Magnolia Market at the Silos

Published on January 3, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri16 Comments

If you are a fan of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, chances are you’re already familiar with the Magnolia Market at the Silos. It seems that everything that Chip and Joanna Gaines touch turns to gold, and the market is no exception. If you happen to be traveling anywhere near central Texas, and you are a fan of shiplap and farmhouse style, the Magnolia Market is quickly becoming a definite must-see in the heart of Texas.

For our visit, we arrived around 11:00am on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and there were already crowds buzzing around the grounds. However, there is so much more to see than just the market, the crowds really didn’t bother us.

The first place we headed was the large grassy field with artificial turf that is perfect for tossing a soccer or football, ( which are provided with a few other games.) Since, we were traveling with a two year old, it was a great place to allow her to run a little energy off! It’s also the perfect spot to drop off Dad or Granddad with the kids while Mom shops at the market.

Surrounding the play area are plenty of food trucks providing everything from crepes to pizza and hot dogs. There are plenty of picnic tables, lounge chairs and over-sized swings for a picnic lunch or just relaxing while the kids play. Of course, the decor is in Joanna’s sweet style filled with hanging baskets of flowers and plenty of reclaimed wood.

The market itself is a shoppers paradise filled with everything farmhouse that you could possibly want for your own home. There are lots of Joanna style vignettes displaying the goods which makes the store itself a bit unique. Although the store was extremely crowded, the line to purchase moved very quickly which was a present surprise.

I have to admit, my favorite part of the Silo’s was the Magnolia Feed and Supply filled with live plants, seed packets, garden style decor and even a section for your own personal fairy garden! The garden area is truly an inspiration even to the most novice of gardeners. The raised bed are filled with Snapdragons and Sweet Alyssum. The gardens were so sweet and charming that I was eager to get home and add some more flowers to our own garden!

Most importantly, Magnolia Market is more than just a place to shop. With the large grounds, seed shop and bakery, it truly is meant to be a fun stop for the whole family!

If You Go …..

Waco, Texas is located in Central Texas about a 90 minute drive from either Dallas or Austin. About twice that if you’re coming from Houston. It’s best to get there early when they open or after 3:00. The lines for the bakery were quite long the day that we visited. We opted not to wait. There is free parking in the back by the food trucks. You will see signs to pay for parking, but check the back first. There are usually spots available. Check the Magnolia Market website for store hours for they may vary seasonally. They are always closed on Sundays. There are lots of cute vignettes for photo ops so make sure your phone is charged!

Hope you enjoy your visit! xxoo Gerri

A Magical Morning

Published on December 10, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri11 Comments

It’s a rarity to have snow in Cypress, and when it happens it’s beautiful and amazing no matter how quickly it passes.

It was around midnight when I peered out my front window on the night of the great snow. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the falling flakes. When I realized the snow was actually sticking to the ground, I grabbed my jacket and boots to step outside my home to capture a few images while I could. I knew the magical white covering wouldn’t last for long, and wasn’t sure if it would still be there when I awoke in the morning.

All night long I awoke every couple of hours to see if the snow was still there. The next morning I was thrilled to see the snow still on the ground. Again, I donned my boots and jacket and immediately headed to the pond to be amazed by the beauty. No coffee needed this morning, as I was so excited to see the snow.

The brief walk to the pond was amazing as the snow clung to the trees, bushes and rooftops. Perhaps a half an inch of snow left a beautiful white blanket on the lawns.

When I arrived at the pond, the beauty did not disappoint. Although there was not much snow on the ground, the trees were resplendent with white. The mix of fall colors with the new fallen snow made the scene all the more glorious.

However, even as I walked around trying to capture every bit of the sublime beauty, the snow was dropping from the branches of the trees. I knew it would not last for long.

By the end of the day, there were only sparse lingering patches of snow on a few rooftop corners that hadn’t gotten much sun on this heavenly day. As quickly as it appeared, the snow faded away leaving only a hope that perhaps if conditions are just right it will come again sometime.

In a year of catastrophic hurricanes, devastating fires, and destructive earthquakes God has graced us with a brief moment of wondrous beauty of nature. It’s fleeting passing reminds us to savor each precious moment of it’s glory.

As the resplendent colors of fall fade into the often dreariness of winter days, there is still beauty to be found in a bright, clear day filled with sunlight, or the beads of ice on shrubs and branches that glimmer like crystal.

If you truly love Nature, you’ll find beauty everywhere.

– Vincent Van Gogh

The Spirit of Holiday Entertaining

Published on November 26, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri2 Comments

With the holiday season upon us, many are planning special celebrations with family and friends. Opening your home to share with others is one of the great joys of the season. However, with so much to do this time of year, sometimes big celebrations can create stress.

When planning your holiday party, it’s important to minimize the stress so that you can truly enjoy your guest. You don’t want to run yourself ragged and feel frantic rather than fantastic! When hosting a holiday celebrations, your spirit will set the mood for a successful celebration.

With these thoughts in mind, today I am sharing ideas that I like to keep in mind when I open my home to share with my family and friends. My hope is that these thoughts will allow you to approach your holiday entertaining with joy and avoid some of the stress that can be overwhelming this time of year.

Let Go of Perfection – Setting yourself up for perfection will do nothing but create anxiety and stress. Instead of worrying about creating the “perfect party”, concentrate on the comfort of your guest. When you put the focus on doing for others, you think less about yourself. Nothing is more welcoming than a hostess who really cares about the comfort of her guest.
Set Your Priorities – Remember often less is more. Plan for what you know you can handle with grace and ease. Stick with what you know and are comfortable with. No need to have a multi-course meal. Plan a few amazing appetizers instead. Serving buffet style is simpler than a sit down affair. Keep it casual and fun!
Make a list and check it twice! – Planning is a key ingredient to successful entertaining. Begin planning your party preparations as soon as possible. Try making a manageable daily schedule assigning yourself a small task for each day. Begin with decorations and nonperishable items that are easy to stock and purchase in advance. Order items on-line whenever possible to save time. Shop for grocery items a few days in advance and plan to prepare a few items the night before. Even better, prepare a few dished you can freeze in advance.
Delegate Whenever Possible – Don’t feel like you have to do every little thing on your own. Enlist a good friend or your spouse to help. Consider ordering desserts from a bakery or appetizers from your grocer. Do not feel like you have to prepare all food items from scratch!
Plan a Beverage Station – Consider serving a premixed beverage for your guest like a Sangria or Champagne Punch. Have these drinks in containers in the frig and ready to go. Set out glasses and and ice bucket in a convenient location and have guest serve themselves.
Be Ready! – Prepare the table and all the decorations the night before. You can even do fresh flower arrangements a day or two in advance. Nothing says “Welcome to my home” like having simple fresh flowers and candles burning filling your home with delightful aromas.
Make a time schedule – The day of the party, make a time schedule for whatever tasks need to be completed. Make sure in your schedule you allow yourself some time to relax and refresh!
Relax and Enjoy! – Greet your guest with a smile and a hug! Remember to put the focus on their comfort and enjoy!

True hospitality consists of giving the best of

yourself to your guest.

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Wishing you all great joy this holiday season! – xxoo Gerri

Countdown to Cozy

Published on November 12, 2017April 27, 2019 by GerriLeave a comment

While many places in the world are bracing for winter’s chill, in Texas we are just beginning to see subtle changes that some might call fall! With the recent time change, darkness descends upon us by six o’clock. The recent cool front as encouraged my sweet husband to light a fire to take the chill off the house. With soft, jazz playing in the background the atmosphere is definitely cozy. The cooler temperatures have inspired me to make some homemade vegetable soup. It has been simmering on the stove all day and the smells wafting from the kitchen are delightful. As evening approaches I plan to light some scented candles to complete the cozy setting.

Gray skies and cooler temperatures definitely inspire cozier times at home. It’s the time of year to enjoy a crackling fire, grab some comfy pillows, a warm blanket and curl up with a great book. Or perhaps you prefer to spend your evenings snuggled up to someone special and watch a favorite movie together.

I’ve always found the cooler, winter season an excellent time to slow down the busy pace of life and recharge my battery. The darker days encourage me to “just stay home” and enjoy a cozy atmosphere, and even crawl in bed a little earlier than usual to catch up on some much needed rest and relaxation.

I’m sure that come spring I will be anxious to leave the cooler days behind and enjoy soaking up the warmer rays of the summer sun, but for now, I am content to light candles and curl up in blankets and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with this time of year.

So Surround Yourself with Pillows and Blankets and Enjoy the Cozy Days Ahead!

Stay Warm and Cozy – xxoo Gerri

Chacchoben Ruins, Costa Maya

Published on November 1, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri3 Comments

If you are a lover of nature and history, the Chacchoben Ruins are surely not to be missed! Located about 100 miles from the Costa Maya port, south of Cozamel, these three excavated pyramids are surrounded by a lush, tropical jungle filled with an amazing variety of trees and plants.

You can follow a well maintained circular path that leads you to these ancient structures, while a guide gives you a wealth of information about the Mayans ancient religion and customs. You cannot climb the pyramids, but there are stairs to climb to a raised area with a very impressive view of the area below.

Truly, I was as fascinated by the beauty of the massive trees and lush jungle as I was by the ancient pyramids. The Spanish moss and Palm trees not only offer inviting shade, but also enhance the majesty of the pyramids. The combination of nature and history creates an awe inspiring harmony that leads you to imagine what life would have been like for the Mayan civilization of so long ago.

I think I would have been content to just wonder the path and relish in the magnificence of this amazing, tropical, jungle. I am not aware of the age of some of these trees, but by the size of the trunks, I would think they had been there quite awhile.

If you choose to visit these amazing ruins, remember you are in a jungle and you might want some bug repellent for the mosquitoes. There is some walking involved, and I think it would be rather warm and humid in the heat of summer. Our visit was in October, and while there were a few mosquitoes, I found the weather to be fairly comfortable.

Being an avid nature lover, history buff and photography fan, this magnificent archeological site turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.

“Wherever you go, Go with all your heart.” – Confucius

Hope you all have the opportunity to satisfy an adventurous spirit. – xxoo Gerri

Impromptu Game Day Fun

Published on October 12, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri2 Comments

Between baseball playoffs and football season, October offers the perfect time to bring family and friends together for some easy entertaining. Even if you are not a huge sports fan, it’s fun to get together with friends and share in the excitement to support your home team.

Of course the main event will be “the game”, so you will want to keep the menu simple and easy. Choose food and snacks that can be prepared without too much effort. To keep it super easy, you can rely on some no cook items such as chicken wings with chips and salsa. These favorite snacks can be purchased ready made from the store and you are simply “plating” the items. It can’t get much simpler than that!

If you would like to add a little more pizzazz to the menu, stick with some favorite recipes that are tried and true. I usually rely on baked beans that can be prepared early and kept warm in the slow cooker. I also have an easy coleslaw recipe that I have refined over time and can practically prepare in my sleep.

Always try to do as much preparation as you can before your guest arrive. Once your friends begin to arrive, you want to be free to visit, relax and even watch the game.

No fancy china is needed for this casual gathering. I use some colorful melamine plates, bright colored napkins, and plastic cutlery all stored in a tray caddy for easy serving.

Remember. the idea is to bring together friends and family for an enjoyable fun-filled, easy and relaxed day. Save the all day cooking for another time.

“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication.”

– Leonardo de Vinci

Anticipating Fall

Published on September 21, 2017June 30, 2021 by Gerri3 Comments

The time has come to say goodbye to the long, lazy days of summer as we welcome in the coming of fall. With this change there is definitely an air of excitement and anticipation. You would think there might be some sadness as the lingering days of summer disappear into fall. After all, summer is often a time of frolic and play. But mostly I’ve observed eager anticipation for the change of seasons.

With the coming of fall we say so long to shorts and flip flops as we eagerly don jeans, boots, and sweaters. Stores are filling their shelves with new fall decor and coffee shops are calling us to come try a pumpkin spice latte. The beauty of the season is magnificent as the leaves transform from vibrant greens to the cozy red, orange and golds of fall. As the days grow shorter and the air becomes chillier we anticipate quiet evenings by the fire with a warm blanket and hot cocoa.

Autumn comes late to Texas, especially here in Cypress. It stays pretty green here until about mid November when a few of the leaves show a glimmer of color for a brief moment before falling from the trees. But even here, the subtle change of fall is in the air as the heat of summer gradually melts into the cooler days. There is a noticeable difference in the coolness of the morning and the evenings feel fresh and alive. With the cooling temperatures, people have emerged from the comfort of air conditioned homes to take in the beauty of the season and enjoy walking, bike riding, and visiting with neighbors.

Fall in Texas is like no other season. Along with slightly cooler temperatures, festival season is right around the corner and soon each church will be filled with their own welcoming pumpkin patch. A favorite fall activity is to attend one of the many festivals occurring either in the city or in one of the many small towns close to Cypress. If you are a fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines of the HGTV television show Fixer Upper, you may have heard Joanna mention the Round Top Antiques Fair that will be open for the next two weeks. Literally miles of shopping with everything from fine antiques to flea market finds.

Other popular festivals include Scarecrow Festival in Chapel Hill which benefits the preservation of history and historic buildings in the area. This event takes place Oct. 14-15 and features gardening, artists, craftsmen, delicious food, live entertainment and activities for the children. There is no charge for this event other than $5 for parking and is just a short drive outside of Houston.

On that same weekend and one of my personal favorites is the Bayou City Art Festival featuring a wealth of artists from around the country and benefits numerous nonprofit partners. This event takes place right in the heart of downtown Houston surrounding City Hall and Herman Square. Tickets are $15 and $5 for children ( children under 5 are free).

Whatever your plans are for the coming month, I hope you take the opportunity get outside and enjoy some beautiful fall weather. xxoo Gerri

From Farm to Market Fresh

Published on September 10, 2017June 29, 2021 by Gerri5 Comments

Is there anything more exhilarating than visiting a farmers market to start off your day!

This may be a bit of an overstatement, but I do enjoy waking up and hitting the farmers market early in the day. I love the bright colors of the delicious produce, the aroma of the spices, and the enchantment of visiting a fresh produce market as if we were far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

My favorite farmers market to visit is Canino Produce, a family owned business operating in near downtown Houston since 1958. Canino Produce is a favorite spot for local chefs to purchase the freshest of produce. Behind Canino’s is a wealth of open air produce stalls selling their wares flea market style. Along with fresh produce, you can purchase nuts, beans, spices, herbs, plants, Mexican pottery, cooking utensils, and more. Visiting the open air part of the market feels a bit like stepping into little Mexico. It makes shopping feel like more of an event than an errand.

It’s a bit of a trek into the city from Cypress to visit this market, but it is so worth the journey! The produce that’s sold at the farmers market taste so much better than our local chain grocery store. It’s so much fresher and I quickly found that it stays fresher longer than our grocery store produce. Since most of the food is grown from local farms across Texas, not only are we getting fresher, better tasting produce, we are supporting local farmers, and cutting back on energy costs to ship food from all parts of the country!

There is word on the street there are changes to come. Some investors are planning on expanding the market bringing in more food services, fresh coffee vendors, a flower market, possibly cheeses…..I believe the idea is to make it something like the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. I look forward to these changes with eager anticipation mixed with apprehension. Perhaps it’s time for a change. It will certainly bring more people to the market, along with more traffic, more tourist…. However, there is another part of me that feels like I will miss the quaintness of this market if these changes occur.

I had the opportunity to visit Pike Place Market a few years ago and it was fabulous! It was exciting to stroll through the many vendor sites, enjoy the tasty treats, and of course visit the amazing Pike Place Fish Market. The fishmongers throw the fish around that have been recently purchased and a crowd gathers quickly to see! It is definitely a place not to miss if visiting Seattle!

Where ever you live, if you are not in the habit of shopping your local farmers market I encourage you to try. Along with the obvious reasons of fresher produce, better taste and a greater variety, you’re supporting your local farmer who is struggling in today’s global economy.

Why buy produce from a chain grocery store that’s traveled an average of 1500 miles to get to your plate, when your local farmer has fresh produce that is fresher, better tasty and more nutritious. Not only is the food better for you, it’s fun to shop your local farmer’s market, visit with the vendors, and connect with your community.

Oh, and by the way, I visited Canino’s Produce last Thursday and I’m pleased to report it is doing well and thriving after the rains of Hurricane Harvey! Unfortunately, many in southeast Texas continue to struggle to get their lives back to normal after flooding and my heart is with them. Today, I’m also praying for the state of Florida as Irma is barreling down on that the beautiful sunshine state.

Thank you so much to all of you for your tremendously kind comments and prayers for Texas. I hope wherever you are today, you are safe and the sun is shining down on you. xxoo – Gerri

Find Gratitude – Find Joy

Published on August 20, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri2 Comments

Gratitude – the quality of being thankful, showing appreciation and returning kindness.

Today, I was reminded of gratitude. I have to admit, I have been slouching around, complaining about the August heat and allowing myself to wallow in my discontent. Not a good place to be.

But today, I was reminded that I can choose joy!

It was just a simple article on my morning news feed. The article focused on a woman who had tragically and unexpectedly lost her husband. But the heart of the article was remembering gratitude in an overwhelming situation. It made me feel so silly and selfish for allowing myself to wallow, when truly I am so fortunate.

Then later this morning, I found out that a very dear friend of mine was in a terrible car accident. Her car was T-boned and the jaws of life were brought out to remove her from her vehicle. I have to say she is fine, just very shaken up and a bit sore. But what a frightening event to go through. Thank goodness for seat belts and airbags!

Some how, knowing how frightening this experience was for her put everything into perspective. I remembered the importance of the simple everyday things that usually bring me so much joy, my loving family, the joys of nature, and a faith that sustains me through all the adversities of life.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut. However, if you remember gratitude each day, it helps to keep you from falling into that rut. Gratitude can also pull you up when you are in such a rut.

Finding ways to cultivate gratitude in our lives can increase our happiness and joy. Simply stopping to think about things we are grateful for increases an attitude of gratitude. Taking the time to acknowledge simple pleasures and express thankfulness for your blessings can increase your joy and zest for life.

To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, here are some things I try to remember to help me through my day.

Morning reflection – this quiet time really helps to get my day off to the right start
Showing kindness – offering assistance, a kind word or smile, a helping hand to someone in need can mean so much to others.
Say thank you to show your appreciation – those simple words can mean so much, but so often we forget to say them.
Share what you have with others – tip that waitress that was so kind an extra dollar – drop off some groceries at a local shelter – When we share what we have, it not only helps others, it makes us feel better about life in general.
Keep a gratitude journal – make a list of things you are thankful for – or better yet, write 3 things everyday that you are thankful for – start off small – but as you continue, you will be amazed at how your gratitude will grow.
Be a good listener – sometimes someone just needs their thoughts to be heard – You have know idea what a difference you might make to someone by simply really listening to their story.

So there you have it. If you have actually read the words in this article, that shows that you truly care and want to make a difference. Go out into the world and make that difference. In our world where there is so much hate, be a product of love. I believe in you!

Gratitude unlocks the fullness in life.

Blessings to you and yours always – xxoo Gerri

Celebrate Life!

Published on July 25, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri3 Comments

In our family we do celebrations. We celebrate all occasions, the big and the small.

We celebrate weddings and graduations. We welcome a new life with great joy and yes, celebration. We all come together, crowding into the hospital room, to share the new parents joy and to welcome the precious new life our family has been blessed with.

We celebrate birthdays, no matter how young or how old.

We gather in our home. Sometimes it’s just family. Sometimes we include close friends. We share a meal together, setting the table with great care, including flowers, candles, whatever it takes to make the event feel special. The menu is planned with great care to include the personal favorites of whoever is attending. Of course, there is a special desert and presents.

The goal of the celebration is for those involved to know how much they are loved and treasured as a part of our family. Life wouldn’t be the same if we couldn’t come together and honor them on their special day.

Not only do we celebrate birthdays. We celebrate preschool programs, dance recitals, sporting events.

We plan ways to make our time together fun, special, memorable. On hot days we have watermelon, blow bubbles, fill up a kids pool to splash in.

On cold days we light a fire, make hot chocolate, bring out the pillows and blankets so we can all snuggle together.

Our celebrations do not have to be elaborate and expensive. They can be small, simple, filled with things that are easily attainable. We use our ingenuity as a resource to create an atmosphere of festivity, saving our pennies when needed.

Sometimes we celebrate for no reason at all, just to enjoy our time together.

The importance of our celebrations is to spend time together in a way that is filled with love and laughter, sharing and caring.

It’s important that we spend as much time celebrating life as possible. Celebrations enrich our lives, give us purpose, and strengthen relationships. Celebrations take an ordinary day and fill it with joy and love.