Joy Through Country ~ Blankets

Just a quick blog post today.  Crazy busy with a crazier day tomorrow (there may or may not be a post tomorrow!)

Blankets ~  a wonderful thing.  I've sewn, surged, knit, and bought many blankets in my adult life.  Lost track of how many.  Know I've made a few for our boys.  There are a couple different styles, though, that speak a bit more "country" to me than the others.

First, years ago, I bought fleece in three shades.  One is red with black bears and other things on it.  A blue with darker blue bears on it.  The third is green, with darker green evergreens running down the side.  Our boys have claimed the blue and green ones and are part of their winter bedding.

The two blankets that came to mind, for this post, are the woven kind, usually with at least two colors, if not upwards of 6.  I was given a blue and white one, just before college that says "All Things Bright and Beautiful"; loved this during college as it made home feel a bit closer.  Another one has a variety of cows on it.  Yet another, I just remembered has sunflowers on in.  Think it has been packed away with a spring quilt I haven't used in awhile.

Another favorite country thing ~ blankets!

Joy Through Country ~ Music and Dancing

The two go together, greatly, for me.  I have gone through spells, during my life, LOVING country music.  Was a huge Kenny Rogers fan in elementary school.  Had a tape recorder and one of his tapes, think I probably wore the sucker out I played it out.  It was the album that had "Lucille" and "Gambler" on it, among other songs.

I drifted away from it and back again after college and began line dancing to.  Got into the whole out fit too.  Black skirt, with fringe, black boots, denim & black shirt with cut out on the back, belt.  Yup, the whole thing.  Years ago, when Chili's use to be over where Lifeway is now, in downtown Springfield, friends and I would go there for lunch or dinner, then wander into a boot store next door afterward.  Compare prices and probably go over to the boot store in the old Springfield Mall.  This is what happens when you live in one place for close to 40 years.  You remember things like this.  Heck, I can even remember when the Kmart section and "Lifeway" section of stores were not there.  That is where the Springfield Fairgrounds would be!  Hahahaha, I am so dating myself.

Anyway, not a whole lot of photos to add for this post, less I dig out my dance out fit!  I will leave you with a list of my favorite country songs though:

1.  Amen Kind of Love by Daryle Singletary
2. Any Man of Mine by Shania Twain
3. The Beaches of Cheyenne by Garth Brooks
4. Because Of you By Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson
5. Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
6. Blue by LeAnn rimes
7. Boondocks by Little Big Town
8. The Devil Went Down To Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band
9. Don't Forget to Remember Me by Carrie Underwood
10. Don't Take the Girl by Tim McGraw
11. Everywhere by Tim McGraw
12. Fireflies by Faith Hill
13. Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash
14. For A Little While by Tim McGraw
15. I'm Movin' On by Rascal Flatts
16. It's Your Love by Tim McGraw
17. Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood
18. Little Bitty by Alan Jackson
19. Little Man by Alan Jackson
20. The Maker Said Taker by Alabama
21. Mayberry by Rascal Flatts
22. Meet in The Middle by Diamond Rio
23. My Wish by Rascal Flatts
24. Probably Wouldn't be This Way by Leanne Rimes
25. Remember When by Alan Jackson
26. Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter
27. That Ol' Wind by Garth Brooks
28. Travelin' Soldier by Dixie Chicks
29. Un Momento Alla by Rick Trevino
30. Walkaway Joe by Trisha Yearwood
31. We Danced Anyway by Deana Carter
32. When You Say Nothing At All by Keith Whitley
33. Wide Open Spaces by Dixie Chicks
34. The Woman in Me by Shania Twain
35. You Were Mine by Dixie Chicks

Joy Through Country ~ Barn Star

Not sure what it is about a Barn Star, but sure do like them.  Here is a quick history of the barn star should you be interested.  As usual when searching through your favorite engine, lots of choices came up.  A few even on "country store" type places.  Many said just about the same thing.  Here is the shortest version I found, but still similar to a lot of other posts on the subject.

Easily think of 4 around the house:

1. a nightlight
2. one hanging over the hearth
3. decoration in the foyer
4. Christmas Barn Star tree topper

There are other stars in and around the house, too.  Many may show up in other photo's as I consider country and what I am thankful for!

 Kitchen Night Light

 Usually over the hearth,

but took a better picture down!  It may

show up in other pictures during this series!

 Every time this star comes out, it has a new

home!  No telling where it will be from

one season to the next.

Our Christmas Tree Barn Star!

Thank you Debbie & Jim Morgans!

Joy Through Country

Country ~ what does this mean to you?  Your country of origin?  Or does it conjure up way beyond the metro area you may currently live in?

Having lived a vast majority of my life within a few short miles of a metro area, I find it hard to believe that I feel like such a country person.  The whole concept of country runs through me.  Kevin laughs when I sing a long with "Boondocks" by Little Big Town because I have never lived that life!  Suburbia pretty much my whole life!

To begin this series of Joy, I will leave it at, I love the country!