If I Had a Ladder

29 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

“If I had a ladder…I tell you what I would do…I would throw some afghans on that ladder…and encourage you to buy one too!”

Okay…okay. So I’m not a song writer. Not serious songs anyway. I will tell you what I am though. I am the proud owner of a couple of ladders. I have been itching for one for a while now. It’s one of those things that you either see or dream up and tuck it in the back of your mind. The shorter ladder was found at a yard sale. The tall ladder, I picked it up at a local antique mall. I put that birthday money to good use this year.

I love the coziness that it adds to our family room. During the school year, lots of evenings are spent in this room. Usually the kids are working on homework and Dad and I wind up sitting in there too. (When did we get old enough to call each other Mom and Dad) 😉 It’s the relaxing and slow part of our day. Supper is over, the kitchen is clean, and there is a candle burning on the counter. It’s also the place that we usually do our family devotions. I love cozy…especially if we are going to spend that much time in there.

Isn’t the popularity of crocheted afghans crazy? Years ago, I wouldn’t have bought one of those at a yard sale or thrift store…for nothing! Now…I knock people down and grab ’em. Ha! Just kidding! Seriously though…I love the way that trends sometimes cause us to go back and take another look at what we once loved. We see it with new eyes. I also love trends in the junkin’ vein. They are usually easy to follow and pretty much on the cheap.

This afghan did not come from a garage sale. It was lovingly stitched by my husband’s aunt. I barely breathed the words that I would love to have one like this…and she had it done. She is a genius in the crochet department. I am honored to have one of her creations. It’s so warm and when you cover up with it…it feels like a sweet hug. Those are my favorite things.

I hope that you have a lovely three day weekend, Dirt Roaders. I hope that you get to enjoy the God that loves you, so very much. I hope that you get to enjoy your family. I hope that you have time to cozy up in your family room, living room or a favorite spot and just count your blessings.

Good Lord willing, I will be counting mine,

Let’s Have a Ball

26 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 3 Comments

Okay. That title was a bit corny. Yes, once again I am talking about Ball jars. Do you forgive me? You guys are so nice. Let’s have a Ball today, shall we?

We have all heard my hate/love relationship with turquoise. (I know that is backwards, let me explain.) For those of you that haven’t heard, when I was a child, my mom dressed me in turquoise…ALL. THE. TIME. That is a bit of an exaggeration…she dressed me in turquoise quite a lot though. I didn’t love it. The funny thing is that it must have done something to my brain. As an adult, I do love it. I makes me feel happy. Don’t you love it when a color can help you in that department!? Yellow is another friend of mine. I call it color therapy.

I have a confession to make. I do that quite often on here. I am itching a bit for fall. Like as in…I have been staring at our mantle and dreaming about throwing a little pumpkin up there. I haven’t given in yet though. I did take our summer decor down though. After that, I decided to just add my Ball jars. I had actually seen this suggestion on Pinterest, lest you think I’m some sort of genius. 😉

I’m really enjoying our very plain mantle. It didn’t cost me anything to change it up and that is always a fun bonus. Most of the time, the simple things are what speaks to me. I feel like life can be pretty hectic. I enjoy surroundings that let me breathe. I also enjoy decor that reminds me of a more simple time. I promise, I’m not in denial, much.

I am very thankful for the changing seasons in the Ozarks. It’s fun to look forward to that with everyone. Yes, where we come from…folks still talk about the weather. Matter of fact they have been talking about the predictions in the Farmer’s Almanac at church. I think that is sweet. There is a bit of community in that.

Whatever you do, Dirt Roaders…have a Ball.

p.s. Thanks Mom. You knew what you were doing all along. 😉

A Full Heart

25 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul

≈ 1 Comment

My heart is so very full this morning. It is full of love. It is full of the joy of a mother, who watched her children make a public confession of their faith. It is full of the unity that one feels when a church family makes it’s way down an old dirt road to share in this kind of love. A full heart is a wonderful thing to carry.

I snapped this shot before the baptism. It says so much. It speaks of a couple that have invested their lives in the families of our little congregation. Blood, sweat, and tears, that will only be truly known on the other side of this life. Our children were delighted to share the antics of Chuck, (our steer) with our pastor and pastor’s wife. My heart was full…just watching from a distance.

When we were building this farmhouse, (by the grace of the Almighty) and I stood upon the foundation for the first time, I got huge tears in my eyes. My heart was full. I didn’t know, until then, just how far that we would be able to see from this little farmhouse on the hill. God knew. He knew all about it. Even while the walls were going up, I had the feeling that this would be a place to share with others. We have tried to do that. It is an honor to share our home place with those that are in need of a little peace. People tell us that it is peaceful here. I love that. I love that…even in the turmoil of this life, that we can share peace with others. Ministry comes in all shapes and forms. We just have to be sensitive to that. We have to realize that ministry begins with open arms. Arms spread wide…to the wounded and the weary. Sometimes…people just need a place of refuge…to kick off their shoes and breathe deep. I am thankful for this little hill…out on the dirt road.

I felt the absence of my dad very strongly yesterday. Last summer we had talked about the kids getting baptized…so I held that conversation close. Something amazing happened though. At the very end…our song leader broke out into a hymn about faith. Some of the very last words of wisdom from my dad…: “It’s faith.” I am glad that God sees us…right where we are. He is a loving Father…that knows the very heart of us.

Full beyond words,

Antiques + Me = Rapid Heartbeat

21 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

≈ 2 Comments

Are you crazy like me? Do you love antiques? What is my deal with old stuff? Maybe it’s because I stayed with my grandparents and great-grandparents a lot as a child. I love home decor that tells a story. That is the reason that antiques + me = rapid heartbeat.

When I was still in high school, I had my very first job. I worked at a title company. I also worked with the owner’s mother. We called her Old Mum. That was what her grandkids called her so…we all did too. She and I became dear friends. (Are we seeing a pattern here?) Anyway, Old Mum and I would go to the antique mall on our lunch hour or just for a break now and then. I love the way that she described antiques that had little spots or blemishes. She said that they were “well loved.” I have adopted that term myself.

My step-mom gave me a delightful gift for my birthday. A vintage feed sack. It was her great-grandmother’s. Isn’t that wonderful!? I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with it yet. For now I just gaze at it and pet it. lol! She and my mom both suggested framing it. That would be really neat. Our pastor’s wife suggested draping it over a curtain rod. I had thought of that too. All of my mothers…and their wisdom. 😉

I hope that you get to do a bit of junking this week, if you love that sort of thing. I also hope that you slow down, look around, and realize that the love of God is so big…that we can never fathom just how much that He really loves us.

Happy antiquing,

Happy 2nd Bloggiversary Along the Dirt Road!

19 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul

≈ 10 Comments

Two years! Some of you have been reading this craziness for two whole years. I just wanted to say that I appreciate it. I appreciate the fact that you take time out of your busy lives to stop by. This little blog is a place of refuge in a troubled world. It’s a place that you can stop by…to read about folks that try to live at a slower pace. We try to savor moments. We also try to let the light of Jesus Christ shine bright in our lives. After this last year…more now than ever…we want people to know that our Lord loves them…and eternity is for always. We want people to realize that there is hope and grace abounds more than anyone can imagine.

I want to invite you to continue with us on our journey. We have started farming a bit more, which has been so fun. The Mr. actually bought me a donkey for my birthday! He will be the “coyote police” when we add more cows and calves. His name is Frito. I’m sure that he will make an appearance now and then on the blog.

People mention that they are encouraged by the blog. That is balm to my heart. You see…I get weary with the trials in this life too. People are looking for hope. I don’t have the answers to their problems…or my own, but I know Who does. He makes all of the difference in the world.

Thank you so much for your continued reading! Let’s see what kind of “farmhousey” fun we can get into in this next year!

Love from our dirt road to yours,

Elephant in the Room

14 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ 2 Comments

Hey Dirt Roaders! How are you on this lovely day? We are crazy, that is what we are. One of the busiest weeks of the year…back to school. Everyone was smiling though…so that is a good thing. By the way…did someone say something about an elephant in the room? 😉 Well…here it is:

Yes. I spent a chunk of my morning working on a new blog header. It was time for a change after the summer. I haven’t blogged much in the past few weeks…but hopefully that will change now that we are back in a routine. I have been busy guys! Busy living this life that I blog about.

I wanted to give you something to gaze “uponst” that would reflect who I am. At this point…and always I have a heart for old things. I am also loving the warmth that wood is bringing to farmhouse style lately. Of course, I enjoy it paired with white. Don’t sign me up for paneling just yet. 😉 Baskets are a no-brainer and the itty bitty salt and pepper shakers are from my mom. They are so me. She knew that they were when she picked them up at good ol’ Cracker Barrel. Then there is the amber bottle. Those are catching my eye… a lot. I checked Ebay for the apothecary bottles in amber. Eeeeeep! Gotta strike oil first. The blue runner? Well…it’s blue. Blue has always been my favorite color in the crayon box. Anyway…just a bit of what makes my little junkin’ heart go pitter patter. I had to cozy it up a bit for us here at Along the Dirt Road. It’s that time of year.

Have a wonderful day!

A Basket Full

06 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

≈ 6 Comments

Last week we happened upon a fun little grouping of yard sales. We (the kids, my MIL and I) were headed to one of my favorite little “honey hole” shops at the time. On the way back, we decided to stop. I am so glad that we did. I wound up with a basket full of goodies. Yes…pun totally intended. You are welcome. 🙂

Somewhere, once upon a time, I spotted a picture of a basket on an entry table. I am pretty sure it was in a magazine. Do you remember those? Long before Pinterest or Instagram I was flipping through the pages of Martha Stewart Living and dreaming up all kinds of home projects. I still love to do that and still subscribe to some. Those are simple pleasures that I should actually make more time for. Anyway, somewhere in my mind, it got lodged that I would love a basket in our entry. I dreamed of antique quilts stacked inside. I believe that the basket that I saw was wooden. As you already know, the one in this story…is not.

While at this sale…I walked around this metal basket. It was full of old board games. I finally asked the man if it was for sale. (It wasn’t priced.) I asked him what he had to have for it. He said “How about a buck?” I calmly nodded and said “Okay.” On the inside…I did a fist pump. Not that this basket is priceless…but I don’t like to pay huge amounts for my “treasures.” That is part of the fun…the wheelin’ and dealin’.

The man at the sale told me that he figured the basket went in an old freezer at one time. It didn’t matter to me. Baskets of all shapes and sizes catch my eye. Locker baskets, wooden baskets, egg baskets, bring me all of your baskets. 😉 I kind of have a thing for bowls too. What is my deal with objects that hold other things?! Blame my mother. She is the same way.

At first, even this morning, I had it in my mind to spray paint this basket. I was going for white. (Big surprise there.) Then…the more that I gazed “uponst” it…the more that I liked it in it’s rough…freezer like…state. Maybe someday it will get a makeover, but for today…I am pretty okay with the “antique silver.”

As you can see…there are no quilts in the basket. If I ever buy some sort of sconce light or a pole lamp of sorts for the entry…that might change. We use this little lamp all the time and I love the warmth that it adds to this area. Who knows…this fall I may fold something “quilty” to tuck in there.

If I wasn’t going to use this basket in this way, it would have been a great tool for organization. That is one reason that I started picking these up at sales. They are amazing for bath toys if you have little ones. They are also wonderful on shelves or in pantries to hold pastas or cans. (Then you just slide the basket out.) We have actually used them before to hold shoes in our laundry/mud room. Get creative, go wild. ha!

I really hope that you are having a good day. We are enjoying being together…with a few days of relaxing before school starts back up. This week our pastor’s wife sent a text to me. This is what it said: Collect moments…not things. I love that. We are trying to do that at the Farmhouse. Interesting fact…when I took the Love Language test…my primary love language is Quality Time. I am good with that.

Love from our dirt road to yours,

The Dog Days

03 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ 3 Comments

Actually, this year we haven’t had many dog days of summer. Our weather has been so mild. It has been really nice. The hay has been plentiful for the farmers and you can actually get out and about without passing out. Of course in southern Missouri…sometimes swimming through the humidity is the thing to do.

My sweeties are excited about school starting. Can you believe it? I am glad. After a while, they crave their school routine instead of what we do around our little farm. It’s a good thing…to love different seasons in life. A healthy balance.

I hope that if you are truly in the dog days of summer…that you find time to sit in the shade. I hope that you drink plenty of fluids and soak up that D vitamin. I also hope that you find precious quiet moments to ponder the love of God. Those moments are water…in a dry, dusty, land.

Love from our neck of the woods,

Kelli