Category Archives: heart and soul

Aww…thanks

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

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You guys! I have been blogging for six years now! Some of you have been there from the very beginning and some are new to Along the Dirt Road. Whatever the case…thank you! Thanks for joining in and enjoying the ride with us!!!

Although this blog is filled with home decor, and actually all things home, my hope has always been that it would feel like a little stopping off place for any who chose to do so. Like driving down a country road and seeing an old country store. You know that you just have to stop.

One time, years ago, we were heading home from Fox, Arkansas, and did that very thing. Now Fox is out in the middle of what some folks would call God’s country. The folks talk a little slower there…drawing out their words a bit more. Families are very tight knit and it makes you proud to belong, in some form, to a place like that. We went “home” to Fox when it was time to lay our Granny Corrie (Cora) to rest…after all…she was the one that connected us all to each other. Anyway…back to the country store.

I don’t even remember where this place was. What I do remember is how I felt when I stepped inside. The high ceilings were something from years gone by. The creaking wood floor, the displays, just the whole thing felt like I had stepped back in time. My dad was delighted because this trip, going to Fox, was a part of his boyhood. He loved his family deeply…and he was proud to share that with us. It warms my heart to think back on this little stop off. It also makes me miss my dad…more than I can explain to you. But…back to my point…

My dear, sweet, Dirt Roaders…when you stop by here…I want you to feel that. I want the peace of Jesus Christ to radiate through these posts. I want you to be able to take a deep breath with me and maybe even a step back into yesteryear a bit. I want you to feel like you have stepped into a cool, shady, place on a hot summer day. Or…a warm and toasty place…when the world outside is chilly.

My love of antiques stems from that longing. Just to be in touch with a more simple time. An admiration and deep respect for generations before. I am glad that you all are on this journey with me. After all…the more the merrier.

So today…I say…”Aww thanks.” You all are the absolute best and I thank the Lord for you, my readers. May He bless you from your nose to your toes!!!

Love from the Farmhouse,

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Late Summer Bittersweetness

13 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by in Country Life, Farmhouse Style, heart and soul, Simply...living

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Well late summer is here, or so we think. When August rolls around it feels that way doesn’t it? Letting go of the carefree days of summer and looking toward the more scheduled way of life.

I enjoy both. I love having the kids home but they thrive on a schedule. It’s always bittersweet. We can relax more in the evenings during summer break but then the weekends become more special through the school year.

I enjoy late summer. It makes me feel nostalgic for some reason. I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s because it starts a new season. When I was little it was because of my birthday. Yes…I tend to get a little older during late summer.

On a different note…ol’ Fibro just wont quit lately. I have an appointment tomorrow to try to get some relief. Any of you Dirt Roaders deal with this? I am an avid reader so I try to find all of the tools that I can to cope. Can you believe that you can be tired of resting? Well…you can. Scouts honor!

Tonight is a very busy one. Calves going to the sale barn, an open house, and I have laundry galore. (Don’t get down in your get along…or your laundry breeds!) Plus our garden is still going strong…which is wonderful, but busy. Our area is also having camp meeting this week and some of us are going to that. Whew!!!

Whatever you all have going on during these late summer days…I hope that it’s enjoyable. I hope that the love of Jesus breaks through it all and fills your hearts with joy. His love is all sweet, nothing bitter.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Farmhouse Hygge

03 Thursday May 2018

Posted by in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest, heart and soul, Simply...living

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It’s Thursday, Dirt Roaders!  It’s almost the weekend! You have made it! Fist bumps all around!  Today I thought that we would visit a little bit about Farmhouse Hygge.  Have you been hearing the word hygge tossed around?  If not, I will elaborate a bit.

Hygge (Pronounced HOO-GA) is a Norwegian and Danish word for a mood of coziness and comfortable friendliness with feelings of wellness and contentment. It has become a very popular vibe for home decor, especially the more casual and relaxed farmhouse, cottage, and log home styles. I love the whole concept. Surround yourself with things that feel like home to you.  I tend to use that hashtag when I post something that feels very hygge to me.

If you have followed here very long I’m sure that you can sense the love for things that mean home to us.  Most of the things that I keep have some sort of meaning behind them.  I tend to shop second hand for older things.  I enjoy things that are gently loved and look like they have a story to tell.  Lots of the things that we have are passed on from family members or friends.  My mom, my mother-in-law, and I, tend to pass things back and forth between our homes.  “Here…I’m tired of this for a while.  You wanna use it?  Just don’t get rid of it when you are bored with it.” lol!  My mother-in-law is using a Victrola cabinet that my mom let me use in our first home over 20 years ago. I’m telling ya…we are no stranger to the junk swap. My mom has a wooden cabinet above their toilet that was my mother-in-law’s. My mom also has a barn wood corner cabinet that my father-in-law made for us. The longer I work on this post…the more things I can come up with.  I’ll not keep listing stuff. You’re welcome. 😉

Whatever your idea of hygge is, I hope that you have it.  I hope that you surround yourself with things, colors, textures, scents, and photos that you love.  If Farmhouse Hygge is your thing…I hope that you go for it.  If simplicity floats your boat…may you enjoy that to the highest power.  This ol’ world can be kinda (a lot) crazy.  I hope that whatever your idea of home is…you step into that at the end of the day.  Whether it’s in a New York City apartment or at the end of a dirt road, may your heart breathe a little sigh of contentment when you get there.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

Here We Are

30 Monday Apr 2018

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Good morning, Dirt Roaders. Here we are. Made it through the weekend and stumbled to the coffee maker.  Does that sum up your morning? Whether you are a jump out of bed kind of person or a stumbler…here we are.

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My weekend was rough.  Actually all of last week wasn’t too easy.  I think that I am in a flare…which seems to happen in the spring.  Most of the time I can push through the Fibro stuff and live a semi normal life…but I had to take a big time out this weekend.  My family is so supportive though and that means so much to me.  Yesterday, I was reading in my Jesus Calling devotional and it was talking about people finding time with the Lord and that sometimes it’s from the sick bed. Not a place that any of us want to be….but most of the time…we learn Continue reading →

A New Little Life

13 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in Country Life, Farmhouse Style, heart and soul

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Happy Friday Dirt Roaders! I hope that all is well in your neck of the woods. I thought that I would share a bit about the new little life on our hillside farm, today.

Our first time mama, Cleo, had a little one yesterday. So tiny and precious. It’s always so exciting when they calve.

Daddy had to check it out too. I was driving the Gator while our daughter was snapping pictures. It was a beautiful day yesterday and that made it perfect.

In other news…I have been moving things around and rearranging. Now I need to clean this farmhouse from top to bottom. Whew.

I hope that your weekend is bright and cheery…no matter the weather…and I hope that you are blessed with something new…from above.

January 74th

05 Thursday Apr 2018

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

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Have you seen that on Facebook? I believe that it says something like…”It feels like January 74th. Or is it 73rd? Whatever it is…this weather is hormonal. It affects us in lots of ways doesn’t it? I tend to talk about the weather here because it contributes to moods and activity.

This year has kind of went by in a blur so far for us. We found out last fall that our daughter was having some physical problems so we have made several trips to St. Louis. That puts everything else on the back burner and that is definitely okay. We think that they have her on the right track now. We are so thankful for that and for the way that the Lord has directed our steps.

It’s supposed to snow a little, or sleet, and rain, tomorrow. In April. January 74th…you have been a long one.

I have been prepping for summer a bit. A pillow cover made from an old feed sack added a bit of warmth to this January weather. 😉

If it feels like January 74th to you…just hang on. It will be August 87th before you know it.

Love from the Farmhouse,

I Fall to Pieces

01 Thursday Mar 2018

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul, livin' a little healthy, Yum for the Tum

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Lol…that’s a golden oldie. This is how it feels when you go to the grocery store around the first of the month in our town. You feel like you are gonna fall to pieces…or pull your hair out.

It feels like everyone and their neighbor comes out of the hills and hollers for a month’s worth of sustenance. Lands a mercy. And you know what? I always forget…until I pull up there. Good gravy, that’s a packed parking lot!

So, my sweet daughter and I waded the crowd. First we made it down the chute at the front door, like a bunch of deranged cattle with carts. Then we rounded the corner to the goodie aisle. (You ALDI shoppers are catching my drift.) We refrained from spending much there…just picked up a swanky little wok spatula. Anyway…we made it out unscathed and even saw a good friend. It was a profitable trip…but downright crazy.

If you head to the store today…don’t fall to pieces. We need you to remain calm. Insanity is overrated. 😉

Love from the Farmhouse,

A Little Talk With Jesus

24 Saturday Feb 2018

Posted by in Farmhouse Style, heart and soul

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Do you all sing that at your place of worship? It’s one of my favorites. Just a little talk with Jesus is so important isn’t it?

Have you been worried lately? I have. It’s my biggest fight. Life can be really hard. We have been dealing with more than one stressful situation for awhile now. It’s hard to not let worry become a constant companion, especially if you have anxiety issues. I love the verse in that old song that says “I may have doubts and fears, my eyes be filled with tears, but Jesus is a friend who watches day and night.”

As if we all don’t have enough on our minds…then we feel concern over things that happen across our country. It can be very overwhelming. Talking to the Lord, and listening for His still, small, voice…brings peace. When I was a little girl, my momma would sing a song in church that said, “The only real peace that I have, dear Lord, is in You.” He is the Prince of Peace in this troubled world.

Hang in there, Dirt Roaders. There are brighter days than these…up around the bend.

“I go to Him in prayer, He knows my every care…”

And just a little talk with Jesus makes it right.

Hold On

26 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style, heart and soul

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We have had some warm days lately, how about you? After the freezing temps…I have enjoyed it. Those sunny days seem to help you hold on for the hope of spring, huh?

I don’t mind winter too awful bad…but I do enjoy spring popping up around the corner. More time outside and more fresh air. I am always a little sad to see the cozy season go…but I like the hope of new growth.

Do things seem bleak and wintry for you right now? If they do…hold on. God is not far, far, away. He is right there…and He will help. This morning I was reading about those Hebrew boys in the furnace. The king was amazed that there appeared to be four in there, and one was like as the Son of God. Wow. Hold on friends…and don’t let go. It won’t be winter forever.

Love from the Farmhouse,

A New Page

03 Wednesday Jan 2018

Posted by in Country Life, Farmhouse Style, heart and soul

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Hello sweet Dirt Roaders! How is life treating you? I hope that you all had a Merry Christmas and are having a happy start to 2018. Whew! Can you believe it? Time flies!

We have been fighting off sinus germs here. It hasn’t been super fun. It’s also freeeeeeezing cold here in southern Missouri. I guess it is winter though, at least in our neck of the woods.

The Mr. braved the frosty weather and grilled steaks over the holiday. They were really good. A little taste of summer…in the heart of winter.

I found the quote above somewhere on the internet. I think it’s fitting for a blank page, how about you? “where no foot has been before…” God is like that. He beckons us to put down our fear and run to Him, as He guides. What better way to blaze the trail of a new year, than to follow the Leader?

Love from the Farmhouse,