Dirt Road Adventures – The Packages Are Arriving

Did anyone else take advantage of Prime Days? I don’t usually get so involved, but I went down the rabbit hole of good deals this year. So Alexa has a new message for me every day as the packages are arriving.

But enough about that because it’s time for Dirt Road Adventures and a look back at everything happening at the end of our Dirt Road.

We came home late last Sunday, and after being gone for two weeks, it was a struggle to get back on track. Let me share a few things that are happening.

The ferns are thriving after lots of rain this summer.

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Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road

This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.

First, some good news! After being gone for an extended time, I usually come home to dead plants.

Not this year. Fortunately, it rained a lot while we were gone, and everything was thriving.

The Black-Eyed Susan’s are stunning this year.

Black Eyed Susans' in front of the outdoor kitchen

It was a hot, hot, hot week here, and we spent every evening cooling off in the pool.

Thankfully, the pool was in excellent shape after our extended neglect. Last year, it took several days to get the appropriate levels back.

Pink Geraniums on the farmhouse front porch

We also came home to find the 2023 Fall Issue of Farmhouse Style Magazine had arrived.

We were honored to have our home featured in their 2019 Holiday Issue and be featured again as the magazine celebrates five years.

Farmhouse Style Magazine shares so many authentically decorated homes. They don’t send in stylists to promote advertiser products. What you see in each of the features is how the homeowners put their personal style into their home decor.

It is always so exciting to see your hard work in print.

This is when the 2019 Christmas issue arrived and then when the 2023 Fall Issue arrived. Can you tell I was a little excited? LOL

Another funny thing that we saw while on our walk was this grapevine that appeared to be growing in mid-air. We have always had an abundance of wild grapevines, but this was surprising.

Upon closer inspection, we found the vine root. It just goes to show you how easily a grapevine can climb even in a narrow tube.

In Case You Missed It

I started the week with a healthy appetizer recipe that you will love. Healthy Mediterranean Greek Dip With Feta Appetizer Recipe.

Mediterranean-Greek-Tomato-Feta-Dip- Easy and healthy recipe.

Y’all know I love budget-friendly, and Free is even better. So I shared two FREE decorating ideas. First, Easy & Free Queen Anne’s Lace & Wild Fern Flower Arrangement, and then these adorable DIY Birdhouses made with Scrap Materials.

And finally, another easy and cost-effective DIY project for an upcoming Supper Club Tablescape – How To Make Unique DIY Coasters with Burlap Fabric. Didn’t they turn out so cute?

DIY Burlap Peach Coasters.

Adventures off the Dirt Road

Why Didn’t I Think of That?

Each week there are so many wonderful blog posts, and I’m sharing some of my favorites with you today.

There are so many creative ideas, and I always ask myself, “Why didn’t I think of that”? LOL

Y’all know I love decorating with salvaged finds, and CoCo shared 11 architectural salvage decorating ideas.

My friend Stacy shared her Beginner’s Guide to Growing a Vegetable Garden. So many great tips here.

If you have kids heading off to college, you must read Simply 2 Mom’s How To Prepare for College Move-in Day.

I love using Phyllo Cups for tasty summer appetizers, and Jen shared this yummy Pineapple Chicken Salad recipe that is served in a bite-size cup.

If you enjoyed How To Dry Herbs for off-season use, you’ll love Heidi’s How to Store Fresh Rosemary for the best flavor.

Wait until you see this DIY Garden Clock my talented friend Wendy shared.

What’s In My Cart

As I said earlier, I took advantage of Prime Days, and packages are pouring in.

I thought I’d share some of my favorite finds.

  • The Bose Speaker has already arrived, and we love the sound quality. It’s perfect for our pool area. Unfortunately, the sale is over, but you never know when it may be discounted again. Add it to your cart, and keep your fingers crossed.
  • My new Kindle Paperwhite hasn’t arrived yet, but the cover is here. I choose this cover because it puts the Kindle to sleep when you close it.
  • I’ve wanted this Flat Iron and can’t wait for it to arrive.
  • I got these AirPods for my daughter, along with this rug.
  • I got Brad NewBalance shoes and these flip-flops.
  • And a few practical purchases like Bug Spray and Gummy Multi-Vitamins. I can’t swallow vitamins, so I have to have a chewable.
Black Eyed Susan's in front of outdoor kitchen.

Coming Soon…

  • A Delicious Fruity Appetizer Recipe
  • Thrifting with the Gals is on Thursday. Wait until you see all these Thrift Store Hacks.
  • How To Keep Geraniums Blooming From Spring To Fall.
  • An easy DIY Potting Table.
  • Christmas In July and more.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have the best Sunday!

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20 Comments

  1. Thanks so much, Rachel for sharing my chicken salad recipe. I appreciate it. I hope you had a wonderful time on your travels!

  2. Congratulations on your magazine feature!

    We had amazing black-eyed Susan’s in our old house.

    The property was wooded and overloaded with nature.

    I was able to still garden back then and our black-eyed Susan’s surrounded our pond.

    It must be amazing to have your own grapevine growing.

    Not in NJ

    Congratulations again

  3. Rachel, congratulations on your feature in a magazine! Good for you! That’s quite the accomplishment! Also your Black Eyed Susans are stunning~wow! Those burlap coasters are just too cute and on my list to make. You continue to amaze me with all your great ideas. Thanks for sharing it all.

  4. What a great week you have had even with the heat. You had so many amazing projects, I was drooling over the birdhouses and the coasters. I will be sharing next Saturday on my post. Thank you for sharing my clock project. I appreciate you.

  5. And Oh my goodness! I forgot to say Congratulations on the magaizine feature. So exciting! and well deserved.

  6. Just getting back into town but wanted to stop by and say thank you so much for adding my post on salvaged finds to Dirt Road Adventures this week. We shopped at so many places you would have loved! I am SO EXCITED about your magazine feature. It’s so well deserved. Prime Day was no joke ha ha. The deals this time were amazing and I’m glad you scored so many awesome goodies too! Big hugs and thank yous, CoCo

  7. Your black-eyed Susans look stunning Rachael. I guess the rain was good for something and you at least came back to healthy and hydrated plants.

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