Category Archives: heart and soul

Larger than Life

17 Monday Apr 2017

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I promised this tribute months ago. I just couldn’t.  Honestly…I can hardly type it out today.  That being what it is, it needs to be said, and Brother Hight definitely deserves these few humble words and much more.  Sometimes you just have to pull yourself up by the boot straps…because it’s the right thing to do. So…today we are going to talk a bit about larger than life.

A few days after my dad’s passing and service, I was texting Brother Hight, because I was a mess and I needed help.  It was an exchange of just a few words (We were all a mess. Tragedy does that.) and I remember him telling me…in maybe not so many words…that it was so hard because my dad seemed larger than life.  Well today I say…it takes one to know one.

I’m not going talk about the funny things, even though they would bring this post up out of the mully grubs. I could fill this blog with funny happenings, sayings, and crazy expressions across the congregation.  Not this time though.  This time…we are going to talk about things that are out of this world.

Okay…one funny thing.  I was in the hospital, having our second child, and Brother Hight was at a class in another town. When he called to check on me…I said “You tell him…you picked a fine time to leave me Lucille.” The strange part was…he had said the same thing on the other end.  Lol!  That happens when you help people raise their kids. Influence is bigger than we sometimes realize.

I know your time is valuable and I won’t keep you much longer…but the things that were larger than life…are these, in no certain order:

  1. Dedicating all three of our babies to the Lord.
  2. Baptizing all three of our children. Two of them in our backyard pool.
  3. When I would tell him about a problem, his words, “I understand.”
  4. His bravery in so many ways. I don’t think he knew how brave that he was. We did.
  5. His kindness to the downtrodden.  That said more than a million sermons. Softy. 😉

I could go on and on.  Twenty five years worth of knowing someone and looking up to them…creates a lifetime of memories actually. But today…one year since Brother Hight slipped into the arms of Jesus…I wanted to write about the big impact that he made. I needed to share this with my readers and keep my word.  Most of all I just needed to say this:

Brother Hight…you were and are larger than life. You are so much more than this world now. You are basking in the joy of forever with Jesus.  You always were a trail blazer…and now more than ever. Your light still shines bright, it always will.

Love from the Farmhouse,

 

Trials Make Us Better

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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I went to the ophthalmologist a while back. I was having major vision complications..and he decided that is was due to the side effects of some meds that I had been on. He then looked me right in the eyes and said “Some of us just seem destined to suffer…but it makes us better people.” 


It doesn’t feel that way does it? It feels hard, and scary, and we feel like we are failing the test. We feel like we don’t know which way to turn…or who to go to for help. Then we remember that God knows all and we take a deep breath.

I’m not going to candy coat it. Life gets hard at times. Super duper hard. Sometimes…super duper scary. I was reading in the book of James this morning about God sending trials our way. Guess why? To make us better people. Hmmm…seems that I’ve heard that somewhere recently. 😉


Sweet friend, if life has been a little on the tough side lately…I want to share something with you. Tomorrow is Good Friday and to the world…it looked like the end. This is the kicker: God could see the big picture and He knew that Jesus wasn’t finished with His work. Things were going to look brighter. What had happened was only going to make everyone better.

You see…it looked like a trial…but it became a triumph. Oh Glory!

Love from my heart to yours,

Dirt Road Riding

12 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Country Life, everyday stuff, heart and soul, livin' a little healthy

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Today, my mom came over. She is precious. She also has shingles. Nothing is touching the pain…so I whipped up a mix of essential oils for her, doctored her sores, and wrapped my arms around her gently, and asked Jesus to help her. She was feeling better in no time. Thank You Jesus!


That is an old picture. Neither one of us has felt that good in a while. I am on the heat pad…as we speak. Anyway…after that…we decided to ride to town to get something to eat…just as we were. Don’t ask. Lol!


We might have looked like that. Ha ha!

Anyway…we did run through the drive thru at “the Dairy Queen.” Chicken basket anyone? On the way back we, of course, hit the dirt road. They are inevitable if you want to get back to our little hillside farm.

We found this beauty, in the spring sunshine.


Dirt road riding is a favorite of mine. It is a means of relaxation. Mom and I have been doing that…my whole life. I am thankful to live on a dirt road. I will trade it for a clean vehicle…any day of the week. 

By the way…while I still have you here…I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for reading my few words. Thank you for mentioning to my husband that you read my blog…and thank you for the comments. They mean so much to me. Thank you also for being patient…while I try to get my health back on track. It has been a booger bear the last couple of years. I never knew…but now I know. Compassion fills my heart for those that feel cruddy…every day. Anyway…just thanks. My Dirt Roaders are the best!!!

Love from the dirt road,

Two Things

19 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by in heart and soul, RaMbLiNgs, Simply...living

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I know. Shocking. Two posts in two days. I aim to please. Lol! Soooo…two things.  Well…maybe three.

1. If you have a man that brings you a     white pumpkin home from the grocery store…keep him.

2. McDonald’s has really upped their game. Their fries taste better out of those little baskets. 🙈


3. You just can’t improve on the handiwork of God. His eye for beauty never ceases to amaze me.


Those are my two (three) things for you today. Feel free to let the comments roll! 

Love from the Farmhouse, 

Kelli

A Visit from the Farmhouse

15 Thursday Sep 2016

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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Hey all! How are we doing on this Thursday morning? I am toodling along. Laundry is going, plans for supper are made, and now I’m sitting down with you. Just a visit from the farmhouse today.


I posted the above shot to my IG feed this morning. Those jars always delight my eyes. It could be the turquoise color…or maybe the old lids. Probably both.


It’s supposed to rain in SoMo today. We all voted for a big ol’ Crock Pot of chili, for supper tonight. Can you tell that we are anxious for fall weather? Our pastures can use the rain. I am thankful for the forecast today. 


I hope that you guys have a wonderful day! I hope to post my cloth napkin turned curtains…if I can ever get them to meet my standards. Lol! I am a bit picky with window treatments. (They make me crazy!)

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

Weekend Woo Hoo!

29 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul

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You made it guys! The weekend is here. Sleeping in on your agenda for tomorrow? Are you feeling it yet? Weekend…woo hoo! 


We pretty much live in a state of “unwind” around here in the summer. During the school year though, which is right around the corner, the weekends are for celebrating.


I hope that whatever you do this weekend, that you feel the mercy and grace of the Almighty. I hope that you find time to count your blessings…more than once.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

Seventeen Years Ago

13 Wednesday Jul 2016

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Seventeen years ago today…I was finishing up three weeks of bed rest. I was also heading to the hospital to deliver our child. She was our first for me to deliver, I had miscarried before her.  Wow…seventeen years ago. Time flies when you are having fun!  She is a treasure…not only to her daddy and I…but to the other blessings that followed her.

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Seventeen years ago today…we were living in a little trailer park on the outskirts of town in a tiny little mobile home.  We had no idea how to be parents…but we had (and have) a strong faith in God, and we trusted that He would help us.  He has.  He is good like that.

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Seventeen years ago…I learned what pain was, and joy…in the same moment.  I watched as they worked on a tiny little girl, giving her oxygen, and making sure that she was going to be okay.  I was a mother.  The highest calling, second only to already being a wife. I was beginning my life’s greatest work.  Something that I will do all my days…even when my children are grown. My life was no longer about just me, just my husband and I, but about making sure that this tiny infant could navigate in this crazy world.  Seventeen years later I see that so much more clearly than I did then.

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I have always wanted to be a mother.  Actually…that was all that I ever wanted to be, a wife and mother.  I feel that for over twenty years now…I have been living the dream and I look forward to many more of those years. Being a wife and mother has made me a better person. I am so thankful for that. It has taught me that we are truly happy when we don’t make life about ourselves…but about others.

Happy Birthday Angel Baby,

 Love,

Momma

 

Monday, Monday

11 Monday Jul 2016

Posted by in heart and soul, RaMbLiNgs

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Just poppin’ in to say “hi.” How is your Monday treating you? Mine has been crazy and busy. Aren’t they all?


I hope that your evenin’ is cozy and relaxing. I hope that you feel content and full of blessings. I also hope that the God of Heaven and Earth wraps you in His blessed peace. That would be a great start to the week!


Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

Biscuits and Gravy

05 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by in heart and soul, Simply...living, Yum for the Tum

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Hey guys!  How are you doing on this… day after a holiday?  I am chuggin’ right along. We are on vacation at home, this week, so I was up and at ’em while everyone else slept in for a bit.  Rest is always a good thing.  We promote that out here on the farm. With today’s lifestyle we make a marked effort to follow after peace…but here I am off topic.  You are probably thinking “Kel, what on earth does that have to do with biscuits and gravy?”  Well…I will try to tie it all together for you.

Yesterday, at some point, the Mister requested biscuits and gravy this week.  Today is his day. We also have “home grown” sausage in the freezer so we will pair it with that.  You see biscuits and gravy is not a meal that I constantly cook.  Truthfully…I haven’t made homemade biscuits in so long…that I had to try and remember where my ol’ faithful recipe was.  (Seriously…have y’all tasted those big fluffy FROZEN biscuits?) This week though…we are taking it slow and easy and a simple pleasure he requested…and a simple pleasure he shall receive. Sometimes when life gets busy, or hard, or complicated…I opt for the easiest way to get something done.  The thing about that is…I miss out on the cathartic benefits of mixing up my homemade biscuits on our kitchen counter. (If you love to cook…you understand…if not…just skim through this part.) 😉 I miss out on giving of myself to those that I love the most. I also miss out on the peace that comes from a process.

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Life gives lots of opportunities like that doesn’t it?  We can go the extra mile for someone or we can just pop something frozen in the oven. Don’t get me wrong.  Sometimes we just have to go that route, and sometimes that is our best…and it’s blessed.  There are other times though…when we have plenty of time to get flour on our hands and knead the dough.  I want to be wise to the ebb and flow of that.  Not just with my own family but with others that I am called to serve as well.  A healthy balance is a key ingredient to a peaceful life, I do believe.


You all have read this blog long enough to know that I am not just talking about cooking. Some of my readers may not even like to cook. Some days eating take-out is a total way to win me over. My point is that we (I) should be intentional with service toward others…no matter what we do. Time is one of our most precious commodities in this life. Sharing it will always be blessed. You wanna hear something crazy?  I don’t think that this was even my original thought today…but it just kept flowing.  Maybe all of this is for my own heart…or maybe some of you needed the encouragement to keep on keeping on. After all..this life really isn’t about us.  It’s about others…and biscuits and gravy.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

p.s. Just letting you know that the egg canvas and all of our canvases are on sale this summer.  Just use the coupon code FARMHOUSE10 at checkout.  The link below will take you there.

https://www.etsy.com/search/shops?search_query=dirtroadoncanvas

Sharing Independence on the Farm

30 Thursday Jun 2016

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

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Hey friends!!! How are things? We have been busy lately. (Nothing new there.) We are in our annual “Get everything done, the church folks are coming over.” mode. We are gearing up for sharing Independence on the farm.


Each year, on the Sunday night around the Fourth, our church people, and anyone else who wants to join, come to our little farm and we celebrate. We celebrate the freedom in Christ and the freedom in this country.


It’s such a sweet time and an honor to share our home with others. I love the way that some of our older ones join up in their lawn chairs and just visit. The grill gets fired up and the fellowship is sweet.


This year as we come together, we are a group of believers, that are holding onto each other. Our sweet pastor went to be with Jesus in April…and as a church…that he taught ever so well, we are all in this together. Fellowship seems more important than ever at this point, and the Mister and I don’t take that lightly. As we share our home this year…the main goal will be to provide as much balm as we can for broken hearts, all for the glory of God. Brother Hight…we sure do miss you.


I won’t leave you there, in the sadness, sweet readers. Our pastor loved to laugh and we all do too. We plan to eat hot dogs and make homemade ice cream. We plan to fellowship and ooh and aah over the babies. We plan to listen to a devotion and absorb what God has for our lives, and we plan to sing together on this little hillside farm. We plan to open our hearts in every way.


We will be sharing Independence on the farm, Lord willing…and the creeks don’t rise. 😉

Kelli