Entryway Spiff

10 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

Tags

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!

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,

Adventures in Anthropologie

26 Thursday Mar 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

anthropologie, candles, home decor, shopping

Hey guys! Wanna hear something funny? On Istagram I posted a #followfriday this morning. Totally thought that it was Friday. I don’t even know why. Can we blame it on allergies? Okay…we will. Anyway…today we are going to “jaw” about Anthropologie a bit. This is…..Adventures in Anthropologie. I am talking about the store not…the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings, just to be clear.

Most of you all are like “Kel…totally old news. We have an Anthro right down the street. We know all about it’s somewhat Bohemian goodness.” I totally respect that. For those of you that don’t even know what I am talking about…or have seen it and never ventured in…this is my take on it:

I couldn’t make up my mind. I wanted a little something from there to take back home with me. I looked through the store over and over, back and forth, up and down. I already had the monogrammed coffee cup with my initial…via online. Our daughter got one though, that day, and it’s so cute. Finally my sweet, patient, and handsome hubby made a suggestion. “This looks like you.” I had spotted the measuring cup but hadn’t really went over to check it out. He was right. It’s the right combo of things that I love. A bit “potteryish” a lot “kitchen” and colorfully delightful. I also picked up a candle out of the clearance section. I wish now, that I would have picked up another. It smells wonderful.

Anthropologie is in a class of it’s own. It’s not close to any other store that I have been in. So eclectic. I think that is what I love the most. It’s so classy in an earthy and simplistic fashion. I love that they have a wide range of things that are affordable on a day to day basis and then also have things that you might spot and need to wait and save up for. If we lived close to one it would be a great place to pick up a gift for someone. (All my friends and family would have monogrammed mugs. lol!) Did I mention the candles? Just kidding…but I do love candles and they have some that are amazing.

The moral of the Adventures in Anthropologie is this:

If you have one…enjoy. Especially if you like things a bit on the simple side…like me.

Love from the dirt road,

A Few Things at IKEA

24 Tuesday Mar 2015

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

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

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,

Easing Back In

16 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Tags

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,

Crafty Cactus

23 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest, Gettin' all Crafty

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

ball jars, cactus, paint

Okay. That is a bit of a corny title. Hey…it’s Friday. Let’s let our hair down a little. Crafty Cactus can bring much joy to your life and home. Sheesh…I should have been a saleslady. lol! On a side note…I have already been out in the yard, chasing an ornery little bull calf back into the pasture. I loved every minute of it. I’m crazy that way. Ask my mom…I used to want to be a vet. Not the military kind. The animal doctor kind. Farming is close enough. Trust me. Total rabbit trail. Let’s get back to Crafty Cactus.

Sooooo….somewhere on Instagram…I spotted a cute Ball jar, that was painted white. I loved it. I wish I knew where I saw it…because I would totally give her credit. I already had the little cactus friend. I just love how cheery she is in the middle of winter. You have to watch her though. I poked myself yesterday.

This is such an easy project. I hunted up some white paint and after it dried, used a little steel wool on the raised parts of the jar. Easy peasy. I promise. This would look adorable with herbs or any other kind of small plant too.

I will admit that Ball jars are actually a big part of life around here. In the summer, you probably wouldn’t catch me painting one. I use them a lot. When canning is in full swing, I need jars at my disposal. I guess I had better paint while the garden is lying dormant. (Except for the turnips that are out there.)

So…if you are feeling crafty this weekend, remember Crafty Cactus. She is bright and cheery with a tad of shabby on the side. She is also sporting a bit of this nation’s history…living in a Ball jar. She is quite a gal…that Crafty Cactus.

You have permission to roll your eyeballs. 😉

Love from the Farmhouse,

p.s. After I posted…the lovelies over at Lolly Jane commented on my IG shot. It was them! Their cactus is lovely. Thank you girls for your creativity!

Winter Warmth Farmhouse Style

20 Tuesday Jan 2015

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

candles, farmhouse style, tray, warmth, wood

Are you looking for warmth lately? Our weather has actually been very nice for January. I have heard that will end soon. We shall see. We don’t get to control the weather do we? Anyway…I just wanted to share a little warmth with you today, farmhouse style.

I happened upon a beautiful wooden tray at Kirkland’s last weekend. It just said “farmhousey” to me. It was over on the clearance side…which was a huge plus to me. The Mr. gave his okay…and that always makes me feel good about a purchase. The Mr. and I are a team, in every way, so I like for us to be on the same page, especially with purchases. Lands sakes….how did I get off on a Dave Ramseyish rabbit trail? Any….way……..I loved the wooden tray.

Yesterday was a hard day. Several things came up and I decided while I was in the grocery store…to buy myself some flowers. I thought that a bit of cheer at the Farmhouse was definitely in order. I love yellow all year, but especially in the middle of winter. Sometimes you just have to make your own sunshine and create your own warmth.

I also picked up a couple of new candles at TJ Maxx last weekend. If you don’t already know this….that is an amazing place to find candles. I wound up with two of these Paddywax candles for the price that you would normally just pay for one. They are soy….which I adore…and they smell amazing. As you already know, candles are a great way to add warmth to your home. I love the ambiance that they bring.

The light was so good in the dining room this morning. ( I am such a newbie in the photography department…but it’s on my list for this year.) I tried to not doctor these up too much…so that you could feel what I felt. The warmth was incredible.

I hope that wherever you are today, sweet Dirt Roaders, that you feel warmth. Warmth…especially in the times of winter, is a very good thing.

Love from the dirt road,

F A R M

09 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

bunting, farmhouse style, home decor, mantle, simple, simplify

I know. The title is so eloquent. That’s how I roll. (You guys know that I am kidding. I write these posts…like a conversation. I don’t want you to become bored. I don’t do bored very well myself.) Okaaaaay….back from the rabbit trail. Soooo….yesterday…I picked up some new metal letters. I thought that they would be for one certain spot. They wound up in another. I am very okay with that.

For those of you that loved the burlap/french grain sack stripe bunting…don’t be alarmed. I still have it. Actually, I still have a roll of that burlap. I can make another. Right now though…I love the very simple, plain, yet a bit wonky, letter bunting of sorts. My family liked it too. That is the huge plus with me. I will give you a mental picture…. The family sitting around in the…family room, visiting, doing homework and such. The Mr. is in his Papa Bear’s Chair, I am up piddling around with these letters and twine on the mantle, and the kids and us are talking. It just kinda happened. I kept moving the letters, inserting burlap, taking burlap away, and listening to their comments. My husband liked it plain. I did too. He gets me.

Would you like to know the main thing that bothered me? There are only four letters in the word farm. I know. It comes from years of hearing the odd numbers of decor, shouted from the mountain tops. You know what? Now days…I don’t care. Much. ha! I am even known, now, to just put….two….of something together. I know. Horror. I’m keeding…I’m keeding. You know what? I am older and I pray for wisdom. I don’t buy into the rules of decor as much. If you love it…do it! I will proudly display my four letters. FARMHOUSE might have been a bit of overkill and the simplicity of FARM is really what we have. A few goats, a few chickens, a few cows and calves, and a few acres. It is a farm. Pure and simple.

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend…full of blessing counting. We really don’t have to look very far for those, do we?

Love from the FARM,

Along the Dirt Road

Category Archives: fluffin’ the nest

Entryway Spiff

The Elusive Fiddle Leaf Fig

Adventures in Anthropologie

A Few Things at IKEA

Easing Back In

The Promise of Spring

Spring…Is That You?

Crafty Cactus

Winter Warmth Farmhouse Style

F A R M