Here A Pumpkin…

01 Wednesday Oct 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

Hello! Happy Wednesday! I have some craziness going on here at home today…so a little phone blogging for you…it is.

Yesterday, I purchased our first real pumpkin of the season. They are the sweetest part for me. I dug way down and found the wartiest one. I knew that the kids would approve. I’m sure that I was quite a sight, bottoms up, digging in that box at ALDI. Hey…for a tad over two bucks…who could blame me? (You can’t take me anywhere.) My MIL was doing her fair share of digging too. She came up for air with an adorably fat pumkin. It was fun. It doesn’t take much for us. Simple pleasures.

When we got home, our little son and I took it to the front porch. We sat it a couple of different places and then he suggested the pew. I think that our warty pumpkin looks right at home there. Kinda like us on the church pew. We are loved and adored by the Master…warts and all. He doesn’t mind our imperfect state…because He can see past the warts…to all the good stuff inside of us. Sometimes, when I catch a glimpse of the love of the Master…I could fall on my knees and weep. That beauty for ashes stuff…is near and dear to my heart.

I hope that you buy a pumpkin and enjoy it, Dirt Roaders!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

A Pumpkin for Everyone

12 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

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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.

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.

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.

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,

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Love from the Farmhouse,

If I Had a Ladder

29 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

≈ 5 Comments

“If I had a ladder…I tell you what I would do…I would throw some afghans on that ladder…and encourage you to buy one too!”

Okay…okay. So I’m not a song writer. Not serious songs anyway. I will tell you what I am though. I am the proud owner of a couple of ladders. I have been itching for one for a while now. It’s one of those things that you either see or dream up and tuck it in the back of your mind. The shorter ladder was found at a yard sale. The tall ladder, I picked it up at a local antique mall. I put that birthday money to good use this year.

I love the coziness that it adds to our family room. During the school year, lots of evenings are spent in this room. Usually the kids are working on homework and Dad and I wind up sitting in there too. (When did we get old enough to call each other Mom and Dad) 😉 It’s the relaxing and slow part of our day. Supper is over, the kitchen is clean, and there is a candle burning on the counter. It’s also the place that we usually do our family devotions. I love cozy…especially if we are going to spend that much time in there.

Isn’t the popularity of crocheted afghans crazy? Years ago, I wouldn’t have bought one of those at a yard sale or thrift store…for nothing! Now…I knock people down and grab ’em. Ha! Just kidding! Seriously though…I love the way that trends sometimes cause us to go back and take another look at what we once loved. We see it with new eyes. I also love trends in the junkin’ vein. They are usually easy to follow and pretty much on the cheap.

This afghan did not come from a garage sale. It was lovingly stitched by my husband’s aunt. I barely breathed the words that I would love to have one like this…and she had it done. She is a genius in the crochet department. I am honored to have one of her creations. It’s so warm and when you cover up with it…it feels like a sweet hug. Those are my favorite things.

I hope that you have a lovely three day weekend, Dirt Roaders. I hope that you get to enjoy the God that loves you, so very much. I hope that you get to enjoy your family. I hope that you have time to cozy up in your family room, living room or a favorite spot and just count your blessings.

Good Lord willing, I will be counting mine,

Let’s Have a Ball

26 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 3 Comments

Okay. That title was a bit corny. Yes, once again I am talking about Ball jars. Do you forgive me? You guys are so nice. Let’s have a Ball today, shall we?

We have all heard my hate/love relationship with turquoise. (I know that is backwards, let me explain.) For those of you that haven’t heard, when I was a child, my mom dressed me in turquoise…ALL. THE. TIME. That is a bit of an exaggeration…she dressed me in turquoise quite a lot though. I didn’t love it. The funny thing is that it must have done something to my brain. As an adult, I do love it. I makes me feel happy. Don’t you love it when a color can help you in that department!? Yellow is another friend of mine. I call it color therapy.

I have a confession to make. I do that quite often on here. I am itching a bit for fall. Like as in…I have been staring at our mantle and dreaming about throwing a little pumpkin up there. I haven’t given in yet though. I did take our summer decor down though. After that, I decided to just add my Ball jars. I had actually seen this suggestion on Pinterest, lest you think I’m some sort of genius. 😉

I’m really enjoying our very plain mantle. It didn’t cost me anything to change it up and that is always a fun bonus. Most of the time, the simple things are what speaks to me. I feel like life can be pretty hectic. I enjoy surroundings that let me breathe. I also enjoy decor that reminds me of a more simple time. I promise, I’m not in denial, much.

I am very thankful for the changing seasons in the Ozarks. It’s fun to look forward to that with everyone. Yes, where we come from…folks still talk about the weather. Matter of fact they have been talking about the predictions in the Farmer’s Almanac at church. I think that is sweet. There is a bit of community in that.

Whatever you do, Dirt Roaders…have a Ball.

p.s. Thanks Mom. You knew what you were doing all along. 😉

A Basket Full

06 Wednesday Aug 2014

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

≈ 6 Comments

Last week we happened upon a fun little grouping of yard sales. We (the kids, my MIL and I) were headed to one of my favorite little “honey hole” shops at the time. On the way back, we decided to stop. I am so glad that we did. I wound up with a basket full of goodies. Yes…pun totally intended. You are welcome. 🙂

Somewhere, once upon a time, I spotted a picture of a basket on an entry table. I am pretty sure it was in a magazine. Do you remember those? Long before Pinterest or Instagram I was flipping through the pages of Martha Stewart Living and dreaming up all kinds of home projects. I still love to do that and still subscribe to some. Those are simple pleasures that I should actually make more time for. Anyway, somewhere in my mind, it got lodged that I would love a basket in our entry. I dreamed of antique quilts stacked inside. I believe that the basket that I saw was wooden. As you already know, the one in this story…is not.

While at this sale…I walked around this metal basket. It was full of old board games. I finally asked the man if it was for sale. (It wasn’t priced.) I asked him what he had to have for it. He said “How about a buck?” I calmly nodded and said “Okay.” On the inside…I did a fist pump. Not that this basket is priceless…but I don’t like to pay huge amounts for my “treasures.” That is part of the fun…the wheelin’ and dealin’.

The man at the sale told me that he figured the basket went in an old freezer at one time. It didn’t matter to me. Baskets of all shapes and sizes catch my eye. Locker baskets, wooden baskets, egg baskets, bring me all of your baskets. 😉 I kind of have a thing for bowls too. What is my deal with objects that hold other things?! Blame my mother. She is the same way.

At first, even this morning, I had it in my mind to spray paint this basket. I was going for white. (Big surprise there.) Then…the more that I gazed “uponst” it…the more that I liked it in it’s rough…freezer like…state. Maybe someday it will get a makeover, but for today…I am pretty okay with the “antique silver.”

As you can see…there are no quilts in the basket. If I ever buy some sort of sconce light or a pole lamp of sorts for the entry…that might change. We use this little lamp all the time and I love the warmth that it adds to this area. Who knows…this fall I may fold something “quilty” to tuck in there.

If I wasn’t going to use this basket in this way, it would have been a great tool for organization. That is one reason that I started picking these up at sales. They are amazing for bath toys if you have little ones. They are also wonderful on shelves or in pantries to hold pastas or cans. (Then you just slide the basket out.) We have actually used them before to hold shoes in our laundry/mud room. Get creative, go wild. ha!

I really hope that you are having a good day. We are enjoying being together…with a few days of relaxing before school starts back up. This week our pastor’s wife sent a text to me. This is what it said: Collect moments…not things. I love that. We are trying to do that at the Farmhouse. Interesting fact…when I took the Love Language test…my primary love language is Quality Time. I am good with that.

Love from our dirt road to yours,

I’m In the Garden

25 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style

≈ 2 Comments

I am sitting down for a second. My poor back. At 6:30 a.m., I was in the garden, picking enough green beans to feed a small tribe. Rain makes green beans. That is my thought for the day.

I am not complaining. You guys know that this is a part of our summer life. God is good to bless us with real food. Lots of times…people don’t understand that with blessings, hard work is part of it. Please pass the PanAway. (An eo for sore muscles.) (eo stands for essential oil.) (You are welcome.) 😉

So today…I am not decorating or moving furniture. I am cooking beans, washing beans and putting beans away. If you need me…I could possibly be in the garden. More than likely though…I will be in the kitchen.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli
p.s. A huge thank you to God…for helping our garden grow. Please forgive my grumbles, Lord. I love you! Also a huge thank you to my Mr. and my children. They work very hard. All of them. We are in this “farmin’ thang” together. I love you…my people!

Summer….Almost

20 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

Hey guys! More phone blogging today. I have slipped into hermit mode lately…so today we may go hit some yard sales. It’s almost SUMMER! How fun is that!?

You guys have been leaving super-sweet comments on the blog and on Instagram. They make my heart happy and they make it all worth while. Blogging is work…believe it or not. It’s good work though. Anything that allows you to share the message of Christ and a love for family, friends and home…is good work.

This evening, the Mr. and I, need to do some serious weed bustin’ in our garden. We are thankful for all of the rain…for a fact…but sometimes a little work comes along with those blessings. It won’t be long and there will be beets to can. Yum!

Wish me luck on my junkin’. Maybe I will find some fun things to share with you….like….this.

Yes. My friend Jodi brought these to me. Aren’t they amazing…to go along with our “grandma’s house in the summer” theme?

I knew that you would approve. My Dirt Roader’s are hip that way 😉

Love from my junkin’ bus,

Kelli

A Farmhouse Welcome

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

≈ 2 Comments

I quite possibly could have titled another blog post…this very same thing. Are you okay with that? Thank you. You guys know how I roll. Always changing up a little something. Since I took the Moroccan print rug back to the laundry room…I decided to show you the entry again. So today, you get, yet another…Farmhouse Welcome. I hope that you enjoy.

The new rug from TJ Maxx is dreamy. So soft…so antiquey. (Lol…spell check loves that.) My husband even commented that he really liked it. That always makes me happy. I just love the way that it blends with the blues and grays. Plus…it was on that back wall in the clearance. Yeah…you know the one. 😉 Actually…I think that my MIL found it and then I knocked her down and grabbed it and ran to the check-out. Okay…not really. She showed it to me. We oohed and aahed and then I bought it. We are pretty compatible that way. We try to help a gal out the whole time we shop. lol!

You guys know that I love the simplified look. I have declared this truth…over and over. Actually…these days…I love “simple” anywhere I can find it. It just helps me breathe. I have come a long way in the last few years. Trust me…I used to be a lot more complicated. I guess age has it’s benefits. Of course…trying to walk with God…cuts down on a lot of fuss too. He teaches me. I love that.

The antique table in our entry belonged to my step-dad’s grandmother. I love it. I think that it is perfect for that spot. The cuckoo clock belonged to my sweet daddy and the little lamp is from Target. I do believe that lamp is my favorite in our home. I wouldn’t mind…at all…having the larger size for our night stands. (Hint…Hint…Mr.) My husband stood in the aisle at Target…helping me find the right lamp shade. He is so patient. He can also read my expression. It’s probably quite a hoot if you are watching from a distance. I’m sure that I have a frown of concentration. When a lamp shade that he tries…looks yucky…sometimes he laughs at my reaction. I am pretty sure that he picked up the gray shade though. It was love at first sight. He knows me well. You know though…come to think of it…when I make suggestions at Harbor Freight…I don’t laugh at his reaction. I am sure that I am so annoying in that store. I have no idea what I am doing or saying. Ha! Next time…I will walk across the street to Krispy Kreme. 🙂

Well…I have yacked long enough. I hope that you enjoy looking at a Farmhouse Welcome. It’s one of my favorite places in our home. Although first impressions can be wrong…I do believe that they are important. I also hope that you all have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Father’s Day. Hug those daddy’s and husband’s tight. They deserve it.

Love from our dirt road to yours,

Coastal Mantle

12 Thursday Jun 2014

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

≈ 5 Comments

Are you guys head over heels for the coastal theme during the summer? I don’t have a lot of coastal decor. One starfish, a glass fishing float, (faux) and a collection of shells from my littles. The relaxation of that theme…soothes me though. I don’t have my shells sitting out yet. Usually I have a bowl sitting around somewhere. I need to dig those out. Oh wait, I do have a sign that says BEACH on our back door. Pretty simple. You know me, I love simple.

There have been times over the past that I piled a ton of stuff on our mantle. Then I take it back off. Simple just calls my name. I admire other people’s collections…but it just doesn’t work for me. That is the great thing. We can all appreciate each other’s style.

I love to pair woven, summery, baskets with coastal. The tray basket is actually from Ebay but it’s a Pottery Barn basket. I love it. When it came, I was so excited. It was way bigger than I even imagined. I love the color of it paired with the light and airy items. It seems to give a good balance. When something seems wonky and off balance, I pick at it, move it, and preen it, until it looks right.

Now that is bugging me. I’m not sure where I put my shells. 😉 I will be searching high and low. Don’t you hate that? Deep breaths Kel…deep breaths.

I hope that you have enjoyed our little coastal mantle. It’s refreshing to me. Not too complicated and it sports a turquoise Ball jar. Right up my alley. On a little side note…I spent a big part of the morning in the company of the piano tuner. What an interesting job. Now our daughter is good to go. God’s blessings, well…they make us rich and they add absolutely no sorrow.

Love from the coastal farmhouse,

Along the Dirt Road

Category Archives: Farmhouse Style

Here A Pumpkin…

A Pumpkin for Everyone

Finding Your True Style

If I Had a Ladder

Let’s Have a Ball

A Basket Full

I’m In the Garden

Summer….Almost

A Farmhouse Welcome

Coastal Mantle