Dirt Road Adventures: A New Year & A Look Back at 2025

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, and Happy New Year! We spent the week after Christmas and NYE at our beach cottage. Then we traveled home to remove the obvious Christmas decorations. I have some items I plan to leave for Winter decorating, and I’ll share them with you next week. But this past week was focused on looking back at 2025 and which posts and projects resonated with you. I appreciate your input and sharing your favorites with me.

I also updated my Healing Journal (the #2 most-read post on my blog for 2025) as I began my cancer inhibitor medication. I was very concerned about side effects, but after four doses, I haven’t noticed any. I will be continuing to update my journal in 2026 as I navigate my new normal with the Zejula medication, possibly infusions every 3 weeks, and close monitoring, for potential reactions to these medications. You can read the update and my major concerns about starting the recommended infusions in my Healing 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.)

I spent some time this past week thinking about projects and decorating ideas I want to work on for the coming year. But I also reviewed what you liked in 2025. It’s very revealing to see which ideas were most popular. I have to say there were some real surprises.

In Case You Missed It

What You Shared With Me

As we looked back on the favorites of 2025, I asked you to share yours with me. Here is one that made the list and one that didn’t. Lorrie Rauscher shared her top-10 favorite: “Creating a Decorative Flower Pot with Hot Glue,” and Betty Day called me out for not including her favorite vintage wooden bowl in my 20+ Vintage Finds and How To Style Them. It is a favorite, and thank you, Betty and Lorrie, for sharing.

If you recreate any of my projects or decorating ideas, I love to see the results. Please send me a photo, and I’ll share it on my next Dirt Road Adventures.

What’s In My Cart

• I’m really enjoying the Strength Building Weighted Vest I shared last week. I love the ability to change the weight without buying a new vest.
• Another update: I shared these booties last week, but returned them because they just weren’t comfortable. I replaced them with these fur-lined loafers, and they are so cute and comfortable. They are on sale, and several sizes remain in the dune suede color.
• I’m excited about this new cookware set for our beach cottage.
• I ordered these felt balls for a winter project.
• I’m loving this jewelry storage case because I can store all my regularly worn pieces so they don’t become tarnished, and when we head to the beach, I just grab it. And I don’t have to sort through my jewelry box to decide what to take. Plus… I can see each item without opening the pouch, and it’s simple to organize. Well worth the price.
• I’ve placed this egg cooker in my cart and am trying to decide if we will use it enough to justify the purchase. I like the omelet cooking option, and since I’m eating eggs almost every morning, I thought it might make things easier and less messy. If any of you have one, I’d like your opinion.
• This Turtleneck sweater is soft and cozy for winter.
• This sweater is quickly becoming my favorite Christmas gift. I love the fabric and color combination. Note: It runs a little small, especially given it’s labeled “oversized,” and it took a long time to arrive. Also, instead of ordering the blouse shown with the sweater, I added this blue-and-white striped blouse I already owned. I think it works just as well.

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and a fabulous week.