The Magnolia Journal Fall 2021

follow along on instagram: @JOANNAGAINES forward motion IT’S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE this is the 20th issue of Magnolia Journal. It doesn’t seem so long ago that our team was gathered around the table, sharing thoughts and ideas and asking each other what we wanted to add to the world that wouldn’t feel like noise but just the opposite. Something that would help quiet our minds and point us toward interests new and old, something that would offer a little inspiration and beauty to our lives. What I’ve always loved about magazines is that they give us a tangible thing to hold onto. Whenever I grab an issue of ours from a stack I keep by my desk, the pages transport me back to that time. Every story has a story. People…

Silobration is back! Fall is always an exciting time at Magnolia. Maybe it’s the long, hot Texas summer, but when we flip the calendar to October, it truly feels like a new beginning. This year we have even more reason to celebrate as we bring back our events with our biggest and best Silobration yet. WHEN: October 28–30 WHERE: The Silos in Waco WHAT: A Texas-size party with vendors from across the country, great food, concerts, and more DETAILS: magnolia.com/events Shops at the Silos Spotlight Each of our six boutique-style shops has been curated by Jo with a distinct style and theme in mind. Here’s a look at two: Tried & True No matter where you’re off to next, this collection of bags, jewelry, and other accessories will help you start the day in style. NO.16 Named for Chip’s old baseball…

All of us know how good kindness can feel—to give and receive. Yet in our everyday lives we sometimes need a nudge toward making the move, giving the compliment, asking the question that shows we care. Last year at Magnolia, we began wondering how we could give more of those nudges. We wanted the line from our manifesto—We believe in human kindness, knowing we are made better when we all work together—to come to life. And so we started Make Kindness Loud. There was no rocket science involved—just a group of people walking around and hanging up simple flyers all around our offices. Each flyer had prompts for acts of kindness. Some were small ideas that cost nothing, like calling an old friend to see how they were doing. Others suggested…

The power of a simple morning walk. NINE YEARS AGO, I BEGAN MY DAILY WALKS. My days had become overwhelmed by to-do lists, meetings, driving to and fro, and errands. This wasn’t a desperate problem per se, but it didn’t reflect who I was fully, at my core. I wanted to return to what I felt was essential to me and what I’d had in my younger years: to be immersed in the natural world and to be embraced by the great quiet. My goal was to walk for 30 consecutive days. It was October in New England, which meant it was dark until 7 a.m. and often could be well below freezing in the morning. I knew I would need discipline on my side, and some days I had it. Other days…

Embrace the hidden potential of everyday ingredients, allowing time and intention to work their transformative magic through caramelization. From simple techniques rich, unexpected flavors emerge, enhancing dishes with newfound depth. skillet: Long cook times and low temperatures are essential when caramelizing in a skillet. Add sugar to low-sugar vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, to enhance their caramelization and a pinch of salt to draw out any excess moisture. Introduce a small amount of broth, melted butter, oil, or vinegar to glaze the food and add flavor. oven: Roasting in the oven at high temperatures (around 425°F) allows for a more hands-off approach to caramelization. Simply toss the ingredients in oil to prevent burning and spread them single-layered in a shallow pan for maximum heat exposure. Foods with more moisture will need more…

When we landed on the theme of forward motion over a year ago, I envisioned talking a lot about personal risk and growth and trying new things. But as we spent more and more time peeling back the layers, I kept coming back to the idea of progress as a culture—how we, as human beings, can find ways to move forward together. Because lately, it feels like we’re stuck. Mostly by where we find ourselves: living in a world where drama and division are offered up as a source of cheap entertainment. Where every day can feel like a battle, trying to reconcile messages of beauty and growth and connectedness with those of ugliness, destruction, and conflict. Stuck wondering how we got here and where we go next. Whether you think you’ve…