Small Town Texas and Cowboy Church

This weekend Jude was with his dad, so Jimmy and I made the most of it.  We actually ended up doing all of this stuff spur of the moment, which I never get to do now that I'm a mom.  There's so much vitality infused into something when you get to be spontaneous.  Even simple things, like spending a night in Aubrey, Texas.

For those that don't know, I currently live in the tiny town of Crossroads, population 900.  Which is outside Aubrey.  Which is outside Denton.  Which is outside Dallas.  This above picture shows Aubrey's main street.  There's not much to it, other than Mom's On Main.  

Otherwise known as Lucy's on the Square, which made Texas Monthly's best cafe's list.  If you like Southern food, you would like Mom's.  They serve Fried Green Tomatoes, which no one I've ever gone with is into.  I keep meaning to go take myself so I can get some, but never remember.  I may need to take Jude on a date before summer is up!  I love fried green tomatoes!  and fried pickles... and fried catfish- which is what I actually got.

Jimmy and I ate here, and got to celebrate their 1,000 likes on fb, which they gave out free cupcakes for.  I love small town, old building kind of places.  And I love Mom's!  Small town treasures like this are all sorts of 1000 gifts for me.  I am a small town girl at heart.

As we left the restaurant, we were surprised to hear some good ole live fiddlin' going on.  Lo and behold across the street from mom's (next to the rail road tracks and the grain elevator) was a stage set up with the country band, Blacktop Gypsy.  They were actually really good.  I have some vids of them on my instagram (thistleashd) if you want to check them out.  The fiddle player was amazing.  I don't always like country music, but when I do it's because there is either a good fiddle player or a good mandolin player.

Jimmy is a good ole Texas boy, so he loves any true country music.  (This means that most groups out of Nashville do not make the cut.  Hallelujah.)  We plopped ourselves down in the grass and enjoyed the music for the next couple hours.  Amazingly, there was also a cool breeze.  Dear Lord have mercy I can no longer count the gifts God has blessed us with regarding the weather in Texas this summer.  It's been gorgeous.

There were also small town refreshments ;)

We played around with the camera a lot.  Took pictures of each other.  But mostly just enjoyed small town Texas life.  It warms my heart to no end to be a part of a crowd that involves at least 50% worn in cowboy boots.  Or to look up near the stage and see an old cowboy, with a full on gray beard, two stepping with his lady.  I'd love to hear their stories and how they kept the romance alive long enough to be dancing through life at 65.  Definitely my prayer for Jimmy and I.

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Last night we decided to visit a 'Cowboy Church' because we needed to go to church early in the morning in order for Jimmy to head out of town for work this afternoon.  For you non-Texans, this is a church where most of the members are cowboys/ranchers/farmers/rodeo involved/etc.  Most of them are in Texas, although they are randomly in other states too.  There are at least 5 I know of near me.  We decided to go to the one in Krum, Texas because I had heard about that one.  

Bad picture, but you get the idea.  I got several compliments on this dress by the way. #thrifted  Also, I love my boots.  They actually have a hippie looking flower pattern all over the sides.  I think that pretty much describes me.  I'm not much of a cowgirl really, but I love small towns.  And I love land.

What the church building looks like.  What the church is next too.  Very pretty!

Jimmy and I got lost trying to get here.  Definitely off the beaten track.  We called his MawMaw on our way, because she grew up in Krum :) Jimmy probably had cousins in church he didn't know about.  We only were able to hear two songs, which made me sad because I was hoping for some good ole southern gospel like I grew up on.  We did get to hear them sing Precious Memories though.  Technically, this song doesn't refer to Jesus, but hey, I have precious memories of my grandma singing to Jesus.  Also, they had a mandolin player on stage.  I have managed to randomly hear both my favorite country instruments live within 24 hours.  #forthewin

If you have a cowboy church near you, it's definitely a fun way to change it up on a Sunday.  Jimmy and I are kind of theology junkies, so it wouldn't be somewhere I could go all the time.  I need my expository teaching of the Bible, and for that I will always be thankful for Denton Bible.  However, sometimes you just need some of that 'Old Time Religion' and you southern gospel folks know what I'm talking about when I say that.  It was fun, and I definitely see us popping in to cowboy churches every now and then in the future :)

'Ragin' Date Night

Last night, Jimmy and I went to a local 'Cajun' restaurant.  Having grown up in New Orleans, I am painfully aware of how Gulf Coast/Cajun food should taste.  No restaurant ever compares to home, but it's nice to go and reminisce about friends, family, newspaper covered with crawfish, humidity(truth) and mossy Spanish Oaks anyway.  It was a fun time :)

We chowed down on crawfish, which I'm slightly convinced is 50% part of the experience of bonding over eating your food like a complete slob and having crawfish juice dripping all the way down to your elbows :)  Jimmy was all business.  Obviously, I was ridiculously excited because I have my 'OMG' smile going on here.  We may or may not of referenced Duck Dynasty several times during this....

We stopped and semi watched the sun set on a small body of water (which in NTX terms means a man made lake...).  Side note- Jimmy grew up along the Texas Coast, so we both have a certain affection for water.  After eating seafood, we both felt we needed to see some water.  :)  We had a drink, watched the end of the sunset from the wall of windows (where you can see our reflection later on...)  Then we walked around the lake a wee bit.  Can you spot us?

Date Night Duds- I seriously could wear long skirts and t shirts on the daily.  I'm so blessed to have a guy who appreciates the casual side like woah.  I keep thinking I need to get more adventurous again, but the whole heels thing always turns me away...

Skirt- Target

Tshirt- Target

Headband- a belt from F21 I cut

Bracelets- Freeset

I am really excited about this Bob Marley shirt.  And not pictured is the Bob Dylan one I bought.  I like my Bobs of music ;)  I was listening to Bob Marley in the delivery room when I had Jude.  I find his music so calming, inspiring, and honestly, I just want to live on an island too.  And Jude's middle name is Dylan...  So all that to say, both remind me of my little guy.

The bracelets are by this company called Freeset.  I recently bought them along with my new favorite teacher bag.  It's a really great company.  They hire women they save from human trafficking, train them, and employ them making bags, bracelets, etc.  There are a ridiculous number of people enslaved today.  It's daunting to try to think of how to help.  It's a small thing to do, but it's worth it.  Think of purchasing with purpose next time you need something :)

http://enditmovement.com/

70s boho weekend

Jude and I have a tradition we do every Friday called "Pirate Campout".  This basically just means that we throw some blankets on the ground and watch TV.  This weekend though, we went all out.  We took all our kitchen chairs, several sheets, and made a true, glorious pirate tent.  Jude actually spent the night in the tent.  Super fun.  I think my favorite part may have been his motivation to clean up his toys ;) but in all seriousness, there is just something about tents that is magical.  I remember as a kid being quite convinced I had been transported to another time, place, and world when I stepped into a tent.  What is it about chairs and sheets that makes the child feel so alive?  It's amazing and completely #1000gifts.

Jude has woken up the past weekends ridiculously early the past few weekends.  I'm talking 5:45 or 6:00 early.  Miserably early.  The only positive is that I have an excuse for extra coffee.  And my grocery shopping is done early, as mentioned last week.  Saturday though, we went and got kolaches and donuts before our excursion.  Jude was excited and gave it a peace sign.  Or as one of my friends said, a double barrel guns up!!!  Both are awesome :)

I know there will come a day when you readers will get sick of the fact that all my dates are involving church.  But it is so much easier to go on Saturday night.  So, so be it.  I just really love worshipping with Jimmy.  And I love going to church.  We were kind of in the mood for a low key weekend I guess.  I didn't feel like going overboard.  And he requested my boho hat, which was perfect because it gave me an excuse to be comfy And make him happy.  Winning!

We rented Moonrise Kingdom after church and watched it once I got Jude in bed.  I swear I heard lots of people talking about how great that movie was.  All I can say is I'm not hipster enough for that shiz.  I like the funny indie movies.  Like a lot.  We rented Safety Not Guaranteed not too long ago.  I thought that was funny and enjoyable.  It was pretty weird.  But this movie?  This movie was beyond weird and I spent most of the time with my jaw dropped in a huhhhh kind of way.  It's one of those hipster movies that I think hipsters make to assure themselves that they are in fact elite and the rest of the world can't understand them and they are so beyond normal society.  No offense.  I didn't like it though.  Maybe someone can enlighten me?

Sunday I got to hang out with my sister.  We ate Mexican, watched a chick flick, laughed, and gossiped.  It was pretty snazzy.  Also some grading was thrown in there.  Life of a teacher.  Anyway, how was your weekend?

Outfit deets:

hat: gift, Target

sweater: TJ Maxx

Tshirt: Urban Outfitters

Jeans: American Eagle, thrifted

Shoes: can't remember, but same from last weekend

this will be linked up for Monday

Weekend Happenings

 This weekend was lovely, as all weekends are.  Not because I did anything particularly special.  It's just so lovely to just be myself.  And have no schedule!!!!  I am not a fan of having my days planned down to the minute, and I think that is my favorite part of the weekend by far.  Friday was my usual hang out with Jude and basically do nothing.  It was relaxing as usual.

Saturday I spent the morning at the park with Jude catching up with a good friend.  I love those moments where you get to do that.  I am the worst at keeping up with people I care about.  I'm so task oriented, I guess I forget about the life things that don't make my to do list.  So all that to say, it was wonderful.

That night I went on a lovely date with my fella.  And because it wasn't freezing, I decided to bare leg it.  Vintage style.  Have I mentioned how much I am loving having bangs?  I mean, technically I have had bangs for almost a year.  This time though she cut them differently, and I love it.

I ordered this skirt from Shabby Apple (see link in my side bar).  I was surprised how comfy it was!  It's a really soft cotton, almost like a T shirt.  If there is anything I love more in the world than being cute, it's being comfy.  Ohh it was kind of a dream.  And I felt pretty and vintage and lovely.  

cardigan: high school

yellow shirt: thrifted

shoes: college

skirt: Shabby Apple

This guy was also looking pretty handsome in his hot pink cat eye glasses ;)  I know how to pick 'em!

We tried this place out before going to church.  (yes we had another church date.  we are basically cooler than anyone we know.)  Most of what we ordered was good, but we both ordered versions of Thom Yum soup.  And in Jimmy's words it was Thom Not So Yum soup.  That part was sad.  The rest was awesome.  Church was good, and while the thing that stuck out to me the most was not remotely the point, I am so excited about the blog I'm doing for Into The Word Wednesday because my perspective was totally changed for the better Saturday night!!!

And lastly, Jude received this gem from my parents for Valentines Day.  I think I mentioned this the other day.  But we watched a lot of "Bato" as he calls it this weekend.  So glad he loves it!

See my links tab to find out where I am linking up today :)

Diamonds and Gasonline- Turnpike Troubadour Style

  This weekend my boyfriend and I celebrated his birthday in true Texas style.  One of his favorite bands is the Red Dirt/Texas Country band called the Turnpike Troubadours.  (For all you non-Texas/Oklahoma people out there, this type of country is actually GOOD.  It's also not heard on normal country radio.)  Anyway, we went down to Ft. Worth to Billy Bobs for the show.  It was awesome because a lot of his work friends sort of just all bought tickets too as the week went on.  I hadn't met them before, and meeting their wives/girlfriends is always fun.  

I love dressing up to go to country music places.  I am in no way a 'Texas girl' really.  I mean I wear the boots regularly, but I am definitely not a country girl.  I'm my own mix of me, what can I say :)  I got this dress a couple years ago, and loved the flowers on it.  They actually remind me of bluebonnets, although I don't know if I realized that at the time.  Either way, perfect dress for some Texas fun.

Ahh my boots, how I love them.  These boots actually get worn a lot, because hey, in my opinion, they go with everything.  It might also be because I've never bothered to buy another pair of boots, and you know, its like winter and stuff ;)

My very most favorite part of these boots is the design on the sides.  It's very hippie-flower-esque.  It's perfect for someone like me who is like equal parts hippie-punk-country-vintage.  But really, I love them love them.  And also, why is it that boots Always looks awesome when you take pictures of your feet?

Not related to my outfit, but I changed my hair this week.  Dyed it dark, redid my bangs which were driving me crazy, and added a purple streak.  Technically that streak is also blue on the bottom.  Does anyone know how to actually photograph fantasy colors.  Because I have never been able to correctly get a picture of what my hair looks like in real life when I do this.

And last, the self portrait.  We had so much fun :)  in our boots and flower dresses and flannel shirts.  

Dress:  Forever 21

Boots: Sheplers Western Store

Jewelry: forgot to wear it :)

Listen to Diamonds and Gasoline