October Celebrations

October is one of my favorite months. The orange tones, the fall flavors, cooler weather.

It’s also jam packed with festivals, parties, patches and candy, lots and lots of candy. This October we visited a pumpkin patch, as per tradition, we went to the Texas State Fair and once again asked ourselves, “why did we come here?” We’re Texas State Fair haters but we go every year because Fred gets free tickets, were also emotionally attached to the LA County Fair because its where we shared our first kiss and got engaged… So really every other fair doesn’t compare.

This year we were also invited to a Fall Painting Party! One of the highlights of my Fall. We painted as a group al fresco under twinkling lights with a brush in one hand and a glass of pinot in the other. All the feels, right?

We ended October with a giant pan of homemade lasagna, trick or’ treating and of course stealing all the Twix and Kit Kat’s from my boys candy bucket!

Easy Pie Crust

Fall is definitely here and I’m so glad it decided to bring its weather with it because that means I get to bake! Lets be real even if it was 90 degrees I would still be baking…

I’m excited to share with you one of my most cherished recipes and staple to many of my favorite meals, chicken pot pie, quiche, apple pie, pumpkin pie, pie, pie pie! Yes, pie counts as a meal btw.

I get asked for my pie crust recipe all the time so I thought it’d be perfect for this to be my first recipe featured.

True story. I've been using this recipe for years, even way back before I had a standing mixer. I used to use my hands to combine the flour and dough, and pinch it all together, it was a pain, it would take forever but it was always worth it. So if you don’t have a mixer and you don’t mind getting your hands a little buttery I totally recommend you try.

But if you do have a mixer… You’re in trouble. You’re going to want to make this recipe over and over because its really easy! I always double it and store my crust in the freezer, so whenever I’m craving pie, which is almost always, I pull it out, unfreeze and voila, fill it with yummy goodness.

So enjoy! Let me know if you try this recipe! Tag me or message me!

Easy Pie Crust

Makes: 2 Pie Crust

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 Cups (315 Grams) of All Purpose Flour
• 1 Tbs Sugar
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1 Cup of Unsalted Butter
• 1/2-1 Cup of Cold Water

Instructions:

1. Cut butter into cubes and place in the freezer
2. Whisk together flour, sugar and salt in mixing bowl.
3. Turn on mixer to lowest setting and begin to add butter cubes a couple at a time.
4. Slowly begin to pour cold water a few tablespoons at a time until dough comes together and no longer sticks to the mixing bowl, you might not need all of the water
5. Divide dough into 2 balls and roll together. Refrigerate for an hour before you bake or freeze by wrapping pie crust with plastic wrap and storing in a zip-loc bag.

#fridayintroductions

Hi friends! I thought it’d be fun to do #fridayintroductions since I recently changed my personal insta to my blog insta! 

I’m Nancy, I started a blog back in May. That’s almost 6 months ago! By now I thought I’d be like one of the top bloggers in the world, you know those super cool influencers with sponsors who just have it all together? Well instead 6 months Later I realized 3 things. 

1. I suck at having a blog
2. I really don’t care that I suck 
3. My life is so busy for a blog

God has been using me in different unexpected ways these last few months. I wanted to be used through this blog but God had different plans and I’m ok with that! I’ve surrendered fully to his will for me and I’ve seen God make great things out of my faithful yes to his call. 

With that being said this blog is still near and dear to my heart and I’m hopeful it will come together in its time. I’m totally kidding about wanting to be a top blogger and influencer, i mean if you want to give me free stuff I’ll take it😜 Seriously I’m just an honest introverted nerd who loves Jesus more than anything and I just happen to come across as cool and trendy. Most of the time I feel less than, most of the time I second guess myself but all of the time God is good!

10 random facts about me:
-Grease is my all time favorite movie
-Being a mom is my greatest accomplishment 
-I pretend I like to workout but I just want to eat jalapeño kettle chips all day
-I like cheap wine but top shelf tequila 
-I’ve been to Australia🇦🇺 
-Italy is the top of my bucket list
-My first car was a black 1999 Ford Mustang it made me feel like the coolest, now I drive a white Van with a cool DVD player...
-I got engaged as a teenager, 19 to be exact but saying teenager sounds so much more dramatic.
-I lived in Mexico for like 2-3 years when I was very small.
-I want a tattoo

If you really read through all that you’re awesome and I’m grateful for you! 

Morning at Magnolia

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?  

Moving Forward

Where do I even begin? So who starts a blog and takes a hiatus as soon as they start? 

Uhm… This girl. Awkward...

A part of me is dying of embarrassment, shame, guilt, like I let others down. I feel like already failed but did I even really start? I had all these ideas, all these dreams for this blog and they just halted. I’ve been analyzing myself, my heart, this situation. To be honest I don’t know what happened, May and June feel like fog of joy and hardships. 

A part of me says my lack of time, the end of the school year and the beginning of summer hit me hard. Like literally, we got in a car accident, had to replace our car, carseats all on top of ending the school year, birthdays, vbs, Father's Day, anniversary...

“Summer break has felt less than a break and more like I’m breaking.”

Summer break has felt less than a break and more like I'm breaking. Summer does that for me sometimes, my comfortable schedule gets karate chopped by life and I’m desperate for routine even though everyday looks the same, I cant remember if the week is ending or is it just beginning? 

Another part of me fears that it was fear. Like I got up on stage and suddenly got stage fright, my mouth wants to move but nothing seems to come out so I ran red faced and covered my head with sheets of doing nothing because sometimes doing nothing feels more comfortable than stepping out of your comfort zone. But that doing nothing has me in funk because I know Im supposed to be doing something! 

“So where do I go from here? Simple. Where I left off!”

I probably sound like I'm ranting now. I tend to get stuck in analyzing myself, my decisions. I’ve been stuck for too long. So where do I go from here? Simple. Where I left off! Taking off those covers and I'll just keep going. I’m sure that most of the embarrassment and guilt is myself judging myself.

I know I’m not alone in that, do you do that too? Beat yourself up when you start something and don’t finish, or maybe you haven’t even started at all and you feel you need to? You thought this time you were going to get organized, this time you were going to eat better, hit the gym, start that bible reading plan, take a shower, get out of the house, keep working on that blog? These are all me ya'll! 

I'm here to tell you, take off those covers that are stopping you from your goals. Lets shake off the guilt, the fears that lie to us. Shake off all that funk. Sometimes it gets comfortable hiding under those covers, its warm and cozy but then you start to feel like your suffocating, like you need a breath of fresh air. Lets do that together, it will be worth it, it might be feel awkward but it will be worth it.

“And I’m sure of this, He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion...”

So here I go again, I’m sure it won't be perfect, I’m sure I’ll get stumped here and there but I’m giving myself grace to move forward because at the end of the day I’ll hold on to this truth that is for you and me. "And I'm sure of this, He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…" Phillipians 1:6

My Mother's Day Weekend

Denton Square

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.

Mother's Day Breakfast

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.”

Lunch!

Then he made me a crab pizza with hollandise sauce... His best pizza to date.

---

My Mother's Day gift, Old Skool Vans.

My sweet boys.

From Noah.

From Luke.

Coffee + Crumbs Mother's Day Brunch

Coffee + Crumbs is a collaborative blog about motherhood. A few weeks ago they encouraged women to gather and celebrate Motherhood! The best part? They provided all the goodies for you to host! Invites, place cards, question cards for the table, even a Spotify playlist! My friend asked if I'd host this with her and of course I was delighted! We divided up the food list, she opened her home and I made the floral centerpieces and decorated the table! Had the sweetest morning with these ladies, the discussion cards opened up a lot of great conversations and the outpour of mama talk refreshed my soul! Thank you Coffee + Crumbs! Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Takeia's Mothers Day Brunch

Happy Mother's Day Weekend! My dear friend Takeia hosted a Mothers Day Brunch last weekend. Her theme was Kentucky Derby! I love that she not only invited ladies who are moms but ladies who are mother figures as well! 

We sat around the table eating quiche, muffins and all that delicious "brunchy" food women love. Our ages varied, ethnicity varied, we all had different home states, different styles, you could not find a more diverse group of women under one roof with mimosas at hand! But you know what brought us together? Motherhood.

We shared stories, we encouraged one another, we talked about self care and getting scrubbed down in Hot Springs, Arkansa! Seriously, it's a thing and its now on my bucket list! I learned a new trick from a more experienced mother! She said serve bowls of cereal at night and leave the milk poured out for them in a small cup in the fridge where they can reach it in the morning! Umh... Life changer! Why didn't I ever think of that? I'm going to do that all summer!

As you celebrate Mother's Day this weekend think of all the women around you who are mothers. Not just your mom, the ones that pour into your life and mother you, the ones with big mama hearts that struggle with infertility, the moms going through the adoption process, the moms who have miscarried, celebrate them too and send them hugs, its not an easy day, mother them with your prayers!

Motherhood is one of the biggest joys and at the same time one of the hardest callings. Don't do it alone! Surround yourself with women who will encourage you and cheer you on! You won't regret it! 

Cinco De Mayo Celebration

A few months ago we were asked by some sweet friends at church to join their Supper Club. I told my friend Selina how much we enjoyed it and she was inspired to start a Supper Club of her own! This was her kick off dinner! A fun Cinco de Mayo Celebration! 

So what is a Supper Club?

It sounds a little fancy right? Really all it is, is a bunch friends getting together at someones house for dinner once a month. Every month you rotate houses and the host provides all the food and beverages so the guests can just show up without having to worry about bringing something! That's one of my favorite parts about supper club, you just show up and dinner is covered! Some Saturday's can get really busy for us now that the boys do sports so not having to worry about prepping a dish but still getting to hang out with friends is amazing! 

If you have 5- 6 couples in your supper club you only end up having to host and provide food for the whole crowd twice a year and the rest of the year you get a fun monthly night out with friends, free of responsibilites... Score!  

So how do you start a Supper Club? Super simple! 

• First, make a list of a few couples/friends  you'd would like to get together with on a monthly basis. I think a group of about 10 works best so you have enough room to accommodate everyone comfortably. 
• Think of group dynamic. It helps to have one or two outgoing friends that will help keep conversation flowing.
• Send out and invite! Let them know you're starting a supper club and you would like for them to be a part of it.
• You make the rules! Will kids be allowed? Will adult beverages be served? My friend called it Dinner Club instead of Supper Club! Name it whatever you want! 
• Be mindful of food restrictions/ allergies and provide alternatives.
• Try to do as much of the prep/work before your guests arrive so you can enjoy yourself once everyone is there.
• Play a funny game to bring laughs and lighten the mood in case your margaritas didn't do the trick! 

My favorite part of Supper Club is being committed to a group of people! Getting to know them more over a period of time and deepening friendships over a meal. Supper Clubs are a great way to build community! Do you have supper club? Id love to hear more about it and if not I'd encourage you start one! 

Welcome to The Good & Pleasant

Hello! Welcome to The Good & Pleasant! 

I’m excited to finally launch this project and see it grow and take shape. My goal is to use The Good & Pleasant to build a diverse community of ordinary women doing the extraordinary through their gifts and highlight women who are willing to be transparent and open their lives to others. We are all so different, with varying talents, ideas, traditions and we all have something to learn from one another. 

My idea for the Good & Pleasant grew out of my passion for community and seeing people gather and grow in relationships. You would think that a person with this passion/vision would be extremely outgoing, extroverted and have tons of friends right? Well not exactly, its just little ol’ me and most days I feel opposite of that. I wish I could say I know exactly what I'm doing but I don’t, so the fun part is figuring it out! It hasn’t been easy, I’ve doubted myself and I’ve tried to talk myself out of it a few times but that little voice inside me has kept me going, and, so, finally here it is and I’m excited to share more about it with you! 

In a world where bloggers make life look picture perfect and cute moms on Instagram just get cuter by the post, we are sometimes left with the impression that we’re not enough, or important. I’m here to debunk that and shine light on the beauty that we ordinary women make! Don't get me wrong, while I love following bloggers and interesting people on social media there are countless of women in my life that I admire and feel like others would find encouraging and interesting as well.

So that is my goal. To gather ideas from the women around me.

I’ve gotten too comfortable scrolling through Pinterest that I’ve failed to look up and learn from the women in front of me! I’ve often gotten recipes online from people I have zero ties to but some of my favorites are from friends who have shared theirs with me, that recipe is more cherished to me. 

So here’s what you can expect. 

• Community. I want you to get to know the women and families I know that are just like you and I and some that might be completely different than you! I want to celebrate our differences so we can learn from one another and create a common bond within our similarities.

• Honesty.  Expect women like you to  share their thoughts, struggles, triumphs and stories. From friendships, hospitality, motherhood, marriage and everything in between. Be ready to be encouraged by women who are imperfect an know life can be messy and hard but also full of joy and excitement; we are all in different seasons but we can all relate as women.

• Celebration. I love me some parties and holidays! I want to share how we celebrate as a family and how others celebrate as well! We all have different traditions and I think it's awesome when we can take someones fun tradition and be inspired to begin traditions of our own. 

• Food. Expect lots of yummy food. I love trying new recipes, asking for recipes. I love that food is something we all have in common and how it has the power to bring people together. 

• Creativity. I want to share with you how I create, from crafts to home decor and also how others create too. Creativity comes in many shapes and sizes and I’m excited to share with you the creative women that inspire me.

• Self Expression. This one terrifies me a little because it means I’ll let you in a little more into our lives. But I also feel it will challenge me creatively and will encourage me to keep creating. I’ll share more about me, how we do life, some of our favorite things and all the mishaps in between. 

• Encouragement. My hope is that if you’re like me you would also step out of your comfort zone and start pursuing the women who are around you. That you would know you are not alone, that you are able and that encourgement can be found here. 

Get ready! Be patient as I tackle this project and figure out what I’m doing!

Are you ready? Ready to create, ready to try new things, ready to inspire others? I'd love to hear from you! If you want to share an idea, a recipe, a project you have going on please contact me! I’d love to feature you and make you part of this community! Lets make Good & Pleasant things happen!

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Sneak Peak

The Good & Pleasant is on it’s way! Here’s a little sneak peak!

Last weekend we went to Denton for coffee. Actually every weekend we go to Denton for coffee, but this one just felt extra special. The boys t-ball game got canceled because there was rain in the forecast. It actually didn't rain until later in the day so I was grateful for the morning off from baseball doing what we typically do on Saturday mornings, chill.

We checked out a new coffee shop, Cryptozoology. The name alone?!? So fun! Walked into an awesome open space with the friendliest baristas that didn't mind our talkative kids chatting them up on Kirby.

Then we headed outside walked on the train tracks for a bit while we drank our coffee. The boys threw rocks around and the moment could not have been more perfect. I felt the need to shout to the world what a joyous morning it had been.

It was at that moment that I just felt like I needed to get this train rollin. This blog has been steaming in my heart for a very long time, I actually began parts of it last year but never really moved forward until now. I have no idea where the tracks will lead but I'm excited to finally board the train and enjoy the ride. I hope you'll join me on this adventure!

Check it out!