Every once in a while, something happens, and you just know you are in the right place at the right time. Back in late August, I saw a tweet from the gals at Junk Gypsy about having lunch at the Prairie by Rachel Ashwell. I'd already been investigating the Prairie for months, (again, thanks for the heads up Junk Gypsy!) because I love Rachel Ashwell, and I love antiques week, so why wouldn't I want to stay at her bed and breakfast? A stay at the Prairie was already on my bucket list, as well as meeting Rachel and telling her how much I've loved Shabby Chic over the years, and how she is such an inspirational woman for gals like me. So anyways, the tweet took me to this post by Kelley from The Hidden List blog. To get invited to a delicious lunch from Royers Cafe at the Prairie, as well as meet and greet with Rachel and 35 other bloggers, all I had to do was be one of the first to RSVP. My heart sank and I just knew that 1)-35 women had surely already signed up and 2)-I wasn't planning on attending Antiques Week this Fall, and there was no way I could take off work on a Monday to go. It took me about 2 minutes to change my mind and take the chance by emailing Kelley anyways. I knew if I didn't, I would regret it, and I'm positive I would have. I told Ben, "at least I tried." Two hours later, to my amazement, I got an email from Kelley saying, "YOUR IN!" I ran to go tell Ben, then immediately grabbed the phone to call my friend Ashley, who also blogs over at This Country Fried Life. I knew she would want to get in on this. And sure enough, she got in too, and the rest is history. I made sure I could take off work for the day, and we headed to Round Top!
Just driving down to the Prairie is a treat. Even on a 100+ degree day, you can't help but admit Round Top is some beautiful country. The Prairie is tucked just far enough away that you can't hear a bit of traffic, but not so far that it's a huge ordeal to drive into town. (Especially if Royer's new Pie Haven is on the agenda!) I pulled in to the bumpy gravel drive, feeling almost surreal. "I'm headed to Rachel Ashwell's home away from home, to have lunch with her." I mean WOW!
Immediately we were escorted in to the Ranger's Lounge where lunch would be held. From that first moment, the luncheon was heaven. The table was beautifully set, (I expected no less from Rachel,) and the food was divine, (I expected no less from Royers!)
Check out this spread: Royers Famous Grilled Shrimp BLT along with a Café Salad with Grilled Chicken & Cilantro Ranch Dressing, Café’s Yeast Rolls & Butters, 1/2 & 1/2 (iced tea and lemonade!), and a slice of Bud’s Chocolate Chip Pie topped with Amy’s Ice Cream.
Dining on delicious Royers food and pies at Zapp Hall is one of my favorite parts of Antiques Week, but I've never had the pleasure of dining in their actual cafe. Let me tell you, it tastes just as delicious when you aren't exhausted and sweaty from a day of shopping! Best food EVER EVER EVER! And to top it all off, you can order their pies and other goodies online! Check it out! Seriously, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I brought Ben home a chocolate chip pie and a red velvet whoopie pie. (and I'm already craving more!) I even got to meet the infamous Bud, the Pieman, Royer. I mean seriously, how adorable is he? And he's just as precious in person as he looks like he'd be. :)
I had the pleasure of being seated with the women representing Dwell the Dignity, the charity the luncheon was supporting. Now I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but charity was not the driving force that brought me to Round Top. I was excited about the food, friendship and scenery, and if it benefited a good cause, then that was icing on the cake. But after talking to Lisa Robison and Kim Turner, I am so inspired and passionate about the organization they have built. I'll let them explain to you what their organization does, in their own words from their website:
"Dwell with Dignity is a non-profit group of Interior Designers and volunteers dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty. We provide and install home interiors for families that include furnishings and art, bedding and kitchen supplies, and food in the pantry. Our mission is to help families escape poverty and homelessness through design. One household at a time. If we can change a person’s surroundings, we can change their outlook on life. Exposing children (especially) to a nurturing home environment, that includes good design and art, can inspire a standard of living that will carry-over to future generations. Exposing parents to this same environment will allow them to see the positive impact it has on their family; inspiring them to maintain a standard of living they can be proud of and thrive in."
They gave us all of the details, down to the fact that they include two sets of sheets for every bed, and two sets of towels for each resident. They even have a warm meal cooking in the crock pot when the family comes home for the first time, and not just one, but two, Royers Pies waiting for them. :) This isn't just a vanity project that drops these families in a lovely home and then takes off. The families that receive Dwell with Dignity's services are partnered with outside organizations to make sure they are receiving the support they need in all areas of their life. Lisa told us about one woman who said that she gets more respect from her peers in the workforce because of her home environment, and she feels it has helped her promote in her career! The program is based out of Dallas, and they were recently featured on the Nate Berkus Show. (love him!) However, the program is still small, and they don't have enough financial support to do all of the great things they'd like to do, such as start chapters in other cities. Please consider becoming a member, which starts at only $30 a year! They told us that if each person who saw them on the Nate Berkus show gave $1, they would have enough money to expand. I truly believe this is a worthy cause, and something I would love to be a part of. Please check out their website to explore this great organization more!
After lunch, Rachel gave us a tour of the Liliput Lodge, her and her staff's home during Antiques Week. She was such a warm and gracious host, allowing us to explore every nook and cranny of the historical home, including the laundry room and her own personal bedroom! She explained to us how even though wagon wheels, deer mounts and dark woods aren't her traditional Shabby Chic look, she felt like it was important to remain true to the home's Texas roots, so she brilliantly blended "Texas" in with Shabby Chic, with truly outstanding results.
She told us a cute story about how she came to own the bed and breakfast, and due to her daughter being sick, she only had one day to walk the property and instruct on the changes she wanted. She recalled looking at this wagon wheel and bursting into tears, exclaiming, "what the hell have I done?" Her staff added these sweet little lampshades while she was away, so now she lovingly refers to this as the "chandelier of acceptance."
We were able to shop in her newest "Shabby Chic Couture" shop on the grounds, (locations in New York, London, Los Angeles, and ROUND TOP!) I bought her brand new book, which I was able to get signed by Rachel! It now sits with my other Rachel Ashwell book in the living room, ready to inspire me at any moment.
If you ever need a "soul vacation" or are considering heading to Round Top, check out the Prairie. You won't regret it!
I left Round Top with many new friends, well rested, well fed and inspired. A rejuvenation of soul, so to speak. And I can't wait to go back.
Just driving down to the Prairie is a treat. Even on a 100+ degree day, you can't help but admit Round Top is some beautiful country. The Prairie is tucked just far enough away that you can't hear a bit of traffic, but not so far that it's a huge ordeal to drive into town. (Especially if Royer's new Pie Haven is on the agenda!) I pulled in to the bumpy gravel drive, feeling almost surreal. "I'm headed to Rachel Ashwell's home away from home, to have lunch with her." I mean WOW!
The Liliput Lodge greets you when you first drive up.
Three Flags over Texas? :)
Immediately we were escorted in to the Ranger's Lounge where lunch would be held. From that first moment, the luncheon was heaven. The table was beautifully set, (I expected no less from Rachel,) and the food was divine, (I expected no less from Royers!)
Check out this spread: Royers Famous Grilled Shrimp BLT along with a Café Salad with Grilled Chicken & Cilantro Ranch Dressing, Café’s Yeast Rolls & Butters, 1/2 & 1/2 (iced tea and lemonade!), and a slice of Bud’s Chocolate Chip Pie topped with Amy’s Ice Cream.
Dining on delicious Royers food and pies at Zapp Hall is one of my favorite parts of Antiques Week, but I've never had the pleasure of dining in their actual cafe. Let me tell you, it tastes just as delicious when you aren't exhausted and sweaty from a day of shopping! Best food EVER EVER EVER! And to top it all off, you can order their pies and other goodies online! Check it out! Seriously, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. I brought Ben home a chocolate chip pie and a red velvet whoopie pie. (and I'm already craving more!) I even got to meet the infamous Bud, the Pieman, Royer. I mean seriously, how adorable is he? And he's just as precious in person as he looks like he'd be. :)
Photo from *here* (For some reason, all of my photos of Bud turned out blurry.)
I had the pleasure of being seated with the women representing Dwell the Dignity, the charity the luncheon was supporting. Now I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but charity was not the driving force that brought me to Round Top. I was excited about the food, friendship and scenery, and if it benefited a good cause, then that was icing on the cake. But after talking to Lisa Robison and Kim Turner, I am so inspired and passionate about the organization they have built. I'll let them explain to you what their organization does, in their own words from their website:
"Dwell with Dignity is a non-profit group of Interior Designers and volunteers dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty. We provide and install home interiors for families that include furnishings and art, bedding and kitchen supplies, and food in the pantry. Our mission is to help families escape poverty and homelessness through design. One household at a time. If we can change a person’s surroundings, we can change their outlook on life. Exposing children (especially) to a nurturing home environment, that includes good design and art, can inspire a standard of living that will carry-over to future generations. Exposing parents to this same environment will allow them to see the positive impact it has on their family; inspiring them to maintain a standard of living they can be proud of and thrive in."
They gave us all of the details, down to the fact that they include two sets of sheets for every bed, and two sets of towels for each resident. They even have a warm meal cooking in the crock pot when the family comes home for the first time, and not just one, but two, Royers Pies waiting for them. :) This isn't just a vanity project that drops these families in a lovely home and then takes off. The families that receive Dwell with Dignity's services are partnered with outside organizations to make sure they are receiving the support they need in all areas of their life. Lisa told us about one woman who said that she gets more respect from her peers in the workforce because of her home environment, and she feels it has helped her promote in her career! The program is based out of Dallas, and they were recently featured on the Nate Berkus Show. (love him!) However, the program is still small, and they don't have enough financial support to do all of the great things they'd like to do, such as start chapters in other cities. Please consider becoming a member, which starts at only $30 a year! They told us that if each person who saw them on the Nate Berkus show gave $1, they would have enough money to expand. I truly believe this is a worthy cause, and something I would love to be a part of. Please check out their website to explore this great organization more!
After lunch, Rachel gave us a tour of the Liliput Lodge, her and her staff's home during Antiques Week. She was such a warm and gracious host, allowing us to explore every nook and cranny of the historical home, including the laundry room and her own personal bedroom! She explained to us how even though wagon wheels, deer mounts and dark woods aren't her traditional Shabby Chic look, she felt like it was important to remain true to the home's Texas roots, so she brilliantly blended "Texas" in with Shabby Chic, with truly outstanding results.
I became quite obsessed with this pillow.
Don't these beds just look like heaven?
Every where I turned, there was a little bit of loveliness.
She told us a cute story about how she came to own the bed and breakfast, and due to her daughter being sick, she only had one day to walk the property and instruct on the changes she wanted. She recalled looking at this wagon wheel and bursting into tears, exclaiming, "what the hell have I done?" Her staff added these sweet little lampshades while she was away, so now she lovingly refers to this as the "chandelier of acceptance."
We were able to shop in her newest "Shabby Chic Couture" shop on the grounds, (locations in New York, London, Los Angeles, and ROUND TOP!) I bought her brand new book, which I was able to get signed by Rachel! It now sits with my other Rachel Ashwell book in the living room, ready to inspire me at any moment.
She was seriously such a sweet heart. Amazing woman!
If you ever need a "soul vacation" or are considering heading to Round Top, check out the Prairie. You won't regret it!
I left Round Top with many new friends, well rested, well fed and inspired. A rejuvenation of soul, so to speak. And I can't wait to go back.
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