A Visit to Magnolia Market at the Silos

Let me be straight with you…Jeremy and I haven’t had cable for over two years. (Shocking, I know!) When we cancelled it (to save money in the budget), we knew two of the main things we’d miss are HGTV and the Food Network. And sure enough, right after we kicked the cable out the door, a brand new show called Fixer Upper appeared on the scene. I remember my mom raving about it, “…and she always takes them out to her farmhouse to see the finishes they have in their own house.” Etc., etc. She loved it. And I was groaning inside. And shaking my fist at the cable companies for being so expensive.

We loved Netflix, but at the time, there were no HGTV or Food Network shows available – we’re so glad they finally brought our favorites on board finally! Until that happened, though, we saw a few episodes of Fixer Upper here and there…at my parents’ house or Jeremy parents’ house (my sweet mother-in-law records them for us) or at any hotel we stayed in on vacation. When Netflix pulled them in (btw, we need full seasons, Netflix!) that was all that Jeremy and I watched, until we had seen them all.

We both love watching it because we like building things and enjoy good design…and they’re so stinkin’ cute together…and Chip says some hilarious things…and their family is adorable…and they live on a farm with baby goats everywhere. What’s not to love?? We decided that Chip is Jeremy’s brother-from-another-mother and Joanna is my sister-from-another-mister. We were smitten. (In a non-wierd way, of course.)

via hgtv.com

So when Jeremy had a work conference lined up in Austin a few weeks ago, I was thrilled that the Texas map showed Waco to be less than two hours from there! Yahoooo! After the conference we were gonna head over to visit Magnolia Market at the Silos, Chip and Jo’s new store in Waco. So we did. And it did not disappoint! It’s perfectly perfect, with more fun stuff in the works…and I thought you might want a sneak peak of it. 😉

When we first parked and got out, I immediately saw a familiar face…and then another! No, it wasn’t Chip and JoJo, but it was two former FHU alumni with their three little kids. I was still pretty surprised. And I think they were, too. Ha! I knew Stephanie’s parents lived in Waco (I had been in touch with her mom about attending church there that night) but I didn’t realize that Stephanie and Eric did, too. So it was a nice welcome to Magnolia to see them. =)

Then we started walking over beside the silos – I had given the camera to Jeremy, so he was snapping away, artfully arranging some sunbursts-in-the-silo shots.

He crossed the street to take some more pics but I kept walking down the sidewalk, eager to get to our destination. And boy, I’m glad I did! A lady crossed in front of me to get to her car and our eyes met. She looked awfully familiar…

“Are you Joanna’s mom?” I asked. (Listen, I’m so glad I watched that Christmas episode so I would recognize her!!)

via hgtv.com

“Yes!” she nodded excitedly. She came back to talk to me and she was super sweet. She was thrilled that we came from Tennessee and said it was so nice to have people from far away come to visit. By that time, Jeremy had crossed the street towards us and realized what was happening. “Do you want to take a picture?” she asked. “Of course!” Now, in hindsight…maybe she meant she could take a picture of us, but that’s not how it played out. 😉 So I got my picture made with Joanna Gaines’ mom. And I got a hug. =)

The only thing is, I hate this picture of myself! Ha! She’s so tiny – and bless my heart, I’m not. Oh, well…it’ll always be the picture that made me say, “THAT’S IT. I’m done. Gotta get healthy. For real.” It was a historic day for several reasons. 😉 And I’ve lost at least 5 lbs since then. Yay!

Back to Waco, though. =)

We passed a cute little white building on the corner that had a sign saying, “Something sweet is coming in 2016.” We found out from an employee inside Magnolia Market that it’s going to be a cupcake bakery. So adorable, right??

Then we rounded the corner and I might’ve squealed. 😉 We took a few selfies to show that we were really there…

…and then explored the grounds before we went inside. I really didn’t realize that this place would be so BIG. There’s a sweet garden area beside the silos.

Oh, and you can’t actually go inside the silos. There’s apparently something in the works for the actual silos, but it’s still a secret. Or maybe they’re still trying to decide?

There’s a huge grassy spot (laid with turf – good idea) where kids and parents were playing frisbee. There were workers making a bricked sidewalk to the garden area. And lots of picnic tables…and food trucks. I’m a fan of the little cafe’ lights strung everywhere…and I think they’re planning to host live musical events here, too. Be still, my heart. This business idea is just fantastic! I’m in love. =)

Look at the cutest little crepe truck! Adorable. If we hadn’t already eaten, we would have checked these out further!

Then we went inside the market – Jeremy took these wonderful pictures to document the occasion…and I shopped. I had birthday money to spend!! 😉

Look! #shiplap mugs! 😉

Picking out my birthday gift. =)

Jeremy was a tad disappointed that “Chip’s Corner” wasn’t very big. He was hoping for more manly items!

Guess where else we went?? 😉 😉 It was so funny – we had no idea that Clint and his family lived Right Next Door to his shop. So we accidentally drove past the shop and then were turning around to go back…and saw their house (Chip and Joanna remodeled it for them in an earlier season). And right then Clint stuck his head out the front door to check their mailbox. Perfect timing!! 😉 Haha!

I always look for a Christmas ornament to remember our trips…and we found one at Harp Design Co. =)

After we left the silos, we drove out to the Homestead Heritage community that my friend Nancy had told me about. We ate supper at their cafe’ (super yum!) and then headed to mid-week church service with our friends.

Since we wished we had more time at Homestead Heritage, we actually drove back to Waco again the next day! Check this place out, y’all! We want to take our parents back to Waco sometime – take some classes (maybe beekeeping or pottery-making? but really, I want to take them all!) – visit Magnolia Market (our parents are all fans of Fixer Upper) – and we’d love to stay in Chip and Jo’s new vacation rental, of course. And Baylor has a super beautiful campus. We were really impressed.

I also recommend visiting Spice Village while you’re in Waco – this place has 80 vendors and it was so fun! I bought another TX Christmas ornament and the Best-Smelling Candles Ever (the Spice Village scent). And look…I think JoJo’s been here… 😉

Goodbye, Waco! Until next time! 😉