Farmhouse Life

22 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

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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

≈ 2 Comments

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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,

Heads Up…New Header

08 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

≈ 2 Comments

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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,

The Elusive Fiddle Leaf Fig

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

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

≈ 8 Comments

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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,

A Few Things at IKEA

24 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

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decorating, farmhousestyle, home decor, IKEA

On Spring Break this year, we took a little jaunt to Texas. It was wonderful, relaxing, and just what we needed. I had a few places that I wanted to visit while we were there. Places that we don’t have here in our neck of the woods. I am totally fine with that fact…because I am one of those crazies that actually loves small town life. That being said…it was really fun to visit some of these spots. IKEA was one of them. Of course I picked up…a few things at IKEA.

If you have never been…IKEA is like a big showroom upstairs and then a market downstairs. The market was my favorite part and I was stoked about the prices. I picked up some glass vases that I had seen on Instagram and also a sheepskin for the piano bench. Their candles smell great too. I was really impressed with the whole thing and would definitely go back. You guys are all like…”Duh…we have been and we already know this goodness of which you speak.” Just in case though….that someone out there has thought of going and held off…go. If you are into home decor…I would bet my eye teeth that you would love it. (Okay…maybe not.)

Our girls are enjoying the sheepskin for piano practice. A little easier on the bum than a hard piano bench. I love the bit of softness that it lends to such an angular spot.

If you already know all about IKEA because you don’t live in the sticks…or if you have always wanted to go…leave me a comment and we will chat it up!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Rainy Day Blues

19 Thursday Mar 2015

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

≈ 2 Comments

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ball jars, home decor, rainy days

Is it raining in your neck of the woods? It’s sprinkling here. I am waiting to do chores. Good news though…no rain in the forecast for the next ten days I do believe. That is music to this spring loving gal. Rainy day blues…be gone.

I may have to create a little sunshine today. Do you guys do that? Try to brighten the mood a little? We are having tacos for supper and that always brings sparkly eyes to the Farmhouse.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Thursday. I hope that you stop to count the blessings all around…even when they come in the form of raindrops.

Love from the dirt road,

Easing Back In

16 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest

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country life, Monday

Hey Guys! How are you? We are back to living real life today. We have been snowed in and then the week after that we were on Spring Break. We went on vacation and it was wonderful…but vacation cannot last forever and today it’s back to the real stuff. Outside chores are done, laundry is started, thinking on a grocery run, and I just brewed my first cup of coffee. Monday…you aren’t so bad. We are easing back in.

I will have to tell you about my trip to Texas this week…after I get things squared away. I got to visit a few awesome places for the first time. IKEA, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Anthropologie. No…we do not have those here in the land of feed stores and Wal-Mart. I am totally okay with that, but it was super-fun to get to experience all of these places that you guys enjoy. I am also missing my family terribly. They were so hospitable to us in their gorgeous home. It was just a good time all around. My heart is very thankful. I will try to get some shots up of my goodies that I brought home. Squeal squeal!

I hope that Monday is kind to you. You can do it! My Dirt Roaders are go getters. 😉

The Promise of Spring

05 Thursday Mar 2015

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

≈ 8 Comments

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house cleaning, snow, Spring

Hey Dirt Roaders! Are you snowed under? Are you tired of talking about snow? We are getting there. We actually got hammered with another round of it last night. We have half heartedly mentioned the nitrogen for the ground…but for the most part everyone is ready for spring. (Some friends of ours call it free fertilizer. I agree and we are thankful.)

Sometimes life throws stuff like that at us. It seems like hard times just keep coming with no promise of spring. It won’t be that way forever though. Hang in there sweet ones. An old song says “It won’t rain always.” It’s the truth. If you feel as though you just can’t breath…tip your head up a little. At times after losing our beloved Daddy, Father-in-law, and Poppy…I felt that I couldn’t breathe. Our Saviour would give me that gentle nudge to look up. It makes a huge difference. Life is still hard at times…but being reminded that God has everything under control makes a world of difference. Years ago, I was going through a hard time, and our pastor spoke to our ladies group. We had all met at their house and he did a little devotion for us. That was his topic. It wouldn’t be winter forever and that spring was right around the corner. I remember being so encouraged by that. I knew that what he spoke was true. God never leaves us in darkness. Even when we can’t feel it…God is busy taking care of us.

The kids and I are going to make good use of our time today. We are going to clean and get things all spiffed up. I plan on dragging out my workhorse….the Hyla. Did you guys ever jump on that bandwagon? We actually bought ours of of eBay. I love it. It just makes everything seem clean. lol! I am on my first load of laundry. Always more of that to follow. I also need to figure out once again…what to cook for supper. What have you guys been cooking? Leave me some comments and load me up with ideas! I will love you forever! (You know that I already do.) Please don’t be afraid to leave a comment. I enjoy them so much. There have been times that I have felt intimidated to leave a comment on other blogs. Please don’t feel that here. This is a place for us to visit and learn from each other. I try to write this blog like a visit between friends. Feedback…makes me feel that I am not talking to myself. lol!

Believing in the promise of spring,

Spring…Is That You?

03 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Easter, home decor, Spring

Hey guys!!! How are you? We are doing well. Trying to stay warm. The first day of March has come and gone and so far we have no hint of spring. We are actually due for another snow storm tomorrow. As my granny said.. “We will get what we get.” Pretty cut and dried.

So what are you guys doing to hop on the spring bandwagon? I haven’t put our decor out yet. I’m thinking about doing a little of that today, even with snow impending. I have a couple of cute bunnies and a couple of pillows from friends. I also have some daffodils that look very real. It’s exciting to add a few touches to brighten things. It’s also exciting to herald in the celebration of Easter.

I also need to be thinking about what I am going to cook for supper. I’m thinking on turkey kielbasa with cabbage. That is my mom’s famous recipe and I am anxious to try it. (She doesn’t use the turkey version though.) Something hearty and healthy sounds good in this weather. I may throw a bit of corn in there for the Mr. and a bit of okra for me. We shall see. 😉

I hope that you have a lovely Tuesday. When you think about it…we have some special people in our lives that have some serious needs. If you could whisper a prayer for them…I would be ever grateful. My Dirt Roaders are the best. Thank you!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Faithful Readers

24 Tuesday Feb 2015

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

≈ 2 Comments

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farmhouse style

Hey friends. I am back! You all are the best. I have actually had half way decent stats while I have been gone. Either you all have checked in, just to see, or people were actually stopping by and reading. How sweet. You, faithful readers, are amazing.

Sooooo….it’s crazy. Our family has been puny for weeks. One little bug after the other and then it hits the momma. We are hopefully on the upswing. Upswing is always good.

In the middle of that we had snow days! A whole week off. We loved it. I am one of those crazy moms that enjoy every little drop of school breaks. It was wonderful and cozy and a good time to be under the weather…because we could just relax. Now it’s time to get in full swing. Deep breaths. lol!

I hope that you guys have a wonderful Tuesday!