Dirt Road Adventures: Christmas Decorating, Crafts, and more
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,
This past week has been filled with all things Christmas. I’ve been pulling out and sorting through my Christmas decor, creating new decorations, and dreaming up new projects. I’ve said I’d not go all out this year, keep things simple. I returned more than half of my storage boxes to storage, still filled with decorations. A few things made it to the donation bin. It’s so hard to let go. I’m always thinking I can repurpose it another year.
I’m only decorating the main parts of the farmhouse, not every nook and cranny like usual. But I can’t turn off my creative mind, so the new projects are lining up, and I may need to find space for them. I’m justifying all my projects as “making up for lost time” from this past fall.
I’m just beginning to feel like my old self again; however, I still have one more chemo treatment this week, and I’ll have another week of downtime. I’m praying that is the last one, and although I know I’ll be taking a long-term pill, I hope for few side effects. Praying that I’ll get to return to a semi-normal lifestyle. I’m still fighting to keep fear of the unknown at bay, and I shared some of this struggle in my Healing Journal last week. To catch up on the latest, click My Healing Journal.
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Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road
This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.
Behind the scenes, I’ve been creating new Christmas decorations, gift ideas, and getting the house ready to share with you. My tree is so different this year from years past. I’m repurposing some thrift-store Christmas decor and so much more, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Did you see the bleached pinecones? Well, I’ve used all the ones I made and have started a new batch. You’ll notice as I begin to share that pinecones are a major focus of my decorating this year. I hope you’ll stay tuned for all the reveals.
But in the meantime, let’s take a look at all my shares from last week in case you missed them.
In Case You Missed It
15 Inspiring Ideas For Christmas Porches & Entryways Decorations
Are you ready for some inspiring Christmas decorations for porches and entryways? Today, you will see 15 Christmas-decorated porches and entryways with festive holiday decoration ideas.
Easy DIY Hobnail Milk Glass Ornaments With Dollar Tree Supplies
Are you a fan of the popular vintage hobnail milk glass? If you want a unique and affordable way to add a touch of vintage to your home this Christmas, check out these DIY Hobnail Milk Glass Ornaments. With
Spruce Up Cheap Bottle Brush Trees: 7 Latest Trends For Less
Who says you need to spend a fortune to get the latest bottle brush trees this Christmas?
How To Make A Vintage Christmas Angel From Old Book Pages
Are you loving the vintage-inspired Christmas decor this year? I’m particularly loving the beautiful paper Christmas angels, but they are a bit pricey! I decided to get the look for less by crafting this beautiful Vintage Christmas Angel from Old Book Pages for free. It’s
How To Bleach Pinecones: The Complete Guide To Pros And Cons
Hey friends, I decided to try my hand at bleaching pinecones this year for my Christmas decor, and I couldn’t be happier with the beautiful, naturally lightened result.
Rustic Pinecone Christmas Tree Centerpiece: Budget-Friendly Craft
Looking for a unique and budget-friendly way to decorate your home for the holidays? Why not gather some free pinecones and create a unique centerpiece?
Magazine Feature
I was so excited to receive my copy of Farmhouse Style Magazine’s Winter issue. One of my coffee table centerpieces from a few years ago was featured in this issue. It’s always so exciting to see your decor recognized in this way. Here is the magazine and the featured image.
What’s in my cart?
I’ve been thinking about Christmas outfits, and here are a few of the items I’ve ordered.
- Chunky Sweater Cardigan – love it.
- This adorable Red Blouse with a bow tie. So cute.
- I’m hoping both of the above will be great with this plaid maxi skirt.
- I’m really loving the Merry & Bright Christmas Sweater. I tried it on and love the material and fun details.
In addition to the fashions I’ve been ordering, here are some of my craft project supplies that made it in my cart last week.
- I was so happy with these glass globe ornaments that I ordered more.
- These gift boxes are for some of my DIY gifts.
- One project includes these cute mini birds.
- This velvet ribbon.
Stay tuned as you’ll begin to see more of these projects this week. I hope you have a wonderful week.
I had laptop issues last week so I need to go back on that post, but I really like the bleached pinecones. You look so cute in your Merry & Bright sweater. You are sounding good so I hope your week goes well. The end is in sight and I’m sending prayers and hugs.
Diana,
I’m loving my pinecones and I’ve just started another batch. I think I figured out why some were damaged. Be sure to mix the water and bleach well. If the bleach settles in the bottom, those bottom cones may be damaged. Let me know how they turn out. Thank you for your prayers and hugs. Have a blessed week.
Rachel, what a blessing to know that you are starting to feel like your old self! I’ll be praying for you this week and stand with you that this will be your last treatment! Have the best week and happy Christmas decorating! xo
Kim
Thank you for your support and prayers. I appreciate you so much. I hope you have a blessed week.
Great shares this week Rachel! Love all the Christmas inspiration! It really helps me get my own planning and ideas started. Congrats on your magazine feature again! Sounds like you are really progressing and that you’re truly feeling better. Prayers continue for you and Brad. Thanks for the links and you look terrific in the Christmas sweater BTW!!! Can’t wait for all your fabulous ideas next week. Have a nice weekend!
Hugsnlove!
Katy
Katy,
I’m so glad to feel better and I appreciate your support. Thank you for your sweet compliments and I look forward to sharing more ideas with you this week. Have the best week.
I’m so glad you’re feeling good enough to do some Christmas decorating and crafting Rachel. Thanks for all the inspiration in this post. I understand about trying to pare down the decor. I started decorating this past week. I like to do it early because I have so much to put out, but also to have a longer time to enjoy it . I have so much Christmas decor, and I’m one to decorate every nook and cranny. The older I’ve gotten though, it sure wears me out. It’s also hard for me to part with any of it, but I did take a box of decorations to Goodwill yesterday. I’ve almost completed my Christmas decorating; just lack our bedroom and master bath. Then there’s the outside house lights and front entrance decor my husband helps with, and we’ll light up the outside Thanksgiving night. Praying God protects you this next week, and your last chemo treatment goes well.
Your friend in West Texas,
Marcie
Marcie,
It sound like we very alike. I am trying to do less this year but it’s hard. Christmas is my favorite. Have fun decorating and I hope your week is filled with blessings.
I am always anxious to see all your creations. Love your home. I always read your journey. God is with you. Think of you and pray. May God bless you and may His face shine upon you.
Betty,
Thank you for your sweet comments and I certainly appreciate your prayers and well wishes. Have a blessed day.
Gods Blessings for strength and healing
Lee
Thank you for your comments and support. I appreciate you for following along. Have a blessed day.