Dirt Road Adventures: A Beautiful 4th Of July Weekend, Summer Decor, & Overcoming Fear
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, I hope your 4th of July weekend has been a blast. This past week has been somewhat challenging, but I still managed to share a few new ideas with you. I’ve survived another first week after chemotherapy, and I must say it doesn’t get easier. However, I’ve been blessed with some family time, and I know this, too, shall pass.
We didn’t get to attend our usual 4th of July bash at the beach because of my immune system. So we were home all weekend.
We spent most of the holiday weekend by the pool and even enjoyed a small Low Country Boil with our daughter on Thursday evening before my period of isolation. The weather was perfect, and I feel very blessed for my family and my continued healing.


I feel this treatment has been a test of faith and overcoming fear. You can read more about my journey in My Cancer Journal.
(Posts on The Ponds Farmhouse may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See the full disclosure details here.)
Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road
This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.
In Case You Missed It

10 Perfect Baked Zucchini Recipes
Hey friends, one of my favorite and easiest vegetables to grow is zucchini. Although I was unable to plant a garden this year, in past years, my garden has produced a lot of zucchini at this time, and usually more than we can consume.

How To Decoupage Clay Pots With Napkins: The Ponds Farmhouse Style
Hey friends, I’m back with another way to decoupage with napkins for a unique Ponds Farmhouse Style. I’ve shared several napkin decoupage ideas with you, but today we’re going to apply two napkins to simple, inexpensive clay pots to create stunning flower planter decor.

Sweet & Savory Fresh Peach Bruschetta With Goat Cheese: A Summertime Treat
Are you looking for a peach appetizer to take advantage of the summer fresh peach season? You will love this peach and goat cheese bruschetta, which will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Healthy Mediterranean Greek Dip With Feta Appetizer Recipe
Looking for a delicious and refreshing dip to serve at your next party? You will love this nutritious Mediterranean Greek dip with feta recipe. This easy-to-make Mediterranean dip is made with a blend of fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, and olive oil, and it’s sure to be a hit with your guests.

Easy Refreshing Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe With Grapes
Looking for a quick and easy recipe for a refreshing chicken salad? This recipe for Easy, Refreshing Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Grapes is perfect for you! It’s made with rotisserie chicken, grapes, celery, onions, almonds, mayonnaise, and a few other simple ingredients.

Free Queen Anne’s Lace & Wild Fern Basket Arrangement
Don’t you love a great find? What about making a free Queen Anne’s Lace & Wild Fern Flower Arrangement? I found a large supply of Queen Anne’s Lace flowers and Wild Ferns growing along a creek bank. Obviously, I couldn’t resist gathering a supply of these to make a wildflower arrangement.

Unique DIY Address Sign Tutorial For Your Home
One of our favorite DIY projects is the unique house address sign that we made for our front porch. It creates a stunning focal point above the front doors. If you’d like to create a DIY address sign for your home, I’ve prepared a step-by-step guide with clear instructions to help you make a custom sign similar to the one on our front porch.

25+ Creative Outdoor Living Space Ideas To Enhance Your Home
Hey friends! With more time spent at home this summer, our outdoor living spaces are getting more love than ever. If you’re looking to expand your living and entertaining areas, you’re in the right place.
What’s In My Cart
Can you believe it’s almost time for Prime Days? Are you a member of Prime? To take advantage of all the sales, you can join on a trial basis, and I have all the details.
Click Here To Sign Up For Prime Free Trial
Check out my StoreFront for my Favorite Items
Two books I highly recommend for anyone who needs encouragement and renewed faith.
- Healed of Cancer by Dodie Osteen
- On Fire by John O’Leary
Coming Soon

Thrifting Adventures
Before the chemo took over, I did a little thrifting and found some good deals. These silver pieces were a steal and look at that huge basket. I’m looking forward to sharing my plans for the basket with you.


I received this inspirational card and wanted to share the message with you.


Dear Rachel,
Your cancer journal is such a blessing to me. Thank you for trusting us with your prayer requests. My family and I are praying for your complete healing, God’s grace for you and your family, and wisdom for you, your family, and your medical team.
Have a blessed week!
Love,
Suzanne from PA
2 Corinthians 1: 3 and 4
Suzanne,
I appreciate this more than you will ever know. Your prayers mean so much to me and I know they will be answered. I hope your Sunday is filled with joy. Have a blessed day.
Dearest Rachel- I hope this message makes its way to you .Several years ago my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer . We immediately went to God in prayer and for healing and for wisdom regarding treatment . The very first thing that he revealed to us is to not claim it as our/my cancer – we wanted God to take it from us and felt that he was saying to us ,” If you don’t want it -Stop calling it YOUR cancer ” I’m just speaking from our experience and just saying its something to consider . BTW he’s lived for years. My prayers are that he will sustain , restore you and show you his heart and hand in this journey .
Marilyn,
Thank you for this message. I’m so glad your prayers were answered and your husband lived many years. I appreciate your prayers and even in my darkest hours, I know in my heart that God will heal me. You are so kind to share your and your husbands story with me. God bless you!
I hope you are feeling better and thank you for the post. I found a chicken salad recipe to try and your Amazon page helped remind me of some needed craft supplies. Come on Prime Days… That basket is awesome.
Diana,
Thank you for your sweet comments. I’m glad you found todays post helpful and you will love that Chicken Salad recipe. So easy. I can’t wait to get that basket styled and hope to do so while I’m feeling better. Have a blessed Sunday!
Dear Rachel,
It’s such a pleasure to hear from you with your inspiring and creative ideas! So proud of you as you somehow manage to still present your Adventures and fight cancer! Amazing and inspirational indeed Dear Lady! I asked God to heal you and help you both be strong. I also asked Him to remind me to pray for you and this verse from Philippians came to mind: (Chapter 1 verse 3) “I thank my God for every remembrance of you”. And He has done that whether using your July 4th ideas or saving the yummy chicken salad with grapes recipe. As He has brought you to mind, I’ve lifted you both up and will continue to do so. He is so faithful and He IS with you especially in the long uncomfortable stretches of night before the dawn. So blessed to have found your site two years ago and have the privilege of praying for you and Brad. Hugsnlove from East Texas!
Katy
Katy,
I appreciate your continued support of my blog and my cancer journey. Your faith and prayers are appreciated more than you will ever know. I am truly bless to have you cheering me on. Your comments brighten my day and help me to remember that this too shall pass. Have a wonderful and blessed week my friend.
Rachel,
I’ve not ever commented before, but have enjoyed reading your blog posts for several years now.
I like seeing pictures of your beautiful home and I get inspiration from your decor and your crafty
projects. You are very talented.
I’ve been praying for you and reading about your cancer journey. I admire your fortitude, honesty, and faith as you face each step of that journey. I pray God, the Great Physician, will bless you and give you peace to endure all you still face in the days, weeks, and months ahead to get to complete healing.
Hey Marcie,
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I’m so glad you are enjoying my blog posts and ideas. I certainly am blessed to have your prayers and well wishes. You will never know how much these messages of hope and encouragement mean to me during the bump in the road. Thank you again for taking the time to message me. Have a blessed day.