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,
Are you experiencing winter’s chill? After a very warm Christmas and New Year’s Eve, winter has arrived in North Carolina. The temps have barely exceeded freezing most days. Snow was predicted on Friday, and we got a dusting before it turned to freezing rain. Needless to say, it was disappointing to wake up Saturday to only a little ice. We hoped for a few inches since we’ve not had a good snow in years.
However, once the sun came out, the view was magical. I wish I could have captured all the sparkle in the photo.
We’ve been staying indoors as much as possible with the cold weather. Our resolution to walk 3 miles a day hasn’t happened. Instead, I’ve been crafting and decorating. A few Valentine’s decorations have been added, and I’m making major changes to the living room. I’ve added a new rug and curtains and moved many items around. I’m embracing more color in this space, and I’ll share all my purchases in “What’s in my Cart” at the end of today’s article.
In addition, I’ve been cleaning and preparing for a guest. One of my blogging besties will arrive this week to help me improve my website experience. It’s always stressful to make a change, especially when I’m technically challenged. I feel so much more confident making these changes with Jennifer’s help. Although we will be working, I am so excited about Jennifer’s visit, and I’m planning for some free thrifting time.
Please note: Jennifer and I will work on my website this week and hope to have everything up and running by next Sunday. However, if you see any crazy errors, please let me know and forgive me for any problems during this transition.
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Table of contents
- Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road
- Adventures I’ve Had This Past Week
- Cozy Winter Home Tour-Budget Farmhouse Winter Decor Ideas
- How To Repurp ose Outdated TV Cabinet for C hic Jewelry & Lingerie Storage
- The Secret To Maximize Pantry Storage with Pegboard Organizing Magic
- Cozy Winter Dinner Recipes: Comfort Food For Cold Nights
- Easy DIY 3D Paper Hearts: Budget Vintage Valentine’s Day Decoration
- Budget DIY Heart Topiaries: Dollar Tree Valentine’s Decor Ideas
- Adventures Off The Dirt Road
Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road
This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.
I’ve been wanting to make some changes to the farmhouse. We’ve been here for over 8 years, and I’ve kept most of the decor neutral. I’ve loved the flexibility of all the neutral rugs and furniture. Seasonally, I’ve introduced color with throw blankets and pillows, but now I’m ready for more dramatic (for me) changes. I can’t wait to share all my ideas with you.
In addition, we have been trying to nail down our itinerary for our October trip to Italy. A funny thing happened this week. I ran across a painting we purchased on our previous trip 17 years ago. I can’t believe I’ve never had it framed, but it has been tucked away in a drawer for years. I found a thrift store frame, quickly added the canvas, and hung it next to my desk. I’m reminded of our upcoming trip every day as I write these articles.
Adventures I’ve Had This Past Week
Cozy Winter Home Tour-Budget Farmhouse Winter Decor Ideas
Are you looking for new and interesting ways to keep your home cozy for the winter? Welcome to my Cozy Winter Home Tour – Budget Farmhouse Winter Decor Ideas. Winter is generally a difficult time of year to decorate; however, it doesn’t have to be. With a few easy tips.
How To Repurpose Outdated TV Cabinet for Chic Jewelry & Lingerie Storage
Do you have one of those TV Cabinets that you no longer own a TV that’s small enough to fit inside? Learn how you can easily make it into a jewelry or lingerie cabinet with just a few modifications. Open the doors and have all your jewelry easily accessible and at eye level with these organization tips. Make getting dressed and accessorized a quick and easy process.
The Secret To Maximize Pantry Storage with Pegboard Organizing Magic
Want to maximize pantry storage and get some ideas to organize your pantry? Then, take a look at my favorite pantry organizing tip. Even with all the organizing tools available, it’s hard to keep the pantry organized with its constant use. I had the brilliant idea to add a pegboard wall to one side of our pantry, and although the rest of the pantry can look like a hot mess, the pegboard wall magically stays organized every day.
Cozy Winter Dinner Recipes: Comfort Food For Cold Nights
With a chill in the air, there’s nothing better than a warm and comforting meal to chase away the winter blues. Imagine curling up by a warm fire with these easy-to-make winter dinner recipes. Whether you’re looking for a hearty soup to warm you up on a snowy day or tasty low-calorie options, I’ve included something for everyone. Get ready to savor the season with these delicious and satisfying meals that are perfect for sharing with family and friends. Let’s get cooking!
Easy DIY 3D Paper Hearts: Budget Vintage Valentine’s Day Decoration
Looking for adorable and budget-friendly Valentine’s Day Decoration ideas with a vintage vibe? Whether you embrace the reds and pinks of traditional Valentine’s decor or prefer a more neutral approach, these hearts can be customized for any decor style. These vintage-inspired, DIY 3D paper hearts are a perfect solution for decor and gift wrap ideas. This simple tutorial will guide you through creating these charming vintage Valentine’s crafts using paper, scissors, and a little creativity. So grab your scissors, and let’s get started.
Budget DIY Heart Topiaries: Dollar Tree Valentine’s Decor Ideas
Want to add a romantic touch to your home decor for Valentine’s Day but don’t want to spend a fortune? Wait until you see this adorable Dollar Tree Valentine’s decor idea. These moss DIY heart topiaries are perfect for Valentine’s Day Decor but aren’t limited to the holiday. The budget-friendly, easy project is ideal for beginners and can be enjoyed year-round. You can make each topiary for less than $5.00, and you will love the results. Let’s grab a few supplies and get started.
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
- Have I told you we are planning a cruise in Italy? I’ve been planning and preparing, so KariAnne’s latest 14 Cruise Tips to Make Your Trip Easier are very helpful. Plus, they look like they had the best time.
- I loved CoCo’s idea to Personalize A Notebook or Journal, and the options are unlimited.
- If you dream of Spring, read Stacy’s Winter Sow Larkspur Flower For a Stunning Cottage Garden.
- Carol shared this cute DIY pom pom pillow that is just adorable.
- Check out the predicted popular colors for 2025. I’m embracing at least one.
- Robyn’s After Christmas Winter Mantel includes some great tips.
- My friend Jill shared some great tips on Finding Your Personal Decor Style.
What’s In My Cart
I’ve reached a point after 8 years in our farmhouse that I’m ready for some changes. I have been scanning the catalogs, Pinterest, and websites for inspiration. I’ve settled on the color changes I want to make with some inspiration from Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs. However, I have found many similar styles for less. Here are the items I’ve ordered so far.
- New Indoors Front Door Rug and Curtains for French Doors
- New Pillows for Sofa
- Bed Pillows and more inspiring selections
We also ordered these necessities.
- New Pot Holders – no more burnt fingers, I hope!
- Command Hooks for Garland
Coming Soon
This week, you can look forward to some oldies but goodies as I’ve updated some of my first articles.
Also, see this week’s Thrifting With The Gals – What To Thrift For In 2025 and what all my thrifting friends have been up to.
You will see a new website and newsletter design coming by the end of this week. I hope you like it.
Thank you for all your encouragement and support. I look forward to sharing all my adventures with you in 2025.
