Happy Sunday, and welcome to Dirt Road Adventures: Summertime! 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.
Hey Friends,
Welcome to another week of Dirt Road Adventures. We spent last week working at our beach cottage. The cedar shake shingles had turned dark like our cedar posts at home. We used the same Benjamin Moore Wood Restorer on the shingles, porch floor, and posts; they cleaned it right up.
Then we stained them with Seagull Grey by Benjamin Moore, and we love the new look. It is the coastal vibe that I love.
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Table of contents
- Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road
- In Case You Missed It
- Crispy Candied Bacon: The Perfect Snack, Topping, & More
- How We Built a DIY Greenhouse Without Any Experience
- How To Give Kitchen Countertops A New Look With Thrifted Decor
- Can You Really Save Money Buying Used Furniture? The Real Truth
- How To Repurpose A Thrifted Vintage Chandelier
- DIY Faux Apothecary Cabinet – (Card File Chest)
- Upcycle Oyster Shell Craft: DIY Decorative Ring Dishes
- 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.
We came home to a very hot and humid central North Carolina. Although it was hot at the beach, the constant breeze felt wonderful. Unfortunately, we are dry, hot, and humid at the Ponds Farmhouse, this weekend.
Several of our hearty plants look beautiful, like this bee’s balm. However, several plants are already looking scorched.
I’ve put several faux plants on the porch because we are gone so much that keeping them alive is impossible. These faux boxwoods look great and can stand the heat. They come in a set of 2 and are very heavy so that they won’t blow away in high winds.
Stay tuned for my Rustic Summer Red, White, and Blue porch ideas coming next Tuesday.
In Case You Missed It
Crispy Candied Bacon: The Perfect Snack, Topping, & More
Imagine perfectly crisp bacon glazed with a sweet and savory coating. Crispy Candied Bacon is an explosion of flavor in every bite! This recipe is easy to make, and I’ll share all the ways you can use it in your recipes.
How We Built a DIY Greenhouse Without Any Experience
Have you ever wanted something badly enough to jump into the project with blind faith that you could do it? I’m sharing our journey of building our DIY Greenhouse without any experience and jumping in without a clue. Because we are not professional builders, this is not a step-by-step how-to with all the nitty-gritty details. This post will inspire you to not give up on a dream and hopefully encourage you to step out of your comfort level to take on new projects.
How To Give Kitchen Countertops A New Look With Thrifted Decor
Do you want to give your kitchen countertops a makeover without breaking the bank? If so, you’re in luck! There are plenty of ways to decorate your kitchen countertops with thrifted decor. Today I will share some of my favorite ideas and why thrift store shopping helps to create a curated, unique decor style that’s budget-minded.
Can You Really Save Money Buying Used Furniture? The Real Truth
Do you really save money buying used furniture? Furnishing your home can be a drain on your wallet. But what if you could find stylish and functional pieces for a fraction of the price? It sounds like a win-win situation, but what if it costs you more money in the long run? Today, we explore the world of used furniture and repurposed furniture ideas. What is the real truth about buying pre-loved pieces, and is it the right choice for you?
How To Repurpose A Thrifted Vintage Chandelier
Have you seen old, outdated chandeliers donated to thrift shops? Want to learn how you can repurpose a cheap vintage chandelier with some solar lights and vintage chandelier crystals?
DIY Faux Apothecary Cabinet – (Card File Chest)
Are you a lover of Apothecary Cabinets, or do you call them Card File Chest? Anything with small drawers, even fake ones, will catch my attention.
Upcycle Oyster Shell Craft: DIY Decorative Ring Dishes
Want to add a touch of coastal elegance to your home? Give shells a new lease on life with this simple and eco-friendly oyster shell craft! I’ll guide you through the steps to create beautiful oyster shell ring dishes that add stylish coastal decorations to your dresser or vanity. You can keep your jewelry safe from rolling off your furniture by placing it in a decorative oyster shell jewelry dish.
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 always ask myself, “Why didn’t I think of that”? LOL
- If you want tips on controlling pests in your vegetable garden, check out Stacy’s Organic Gardening Tips.
- I love to sit under an umbrella on the beach and read, read, read. I’m excited to pick up KariAnne’s 10 Books To Add To Your Reading List.
- I love this cute placemat idea from Janine.
- Cindy’s home tour is filled with soothing summer colors that make you want to say awwww.
- Be sure to check out Jennifer’s Summertime Spruce Up ideas.
- Looking for a refreshing summer recipes, check out Jennifer’s Creamy Broccoli Salad.
What’s in my Cart
We are really gearing up for summer and here are a few of our latest purchases.
- We tried our new Sun Ninja at the beach this past week. It’s easy to put together and folds up for easy storage.
- And this new Ninja FrostVault Cooler is the perfect beach or camping accessory. We got the smaller version, and that’s all we needed. We can now live on the beach. LOL
- We love our poly folding Adirondack chairs so much that we ordered these stools for the bar.
- This denim dress is so cute and I like these shoes with it.
- These sunglasses are on their way.
- I’ve ordered The Gown and The Librarian Spy for vacation reading.
Cindy@CountyRoad407
Monday 24th of June 2024
Thank you so much for sharing my summer living room. And Janine's placemat is adorable! I love the little tassels. Your new stain on the shingles looks fantastic. What a difference! But my favorite part of your post is you saying - we worked on our BEACH COTTAGE! I want to say that. ;) Stay cool!
Rachel
Monday 24th of June 2024
Cindy, Thank you! We are blessed to have our tiny little house at the coast. We sometimes complain because it's so small but we are so thankful. And I agree that Janine's placemats are adorable. Have the best day.
Jen
Sunday 23rd of June 2024
It has been SO hot nad humid here too in Nebraska the last couple of days. We are in a heat warning today. Ooph! I love the sneak peek at your pretty porch. I can't wait to see more.
Thanks so much for sharing my broccoli salad recipe. I appreciate it!
Rachel
Monday 24th of June 2024
Jen, You are so welcome. Thanks for stopping by.