Category Archives: heart and soul

How Are You?

18 Saturday Apr 2020

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

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Hello there, Dirt Roaders! It’s been a minute.  I’m just stopping in to see how everyone is faring during this time. I hope and pray that you are hanging in there.

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I feel like that we have been using this time to be more intentional.  We have had a schedule for most days.  All of the kids have homework so we have tried to stay focused with that. More than the homework though I feel like we have grown as a family.  We have utilized our home and farming skills more.

Each day at three we have what we call Driver’s Ed.  We go for dirt road rides and explore.  Most of the roads are well known to us after years of teaching our kids to drive.  After the spring rains though we have discovered so many beautiful creeks.  It’s balm to weary souls during quarantine. We also have lots of Ag class here. There are always farm chores to do and now mowing.  We have Home Economics which consists of house cleaning and cooking.  The kids tell me that having a set schedule helps the days to pass better.  I’m thankful to be able to help them through this.  I feel like God has given us tools to cope and peace through it all.

Are you guys eating take out much?  We have tried to limit that.  I get an ALDI delivery about every two weeks.  We leave them on the porch and wipe them all down with Thieves cleaner before bringing them in.  It’s a whole process…but we just want to keep everyone healthy. We have had drive thru things a time or two.  Mexican take out once and Domino’s once. I cannot lie.  It tasted amazing. lol!

It’s my sincere prayer that this post will encourage you.  I hope that in your time of quarantine that you have grown as a person or a family.  We haven’t taken this lightly. There are so many people hurting and grieving and we are not strangers to that.  At the first of the year we lost my uncle in a tragic accident and were still reeling from that when this hit.  I know that part doesn’t sound very encouraging…but hang on a sec.  The Lord gave us enormous peace and so many miracles through all of that.  That is just the way that He works.

I hope that your are thriving, my friends.  I hope that you are finding a new appreciation for all of the things that you were too rushed to enjoy, before. I hope that each new day inspires you to learn something new or to just pause and breathe in deep.  Maybe you found a new love for your lawn chair or porch swing.  Maybe you have a new ritual of evening tea and a cozy book.  (Dr. Pepper and a cozy book for me. lol!) Whatever you are learning through this…I feel that it will make us better people whenever it’s time to be with people again. I don’t feel that we will take a smile or a handshake for granted.

Let me leave you with this today,

In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 32 verse 27, God says this:

“Behold, I am the Lord God of all flesh: is there anything to hard for me?”

Stay well, Dirt Roaders,

Kelli

 

 

The Life of a Maker

27 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by in crochet, Gettin' all Crafty, heart and soul

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Do you all have a hobby? Crocheting started as a hobby for me. A stress reliever of sorts. Then it turned into a small business. I am so thankful for that. The life of a maker…is the life for me.

It took me a while to find my niche, but I always knew that it was something along the creating lines. From the time that I was a little girl…I have always been happiest and more at peace with anything creative. Art class was my favorite. The smells and the atmosphere always nourished a part of my soul. The art easel in kindergarten and the smoothness of the tempera paints…soothed a part of me.

If I could encourage you today…find your niche. You know you…better than anyone and we can all make something in this life. It may not be art. It may be music or math or food. We are all so different. Isn’t that wonderful!?Just look inside and find what God intended for you to be. He made just one of YOU…jam packed full of gifts and potential. He’s sweet like that.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

Poor ol’ Blog

12 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by in Country Life, everyday stuff, heart and soul

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This poor ol’ blog takes a back seat a lot of the time.

Amongst a busy summer and other stuff up to my eyeballs…I don’t always keep up with it. Shamey, shamey, I know my namey.

I could give you a list of excuses a mile long…all true…but how about I just do better? You guys keep checking in…and that is the sweetest!!!

I hope that you all had an amazing summer…full of all of the good stuff. I hope that God spoke to your hearts in new ways to inspire your life. He sure is good about that.

Love from the Farmhouse,

The Importance of Cozy

06 Monday May 2019

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

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When you come home at the end of a busy day…cozy is so important. A place to unwind. A place to exhale. A place to “cozy up” as my babies used to say.

A place where you can eat a warm meal or if you don’t feel like cooking…a sandwich to fill your belly. A place where “jammies” as we call them…are the dress code.

It’s so nice to have a favorite spot to take a good book and a cozy throw. Even in the warmer months when the a/c is blasting. Sometimes that is my favorite time to cover up. I grew up with window air, at my dad’s, that would freeze you out. Talk about some good sleeping. Lol! Maybe it was the hum of the air conditioner. It was absolutely cozy…because I had a…wait for it…waterbed! Lol!

One of the coziest homes that I have ever been in was when my mom and stepdad lived in a tiny blue house. It was the most relaxing little place. My room had a fluffy feather bead and it felt like a cloud after a long day. We had a wood stove to warm up by in the winter. My mom has always been good at creating a cozy atmosphere. She takes that with her no matter where she lives. That is one of the many things that I love about her. She knows the importance of cozy.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Everything is Green

23 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul, RaMbLiNgs

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Hey guys! Is it finally turning spring where you live? Our weather has been a bit temperamental…but it’s beautiful outside. The grass is green and so is the pollen.

I need to put my little bit of Easter decor away today. I didn’t have a lot. A few eggs and bunnies.

That is Whisky, Papaw Jerry’s dog. He got in on the festivities. 😉

Side note: I have still be crocheting right along. I’m sending out an order today. It’s so fun to send little pieces of our home out across the country.

Anyway…I hope that you all had a blessed Easter with your families . I hope that you felt the gift that Jesus gave, all day long. I also hope that all of us enjoy that same gift all throughout the year.

Love from The Farmhouse,

A Fresh Start

03 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul

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Hey Dirt Roaders! I sure hope that you had a Merry Christmas and I hope that your New Year is off to a great beginning. Fresh starts are nice aren’t they? Motivating and exhilarating. Yes…sometimes we abandon them early in the year…but sometimes not. I give us kudos for our zest for life anyway.

Maybe your goal is to lose a pound or two. Or maybe it’s to be more consistent with your quiet time of prayer and Bible study. Maybe it’s to be a better listener or to stay on budget more. Whatever our goals are…I think we will stick with them if we pace ourselves and give grace when needed. A fresh start…with a steady and doable gait.

Have you ever ran a race and started off too fast? You were at the front of the pack…for a while. Then you got winded and had to sloooooow way down. That happened to me in grade school. I learned very quickly that I needed to pace myself from the start, to finish well. The same goes for our goals. Realistic is sometimes a bit slow…but it’s steady. You know…the ol’ tortoise and hare scenario.

Whatever your goals and ambitions, I am praying now that whoever reads this little piece…may they bloom and flourish in this new year. May it be a year of growth and blessing for us all.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Quiet Time

10 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in heart and soul

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I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses.

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me. He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.

He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet that the birds hush their singing. And the melody that He brings to me…within my heart keeps ringing.

May His love bless you today…from your nose to your toes. May you feel Him tell you that you are His own.

Love from the Farmhouse,

In The Garden written by C. Austin Miles

Happy Thanksgiving ‘18

22 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in heart and soul, holidays

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You guys! Thanksgiving ’18 is about to begin. What are we gonna do with it? Eat too much? Maybe. Wear stretchy clothes? Maybe. Be spiritually aware of those around us…listening more…and waiting for God’s nudge? Definitely.

My Maw Maw is celebrating in Heaven today. This will be the first Thanksgiving that my momma and her family will have to go through without her. Knowing about grief myself, I understand. Today…amidst being thankful…by God’s grace…I plan to just be available. A shoulder, a hug, a smile, or laughter. I want to be sensitive to their needs. I understand the depth of this. Five years ago during Thanksgiving, we were waiting to bury my sweet daddy. So with that in mind…I want to be very sensitive today. Thankful…and aware. I’m not sure why I feel this so heavy on my heart. Maybe you all need it too.

So…let’s move on a bit. Do you all bake tons of pie? We are actually switching it up and having fajitas with my parents. I made a huge batch of fresh salsa last night. Our girls made custard pie and our famous Granny Ruby’s chocolate chip cookies to take. My sweet husband loves pie. I need to make a New Year’s resolution to make him one a week. That would be fun!

Whatever your traditions…may the be blessed. May you feel Jesus at your holiday table. May you remember to listen today…and step in…wherever the Lord wants you to serve. That is my prayer for our own day.

Love from the Farmhouse,

November Thoughts

02 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul, holidays

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Hello guys! How is life treating you? We have been busy! This season of life has us meeting ourselves coming and going…but it’s a good busy…I think. Anyway…thoughts on November today.

1. Cozy. Give me allllll the blankets, good books, crochet, and spiced cider. (1 jug of apple juice, one bag of Red Hots and heat on the stove until melted. You will thank me.)

2. Cheer. Halloween is over for another year and the holiday season has begun. TBH sometimes (a lot) I struggle with all of that. I have sincerely prayed for the Lord to help me with it. He has. I am enjoying it already. It can be so overwhelming…but I want Him to give me the right perspective.

3. Cherish. November is a bit solemn for me. My sweet daddy went to be with Jesus, the week of Thanksgiving, 5 years ago. They say that time heals…and I agree somewhat. If I let my mind go there though…my heart aches…just the same. I choose to cherish. I cherish the memories…mostly of him being our kid’s Poppy. He was so proud of them. That is a gift.

There you have it, Dirt Roaders. A few thoughts on November. It’s a month that smells like pumpkin pie spice…mixed with cedar. It’s a month of gratitude to the One who walks with us all through the year. Now that is something to write home about. 🖤

Love from the Farmhouse,