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Along the Dirt Road

Category Archives: Country Life

Sharing Independence on the Farm

30 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

farm life, fellowship, independence

Hey friends!!! How are things? We have been busy lately. (Nothing new there.) We are in our annual “Get everything done, the church folks are coming over.” mode. We are gearing up for sharing Independence on the farm.


Each year, on the Sunday night around the Fourth, our church people, and anyone else who wants to join, come to our little farm and we celebrate. We celebrate the freedom in Christ and the freedom in this country.


It’s such a sweet time and an honor to share our home with others. I love the way that some of our older ones join up in their lawn chairs and just visit. The grill gets fired up and the fellowship is sweet.


This year as we come together, we are a group of believers, that are holding onto each other. Our sweet pastor went to be with Jesus in April…and as a church…that he taught ever so well, we are all in this together. Fellowship seems more important than ever at this point, and the Mister and I don’t take that lightly. As we share our home this year…the main goal will be to provide as much balm as we can for broken hearts, all for the glory of God. Brother Hight…we sure do miss you.


I won’t leave you there, in the sadness, sweet readers. Our pastor loved to laugh and we all do too. We plan to eat hot dogs and make homemade ice cream. We plan to fellowship and ooh and aah over the babies. We plan to listen to a devotion and absorb what God has for our lives, and we plan to sing together on this little hillside farm. We plan to open our hearts in every way.


We will be sharing Independence on the farm, Lord willing…and the creeks don’t rise. 😉

Kelli

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The Mason Jars of Summer

10 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest, Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

ball jars, farmhouse style, mason jars

I might have been the last to know. Did you know?  You know…that Wal-Mart was carrying quart sized, AQUA, Ball jars this year?  They will definitely be the Mason jars of summer at our house this year.


They come in a pack of four. I needed eight. Lol! Needed… might not be the word. Truth be told…I am a bit jar crazy. (My Mister understands this about me…and lovingly tolerates my ways.) We have used Mason jars for drinking glasses for years now. Nothing better in my opinion. (Each to his own.) It all started with Longaberger canning jars and snowballed.

 



They are also carrying little pints. Maybe another size too…I can’t remember for sure.  Anyway…they are fun, and summeresque, and if you get tired of drinking out of them…can something. 😉


I hope that you all have a lovely weekend!

Love from the dirt road,

Kelli

p.s. I thought you might like to see the little light in our kitchen.

Adding Chickens to Your Farm

14 Thursday Apr 2016

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

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

backyardchickens, eggs, farmhouse, farmhouse kitchen, farmhouse style, farming

Disclaimer:  These are not my eggs…er…um…our chicken’s eggs rather. 😉 A friend gifted them to us.  They are French Copper Maran eggs, and I may just need a hen or two like this.

 

When we moved, years ago, we started out with just shy of five acres.  In the Ozarks…five acres is a farm…so we had a few feet to go. Since then when have added more acreage and have a farm of about sixteen and a half acres.  Just enough for us.  We have a few head of cattle, a few goats, a donkey, a miniature horse, chickens, and dogs and cats. Our farm has grown over the last few years.  This may actually be a sort of warning to you. We started with chickens.

 

Chickens are addicting.  We started by ordering those little balls of fluff from the feed store.  Do you have Chick Days in your neck of the woods?  Well…we do.  We raised them in the garage…caring for them and wiping their little hineys if needed.  (It’s so much easier to have a momma lay the eggs, hatch them, and take care of her own kids.) Even though we would order all pullets, except one, we would usually wind up with a few roosters in the mix.  The excitement came when it was time to turn them out into their brand new chicken yard. They were so cute running around out there.
 

We now have a wide assortment and even some little Polish gals with the wild “hair.”  My brother gave us those and they are so sweet.  Such good tempered hens.  We get lots of enjoyment out of our chickens.  They are fun to watch in the summer evenings, before they go to bed. When you have your own chickens, as long as they aren’t molting and are laying steady, you always have something to eat.  I remember my delight in skipping the egg cooler at the grocery store.  I felt very self-sufficient.  lol!

 

I think that it’s wonderful how farming is catching back on in this generation.  We live in a very rural community, so it has always been a way of life around here.  All of our grandparents farmed at some point.  You actually don’t go very far here without running into a farmer of some sort.  Even folks that don’t have any stock, or live in town, a lot of them raise a garden.  That is some of the toughest farming that there is.  Some folks even raise a tomato plant or two in a five gallon bucket.  I love that.  I love to see the light in their eyes when they talk about how well their “crop” has done. We raise a pretty good sized garden here and I preserve lots of things.  It’s one of my favorite things about country life.

 

 

Did you know that you don’t have to live out in the sticks to raise a few chickens?  Of course you did!  I believe, in our town, that you can have hens but not roosters and there is a limit on how many.  So even if you don’t want a lot of acreage to farm and take care of, you can still have a few hens to lay eggs for your family.

 

 

Our chickens are big scrap eaters.  That makes me feel great!  I hate wasting things, so even the vegetable scraps or leftovers…the chickens go nuts over.  They love old fruit and things like that too.  We even feed them our old pumpkins after Thanksgiving.  It is rumored in the organic community that this helps with worming the chickens.

 

I hope that if you are thinking of adding chickens to your farm that this has encouraged you.  We enjoy ours so much and are very thankful for them actually.  It’s funny how all of these critters just seem to be a part of your family after awhile. This farm life…it’s so much deeper than some realize.  It speaks to your heart in ways that you never imagined.  God is good to do things like that for us.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

Little Bits of Kitchen

12 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

farmhouse style, heart of the home, kitchen, life

Good morning, good morning!  How is everyone today?  We are definitely trying to hang in there.  I thought that I would share a few…little bits of kitchen with you today.  Everyone always calls the kitchen the heart of the home.  I would have to agree with that.  People usually seem to gravitate to that room at the Farmhouse too.  I love that.

Do you all have a coffee station.  It’s a pretty important part of our kitchen…let me tell ya!  Our Keurig was on the blink the other day…and everyone was a bit bummed.  (Especially since we had just gotten it in December.)  Thankfully we ran some cleaner through it and it works again.  It’s such a cozy spot in our kitchen though. I love to make coffee, but also my Sleepytime tea in this little spot.  Very cozy, in the evenings.

I’m sure that if you follow along on Instagram, you have seen this little piggy trencher.  The first place that I ever saw a little pig like this was either on Edie Wadsworth’s blog or Instagram.  She keeps salt in hers and it is adorable.  I think this one is a bit bigger.  I just put my salt crock inside.  It’s truly a delight in our kitchen.

Do you guys remember the plate rack turned cook book rack?  I loved my plate rack…but I really enjoy all of the these cookbooks being out in the open.  I know…that you know…that the kitchen can be pretty too.  It’s such a workhorse in our homes at times though…that we overlook some areas.  Don’t do that! 😉  Make every area of your kitchen enjoyable to look at or live in.  I promise you…it will be worth the effort and you will enjoy your time in there so much more.

I hope that you guys have enjoyed the little bits of kitchen that I have shared today.  I love this early morning shot.  (Ignore the Sherwin Williams paint bucket/egg bucket. Keeping it real.) I also hope that you all have a wonderful Tuesday.  Remember…life is what your make it.  You get to choose.

Love from the dirt road,

Sigturquoise

Life in the Slow Lane and Etsy News

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

crock pot, relax, slow lane

Do you actually know anyone who lives life in the slow lane?  Nah…me either.  Well…maybe our grandparents…but when you are in your seventies and eighties…it might be a good idea to slow down a bit.  Things have been picking up a bit more so around here lately.  That is normal for this time of year.  I have found some things that seem to help though, when busyness tries to take over.

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Yesterday evening, my husband needed to go work at the church.  I decided to fix a Crock-Pot turkey breast, so at least that much was already done.  Then we just fixed the sides to go with it and we were good to go. Don’t Crock-Pots make our lives easier?  When we have to be somewhere in the evening but still need to have supper on the table…I try to come up with “less stress” meals.  No one wants to be rushing around and trying to enjoy filet mignon at the same time.  Take the low road on that one.  You know…since we are talking slow land and all of that. 😉

Another good tip is this:  Grab little “vacations” where you can.  Actually slow down and eat lunch on your lunch hour.  Don’t fill it with errands if they can be avoided.  When evening rolls around and your family has gathered back in…enjoy it.  Go outside.  Take a walk.  Give your dog a scratch on the head.  You know…I fear for a generation that does not take the time to enjoy life.  We just run around at breakneck speed and try to accomplish everything at once.  I really don’t believe that God intended that.  I believe that He is all for working hard…but also for pausing to enjoy the fruits of your labors at the end of the day. Our lives are what we make them.  We have to choose.

I promised you Etsy news and here it is!  Our shop is soon to open!  I will let you know on Instagram and our Facebook page as soon as it is live.  I hope that you all will check it out.  We are shooting for this coming Friday!  Stay tuned!!!

Don’t forget to switch to the slow lane…or even pull over and have a look around!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

Light and Fluffy

04 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff, RaMbLiNgs

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

farmhouse style, junking, light

Yesterday’s post was a bit heavy.  We have to have that at times don’t we?  It is the stuff that life is made of.  Today though…we are going with light and fluffy. A good balance is something that I am learning.  Sometimes…we have to direct our minds from the heavy things that we carry…to the lighter side of life.  It’s not denial…it’s survival.

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Are you guys putting out all things springy?  I really need to do that.  Spring break is next week in our neck of the woods…so it would definitely be appropriate.

SONY DSC

We have had a new baby born on the farm.  She is a little Black Angus heifer named Cleo.  She is just as cute as she can be.  I love to watch her jump around.  She keeps her mama on her toes, watching after her.  

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Since we are just visiting today…what are you guys having for supper?  We are having taco night at Mamaw and Papaw’s.  Mamaw and I cooked up that plan last night…so we are all excited.  Tacos are just about my very favorite meal to have at home.  We actually eat Mexican food a lot around here. Such a fun meal.  I may try my hand at chunky guac tonight.  They serve that at our local El Charro and it’s AHHHHHHHmazing!

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Well…I am about out of light and fluffy chatter. I hope that you all have an amazing weekend.  I hope that you take the time to count every blessing that the Lord has given you. Thankfulness is key in a happy life isn’t it?  You bet your eye teeth it is!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

 

 

Jars

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

ball jars, farmouse style, mason jars, vintage

Some days…you just have to go through your things and rearrange a bit.  Mom and I call this “piddling.”

  
Turquoise Ball jars are one of my favorite things.  So simple and beautiful.

I hope that your Wednesday is going great and that you are finding a little time this winter to organize…but also to rest.  Winter is good for that.

  
Jars galore,

Kelli

New Beginnings

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style, heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

new beginnings, new year

Happy New Year friends! (A few days late…but still.). I hope that all is going well with you.  I have been feeling better lately and that is something to shout “Oh Glory!” over.  It has been a long several months.  Anyway…new beginnings. 

  
I love January.  It’s my favorite month.  I am actually one of those weird folks that tends to enjoy winter.  At least for a while.  I love the coziness of it.  I don’t love icy roads…but I do enjoy softly falling snow.  How about you?

  

(PERSPECTIVE. My word for the year.)

I also love to organize and clean out things in January.  Our big thing so far has been moving the microwave off of the counter.  Can we live without it?  We aren’t sure yet. 

(By the way:  The egg famine is finally over. They love us again. That big one!  Yowch!)

  
  
We have had another new beginning in our family.  A sweet baby nephew.  He is all things wonderful.  A gift from a above.  His tiny little life has done big things to our hearts.

  
I hope that you guys are enjoying the New Year.  I plan to post more now…and to try to get back in the swing.  Life is good and God is amazing.  This blog is a place to treasure all of that.

  
Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli Belli

Christmas Cheer

18 Friday Dec 2015

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest, heart and soul

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Cheer, Christmas

You guys!  I promise…I didn’t move to Mars.  I am here…trying to stay sane.  That is always a good thing…right? Right.  So…are you needing a bit of Christmas cheer?  I might be able to help with that.  Let’s see here…

  
Oh wait…those were our Brussels sprouts from last light.  But…..if you need a very easy side dish that is well…delish…here you go.  Slice fresh sprouts…drizzle with olive oil, season to taste, and pop into a 425 degree oven until browned. Yuh-um.

  
So…we have been going to Christmas programs…running around like chickens with our heads cut off and all sorts of things that are Christmasy like that. We did celebrate our twentieth wedding anni in there. It was an amazing day. I felt very, very, thankful. (And full.  We ate at Zio’s and laughed about all of the food that we ordered…um…for two.)

  
I waited until after Thankgiving this year to put out our decor. It was good…but I felt a little rushed.  Other than that…we are enjoying the coziness of all things twinkly. (And the simplicity lover in me…is longing for Dec. 26th.  Jk!!! Kinda. Okay…not kidding.)  

 
  
I know that I am not on here a ton lately. To be honest…I have had some health issues this year that have symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis.  It has been a long process…and if you know anything about that…it is nerve related and painful. (Nerves?  What are nerves?). Anyway…I appreciate you guys constantly stopping in to check for a new post…even when there hasn’t been one.  I would love for you to say a little prayer (or big) for me…and I would love to feel like blogging more often. Sharing the love of Jesus and the love of family…is my life.  I want to do that for Him.

  
So…that is my story and I’m sticking to it.  God is good…He sees us…and He hasn’t brought us out here to leave us.  That is the best pot of Christmas Cheer…that we could ever hope for!!!

  
Love from my heart to yours!!!

Kelli

Falling Back

26 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, Farmhouse Style, Yum for the Tum

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

fall, pumpkins, time change

Do you guys live in a time zone that will set their clocks back?  We do.  Here in Southern Missouri we live in an area that is very rural.  I am told that the time change helps the farmers.  I’m all for that.  I also enjoy falling back a bit more than I used to.  You know, the coziness and all.

SONY DSC

Some people hate it.  I understand.  It is a bit sad to lose that hour of daylight in the evening.  At one point in the year, it’s dark by about five o’clock.  For me…it’s a fun time to burn candles and make soup.  (My poor family. So much soup. lol!  Actually tonight, I might make tacos.)

SONY DSC

Whatever you enjoy…I hope that if your clocks do get set back…you adjust easily.  We do struggle with that a bit around here.  As with most things though…we adjust.  God is good to give us grace for that.

SONY DSC

Have a wonderful Monday, sweet Dirt Roaders!

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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