Dirt Road Adventures – Happy New Year 2023
Happy New Year and welcome to the first Dirt Road Adventures of 2023.
I took some time off around Christmas this past year; therefore, I didn’t share any adventures last Sunday. So today’s adventures will include a look back at the last couple of weeks, your favorite posts and crafts of 2022, plus some of my favorite finds around the web from 2022.
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This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.
Some Behind The Scenes – The Highs and The Lows of the Holidays
Warning: Some sad news!
Just before Christmas, we lost our sweet, grand fur baby, Pumpkin. She was only 10, and we had only learned of her heart condition two weeks before. My daughter and her husband got Pumpkin on Halloween just weeks after they were married.
I was with Jennifer when she picked her out, and we kept her when they traveled. It’s hard to express how sad we all were.
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas Holiday and were able to spend quality time with family and friends.
It’s sad, but since covid, we don’t have the large family gatherings we did before. We celebrated with our immediate family on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, which was wonderful. However, I do miss seeing the entire family over the holidays.
Once the festivities were over, I began to remove signs of Christmas from the farmhouse in preparation for our trip to the beach. It took much less time this year because I’ve been using these tips to store seasonal decor for over a year now.
Next, we arrived at our beach cottage to find a broken refrigerator. This is not a fun way to start the New Year’s weekend. Fortunately, we were able to purchase a new one and have it delivered before everyone arrived.
Finally, as I write this, we are celebrating the approach of 2023 at the beach with several of our friends, our daughter, and our son-in-law.
In Case You Missed It
First, let’s look at the week before Christmas! Click on the highlighted links to see the full post.
I shared a Candlelight Tour of the Farmhouse, including the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, and screened porch.
In addition, I shared a video tour on YouTube.
The secret to making a Magnolia Wreath with fresh leaves was a last-minute project just before Christmas.
By the way, I didn’t preserve these leaves because I was short on time, and they still look great over two weeks later.
When I set the table for Christmas Eve, I decided to make a Christmas Tree Napkin Fold, and these reversible napkins made a beautiful tree.
Another idea was to share some after Christmas Tips and Ideas. These 12 ideas will help you get organized and prepare for Winter decorating.
Next, I shared the Reader’s Choice for best Craft Projects of 2022.
And finally, the year’s Top 10 Posts.
Adventures Off The Dirt Road
This is where I share inspiration from around the web. Things that I know you’ll love from some of my favorite bloggers.
Gardening by Stacy Ling at Bricks N Blooms
My friend Stacy is a master gardener, and she shared her top 20 Best Gardening Posts. You will find the best gardening tips of 2022.
How To Create A Farmer’s Market Tablescape – Vintage Home Designs
My Supper Club friend Michele has the most creative tablescape ideas, and this was my favorite from 2022.
How To Decorate with Thrifted Breadboards – Robyn’s French Nest
Y’all know I love to decorate with thrifted items. My thrifting friend Robyn shares her best tips for decorating with thrifted breadboards.
Creative ideas to display vintage collections – Dabbling and Decorating
My Thrifting with the Gals friend Ann shared some great tips for decorating with your thrifted items.
9 Ways To Be Prepared for Next Christmas Now – Kim at Shiplap & Shells
I loved all of Kim’s practical ideas for preparing for next Christmas now.
How To Cover Up Ugly Washer Dryer Hookups – Simply 2 Moms
I love all of Anne & AnnMarie’s great posts of 2022, but this tip is genius.
Front Porch Decor for Winter – White Arrows Home
Kristen lives in a winter wonderland, and her porch ideas are perfect for Winter.
One Pan Skillet Lasagna – Jen at Midwest Life and Style
Jen is one of my Supper Club Friends and shares delicious and practical recipes. This is one of my favorites.
Decorating with Thrift Store Finds in the Kitchen – Cottage on Bunker Hill
Another favorite post comes from my friend Jennifer, whom I met in person this past summer. Jennifer’s Thrift Store Decorating Tips are so fun.
The 8 Best Home Organizing Tips – The Tattered Pew
My friend Kelly shared her top 10 posts of 2022, one of which was these Home Organization Ideas. I thought you might enjoy seeing the.
17 Ways to Ease Into The New Year – The Crowned Goat
I’m feeling a little brain-dead or lost after the holidays, and I loved CoCo’s ideas for easing into the new year. I hope you do too.
I hope you have a relaxing first day of the new year and that all your dreams come true in 2023.
I appreciate you so, so much, and look forward to sharing all my adventures with you this year.
Rachel I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Pumpkin. I hope the new year holds more happiness and joy for you all.
Laura,
I really appreciate this. Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel Happy New Year my friend! I’m so glad you had a lovely Christmas and sending hugs for the loss of Pumpkin. So sorry! Thanks for sharing my organizing post …I need to implement some of those!!
Kelly,
I really appreciate this. Thanks for stopping by.
So sad to hear about Pumpkin. Happy New Year, my friend! Hugs and blessings to you
Renae,
I really appreciate this.
Thanks so much for sharing Rachel, happy happy new year to you and your family!
Ann,
Thanks so much.
Rachel, thank you so much for sharing my lasagna skillet recipe. It’s a favorite in our house, and I hope others enjoy it as much as we do.
I’m also very sorry to hear about your grand-doggie. Pets are like family and it’s always so sad when they pass. Sending hugs to you all!
Jen,
Thank you so much. It’s so hard to loss a beloved family pet.
Happy New Year Rachel,
Wishing you a wonderful 2023…your ideas have certainly helped make my home wonderful for me and my DH!
Gail Cunningham
Gail,
I appreciate this.
So sorry to hear about Pumpkin. Hugs. I’ve experienced that sad lost of a special fur baby. BLESSINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR!
Nancy,
thank you for your comments. Have a wonderful new year.
Rachel, I really enjoyed your post today!
I am so sorry to read about your precious little Pumpkin going to “Doggie Heaven”. It is so hard to lose a beloved pet.
We had to let our precious little dog “Princess” go to “Doggie Heaven” on the 31st of October. Princess was 16. We just miss her so much. Life is just not the same without her being with us.
I wish you all the best for 2023! I hope it will be a wonderful year for you — filled with lots of happiness and good health.
Mary-Ann,
I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. I’m so sorry for your loss. Have the best new year.
I’m so sorry to hear about Pumpkin. So sad! Thanks for including us in your weekly round up. Happy New Year sweet friend.
Thanks AnnMarie. Have a great day.
Rachel, I’m so so sorry about Pumpkin.
Thanks so much Jennifer.
Rachel, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of Pumpkin. Losing a loved one like that is such a difficult thing to go through, especially during the holidays so I’ll definitely be keeping you and your family in my prayers. Thank you for sharing my simple ways to ease into the New Year! We’ve given ourselves the gift of slow and steady again this year and I can’t tell you what a huge difference it’s made already. Sending you tons of hugs for a 2023 you’ll never forget, CoCo
CoCo,
That is wonderful. I appreciate you for sharing your ideas with us.
Thank you for sharing my post Rachel! I’m so sorry to hear about pumpkin. What a cutie!
Stacy,
Thank you so much.
You site looks fabulous Rachel, I love the changes you have made. Cheers to a wonderful New Year!
Wendy,
Thank you so much.
I can’t tell you how sorry I am to hear about sweet Pumpkin. What a little sweetie. I hope the rest of your holidays were happier. Glad you found another fridge for the beach cottage. Thank you for sharing my after-Christmas post. Hugs.
Kim
You are so welcome and thanks for your kind words.