Waco or Bust

There's an old postal motto which says, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds".  Well, when it comes to two sisters going on the trip of their dreams, the same can be said!

  Like so many others, my sister Jo and I have been dreaming of going to visit Magnolia Market since the show "The Fixer-Upper" came on HGTV.  So we finally did it!  We booked her flight from Wisconsin to Jax, then planned for the two of us to head west to Texas.  A two day trip, but everyone says to drive so you can carry all your treasures back with you!  So this is what we planned to do.

What we didn't plan, was for a hurricane to land in Jacksonville at the exact time her flight was suppose to land!  Seeing the storm coming, we moved her flight to arrive a day early.  We waited out Hurricane Matthew, making sure the family was safe and there was no damage to our home.  Thankfully all we experienced was the loss of power, so my husband urged us to head out the next day.

When we got in the car, loaded up and ready to go, it wouldn't start.  Crazy!  I had just driven it down the road to grab some breakfast!  My husband was still determined that we were going to have this trip of a lifetime, so he went down and rented a car for him to drive while we were gone, and we transferred our luggage to his car and headed west.  A few hours behind schedule, but we were off! Not even Hurricane Matthew could stop us!  

And 2 days later (16 hours of driving time) we arrived in Waco!!  Woot!  

The first thing we did was head to the Silos.  We knew it would be closed, but we had to see it.  Even closed, it was an impressive sight.  And it certainly whet our appetites for the next day! 

  

Fortunately, the Silos Bakery had opened a few weeks before we visited, so we planned to go early the next morning to have breakfast before shopping.  The bakery opens at 7 AM, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.  (We should know... we went to the bakery at least 5 or 6 times in the 2 days we were there!!) 

 The decor of the bakery was so Joanna!  Fresh white subway tile and black cabinetry with wood floors.

 And the baked goods were beautiful!  It was hard to decide... so we tasted pretty much everything while we were there!!

We can recommend the Silo cookie, the nutty cinnamon roll, the orange cranberry biscuit,  

the almond pastry, the cupcakes... like I said, pretty much everything! 

Even though the Magnolia Market doesn't open till 9 AM, after you grab your breakfast, the grounds are open for you to explore.  There is plenty to see.

 For my sister Jo, it was 1,159 miles to Waco.  For me, 1,054!

Chip and Jo thought of everything.  Their attention to detail is incredible.  We walked around with our mouths hanging open, so taken by everything.  Who sees an old abandoned silos and thinks of creating this?  Chip and Joanna Gaines!  That's who!

I love the way they used the metal structure from the Silos to hang swings for the kiddos 

(and the adults!).

Once inside the shop, it was a whole new level of amazement.  All the vignettes were gorgeous!  I apologize for not having more photos.  I was so overwhelmed with the store, I didn't even think of taking pictures!!  Every table and every display was equally inspiring and beautiful to take in.  We walked the store about 4 times, to make sure we didn't miss anything.  Then we came back later after having our lunch and shopped again.  THEN came back the next day and shopped more!  And every time, we saw things we didn't see before.  There is just so much to see!

The main room  opened up into another huge room.

And there were a lot of associates who were eager to help you find what you are looking for. 

When you got to the counter, the team member made you feel like you were the only customer they have had all day.  They took time to chat, find out where you were from and hear your story.

And did I mention lunch?  No need to go anywhere for it.  There are food trucks lined up outside in the courtyard, which give you a wonderful array of options.  Pizza, grilled cheese, crepes, Asian food... and the list goes on!! 

Once you get your food, there are dozens of white picnic tables to sit at.  Some under their recently built pavilion, and some under umbrellas, but all providing shade, and all beautifully adorned with Jo's touch.

This old truck was parked in the courtyard.  Another fun thing to explore.

After splitting a yummy grilled cheese sandwich, we made our way to the garden shop, Magnolia Seed and Supply.  Again, so much to take in.  The greenhouse is currently being built and will open soon.

There were several of these precious ferry gardens throughout the garden area.  You can buy the pieces in the Feed and Seed shop to make your own.  When my grandbaby, Hazel gets a little older, this will be on my list to do with her for sure!!!

I don't think there was anything the Gaines didn't think of.  They have included every family member in the visit to the Silos.  The open courtyard has toys for the children to play with.  It is all not just family friendly, but family ORIENTED.

You certainly won't leave empty handed, hungry nor disappointed!!

After having about as much fun as a human being should be allowed to have, we headed over to Harp Design.  It's just a short drive from the Silos.  Their shop was filled with great home decor pieces as well. And their employees were equally friendly and eager to tell THEIR story.  We loved that!  

We left with bags filled with Harp Design goodies too!

After shopping Clint's shop, we headed out to McGregor, TX to find the Gaines' B & B. 

 The Magnolia House.

On the way, we took a little detour (after driving right through McGregor without realizing it... yes, it's small!).  But the detour allowed me to see some beautiful countryside and meet a few new friends.  

I mean, when else is this city slicker going to see goats?  And horses?  And cows?!!  

And they were very obliging to pose for me!

(Actually the cows were along the interstate on the way home, but they fit the story here, so there you go.)

"You crazy lady!!!"

So, after making our way back to McGregor, we found The Magnolia House.  SO charming! Just like it is in all the pictures.

Next trip, I will be booking the place, for sure!

On the way out of town the next morning (after our 5th or 6th visit to the Silos Bakery), we caught the sun coming up over some iconic places in Waco.

And THIS is why we drove!!!  Not one regret!  4 days on the road, over 2,200 miles covered, tons of quality time with my sister, visiting the shop of our dreams... SO worth it!  I'm so thankful my husband pushed us out the door, and didn't let the storm or the broken car stop us.  

Would we do it again?  You betcha!