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Along the Dirt Road

Monthly Archives: September 2014

The Scents of Autumn

30 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest

≈ 4 Comments

I don’t think that I have ever shared this in the history of Along the Dirt Road.  Are you ready?  Brace yourself.  I have a super-duper sniffer.  It’s actually a family trait and it can drive me crazy at times, if something is offensive.  Couple that with a pretty healthy gag reflex and you can be in a pickle before you know it.  Why am I sharing this?  I am sharing this with you…because it definitely has an upside!  There are gazillions of wonderful things to smell in the world and the scents of autumn are some of them.

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The olfactory glands house the sense of smell.  They help pick up the scent of pumpkin bread baking in the oven, the scent of roasting pumpkin seeds and the fall scented wax in your warmer.  Your sense of smell triggers memories in your brain at an amazing rate of speed.  The smell of burning leaves may take you back to childhood.  The smell of apple pie may take you straight to your grandma’s kitchen.  It’s really amazing, the way that our body and mind work…hand in hand.

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Isn’t it fun to walk through the door of your home and smell good things?  I love all seasonal smells, but autumn is just so stinkin’ cozy.  I actually just ordered some Cedarwood essential oil and it smells amazing in the difuser. Maybe not everyone is effected by smell…but it’s a huge part of our life around here.  Surely not because Mom is always harping about smells.  lol!

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When I started writing this post, I thought back to chores this morning.  I love the smell of cattle. Their sweet breath and the smell of their hide.  Should I say it?  Yes, I will.  Even their poop isn’t all that bad compared to some of the other farm animals.  Ha!  I can see some of your faces!  I adore the smell of a good leather handbag and a pair of boots too.  (Don’t tell our steer!)  I love the smell of feed and the smell of hay.  It all takes me back.  Back to the farm of my childhood.  It takes me back to quality time spent tagging along behind one of the most gentle men on the face of the earth.  I can even remember the smell of the inside of his pickup.  I am extremely thankful for my sense of smell.

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If you bake a pie today, or if you make pumpkin bread…take a minute to breathe deep.  When you hug your husband, children, or loved ones…lean in a second and cherish the scent of them.  I do that a lot.  My sweet family is used to a sniffing wife and mom.  I still remember the scent of my dad.  I will treasure that always.

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Dreaming of cinnamon, cloves, apples, pumpkins, and all scents autumn,

Sigturquoise

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Cultivating the Land

25 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul

≈ 5 Comments

Almost a couple of Sundays ago, our pastor preached an amazing message.  During his message he shared with us the story of a family member that has passed away, and the impact that he had made in his community.  When we all bowed our heads for a moment, while he gave the altar call…an image skittered across my mind’s eye.  It was as though I was looking down at a tiller…cultivating the dirt right in front of me.  In a flash…it was there and then gone.  It told my husband about it later…and the way that I felt that it tied in with our pastor’s sermon.  Then…in that next week of revival…one night our speaker came across a story about his dad…tilling.  His dad had to sit down and rest occasionally…but he just kept on tilling.  I love it when God does that.

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This morning while I was cleaning up my desk…I found this quote:

“Keep your eyes on Jesus and when you do, He will cultivate an atmosphere in your life that is filled with much delight and great joy.”

Sadly…I’m not sure where I got that…but I love it.

cul·ti·vate
ˈkəltəˌvāt/
verb
  1. 1.
    prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening.
    synonyms: till, plow, dig, hoe, farm, work, fertilize, mulch, weed

    “the peasants cultivated the land”
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The thing that dropped into my heart that Sunday was the fact that, if we as believers tend to the ground before us and directly around us…we will be fulfilling our purpose.  God will set opportunities in our row…and we will do His work.  I am not saying that we don’t step out in faith at times…or that we always stay in the same garden.  I am just saying that wherever God has us at the moment…is ripe for cultivation.  Our pastor’s cousin was a huge blessing in his “garden.”  You know what?  I would bet my eye teeth (pardon my Southern Missouri speak) that his cousin even got tired.  Maybe at times, when he got to the end of a row…he had to sit down and take a break.  Maybe he had to wipe the sweat from his brow, get a drink, and then get back up to start a new row.  Whatever the case, his life was spent in cultivation.

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Isn’t it amazing when we surrender to God and let Him cultivate or till the walls of our hearts?  There have been times in the last few months, that the only way that my bruised and battered heart could survive, was keeping my eyes locked with the Master.  When we do that, the stress of this life fades into the background.  We start to notice the beauty in life, instead of the pain.  Jesus cultivates an atmosphere in our lives filled with much delight and great joy.  Although…I wish that the events of ten months ago had never happened, I would never wish my dad back from the streets of Glory.  Also, I would never want to throw away what I have learned.  You see, I have been a student, and my Teacher…has been ever so patient with me.  He is teaching me about joy, good choices, compassion, and real life.  He is tilling, ever so gently, and I stand in awe of Him.

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Hoping for beautiful and healthy turnips!

Sigturquoise

Autumn Color

23 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest

≈ 2 Comments

Before we get started:  Happy first day of autumn!  Some of you have been waiting all year for the cozy part of the year.  Congratulations!  It is here!  Crank up the soup pots!

Autumn is very cozy.  I love the little touches of home that it seems to add to life.  I love to have a pot of chili simmering, just waiting on our family to pile in.  Serving it with hunks of cheddar and crackers…seems to only enhance the cozy feeling.  Today, I decided to share some autumn color with you.  Usually, things are pretty light and airy at the farmhouse.  I love that so much, it also provides a nice backdrop to add some deep and warm color for the season of…warm blankets and good books.

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My husband made this jack-o-lantern when he was a little guy.  I love it so much.  It is probably my most favorite autumn treasure.

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I love old crocks.  This year, I decided to pile a few faux pumpkins and a gourd in ours.  They make me happy when I walk buy. That is the kind of home decor that I love.  Things that really matter…and make us feel good.

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Today, I have chores waiting, a house that doesn’t clean itself, and supper to think about.  You know what though?  I plan on enjoying all of the above.  This morning when I waved to my family and stepped back inside, I could smell warm toast in the air.  Thankfulness welled up within my heart.  I want to be the type of wife and momma and homemaker that actually lives here.  I don’t want it to be a job…I want it to be a life.

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(How fun is it that Christy Nockles, Christian singer and songwriter is featured in October’s issue of BHG!?  Her home is lovely!)

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It doesn’t take much to add autumn color to our homes.  You may not have a huge array of autumn decor.  No problem.  I plan on looking for a real pumpkin for our table and maybe one for our porch.  Eventually those will get nabbed…and the innards dug out.  The seeds will be salted and roasted.  Then, a happy little gap-toothed smile will emerge on the pumpkin’s big, round, face.  Another good place to pick up a little autumn decor is Dollar Tree.  A little pumpkin or gourd sitting by your coffee pot…just might make you smile, first thing in the morning.

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I hope that you have a wonderful first day of autumn!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

 

 

One More Day

22 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ Leave a comment

Shhh…the little ones are still sleeping.

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It’s a day off for them. One more day off for me. A week away from social media was a good thing. Silence with God is very grounding.

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We are going to take it easy and rest up today. The flu bug found some of us, last week…so I am thankful for another day to regroup.

I hope that you all are enjoying your first day of fall! Tomorrow we will see what kind of autumn goodness that we can get into…good Lord willin’…and you know the rest.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

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A Pumpkin for Everyone

12 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

≈ Leave a comment

Pumpkins are my favorite.  Are they yours?  They are so fun to decorate with.  You just plop them out somewhere and you are done.  They are just so cheery in their plumpness.  They don’t even care that they are round.  I like people pumpkins like that. Today I am going to share with you guys, the newest little pumpkin addition to our collection.  My Mr. spotted it the other day while we were junking a little.  I’m so glad that he did.  It is a fitting addition to our farmhouse this year.  If there ever was a manly pumpkin…I would say that this is the one.  😉  Just goes to prove that there is a pumpkin for everyone.

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Isn’t it sweet?  It’s made from a post and a small branch.  I love it.  I put it in one spot and then I moved it. (Big surprise.)  I decided that it needed a spot in the family room, where we all could enjoy it.  After all of our fence building this year…I think that it’s fitting that we purchased a little pumpkin made from a small post.  You all know by now, that I love to incorporate decor that means something to us.  I love for our home to tell our story.

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I have pared my fall decor down so much this year.  It is amazing.  It’s also very breathable.  At this point in our lives…this is what works for me.  I just dug out my favorites this year and I may grab a real one or two.  I am enjoying the fall scents in the wax warmer too.  They are so cozy.

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I am going to take a little break, next week, from social media.  I will be back though, Good Lord willing, and we shall talk of all things fall.  😉  I’m also wanting to get back in the swing of sharing a recipe now and again.  Who knows?  I may even have a new pumpkin or two…by then.  If so…I will let you know. After all…there is surely a pumpkin for everyone. 😉

Love from the dirt road,

Sigturquoise

Finding Your True Style

10 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest, heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

I don’t have a quiz for you to take.  I don’t have a pill for you to swallow and then it finally dawns “uponst” you.  What I do have…is a tad of experience in homemaking.  I have been doing that very thing for years.  I can give you a pointer or two and then the one big question to ask yourself, that will determine your style. SONY DSC When we were first married…our little mobile home was decorated from stem to stern.  I had a major conflict of interests going on though.  In the kitchen, I had a sunflower and watermelon theme.  A mere few inches away…in the living room…I had cherubs.  (They went beautifully with our quail and wagon wheel couch. Hey…you work with what you get free, when you are newlyweds, and I was just fine with it. I still love freebies. 😉 )  Down the hall was the laundry area and bathroom and I think that I went with frogs (so cute) for a while and then a few other phases. Our master bedroom was burgundy and hunter green.  It may not sound like much to you…but I bawled my eyes out when we sold it…and I mopped the floors for the last time.  After all, our first child was brought home there.  I was beginning to see what was really important. SONY DSC My Granny made a home for her family in a little bitty farmhouse for years.  It was my favorite place on earth.  It wasn’t fancy…but she always kept it clean and was always cooking something good for her family.  They were very happy there.  They were focused on doing and living what God had for them…and not trying to keep up with everyone else.  There is a huge life lesson in that.  There is freedom there. SONY DSC I have went through several decorating phases through the years.(My husband is so patient…and gives me free reign in this area.  I do run my crazy ideas by him and get his approval though.  I also get his opinion and the kids…because this is OUR home, not just mine.  My favorite thing…is a place that we all enjoy.)  For a while, I jumped on a more modern bandwagon.  It was fun and that trend brought us fluffy carpets once again…but then…it happened.  I found myself…in home decor.  It had been there all along…because I have been drawn to antiques from day one.  No matter what phase I was in…there were always old things incorporated. SONY DSC Farmhouse Style.  How do I know that it’s the style for me?  I never get tired of it.  I have injected it into every trend and style…in some form, down through the years.  When I finally realized that I needed to go “whole hog” with what I loved…not what everyone else loves…I found true comfort at home.  I also realized that what looked beautifully intricate for others…only looked like a mess when I tried to decorate that way. I needed simple, clean, lines.  I needed smooth surfaces.  I needed for my home decor to make sense to me.  Farming is in my blood.  It skipped my dad…and went straight into my DNA.  It holds my interest.  Why wouldn’t I want to use that to make a home for us?  Another fun thing?  It’s not overly feminine.  That makes it fun for the whole family. SONY DSC   What really speaks to you?  What are your eyes drawn to?  What makes you sigh and dream?  I’m not promoting overspending or surrounding ourselves with things.  If anything, I might be encouraging you to simplify, to make room for the really important things in life…people. wpid-img_20140618_085116.jpg Here is the big question that I promised you.  Are you ready? What makes you and your family comfortable? Get in tune with all of your senses.  Observe your family and what they take delight in.  Maybe for you, it’s wildlife.  Maybe it’s organization. Maybe it is sunflower decor and watermelons.  Sunflowers are actually trending again…so if you love them, now is a good time for you. SONY DSC If we live to be a hundred, that is still too short to surround ourselves with anything less than what we love.  Am I making sense?  Don’t just dream about being happy and comfortable in your space.  Do something about it.  Put some thought into it.  I believe in you and I know that you can do it.  My Dirt Roaders are smart and creative. SONY DSC I hope that this helps.  I hope that we are not slaves to our homes…but that we use our homes as tools to help us in this life.  A place of refuge in a harsh world.  A place to reflect the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  If you are not comfortable with your home…it doesn’t always have to be that way.  No matter the size or the age…your home can be a place that says “Welcome home family…” at the end of the day. wpid-img_20140619_093834.jpg

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise  

Honey Holes

08 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in fluffin' the nest

≈ Leave a comment

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I am sure that you have some in your town. Honey holes. Your favorite spot to find home decor. In our town there is a lovely little place called Cleea’s At Home Market. It’s a delight to stop in and browse…and buy.

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When I stopped by on Saturday, it was to pick up a small gift. It’s a great place for that too.

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This little store is one of my favorites in our area. I have some others that I want to highlight in the future. I always get excited when the stores put out their fall decor. It’s also fun to shop local. I feel like I am supporting my fellow townspeople…because I am.

I hope that you have a lovely week and I hope that you find a few minutes for you. Hit one of your own honey holes, when you do.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

p.s. In our neck of the woods… “honey hole” is generally used for a good hunting or fishing spot. FYI 😉

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In Other News

04 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ 4 Comments

I changed the header again.  Did you see it?  Of course you did!  It’s huge!  I’m kinda digging that.  We shall see if it stays.  The thing is…I had such a huge reaction to those Ball jars…that it just seemed fitting that they be a part of the blog header.  They are a pretty big reflection of me.  So they just might stay.  How about that whopping badge too?  I mean, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind…the name of this blog.  That Pottery Barn basket on the coffee table is another favorite of mine too…so I’m loving seeing it there.  Anyway…this blog is a work in progress…just like me.  I’m okay with that. In other news…

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We have had the sickies at our house.  Have you all?  There have been several bugs in the works at the schools.  My babies have been oiled down and it’s helping but whatever this is…we have all had it.  I am on fever blister number two in as many weeks.  Yeah…I’m whining a bit.  I’m kinda sorry about that.

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Another kind of fun tidbit:  I am up for renewal on my cell phone contract.  I should say “we.”  The hubby and I.  So…here is the thing…I asked for opinions on Instagram about Android vs. iPhone.  I am now more confused than ever.  I guess I will go pick the brain of my carrier rep.  Maybe he or she will be able to also pick my brain and decide what would work best for me.  The important things are speed and camera quality.  Plus…I can get an iPhone for a penny…possibly.  Wouldn’t that be nice?  I do blog from my phone some…so I need to be able to do that as well.

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Are you guys all decorated for fall yet?  I am…still not.  It just hasn’t hit me.  It will soon.  As soon as there is a little nip in the air, I’m sure.

I hope that you have a wonderful day…full of treasured moments.  They are all around us…if we will just really see.

Sigturquoise

 

Is it Fall in Your Air?

02 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, fluffin' the nest

≈ Leave a comment

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend.  We did.  We just enjoyed.  The older I get, the more content I am to just enjoy moments, and not constantly be having to find something new to do.  Oh lands, pass the Geritol.  😉 On another note, people around here have been digging out the fall decor.  Is it fall in your air?  I thought that today, I would post a few old fall shots to inspire us a little.  You okay with that?  I knew that you would be.  My Dirt Roaders are agreeable.

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I hope that you have a wonderful day, in your neck of the woods.

Love from the Dirt Road,

Sigturquoise

p.s.  Thinking of simplifying my fall and maybe going a little more “farmhousey” with it.  We shall see.  Stay tuned!

 

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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

alongthedirtroad

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