God’s Unexpected Blessings

20 Thursday Feb 2014

Yesterday, a friend and I had a little ” food delivery adventure.” We had a really good time of non-stop talking, laughter and tears, on the way there and back. The day was bright and sunny and we even got to stop in at one of our favorite little “honey holes” that was on the way. I picked up a little wooden rabbit. I will show her to you as soon as I get her all cozied up on the mantle. I think that I will name her Brenda. (That is the friend from yesterday’s adventure. She is also my husband’s cousin.)

I didn’t know that Brenda was going to go with me. At the last minute…she asked if I wanted a rider. Of course I did. We climbed up into ol’ Henrietta (Our Expedition. Yes…her name is Henrietta Ford.) and away we went. It was one of those times when you are thinking “God this is from You. You knew that we needed this.” It was a couple of hours of God’s unexpected blessings.

You see…Brenda has been though some things in her life. So have I. We all have. Sometimes…the greatest therapy is with a friend that looks you in the eye and nods their head. Even in that…we weren’t just connecting though understanding…we were connecting by heart…because we both believe that Jesus loves us…and that He will take us through.

Do you know that Jesus loves you, sweet Dirt Roaders? He does. We all have hard times in life, but He provides us with strength and unexpected blessings. Someday…when I am stronger…I will tell you things that He has done for us in the past few months. Right now…just trust me, when I tell you…that He has unexpected blessings for you.

Love from our dirt road…to yours,

Back in the Groove

18 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

≈ 4 Comments

I have a confession to make. My Valentine mantle is torn down…but it’s not spruced up for spring yet. It has been crazy in the Ozarks, as far as weather goes, this year. Our schools have had tons of snow days. Hopefully, we are on the upswing now though. Someone did say that the Farmer’s Almanac predicts another big snow in March. We shall see.

Last year’s mantle:

So today….I am trying to get back in the groove. After two weeks of snow days and then a four day weekend…that is kinda hard. It’s awfully quiet around here. Quiet is good sometimes. 😉

I need to pick stuff up around the Farmhouse today. I also need to go to the grocery store at some point. I’m thinkin’ on spaghetti for supper. For some reason I have had a hankerin’ for spaghetti lately. Do you ever just get a hankerin’? (I’m laughing inside…thinking about those of you that probably never use that word. Try it…you might like it.)

I am getting the itch to plant flowers. Right now I just tend to my houseplants which helps a lot. (I saw some darling little cacti at Home Depot!) Digging in the yard is therapy though. This year…I think that I will appreciate that more than most. Yesterday…the Mr…totally whacked my Butterfly Bush down to a nub! I could not believe it. The upside is…now I can see my herb bed out the window. He said that the ice and snow had broken it. I said “What if you killed it?” He said “We will buy another one.” He said…she said…you know how it goes. He is a good ol’ guy.

I hope that you have an amazing day, Dirt Roaders. I met up with one of you on our trip. The words of encouragement that you spoke to me about this blog…well, it makes it all worth while. I hope that God warms the heart of each and every one of you today…while we are all getting back in the groove.

Shine…make ’em wonder what you got!

Happy Valentine’s Day 2014

14 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul

≈ 2 Comments

Happy Valentine’s Day 2014…from the Farmhouse.

I hope that you are surrounded by the ones that you love…or at least get to chat with them.

I hope that we all love a little extra today.

This morning in my quiet time…I was focusing on asking God for help in serving others. I want my life to be about those around me, because that is what truly brings joy. I want to focus on others while they are speaking to let them know that I care. This is a challenge for someone with my attention span, but by the grace of the Almighty…it can be done.

Life is a constant growth process isn’t it? That makes me happy to know that I don’t have to always get it right. Since we are covered in grace…we just keep trying. That is the key. I think that it’s a lovely Valentine’s Day thought. How about this, sweet Dirt Roaders: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son….” John 3:16 is the ultimate gift of love.

Growing and growing,

Pining for Spring

12 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, fluffin' the nest

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Okay. I’m going to admit it. (Do most of my posts start with the word…okay???) I am pining for Spring. It’s not quite as bad as it was…because I have accepted the fact that it’s winter, but just the same, I plan on putting “spring” on our mantle as soon as Valentine’s Day is over.

I may have the chance to run in Target this weekend. If so I will have to dart my eyeballs around for springy things. That sounds so fun. Eeeeeep!

Do you love to decorate for spring and summer? I do. Fall is actually my favorite to fluff the nest up over…but I love the laid back feel of light and airy spring and summer decor. I am a casual old soul…through and through.

I’m getting excited to put little speckled eggs out and around. I will have to dig out my faux Easter bunny too. For some reason…bunny things have been catching my eye on Pinterest. Have you be noticing the abundance of that lately. Folks are getting anxious for that season, after a long winter, I’m guessing.

I’m also looking forward to changing the wreath out on our front door. I’m not sure what I will go with for spring. Maybe I will just tweak one that is down in the basement. I think that I have one with a little bird nest on it. Some years…we get a real birds nest in it. Then I beg the Mr. to leave it and the little eggs. Then we have bird poop everywhere and Momma Bird flying into the house. Yes…I know. It’s not very practical to leave the bird family on the front door wreath…but…it’s sweet. 😉

I hope that your Wednesday is full of blessings from above. I hope that the promise of spring and the longer days make your hearts swell because of the creativity of the Creator. There are so many things that He put here for us to enjoy and appreciate. Let’s soak it up, Dirt Roaders!

Looking forward,

Just Putterin’ Around

11 Tuesday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

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Do you ever just putter around your house? I love those days. Usually, I call it “piddling.” So does my mom. You know…not really cleaning…but just moving things around. It’s so fun. Actually, today I did clean some and do laundry, but now I’m gonna piddle and putter, once I get this blog post up and running. Ha!

Last week when we had a snow day, (one of many) I got a wild hair and hung a few iron skillets. Today…I swapped one out…so that they are all Lodge. Those kinds of things make me happy.

One reason that I hung them up was because it’s so much more handy. If you have much experience with cast iron, you know that they are pretty heavy. I had mine in an upper cabinet. These two are pre-seasoned…so they don’t require as much attention. I love that. I was also really pleased with the way that they looked against the beadboard. I am loving my new approach to decor. If you love it, keep it and use it, if not…give it away.

I have had a hard time with our mantle opening lately. I finally decided to use a piece of ticking to hang my boxwood wreath. I still wasn’t sure, but it’s growing on me. I love the brightness of it.

Lastly, I have tweaked this little bench several times since getting this new pillow. I swap the pillows back and forth. Then I move one and then I put it back. It’s there to stay for now.

I am aware of the fact that there are much bigger issues in life than puttering around. I also believe that once you pray about them and give them to God, He expects us to live life and to try to do it joyfully. If He made you a creative soul…enjoy it. If He made you an analytical person…analyze. If He made you an organizer…by all means…add some order to this world. If He gave you the ability to enjoy puttering around…putter away.

Movin’ and groovin’,

Farmhouse Valentine Mantle

10 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

Okay. Here’s the scoop. I don’t really decorate much for Valentine’s Day. I put out this little vintage card that I found in an antique dresser and the little heart shaped tin and I call it good.

This year though…I was inspired by all of my Instagram buddies and just gussied up the mantle a tad. Plus, our kids get excited about Valentine’s Day and I wanted to do it for them. Having them to focus on since the loss of my sweet daddy, has helped so much. The love and support of my wonderful husband has too. Sometimes…you do things…not because you want to, but because you need to.

I was just thinking this morning about this blog. I don’t do much DIY. I know. I can hear you. “Nooooooooo! We hadn’t noticed.” Here’s lowdown on that. I just don’t keep a project going all of the time. Here is another tidbit about me. The blogs that I love to read…are not so much about DIY. I love to read blogs about finding good junk and decorating. See? I’m giving you what I love. A piece of my heart. (See what I did there? Heart…Valentine’s Day. Okay. I’ll stop.)

I hope that you enjoyed our very simple Farmhouse Valentine Mantle. It was fun. I have noticed that if I try to fru fru things up too much I just tear them back down and go simple again. I’m okay with that. 😉

I hope that you have a lovely Monday, Dirt Roaders! Shine on!

Saturday Night at the Farmhouse

08 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

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Whatcha doing? We are just hanging out. We had a yummy supper of Shrimp and Corn Chowder and now we are just kicked back and relaxing a little. Relaxing is a good thing isn’t it!? Saturday nights at the Farmhouse are good for that.

Did I ever show you the prizey that I got a while back? My sweet friend Valerie was thinking of me. She sent me this vintage Pepperidge Farm Cookbook. It was wrapped in the most adorable feed sack. Aren’t prizey’s fun? I agree.

I checked Ebay out a bit today. They have lots of Currier and Ives goodies. The only bad part is when you have to pay a lot of shipping. I love the pie plates. I may have mentioned that the other day. It’s fun to check Ebay out though and see what all they have.

Well, I just wanted to pop in a say “hi” actually. We have had a whole week of snow days. They cleaned our church parking lot off today, so we will get to have service tomorrow. We are excited for that. Nourishment for the heart and soul.

I hope that you have an amazing day of rest. You deserve it. God said. 😉

My Favorite Room

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

≈ 8 Comments

Do you guys have a favorite room to decorate and to buy things for. I do. Can you guess which one that it is? I’m sure that this isn’t hard.

Yes. It’s our kitchen. I love to go junking and find vintage kitchen “things.” Now, that being said, I don’t enjoy clutter…so when you come to my house it’s not unusual for you to leave with something…because I like to keep my treasures at a minimum.

My newest love is the blue and white Currier & Ives dishes. For years I have had a few blue and white pieces…but the Currier and Ives were made with a blue that captures my heart. It’s a little more on the side of navy and a little shy from purple. Does that make sense? Of course it does. My Dirt Roaders are smart.

What is it about blue that makes my heart sing? It has always been my favorite. Isn’t that a fun thing to know about yourself? It’s always a little sad to me when someone says that they don’t know their favorite color. I have several that I love (that is the creative in me) but I could answer “blue” without hesitation.

For years I didn’t really decorate with blue. Isn’t that crazy? It wasn’t super-trendy for a while. Shame on me. I say that because of this one reason: I have never been happier with my junking finds and my decor…than I am now. I guess that I just needed to hone in on what I really loved and let the rest go. This is a good place to be. Sometimes…I think that it comes with age. Eeeeeeek! lol! Did I just admit that? Please pass the Oil of Olay.

I know that I have asked you all a dozen times if you follow Miss Mustard Seed. I love her blog. I think that it was one of those moments…where you just happen upon someone that has similar tastes and you hear angels singing. Okay…not really..but her style is amazing to me. It’s such a mix of farmhouse style and elegance. I love that. Plus…it’s full of BLUE! 😉 Heavenly. (The baker’s twine that is wrapped around my butter paddle…that was inspired by her photos. I always want to give credit, where credit is due.)

I hope that your day is lovely…after all…it’s Thursday! My favorite! If you have a minute…leave me a comment! I love to hear from you. Tell me your favorite room to decorate and go junkin’ for. I really wanna know!

Living kinda cray-cray after all of these snow days,

Delightful Glass

03 Monday Feb 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

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Do you have a glass obsession? I wouldn’t say that I’m obsessed with it. I do think that glass is delightful. It always catches my eye. There is something fun about big antique jars, to store things in. I love it that they now make “antique looking” jars that don’t bear such a hefty price tag too.

You know what? There is one antique that has evaded my possession all of these years. I love the old glass churns. I just can’t make myself pay what they want for them. I do agree that they are worth it…in most cases. Maybe one day I will happen upon one that is just meant for me. 😉 Right now, I am treasuring the cake plate that came from Nanny’s house. I always will. For some reason she wanted to make sure that it came to live with us. Maybe she thought that I would keep goodies underneath it. That makes me smile.

You all already know that I love the antique Ball jars. I love the clear glass…but the blue are my fave. Surprised? I didn’t think so. They just add “happy” to the Farmhouse. It’s a good thing to love the things that you surround your family with. I say “love” lightly. We know that “love” is actually not to be bestowed upon things…but God and others. I do think that it’s important to try to make a happy home full of peace for your family. A refuge from this crazy ol’ world? Yes, please.

I hope that your Monday is good. I hope that you are inspired by delightful glass. Home decor doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg…especially if you are into junking. I’m so glad that I am.

Loving the simple things,

Old School at the Farmhouse

31 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by Kelli in Farmhouse Style

≈ 4 Comments

Did I ever show you the lockers that I purchased? I will have to check and see. Right after I got them we had lots of trauma in our family and some of those weeks are a fog. Thank you for being patient with me. God is good isn’t He? He carries us…when we can’t walk by ourselves. I had to throw that in. He has been so good to us. Anyway, I will be right back, because I want to share with you a little old school at the Farmhouse today, but I don’t want to be redundant. You are welcome.

Aren’t they fun. They have certainly simplified things. All of our stuff for daily living is still there…just organized a bit better…and out of sight. We could paint them…but I kinda dig the old school gray. A big thank you to the Mr. for hefting them home. They are super heavy!

How about a picture or two from my junkin’ trip this week? I didn’t think that you would mind. 😉

Have a wonderful weekend!