Category Archives: heart and soul

Holiday Weekends and All That Jazz

28 Saturday May 2016

Posted by in heart and soul

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

First of all…let me start off to say that here at the Farmhouse we are very thankful to those that have and do serve our country.  We also remember our loved ones that have gone to be with Jesus over this weekend. Memorial Day is more than a party to me…yet it is a sweet time to treasure family also. Can you tell how good the Internet is at shaming? That was a long disclaimer. Lol! Whew…


We started off this weekend having supper with some friends.  So much fun! We also got to keep our baby nephew and he is all things wonderful. Then we hung out with my brother and his little family for a while.  They are so crazy and funny. We love them to pieces! Today was fairly chill (relaxing and calm)…a fun trip to town with the girls, a little family reunion food prep, swimming, and homemade pizzas. They were even gluten free. I need to crawl back on that wagon. Speaking of things in that direction…wish me luck fellow Fibro managers. I am hoping that the swimming helps. I plan to do as much as possible this summer.


So…our holiday weekend has been relaxing so far. I eased away from our tribe for some quiet moments.  Moments of reflection. In other words…I am counting my blessings.  May you all do the same.


Love from our dirt road to yours,

Kelli

Time to Heal

25 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in heart and soul

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

If you follow along on Istagram, then you already know what has been going on in our world.  Our church had to let go of our precious pastor, of 25 years, so that he could really begin to live.  One of these days, I will write a loving tribute to him from our family…but first I need a little time to heal.

I am asking, at this time, that you hold his precious wife up in prayer.  She is amazing, and strong, but she needs the comfort that only Jesus can bring.  She needs time to heal.

I also ask that you hold our congregation up in prayer.  They are salt of the earth folks with great big hearts. Great big hearts are easily broken…and yes…they need time to heal.

This morning in my quiet time I was reading in Psalms about how the Lord lifts our head and sustains us. My battered heart cannot help but look up in hope…when I read those words.


Brother Hight…your healing is now eternal. It was instant and we rejoice in that. Ours though…will take a bit of time.

Thank you for your prayers,

Kelli

Life in the Slow Lane and Etsy News

06 Wednesday Apr 2016

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

Do you actually know anyone who lives life in the slow lane?  Nah…me either.  Well…maybe our grandparents…but when you are in your seventies and eighties…it might be a good idea to slow down a bit.  Things have been picking up a bit more so around here lately.  That is normal for this time of year.  I have found some things that seem to help though, when busyness tries to take over.

img_2543

Yesterday evening, my husband needed to go work at the church.  I decided to fix a Crock-Pot turkey breast, so at least that much was already done.  Then we just fixed the sides to go with it and we were good to go. Don’t Crock-Pots make our lives easier?  When we have to be somewhere in the evening but still need to have supper on the table…I try to come up with “less stress” meals.  No one wants to be rushing around and trying to enjoy filet mignon at the same time.  Take the low road on that one.  You know…since we are talking slow land and all of that. 😉

Another good tip is this:  Grab little “vacations” where you can.  Actually slow down and eat lunch on your lunch hour.  Don’t fill it with errands if they can be avoided.  When evening rolls around and your family has gathered back in…enjoy it.  Go outside.  Take a walk.  Give your dog a scratch on the head.  You know…I fear for a generation that does not take the time to enjoy life.  We just run around at breakneck speed and try to accomplish everything at once.  I really don’t believe that God intended that.  I believe that He is all for working hard…but also for pausing to enjoy the fruits of your labors at the end of the day. Our lives are what we make them.  We have to choose.

I promised you Etsy news and here it is!  Our shop is soon to open!  I will let you know on Instagram and our Facebook page as soon as it is live.  I hope that you all will check it out.  We are shooting for this coming Friday!  Stay tuned!!!

Don’t forget to switch to the slow lane…or even pull over and have a look around!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

Whoa Nellie!

31 Thursday Mar 2016

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

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Hey Dirt Roaders!  How is everyone out there on the interwebs? I wanted to say a big “hello” to those that are stopping by from the article in the local paper.  We are so glad to have you here on the dirt road with us. Sue, that interviewed me, came and stayed a while and we just had a wonderful visit.  I love it when business turns into friendship.  Anyway…I would have posted a welcome sooner…but this week is trying to make me all kinds of cray cray…so I’m all about the “Whoa Nellie” this week.

My week started out wonderful.  Easter Sunday.  We went to Sunday morning service and then we had lunch/supper here with a whole bunch of our family.  It was the sweetest.  My favorite part of the whole day was when we all joined hands, in a big circle, and gave thanks for the meal.  I love those peaceful moments.  Those are not “Whoa Nellie” moments.

Monday was a good day for us.  We were all off of work and school. Tuesday was nerve wracking.  I had a doctor’s appointment…but everything turned out good and that was a relief.  (My road to recovery has been a slow one. I am thankful to be progressing though.) So that was a very BIG “Whoa Nellie” day.  I don’t know how you guys are…but I can have my teeth pulled…and no biggie.  Take me to the doctor’s office and I am a mess.  I start cracking jokes, because I am so nervous, and it just goes from there.  It’s like I have my own stand up routine.  What on the earth is wrong with me? Anyway, by the grace of God, we made it through that.  We even had a little time to go junking and to buy a yummy smelling candle.  Balance, I tell you. Balance.

So that brings us to yesterday. I’m just out here on the farm, minding my own biz…and a family member has a small (okay large) crisis…and I needed to be there.  It all happened very fast and was definitely a “Whoa Nellie” kind of day…all the way into the night. Things are good now though…and I now know why I came across the verse in Habakkuk, chapter 3, verse 19, yesterday morning.  It talks about the Lord being our strength and making us sure footed.  He really does that on those “Who Nellie” days.  Aren’t we glad?  Of course we are!  My Dirt Roaders are smart and kind and tough.

As usual…I will not leave you with gloom and despair.  I will leave you with the heart shaped sweet potato that I ate on Monday evening.  It was so pretty and delicious…that it deserved a spot on the blog.  If you are in the middle of a “Whoa Nellie” experience friends…just hold on. God is right in the middle of that need. He with be your strength and make sure that your feet don’t slip. He also made sweet potatoes…and I think that was really nice of Him.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

p.s. We are chomping at the bit to open the Etsy shop.  Hopefully it will be any day now!  Woo Hoo!

 

Comfort

23 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

Some days it would be nice to pull the covers up over our heads. Or at least stay cozy with a nice cup of tea.  The real world can be hard can’t it?  The news…even when it’s not election year…can drive you to distraction.  Then we hear of attacks in other places and ours hearts just break.  We search for comfort.  We want to give comfort, and we want to pull comfort close to us.

Lots of the things that I incorporate into our home bring a sense of comfort.  Old things seem comforting to me.  I have a quilt that belonged to my husband’s granny and our little babies have covered up with it for years.  It finally got so tattered that I folded it and put it up.  Special papers that the kids have drawn and handed to us bring a bit of comfort.  Looking out into the pasture at the new calf brings some comfort too.  In hard times…we look harder.  We search more diligently. We need something that tells us…”Hey…it will be okay.”

Sometimes we reach out for comfort food. Something to nourish us physically…when emotionally…we feel a bit lean. I do believe that a warm bowl of something tends to feel like a hug, but even comfort food cannot fix the lean times of the soul.  We need something more for our comfort.

If you have followed this blog any length of time at all, you know where this is going.  We do have hope, sweet ones.  Jesus is alive!  It might look dreary…when Friday rolls around…but come Sunday, HOPE is alive. He won’t leave us hanging.  He will swoop in and rescue us.  Did you know that He is just like a mother hen with her chicks?  He will tuck us under His wing and keep us safe there. That is a wonderful promise!  It is a place of comfort…and that is the real comfort that we can share with others…and wrap around our own selves.

Be brave Dirt Roaders!  Jesus loves us!

Sigturquoise

Down Time

11 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by in heart and soul

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Do you ever get a little glum during down time?  The whole rest of the world is going boom-shack-lacka…and you are all like…”sup?” Sometimes we have to make ourselves enjoy down time.  We have to choose down time.  Sometimes it’s not just healthy emotionally, but physically.

  
Sometimes we have to have a yummy caramel too.  You know…just to liven things up a bit. Lol!

If you are having a bit of down time…enjoy it.  You will be running around like crazy before you know it…or weeding the garden. 😉

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

Life is Messy

03 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in heart and soul, livin' a little healthy

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

,

I posted on Instagram today about poop.  Yes…you read that right poop.  We all know about that.  Sometimes when I post a picture on there, I ask the Lord to just lay something on my heart to encourage someone.  Today…the message was a bit messy.  Life is messy isn’t it?

SONY DSC

 

In the past several months…going on a year now…I have had lots of health issues.  I have had miserable health issues, annoying health issues, and at times…unbearable health issues.  This was all new to me…because for the most part…I was never really bothered with anything like this.  Our family doctor retired…right before this happened…but he recommended a new doctor.  Thankfully my new doctor seems to have me on the right track…and this crazy phenomenon of Firbromyalgia is going to be treated. I had no idea what all could figure into this.  That being said…when I poured my heart and my symptoms out to my new doctor…the nodding of his head was very comforting.  Did you know that too much stress and trauma can break your body down?  Did you know that you need to be kind to your body? Did you know that saying “no” in certain situations is not anti-Christian?  God expects us to use wisdom. All that being said…I am looking forward to feeling better…and focusing on others…not my own situation.  We just had to get it figured out.

IMG_4008

Normally, I am not this transparent on this blog.  We talk about fluffing our nests and we talk about cleaning and food and all of the fun stuff in life. I just wanted to share with my sweet and faithful readers.  I haven’t given up blogging and by the grace of God…I will continue to share His love with you.  We all have hard stuff.  We all have messy lives.  We all have a heap of ashes…but God will swap us for beauty every single time.

IMG_2907-0

You guys are amazing and I plan to post something fun and springy and full of sunshine soon.  If you are are in one of the messy phases…you have my love and sympathy. I will leave you with this thought:

“I have decided to be happy…because it’s good for my health.”

Love from the Farmhouse,

Sigturquoise

 

A New Month to Love

31 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Woo Hoo!  The month of hearts and candy has arrived!  A new month to love.  That sounds promising, don’t you think?

  
One of our daughters loves Feburary.  It’s her favorite month.  I think that it’s pretty fun too.  I’ve already put something on my list for Valentine’s Day.  One of the checker outer ladies at ALDI wears Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana.  You can smell it at the very beginning of her lane!!! It is heavenly.  So clean!  Anyway…I have been wearing the knock off body spray from Wally World called Capri Breeze…until  Cupid (hopefully) remembers. (Mr. hint…hint.) lol! I am not hard to shop for.  I usually know what I want. 😉 

(We got a Chiweenie. Ain’t she presh?)  
(Just threw that in there.)

Okay…this isn’t about February…but have you guys seen the wonderful baskets that Dollar General had been carrying?  Some stores have been sold out…but some still have them.  So fun!!! What a great organizing tool! Just look at those copper handles! Sah-naaaaa-zeeee!

  
I will leave you will a picture of Sweetie Pie Muffin Man.  He is pretty much…smooch-a-lish!!!  Being an aunt is so fun!!!

  
So…enjoy your new month to LOVE!

XO,

Kelli 

Wintry Mix

19 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

It’s cold here Dirt Roaders!!! Very cold!  Tonight they are calling for a wintry mix…and in the Ozarks…that could mean just about anything.

  
I have been cleaning today and prepping a little, just in case the babies get to stay home from school.  Cozy days with them are so fun.

  
I hope that all is well with you…and that you are staying warm! If you are having a wintry mix in your neck of the woods…keep your sock hat handy! 😉

  
Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

p.s.  Our precious pastor is having open heart surgery this week, Lord willing, and I would be so grateful if you would help us pray for him and his sweet wife.  Thank you in advance and may the Lord bless you and yours. ❤️

New Beginnings

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

,

Happy New Year friends! (A few days late…but still.). I hope that all is going well with you.  I have been feeling better lately and that is something to shout “Oh Glory!” over.  It has been a long several months.  Anyway…new beginnings. 

  
I love January.  It’s my favorite month.  I am actually one of those weird folks that tends to enjoy winter.  At least for a while.  I love the coziness of it.  I don’t love icy roads…but I do enjoy softly falling snow.  How about you?

  

(PERSPECTIVE. My word for the year.)

I also love to organize and clean out things in January.  Our big thing so far has been moving the microwave off of the counter.  Can we live without it?  We aren’t sure yet. 

(By the way:  The egg famine is finally over. They love us again. That big one!  Yowch!)

  
  
We have had another new beginning in our family.  A sweet baby nephew.  He is all things wonderful.  A gift from a above.  His tiny little life has done big things to our hearts.

  
I hope that you guys are enjoying the New Year.  I plan to post more now…and to try to get back in the swing.  Life is good and God is amazing.  This blog is a place to treasure all of that.

  
Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli Belli