Beauty in the Details!

Let's see...where were we? Ahh yes, (sigh) Magnolia Market!

By the time the doors opened at 9a.m. a nice line had formed. There was a good mix of both men and women.

When you first walk in you are greeted by the hostess who hands you a super cute shopping bag and you can sign the guest book. There were so many signatures and comments filling the pages!

 

This fabulous display is on the second level of the cotton mill. It's across from Chip's corner. Every display is like a work of art to be studied. 

 Love this attention to detail at the end of the check out counter!

I just had to take this shot. This is the ceiling of the mill down on Chip's floor. It is so cool and industrial to look up and see this. She has lights like these hanging everywhere throughout the whole property!
Okay, not that I'm done with pictures of the inside, but let's move outside to the grounds for a little stroll. It'll take your breath away!

 This is the large barn-like structure/pavillion she had built to house lots of white picnic tables. There are fans whirling air throughout the building as well as a refreshing spritz of cool water spraying over everyone. We were very grateful! This building is at the far end of the lawn and you can see two of the seven food trucks, Common Grounds and Milo just behind it. 

 Many people took advantage of the lawn games. It's such a fun idea. And I loved these black and white bean bag chairs all over the green turf. 

 So much more to share, friends. Please come back tomorrow and I'll have plenty more pictures of the grounds and the Seed and Supply Store you can see in the distance. She has the cutest display of fairy gardens!
Tootles,
Tammy 

Everything is bigger in Texas

Hello Friends --
If you missed the first post on my recent trip to Waco, Texas you may want to check it out in the post under this one.

The Magnolia Market opens at 9a.m. each morning. We got there around 7:30 each morning to relish the yummy cupcakes Jo offers in Magnolia Flour. We'll get to that. For now I know you are wanting pictures of the Market just like I was. So grab your cup o' jo and feast your eyes on all this lusciousness!

A lot of the small things you can find at Joanna's online store MagnoliaMarket.com. But many items you won't.

The store is divided into two levels. When you first walk through those giant sliding barn doors you enter one big room with primarily large pieces of furniture, pillows, wall signs, lots of small stuff and kitchen ware. Then you take four steps down into another large room where Chip has a corner designated just for his stuff.

You'll find all kinds of t-shirts and mugs to buy too. Oh, and her candles ... heavenly!!!
I'll be back with pictures from Chip's corner and the grounds.
Take Care, friends!
Tammy

Trip to Waco, Texas

Howdy Ya'll --
For those of you that watch HGTV's show Fixer Upper with Chip and Joanna Gaines, you will love the series of posts I have for you. L.O.V.E.  For those of you that don't, these posts will have no meaning. Just sayin'. 

 I flew to Texas from Pennsylvania with some of my favorite fam. After several connections and a one hour and 38 minute car ride we arrived in Waco! The sun and heat greeted us with a stifling 96 degree hug. WHEW! 
Oh, but it was worth it, friends! Sooooo worth it!  

 I searched the internet and blogs prior to making this trip and many people have visited Magnolia Market + Garden. But I feel confident that the pictures you're about to see will not be seen anywhere else to date. Not only do I have pictures of Magnolia Market + Garden but I have pictures of the just opened Magnolia Flour and grounds. That's not all! We also visited Clint Harp's business and house and the Magnolia House. I have pictures of all this AND MORE! Get this: we also visited Chip and Joanna's house. YES! THEIR HOUSE!!! We also have pictures of the new house they just purchased! So grab yourself a cup of tea and sit back and relax. I have lots of pictures and posts ahead! 

Joanna did not miss any details in designing the Market + Garden! We parked about a two block walk away from the silos and were greeted by these beautiful trellises and green grassy turf as we neared the one-time cotton mill. I knew when I saw this that every detail would be pure eye candy.

Don't you just love this rusty goodness?! To the right of the first silo you catch a glimpse of the black umbrellas that fill Magnolia Flour's courtyard. It is so awe-inspiring and breathtaking. We'll get to that soon! 

I just loved this sight right before you enter the large black gates that usher you inside the grounds. 

 You can see the large barn doors that slide shut when the Market is closed. I just love their rustic presence on the building. 

 Everywhere you look inside the grounds Chip and Joanna have kept their customer's interests in mind. Just under the silos is a patio with at least six picnic tables. From the roof line comes a cool vapor of water to cool you off from the intense Texas sun. It was so refreshing. Throughout the whole place she has covered seating and lots of places to recline and get cold water. It's really well thought out! 
I hope you enjoyed this first look at the Magnolia Market my friends. There is way more to come plus the exclusive pictures of the Gaine's own farm house and barn. 
Enjoy your summer!
Tammy

A New Patio

Here's our new patio folks! It's a long way from where it started. And I am still not done with it yet! There's always those tweeks when you do a new project to fix over time.

I found an old pair of shutters along the road that I nabbed and spray painted to help hide our garbage bin area. Now I just have to find two more to hide them from the other side! HA!

THis is a better shot of them in the blue/grey color I made by mixing two paint cans together. It really freshened them up.

We love the grey tiles we chose. It's a far cry from the red, crumbling blocks that were there previously!

Always something to do! I'll be back in touch soon Hopefully with some more pictures of summer life. Until then, enjoy yourself!
Tammy

Summer Rites

Hello Friends --
We have officially kicked off the sunny days of my favorite season: SUMMER!

 Every start to the summer is the same glorious celebration. A trip to Knoebels Grove Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA. It's an old fashioned park full of adventure and dare-devil rides. It's always a fun hangout spot for the cousins to meet up and share the thrills of the day, rain or shine! 

 This year the rain pelted the ground for a solid 30 minutes. After that the safety of the pavillion was abandoned for more rides. Sun or rain can't keep us away! 

And on the lazier days of summer I find myself relaxing here.

We are so grateful to my brother. We have declared his house our official vacation spot for the summer. HA! He and his wife welcome us to their house on a regular basis to take advantage of their pool and hot tub. And we do! 

 I think we are more than they are! Thank you Tony and Angie!!

 
I hope you are kicking off a great start to your summer! 

I'll be back later with pictures of our new patio and some vintage eye candy!

Enjoy,
Tammy
 

Ye Olde West

Howdy Ya'll!! 
I was asked recently to design a room for a country/western party. It was so much fun! My budget was a slim $120 but I packed lots of detail into those dollars, by golly.

I was wishing the whole time I could get a sneak peak when everyone walked in. There were some curious onlookers as I layed out the tables. Most of the staff did not know the theme.

There were fifty people and only eight cactuses as the centerpiece.

Each table was a little different. I tried to make sure no matter where you sat there would be a little something of interest. I love the Wanted posters under each place setting!

I loved the waterin' hole! And don't you love the wagon wheel?! Such fun!

See these cute little size 1 cowgirl boots? They were mine and then my girls. I couldn't resist adding them to a table.

Have a wonderful weekend!
hugs,
Tammy

Easter

Hello Dear Friends -- 

With hope I look forward to Easter! 

It's early this year, and that gives me hope that Spring will be too! 

Back in January our Capitol city held it's annual agricultural fair called The Farm Show. We go every year. It's always fun to wander through the maze of farm animals, watching our every step (think manure!) and seeing people we know.  And of course there's the food! I try to convince myself every year that I am not going for the food. But then I get to the food court loaded with baked potatoes and milkshakes and potato donuts! It's all so good! 

 

 These bunnies are such an attraction for my daughters. They roam freely on a table and the kids gather around and pet their super soft fur.

One of my favorites is the lambs. I especially like it when they are not sheared, but those I don't see often.

I hope you are finding many things to be thankful for this Lenten season.

I for one am thankful that Spring is just around the corner!!
Tammy

 Welcome to our little cottage in the suburbs of Central Pennsylvania. We've settled in for some almost nine years now and kinda like it here.

Actually this is the first year I really feel like most of my rooms are coming together. I find I do my best decorating over time. Not in one big shopping trip. Although I am as impatient as people come, I really enjoy the process of my house coming together over years of hunting and digging and finding just the right treasure. 

How about you? 

A couple years ago I fell in love with this metallic tree. I couldn't find what I wanted at the right price so I bought some Krylon spray paint and made my own. I love how this little tree shines on my old - fashioned desk. Right now my computer sits here. But in the future I would love to find an antique typewriter to take its spot. Just for decoration, of course! HA! 

 

Then last year I was shopping at IKEA with one of my Besties and saw this faux sheepskin. L.O.V.E. how it looks at Christmas time especially.  

This year we decided to put our large living tree in the sun room. But I was missing one in the living room as well. Out came my old-fashioned wash tub and a sweet little fir from the local market. They were made for each other. (sigh) 

Of course I have a tree in almost every room.

My good man hung my round chandelier just weeks ago. It looks so good in the space.

I hope this Christmas season is finding you rested and happy. My prayer is that you really enjoy the days leading up to Christ's birth just as much as you do on the 25th! 

Love,

Tammy