Are You a Planner?

28 Friday Mar 2014

Hey Guys! It’s Friday! Woo Hoo! Aren’t we glad? Today I have a question for you and I would love a bazillion replies! Are you a planner? As in…meal planner. Do you plan out what you are going to have a week ahead, and then cook accordingly?

I follow people on IG that do this. It looks truly amazing. I think that I have shared with you before about the fact that when I grocery shop…I buy plenty of meats and veggies to have several meals to cook. I sort of plan it in my head…but it’s more like I give us options instead of exactly planning it out.

Sometimes I wonder how I would do with a more strategic plan instead of cooking on the fly. I do usually think about it the evening before. You see…the thing is…these people that have these beautiful little meal planner thingys, well…it looks so fun. I have always been crazy about pens, pencils and fun stationery. So I have an ulterior motive for this meal planning. 🙂

I would love to hear your plan. Are you a planner? Are you a last minute whipper-upper? Please…I gotta know!

Dreaming of pretty paper,

Weather Report

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, everyday stuff

≈ 2 Comments

Okay. Let’s talk weather. How is it in your neck of the woods? I see folks that are still getting tons of snow on Instagram! We don’t have snow here right now…but the weather report here…is quite breezy. Usually by this time of year we are having some pretty warm days. Last night my FIL told me that it was supposed to snow in APRIL! That will be interesting. I told him that I guessed that there wasn’t anything that we could do about it. We don’t get to decide on the weather, do we? 🙂

What is the DIY weather at your house? Are you up to your elbows in floods of ripping out the old and installing the new? We aren’t doing much of that here. The Mr. did install a new thingy in the toilet tank since ours broke. Now you can flush it with the handle again. So thankful to have a Mr. that will fix things. I love you…Mr. Dirt Road. (Pardon the mush…but a fixed toilet deserves public applause.)

How about the cooking weather? Are you in your kitchen, whipping up clouds of meringue? Are the winds of new recipes swirling in your head? I have been thinking on something for our church Easter dinner. I need to do a trial run, here at home, first though.

I hope that Wednesday is good to you. I have a sick baby in the nest today. I guess the weather or the pollen or something is not being kind in the school system. There have been lots of kids with the sickies. I do know this though…Lord willing…it will be summer one of these days and that is my favorite weather.

Love from the dirt road,

Cranking it Out

24 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ 2 Comments

Well, Dirt Roaders, here we are again. It’s Monday. Some people love it…others, not so much. I don’t really have an issue with Monday…but it sure isn’t Thursday. I have, what seems to be, a million things that need doing today. Well, this week really. I need to be cranking it out. How bout you?

The Mr. bought an amazing Groupon a while back and I need to dig out an old shot that I took of him and the little Mr. The Groupon was for two big canvases for an amazing price. That also means that in the next couple of days, I need to do a family photo shoot…of our family. I’m very excited to get a new family picture for our family room. It’s been a while. Like the one that is up there…is going on ten years old. Yeah…nuts.

I also need to clean this Farmhouse. Last week was full from beginning to end with craziness. Things that had to be done and some things that I thought I would never face until I was old and gray. That is just how life is though. God knows exactly where we are. I am very thankful for that. By the way, I promised a shot of mom with her new teeth. They are beautiful. I am so happy for her.

Well…I hope that your Monday is productive. I hope that you get everything done that you wanted to accomplish. Those days are my favorite. I like to get things done.

Cranking it out,

Teeth

21 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ 6 Comments

Today….I am blogging to you from the dentist’s office. I know. I’m rad like that. 😉 My mom is getting her new teeth today. Since I am such a sweet daughter…this is her prizey.

All of those Billy Bob teeth from the quarter machines can come in handy.

I hope that your Friday is awesome and that your Saturday is relaxing. May you find time to cherish your blessings.

Love from the waiting room,

Kelli

Spring…is that really you?

20 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

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Hey gang! I hope that today is good. We have had a busy and stressful week so today I am trying to play catch up. I didn’t want to fail to leave something for you though…so I am doing phone blogging today. My heart is warmed with the thought that spring might just be here to stay.

We have been taking little dirt road rides and enjoying our little neck of the woods lately. The grass shows promise of greening and the baby cows are being born left and right.

As far as projects go….I am thinking about dragging my Longaberger baskets out of hiding…after seeing this shot. This is from Country Living. Aren’t those baskets amazing!? It inspired me…in the laundry room dept. I will let you know what I come up with. 😉

I hope that your blessings are many and I hope that we really are seeing the face of spring.

Kelli

New Life at the Farmhouse

17 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Kelli in Country Life, Farmhouse Photography

≈ 2 Comments

Hey Dirt Roaders! I’m back! It’s been awhile. I decided to take off a bit for Spring Break. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. We had a really good time, just relaxing and enjoying each other. We were also blessed with some new life at the Farmhouse. We were all very, very, excited!

This little mama does an amazing job. She was getting very broody…so the Mr. marked some eggs for her. She sat on them…and now, Goldie, has a little family of four. We are so proud of her.

We also have two very spoiled goats at the Farmhouse, Myrtle and Peanut. We love them to pieces…but they are rotten. They bring us lots of entertainment though.

Do you have any big spring projects on the agenda? We have a few. I have been cleaning out here and there in the house. I kinda slacked off on my 40 Bags in 40 Days with our little vacay…but I’m ready to get back on track. I am also really anxious to get started outside. My herb bed needs a lot of TLC!

The sun is shining today and I am glad. I’m hoping that the snow is gone until next winter. I hope that you have a wonderful Monday, Dirt Roaders!

Happy to be back,

Spring Cleaning

06 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

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Next week is Spring Break in our neck of the woods. I am excited about that. Our kids have been out a ton for snow this year, but next week the temps are supposed to be good. That sounds so refreshing after a long winter. We have actually taken advantage of our time inside lately and started our spring cleaning.

This year I have been so excited for it to warm up, that I am trying to get things done inside. I love to decorate our home and I love to “make a home” for us…but in the summer it’s a bit more casual around here. It has to be. Once the garden comes on…there is lots to do. I just want to have things cleaned out and simplified for those warm days when we can work and play outside.

My friend Ann Marie from White House Black Shutters is doing this amazing thing again this year. It’s called 40 Bags in 40 Days 2014. It started yesterday…but it’s never too late. You just clean out one bag of stuff a day. It may be trash or stuff to send to the thrift…but whatever it is…just one bag! Check it out. You will love it. Simplifying is fun to me. It just helps me breathe easier.

I catch myself daydreaming about being outside lately. Are you feeling that way? We aren’t used to this much winter. Usually by this time…we have thought more towards gardening. The Mr. did go out and spread some straw…but that is about as far as it has went. Maybe next week we will be able to do more of that. Exciting!

In other news…we have a little hen named Goldie trying to raise a little family out there in the chicken house. We are so excited. She was getting broody so my husband marked some eggs for her to hatch. Won’t that be sweet?

I hope that things are feeling springy at your house, Dirt Roaders. Sometimes we go though a season in life that lets us appreciate the others more. I have been cleaning of cabinets and organizing things…in hopes of enjoying the next season more thoroughly. I guess that I am getting broody like Goldie. I am just fluffing my nest though…not hatching anything. 😉

Love from the Farmhouse,

Dropping By

04 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff

≈ 2 Comments

Guess what? We are out of school, once again, for bad weather. Isn’t it crazy this year? (Phone blogging today…cause I need to hurry.)

I have lots to do today, with the kids here, because the schools sent work home this time. I am glad. We have been out so much…I was worrying a bit about their education.

Anyway…I just wanted to drop by. Hopefully soon…I will have springy posts with lots of inspiration for you. Today, I am going to make Chicken Rice Soup and “homeschool” our kids.

Have a cozy Tuesday!

Kelli

Instagramin’

26 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

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Hey guys! How is life treatin’ ya? We are hanging in there. I thought that I would catch you up to speed on Instagram a bit today.

Do you love Instagram? I do. I actually enjoy it more than Facebook. That’s just me.

We are all so ready for spring…and it’s supposed to snow! Waaaaah!

I hope that your day is delightful!

See you on Instagram!

Kelli

Pyrex Adventure

24 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in Culinary Style, Farmhouse Style

≈ 6 Comments

Mom and I had an adventure last Friday. Instead of our usual junk stops…we headed south and went to some little “honey holes” that she knew of. We weren’t looking for a Pyrex adventure, the Pyrex adventure just kind of found us.

We both have a crazy love for bowls. We also love Pyrex. The great thing is…it’s not something that we just collect. We use them. I have actually trimmed my collection down, in recent years. I only keep what we actually use. I just breathe better when I can reach in the cabinet and have a little space. Plus…they are fun to give as prizeys.

So here we are in a little town, way off down the road and we happen upon to this little flea market of sorts. We piddle around and find all sorts of goodies. (I will share more of them with you later.) I spotted, what I thought was a stack of three Cinderella bowls, (The kind that the handles double as pour spouts.) and I loved the pattern. I found out later that it’s called Town and Country. Well…to make a long story short, we left and then I decided that the girls and I could really benefit from that big mixing bowl, so we went back. The sad part was…the bowl that was stacked in the middle didn’t match. So…after a little wheeling and dealing…we walked away with two. Bowls 1 and 3. Now I need 2 and 4. 😉 How fun…to have something to scout for!

A few years back…Mom started collecting “The Stack” for my brother and I. I love them. They are so bright and cheery. Mine actually needs a different turquoise bowl because that one goes with a different set. I will have to keep my eyes peeled.

Do you ever see the Pyrex refrigerator dishes when you are out and about? I love those for our little coffee drawer. They are perfect for holding packets of Stevia and Splenda. They also work good for pickles and olives.

I have been craving simplicity lately. I have been longing to have my things done in the house so that when warmer days are here to stay, I can focus on things outside. When I am out junking with mom or my MIL or a friend…I usually try to be pretty choosey. We go often enough that I don’t want to have a junk overload. Plus…we try to live on a budget. Most of the time…I try to make sure that it’s something that we will actually use. It’s also fun to have a few little things on hand in case you need a gift. How fun to give a vintage bowl…tied with a piece of twine, sporting a pretty tag!

I hope that you enjoyed our little Pyrex adventure, Dirt Roaders. Isn’t it fun to share things with someone that you love? It’s like they are speaking your language.

Smiles from the Farmhouse,