Happy Little Turtle

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

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

Did I show you the turtle that I picked up at a junk store? Hang on just a minute…while I go check. I will be right back. Okay…I’m back! I had to look through my last few posts, because I couldn’t remember if I had shared the happy little turtle with your or not. He’s so cute. I named him Speedy.

He is probably someone’s creation from the 1980’s. I cleaned him up and stuck a piece of Aloe Vera in him. There is something about the little smile on his face that really perks me up. God knew that I needed a little something on the day that I found Speedy. Isn’t it amazing, the way that He works in our everyday lives…when there is so much more out there besides little old us? I’m so thankful for a relationship with Him.

(I have just realized that I used the word “little” way to much. I am past caring though…because we have a cold/flu bug going out here and I feel like falling over.)

We will survive!

Just for you: My White Kitchen

21 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

≈ 11 Comments

Do you remember last summer when I asked for a beadboard backsplash for our kitchen? I was going to be totally satisfied with that bit of white and leave the Russet Rose paint. Yeah…um…that didn’t last long. You see…the thing was, I was seeing all of these beautiful white kitchens and they were calling to me. “Kelli…Kelli…paint your kitchen.” Okay, maybe not so much, but close. We have always had white cabinets in this home. I love those. When we built this house, Rachael Ray was selling tons of orange and everything was bright. Well guys, now even Rach has a white studio kitchen.

Lest you think that I am totally shallow with no mind of my own, let me throw this in. I have always loved white. Matter of fact, there has always been lots of white in our farmhouse. My main reason for painting our kitchen was the fact that I felt like white just went with the style of the home. We live in a house that, I believe, the plan was Early American Farmhouse or something like that. The Russet Rose just felt too Brady Bunch to me with the “farmhousey” thing going on. I wanted more of a Walton’s vibe. You catch my drift? Or as my husband and his cousin would say…”Do you smell what I’m stepping in?” Yes. I know.

When my husband put up the beadboard I was in love. (Yes…I was already in love with the Mr.) Then when we painted, I was over the moon. (It doesn’t take much.) It’s not for everyone and some of you will cry because I covered up that beautiful, rich, color. It’s just that the beautiful English farmhouses…well…blame them. It’s their simplicity that speaks to my soul.

Hoping that your day is sweet and kind,

Let’s Talk Agenda

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, Simply...living

≈ 4 Comments

Hello sweet friends! Are we excited that it’s Friday? Of course we are. We are smart enough to put in a good week and then relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor…right?! Right! I love it when you agree with me. Today we are going to talk a little bit about the agenda for Along the Dirt Road in 2014. I don’t have a huge plan but I do want to do a thing or two differently. I think that you will be okay with that.

For starters…I think that I am going to lay off of mmmMonday! for a bit. I may throw one in there every once in a while but I want to have the freedom to share junk on Monday if the mood hits me. Or maybe we want to talk about home decor or DIY on Monday. Okay then, we will. Don’t fret, my foodie friends. I will still share recipes because I’m am a born foodie. I just want to be a little more random with it. Let’s get crazy. 😉

I also plan to work on my photography skills a bit more this year, for my benefit and yours. I have so much to learn but I really enjoy it and I know what I want to see in a shot. I think that is what spurs me on. Whether folks realize it or not, photography is work. I am such an amateur but by the grace of God, I plan to improve. Pray saints, pray.

I would love to hear all about what you would like to see on this blog this year. I am open to your ideas and thoughts. Matter of fact…I am totally thrilled with your comments. Please don’t be shy. It spurs me on when I actually hear from my readers.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, Dirt Roaders. I hope that you get to pause and reflect on the grace that gets us though our days. It’s such a gift. God is rooting for us in 2014. Don’t forget it.

Heading to the kitchen to make soup,

A Quick Hello

08 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 6 Comments

Hey Friends! I’m blogging from my phone today because I have several things going and I need to hurry. I wanted to make sure that I got a quick “hello” in though.

I made a new slipcover for a throw pillow today, out of my ticking supply. I’m very pleased with it. Sewing is theraputic for me. Theraputic is good. It was super easy…plus a good way to change up things without any cost. Super cute and thrifty. Win/win!

This is our weather along the dirt road. Will our kids EVER go back to school? I am missing our regular routine a bit and I am a little concerned about their education…but we do learning at home. They read and cook and do chores. Plus when using the microwave this morning, our son and I were adding up the seconds that went into the minutes that would heat his taquitos. Ha! Next…we need a nutrition class. 😉 I did set the flax seed out where it’s handy to add to things…if that counts.

When we put the Christmas away I couldn’t resist leaving out a jar of lights. A little twinkle goes a long way. A little Tonka camper helps bring cheer too.

Another peek at my pretty slip cover. You are welcome. Aren’t I thoughtful?!

I’m enjoying our country life today. I have several little irons in the fire. That is a good thing for me. Guess what else? We painted the kitchen yesterday! I will show you soon…I promise. I couldn’t wait any longer.

On another note…I moved our globe to the family room. Globes are so trendy right now. Isn’t that fun!? I agree.

Keep warm!

Kelli

Happy January 6th

06 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

≈ 2 Comments

Well hello there! There you are and here I am. It’s been a while for us hasn’t it? I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season with your family. We tried our very best even though it was very hard. God is always faithful though and He is constantly opening the path before us. I am so thankful for that.

Sometimes winter is long for me. (Most of the time.) I love summer. So…I have learned that little splashes of yellow help my mood…when skies are gray. I think that going down to the storage area and finding these lemons…is on the agenda.

Usually by this time in the new year I am already organizing and arranging things differently. I have done a bit of that…but not a whole lot. I did move the foyer around and that was fun. I will share that with you soon.

The big news on the January 6th…is the fact that I am taking the plunge with the kitchen. My Russet Rose is going to be gone. I know. Some of you love it. I’m just tired of it. I’m ready for something new and my family isn’t crying too hard. I really tried with the beadboard. I just need something fresh. So…hopefully tonight…I will start to get my white kitchen. I’m so excited. Besides…even Rachael Ray has a white studio kitchen now. (I used this in my plea to my husband.) It was fun while it lasted…but I’m ready. I will keep you updated.

What kind of plans do you have for 2014? Are you going to do something wild and crazy? Maybe a subtle change is on your list. I plan on doing a few things at the Farmhouse. I plan on cleaning things out this month and giving us more space to breathe. Whatever we decide to do this year, Dirt Roaders…let’s do it for God. He is on our side…rooting us on.

Love from our dirt road to yours…

A Little Junk Break

19 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style

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Sometimes…when life is crazy, you have to stop and take a little break. For a gal like me, who is trying to cope with loss and the holiday season all in one, that means a little junk break. Yesterday, it was the MIL and I. We stopped in at our favorite little place.

Junkin’ is a hobby that I have never tired of. I have been junkin’ since I was a little girl. My momma has always loved yard sales. It seemed like a mini vacation…right in your home town. I’m sure that I was a little brat and acted like that I didn’t enjoy it…but I did.

We have this amazing little store in our town. It just opened not long ago. The couple that run it are so kind. He puts up with my wheeling and dealing…and I keep going back. This is the place where I found the Tonka truck that is in some of the Christmas shots this month. It’s also the place where these scales were purchased. Another big plus…she reads this blog. How sweet is that?

Are you a junker? Do you have places like this that you consider a “honey hole?” You know…a favorite place to take a little junk break in the middle of all of the crazy. A place that you generally score something really fun to take home. I would love to hear all about it. After all, junkin’ is an affectionate term for this hobby. If we really thought of it as junk, we wouldn’t bring it home. 😉

Have a blessed day, Dirt Roaders!

A Gift of Ticking

16 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

I know. It’s Monday. We usually have mmmMonday! on Monday. I’m just not feeling it today. I promise…I will get back on track…eventually. Today we are going to talk ticking. I was blessed a while back with a gift of yards and yards of it. How exciting is that for a gal that loves farmhouse style? Right! Very exciting.

I have plans for this lovely material, after Christmas. Right now…it is being used for tree skirts. They look so lovely and farmhousey. But…brighter days are ahead. This ticking is going to shine on after the holiday season.

Did you happen to get the holiday catalog from Pottery Barn? Did you see the hand towels made from ticking…with the little ruffles? So. Very. Lovely. I love the word lovely…can you tell?

I’m going to leave the ticking as a hanger for this boxwood (faux) wreath after Christmas. You all know that I have a “thang” for blue. Stripes rate pretty close up to the top of my list too…so it’s a win/win.

This is pretty simple, Dirt Roaders. I know that you are all crazy-busy, so a little “light and fluffy” won’t hurt us. It just might help.

Hanging out in the country, with my lovely ticking,

Farmhouse Christmas Mantle

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 2 Comments

I’m a tad late to the party. I hope that you don’t mind. I know that Christmas is very close…and we will all be into our January organizing. (I love that.) I did want to share an up close and personal look at the Farmhouse Christmas mantle though. I love the way that it turned out this year. Pretty basic and simple, not a lot of fuss. Just my style.

All of Instagram went batty over the JOY marquee lights at Target. I was right in the middle of them. There are several that have mentioned leaving them up all year. I think that everyone could use a wonderful dose of JOY all year long.

Are you a little crazy about bottle brush trees? I am. They just seem like Christmas from years ago. I love them in these little peat pots. So cheery and sweet.

My Christmas shopping has been a little delayed this year. Hopefully I will get that taken care of soon. I am starting to get really excited about the prospect of giving. Gifts are big on my love language scale. I love to give them. I’m having a hard time though with the Mr. I have given him ideas…but he has supplied me with none. (Yes…I’m talking to you.) 😉

I hope that the days are sunny in your neck of the woods. At this very moment, I can hear our kids out sledding and screaming. They have been out of school for several days and I feel like it has been a huge blessing. There is something very comforting about having your family wrapped around your heart.

May your day…be merry and bright!

A Simple Farmhouse Christmas

09 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, heart and soul

≈ 7 Comments

This year at the Farmhouse, we are especially thankful for tidings of comfort and joy.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to push on through with Christmas decor, but I wanted to do it for my family. I think that was the thing that helped me the most…knowing that it meant so much to our children.

The little wooden sled that I have on my porch was used by my dad when he was a boy. This year, it is extra special. That’s the way those things work, isn’t it?

I have told people that the passing of my dad has changed me in an odd, yet good, way. I have now fully realized what is important in this life. It is really very basic: Loving God with your whole heart.

This year I left tons of Christmas decor in the storage room. I pulled out the things that meant the most to our little family. There is a wonderful simplicity in that. I may hang on to that for years to come. It’s really my style anyway.

Sometimes at Christmas I feel the pressure to decorate everything in sight. That really just isn’t me. I start wanting to throw things out on the lawn when it gets too fussy in here. I clearly have a problem. 😉

We cut down a cedar from our field last week. Some years we buy one, but this year it just seemed like the thing to do. Staying close to home helps your weary heart, I do believe. When my dad was a boy, they would go cut one down on their own property. Yes, this year, it was just the thing to do.

I promise to not always be sad, dear Dirt Roaders. I am trying to ease back into blogging with a bruised and battered heart. Your prayers actually mean more to me than your views or comments. (Even though I dearly love those.) Bear with me, I know that with God…healing comes in time.

Now…what am I gonna cook for supper?

The Bathroom Cart Makeover (After)

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

Remember this ol’ gal? Well….she got her “spruce” on.

I love her now…even though I loved her equally before.

She is glamorous…yet functional.

She was only three dollars, plus her new paint job. Maybe eight all together. You can’t beat that…at all.

I promised you, Dirt Roaders, that I would show you the after. There ya go. Whatcha’ think? Leave me a comment or fifty. 😉

(btw: I’ve been out junkin’ lately. I know…you are totally shocked. I picked up a great set of lockers and a ceramic tree…for a song! Can’t wait to share them with you!)

Organizing on the cheap,