https://youtu.be/LsquS0jUE4Q Watch our YouTube video about our time in Waco.

Before we were married, Frank, the boys, and I took a weekend trip to Waco, Texas to visit the Dr. Pepper Museum and the Texas Ranger Museum plus a festival in West, Texas.  We enjoyed it, but I must be honest, I have wanted to go return since the rise of Fixer Upper with Joanna and Chip Gaines.  The Silos sounded intriguing, and after all, I had purchased Joanna’s first cookbook and made some of her recipes. When planning our trip, we knew we were heading from San Marcos to Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Texarkana would be a stopping point, but I noticed that Waco was on the route.  Bingo! We could check out Magnolia Table and the Silos.

            Originally, I wanted to visit when it wasn’t summer due to fewer crowds and being cooler, but since it was on the way, we would just have to make do.  I knew we would need to arrive early at Magnolia Table due to lines.  A friend who moved to Waco, advised us to definitely go early and showed us a wait time of two hours around lunch time.  Therefore, for the first time in a long time, I set an alarm and it was at the crack of dawn – 6:20 am.  We arrived about 7 am and there was a line, but not very long.  We checked in, had a seat in a nearby covered area and waited for a text to inform us it was our time.  I decided to try the Farm Eggs Benedict which featured Jo’s buttermilk biscuits, a poached egg and Hollandaise sauce while Frank ordered the Pancake Breakfast with buttermilk pancakes, two eggs, tater tots, and bacon. Frank and I have both made Jo’s buttermilk biscuits and they are good!  Frank’s pancakes were great, but the Hollandaise sauce was very strong and heavy on my dish. I would recommend you try something else unless you really LOVE strong Hollandaise sauce.  Would I go again, absolutely!  The restaurant was chilly, but I’m sure it was to make sure it would remain cool as the day heated up and there were more people.  The black and white tiles and old-style school lights, and flooring were very fitting. Good job, Joanna!

            After breakfast, we drove to the Silos, but they didn’t open until 9 am, so we were able to make a quick trip to a local CVS before returning to park and walk to the Silos.  Everything is very neat and clean. The AstroTurf is nice looking and you can tell its not the cheap kind. There is the main shop, but there are also other little cottages with shops and another large shop for Magnolia Home (furniture, etc…) There are a variety of food trucks where people can order and eat in the various vignettes around the buildings.  Of course, at 9 am, they were not open. The bakery was open and there was a line for it, but we were still full from our breakfast.  There was a small area with plants and a “shed” where people can purchase seeds, etc… named Magnolia Seed + Supply. Since this was at opening time on a Thursday morning, it was not crowded and there was a nice breeze. A family was playing Wiffle ball in the Katy “ball park” area and some girls were playing with a Jenga set in another area. There is a corn hole set, balls and other toys for kids to play with and a nice reminder to return whatever they use.

            Since we are full-time RVing, we did not purchase anything from our sojourn to the Silos because we have no room.  There were several items that caught my eyes, and I was like a little kid touching all the textures of the pillows and rugs. Oh, well, touching doesn’t mean buying. 😊

            After slowly walking around the Silos, we returned to our car but I wanted to see the small shop on Bosque that started their retail business. We headed there and I caught a quick picture as we passed by.  We also located Clint Harp’s shop – Harp Design – for a quick picture.  As you can tell, I’m fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines. I’ve watched all their shows, multiple times, I’ve read their book, and bought the first cookbook.  Now, I’ll just have to purchase the second cookbook, right? 

            We had a great dinner that evening at a local hangout – George’s – in Hewitt with Lou and Kathy Liro, who moved to the area from Houston.  I met Kathy through scrapbooking about 2010 and then had the pleasure of selling their Houston home last year.  Both their daughters attended Baylor and now live in the Waco area. They are now enjoying retirement and their grandchildren.  Thanks Lou and Kathy for a great meal and company!

            If you are headed to Waco, please check out the Dr. Pepper Museum and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum along with Silos.  They are informative and worth the visit!

Until next time,

Beth

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