Dirt Road Adventures: Rainy Days and A Week of Christmas Inspiration
Happy Sunday, and welcome to Dirt Road Adventures! This is where we review all the exciting events behind the scenes, on the website, and the sources of inspiration I discovered online during the past week. This weekly recap ensures you don’t miss any of our adventures here at the end of our Dirt Road.

Hey Friends, it’s been a rainy week, but the rain was much needed. Our crepe myrtle trees are full of blooms, and the rain has them weighted down until they are touching the ground. It was a good week to stay indoors and to begin planning for Christmas. I’ve been sharing a week of Christmas in July. I’ve shared everything from crafts to start now to my favorite decor to shop for before everything sells out. I also took a look back at the past 9 years of Christmas trees since we have been at The Ponds Farmhouse. I hope you found some inspiration.
Rudy has been a little upset with all the rain and thunder. He finally came out of the closet today when there was a break in the rain.

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Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road
This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.
It was Christmas in July all week, and the plan was to help you make your holiday plans to beat the busiest time of the year. But don’t worry, because it’s still very much summer, and I’ll be sharing more summer decorating ideas next week. So stay tuned. But in the meantime, let’s take a look at last week.
In Case You Missed It

Christmas In July: 10 DIY Projects To Start Now For The Holidays
Welcome, friends, to my Christmas in July DIY project ideas! This is the perfect time to get a head start on your holiday decorating. It’s hot outside, and a great way to stay cool is to stay indoors and craft!

Christmas In July – Christmas Past Tour
Happy Christmas in July! Are you ready to start planning for your holiday decorating? We have been discussing the trend for sustainable holiday decorating, which includes handcrafted decorations, just like our ancestors made in days gone by.

Beat The Holiday Rush: My Favorite Christmas Decor To Shop In July
Hey Friends, we’ve all been there! We find the perfect tree or wreath for our holiday decorating, only to find it’s already sold out.

Christmas In July: Easy DIY Gift Wrap Ideas + Free Printables
Hey friends, it’s Christmas in July, and it’s never too early to start getting your gift wrap ideas in order. With these creative ideas and free printables.

Rustic & Modern Farmhouse Christmas Tree Ideas: 9 Years Of Inspiration
Can you believe that December of 2026 will mark 10 years of celebrating Christmas at The Ponds Farmhouse? In anticipation of that huge milestone, I thought we’d take a walk down memory lane for this year’s Christmas in July.

32 + Sustainable Christmas Craft Ideas & Trends
Are you thinking about Christmas here in the heat of July? It’s hard to believe, but we are already starting to plan Christmas Craft Ideas here at the farmhouse.
Adventures Off The Dirt Road
Why Didn’t I Think of That?
There are so many wonderful blog posts each week, and I’m sharing some of my favorites with you today.
There are so many creative ideas, and I’m always asking myself, “Why didn’t I think of that”? LOL
- I have never thought about using napkin decoupage on a basket, but it’s so cute. See KariAnn’s tutorial.
- If you love creative holiday crafts, check out Mary Jo’s Christmas in July 30 Craft Ideas.
- I can’t believe how good-looking these greenery wreaths are. This garland is also a favorite. They will sell out quickly.
- Have you ever made Salt Dough ornaments? I’m saving this one to try this year.
- These are the cutest ice cream cone ornaments! CoCo shared a step-by-step tutorial.
- If you have flowers fading away in your garden, you will love Jennifer’s 15 Things to do with Flowers (without putting them in a vase).
What’s in my Cart
Since it was all about Christmas last week, I added several holiday items to my cart. I want to get ahead of the busy season and ensure that I get the items I plan to use. Many items will sell out quickly. Just click the images below to see my favorites.


I’ve also been getting ready for our upcoming European Cruise. Here are some of the pieces I’ve added to my wardrobe. Click the images below to see the links to these outfits and more. Plus… many of these items are now on sale!


MORE SALE ITEMS: My Favorite Tee Shirt, which I now own in 5 of the 20 colors available. The sleeve length is perfect for summer, or cooler weather, and the waist is cinched for a slimming look.


Here are my favorite necklaces and other jewelry for the summer.
And I’m obsessed with Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale – So many great deals. Click images below to shop some of my favorites. Or to shop the whole sale – click here.

I hope you have the best week.

