble

23 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in RaMbLiNgs

≈ Leave a comment

Hey Guys!  How are you?  We are doing well.  I am thankful to be able to say that, truthfully.  Life is hard sometimes, isn’t it?  Sometimes it feels as though we move from one struggle to the next.  God is faithful though, and He gives us help and strength.  Anyway…thank you for joining me on this Monday…babble.  Just a few things that are going on at the Farmhouse.  Not rocket science or mind blowing.  Just me, trying to start another week.  Trying…is good.  🙂

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Sooo…guess what?  I ordered another book.  Would you like to know what it is?  Of course you would.  I ordered the Trim Healthy Mama book.  I am so excited to get it and just…learn…at first.  I am not one of those folks that can eat whatever their hearts desire and stay the same size.  I have to watch it a little…or I gain.  That being said…I am so interested in a healthy lifestyle.  (Even though I have an insane love for the carbonated beverage.)  After my dad went to Heaven, the weight dropped off.  Then after a few months…I would eat…just because it gave me comfort.  I am not trying to promote a diet plan…because we all know at what weight we feel good.  That is where I try to stay.  Also…since I am a thirty-something…I want to be healthy and take care of this temple that God gave me.  Does that include iced coffee?  I hope so.  See?  My sanguine/party personality…is my waistline’s arch rival.  lol!

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In other Farmhouse news…I bought two new succulents last night and some new yarn.  I know, I know.  Such an exciting life that I lead.  Oh…and I also bought an Auntie Anne’s pretzel…because our town now has a franchise.  This should have been in the paragraph above.  Or not.  Don’t tell the Trim Healthy Mama folks about my pretzel okay?  lol!  Actually…I don’t have my book yet.  Pass me another pretzel…with sweet mustard please.  😉  Anyway…an old high-school friend has been out to our farmhouse and she inspired me with her crochet talent.  I know how to crochet a tad.  I’m starting with a dish rag.  Wish me luck.

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In oily news, I ordered some Bergamot from Young Living today.  I am anxious to mix it with my Patchouli for perfume.  I have heard that it’s really nice.  Are you familiar with Young Living essential oils?  We love them.  Our whole family.  It’s amazing when we utilize the things around us, that God provided when He created this place.  Don’t be scared.  I didn’t sell my Expedition to buy a hippie van.  I just love the fact…that my children can use Peppermint for a headache instead of something that is hard on their liver.  Ya know?  Of course you do.

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(Ignore the crazy gray line in the snap.  That was when my phone blogging was wonky.)

I warned you of the babble.  If you are still here, by this point, bless you.  I plan some “granny chic” goodness for us this week…we shall see how that goes.  Today…I am just catching you up on the excitement (ha!) and checking in.  Oh, I almost forgot…we got more fence posts in.  Exciting I tell you!  Now…what to fix for supper?

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Jesus loves YOU!

Sigturquoise

Summer….Almost

20 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

Hey guys!  More phone blogging today.  I have slipped into hermit mode lately…so today we may go hit some yard sales.  It’s almost SUMMER!  How fun is that!?

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You guys have been leaving super-sweet comments on the blog and on Instagram.  They make my heart happy and they make it all worth while.  Blogging is work…believe it or not.  It’s good work though.  Anything that allows you to share the message of Christ and a love for family, friends and home…is good work.

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This evening, the Mr. and I, need to do some serious weed bustin’ in our garden.  We are thankful for all of the rain…for a fact…but sometimes a little work comes along with those blessings.  It won’t be long and there will be beets to can.  Yum!

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Wish me luck on my junkin’.  Maybe I will find some fun things to share with you….like….this.

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Yes.  My friend Jodi brought these to me.  Aren’t they amazing…to go along with our “grandma’s house in the summer” theme?

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I knew that you would approve.  My Dirt Roader’s are hip that way 😉

Love from my junkin’ bus,

Kelli

Back in the Saddle

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff, Farmhouse Photography

≈ 6 Comments

Hey sweet Dirt Roaders!  How are you today?  We are good.  We had a little weekend get away of sorts.  Now I am trying to get back in the saddle again.  Yesterday, I took the day off.  Well, as much as any mother does.  I still did laundry, cooked and a few other things.  Anyway…I thought that I would give you a little Instagram eye candy.  This week is very busy for me…so I’m not sure how many posts I will get up, but we shall see.  😉

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Do you love Instagram?

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I love taking pictures.  It gets my creative wheels turning.

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I have more lotion bars to make, here in a little while.  I just thought that you needed to know that.  😉

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I hope that you have a wonderful day!

Back in the saddle again,

Kelli

A Farmhouse Welcome

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

≈ 2 Comments

I quite possibly could have titled another blog post…this very same thing.  Are you okay with that?  Thank you.  You guys know how I roll.  Always changing up a little something.  Since I took the Moroccan print rug back to the laundry room…I decided to show you the entry again.  So today, you get, yet another…Farmhouse Welcome.  I hope that you enjoy.

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SONY DSCThe new rug from TJ Maxx is dreamy.  So soft…so antiquey.  (Lol…spell check loves that.)  My husband even commented that he really liked it.  That always makes me happy.  I just love the way that it blends with the blues and grays.  Plus…it was on that back wall in the clearance.  Yeah…you know the one.  😉  Actually…I think that my MIL found it and then I knocked her down and grabbed it and ran to the check-out.  Okay…not really.  She showed it to me.  We oohed and aahed and then I bought it.  We are pretty compatible that way.  We try to help a gal out the whole time we shop.  lol!

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You guys know that I love the simplified look.  I have declared this truth…over and over.  Actually…these days…I love “simple” anywhere I can find it.  It just helps me breathe.  I have come a long way in the last few years.  Trust me…I used to be a lot more complicated.  I guess age has it’s benefits.  Of course…trying to walk with God…cuts down on a lot of fuss too.  He teaches me.  I love that.

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The antique table in our entry belonged to my step-dad’s grandmother.  I love it.  I think that it is perfect for that spot.  The cuckoo clock belonged to my sweet daddy and the little lamp is from Target.  I do believe that lamp is my favorite in our home.  I wouldn’t mind…at all…having the larger size for our night stands.  (Hint…Hint…Mr.)  My husband stood in the aisle at Target…helping me find the right lamp shade.  He is so patient.  He can also read my expression.  It’s probably quite a hoot if you are watching from a distance.  I’m sure that I have a frown of concentration.  When a lamp shade that he tries…looks yucky…sometimes he laughs at my reaction. I am pretty sure that he picked up the gray shade though.  It was love at first sight.  He knows me well.  You know though…come to think of it…when I make suggestions at Harbor Freight…I don’t laugh at his reaction.  I am sure that I am so annoying in that store.  I have no idea what I am doing or saying.  Ha! Next time…I will walk across the street to Krispy Kreme.  🙂

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Well…I have yacked long enough. I hope that you enjoy looking at a Farmhouse Welcome.  It’s one of my favorite places in our home.  Although first impressions can be wrong…I do believe that they are important.  I also hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Father’s Day.  Hug those daddy’s and husband’s tight.  They deserve it.

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Love from our dirt road to yours,

Sigturquoise

Coastal Mantle

12 Thursday Jun 2014

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

≈ 5 Comments

Are you guys head over heels for the coastal theme during the summer?  I don’t have a lot of coastal decor.  One starfish, a glass fishing float, (faux) and a collection of shells from my littles.  The relaxation of that theme…soothes me though.  I don’t have my shells sitting out yet.  Usually I have a bowl sitting around somewhere.  I need to dig those out.  Oh wait, I do have a sign that says BEACH on our back door.  Pretty simple.  You know me, I love simple.

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There have been times over the past that I piled a ton of stuff on our mantle.  Then I take it back off.  Simple just calls my name.  I admire other people’s collections…but it just doesn’t work for me.  That is the great thing.  We can all appreciate each other’s style.

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I love to pair woven, summery, baskets with coastal.  The tray basket is actually from Ebay but it’s a Pottery Barn basket.  I love it.  When it came, I was so excited.  It was way bigger than I even imagined.  I love the color of it paired with the light and airy items.  It seems to give a good balance.  When something seems wonky and off balance, I pick at it, move it, and preen it, until it looks right.

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Now that is bugging me.  I’m not sure where I put my shells.  😉  I will be searching high and low.  Don’t you hate that?  Deep breaths Kel…deep breaths.

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I hope that you have enjoyed our little coastal mantle.  It’s refreshing to me.  Not too complicated and it sports a turquoise Ball jar.  Right up my alley.  On a little side note…I spent a big part of the morning in the company of the piano tuner.  What an interesting job.  Now our daughter is good to go.  God’s blessings, well…they make us rich and they add absolutely no sorrow.

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Love from the coastal farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

Crazy Veggie Lady

11 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style

≈ 6 Comments

It’s been awhile since we’ve had a food post.  I have been “fluffin’ the nest” mostly…but I love a good food post.  I have also been eating too much junk lately, and have been craving my veggies in a major way. Veggies are our friends.  So pretty and good for us.  Have I convinced us?

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Sunday evening, our little guy was puny.  He has been fighting the whole sinus/allergy thing for a while…but he was just looking “peeked.”  (That is Ozarkian for pale and puny.)  Thankfully, he is feeling much better now.  It took him a few days though.  Anyway, Sunday night after our evening service, the Mr. stopped off at Subway.  He picked up a Roasted Chicken Breast salad for me.  It was amazing.  It was made with all baby spinach.  Baby spinach is my best friend.  Okay…not really, but I do love it.  Like…a lot.  I made my own little vinaigrette of lemon juice and olive oil.  So good.  So heart healthy.

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salad

 

I seriously need to do some major cleaning today. I just got my new book, The Nesting Place by Myquillan Smith, in the mail…so I will have plenty of inspiration.  (I will share more about this later. Exciting!)  I also need to come up with something for supper.  Our church has service on Wednesday nights so I usually do something pretty simple.  It’s nice to have something that is easy to clean up.  This paragraph is just a freebie and has nothing to do with the post…except that I need to figure out what I’m cooking for supper.

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So…how are your gardens doing?  Ours is growing like crazy, thank the Lord.  We have had tons of rain.  I cannot wait to start getting fresh veggies from it.  It’s so fun to put veggies up for the coming winter, eat fresh ones, and share with others.  (Not in that order.)  🙂

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Okay…so I am rambling about fresh veggies and really…that is about it.  So…bottom line:  Eat your VEG!  It’s good for you. God loves us and He gave us this food.  It will nourish you.  It will make you kiss your scales.  (Yeah Kel…take your own advice and stay out of the Oatmeal Cream Pies.  A.K.A….Oatmeal Patties…as our little guy calls them.)

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Love…the crazy veggie lady,

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Sigturquoise

 

 

What Lovely Curtains You Have, Grandmother!

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

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

≈ 6 Comments

Remember yesterday, when I told you about the “granny chic” afghan that I found?  Well…there was more.  So much more.  They were just hanging there, in all of their grandmotherly, mustardy, goodness.  I promise…they were surrounded by a heavenly glow and you could hear…”Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”  (Kind of a high pitched, open mouthed hum.  Go ahead…try it. 😉 )  Okay…so not really…but I was pretty excited.  There were four panels and four pom pommy tie backs.  All for four dollahs!

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Was your grandma rockin’ the pom poms back in the day? (On her curtains…not as a cheerleader.)  One of my Instagram friends said that the farmhouse that she grew up in, in the seventies, had curtains like this.  They are so fun.  The color is what drew me in, I must confess. You know, yellow + me = love.

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I usually try to give you guys crisp and clear pictures to look at.  Today, in honor of the era that these curtains were born, we are being a little foggy and hazy.  I hope that you enjoy.  They just make me smile, child of the seventies and eighties that I am.

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The Mr.’s first reaction…was about like our girls reaction at the thrift.  I think that they all thought that I was crazy.  Then I proceeded to wash them, dry them and drafted the husband into helping me hang them.  (He is so sweet.) I put one in the laundry room and the rest in the girl’s room.  That evening when we came back home and the one in the laundry room greeted us, I could tell that my husband was won over by her glowing goodness.  Thank you, Grandma…for your lovely curtains, whoever you are.

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Love from the seventies,

Sigturquoise

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alongthedirtroad

Kelli

Kelli

Welcome to our stretch of the dirt road! It is filled with junkin' trips, culinary experiments and anything to "fluff the nest" which is our farmhouse. I love home decor that fits my family. I love a simplicity that we can live in. Maybe that is why the country life is so appealing to us. It's a place to breathe deep...and enjoy the journey. Join us! We would love to have you. (You might even see a chicken or two.)

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alongthedirtroad

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