Tag: Texas

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Messing around in the BIG D

EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS~

BIG TEX

Everything is So Big in Texas Ya’ll! We had such a good time exploring around Dallas. Big Tex greeted us at the entrance of the Texas State Fair.

Let me just say if these pictures had smellovison your mouth would be watering! The minute you open the door to this place the aromas are so enticing you just want to sit down with a stranger and eat their food!! The Noodle gods were on our side because right after we arrived and put our name on the list-they put a sign on the front door saying SOLD OUT! They were not seating anymore customers. We were so Thankful we arrived just in time. Recently, Bon Appetite just selected them as one of top new restaurants. Actually, they were named the #2 best new restaurant in the country. I now understand why. We even got to meet Chef Danny Sirisavath who was kind enough to let us take a picture and explain some of his amazing dishes. If you are ever traveling to Dallas be sure to add this one to your list!!

TROUVAILLE Moment (something lovely happened by chance) from our adventure in Dallas….We heard Eric Clapton was staying in our hotel!! The Four Seasons Hotel Las Colinas. So that got us thinking…he must be playing there! 2 nights to be exact with a long list of other guitar greats like: Bonnie Raitt, Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons, Citizen Pope, Jimmie Vaughn, James Burton and many more. (Even Johnny Depp and Bill Murray.)The Crossroads Guitar Festival. Just Eric Clapton himself would have been a great Show! But with this one we hit the jackpot! I never in a million years expected that kind of concert was in my future! Saj got to sport his boots! Great night of unexpected great music!

So you can’t go to Texas and not have the BBQ Brisket. We decided to try Hard Eight BBQ. What a delicious FEAST it was! You pick all the meat you want and they weigh it and pay by the pound. That’s $60 worth of good ole meat!

The Feast!

If you are going to be in the Dallas area, The Dallas State Fair is going on from September 27-Oct 20, 2019. The have some Great Bundle Deals going on online so you can plan your fair experience the way YOU want to do it. They have some interesting new foods to try out such as : RUTH’S STUFFED FRIED TACO CONE a taco that looks like a cone, BIG RED® CHICKEN BREAD (my sons are BIG RED lovers) a BIG RED doughnut with a crispy piece of friend chicken, FERNIE’S FRIED BURNT END BURRITO-The pinnacle of barbecue combined with everyone’s favorite spicy appetizer! A large flour tortilla is filled with a jalapeno popper spread of cream cheese, savory bacon, Mexican blend cheese, mildly spicy diced jalapenos, pepper jack and smoky nuggets of barbecue burnt ends. Quick fried to a golden brown crispy and served with a sweet tangy, spicy barbecue sauce. Give me One of EVERYTHING PLEASE!

EXTRA SPECIAL….Every Wednesday the fair will host Sensory-Friendly mornings where from 10am-1pm the sounds and lights were be softer for those needing a more relaxed feel. Throughout the Fairgrounds you can find Quiet Zones.

Favorite Souvenir- my do not disturb sign from my hotel room at the Four Seasons.

And that’s a Wrap! Thanks for joining us on our journey in Texas. I did take a little day trip over to Waco to visit Magnolia Market. Be sure to Hop on over to read about the excitement I had there.

-Joys on a Journey

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Magnolia Market just a Jaunt away from Dallas

I made it! Magnolia Market!!

“There is gold in Every piece of your story.” Found in Magnolia Market

Jaunt- a short excursion or journey for pleasure.

When I found out that we were heading to Dallas for a meeting, I immediately started calculating how far Dallas was from Waco. I’ve always wanted to go to Magnolia Market. To my excitement it was only 1.5 hr drive away. So when we arrived to Dallas I headed out to Waco the next morning. I’ve heard the stories of how big the crowds and the lines can be. But I arrived around 11:30am on a Thursday and I walked right in. A Magnolia staffer greeted me at the door and complimented me on my dress. I know it sounds silly for me to mention that part but that fact that anyone connected to Magnolia liked something of Mine was a big compliment! As I imagined, everything had been thought out down to every little beautiful detail. I wanted one of everything but clearly that wasn’t going to fit in my suitcase. So I settled for a Magnolia Silos T-shirt and a few little Knick Knacks.

Even these words are beautiful.
Everything in Perfect order.
Demo Day Section
Chip has his own section.

After I had drooled over ever inch of the inside I decided to head outside. Imagine the most beautiful lush green lawn to sit and have a picnic or a place for the kids to run and play. In the background you can view the famous Silos. Lining the sidewalks were plenty of food trucks for many different tastes, including one from Magnolia Table! So if you don’t want to go wait in the line for the restaurant, you could have a little sample of what is served there. I made my way around and found the Magnolia Seed and Supply. A little garden area with a cute little mushroom table and chairs, covered swings, and flowers of all colors every color and shape.

Magnolia Table Food Truck

As the Waco Sun was starting to heat up, I decided to retreat to the Silos Baking Company. The refreshing air conditioning greeted me as did the smell of fresh baked cookies. The the line short. So my timing was perfect. I had to try Silos Cookie and the Lemon Lavender cupcake. Both were DEVINE! Unfortunately, I ate them so fast I forgot to take a picture. So you MUST head there to try one for yourself!

I had a great visit checking out everything Magnolia. If I ever go again, I would want to stay at one homes Chip and Joanna remodeled. Many of the new owners are now offering them Airbnb’s. There is a lot of Gold in Chip and Joanna’s story. It’s All over Waco. I think they turned Waco Gold.

Wait! Just Announced This Morning, Chip and Joanna are opening a HOTEL!!!! So next time I go I will have to check that out! More Gold in Waco.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

  • Go during the week. The crowds are not as crazy.
  • Go early! The bakery opens at 7:30am
  • Getting around:there is ON street parking and a Free Trolly to take you around.
  • Take a hat and Plenty of water. It’s HOT!🔥
  • Check Airbnb for a possible Fixer Upper home to stay overnight in.
  • The Magnolia Hotel is coming!
  • Be sure to check out some other cool shops while in Waco- The Foundry, Junky Monkey (really cool if you are into digging for treasures) and Spice Village (90 different vendors) were some of my favorites.
  • Hours change closer to Thanksgiving and the Holidays so be sure to check before making a trip there.
  • How to get there…head to Waco. Take Exit 335A. Turn on 4th street. Left on Webster.
  • Get lost and you may find your something lovely found by chance-Trouvaille!

-Joys On A Journey