Country Life

Monday, March 20, 2017

Skirt: Thrifted
Shirt: Thrifted (H&M)
Shoes: Thrifted
Socks: Forever 21
Neck Scarf: DIY
Belt: Thrifted

There's something great about taking a break. Taking time away from your normal life to unplug and focus on something you typically don't. That is what I got to do with my family this past weekend. Thankfully we all had spring break at the same time but we didn't get to spend it all together until Friday when we took a quick weekend trip to our family farm to camp for 3 days. 

Here's the thing, I come from a family of farmers and ranchers. While part of my life has been spent in a decently large town that, I have also grown up experiencing small town life. The kind of life in a town that only has one stoplight, whose small town spirit revolves around the high school sports teams, and the kind of town where if someone does something everyone will know about it. 

You see, both of my parents come from small towns (15 minutes away from each other), the kind of towns where you know almost everyone you come across and if you mention your last name people automatically know who you are and who you are related to. Small town life means everyone shows up for graduation and probably nearly every wedding and every wedding reception is held at the Fireman's Hall (you wouldn't believe how that place can be transformed!), but that's the beauty of it. 

Often times we are stuck in the midst of experiencing only one type of life (unless maybe your family moved a lot), but for me, I have grown up in between being a city and country girl and I think that is something I will always cherish. 

I have fond memories as a kid, visiting the farm and seeing all of my grandfathers cattle, goats, horses, and for awhile ostriches. The greatest memories my siblings and I have about our trips to the farm are wading in the creek and then drying our socks by a fire, chasing the goats and trying to chatch them, picking peaches from the old orchard, hiking through the woods and across the many pastures, fishing in one of the 4 tanks, and our favorite, jumping in the tank for a swim when it gets a bit hot out. 

I might like being put together on a daily basis, but that doesn't erase the fact that country life will always hold a special place in my heart. There is no other place on earth that is filled with the sounds of nothing and yet everything, and I will always love the smell of hay and the view of rolling hills and tree lines as far as the eye can see. Country life is my heritage and will always be in my blood so any time I get to relive my fondest childhood memories I cherish those moments. 

What did you do over spring break?
Anyone else have a family of farmers or ranchers?

- Madison 

16 comments

  1. This is such a cute look, I love the added neck scarf!
    xo
    www.laurajaneatelier.com

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  2. This is such a sweet post! I always thought smalltown life seemed so idyllic, so I'm glad that some of the happy cliches are true. I'm obsessed with the elbow patches on this top! And the neck scarf of course ♥

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    1. The cliches are definitely true:) Aren't the elbow patches fabulous!
      -Madison

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  3. I totally agree! I'm from a very small town. I wouldn't mind living in a bigger town one day, if the opportunity was there, and also don't mind visiting bigger towns. But my heart will always be in small towns! I know most people wouldn't be able to understand that, if they've never lived in a town such as this, but you really have to experience it to understand. Going to a local business and actually knowing the owner, that is so neat! And always finding people you know, or who knows someone you know, that's awesome! And yes, small towns really rally around each other! There's such a sense of community. And you also can't beat the simplicity of it, especially nowadays with life being so loud and busy :)

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    1. Definitely agree with everything you said, especially about the simplicity:)
      -Madison

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  4. Madison I'm so into your country vibe here! I definitely understand what you mean about loving small town life. I did enjoy it because I grew up in Charlotte which isn't that small but it feels small. But I craved more and serious amounts of change and adventure which is why I packed up and moved to NYC with my fiance. It's not for everyone but I understand the beauty of small town life and how unplugging can be the best thing you can do for yourself and your family!
    xx, Belle

    http://ringsabelle.com/10-things-brides-love-hearing/

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  5. I love these pictures! Your country look is so cute :)

    -Jacqueline
    http://jackieomy.blogspot.ca/

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  6. Such fun pictures! You look so cute, your outfit is country perfect. My husband's parents have a farm I understand what you mean by the sounds of nothing and yet everything. They had cows with hay and green pastures too. The smell is so sweet and the atmosphere is so relaxing. Then we bought ten acres with our son's and had chickens, rabbits and a horse. Our son's found a baby fawn we were able to bottle feed and raise her. We were so happy on our farm. Now the animals are gone and our son's are adults. We sure have fond memories too! Stephanie

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  7. How lovely is that outfit. I love that shirt with the patches. It reminds me a coat i had when I was younger.
    Marilyn

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  8. This is a fun country look; It makes me think of fairs and rodeos. :) The way you describe the country part of your life is so lovely. What a privilege to have those memories!

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  9. So adorable Madison! Reminds me of little house on the prairie with 1950 western vibes!!! ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜❤❤. Ever thing you've said about small towns makes my heart so happy, especially since my second home town is a small farmers town❤ One of my favorite places on earth ๐Ÿ˜Š

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  10. I don't know how I would categorize my life. Surburban/small town I suppose. But not that small. We didn't know everyone. In this current small town we are drawn not towards of the town, but out towards the city (or rather the surround suburbs). Its interesting. I guess its part of living in the radius of a large-ish city area which itself isn't very urban.

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