Making Memories

A good day today, a visit from Savannah and the boys; Jack and Josiah. Jeri and I feel Blessed to have a yard for the boys to enjoy and explore but also to have avocado and fruit trees for them to enjoy, learn and remember.

They love hanging out back by the trees. Jack says "it's like a patio now!" The smallest avocado tree is a Fuerte, and it is his personal tree. He set up camp under the tree to mark his territory, lest there be any doubters lurking around.

Later in the day Jeri made caldito for lunch. As always, it was delicious.

God Bless you and enjoy your day.

The Hat

I don't  usually wear hats but I'll make an exception for this one. My son Andrew brought this hat back with him from Seattle on his last visit home (Whittier, California). It was one of the hats he wore while performing with his band up north. I kinda like it.

An Old Memory

A blast from the past: 1996, on the front  porch at our old home on Newlin Avenue on our way out to Meranda's graduation from Whittier High.The beginning of her own personal journey. A pivotal moment in a young woman's  life. A proud moment in any parents life but deep in the back of a father's mind he knows the day of "letting go" is approaching. 

I don't know that I've ever really "let go" of any of my kids. Accepting change is not my strong suit but I'm working on it.

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt

My Avocados

One of my Haas avocado trees is producing abundantly, as per usual but the other Haas tree is 100% barren this season. My understanding is that it happens and should continue to produce next season. We'll see.

The Fuerte tree has been slow to produce but there are a few on the tree. All healthy looking avocados.

Growing avocado trees is a learn as you go job but the rewards are great.

Pintos and Caldillo

"The greatest dishes are very simple" - Auguste Escoffier

Jeri kept it close to our roots tonight.. sort of. Pintos stewed with smoked hocks and a simple but flavorful caldillo.

I say, "sort of" because, while pinto beans are a mainstay in any Mexican, Chicano or southwestern kitchen, ham hocks are not. Nevertheless  ham hocks, along with smoked pork shanks, found a way into Jeri's pintos years ago and they have stayed. I ain't  complaining.

 

The caldillo is something that Jeri has made long before I knew her. She learned from her mother; the late great, Josephine Huizar. It was one of those cheap simple dishes that got us through the learn hard years, way back when.

Anyway, this is my long-winded  way of saying, tonight's supper was a knockout!

A Morning Walk

I got off to a good start this morning. My daughter Meranda and I went for a walk this morning up the Hadley Street hill and wended our way through the hilly neighborhood  above Uptown Whittier.. our ultimate goal was the infamous stairs on Philadelphia Street. It was a challenge but I made it.

Meranda is a good coach. I could not  have done it without her.

More importantly, it was good father and daughter time. It was sorely needed. I cannot help but feel Blessed. God is good!

After the walk she treated me to breakfast at the California Grill in Uptown Whittier.

God Bless you and stay safe.

Chris & Pitts BBQ

By Randy De La O

It does not get any more "Old School " than Chris & Pitts BBQ  here in Whittier. If you grew up in the Whittier, Santa Fe Springs or Pico Rivera area, you have probably eaten here at one time or another.

Sadly, their days are numbered. Chris & Pitts will be closing their doors in December. It's no exaggeration to say I have eaten here my entire life. I ate here with my mother and father growing up.

The place has some wear and tear on it  and is definitely dated. Still, it possesses a certain kitschy  charm. Walking through the doors is always, if only for a short while, a step back in time. 

The service has always been prompt and friendly and always appreciated. These types of eateries  are, slowly but surely, disappearing from the American landscape. It breaks my heart to see it go.

Jeri had the Pulled Pork sandwich with BBQ beans and cole slaw, I had the pork spareribs, baked potato and BBQ beans, which I love. My dinner came with a choice of soup or salad. I chose the beef barley soup, which I also love.

If you've been meaning to get your Chris  & Pitts on, you better git to it!