24 reasons we love country life

No dress code

"You can go outside in your super ugly pajamas to get the mail and fill the bird feeders." - Lisa Engel

Aromatherapy

"The smell of the horses across the road from me. I love the smell; it has a calming effect on me. And fresh cut grass, and hanging my laundry outside, and, oh my, too much to mention. Love my life." - Cindy Dove

Slowing down

"I love no red lights, traffic or sirens, slowing down at my one stop sign, listening to my roosters, building fires in the front yard, living where others come to camp and being 5 minutes from the lake. Fishing poles just stay in the truck! Life is perfect." - Elychia Toops

Night lights

"Being able to see the stars and moon! The quiet is so peaceful! Wide open space, mountains … Mother Nature is Beautiful! For me, the cities are fun to visit, but I am so thankful to come back home to the beautiful State of Idaho!" - Kimberly Patel

Afternoon entertainment

"Nothing like sitting outside late afternoon -- the smell fresh cut grass, honeysuckle flowers, feeding the hummingbirds, the smell of cut hay and horses grazing in the lot, chipmunks and squirrels and rabbits going across the yard looking for something to eat." - Grace Kelsey

Backyard bliss

"This is it -- my back yard. Could stay outside all day long." - Tammy Haley Fulk

Where life is better

"Seclusion! No noisy neighbors close is the best part but I also like going out and seeing trees instead of buildings, hearing birds instead of people, smelling grass instead of car fumes, picking up blackberries instead of garbage. Life is just BETTER in the country." - Judi Jackson Faulk

Nature sounds

"I like hearing the nature sounds, like the birds in the morning and the insects at night. We are surrounded by trees and barely can see our neighbors and they don't see us. It is so peaceful and no traffic noises or sirens. We see stars at night and watch the thunderstorms. We don't have TV service and just have the radio and books to read. So very nice!" - Anne Comberrel

God's music

"Hearing the roosters crow in the morning, the birds sing, the fish splashing in the pond, the wind blowing the leaves on the trees. Feeling a warm gentle breeze while sitting on the swing, smelling honeysuckle and fresh cut grass in the air. Tasting ice cold water melon on hot sunny day. These are God's gifts and his music. Listen carefully to the music." - Tani W. Middleton

Fields of dreams

"Riding down the road and seeing corn fields instead of side by side buildings." - Nanny Judy

Mountain's majesty

"I can't name just one thing about country life that I love. We are just so absolutely blessed beyond measure, by living here in the country. I can go right out the dining room door and see the Owyhee Mountains here in Idaho. We have a gentleman's farm, cattle, chickens, and cat. The whisper of God, in the breeze ... I will always be a country girl, and I am so thankful for where God planted us." - Debbie Kidder Harris

Farm and faith

"Too many reasons why I prefer the country: the quietness, the farmland, good neighbors I've known forever, my many animals, and my country church, just to name a few!" - Brenda Welborn Fretwell

Childhood memories

"I grew up in the country so the number one thing I love is the memory of a beautiful childhood...wide, bright starlit skies at night, much brighter than in the city. The distant sound of the train whistle blowing, the peace and quiet, the open windows with a breeze blowing the curtains, fireflies in the yard at night and picking wildflowers for mama every day. Fresh fruit and veggies from our garden and from the surrounding fields of local farmers...in the country everyone is friendly. No life can compare to a life in the country!" - Michele Barber Jones

Lovely togetherness

"I like being with just my husband. I like growing a garden and flowers. I like canning blueberry jam, blackberry jam, peach preserves. I like the sound birds make and watching them feed and nest. I like my dog outside but safe. I love country life!" - Sherwon Frederick

Heavenly preview

"For me, living in the country is like God's way of showing me a preview of Heaven." - Victoria Ratcliff

Rural rush hour

"Sitting on the back porch during rush hour, when the deer are in the field, the crane is in the creek, the ducks come flying in and the birds are welcoming the dawn. Watching my girls discover the blessings of nature, the value of Mother Earth and the rewards of hard work. Sipping a frozen fruity drink around the fire in the back yard with friends and family while watching lightening bugs and listening to music. Just being, breathing and enjoying life. That's why when my husband retired from the Army we came back to my family home in the country. Wouldn't trade it for anything." - Janet Mack

Evening relaxation

"Love the quiet of the evening with the frogs singing, the goats in the pasture jumping from spool to spool. My tomatoes and cukes are a rare beauty. I just can't imagine living where I could see a neighbor's house." - Linda D. Moore

Country pleasures

"Nothing like running barefoot and feeling the earth and fresh mowed grass between your toes, drinking fresh-brewed tea and lemonade, catching fireflies and swimming in secret swimming holes. That's the life! Home-grown veggies and fresh fruit from the fruit trees, my girls laying fresh eggs every day and watching them running around the yard with the cat and dog. Can't do that in the city!" - Tammy Henry Hiltabidel

Peaceful place

"Peace and quiet." - Janet Robie

Janet shared this photo of her beautiful New Hampshire view.

Community pride

"The feeling of community ... although my neighbor is not right in my back yard, we can always count on our community in times of hardship, rallying around the sick for support, helping build a new barn when lost to fire, and the list goes on. I'm so proud to be a country girl!" - Karen-Lynn Hart

Porch time

"Evenings like this ... Sitting on the porch and relaxing." - Pamela Marko

Pamela shared this photo of her spectacular porch.

Fun on the farm

"Where to start? Hay bail jumping, fresh air and peace, all the animals, fresh warm eggs to collect each morning, gardening, tire swing, wild berry picking, gravel road walks, deer in the backyard, my horse, and barn dancing to name a few." - Heidi Ostrowski

Country kids

"The safety of my children playing in the yard, riding bikes or walking down the road to the mail box and our most favorite thing is that the cell phones do not work up here. The list could go on and on!" - Natalie Howard Tschacher

'Shear' enjoyment

"Love waking up early getting ready to go to the sheds with my fella. Love the smell of a shearing shed, love the atmosphere, and people are so much easier. We're a unique breed." - Natalie Ramirez

Natalie Ramirez shared this photo of one of her sheep being sheared.