A Toast

For Becky and Francis on their wedding day...

It's a little bit baffling to me that I have the privilege of standing next to Becky and Francis on their Big Day. In the grand scheme of things I've only really known Becky for three years, and Francis only the last year. But if in a year Becky and Francis can meet, fall in love, and marry, then I guess it's possible for me to end up next to them as they cinch the deal. 

Through my friendship with Becky I've learned that it doesn't take a lot of time to become part of someone's "home team" but it does take a lot of laughter, tears, and a few trips to El Ranchito. What I mean by the "home team" is the people in your life who know your best and worst and love you anyways, the people you call when your car breaks down or meet you for yogurt just days before your wedding for your last "single-girls'-hurrah." The people on your home team let you interrupt study sessions when you're having a meltdown and they come alongside you for moral support as you rummage through one sample sale after the other. 

In the case of Becky and Francis their home team got to be there at what became the start of Becky and Francis. We got to watch as Becky ran to the kitchen to hide behind the fridge as Francis showed up at the front door for the first time-braces on and backpack ready to go. We were there to wish them off on their first date and to convince Becky to give Francis a shot when just five minutes out the door we got texts saying that Francis was "too skinny" and that it "wasn't gonna happen." Well, as we can all see, it did happen, and on behalf of your home team we couldn't be happier to celebrate this day with you. So on this memorable day, we pray for bountiful blessings, an abundance of chubby babies, and most importantly, for a marriage that gives us all something to aspire to.  

To Becky & Francis!

(Inspired by "The Home Team" in Shauna Niequist's Bittersweet) 

Week 1 -- "My Mom's Blueberry Crisp"

1. In "My Moms' Blueberry Crisp," Shauna tells us about her food memories and the foods served around her family's table when she was growing up. What are some of your memories from your family's table during your childhood? [Shauna Niequist, Bread and Wine] 

Mixed with Love 

I guess you could say I've been a lifetime foodie. Growing up I often used the phrase "born on the second pew" to explain to people my relationship with the church. As the youngest of four kids I made it to church for the first time just weeks after my arrival and I haven't looked back since. Sure, there were those few years in college where sleeping in and a late breakfast in the caf became my Sunday routine, but as a church employee who now runs three weekend services every single weekend, I like to think I've made up for that time-and then some.

My relationship with food started just the same. In fact, one of my very first memories as a pre-schooler involves food. I vividly remember waking up in the middle of the night, hungry, and went straight to my mom's room for help. As a shy little girl I must have been more than hungry to actually wake my mom up in at such an un-ideal time. I didn't and still don't like to inconvenience people with my needs, so I must have been pretty desperate. With my stomach growling, my mom's hair up in one of those messy, mid-sleep buns and her cream quilted silk robe that zippered up the front, we walked down the stairs to our dark, wall-papered kitchen for a mid-night snack. Early as it was, my mom eager to get both her and I back to bed, my mom threw together the first and easiest thing that would satiate my appetite. White bread smothered in creamy unsalted butter. From that moment on, I was in love.

It's hard to choose a favorite recipe, meal, or food memory from my childhood. I am a firm believer that anything made by my mother's hands is better than anything by my own. Meatloaf. Spinach Casserole. Tostadas. Cranberry Bread. Peanute Butter and Jelly. You name it, it's better when mom makes it. I think it must have something to do with love. There really is nothing more comforting than a homemade meal and the love and conversation that comes with it.

If there was one food that my childhood centered around, it would have to be Texas Sheet Cake. I have more memories around that than any other and the legacy continues on year after year. With my grandpa from the south and my grandma from Louisiana, we ended up with a handful of southern recipes in our repertoire...and I couldn't be more thankful for every one of them.

One of the beauties of a large family is the plethora of birthdays that gathered us around the table on what felt like a monthly basis. With minimal finances to spread around much less splurge on a birthday, my mom made it a priority to celebrate each of our birthdays with our meal and dessert of choice. Corrina always chose Texas Sheet Cake. Daniel always homemade Lemon Merengue Pie. Missy usually Carrot Cake. And myself-I liked to switch it up, but with my birthday so near (and occasionally on) Thanksgiving, pie was a frequent dessert of choice. While TSC was the showcase on Corrina's birthday, somehow we found an excuse for it at least a solid half-dozen times a year. Grampse's birthday? Texas Sheet Cake. Memorial Day? Texas Sheet Cake. Sunday afternoon? Texas Sheet Cake. Potluck? Texas Sheet Cake.  Saturday Morning? Texas Sheet Cake. As you can see, TSC was a frequent bystander at family "events".

With it's moist interior and lumpy glazed frosting melted into every crevice and corner, no one can deny the beauty of TSC. Everyone has their favorite slice-most of us kids fighting over a corner (for the additional frosting) or the middle (for the additional moisture). It's always better the next day, but who can promise it will even be there? In the warmth of our San Diego climate, most things ended up in the fridge for us--hiding from heat and the ants that came with it. TSC was no different, other than the communal fork that laid hidden in the crumbs under the protection of plastic wrap that was hardly necessary. Bite after bite TSC lasted little more than a day in our house and for good reason. I'm sure this had much to do with the additional adolescent pudge that found it's way to my mid-section. But who cares? I had my good friend, TSC to thank for it.

With the discovery of gluten sensitivities in a handful of us as adults, TSC makes a few less appearances throughout the year. But when it does, even I, gluten allergies and all, are willing to splurge and sacrifice the potential threat it imposes for just a few luscious and memorable bites of heavenly goodness. Slowly we've spread the recipe amongst a few close friends that appreciate it's goodness as much as we do. But even in the hands of others, it's still not as good as when mom makes it. My brother is convinced mom does something different to it when she makes the recipe. I'm convinced too, but I'm pretty sure it has more to do with love and prayers she stirs into it than a pinch of this or spoonful of that. Food is pretty great, but so much better mixed with love.

Allison Elizabeth 

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

I've become a little obsessed with author Shauna Niequist in the last few years. She was first introduced to me by my dear friend Brooke who was and still is convinced her second book, Bittersweet was the perfect book to read in the midst of any kind of transition. Graduations, your 20's, getting married, motherhood, etc. I happened to be (and still am) in my 20's "transition". After reading Bittersweet for the first time, I fell in love and eagerly attempted to convince everyone I knew to read her book. And if they didn't jump on the bandwagon right away I made it a priority and personal challenge to buy the book for them as a gift whether it was their birthday or perhaps just a rough day.

Since then I've bought and given away numerous copies of her first two books (Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet). Ironically, I don't even own a copy of Bittersweet anymore...I've happily left two personal copies in the hands of my sister (and the abyss that is her home where it was seemingly lost) and those of a dear friend who needed to read it just as much as I did.

Somehow I have still managed to read Bittersweet 2-3 times, and Cold Tangerines at least twice. Both have brought such insight, wisdom, and value to my life. Some of my fondest memories from the last few years involve sipping cups of coffee while soaking in every word of whichever of Shauna's books I happen to be in, while lounging about in my most comfy gray sweats and a sweater large enough to fit two of me. The only thing missing from such glorious days are Shauna herself, who I would one day like to thank for all she has done for me and the women I love most dearly. I did get a chance to hear her speak and take a photo with her recently. But perhaps one day we will grab coffee while overlooking the vast blue sea smothered in sunlight and I will get to properly thank her.

Until that day comes, however, I will continue reading her books and supporting her work. I most recently finished her third book, Bread and Wine, that came out just weeks ago. With a different angle but equal insight, this book also speaks to my soul. In attempt to set aside some "self-care" time in my life, I've decided to work through the four-week book club/cooking club discussion guide that's included at the end of Bread and Wine. Down the road I'd love to go through this with some of the people I love and hold dear to my heart, as Shauna intended, but until then I need to love on myself in the brief moments I have between workouts and working, meals and meetings, get-togethers and pre-wedding craft nights. After all, there is nothing wrong and absolutely everything right with a little self-care.