Chairy Orchard in Denton

The Chairy Orchard

Nestled between rambler homes in a residential area on the outskirts of Denton, the Chairy Orchard is a delightful pocket park. Shaded by large trees and bordered by Cooper Creek, the meadow could be mistaken for any peaceful green space. Well, it could except for hundreds of chairs that lend the attraction its name: The Chairy Orchard.

The Chairy Fairies

The Chairy Fairies, neighbors Ann Pierson and Judy Smith, curate this quirky assemblage. Chairs circle the meadow and line pathways through the unique orchard. Every type of chair seems to be represented from a hammock to an old beauty parlor chair. Wood. Wicker. Metal. Plastic. Upholstered. It’s all there in the orchard. There are even miniature chairs secured to a wood fence.

The collection started on a whim after Judy hung a few wooden chairs in one of the great trees and called it her Chairy Tree. The women decided to expand on the idea and set out to collect a hundred chairs to scatter around the grassy lot. That beginning quickly grew through finds at garage sales, thrift shops, and even curbside castoffs. People often now donate chairs, like the one donated by a high school graduating class.

So Many Puns

The Chairy Tree pun continues throughout the orchard. There is a ‘High Chair’ made from a series of increasingly smaller chairs stacked on top of each other. The ‘Wheel Chair’ consists of toy wheels attached to a wooden Adirondack chair. And red-painted canes create the ‘Cane-backed Chair.’ The ‘Arm Chair’ made with mannequin arms is a bit creepy, but otherwise the punny chairs add a playful ambiance to the unique orchard. And, of course, there is a spot at the CemeChairy for those broken chairs.

Chairish Wall

One of my favorite locations within the Chairy Orchard is the Chairish Wall. No need to visit a Paris bridge to leave your lock of love. You can do that right here at the Chairish Wall. And throughout the Chairy Orchard there are a few non-chair themes and puns, like the Flower Bed, a bedframe buried in dirt and decorated with plastic flowers. Along one side is a beautiful collection of wood and Buddha. There are so many fun things to discover in the Chairy Orchard.

When You Go

The Chairy Fairies encourage people to take pictures, eat lunch, or even rearrange the chairs. The Chairy Orchard (1426 Churchill Drive, Denton) is open dawn to dusk. It’s free but you can leave a donation in the red refrigerator on the edge of the orchard. Or consider bringing a chair of your own to donate.

Saturday in Richardson

Lockwood Distilling Co.

We visited Richardson in search of a local distillery, and found a fun market and vintage mall in the process.

Richardson is perhaps best known for the Eisemann Center and the biannual Cottonwood Art Festival. A long established inner-ring suburb of Dallas, the city saw much of its residential growth in the 1970s. Many of its shopping areas date from that decade. Repurposing has breathed new life into one older shopping strip, Dal-Rich Towne Square.

Richardson’s Farmers Market

Every Saturday the parking lot of the Dal-Rich Towne Square (101 S Coit Road) fills with over three dozen vendors in a mixed farmers and craft market. Unlike most markets, you don’t need to wake at dawn to score the best baked goods. Richardson’s Farmers Market is open from 10 am until 2 pm. I was impressed with the friendliness of the vendors, though this farmers market is short on farmers. On the day of our visit, there was just one produce seller, Stubblefield Farm. That said, their produce selection was high quality and reasonably priced.

Several vendors sell a range of bakery goods including keto friendly cakes. A neighborhood favorite, Boulangerie à Paris, appeared to have a loyal following of customers visiting the market just to buy bread and scones for the week. Other food stalls sell prepared foods (jams, jellies, and specialty olive oils), North Texas honey, and small-batched coffee.

In addition to food, there’s a good selection of artists and handmade crafts including jewelry makers, a leatherworks stall, and several woodworkers. It’s a fun market to explore.

Cottonwood Market

Cottonwood Market

Located at the same location as Richardson’s Farmers Market, Cottonwood Market anchors the Dal-Rich Towne Square. The once-upon-time big box store now houses over a hundred vendors with an outstanding selection of antiques, vintage, new gifts, and art. There are so many stalls crammed with treasures that it can be a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, each stall sticks to its theme. You’ll find grandma’s china and crystal, along with vintage children’s books, an outstanding selection of vinyl records, and even contemporary home décor. A custom framing studio, A&G, operates at the back of the store. If you enjoy searching for vintage treasures, Cottonwood Market is your spot.

Lunch at Lockwood Distilling Co.

At last, shopping done, we headed to Lockwood Distilling Co. (506 Lockwood Drive) for lunch. The distillery produces a variety of liquors, from hibiscus-infused vodka to bourbon to gin, and even flavored rums. Lockwood is more than a tasting room, though. Its restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and in-between. Select a shareable plate for a quick snack or one of their signature sandwiches for a meal. Texas/Louisiana cuisine inspires many of the menu items like the shrimp and grits, muffaletta sandwich, and pastrami made with brisket.

Lockwood Distilling Co

The versatility holds with a number of different ways to sample their product. Choose from over a dozen seasonal cocktails or order a tasting flight. The flights include a sample of four liquors, with three options: Lockwood flight, with a sample of vodka, gin, and bourbon; a rum flight; and an aged bourbon flight. You can also purchase unopened bottles to take home, too.

We didn’t need reservations for lunch, but if you plan to visit on a weekend evening, be sure to call for reservations. Even with the outdoor seating area, Lockwood is often packed in the evenings.

We’ll definitely be back!

Did you know: The Cottonwood Arts Festival takes place at Cottonwood Park (1321 W Beltline) the first weekend in May and October.

McKinney Historic District

Searching for a relaxed day trip near home? McKinney offers public art, upscale shopping, and fine dining in its walkable downtown. Established in1849, McKinney has escaped the plight of many Texas-pioneer towns. An infusion of private investment refurbished century-old buildings allowing the area to pivot from a collection of dusty antique malls and empty store fronts to a thriving collection of high-end boutiques and eateries. And, even with newcomers and McKinney’s rapid growth, the historic downtown retains its small town charm.

Western Wear to Handcrafted Décor

birds and words for home decor

The old Collin County Courthouse, now home to the McKinney Performing Arts Center, anchors dozens of surrounding shops. If you seek chic-western, you’ll find it at Orisons. Or visit McKinney Hat Company to be fitted for an iconic Stetson hat. A cluster of women’s boutiques can be found along Virginia Street. My favorite shopping is at the smaller, home décor stores like birds & words. The store sells a mix of new merchandise and items crafted from found objects. Another of my favorites is Petals and Vine where I’m guaranteed to find that perfect gift. And finally, if looking for a vintage item, try the Antique Company Mall and its expansive collection of everything from vinyl records to grandma’s fine china.

McKinney Dining

Portions of the area around the courthouse sport extra-wide sidewalks, allowing outdoor seating areas. Sip a glass of wine at Landon Winery or enjoy Spoons Cafe’s all-day breakfast alfresco. It’s a grand way to relax and do a little people watching. Other casual establishments like Cadillac Pizza Pub and The Yard have limited indoor seating but offer large patio dining.

In addition to relaxed eateries, McKinney is home to a variety of upscale restaurants. Rick’s Chophouse is the type of restaurant reserved for those special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Rick’s specializes in steaks, but also offers an exceptional selection of seafood. Lunch is a wonderful and a less expensive way to sample Rick’s fare. A new restaurant, Fontina Ristorante, masters Italian cooking with nuanced, house-made sauces, and is well worth a visit. Local Yokel, a long-time McKinney store selling farm fresh meat and eggs, opened a fine dining restaurant a short half-mile from the courthouse. Local Yokel BBQ and Grill elevates barbeque to haute cuisine.

McKinney Arts Community

Unique by Nature is McKinney’s city motto. I might have come up with a different motto—like—Uniquely Artistic. Long before the city’s downtown renovation, visual and musical artists drew people to the historic district with events like Second Saturday art walks. A collective of local artists now manages The Cove. Check their website for local art exhibits. The Millhouse, an all-women creative collective, is located at the old cotton gin and often hosts exhibits.

Van Helton Silo Mural

In 2016, the City of McKinney commissioned its first large mural. Many are found in alleys. One of my favorites is a waist-high, block-long, playful mural depicting Texas flora and fauna by artist Theresa Holmes. It’s a bit like a scavenger hunt finding all the outdoor murals as you walk the area.

The most impressive is the mural painted on old grain silos at the now defunct flour mill. Guido Van Helten, an Australian artist, took over five months to complete the behemoth project. Van Helten is renowned for his large-scale, photorealistic murals.

McKinney City Festivals

McKinney always finds a reason to celebrate. Check the city calendar for events. Three festivals not to be missed are Arts in the Square (April), Oktoberfest (last weekend in September), and Christmas on the Square (Thanksgiving weekend). I’m also a big fan of the McKinney Art Studio Tour. Held on the second weekend of November, local artists open their studios to visitors. It’s fascinating to see the artists at work and gives an appreciation of the breadth and depth of the local creative community.

When you go

Parking is free and abundant around the old courthouse. In addition to ground lots, a parking garage is located at Chestnut and Davis. Store locations: Orisons (102 N Tennessee), McKinney Hat Company (213 N Kentucky), birds and words (100 W Virginia), Petals and Vine (205 N Kentucky), and Antique Company Mall (213 E Virginia). Restaurant locations: Landon Winery (101 N Kentucky), Spoons (100 E Louisiana), Cadillac Pizza (112 S Kentucky), The Yard (107 S Church), Rick’s Chophouse (107 N Kentucky), Fontina Ristorante (216 E Virginia), Local Yokel BBQ and Grill (350 E Louisiana).

Fun Fact: Money magazine named McKinney the best place to live in 2016

McKinney Farmers Market

McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square is my favorite North Texas farmers market. The vintage buildings of Chestnut Square serve as the perfect backdrop for local producers and artists. Shaded courtyards offer a pleasant respite from scorching Texas heat for both shopper and seller. It’s a little like stepping back in time to what shopping might have been like at the turn of the century — not this one, but the previous century.

Expanded Market

As McKinney grows, so does its farmers market. In addition to sellers nestled among the old buildings, you’ll find tent stalls lining Chestnut Street. The once small market has grown from thirty vendors to almost a hundred. And no more fighting for parking as there’s now a free parking garage kitty-corner to the market on Howell Street.  Despite its growth, it still exudes character with friendly vendors, artists, and street musicians. There is even something for youngsters. The kids will love a chance to ride a pony at T Bar Pony Rides located on the south edge of the market. McKinney Farmers Market vendors map can help newcomers navigate the larger market.

Sustainable Shopping

McKinney Farmers Market is an organic shopper’s nirvana. Buy grass-fed beef from Keeton Beef, fresh mushrooms from Farmboys Fungi, and local honey from numerous sellers. Claiming center stage are multiple fruit and vegetable vendors many of who are Collin County farmers. The produce varies based on the time of year. Expect fresh beets in spring and melon in summer. Some items are sourced from within Texas, like fresh peaches from Pittsburg, Texas.

Yes, it’s a great shopping experience, but markets like McKinney Farmers Market are important to communities and the environment. These markets support local producers and small businesses. Buying local also reduces the carbon footprint (energy cost) associated with transporting and storing goods as they make their way to grocery stores. Finally, the budget conscious shopper will often find high quality, seasonal fruits and vegetables at bargain prices.

To help guide the sustainable shopper, the market cues customers with how much of the product sold … be it food or crafted work … is actually produced by the vendor.

My Market Favorites

Stonebranch MicroFarms. Micro farms are small scale operations, normally on five-acres or less. Stonebranch is a family farm that brings to market what’s ripe in their farm plot. During my visit this week, produce included bok choy and walking onions. I love that every week, they offer flower arrangements in mason jars for $6. And this year, I see they’ve add some beautifully crafted cards to their wares. Visit early as they often sell out.

Yatab Mandazi. A newcomer to the market, Yatab Mandazi sells what is dubbed as African beignets from a tradition passed down from the baker’s grandma. I reheated mine at home and sprinkled them with powdered sugar. The beignet nuggets are a little denser than New Orleans-styled beignets, but truly yummy.

The Tamale Company. If you want to eat at the market, The Tamale Company sells hot, individual tamales. Or buy frozen packages to take home. Varieties include two vegetarian options.

When You Go The McKinney Farmers Market (315 S Chestnut Street, McKinney) runs every Saturday morning, 8 to noon from April through November; and the first and third Saturday December through March. Arrive early for the best selection of farm fresh produce and baked goods.

Meadows Museum

Wave by Spanish artist Santiago Calatrava at The Meadows Museum
12th Century Fresco

This year, the Meadows Museum celebrates its twentieth anniversary in its current location on the Southern Methodist University (SMU) campus. With an extensive collection of Spanish artwork, the museum has the well-earned nickname Prado on the Prairie. A trip to the museum is like a tasting at a winery … you get a small sampling of a large swath of Spanish art. On the afternoon of my visit, I’d come to see the twelfth century frescoes on the second floor landing. The two large Romanesque paintings had figured prominently in an art history class I recently attended. These and several other art pieces are on long term loan to Meadows Museum.

Medieval and Renaissance Art

I confess that I’m not a big fan of the hyper-religious and often gaudy medieval and early Renaissance art. The Meadows Museum offers wonderfully ornate examples of fine altar pieces and paintings of the time without overwhelming visitors with too much gilded piety. I appreciate that their collection encompasses more than paintings. My favorite was a painted liturgical cabinet, beautiful and practical.

Spanish Masters

Diego Velazquez, Female Figure

The Meadows Museum collection includes a sampling of painters from the Spanish Golden age. You’ll find portraits by Diego Velazquez, and Saint Francis Kneeling in Meditation by El Greco. There are Baroque artists like Bartolome Murillo and Claudio Coello. Spanish painters who found their way to Paris during the Impressionist period are represented. And modern artists like Picasso and Salvador Dali also have works on display. What I enjoy most about the Meadows Museum is how seamlessly it allows the visitor to travel through almost eight hundred years of Spanish art during a short two hour visit.

Pablo Picasso, Still Life in a Landscape

Fossils to Film

Fossils to Film is an exhibit highlighting SMU’s other collections. You’ll find incredible fossils from the Shuler Museum of Paleontology and artifacts from the school’s archeology collection. Pieces from the Birdwell Library and Hamon Arts Library are also on display. Finally, the University Art Collection includes many fine paintings from Texas Regional artist and former SMU professor, Jerry Bywaters. This smorgasbord of SMU gems will be on display through June 20, 2021.

Meadows Mobile Tour

When you visit the museum, be sure to bring your ear buds and smart phone. Posted placards have you scan a QR code or dial (214) 466-6543 for extended detail on many art pieces. This mobile system beats the old style headphone tours, especially given current pandemic concerns. And best of all, once home, you can still access the information including short talks from art experts.

Outdoor Sculptures

The largest example of Spanish art at the Meadows Museum is outside. Santiago Calatrava’s Wave is an impressive sixty-eight feet long. The kinetic sculpture undulates at a hypnotic pace. While not an official sculpture garden, several of the Meadows Museum large sculpture ring the upper plaza and can be enjoyed without a museum ticket. Concrete benches are strategically positioned throughout if you just want to relax a bit.

When You Go

The Meadows Museum (5900 Bishops Blvd, Dallas) is located on the SMU campus. Free underground parking is available for museum visitors. Admission is $12 with discounts for seniors and students. Admission is free to military and veterans. As of this writing, pandemic precautions include advance tickets, masks, and reduced museum capacity. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. Thursdays the museum remains open until 9 pm with free museum entry after 5 pm.