Tag Archives: country life

Here We Are!

01 Saturday Jan 2022

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Three Hundred and Sixty Five. Sometimes that seems like a lot and sometimes not. Yet…here we are.

Opportunities to love others through actions.

Opportunities to listen. (My word for the year.)

Opportunities to be positive.

Opportunities to laugh.

Most of all three hundred and sixty five opportunities to lift our hearts in praise to Jesus and enjoy life with Him.

Here we are, Friends. May you enjoy all three hundred and sixty five opportunities.

Love from the farmhouse,

Advertisement

It’s Been a Long Time, Friends

22 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by in Christmas, Country Life, crochet, Farmhouse Style, heart and soul, Simply...living

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Hello there. It’s been a minute. I think l asked last year if people still read blogs. I do occasionally. Maybe I need to blow the dust off of this one. Reconnect with you sweet people.

Yesterday was the first day of winter and it was gorgeous.

Those of you that follow in Instaland…probably already know about the heartache in our family. If not, my little brother has been missing since the 17th of December, 2020. So with all of that we have been trying to learn to live in the midst of it. That’s really what we have to do, isn’t it. As unbelievably hard as that is…it’s vital. I have actually done a little therapy and plan to do more. It was just time. I needed someone to help me physically process. You know what…that is absolutely okay. I don’t care about stigma anymore. Quite frankly, none of us should. Our healthy bodies and minds lead to healthy relationships. That is just wisdom.

Sweet baby brother of mine.

So…I know. That is heavy, but I have always tried to be real with my readers. Knowing that God is sovereign is the only thing that makes it doable. Which is basically all of life. We tend to forget that on occasion.

Rockbridge. Missouri is gorgeous at Christmas!

So the Mr. and I had our 26th wedding anniversary this month. It was so fun! He took me to Rockbridge and then we did some shopping. We laughed a lot and just enjoyed being together so much. I love his perspective. There is something about a man’s perspective that is so refreshing to me. I have been blessed with good men in my life and I don’t take that for granted. Anyway…it’s so fun to have a day to just listen and visit and share. He is one of this life’s biggest blessings to me and I am so grateful.

My sweet man watching the trout fisherman.

Okay so elephant in the room…are you ready for Christmas? I think we mostly are. Maybe a few little things. I’m excited for everyone to open their gifts! I will share a few little Christmas decor shots with you. I kept it simple this year. A country Christmas theme.

That little Tonka is fun!
Our daughter made the sweetest gingerbread fellas!
A sweet spot in the kitchen.
And of course some crocks.

On a slightly different note…the ADR Farmhouse Dishrag business has done so well this year. We give God all of the glory. He’s the one that makes it all possible. I am so grateful to be able to work from home like that. In the new year things may look a tad different. We are tossing around new ideas and I’m so exited. Maybe a new design or two. Here’s a little sneak peek:

Mustard is always my favorite.
This new border is so fun!!’

So…from our home to yours, I hope that you have the absolute merriest of Christmases! I hope that you feel the peace of God in all that you do. May the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus, bring hope to your heart this season.

Merry Christmas, Sweet Dirt Roaders.

As the World Turns

04 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in Country Life, crochet, everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

How are you guys!? We are trying to roll with things…you know. (Insert emoji with eyes bugged out.) It’s been a minute since I have been here so I thought that I would stop by. We aren’t talking Soaps today…lol…just showing you a little of what is going on at the Farmhouse…as the world turns.

So quite awhile back I got the urge to paint our hutch. We have had this piece since around 2001ish maybe. I have always loved the white…and still do, but I have been loving all of the black farmhouse things for awhile now. Plus we have lots of white in our home so I went for it. I love Tricorn by Sherwin Williams, so that is what I used . It’s a true black with a finish that seems very early American to me.

She’s not done. Needs another coat…but so far I am pleased. I left the inside white, since that helps with it not absorbing decor. I’m excited to finish it today.

I’ve also been doing a tiny bit of junking lately. I ran across that rustic shelf at the thrift and I knew that as much as I love the cozy things…it needed to come on home with me. (It probably sounds like I’m avoiding the elephant in the room…also known as Corona. I am. Not because we aren’t aware, our son is quarantined due to being exposed, now, but I figure you guys hear enough about that part of the world turning. We need a break from it now and then.) Junking is a beautiful distraction.

So another fun thing happened this week! A friend of mine found this beautiful Philodendron for me! I loooove it. This particular species is…get this…Hope. Everyone needs a little hope in their lives. She found this one at Home Depot. She’s a pretty good old gal…that Brenda G.

One more sweet thing from our little farm and I will sign off for today. You. Guys. Tomato jam! Whyyyyy didn’t someone tell me? I have been canning for years and never knew. It’s so, so, good. You lay down your cracker…add a smidge of cream cheese, and then a little dollop of tomato jam. Soooooo good! Let me know if you need the link…or I can do a blog post and tell you how I made ours.

(This is a side note. Those of you that order dishrags for the holidays…shop is open. Those popcorn rectangles from the ADR Farmhouse Dishrags collection are my favorite!)

Okay…so I hope that as your world turns on this Friday and holiday weekend…things are good. I’m going to leave you with a little something that I found today:

“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;” Jeremiah 1:5

It’s not everywhere in this life that we find comfort and assurance like that. God is in control even if people don’t want to admit it. But to know that there was a time when it was only God and us…and no one else knew about us…that is heartwarming and fills me with awe. It’s a beautiful and loving thing to be alone with God.

Love from the Farmhouse,

How Are You?

18 Saturday Apr 2020

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Hello there, Dirt Roaders! It’s been a minute.  I’m just stopping in to see how everyone is faring during this time. I hope and pray that you are hanging in there.

acs_0394

I feel like that we have been using this time to be more intentional.  We have had a schedule for most days.  All of the kids have homework so we have tried to stay focused with that. More than the homework though I feel like we have grown as a family.  We have utilized our home and farming skills more.

Each day at three we have what we call Driver’s Ed.  We go for dirt road rides and explore.  Most of the roads are well known to us after years of teaching our kids to drive.  After the spring rains though we have discovered so many beautiful creeks.  It’s balm to weary souls during quarantine. We also have lots of Ag class here. There are always farm chores to do and now mowing.  We have Home Economics which consists of house cleaning and cooking.  The kids tell me that having a set schedule helps the days to pass better.  I’m thankful to be able to help them through this.  I feel like God has given us tools to cope and peace through it all.

Are you guys eating take out much?  We have tried to limit that.  I get an ALDI delivery about every two weeks.  We leave them on the porch and wipe them all down with Thieves cleaner before bringing them in.  It’s a whole process…but we just want to keep everyone healthy. We have had drive thru things a time or two.  Mexican take out once and Domino’s once. I cannot lie.  It tasted amazing. lol!

It’s my sincere prayer that this post will encourage you.  I hope that in your time of quarantine that you have grown as a person or a family.  We haven’t taken this lightly. There are so many people hurting and grieving and we are not strangers to that.  At the first of the year we lost my uncle in a tragic accident and were still reeling from that when this hit.  I know that part doesn’t sound very encouraging…but hang on a sec.  The Lord gave us enormous peace and so many miracles through all of that.  That is just the way that He works.

I hope that your are thriving, my friends.  I hope that you are finding a new appreciation for all of the things that you were too rushed to enjoy, before. I hope that each new day inspires you to learn something new or to just pause and breathe in deep.  Maybe you found a new love for your lawn chair or porch swing.  Maybe you have a new ritual of evening tea and a cozy book.  (Dr. Pepper and a cozy book for me. lol!) Whatever you are learning through this…I feel that it will make us better people whenever it’s time to be with people again. I don’t feel that we will take a smile or a handshake for granted.

Let me leave you with this today,

In the book of Jeremiah, chapter 32 verse 27, God says this:

“Behold, I am the Lord God of all flesh: is there anything to hard for me?”

Stay well, Dirt Roaders,

Kelli

 

 

Poor ol’ Blog

12 Monday Aug 2019

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

This poor ol’ blog takes a back seat a lot of the time.

Amongst a busy summer and other stuff up to my eyeballs…I don’t always keep up with it. Shamey, shamey, I know my namey.

I could give you a list of excuses a mile long…all true…but how about I just do better? You guys keep checking in…and that is the sweetest!!!

I hope that you all had an amazing summer…full of all of the good stuff. I hope that God spoke to your hearts in new ways to inspire your life. He sure is good about that.

Love from the Farmhouse,

The Importance of Cozy

06 Monday May 2019

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

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

When you come home at the end of a busy day…cozy is so important. A place to unwind. A place to exhale. A place to “cozy up” as my babies used to say.

A place where you can eat a warm meal or if you don’t feel like cooking…a sandwich to fill your belly. A place where “jammies” as we call them…are the dress code.

It’s so nice to have a favorite spot to take a good book and a cozy throw. Even in the warmer months when the a/c is blasting. Sometimes that is my favorite time to cover up. I grew up with window air, at my dad’s, that would freeze you out. Talk about some good sleeping. Lol! Maybe it was the hum of the air conditioner. It was absolutely cozy…because I had a…wait for it…waterbed! Lol!

One of the coziest homes that I have ever been in was when my mom and stepdad lived in a tiny blue house. It was the most relaxing little place. My room had a fluffy feather bead and it felt like a cloud after a long day. We had a wood stove to warm up by in the winter. My mom has always been good at creating a cozy atmosphere. She takes that with her no matter where she lives. That is one of the many things that I love about her. She knows the importance of cozy.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Dirt Road Happenings and Blog Thoughts

02 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in everyday stuff, Farmhouse Style, RaMbLiNgs

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

, , , , , ,

So it’s been a little while. I hope that all is well on the home front. We have been crazy busy and I have kept this little blog up on the shelf for a bit. Just a few dirt road happenings…but first a question:

Do people still read blogs?

Seriously. In the world of Instagram, where you get a little shot in the arm, which is like a speedy blog post, do people still read blogs? Just curious. I would love your input!!!

Okay…on to other things.

While I haven’t been blogging, I have been keeping up (trying to) with the Mr. and the kids. AND crocheting up a storm. I have a little Farmhouse Dishrag business that the Lord has just blown the doors off of…so I have been busy…and thankful!!! I love creating…so this is perfect.

It’s so fun to send little bits of our home to the homes of others.

Anyway…I hope that you all are well and joyful. I hope that life is treating you good and that you feel the love of Jesus from your crown to your pinky toes.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Happy Thanksgiving ‘18

22 Thursday Nov 2018

Posted by in heart and soul, holidays

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

You guys! Thanksgiving ’18 is about to begin. What are we gonna do with it? Eat too much? Maybe. Wear stretchy clothes? Maybe. Be spiritually aware of those around us…listening more…and waiting for God’s nudge? Definitely.

My Maw Maw is celebrating in Heaven today. This will be the first Thanksgiving that my momma and her family will have to go through without her. Knowing about grief myself, I understand. Today…amidst being thankful…by God’s grace…I plan to just be available. A shoulder, a hug, a smile, or laughter. I want to be sensitive to their needs. I understand the depth of this. Five years ago during Thanksgiving, we were waiting to bury my sweet daddy. So with that in mind…I want to be very sensitive today. Thankful…and aware. I’m not sure why I feel this so heavy on my heart. Maybe you all need it too.

So…let’s move on a bit. Do you all bake tons of pie? We are actually switching it up and having fajitas with my parents. I made a huge batch of fresh salsa last night. Our girls made custard pie and our famous Granny Ruby’s chocolate chip cookies to take. My sweet husband loves pie. I need to make a New Year’s resolution to make him one a week. That would be fun!

Whatever your traditions…may the be blessed. May you feel Jesus at your holiday table. May you remember to listen today…and step in…wherever the Lord wants you to serve. That is my prayer for our own day.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Aww…thanks

29 Wednesday Aug 2018

Posted by in everyday stuff, heart and soul, Simply...living

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

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,