You know…I’m cutting it kinda close.  Easter will be here in a few days.  The funny thing is, I have had our mantle decorated for quite some time.  I was getting a little antsy for spring, with all of that snow everywhere.

Our Easter mantle is very simple.  Just a few things that I already had and my new rabbit, Brenda.  You all know that simple is the the way that I roll.  It helps me relax a tad. Oh…and another thing.  That ironstone platter above the mirror…was a huge find!  I paid fifty cents for it.  Major score!  It pays to dig. lol!  I love to go junking always, but the thrill of the hunt is when you get a major bargain.  I was very thankful!

I’m getting excited to make Easter baskets for our babies.  That is always fun.  I’m not sure if I will rummage around in the basement and use old baskets or buy new ones.  Last year I found some really cute baskets at The Dollar General.  They looked like eggs.  I may just doctor those up again.  New grass, a cute tag, and some goodies tucked inside. That sounds like a plan.

I found an Easter basket that I wanted from Pottery Barn.  lol!  It’s a tad more expensive than the ones that I mentioned above.  The fun part about that?  I also found it on Ebay!  I love having an auction-loving Mr.  I put it on the watch list.

Is it Easter bonnet weather in your neck of the woods?  It’s just about flip-flop weather here.  Our girls have been wearing them already.  This momma has to wait a bit.  My piggies turn purple when they get cold.  Wee wah.  lol!

From our dirt road…to yours,

Next week is Spring Break in our neck of the woods.  I am excited about that.  Our kids have been out a ton for snow this year, but next week the temps are supposed to be good.  That sounds so refreshing after a long winter.  We have actually taken advantage of our time inside lately and started our spring cleaning.

This year I have been so excited for it to warm up, that I am trying to get things done inside.  I love to decorate our home and I love to “make a home” for us…but in the summer it’s a bit more casual around here.  It has to be.  Once the garden comes on…there is lots to do.  I just want to have things cleaned out and simplified for those warm days when we can work and play outside.

My friend Ann Marie from White House Black Shutters is doing this amazing thing again this year.  It’s called 40 Bags in 40 Days 2014.  It started yesterday…but it’s never too late.  You just clean out one bag of stuff a day.  It may be trash or stuff to send to the thrift…but whatever it is…just one bag!  Check it out.  You will love it.  Simplifying is fun to me.  It just helps me breathe easier.

I catch myself daydreaming about being outside lately.  Are you feeling that way?  We aren’t used to this much winter.  Usually by this time…we have thought more towards gardening.  The Mr. did go out and spread some straw…but that is about as far as it has went.  Maybe next week we will be able to do more of that.  Exciting!

In other news…we have a little hen named Goldie trying to raise a little family out there in the chicken house.  We are so excited.  She was getting broody so my husband marked some eggs for her to hatch.  Won’t that be sweet?

I hope that things are feeling springy at your house, Dirt Roaders.  Sometimes we go though a season in life that lets us appreciate the others more.  I have been cleaning of cabinets and organizing things…in hopes of enjoying the next season more thoroughly. I guess that I am getting broody like Goldie.  I am just fluffing my nest though…not hatching anything.  😉

Love from the Farmhouse,

Okay.  I’m going to admit it.  (Do most of my posts start with the word…okay???) I am pining for Spring.  It’s not quite as bad as it was…because I have accepted the fact that it’s winter, but just the same, I plan on putting “spring” on our mantle as soon as Valentine’s Day is over.

I may have the chance to run in Target this weekend.  If so I will have to dart my eyeballs around for springy things.  That sounds so fun.  Eeeeeep!

Do you love to decorate for spring and summer?  I do.  Fall is actually my favorite to fluff the nest up over…but  I love the laid back feel of light and airy spring and summer decor.  I am a casual old soul…through and through.

I’m getting excited to put little speckled eggs out and around.  I will have to dig out my faux Easter bunny too.  For some reason…bunny things have been catching my eye on Pinterest.  Have you be noticing the abundance of that lately.  Folks are getting anxious for that season, after a long winter, I’m guessing.

I’m also looking forward to changing the wreath out on our front door.  I’m not sure what I will go with for spring.  Maybe I will just tweak one that is down in the basement.  I think that I have one with a little bird nest on it.  Some years…we get a real birds nest in it.  Then I beg the Mr. to leave it and the little eggs.  Then we have bird poop everywhere and Momma Bird flying into the house.  Yes…I know.  It’s not very practical to leave the bird family on the front door wreath…but…it’s sweet.  😉

I hope that your Wednesday is full of blessings from above.  I hope that the promise of spring and the longer days make your hearts swell because of the creativity of the Creator.  There are so many things that He put here for us to enjoy and appreciate.  Let’s soak it up, Dirt Roaders!

Looking forward,

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,

It’s Friday…it’s Friday!  Are we excited?  Youbetcha! I thought that I would share a few more things from around the farmhouse.  Nothing fancy…just a few things for your to take a peek at.  A few more shots than normal….to tide you over for the weekend.  You are welcome.  😉

This little turkey has lived with us for a long time.  I like to put him where the kids will see him.  He is hanging out by the back door this year.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, this is my corn husk wreath that I found at the thrift store.  Major score there.

After all these years, I’m still a huge wash tub fan.  This one stays on the front porch year around.  I just change it up for the seasons.

One of my favorite chairs and favorite faux pumpkins.  My Mr. brought it to me for a prizey once.  Love that Mr. of mine.

I love warty pumpkins.  Do you?  So much fun.

I don’t do tons of changes at The Farmhouse for fall.  A pumpkin or an acorn here or there.  I like for our space to still be very breathable.

My hydrangeas did great this year!  They produced a nice little crop for drying.

The Farmhouse porch is pretty simple.  I did have a mum on that little table…but the dogs wouldn’t leave it alone.  I’m thinking about adding another washtub up there with something in it.  I may do that this weekend.  That sounds fun and relaxing.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, Dirt Roaders and I hope that you have enjoyed Fall around the Farmhouse Part 2.

Keepin’ Cozy!

I have been trying to post a little more often.  Have you noticed?  Why, thank you, Dirt Roaders.  😉  I thought that I would show you fall around the farmhouse today.  Just a few things and then more later in another post.  Does it sound like a winner?  That’s what I thought that you would say.

If you haven’t guessed it by now, simple, farmhouse style is my favorite.  Actually right now I need to be cleaning out for our church tag sale.  That always feels good doesn’t it?  Plans change though.  I’ve had a little guy home for the third day in a row now…with the crud.  I would rather be taking care of my baby than digging out junk anyway.  I will have to do that later.

For all of you that are painting over your red walls…my husband and kids still love this room.  They don’t want me to paint over it.  Hey…this home belongs to all of us.  Their opinion is very important to me.  I think that I’m falling in love with it all over again…for now.  Have I said this before?  (I’m trying to convince myself.)  ha!

Things are pretty simple here.  A pumpkin here or there.  That is usually the way that I decorate for fall.  Fall around the farmhouse is never fussy.  When I try to do something elaborate…I usually wind up taking it back down.  It’s just not me.  I admire it in other people’s homes and in snazzy stores…but when I try to live with it…I can’t.  What is wrong with me people?  😉

I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday! After all, Thursday is the best day of the week right?  I thought that you would agree.

Nursing the sick,