“Positano, the most beautiful place on earth. Every where your eye turns you find beauty, the air is warm and calm, scented by flowers. She’ll make you climb up and down a million steps but she’s worth every single one. She’s quiet at night and she glows, she’ll serenade you through her winding streets. She wins best dressed in Italy.”
Spring Break 2020
That time we rode the train to Pompeii like lost puppies and got picked up by the most beautiful Italian woman with a cigarette in her hand who drove us to her home and welcomed us with cappuccinos and croissants. She taught us how to make pasta from scratch and fill raviolis with ricotta and how to correctly make pesto and a lasagne with bechamel. The language barrier was no more, we communicated with smiles and laughs and devoured our delicious meal together with wine and finished off the afternoon with homemade limoncello. This was the most beautiful and authentic Italian experience and I will treasure it forever.
I had been waiting for the day when we’d walk through the gardens at the Dallas Arboretum and marvel at the blooming flowers in the Spring. And today we did but it was not the day I had in mind. These boys, man... Talk about raining on my parade. They wanted to leave the second we got there, I got hit with snarky comments left and right, one even shouted at me when I asked for one family picture, this kid never shouts! After dragging them through the pretty tulips we went to grab food and I don’t mean like McDonald’s, we went to Eataly a nice place, and even let them pick a special dessert and instead of “thanks” I get a, “that’s all I get? I wanted the big one!” By the time we got back in time for soccer practice I was defeated and in tears. I sent them off and stayed in the car and cried while I ate lemon cookies from Eataly and sulked as I thought of their ungratefulness and how they ruined my day I had looked forward to all winter. And as I watched them run from the car, the Lord gently tapped me on the shoulder and I instantly saw myself in my children. How many times does the Lord place good things in my life and I act worse than my children with zero gratitude and a slight “that’s all I get?” attitude, when the Lord has given me EVERYTHING, Jesus, salvation, freedom and he still loves me!! Today we remember Jesus being nailed on the cross for our sins, we didn’t deserve it we’re ungrateful sinful brats and he still died for us and loves and longs for us to draw near to him he makes us a new creation. Hallelujah! I ended the night with a hot bath but before that I went in the boys room gave them each huge hugs and apologized for not being more patient. Tomorrow is a new day.
On our trip to Italy, Fred and I left our hotel in Positano and hopped on the bus and then the train to explore Pompeii. It was such an adventure figuring out how to buy a bus ticket or hop on a train, we asked so many strangers in our choppy touristy Italian if we were headed the right way. I read many warning about the stations and trains around Naples but prayer, paranoia and kind strangers eventually got us there!
For a girl that loves history more specifically art history the ancient ruins of Pompeii blew me away! I was amazed at the craftsmanship and intricate details through out, from the mosaic tiles, stone carvings to beautiful frescos preserved by the volcanic ash from the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. These people hundreds and hundreds of years ago knew a thing or two about design and architecture all without the fancy tools and technology we have today!
Seriously my mind is still blown, to have walked through streets that people roamed through thousand of years ago was mind boggling, an unforgettable experience I will cherish always!
Disclaimer: This was written like over a year ago and never got posted til now! Enjoy!
Last Summer Fred and I celebrated our Anniversary in Austin TX. About a 4 hour drive from Dallas, felt close enough to drive but far enough to call it a getaway. Although only 4 hours apart from each other Dallas and Austin could not be any more different from one another.
See what we love about Austin is that it’s funky, its different, its weird, which is to no surprise why the city’s slogan is, “Keep Austin Weird.” after all. So when we decided to spend the weekend in Austin I knew I wanted to embrace all it had to offer a vibrant, eclectic, artsy, hip vibe so we booked our stay in a motel, not just any motel, Austin Motel!
What drew me to this place was it’s modern sleek colors combined with vintage architecture and a slight Spanish villa feel. The outdoor corridors are adorned with beautiful greenery and dreamy cacti. If you look into Bunkhouse, they have a whole line of hotels that are all so well designed, I’m dying to stay in a teepee at El Cosmico in Marfa or their hotel in Cabo is beautiful too!
While I highly recommend Austin Motel for its design, great location, lots of great food places around, be forewarned, the innuendos through out this place might leave you blushing at the least or might just completely crack you up, I chose the latter. So if you’re heading to Austin ditch that boring hotel with the waffle maker and the basic vibe and stay at Austin Motel, So Close Yet So Far Out.
On Tuesday March 10, 2020, we decided to get out of the house, we got in the van and just started driving, “Where should we go?” asked Fred, ”anywhere except there” I answered. We were on Spring Break and already “social distancing” ourselves before the stay home rules had been implemented, aware that it was slowly starting to spread in the city we usually congregate in. We drove the opposite way, heck we drove and drove that we ended up in a different state!
Fred wanted to see buffalo, or bison, I don’t think he knew exactly but he heard there were some north of us or maybe he made it up, sometimes he makes up facts out of thin air, I find them amusing. All we saw was cattle and maybe a donkey but we kept driving and instead ended up at the Red River, the border between Texas and Oklahoma.
We parked under the bridge and made our way towards the river. The air was warm and a little damp. Our steps became heavy as we began sinking into wet, red clay. That’s when I remembered we had just bought the boys new Vans shoes the week before but it didn’t bother me, I let them run around and get as muddy as they pleased. I felt like such a cool mom until another mom showed up with her two boys and I realized she was way cooler than me.
She let her kids jump into the red river, careless and free, those boys swam and splashed, we watched them with huge smiles on our face, my boys looked at me as if maybe I too would allow them to jump in. I’m not that cool guys, sorry.
We did however stop at a Braum’s in tiny town trying to earn some cool points back from these boys. I didn’t know it was going to be the last time we sat in a booth as a family. It felt very uncomfortable though, it’s like every cough or sneeze sounded louder than usual. Like in the movies when everything goes silent except certain sounds and then those sounds start making a melody and Fred and I just stared at each other with wide eyes then Luke asked how it was possible for people to spill coffee on ceilings as he examined the leaks from the roof, I laughed so loud and it brought me back to enjoying the moment. I took a deep breath and ate the rest of my rocky road sugar cone, it was delicious.
We left Braums and a trail of dried red mud behind us I’m sure and drove some more, we saw old buildings, tore down buildings and more cattle but no bison. Made it back and ate at our favorite taco shop, Torchy’s, my biggest regret that day was not ordering a frozen margarita to go with my tacos. Bummer.
Then like dominoes life around us started collapsing one after another, schools got canceled, restaurants began shutting down, grocery stores depleted, the stock market plumeted, some started losing their jobs, people began getting sick, some dying, we were told to stay home and to top it off there was literally no sunshine for days only clouds, fear and uncertainly seemed to remain.
It’s like the rug got pulled out from under us and left us on our knees. And thats where I’m at, on my knees praying. It’s a good time to pray. Not that there’s ever a good time not to pray but if you haven't prayed in a while I’d urge you to. I don’t know what God is doing but He’s in control and He’s at work.
I started reading the book of Joshua, in the book, Rahab, a prostitute saves the lives of the spies scoping out the land God had promised the Israelites. She had heard of what the LORD had done, how he had dried up the water of the Red Sea and how he had given them victories over their enemies. “And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted and there was no spirit left in man because of you for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.” Joshua 2:11
Her fear brought her to faith.
Her faith is revered in the New Testament, and her name is listed in the genealogy of Jesus. God saves her and her family as the Israelites invade the land and pass over her home seeing the scarlet cord hung out her window.
I’m not saying have faith like Rahab and you will not get sick or die from Covid, there are countless of saints being martyred by their faith as they spread the gospel throughout the world. I’m saying as scary as this virus is, we need to be aware that there’s is a greater evil out to destroy us, our sin.
Theres no cure to Covid-19, not yet, praying for a cure, but there is a cure to sin, thats faith through Jesus. God came down as a man, Jesus, sinless perfect. He willingly was nailed to a cross because sin required a blood sacrifice from a perfect being, a spotless lamb. We couldn’t earn salvation or work hard enough for it, our DNA was stained with sin from the time Adam and Eve sinned in the garden. But because God so loved the world he gave his only son Jesus that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life, John 3:16. At the cross Jesus cured us from our sin and made us perfect, earning us a place a future home in heaven, not of out own doing.
But Nancy, I’ve met Christians and they were stuck up, self righteous, judged me even hurt me.
I’m so sorry. We’re saved but not perfect because we are not Jesus but should aim to live a life like he did. If someone who claimed to be a Christian hurt you in anyway don’t let that be how you view God. For a clear look at who Jesus is go to the direct source, the bible, read John or Luke if you’re curious.
I’m passionate about the Lord, I’m not perfect but if you have any questions I’d love to chat with you or if you just need prayer or a friend right now I’m here! Zoom anyone?
Friends, stay safe, stay healthy, stay home and read your bible! HUGS!!!
This past Sunday Fred took me on a date to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth for the last day of the exhibit, Monet: The Late Years. I’m a girl that appreciates art but I must admit as an aspiring gardener and flower obsessed girl, I have a bias for Monet. I had been wanting to go see Monet’s flowery exhibit all Summer but our weekends had been packed and we had not been able to go. Finally we were able to squeeze in a Sunday afternoon date but apparently we weren’t the only ones with the brilliant idea to see Monet on the last day of the exhibit. We waited over an hour in line to get in!
Like anything good in life, the wait was worth it.
The exhibit displayed Monet’s beautiful water lilies and transitioned into art work from his later life. His rich warm tones over time turn into gloomy paintings of weeping willows. You see through his painting the impact that age, death of loved ones and war had on him.
I held back tears until we walked out.
I couldn’t help of the thought that like a Monet, life transitions between seasons of beautiful calm water lilies to seasons of dark confusing weeping willows. Yet every Monet, whether bright or depressing is of immense value. Life is like this.
Life is confusing, beautiful, dark, precious and every detail matters to the Lord. Psalm 139 says, “How precious are your thoughts towards me how vast is the sum of them. If I would count them they are more than the sand.”
Every stroke in the canvas of life is of purpose, beauty and value. Thanks for the reminder Monet.
We took a quick trip to the Dallas Farmer’s Market last week. Yes it was warm, but so much fun. We checked out cute shops and fresh produce. We walked around Ruibal’s, a nursery in downtown and checked out all the beautiful plants they offer to the public. After coming home from Italy I have been obsessed with flowers, especially bougainvillea which beautifully adorn the buildings of Positano with different shades of magenta. After seeing that Ruibal’s sells it and getting some tips from one of the workers there, I have made it a mission to grow it in my garden! I’ll let you know how that goes…
Before we knew it our tummy’s were rumbling so we headed to Velvet Taco and ate way too much, instead of walking it off we rode the trolley around town, same idea right? So we ended our Dallas family date with Slurpees for the boys and Fred surprised me with Gelato from Botolino in Greenville because I will just not shut up about how I miss eating gelato everyday when we were in Italy.
Growing bougainvillea, eating gelato, Italy will forever be a part of me. A sweet lady from my church, Janine, told me I would never be the same in the best possible way after going to Italy. I think she was right.
Hey there! It’s been a while!
Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day.
My boys treated me to all my favorite things, carbs, shopping and picnics!
Saturday I got treated to coffee and delicious chocolate croissants at Tulla, a French inspired patisserie and cafe. It was my first time there and if I could have I would’ve tried every pastry they had in sight. I went basic and ordered a chocolate croissant but this croissant was far from basic! My mouth is watering as I type! A buttery, flaky pillow from heaven filled with chocolate goodness… Yum!
We then stopped for a quick Target run and of course I had to pick out something for myself since it was Mother’s Day weekend and it was only appropriate. Our run turned into a marathon as it usually happens every time I walk into Target. Out of a billion things I tried on I found a cute top and romper on clearance, $20 for both, score!
We then hit up a Frisco Festival, and forget photo booths, Magnolia Terrace a local event venue had the cutest bike set up for photos, and you don’t have to tell me twice! I’m adding a beach cruiser back on my wishlist if I get one it will most definitely have flowers hanging out of the basket just like theirs!
We ended Saturday with dinner at Outback Steakhouse, last time we went I was pregnant with Nate! I had prime rib, medium rare, the only way to eat a steak… For dessert we checked out a new snow cone place in Denton Square, Gnome Cones! It was an amazing experience, super thought out down to every detail, the sound of squeaky gnomes calling out your name when your order is up! I need to do a post on this place alone because it’s truly magical, check it out!
Sunday Fred made me avocado toast with his homemade jalapeño cheddar bread! We headed to church and I wore my Target find from the day before. We came home for lunch with family and afterwards I was ready to just relax and wait for Game of Thrones to start but Fred surprised me with a picnic and homegirl is always down for a picnic! Fred made us yummy sandwiches and we spent the evening at the park.
Grateful for my sweet husband who is so thoughtful, goes above and beyond for me and makes every celebration extra special. I love you with all my heart, you make me a better mommy grateful for you and our crazy boys! Love you!
On Saturday Fred treated me to an early Valentine’s Day Date. He knows me too well and planned it just right.
Dallas, Food, Duh.
While a girl can eat a big meal, trust me… I’m more of the tapas philosophy, small bites so I can try a little of everything and take my time. So Fred decided to take me out to eat small bites at a few different spots.
We started our date at Jimmy’s Food Store, the best Italian market in Dallas. Italian cuisine and culture is so near and dear to us and being in Jimmy’s Food Store makes me feel like I’m there though I've never been but I like to pretend while i’m there! You can buy a glass of wine to sip on while you shop. You’re completely surrounded by every imported Italian ingredient you might ever need along with local goods. I found the perfect pasta noodles for my Galentine’s Party coming up and we bought our meats we needed for pizza night from the deli, the deli!!! At the deli you can buy sandwiches, the most amazing sandwiches in town, Fred and I split a prosciutto caprese sandwich, soo tasty!
We then headed to Deep Ellum, one of my favorite spots in Dallas. We walked around the outdoor market, hit up a few shops like Jade & Clover and Archer Paper Goods, seriously adorable shops!
Then came our second food stop, Revolver Taco. We had authentic street tacos with wagyu beef carne asada, cilantro and onions! The best part? There’s an abuelita in the kitchen making your tortillas, (insert tears of joy here) and you can actually see her throwing it down in a cute Mexican apron. You won’t find your typical Texas “fajita meat” tacos here, just the real good carne asada.
We ended our date with dessert at Emporium Pies. It was my first time checking out the Deep Ellum location so I was really excited to check out their floral mural, insta worthy. They have their seasonal “Valenpies” I had to go with the Dr. Love pie, a gooey brownie with red velvet cream cheese, need I say more?
Though it was a chilly 30 some degree date, my super hot Valentine kept me warm, like literally, my thoughtful Fred even bought me hand warmers to put inside the pockets of my coat. Thank you Fred for always loving me, caring for me, spoiling me. I love you my dearest Valentine.
This summer Fred and I drove down to Austin to celebrate our 9 year anniversary. Since Waco is halfway to Austin we thought it'd be fun to drop by and pay Chip and Jo's place a visit. I've heard from the day trippers, I've seen the countless #milestomagnolia pics on insta so I wanted to see for myself what all the hype was about and let me tell you, the hype is real.
Upon walking in you feel something special in the air. Everyone is excited to be there. You're greeted by friendly smiles and you feel welcomed. Hospitable to the core. It felt like Disneyland a bit, kinda magical but no Mickey Mouse or Cinderella Castle here, just a beautiful space called the Silos!
I love places that are well designed, where details matter and where spaces are transformed yet are left to display the beauty and integrity of their history and age. That with their shop overflowing with things to fill every room in your home, truly eye candy for the decorist soul.
My favorite area was the Magnolia Seed+Supply, a gardeners dream! The little garden shop took me back to our trip to Carmel CA... Sweet, quaint, cute shops have a special place in my heart.
We ended our time at the Silos by picking up some pastries from the bakery for the road. A bacon scone, blueberry muffin and a chocolate croissant, all which did not disappoint, all that was left of them were the crumbs on my lap and on the floor of the car. I'm a messy eater, just ask Fred. To our surprise we found a sweet note from one of the workers wishing us a happy anniversary!
We left with our baked yummies, some sunflower seeds for our garden but most importantly we left inspired and with a greater appreciation for Chip & Jo and what they've built. And of course, we left with a #milestomagnolia pic, how could we not?
Forgot the napkins, wiped their saucy little fingers on the blanket...
Luke made me this necklace at school.
“Lazy mom picnic, buy lunchables, go to your favorite spot,
picnic away”
Spring Tonic from West Oak, Hibiscus Ginger Beer, Lavender Syrup, Espresso Shot and Rosemary
My definition of chill.
Fred made me Eggs Benedict with crab for breakfast! Inspired by one of my all time favorite dishes from Big Sur, Ca.
“You’ll never know dear, how much I love you, oh please don’t take my sunshine away.”
Then he made me a crab pizza with hollandise sauce... His best pizza to date.
My Mother's Day gift, Old Skool Vans.
From Noah.
From Luke.
