Barnstar...

Barnstar (or barn star): a decorative painted object or image, often in the shape of a five-pointed star but occasionally in a circular "wagon wheel" style, used to adorn a barn. Most commonly seen in German-American farming communities. Having no structural purpose, they are mainly used for their general aesthetic appeal and are even considered lucky, akin to a horseshoe mounted over a doorway.

The tradition of the barn star in America can be traced back to the 1700's, and to at least the 1820's in Pennsylvania. Barn stars were most popular after the Civil War. On many older American barns, particularly German farms, one could see a large decoration in the shape of a star mounted on the face of the barn. Sometimes they were just aesthetic, but sometimes they represented the trademark of a specific barn builder. It is our understanding the original star shape was a three-pointed star but has changed throughout the years. Colors had significance with the Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch barn paintings. These folk art designs, many of which were star shaped, were painted directly onto each end of the barn, and date back to the 1850's.

Color significance:

Black- Protection, also used to blend or bind elements together.

Red- Emotions, passion, charisma, lust, and also creativity.

White- Purity, power of the moon, allows energy to flow freely.

Blue- Protection, peace, calmness and spirituality.

Green- Growth, fertility, success in things and ideas that grow.

Yellow- Health in body and mind, love of man and the sun, connection to God.

Brown- Mother earth, also can mean friendship and strength.

Orange- Abundance in career, projects and matters needing an added push.

Violet- Things that are sacred.

A barnstar was viewed as a symbol of good luck to farmers "way back when", as they are still viewed by many people today. The popularity of one or even multiple stars displayed on a garden wall, or side of one's home is a very popular decorative accent.

Day Trip...

The hubby and I took a nice little day trip this past Thursday. Just thought we would get out and enjoy the weather and maybe do some site-seeing. Here are some pictures we took along the way of a beautiful old covered bridge and a house in Elizabethton, TN.

It is one of two bridges in Tennessee identified by a Tennessee Historical marker and is included on the National Registry of Historic Sites.
Built in 1882, the Covered Bridge is believed to be the oldest such bridge that is still in use for pedestrians.

"Happy Mother's Day"

"Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; A mother's secret hope outlives them all." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

Wishing you a happy Easter and a great weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

Wishing you all a happy St. Patrick's Day!

I've been very busy lately working on some new projects. I'm very excited about it, can't wait to share. Hopefully it will be very soon. Will post as soon as it's up and running.

Have a great weekend!

Amy

Disbelief...Anger...Worry.....

These are the emotions in the air this week at my place of employment....which could soon be unemployment. Watching friends, co-workers walk out the door, some temporarily...some forever. Being employed in the automotive industry for the last 16 years I have seen ups and downs, highs and lows. But never...never this low. Myself, being layed-off 3 times now since July, I am feeling the hardships of this unemployment thing. But still I worry about these friends and co-workers that I see with worry and fear in their eyes. Fear of loss, worry of unpaid mortgages. How will they feed their families? There are no other jobs to go to. I wonder.... what will happen to them. I pray for them.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11-13