(14/52) HAVE FUN AT ZAPP HALL...

buddies.

fabulous food.

family and fun.

karaoke opportunity.

learning to serve others.
close to home but another world.
a special part of each of our stories.

WHAT'S ZAPPENING...

ATTENTION, ATTENTION!

Welcome to ZAPP HALL.

Zapp Hall is where Evan grew up spending weekends in the country with his family

He made countless laps in the dance hall driving his go cart around it.

Along the way, it also started being home to an antique show twice a year

and the family began running an outdoor cafe during the show.

For twelve years I have been heading to Warrenton for Antique Show with Evan twice a year.

 Each of the three kids have all helped me take orders at the cash register,

and now Adelaide and Graham are old enough to be "runners" and deliver people's food to them.

Zapp Hall is where to go to be "in the country." 

Zapp Hall is where we find treasures of all shapes and sizes.

Zapp Hall is where we smell like the great outdoors and grilled food.

Zapp Hall is the place I first met everyone in Evan's family

(and then secretly called my best friend to say I really hoped it worked out because

not only did I already like Evan so much but I discovered his family is wonderful too).

Zapp Hall was home to our engagement party and many family weddings.

Zapp Hall is where slumber parties are maximized.

Zapp Hall is where family members are friends, and friends are family.

What a uniquely special place it is.

DEAR DECEMBER...

Dear December,

In your days we...

picked out a tall tree and decorated many trees.

hung lights on the house, put out candy canes, and frosty.

came home to a hilarious prank extra blowup.

hung our stockings with care and hung many ornaments.

learned about Jesus and hung Meaningful Christmas ornaments one day at a time.

In your days we...

made handprint ornaments and sequin ornaments.

unwrapped one of our Christmas books each night at bedtime.

mixed up many batches of the best hot cocoa ever of all-time.

celebrated first Christmas of Square One babies and made snowmen ornaments with their baby feet. 

made dog houses, gingerbread houses, ate reindeer waffles, and ate gingerbread men.

grammy gave me such a fun surprise gift, by sending the big kids secret "Sneaky Santas" checklists.

In your days we...

turned five and celebrated at Zoo Lights.

turned two and celebrated with a puppy party and snow cones.

got the amazing treat of carpooling to our work Christmas party.

took pictures with Santa and watched ACU play basketball in Houston.

went to see the trains and nativity displays at Second Baptist.

went to see the Nutcracker and enjoyed every minute of the after party too.

found tickets for the Acadia Express under pillows and went to look at the lights in jammies.

In your days we...

mailed Christmas cards.

had tea parties and fireside chats.

listened to a wonderful presentation about Mariam.

participated in a school semester celebration program.

sang "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Cradle Hymn" many times.

went on a surprise date to hear Penny & Sparrow and Joseph perform at Dosey Doe.

went to Madeline's Christmas and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe children's theatre shows.

In your days we...

went to "Christmas Camp Bastrop" for Luttrell family Christmas.

stayed in cabins at Bastrop State Park, hung lights, and decorated an old-fashioned Christmas tree.

made s'mores and hobo dinners, spent some time at urgent care with ear infection extreme.

took sink baths, opened fun presents, went for walks, had slide races, and worshipped together.

In your days we...

spent complete days in our pajamas.

played games, rode scooters, and bikes.

went to eat at dish society and star pizza.

built legos for hours and broke in fun new toys.

soaked up time making memories together.

In your days we...

went to Warrenton for Evans' family Christmas.

spent many slumber party nights in the country together.

woke up to a festively, fun Christmas morning and relaxed day.

matched, snuggled, watched movies, cooked, baked, played games, shopped, and laughed.

In your days we...

celebrated the final days of 2014 and reflected on all the year held.

went on a wonderful 24 hour date all-around Houston with giftcards galore.

read about the year's moments that were recorded and put in the memory bowl over dinner together.

hung out by the fire, made our own party hats, danced to taylor swift, and rang in the new year!

we wrapped up 2014 and all the unique lessons learned.

the job that provided for our family for six years ended,

and a new job that was an amazingly unique answer to prayers began.

we watched kids grow before our eyes and strived to never stop growing ourselves too.

"anchor of hope" by ellie holcomb was our most listened to song according to spotify.

we laughed, cried, sang, learned, danced, waited, celebrated, and loved.

and now we look expectantly to 2015 and all that is in store!

TWO LITTLE BUNNIES TURNING ONE...

THE BIRTHDAY BUNNIES

it's been over a year since mel and i were bumping bellies at every turn.

as we were quickly approaching our due dates (that were just three weeks apart)

we wondered how close these cousins would be born?

and would they be boys or girls or one of each?

on december 10th and december 16th we found out the answers.

the cousins we were growing were a boy and a girl, not even a full week apart in age.

and as these sweet babies first birthdays approached it sounded fun to celebrate them together!

a beatrix potter themed party was planned and where better to have it than in the country.

flopsy, mopsy, and cottontail invited all for an afternoon celebration of the almost one-year-olds.

TOPSY-TURVY TRAILS

to say the week of the party was topsy-turvy is true.

there was tragedy for those close to us,

family (and decorations) got snowed in and couldn't come,

the birthday girl had impetigo, the birthday boy had to make a trip to the doctor on party day,

but celebrating these almost one-year-olds will always be one of my favorite memories.

MR. McGREGOR'S GARDEN 

(otherwise known as the DANCE HALL)

i found old beatrix potter postcards and mel strung them into such cute garlands.

she also made the most adorable banners to hang all over the dance hall.

we printed pictures of each birthday kid throughout their first year.

the egg stuffing was supervised by chic, witt, adelaide, & graham wouldn't have happened otherwise.

sweet friends that are like family made so many trips between the house and the dance hall

to carry all the snacks down and then even set them up cutely too.

 and evan started several fires to make the party cozy as we huddled by them on the freezing cold day.

we had beatrix potter baby food squeezer pouches, veggies, chips, dips, cheese and crackers, grapes, berries, garden brownie bites, pecan bars, popcorn perfection trail mix, s'mores, and hot cocoa galore. 

i can't help but smile now when i look at these pictures and the whirlwind way the party came together.

THE MARVELOUS MISCHIEF

the kids throughly enjoyed playing on the stage, playing catch, and running in the field.
we also had a station to make your own rabbit ear headbands
and get whiskers and a rabbit nose painted on.

there was an egg hunt, and our first time hunting eggs bundled up in the winter was a hit.
and after the babies smashed their cakes there was s'mores roasting for all.

the adults huddled next to the fires while sipping cocoa as we pretended it was not 28 degrees.

"i hold that a strongly marked personality
can influence descendants for generations."
-beatrix potter
both of these kids already have such fun, strong personalities.
i love watching them play and seeing their personalities emerge.

the day of the party sweet bennett had a horrible cold and was still a complete trooper.
he even looked adorable all snug in his stroller napping.

mae was feeling better by saturday and it was evident by her squeals, bouncing, giggles and laughter.
her excitement could have been because she was trying to stay warm,
or because she was getting unlimited crackers and cake for the first time.
but i'm choosing to believe it was because she felt all the birthday love,
and there is no question that she loves a party.

"there's something delicious about 
writing the first few words of a story.
you can never quite tell
where they will take you."

-beatrix potter
i am honored and so excited to watch more chapters unfold as these two cousins grow up.
happy, happy first birthday little bunnies.
what a joy it has been to watch the beginning chapter of your stories this year!

SPRING FLINGS (part three)...

every six months we gather in the town of warrenton again for the antique show.

most of this show adelaide and graham stayed with poppa and grammy, berkeley stayed with sara kate,

and evan went to work, while mae and me stayed the country for the full week.

WARRENTON springtime snippets...

at zapp hall
with a little whipper zapper

the dance hall where mel roller skated as a kid and the fields where evan grew up driving his go-cart,

are transformed twice a year when antique dealers set up their booths and tents to sell their goods.

having a three-month-old in a flea-market environment for a week has comical ups and downs, 

but i was so thankful she likes to go for rides in her carrier and took naps while we took orders.

in the outdoor kitchen

eat well, laugh often, love much
while some sell their delightful junk for a week,

we sell our delicious shrimp blts, tenderloin salads and frozen cappuccinos to hungry shoppers.

it feels like summer camp for grownups seeing the familiar faces in line and around the show.

it is a family (and friend) reunion of sorts as we gather here together and make memories.

mae and i worked the cash register and made plates of yumminess alongside family.

family means
putting your arms around each other
and being there. -barbara bush

it is a bonding experience like no other to pile in an old farm house together.

when everyone arrived for the weekend it was a literal wall-to-wall slumber party.

the newest cousins, bennett and mae, enjoyed their daily afternoon playdates

but they weren't the only ones who soaked up the together time this crazy week creates.

until september...

GYPSY LOVE AND GIVEAWAY!

what is this SATURDAY NIGHT?
not only CINCO DE MAYO, wait there's more...

coming to tv land this saturday night the JUNK GYPSIES TV SHOW begins.
DON'T MISS IT! mark your calendar, set it to record, and get ready.

these TALENTED (and sweet) SISTERS set up at zapp hall antique show every year.
each april and october i look forward to SEEING THEIR FACES
and checking out their FABULOUS GOODS.

now i'm excited to see an extra dose of amie and jolie EVERY week.
i can't wait to see what CREATIVE things they do to the rooms they redo.


make a standing date with HGTV for the next 13 weeks.
every SATURDAY NIGHT at 6pm central time. you won't regret it.


you know what else i'm super EXCITED about,
in celebration of this saturday night they are giving away $50 JUNK BUCKAROOS
to one of my readers to spend on the items of your choice from their online shop!


CLICK HERE to enter...
(no comments on this blog will be entered, you must click over to annaleepergiveaways.blogspot.com)

FIRST IMPRESSION ON THE FIRST...

so here we are, somehow the first day of a new month has arrived yet again.

this month instead of just one "FIRST IMPRESSION ON THE FIRST"

how about a mega list of first impressions from out here in antique show land.

FIRST IMPRESSION of ANTIQUE SHOW

twice a year we head out to warrenton/round top for the antique show.

it holds sweet memories, because it was my first impression of evan's family, the place i first met them.

i might have called my bff crying from this very place hours after meeting my future in-laws

because i liked them all so much and really hoped i could be a part of this crazy family one day.

if i only could have known sixteen shows later i would still get to spend the week with them here.

 FIRST IMPRESSION of RACHEL ASHWELL

i have already mentioned her kindness to our family (found here).
monday afternoon i got to be a part of a luncheon held at her round top bed and breakfast.

i was inspired to hear more about her design, how she ended up in tx, and the ins & outs of her b&b.

i could listen to her talk all day, oh how i love that english accent.

this picture was taken moments after i gave her a giant bear hug and teared up

as i tried to adequately thank her for her donation toward wheels for my nephew witt,

and the way she sparked hope for him to have an accessible mode of transportation one day.

which i'm so excited to say, just six months later, is coming to fruition.

 FIRST IMPRESSION of THE PRAIRIE B&B

when you arrive at the prairie you are greeted by these three flags.

as i drove up the dirt road to the prairie i immediately liked the look of things.

and it just so happens those flags made me smile in more than one place today.

here are two of my favorite things for sell in her shop-

item 1) this pillow, to represent the birthplace of evan and my romance.

item 2) this pillow, to represent the birthplace of all four of our family members.

FIRST IMPRESSION of the TEXAS STAR

i am quite fond of this star, and it looks wonderful at the base of the stairs in the prairie's liliput lodge.

you just might have seen that same star at my favorite old dance hall.

it was quite neat to see the way she has incorporated pieces of texas among her lovely pastel and floral.

(photo source)

 my FIRST IMPRESSION of ROYER'S SHRIMP BLT
things i like: jalapeño hoagies, grilled shrimp, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, smokey mustard.

put them altogether and what have you got? perfection.

i've been serving these tasty delights at our royer's cafe at zapp hall since 2003.
at the luncheon i ate one made by the royer's themselves and trust me i didn't leave a bite behind.
the green salad oozing with cilantro ranch just put the whole thing over the top.

FIRST IMPRESSION of BUD's CHOCOLATE CHIP PIE

i sell these like hotcakes during antique show.

but i've never actually tasted it hot.

wow. melt in your mouth, chocolate chip cookie fresh out of the oven.

topped off with a scoop of amy's ice cream? yes, please.

 FIRST IMPRESSION of OUR TABLE

at the luncheon i got to sit with CHRISTI, ASHLEY, JESSI
and the wonderful girls of dwell with dignity (more on them to come).
christi has a delightful personality, beautiful taste and it was such a treat to simply sit and talk with her.
it just so happens that ashley and i met at mops (moms of preschoolers) last month.
the first thing i noticed about her then was her fabulous accessorizing skills and cute hair.
as we got a little deeper, i found out what a sweet heart she has as well.
i loved getting to know ashley's fun friend, jessi, and hear of their fabulous adventures,
and i'm already looking forward to seeing her at the next antique show.

 FIRST IMPRESSION of HOLLY MATHIS

i was also excited to see this talented one who happens to be old school besties with my aunt camille.

we first ran into each other at a flea market where she was set up in houston.

i love her style and heart alike, as well as any chance to chat with her.

FIRST IMPRESSION of KEELY MARIE SCOTT

i cannot remember if i first saw her photos from compassion international trips or junk gypsy prom night.

but this i do know: i greatly enjoyed her footage of both.

then i met her in person and somehow liked here even more than her photos, complete doll.

 FIRST IMPRESSION of DWELL WITH DIGNITY

okay, when i first heard about this non-profit i thought what a wonderful idea.

as i found out just how legit they are, i was touched even more with each detail of the program.

from the agencies they partner with to the pot roast in the crockpot at move-in.
it was an honor to hear first-hand how they are beautifully reaching out to the homeless community
in dallas and learn more about how to support the cause. check them out!

i could have stayed all day in the roomful of delightfully talented people KELLEY brought together.
i would have loved to get to know each of the ladies better,
but my apron was calling so i headed back to the cafe.
i'm still giddy about the time i had at the prairie.

EMBRACE THE CAMERA, "SHOULDERS ARE FOR RIDING" EDITION...

(additional embracing going on at the andersons)

A TALE OF TWO (SMALLISH) CITIES...

PART TWO: WARRENTON

(more accurately part two is a tale of a town)

this is the place evan VISITED most WEEKENDS and many HOLIDAYS growing up.

now our family gets to go there and enjoy it together,

and watch adelaide and graham create fun MEMORIES

"IN THE COUNTRY" just as their dad did as a kid.

there were many things i enjoyed about being in warrenton on independence day,

much of this list revolved around the roundtop parade, just four miles up the road.

i loved:

how a town of 90 gathered such large crowds for the parade.

the volunteer fire department in the parade.

the countless horses that marched in the parade.

the way everyone eagerly shared candy caught with one another

and passed out ice pops from coolers with friends and strangers alike.  

i also loved:

the several meals in a row cooked on the grill.

that there is not a need for a playground,

all were content to run and play in open fields or the dance hall.

and best of all-

there was lots of priceless cousin time.

 although i am quite happy living in a big city most days of the year,

it is a treat to get away to smaller places from time to time too.  

THERE ARE NO STRANGERS HERE, ONLY FRIENDS WE HAVEN'T MET...

  twice a year our family spends a week

at the THE ZAPP HALL ANTIQUE SHOW in warrenton, tx.

it's kind of like summer camp because we pack our bags and head out of the big city for a week.

except that there are no cabins with bunkbeds but rather wall-to-wall air mattresses.

it's kind of like an estate sale that goes on for over five miles.

except there are items more diverse than any estate sale has ever thought about containing.

it's kind of located approximately the middle-of-nowhere if you look it up on a map.

except we saw tori and dean this show, the junk gypsy girls every show,

sandra bullock, miranda lambert, tommy hillfiger have found it in years past,

and country living, southern living, and good morning america have all come out to shoot footage.

it's kind of the best food you can ever imagine an upscale restaurant serving.

except we serve it in an outdoor beer garden on picnic tables and these jokers are the gourmet chefs.

it's kind of amazing the way everyone works together.

except for the occasional meltdown by yours truly over taking orders for one too many

funky chunky chicken salads, shrimp blts, tenderloin sandwiches, quail, or ribs.

it's kind of questionable to miss any part of this week of family bonding.

except we made an exception to go to erika and kyle's beautiful wedding in marble falls.

it's kind of beyond precious the way my family commits to come help too.

except that as far as anyone is concerned we are all one big family now so of course they would come.

it's kind of an adjustment for me and the kids to live away from home for ten days straight.

it's kind of hard for evan making trips back and forth between work days.

it's kind of crazy how many people we squeeze into a four bedroom house.

except every six months we are itching to get back out there and do it all over again!

(photo taken immediately after returning home at the end of this spring show)