After five weeks as snowbirds in the Hill Country of Texas, the hubby and I arrived back to the farm a week ago. Unfortunately, we brought the crud home with us. I literally crawled out of the car and headed for the couch and haven't moved much since. This has really kicked my booty and still far from 100%. I've been passing my time sleeping, binge watching Fixer Upper shows, and coughing, coughing, coughing.
Speaking of Fixer Upper (you know, that show on HGTV with Chip and Joanna Gaines), one of the highlights of our time in Texas was making our annual trip to Waco to visit Magnolia Market. I've been a fan of the show from the very first episode and started planning my first trip to visit their shop soon after.
My first visit was to their little shop on Bosque Boulevard during the first season of the show. A tiny little shop in the front portion of a converted house. Through the window of their office, I could see Chip on the phone. A couple of their kids were running around the shop, and Joanna was in the backyard sorting a truck of décor items on the back driveway. As we left, Joanna said "Hi Honey!" as we walked by. Not wanting to interrupt her and seem like a stalker, I waved and walked on. To this day I kick myself that I didn't ask to take a selfie with her because I'll probably never get the chance again.
On our return trip to the little shop on Bosque a year later, we definitely were greeted with larger crowds, a tent in the parking lot with more merchandise that the little shop couldn't hold, lots more employees running around, a food truck or two, and sadly, no Chip and Joanna sightings. We also stopped by Harp Design Co. on this trip to check out their shop too (no Clint sightings either) and a couple of antique stores that have been featured on the show.
Our third trip to Magnolia Market was the second day (or maybe third) the Magnolia Silos were open. Even though they hadn't officially announced they were open, there were crowds of people who couldn't wait for the grand opening to get a peek at the new store. Although larger than the shop on Bosque, I was really surprised at how small the new shop was, inhabiting just a small portion of the front of a very large metal shed. Although the shop was finished, there was lots of construction happening outside on the grounds as they prepared for their first 'Silobration' in a couple of weeks.
This trip saw lots of changes at the silos. The new Silos Bakery was open and a beautiful courtyard had been built. A row of 8 or so food trucks lined the back of the property with several covered picnic tables and the artificial turf was full of high school kids who were spending their lunch break playing and hanging out. There was a garden area that employees were just starting to prep for the new growing season and a garden shed with seeds and other merchandise for those with a green thumb. The shop had been expanded and filled more of the big shed, featuring Joanna's new paint line and Chip's corner with merchandise for the guys. Buses pulled up regularly dropping off or picking up people visiting the silos. A neighboring church and businesses were selling parking spaces in the surrounding blocks. And a block from the silos, another décor shop with a very similar style and merchandise has opened up called The Findery.
It's been fun to follow Chip and Joanna as they've made the most of their 15 minutes of fame (I know, its been way more that 15, but that's the saying). And I look forward to my next trek to the Silos to see what new things they come up with. In the meantime, I think I better get back to my couch and binge watch more Fixer Upper.
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