Saturday, September 22, 2018

It's Officially Autumn!


Today is September 22, 2018.
🍁 🍁 🍁 ~ It's officially autumn! ~ 🍁 🍁 🍁


We had some much needed rain in recent days. 
It has left the air feeling crisp with a touch of fall, 
but still sunny ~ perfect days to play with shadows.

I moved the white ironstone that holds our silver and mother of pearl flatware to where the sun streamed in through the bay window, sat back and relaxed with my stitching, and watched as the sun did a shadow dance.

The sunlight glistened on the pearly whites of the flatware 
and the leaves of dusty miller.

As the sun sank lower, more interesting shadows began to form. Lacy images appeared on the ironstone from
the delicate rim of the gallery tray.

The sun grabbed hold of the 
mother of pearl with intensity . . .

And created shadows within the individual handles.

As time passed the sun began to drop its hold on the handles of pearl and instead offered a touch of warmth.

Then Mr. Sun gently slid away  . . .

And offered up a picture perfect autumn vignette.

🍁 🍁 ~ Happy First Day of Autumn ~ 🍁 🍁 
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Sunday, September 16, 2018

The Magnolia Vibe ~ Waco Road Trip

There is an iconic diner at
the Circle in Waco, TX.

Originally known as The Elite Cafe, it has long been famous.  
Elvis Presley ate there when stationed at Ft. Hood in the 1950s,
and generations of Waco residents and travelers along IH 35 
have dined there since it opened in 1919.

When The Elite closed in 2016, Chip and Joanna Gaines 
bought the property, renovated, and renamed it 
The Magnolia Table.
Miz Checkers and I think the "Fixer Upper" team did a fantastic
renovation, and kept the original character of this Waco icon.
It is tastefully restored and extremely organized with abundant staff 
to handle the crowds that now flock to Waco to experience 
The Magnolia Vibe.

Groups like this!  These ladies had traveled from 
the state of Illinois on a girls trip to stay in one of the
Magnolia properties and experience the Magnolia Vibe.

I ordered the French Toast Breakfast, and 
as you can see I didn't leave any behind.
OK, so I didn't eat it all!  
Miz Checkers is extremely handy for "doggie bags."
It was just as tasty warmed up and enjoyed again in Austin.

Oh, and I might add, we found all the black and white details 
throughout the cafe to be as delicious as the food!

There is a small gift shop filled with speciality foods, cookbooks,
and Magnolia brand mugs, aprons, and other goodies.

On the west side of Waco, on Bosque Blvd. we found the
original Magnolia Market which opened in 2003. It is now
used as a warehouse and "sales" shop.

The major draw and attraction is The Silos.
In 2014, the Gaines purchased the two city blocks 
marked by two 1950s silos that were once part 
of the Brazos Valley Cotton Oil Company.

Here they created a shopping complex that features a little something for everyone: a large green lawn popular with families for fun and games, a beautiful Market for all things for the home, a garden and garden shop, a food truck park, and the Gaines signature bakery, The Silos Baking Co.
Their goal was to create something more than just retail shopping.
They wanted something fun and relaxing and unique for all who came to share the Magnolia experience.

Magnolia Market, the retail store, is housed in the original 
Grain Barn and filled with lovely things to purchase for the home.
Inspirational vignettes are around every corner.

🐾  Magnolia Market is also dog friendly!   🐾
Just look at these sweet pups.  The guy on the left
wanted to follow me around and kept nudging my legs.

A delightful shopping experience!
I doubt you will go home empty handed.

The Silos Baking Co. is the Gaines signature bakery. 
Filled with sweet treats, it is the perfect vibe 
to reflect Joanna's love of baking.
With names like Shiplap, Nuts and Bolts, and Silobration, 
visitors are certain to fill a box to take for the road.

 Waco, Texas is definitely a City with a Soul
and worth a visit if you find yourself in central Texas.


The Magnolia Vibe ~ Waco Road Trip
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Saturday, September 1, 2018

Tales of the Traveling Tote #16



RABBIT ~ RABBIT
It's the first of the month and time for a new edition of 
Tales of the Traveling Tote.
Welcome to Tales of the Traveling Tote #16.
Summers in Texas are hot, and cold drinks are a must!
The first Sunday in June we headed off to join "The Chef's"
twin for lunch and indulge in an ice cold milkshake.
The Peached Tortilla is a small local restaurant known for its 
simple Southern comfort food with an Asian flair.
They are also famous for their monthly 
Shakes, Burgers, and Bubbles 
brunch on the first Sunday of the month which features 
a themed milkshake in collaboration with a local vendor.
Featured that Sunday was The Tiny "Peached" Pie, 
a cinnamon and ginger snap infused vanilla milkshake, topped with
 whipped cream, sprinkles, and a peach crumb Tiny Pie.
Kevin, the Bar Manager, is a genius at mixing up cocktails as well as his signature mega shakes for Shakes, Burgers, and Bubbles.
Click here to read about the talent behind The Peached Tortilla.
As you can see, 
the twins gave it a thumbs up!
Today is September 1st.
If you are in Austin, you should stop by
 the  Peached Tortilla on Sunday.
They will be serving the Henbit Monster Cookie Shake,
a peach leaf milkshake made with pecan brittle and
topped with whipped cream, matcha powder, and
a Henbit Monster Cookie!
 When July rolled around Miss Merri Mac 
and I headed to Whole Foods Market 
to cool off with a gelato on the 4th of July.
You can read all the details here
Liberty and Gelato For All!
The big news of our summer was a much anticipated trip
to Aurora, NY for the anual MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale.
Miss Merri Mac and I packed it up and off we went.
Attending this event had long been on my wish list.
With a milestone birthday this year, I decided
there is no time like the present to make dreams come true.
Thank you to my thoughtful husband for the gift of this trip!
We flew into Syracuse, rented a car, and 
headed south to the quaint town of Aurora, NY.
My home away from home that week was
E. B. Morgan House, in Aurora, NY.
You can read more about this beautiful property
that is part of Inns of Aurora in a previous post here.
Fargo Bar and Grill and The Inns of Aurora Dining Room are the
only options for dining in town.  Both offering delicious options, lunch and dinner was often shared wih friends at one or the other.  
 Honestly this was truly more fun than I ever imagined.
You can read an earlier post here for all the 
details on attending the actual Barn Sale.  
 Fellow Traveling Tote friend, Patti @ Pandora's Box
joined me for the sale and brought along
these adorable "shopping shoes"!
 That evening Debbie @ Mountain Breaths with Miss Aurora
and her thoughtful husband, Joe, stayed for dinner at 
Inns of Aurora.
The "icing on the cake" for this birthday trip was the 
opportunity to actually meet up with friends who 
I've known only through their blogs or on Instagram.
In addition to all the fun of the actual Barn Sale, 
just spending time on the grounds at the
 MacKenzie-Childs historic dairy farm was totally amazing 
~ beautiful vistas, gardens, historic farm house, and shop.
MacKenzie-Childs ~ Aurora, New York
And yes, I did return with a few Barn Sale bargains.
With everything 50 to 80 % off retail, it was all very tempting.
Many have asked for photos of what I bought.  Unlike most who 
go prepared with a shopping list, I chose to let serendipity give direction to my purchases.  I was thrilled to add to my Courtly Check ceramics and to find a few other things as well.
It's almost impossible to get a good photo of this space,
but we have a little corner in the music room with a selection
of Courtly Check pieces collected through the years.
I've had the Courtly Check Groovy canister for some time, 
so I was thrilled to find a Courtly Check Globe canister.
And well, that handsome princely Frog on Courtly Check Ball
simply hopped into my cart and insisted on returning to Texas.
I had my eye on the adorable Funny Bunny since he was first offered last spring, so I was almost giddy when I spied this guy. 
He hangs around on various things, but he's especially handsome
on the Black Flower Market ice bucket that followed me home. 
Love using this piece for fresh flowers or a potted plant.
Garden girl that I am, I had to buy this beautiful Watering Can.  
It also makes a great container for my Barn Sale bouquet of 
Courtly Check Sunflowers, and well, 
Mack the Bear was just too cute to leave behind!
Miss Merri Mac and Miz Checkers 
invite you back for the next edition of 
Tales of the Traveling Tote on December 1.  
We have a big trip planned that we want to share.
Come along and travel with:
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Katie with Miss Daisy @ Preppy Empty Nester
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 
(You are here) Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Lea and Miss Scarlett @ Cici's Corner
 Leave a comment on Life and Linda 
to be entered in this giveway.

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