Category Archives: Simply…living

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

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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,

Just a Quick Line

30 Wednesday May 2018

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Guys! There you are and here I am. Just popping in with a quick line because….May is crazy! It almost rates right up there with December on the busy scale. Our kiddos have been a bit busier than usual so that means mom is too. So…before I pop back off of here and clean this house a bit…a few pictures from the Farmhouse.

If you follow on IG you know that a few beeish things have been abuzz here. There is something very earthy and summer-esque about honey. Anyway…it’s been fun. I have some friends that have inspired this new little love. Thanks Maranda and Kristy!!!

Do you guys have your Americana decor up and running? I have been adding touches here and there. So much fun!!!

Whatever you guys are up to I hope that your summer (almost) is off to a great start!!! Okay…now off to clean a little before I have to make my next kid drop off.

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 →

Happy Thanksgiving

22 Wednesday Nov 2017

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This is always a tough week for me. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, as far as the gatherings go. I love the meaning of Christmas…but the commercial side…flips my wig a little. Overwhelms me. Anyway…this is also the week that my sweet daddy went to be with Jesus, four years ago. But…even in that…there is a place for…happy Thanksgiving.

Today when I opened my verse of the day…this was it:

This is the verse that we chose to put on Dad’s stone. Coincidence? I think not. I think that God is so personal in our everyday lives that He parents us. All of us. We just have to listen with an open heart. “With all your heart.”

My parents were so young and crazy. We grew up together. That being said…I feel like I got the best of both of them. That makes me feel loved in a way that I cannot explain. Lord…I am so thankful for the intricate things that you do.

Last night we had Thanksgiving with our babies. We paused to give thanks, taking turns. I sat there and relished their words…but also their sweet faces. It’s always a bit vulnerable when your turn rolls around. I gave thanks for underserved grace, my husband, and then our children. Our kids will always be my greatest accomplishment on this earth. I do not take that lightly and I know that it was a gift given between the Almighty, my husband, and myself.

I hope that your Thanksgiving is full to the brim. I hope that you enjoy it “with all your heart.” I hope that you look at your kids, like my daddy was looking at me, in the photo above. Most of all though…I hope that you feel the presence of Jesus in every corner of your life. He is good to gently flood into a life like that.

Happy Thanksgiving, sweet Dirt Roaders,

Tucking In

12 Thursday Oct 2017

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When the days grow shorter, do you find yourself tucking in? Gettting chores done earlier is a must around here. Then evening comes earlier and sometimes bedtime.


The Mr. loves this time of year. The time to tuck in the garden, on the years that we have one. The time to make sure the livestock are prepared for the colder months. Also…time to tuck in the swimming pool until spring.


I love fall and winter evenings with a good cup of tea. Maybe a cozy throw too. Just soaking up family life. 


May you and yours be tucked in, all nice and cozy, on this Thursday evening. I would love to hear some of your cozy season favorites!

Love from the Farmhouse,

A Little Bit of Country For You

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

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I posted a little thingy on Facebook last week that said this: “I would rather hear cows mooing than horns honking.” It’s true, but not everyone feels that way and I totally respect that. Today though…I thought that I would post a little bit of country for you. You know…just in case you love it.


We have been helping one of our kids learn to drive this summer. That means lots of dirt road rides. One day we had Mamaw with us and we decided to take a new path. We wound up by some of our relative’s home place and the cemetery where our kid’s great-great- great-grandparents are. How crazy is that? Folks don’t stray far from home in these Ozark hills. Anyway…it was a gorgeous place…out in the middle of nowhere. My favorite kind of adventure. 


I wish that I had snapped a picture of the beautiful pasture full of round bales. There were so many and it was gorgeous. One of my favorite summer views. I’ll share a picture of  Gingerbread instead. She loves hay too. 


It’s been rainy out here on the dirt road. Although we are enjoying the cooler weather…we are missing the swimming pool. It has been nice and cozy though.


And all of that coziness makes you want to  turn your home decor in the direction of fall.


I have been clearing off a few spaces and rearranging a little. You know…just in case a pumpkin needs a place to sit. 😉 You “nebber” know! (As my little brother used to say.)


So…a little bit of country for you on this Tuesday. I hope that your day is peaceful and that the love of Jesus warms you from the inside out.

Love from the Farmhouse,

You Made It!

21 Friday Jul 2017

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It’s Fri-Yay! You made it!!! Did your week fly or did it plod? That seems to make a lot of difference doesn’t it?


Whatever the speed of your week…I hope that it was a productive one. It has been so hot here in the Ozarks that you have to be a little more selective about the time of day that you do certain chores. Of course…it is summer…so heat comes with it. 


I hope that your weekend is relaxing. I hope that you get to spend it with those that you love, God, family and friends. Maybe you will even sneak in a junkin’ trip or two. That sounds fun!!! (I have been looking at Mason Cash mixing bowls online. Oh goodness. All the heart eyes!) 


(Pinterest masoncash.co.uk)

Got a little side tracked there. Lol! But seriously….GOR JESSSSSS! 

Okay…so you all have a blessed weekend!

Love from the Farmhouse,

Weekend Vibes

26 Friday May 2017

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Holiday weekends are fun aren’t they? While we remember those that have given their lives to protect us…and our loved ones that have went on to Heaven…we usually gather with family. That is such a gift. I learn that more and more…the older I get. So weekend vibes feel alive and well today.


We have new babies on the farm, so with feeding them four times a day, our weekend vibe will be busy. We have a momma goat that totally would not feed her twins. Then another that only took one. Sooooo…we are striving to give these babies the best chance possible. 


Whatever you guys do this weekend…may Jesus bless you and warm your heart. May you quietly look around and absorb the love of your family. That is one of my favorite things to do. I used to see my dad doing that. He would just be enjoying his family and sitting there with a little smile. My granddad was the same way. I have been blessed with good teachers. 


Happy Memorial Day from the Farmhouse.