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Dirt Road Adventures: Shopping, Cleaning, and Decorating

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.

Rudy on front porch of farmhouse decorated for Christmas with DIY Greenery Trees and fun garland above the doors.

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Hey friends,

How is your December going? I’ve been doing a combination of shopping, cleaning, and decorating. I had a few more projects that I wanted to complete before our annual Christmas party, which is this week. Yikes! There’s more cleaning to do. I have all the ingredients for the party food, but I’m sure there will be last excursions to the grocery stores. LOL

I also found some cute items while thrifting and can’t wait to show you what I’m doing with them. See the before under Thrifting This Week, and stay tuned for the reveal.

Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road

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

Shiplap Christmas Tree on screened porch

I feel like Christmas is already winding down. I’ve pushed to complete the last of my new projects, and I’ll share them this coming week. We will have a busy week with company coming for our annual Christmas party and a full weekend of activities, including a baby shower. So, needless to say, I’m a little stressed and frantic about now. However, my biggest party of the year will be behind me when we meet again so I can relax and enjoy the remainder of the Christmas season.

I hope you are enjoying all the ideas, and I can’t wait to share more with you.

In Case You Missed It

DIY Sea Glass Christmas Tree ornament

Create Sparkling Sea Glass Christmas Trees in Simple Step

Want to add a touch of coastal-inspired beauty to your holiday decor? These sparkling sea glass Christmas Trees are easy to make in just a few simple steps. This tutorial will teach you how to make a standing sea glass Christmas tree and a unique sea glass Christmas tree ornament. Even if you don’t have a coastal home, you can create the illusion of a shimmering ocean view as you decorate with these shades of blue and green ornaments.

READ MORE

DIY Oyster Shell Christmas ornament.

DIY Decoupage Oyster Shell Christmas Ornament & Fun Craft Idea

Looking for a fun oyster shell craft idea? Check out these decoupage oyster shell decorations. You can easily add a custom napkin decoupage to make oyster shell Christmas ornaments for your Christmas tree, add them to a garland, or make them for Christmas gifts.

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Farmhouse front porch Christmas decorations for porch tour

12 Outdoor Christmas Decorating Ideas and Porch Tours 2024

Ready to create dazzling holiday outdoor displays? As a child, I was always captivated by homes adorned with twinkling lights and festive decor. Today, I strive to create inspiring outdoor Christmas decorating ideas without going overboard. Join me on my front porch and cozy screen porch tour, where I’ve used simple, budget-friendly outdoor Christmas ideas. Discover 12 simple tips and tricks to create stunning holiday porches that will wow your neighbors and spread cheer.

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DIY rustic grapevine and pinrcone candle holder.

DIY Christmas Candle Ring: Rustic Grapevine and Gold Pinecones

Get ready to add a touch of rustic charm to your holiday decor! This DIY Christmas candle ring only takes minutes to make and perfect for adding a warm, festive glow to your home. I’m using more gold in my Christmas decor this year and when I saw these small pinecones I knew they would add just the right amount of sparkle. The gold pinecone candle ring is the ideal combination of rustic elegance, with a small foraged grapevine and inexpensive Dollar Tree pinecones.

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Easy Vintage Metal Christmas Ornaments are shaped like a Christmas tree and hang with other vintage ornaments.

Turn Dollar Tree Tiles into Vintage Metal Christmas Ornaments

I’ve been transforming architectural salvage into adorable, unique Christmas ornaments for this year’s tree. I have a trio of old metal ceiling tiles above my front doors and wanted to recreate that chippy patina with metal Christmas ornaments. I’ve been saving these Dollar Tree wall tiles since the summer and knew they would make amazing vintage-inspired metal Christmas ornaments. They are easy to work with, and with just a few supplies, you can quickly create amazing faux vintage metal Christmas ornaments.

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DIY Dollar Tree Christmas Cheese Markers.

DIY Christmas Party Cheese Markers: Custom Dollar Tree Craft

Are you planning your holiday entertaining and looking for unique appetizer markers to enhance your table? Why not wow your guests with these personalized Cheese Markers? I’ve been preparing for our annual Christmas party, and I made these custom Christmas Tree Cheese Markers and Appetizer Markers using inexpensive Dollar Tree crafts. You can make six markers for just over $1.25. They are easy to make and can be customized with the names of all your delicious dishes and cheeses. They are perfect for charcuterie boards, dessert stations, and drink stations.

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DIY Dollar Tree Twig Christmas Tree Makeover. Mini twig Christmas tree.

Charming DIY Twig Christmas Tree: Stunning Dollar Tree Makeover

Let’s face it, Dollar Tree Christmas trees aren’t exactly known for their beauty. But with a little DIY magic, you can turn that gaudy $1.25 tree into a holiday showstopper. Today’s Dollar Tree tutorial will teach you how to transform your Dollar Tree dud into a gorgeous, charming twig Christmas tree.

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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

Thrifting This Week

I’ve been so busy that I haven’t done a lot of thrifting this week; however, before we left the beach, I stopped by one charity thrift store and scored several tea light houses. They were a hodge podge of colors, but I had a plan. I can’t wait for you to see what they look like now.

Coming Soon

Stay turned to see what I’ve done with the tea light houses, the best of Thrifting with the Gals and so much more this week. See you next Sunday!

MARY-ANN

Tuesday 10th of December 2024

Rachel, I know your busy week will go well as you are so organized with everything you do! Hope you have fun planning it all and taking time to enjoy your guests. I know that your guests will enjoy being with you and your dear hubby and staying in your lovely Guest Room. Christmas is such a busy time and I really think that the more organized you are, the more things you seem to take on because you think "this" would be nice and "that" will be nice, too! Enjoy your party and all your dear friends!

Rachel

Wednesday 11th of December 2024

Mary Ann Thank you! It is the busiest week of the holiday season but we love doing the Christmas party. Each year we say will be kkep it simple next year but never do. LOL.

CoCo

Tuesday 10th of December 2024

It's always so much fun to see what you've been up to each week, Rachel. I love these posts because you pack them with so many goodies. Can't wait to hear how your party turns out. No doubt it will be extra special. Thanks so much for sharing my flower covered ornament. I really appreciate it. Big hugs, CoCo

Rachel

Tuesday 10th of December 2024

Coco, Thank you for your kind words. I hope the party turns out good as well. So much work and preparation but we love it.

Katie

Sunday 8th of December 2024

Hi, LOVE your (looks like) cedar shake Christmas tree. Very creative. While trying to decorate, I'm still drying winter squashes seeds and just put the last of the purple cabbage in the dehydrator for winter soups.

Rachel

Sunday 8th of December 2024

Katie, I'm so glad you like it. Wow it sounds like you've been busy. I appreciate you for taking the time to comment and I hope you have any amazing week. Merry Christmas.