Gratitude

This is my mother. 

If you already knew that, you also probably know that we are close. VERY close. 

I think our closeness is a product of a few things; We spend a lot of time together; We tell each other everything, and the Lord has just given us personalities that allow us to be unusually close knit. But undoubtedly the biggest reason we are so close is because over the past few years we have had to walk through the same trials together. By the Lords grace, He has used it to strengthen our love for Him and our friendship.

The past few months have been heavy laden with stormy seas. One of which has been with my grandparents rapidly declining health. For the past 5 days my mom has been up in Pismo Beach, taking care of my grandparents, until arrangements for full time care-givers can be made. Trust me when I say, it has not been an easy task to take care of them.

However, this has been quite an eye opening experience for me. I've stayed home and had to be responsible for cleaning, laundry, cooking, our animals, and other tasks around the house.

Today I spent the whole day cleaning, and getting things ready for her to come home. The thought that kept going through my head was about how thankful I am to my mother for sacrificing her time to be a faithful steward of our home, with far too little recognition.

I am so thankful to have been taught by her, how to keep a home, schedule, and priorities. 

Praise the Lord for my dear mother whom I love so much! She is truly a blessing.

"She looks well to the ways of her household 

   and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

Her children rise up and call her blessed; 

   her husband also, and he praises her: 

 “Many women have done excellently, 

   but you surpass them all.”

PROVERBS31:27-29

time to [[ breathe ]]

Okay, so i haven't posted in a few weeks, because life has been c r a z y! But now that I am officially done with school I can post lots of recipes I've been waiting to share :)

Here is an overview of whats been going on since I last posted;

My prayer group had our first meeting. I am so blessed by these girls, and thankful the Lord has sovereignly brought us together :) 

Farewell Holland Family!

Rick Holland is the [now] former pastor of the collegiate group at my church. He was there for 14 years and was such an incredible teacher, pastor and shepherd. Its a weird change, because all my life he was the only college pastor I ever thought I would have. But I am so excited to now be under Austin Duncan!

.All.grown.uP.

my friend Katherine threw this awesome costume even where we could relive our childhood dreams. 

Love these sweet girls. [and boy!]

My sweet friend Katrina Herrera came HOME for summer leave.

I hadn't seen her since Christmas, and wont see her again until next Christmas, but i am so thankful that shes home. I went to pick her and her family up at the fly away :))

She introduced me to El Charros. It was pretty amazing.

My friend Emily graduated high school! I've known her since 3rd grade, so it was pretty sweet to see her cross the stage. //congrats Em.//

Katrina turned 19. were all grown up now!

Katrina, Natalie and I took some sweet convertible rides

A group of us went to Ojai for the day. 

The adventure included: fruit stands//art shows//pizza//daisy chains// and good conversations.

and we stayed for sunset!! It was absolutelt beautiful

(Pictures courtesy of Natalie Valdez and Franzine Elaine DeGuzman)

Last but not least [[Lizzie]] graduated high school last night!!!

Congrats friend :)

I love you!

So that is a bit of what has been going on the past few weeks, plus lots more sleepovers and coffee//lunch//dinner dates.

Here is a taste of whats to come ;)

Salted. Caramel. Cupcakes. 

XO

B

Creamy {Horseradish} Chive Bread

In my previous post I mentioned how I made this bread. I really enjoyed it, and its SUPER easy to whip up!

ingredients

~ 1 stick butter, at room temperature

~ 2 T horse radish

~ 2 T chopped chives

~ salt

~ 1 loaf of bread. (i used a loaf of artisan pugliese bread, but plain French bread works too :-)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Mash butter, horseradish and chives until smooth Stir in a pinch of salt. Slice bread, but not cutting all the way through the loaf. Spread mix on each piece, generously.

3. Wrap in foil, and bake for 15 minutes. Serve warm.

enjoy

xo

B

Best Bites: Southern California

Growing up, our family time pretty much consisted of either eating together or seeing a movie together. I think that has helped in creating a passion in me for food and cinematic arts. I have seen too many  a lot of movies throughout my childhood and teenage years, and the tradition continues to this day. One of my parents will usually text us sometime in the afternoon asking if everyone will be home, and what movie we should either go see or rent. Movie watching, I admit, got to be a bad habit for me at one point. I would put on a movie when I was cleaning, or doing homework, and especially in free time that I had. I am not picky at all when it comes to genre, which i think has aided to the problem in the past. But thankfully my number is now down from about 6 movies a week (yeah.......I know), to 1, and sometimes 2. It sounds like an expensive habit, but really it is one of the cheapest things you can do for entertainment, if you know what you're doing. The libraries in Burbank have an expansive selection of movies that are available for rent, for free, or if its a newly released title, it costs $1 for three days. and because I don't have school on Fridays, my mom and I have our "Friday Dates" per say. We go to a morning movie ($6 per ticket), then grab lunch and run errands. Its actually quite a nice time. But I digress. 

What i WAS saying {before that long tangent} is that pretty much, Ive seen a lot of movies, and eaten at a lot of restaurants. Somehow my parents find out about all these super secret, yummy spots. Living in Burbank is nice too, because there is such diversity. The best part is, there are SO many more places that we have yet to dine; the possibilities are endless, really. All this has lead to many of our families friends calling and asking my parents, and now me, "Where should I eat?" or "I'm having guests over and they like _____ kind of food, where do we take them?" Well anyways I have dedicated this post to what I feel, are the:

"Best Bites in Southern California"

1. Best Mexican Food:

Don Cuco

3911 W Riverside Dr, Burbank

I have grown up eating here, and we absolutely love it. The meal is preceded by endless chips with salsa and sour cream, followed by your meal, which usually includes soup or salad, beans and rice. My favorite is the fried burrito, or the shrimp tacos.

** BUT, this is of the most critical importance, The original one is located in Burbank on Riverside drive. There is also two more in Glendale and Santa Clarita, and a new one in Burbank, up on Orange Grove. The Santa Clarita and Glendale ones are not the same. They were opened by other people in the company, the chefs aren't the same, and the food is notably different. However the family opened up a second one in Burbank (Orange Grove), which is owned, managed, and "cheffed" by the same family members as the Riverside one, and the food is just as wonderful. But i you eat at the other two, you didn't hear it from me ;-)

FIESTA TACO

1110 N Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 9150

This is literally an old house that has been converted into a restaurant. You go in and order and then squeeze into the back and sit at one of 5 tables. Its located next to a hotel, and yeah, it looks super ghetto. But, its as real as it gets with homemade Mexican food.  They have great burritos, and their tongue meat is realllly good too. (If you're into that whole thing.) It's super reasonable, and can not be beat. Its great.

2. Best BBQ

Pecos Bill's bar-b-q

1551 Victory Boulevard Glendale, CA 91201

This place is another literal "hole in the wall" spots, but i have never tasted anything even comparable to what they produce. The sandwiches are yummy, melt in your mouth pulled pork. Their coleslaw is amazing as well. You haven't had pulled pork, till you've had Pecos Bill's. Just try it, okay?

Phil's BBQ

3750 Sports Arena Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92110

Okay, Southern Californians don't do authentic BBQ well. I think my total time spent in southern states would total about 3-4 months, and I ate BBQ for almost every meal. Homemade, and from restaurants, and its not like Woodranch at all people. But this place is dang close. It's phenomenal, and the line usually stretches around the building. I always get a full rack of beef ribs and leave drenched in sauce. We always buy two bottles of their sauce to take home,  until we go again. Your life will be changed, forever

3. Best Deli's

Handy Market  

2514 West Magnolia Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91505-3029

By a display of common grace, I live two blocks from here. They have a deli with all kinds of meat, and the best bacon you can find, guaranteed. Its thick, fresh, never frozen, amazing strips of bacon. They have all different kinds of meats and cheeses they will slice for you, fresh off the "block." On Saturdays, they do a out side bbq and grill literally all day. There is quite a line, but the bbq sandwiches, ribs, or anything, is SO worth it. They also have amazing paninis any day of the week; my favorite is the chicken panini. You will never buy 

Hillshire farms again.

Monte Carlo

3103 West Magnolia Boulevard
Burbank, California 91505

I have been going here.....forever. It was my brothers favorite place when we were little, and I've always loved it. It is a restaurant (Pinocchio's) connected to a deli (Monte Carlo).  They serve homemade Italian pizzas, lasagna, salads, and sandwiches.  It has two dimly lit rooms, that are very intimate, and you could spend forever just sitting and talking to friends.  The deli however; which shares a wall with the restaurant, and is run by the same people, is awesome! They have all kinds of fresh cheeses and meats, that you cant find anywhere else locally (and their prices are SUPER reasonable). Plus they have super yummy gelato. I would definitely recommend a visit here.

4. Best Cafe's

Portos

315 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91203-2303

---and---

3614 West Magnolia Boulevard
Burbank, CA 91505-2913

Of all the places that I recommend people to go, Porto's is definitely one place that pops up the most! Porto's is a Cuban bakery, that serves fresh sandwiches, breads, pastries, coffee and smoothies. Seriously, this place is one in a million. My favorite things are; potato balls (GAH!), chocolate croissant, and the torta de pollo (on a croissant instead of French Bread). They have outdoor seating, and its a great place for a chat with a friend, or taking time to think by having lunch by yourself. I can not say enough good things about this place. Ask anyone who has been and they'll tell you the same! So either go now, or come over to my house, and we can walk and eat. YUM.

Aroma

4360 Tujunga Avenue
San Fernando Valley, CA 91604

Oh Aroma. Where to start. I feel like everyone I know has been there, but then at the same time, so many of my friends haven't. I absolutely LOVE this place. It reminds me of Grace Church so much, because I have never been, and not seen at least two people from around grace, :-) YAY! But this cafe is a converted house, with mostly outdoor seating. They serve all kinds of yummy wraps, desserts, coffees, teas, smoothies, salads, panini's. Whenever I want to have lunch with a friend, and really have a nice place to talk and relax, I would hands down pick here. This place is so magical, and the food never gets old! 

5. Best Italian

Tony's Bella Vista 

3116 W Magnolia Blvd 

Burbank, CA 91505-3045

I have been eating here my whole life. Every time we would have dinner with a bunch of people at my grandmas house, we would order pizza and a salad from here. They have, I think, some of the best pizza in so cal. Its such a cozy, cute Italian restaurant. They serve pizza, salad, pastas, and other stuff........Moment of truth, Ive never had anything other than the pizza and the salad. If it ain't broke, don't fix it....right? But seriously, i love Tony's and would definitely recommend it. 

There are SO many other places that I have in mind, and would mention if only my fingers weren't so tired. but maybe I'll do this again :-) I hope you enjoy any of these places that you go, and let me know what you guys think!

enjoy

xo

B

{Thankfulness}

You know that saying "count your blessings?" Well, honestly I don't think I can count that high!!! The past few weeks I have come to realize so much more, just how incredibly blessed I am, and how much I have to be thankful for!! Before this summer when I got saved, Thanksgiving was just a day to look at all the things I had that helped me, and eat lots of food. But this year the true meaning of Thanksgiving has been made clear to me!!! It shouldn't just be the one day of the year we say 'thank you,' but should really be a picture of our attitude and lifestyle; one of gratitude and thankfulness. Grace and blessings definitely do abound in my life, and here are just a few of the things I and especially thankful for :)

I. My Family:

I am so glad to have a family who loves me and cares for me. I definitely don't deserve them, and no matter how hard things get, the Lord provided them for me, because he cares for me!!! WOW.

II. My Friends

I am SO overly thankful for these girls in my life. The Lord has graciously places many other brothers and sisters in Christ into my life that are a blessing to me. They love the Lord and pursue him, AND encourage me to do so as well. Again, I don't deserve them at all, but still grace abounds. 

III. My Salvation

Last, but definitely the most important thing on this list is Jesus Christ, and our relationship! He looked upon my sinful, sad condition and extended his great love to ME. Because he sent his Son to die on the cross, and bear the punishment for my sin, I can be made alive in Christ, and am no longer enslaved to sin. I can not begin to explain how thankful I am for this. No words can describe. I love my Savior, and his blood has washed me clean. Thats all that matters. 

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~ Ephesians 2: 4-10

This year for Thanksgiving my family and I are going to Arizona for 5 days. I am very excited to get out of California, give thanks to the Lord, see my uncle, visit with friends, and eat TURKEY! I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family or friends!! See you when i get back :)

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." 

Psalm 100:4

xo

B

{My Cousins Wedding}

Okay, I have a confession to make......I love weddings. Everything about them makes me so happy, and if I could, I would go to a wedding every day of my life. And I have yet to attend a wedding, and not cry. Well, this weekend my sweet cousin Jessica tied the knot, with her now hubby Ned. They are absolutely perfect for each other and it was such a sweet time with her friends and family. I definitely had a blast. I'm so happy you've found someone to spend your life with Jess, I love you guys so much! 

Her wedding took place up in Avila Beach.....ON the beach. It was absolutely gorgeous. The weather, the bride/groom, and the decorations. Perfection is the only word that really covers it. Heres some photos I snapped that day!

walking up to the ceremony

Her dad (my uncle) built this for her to get married under, how sweet is that?!

This is when Ned first saw Jessica...

Her parents giving her away.

The bridal party!

almost.....

Mr. & Mrs. Ned Segal!!!

My Uncle and I at the wedding.

First Dance, always one of the best parts...

Father/Daughter dance

The Happy Couple!!!!

On a sillier note, they had a photobooth at the reception for the guests to take pictures in and put one copy in the guest book, and take the other copy home. It was such a great idea, and everyone there LOVED it. 

One last random fact about the wedding, I caught the bouquet!!!! Haha, so i guess that means I'll be getting hitched SOON! Just kidding :)

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Romans 12:9-10

Goodbye, Grandma

Easter Egg hunts. Ping Pong Gun fights. Santa. Jello. Thanksgiving. 5 hours of opening presents.  These are just a few of the memories that have taken place at my Grandpa and Grandmas house in Burbank.  Ive gone over to their house at least once a week since I can remember. One of the fondest memories is going over to their house on Christmas Eve to open presents with all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and other close family friends.  It was about a 5 hour ordeal because my grandma would put together stockings for all of us (thats about 30+ stockings, might I add) and then each person had gifts from everyone else who was there, as well as about two or three presents from my grandparents. A few years ago, my grandma developed Alzheimer's disease and things were never quite the same, and its so sad to see people forget things that happens immediately. Other people that Iv'e talked to have always noted how the person's demeanor changes, and they usually become more irritable.  However, this never happened with my grandma, she is by FAR the kindest, godliest, and most patient woman I've ever met, and still is to this day.  This weekend she is being moved to a nursing home in Cambria, California.  Its going to be strange not having her living three blocks away, but its for her good.  Tonight we're having a going away dinner for her.  Sadly, she doesn't remember that shes even moving, or why she has to go to this nursing home. But when she is taken home to heaven, she will have a perfected mind and body, and I can not wait to reunite with her there :)

I love you grandma!!