A Little Help from my Friends

30 Thursday Apr 2015

Today on Instagram…I threw out a little plea. I needed supper inspiration. Oh and I also sent it to fb too…via my ig post.

Sometimes…I get by with a little help from my friends. They inspired me. I might not even cook what they are cooking, but just to see someone with a plan in the works…well…it helps.

God is pleased by friendship. He approves of it 100%. Sometimes I think that we push it way back on the agenda because we put it in the category with fun. We are so busy and hurried that we don’t realize how vital friendship is to our well being. Our ancestors realized the importance of friendship. They knew that sitting down on the porch with a friend…meant something. I want to realize it and enjoy it too. I want to treasure others in the way that God intends.

Love and friendship,

Kelli

I Loved the Rainy Days

24 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Kelli in Uncategorized

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When I was a kid I remember a song that said “I love the rainy nights.” Do you remember it? Okay…well today we are chatting about rainy days. As a child…I loved them. At school, it was always so cozy when it rained. Now…not as much. Don’t get me wrong…I love the rain for it’s intended purpose…I just enjoy the sunshine an awful lot. What do you do on rainy days? They used to inspire me to clean. Now days they inspire me to wrap up in a blanket and take a snooze. That really isn’t an option today. I have lots to do…but I do love the coziness that I feel on rainy days. Rainy days also inspire me to light candles. Probably some cave woman instinct or something. Just kidding. Except I may kinda look like a cave woman. At this point…bed head is still intact. Whatever you think about rainy days…I hope that your Friday is a good one. Enjoy that weekend coming up. Squeeze your loved ones and count your blessings…because God loves for us to do that. He enjoys our thankful hearts. Love from the Farmhouse,

Farmhouse Life

22 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

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Tags

farmhouse life, farmhousestyle, farming

Did you get up with the chickens? I did. I was actually awake before the rooster this morning. Sometimes that is the way that it goes. He was standing in the mud with his wives…waiting to be fed. That is Farmhouse Life. It’s all about caring for others…people, animals, and vegetables. Just ask Adam and Eve. 😉

Farm life isn’t new to me. I grew up very close to my grandparent’s little farm. By the time that I came along they mostly had cows, a dog, and a barn cat. When my dad was little they had hogs too. He also had an old mare that he would ride. My step-dad’s parents have always farmed too. (It seems like most people did in that generation.) They even kept an old horse for me to ride. Ol’ Beauty. What a gal. She was so barn-soured that when you turned her back toward the house and let her go…we could have won the Kentucky Derby. Goodness gracious. I wound up in trouble over that a few times. Beauty was kind of old and poorly shod for me to let her act so young.

It’s so fun to watch our kids on our little farm. Their dad decided early on that he would buy the feed but they could have the money out of the eggs. Their job is to wash them before refrigeration. Want to know a fun fact? In Europe…they don’t refrigerate. That is because when a chicken lays an egg…there is a protective coating on them. It protects the egg from bacteria unless you wash it off. So…if you do wash them…get them into the fridge soon. Our kids get to split the money…because each day it/s a different person’s turn to wash eggs. You better believe that after scrubbing all that stuff off…they want their cut. I think that it’s pretty awesome…the lesson that their dad is teaching them with the eggs. It’s not that they are making a killing…but they are learning very valuable tools for their own lives.

Our farm is small and young. It is also just one aspect of our lives, but we enjoy the richness that it provides. I understand that not everyone wants to add farming to their list of things to do…but we love the little bit of it in our neck of the woods. I feel close to God…when I am in the middle of His creation. I feel like a helpmate when I am canning veggies that my husband planted or helping him with the care of an animal. I feel like I am teaching our children, when we are hot and sweaty, bent over green bean plants…split up into two teams, seeing who can finish their rows first. It’s hard work…but it nourishes my soul.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Simply Tuesday

21 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Simply...living

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breathe deep, relax, simply, tuesday

I was on Instagram a bit ago and I saw the hashtag #simplytuesday. That little hashtag seemed to help me breathe a bit. This week is a busy one for us…so sometimes deep breaths are good. I think that a bit of Simply Tuesday will do us all some good.

I hope that your Tuesday is wonderful and I hope that the love of Christ warms your heart from the inside out. Simply Tuesday…can be simply wonderful.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Trusting and Junking

16 Thursday Apr 2015

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

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God's love, junking, trusting, vintage

Last night in our mid-week service, our pastor’s wife talked about the verse above. It’s found in the book of Proverbs in the Bible, chapter 3, verses 5-6. It was wonderful. I needed to hear that. This is the verse that we had inscribed on my dad’s stone. It’s also the only verse that I know of that he memorized. He read his Bible each day…but quoting wasn’t one of his things. This lesson was balm to my heart. I just needed it for lots of areas in my life. I’m sure that most people do. Life is beautiful and wonderful and I live in awe of it…but it is also hard. Even in that…God is so very good. Expecting good things…I believe that God wants us to do that. Trusting…comes into play there.

Now…about the junking. Isn’t this little guy so sweet? I’m not sure why I have been so drawn to these little vintage dogs of late. I think that it might be the era. I love vintage prints, especially with trees. (I got one of those too…I will have to show you…soon.) This little guy reminds me of a doggy that is on my Granddad’s dresser. His grandma bought it for him, when he was a little boy, I do believe. I love things like that. This one is actually a bank. His head comes off…so you can get the money out. Something is missing from his collar…but I still love him. His crackly goodness is very appealing to this vintage-loving soul.

Have you been needing to trust a little more lately? Sometimes fear rises up…and tells us all sorts of bad things. Trusting God…helps us take a deep breath. We all need that…don’t we? What about junking? Have you found any treasures like the two dollar dog? I would love to hear about either subject. Leave me a comment and I will try to get back to you.

Have a wonderful Thursday, sweet Dirt Roaders,

Going Gray

14 Tuesday Apr 2015

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

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Tags

farmhousestyle, home decor, painting

Totally not about my hair…although that is happening too. I was wanting to update our dining room. I was a bit tired of the Meringue Peaks. (Yellowish.) So after lots of thought…we went with Secret Locket by Glidden. Actually…true to form…I had them doctor it a bit with a few squirts of white. Momma knows…what Momma can live with. 😉 By the way…one tip before we get started: If you want a true gray…pick from the card with black at the bottom. If the darkest shade on your card has blue or purple or a brownish gray…your lighter shade will have that cast. You already knew that? Of course you did. Dirt Roaders are smart.

The men in my life got free caps from the feed store so I borrowed one for this shot. You are welcome…I think. All of the photos in this post are shot with my iPhone. It has been cloudy for days…so I will get some better shots later.

My sweet family is amazing. I do the rolling and they come in with their steady hands and trim. I am very thankful for that.

I love the way that white really shines with the gray. I also love the classy farmhouse feel that it adds. It is very serene. That is important to me. This was kind of a big thing for me. I have been painting everything white…but I really didn’t want that for this room. I wanted color…and this is very cozy. This is a place that we linger so the feel of the room matters a lot. If you are thinking about painting…gray gets a big thumbs up from me.

There you have it. Going gray at the Farmhouse. Gray…not grey…because we live in America. They paint…grey in Europe…just in case you wondered. #englishlessonfortheday 😉

Have a wonderful Tuesday! God Bless!

Entryway Spiff

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

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farmhouse style, Friday

Hi guys! This week I have been taking down our Easter things that I had put out. It was just a few bunnies and some daffodils, but I got started and then changed up the entryway a bit. I just spiffed it a bit and gave it more of a clean look. I am really enjoying that. I do have to say that I cheated a bit and looked up Fixer Upper on Pinterest. Beautiful ideas for those of us that are crazy about Farmhouse Style.

I am still working on the other side. I piddle with things until they have the perfect feel and then I leave them for a long while. That is just the way that I roll. I am also thinking…very seriously about painting the dining room and entryway. I am wanting to brighten it up a bit. If you are reading this Honey…don’t freak out. lol! Painting is not his favorite.

I hope that you guys have a wonderful weekend. I hope that you get to relax and count all of those blessing that God gives. He loves us, Dirt Roaders! Enjoy that!

Heads Up…New Header

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

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Tags

ball jars, farmhouse style, home decor

As you guys know, I tend to change up the blog a bit now and then. I did a mini photo shoot and came up with a new shot for the header. I just didn’t want you to think that you were at the wrong place. Just kidding. You guys are smart. So…let’s talk about the junk that is featured in the header.

First of all, I adore the badge for Along the Dirt Road. Our cousin created that when I first started blogging and it is exactly me. I love a simple and clean cut design. He pegged it…totally. Okay…so as far as the junk goes…I just added a few of my favorite things. I love the old locker baskets. I have had a thing for baskets for many years. (Can anyone say Longaberger? 😉 I love the metal ones…a lot. Then we have a turquoise Ball jar. Those have had my heart for many years too. Then we have the vintage print. I just love those. There is something very dreamy about the prints from this era. This one sort of reminds me of an old western….like The Big Valley…or something. The last vintage piece in the header, is the little dog that I ordered on Ebay. When he came in the mail, his little leg was broken. The Mr. fixed him up right away. I just think that he is adorable. (The dog and The Mr.)

I have a couple of things up there that are not vintage, but I love them as well. The first is the faux succulent that The Mr. gifted me for Valentine’s day. The second is the baker’s twine from Pick Your Plum. Their baker’s twine is the absolute best of any that I have seen. (No…this is not a paid post.) It is very durable, plus the rolls are huge. If you don’t know much about Pick Your Plum…look them up. They have daily deals that are sent to your email. They have a HUGE selection of all different kinds of things. Sometimes you have to be quick though. I tried to order a maxi skirt one day and it was already sold out in like 14 minutes! What!!!!????

Love from the Farmhouse,

Hummingbird Cake

06 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Kelli in Uncategorized

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Have you seen the recipes? I had. I decided to try it. I am so glad that I did. The day before Easter, I baked a hummingbird cake. It was delish!

Full of bananas, pineapple, and cream cheese icing. Yes please. I highly recommend high tailing it over to Pinterest and getting the recipe. You may thank me later. 😉

If you want this exact recipe, it is on my Love From the Farmhouse Kitchen board. I am Along the Dirt Road on Pinterest.

Happy Monday evening,

Kelli

The Elusive Fiddle Leaf Fig

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

farmhouse style, fiddle leaf fig, home decor, houseplant

I have searched high and low for The Elusive Fiddle Leaf Fig. I have looked in several different towns, in several different home improvement stores. My family would wait patiently in the vehicle, while I would pop in…go straight to the garden center and then walk out…empty handed. No Fiddle Leaf Fig to be found.

Let me back up a minute. I do not always follow trend. There are some things out there that everyone is crazy about that I am not. I am not going to name them…lest you second guess your own opinion. We humans tend to do that. (At least this one does.) There are just some trendy trains that I do not jump on. Yes, I do own a trendy purse or two or three…but I also own a leather bag that I picked on my own accord…because it was just me. I know what I like and sometimes…certain trends and colors are just not something that excites me. Now when it comes to the Fiddle Leaf Fig…I must confess a bit of mob mentality. Forgive me. I just think that they look very classy for a houseplant. Can a houseplant look classy? I believe so.

So back to my search. There I was…houseplant poor (In the Ozarks that means that you have a bunch of houseplants already.) and in search of yet another, but it was always just out of reach.

Enter my green thumb friend Brenda:

My friend Brenda, caught wind that I wanted a Fiddle Leaf Fig. She has major connections with Home Depot. (Okay…she gets email from them.) Anyway…she got an email that said that they were back in stock, they weren’t very expensive, and that they would ship!!! (We got no Home Depot here…ya see.) Have I mentioned that Brenda is a bit trendy too? 😉 Annnnnnyyyyyway…..I jumped right on their website and ordered one. Brenda did too. It was so fun! They came on the same day and she has been coaching me along….helping my Fiddle Leaf Fig adjust to it’s life in the Ozarks…instead of the rain forest. Yeah…big difference.

So that is the story of the Elusive Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Probably more than you wanted to know.

You people are kind to read this stuff.

Love from the Farmhouse,