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.

************************************************************************

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 :)

Thankful- summer week 2

This week has been difficult.  Not in any specific way.  Just in an annoying way.  In an --of course that would happen now gah can't I just get a minute to think-- kind of way.  I'm about the worst person in the world when it comes to adapting and going with the flow.  I do not do change of plans well.  I'm what you might call 'obsessive compulsive type A'.  Needless to say, I am having to be intentional about trying to be thankful.  Intentional about remembering to breathe.  Intentional about getting out of the house.  Intentional about art journaling, because seriously, that is so good for me.

Getting out of the house is going to be a must for me this summer.  Today I took Jude to the library, which was great.  He picked out books.  Plus, we have the moments of reading them, which gives us intentional activity.  We also went to a friend's house this afternoon which was fun.  Tomorrow I am going Target-ing for trip needs.  Friday I have book club and friends coming over.  Yippee.  I officially am one of those people who needs to get out of the house as often as possible to stay sane.  Bring all your fun summer toddler activities my way people.  For real!

Despite my stir crazy- I have had awesome moments.

Thankful for this past weekend:  Jude was with his dad Saturday night.  And while that ended up being a pretty huge headache, it did afford me some awesome time with Jimmy.  We went boot scootin' (heckyes) in good ole CowTown (Ft. Worth).  And even better Mark Chestnut was playing there that night.  It was a spur of the moment plan, but it was pretty fun to see him.  I have 100% given up on country as of like 2004 when it became riddled with shizzy pop disguised as country.  However, bring me all your fiddle playing/steel guitar picking/90s country.  Love!  To all you other girls in other parts of the world, I am sorry that you do not get to gaze at your man in boots on the regular.  That is a tragedy for so many Americans.  Two stepping makes my life worth living.  And also makes me love Jimmy more and more.

Monday and Tuesday we were greeted with rainy mornings.  Just a little bit of background- Texas has been in a severe drought state for the past 2 years or something.  I live a bit in the country where two lakes happen to somewhat meet up.  In order to get anywhere, I have to cross parts of the lake.  When I first moved here 3.5 years ago, it actually looked like a lake.  At this point, it is literally mostly dry land.  Not-even-joking.  Severe.  I literally pray everytime I go across (which is at least twice daily basically) that God send rain.  He has answered that prayer soooo much! this spring!  And is still answering it!  I have lived in NTX nearly 10 years.  I've never seen a wet June here in my life!  And to top it off our highs are like 88-93.  Also never happened in the 10 years I've been here.  Highs in the summer here range from 95-100 for June and 100-115 through July and August.  I mean I literally am in heaven right now.  I just kind of want to do a thanksgiving dance on my lawn pretty much daily.

 And then I came inside and saw this.  And I died a little bit.  Why yes I would love to watch my toddler cozy up to Sid the Science Kid while it rains outside and I sip my coffee.  Why no I'm not sure I can think of a better way to spend a summer morning.  Thank you Jesus!!!!

Disclaimer:  This cuteness being said, I'm pretty sure the fact that we've had 2 rainy mornings and have been unable to do fun stuff like go to the pool has been a large reason I am going stir crazy.  That in no way makes me unthankful for the rain.  Still praying for more of it!  But it definitely has shown me that on rainy days, I need to plan ways to get up and go!  Or have ingredients on hand to make cookies just in case?  Something!

This picture is just because.  Cutest sleeping kiddo.

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