The week right after Sister Camp in Arkansas, I came home, unpacked, repacked and a few days later headed to Round Top Texas. I LOVE Texas, especially in the Spring. Not sure what exactly it is, but there is a definite pull on my heart when I am there. No, I do not plan to move there full time, but maybe in the future there will be more frequent trips. I really don't know how that will all work out, but it's not about my plan, right?
So "The Gathering in Round Top." Long story short, a few years ago I sent a "weirdo in a good way" email to Tara Royer Steele after we had a few back and forth comments to each other via Instagram. (This is where I praise social media because it can be an amazing tool for connecting.) Anyways, I just blurted out my "Hey...wouldn't be cool if we could..." and after several phone conversations, praying and text messages...2 years later that first "weirdo in a good way" email came full circle Y'all.
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Meg, Tara and I all showed up as we were with the gifts we have been given for gathering women, serving, creating and lovin' Jesus and everything fell right into place. I caught this sunset the very first night the three of us were there setting up. No filter, just confirmation that we were headed in the right direction.

We were all able to witness an amazing display of what happens when you open up a space for women to just show up as they are, put out a whole bunch of creative supplies, offer lots of yummy food and pie, coffee in the morning and a little wine in the evening, early mornings for some, later nights for others and community at the table, in the kitchen, on the couch and on the porch. The words I use to describe it are "It is just so good and Jesus shows up every.single.time"
Our Gathering in Round Top was held at The Vintage Round Top.
I felt like I was in the pages of Country Living Magazine and that The Vintage was created just for us BUT, you can stay here too! It is the perfect place to have a retreat or just hang out with a bunch of friends for the weekend...or dare I suggest during Antique Week???
There are actually two different spaces, The Round Top No. 1450 and the newer addition towards the side called Boho. We rented the whole enchilada so it worked perfectly when it was time to bake pies because there are 2 kitchens.
Speaking of pie...Tara, The Pie Queen, taught us how to make pie crust and a Junk Berry Pie...
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I kept saying that it smelled like Fall, or Christmas..and the reviews about the pie were off the charts, in fact Logan actually shed a tear. For reals.
In between baking pies, bible journaling, stitching and making fabric tie wreaths, we ate, ate more, crafted, and so on and so on and so on. The great thing was while some created, others could sit around and chat, laugh, cry and eat while all in the same cozy space. ![IMG_2872[1] IMG_2872[1]](https://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834518f7769e201b8d285894a970c-500wi)
and well, when in Round Top besides eating food at Royers Cafe
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and Pie at Royers Pie Haven
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one must also visit the Junk Gypsy Headquarters, duh. Listen, I am NOT A SHOPPER and I had to take about 47 laps around the store just to take it all in...and I did. I think we all did. It is dreamy. Wanna know what I bought??? I got what I call a "flowey" my buffalo rose tee, a Y'all hoodie and patches.
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and lucky us, Jolie popped in while we were shopping
and as they say, "What happens in Round Top, Stays in Round Top." It was so so good and Meg, Tara and I were so blessed by each of the ladies who were brave, unsure, totally ready and had no idea what they were getting into. That earns a badge in my book. God knows who is going to show up and each lady that showed up on their own left with new friends.
Will we do it again next year??? We sure hope so and are going to talk and pray about it. ![IMG_3150[1] IMG_3150[1]](https://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834518f7769e201b8d285a947970c-500wi)