Hey family, it's been a while. I have so many great things coming up. Follow me on my new twitter page deneeananaya2.0 going forward. twitter.com/deneeanaya2
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I know that everybody says that their mom or their grandmother, or even their auntie can fry the best chicken. And for sure, I'm no different. But I have to let you know about a cute little spot located in La Habra California. Yes, dare I say that Mrs. Bea's Louisiana Chicken and Waffles is up there with the best of them. Including my grandmother's fried chicken. Sorry mom. This restaurant was opened by the grandson of Mrs. Beatrice Gradney, a Lake Charles Louisiana native, and no doubt a fantastic cook. If you enjoy southern cooking, I promise you that their food will give your mama's food a run for her money. The fried chicken is crispy, succulent and seasoned perfectly. And for those of you that are chicken wing lovers like myself, they have "jumbo fried chicken wings." But wait, that's not all this little gem of a place serves. Like their name states, Waffles are on the menu. People, I promise you that Mrs. Bea's Waffles rival the famous "Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles. Even better, they come in several flavors. My favorite is the chocolate waffle topped with hot chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Fried Chicken and Waffles are just a couple of things that are on Mrs. Bea's menu. Gumbo, Catfish, Red Beans & Rice and handmade fried Dirty Rice Rolls, stuffed with rice, ground beef and cheese are just a few of their treats. Mrs. Bea's is one of my favorite places to eat. So, the next time you're in the mood for some good down home southern cooking and you don't want to prepare it, head over to Mrs. Bea's. I'm sure that you'll love it as much as I do. I've listed their website below. http://mrsbeas.com/  My mother and father both worked full time, so growing up I was a Latchkey kid. Being the eldest of three children, I was responsible for looking out for my younger siblings. Our parents had to leave for work very early, so from the time that we were 5, 6 and 7, my siblings and I would walk to school alone. Before we left for school, my mother would call us once she arrived at work, remind us to eat the breakfast that she cooked and left on the table, and not to forget our lunches that she packed and left in the refrigerator. After school, we walked several blocks home, let ourselves into the house and soon after rushed to devour the bags filled with treats that our mother left for us to snack on. Next it was homework time. Our parents did not return home until late in the evening, so if we needed any help, we had to wait until they got in. Dinner was not until about 7:30, and after that baths then bedtime.
Because I was the first born, my mother would instruct me - " Denee, you being the oldest, you must always look out for your two siblings. Make sure that they're OK. Remember that they are watching you, so you must do the right thing. Behave accordingly because you have to set the example. God blesses those who selflessly give and you will be rewarded. What goes around comes around." Boy that was a lot of pressure for me back in those days. If my siblings did something wrong on my watch, I would be reprimanded for it. Though I did't have any control over them. You see, we were only a little over a year apart, and they never listened to a word I said. That didn't matter to my mother. She was also the eldest sister, and that's how she too was raised. Growing up like this, I became a nurturer, a caretaker, a giver, a fixer. If someone close to me had a problem, I was going to somehow solve it. It was hard for me to say no. I was the one who drove my friends to the parties and to the nightclubs. And, they rarely chipped in on gas money. If they didn't offer, I thought it was rude to ask. When my friends and I would go out to grab a quick bite to eat, if the bill was under $30.00, I would more times than not pay it. It seemed that someone was always short on cash. I was the shoulder you could cry on. How many nights did I stay up late listening to my girl's boyfriend woes? Too many to count. Knowing that I would be tired the next morning when it was time to get up for work, I'd patiently hold the phone to my ear, even though I'd heard the story of their breakup over and over again. I wanted to say that I had to get some sleep, but oh gosh, that would be insensitive right? I found myself worn out from taking on everyone else's issues. It took years, but I have finally accepted the fact that being selfish is OK. My mother taught me the opposite, but again that's what she was taught to do. No worries, I have since learned that you have to take care of yourself first. It's a wonderful thing to want to help others, but you have to put yourself at the top of the list. And yes, that also includes with family. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands and especially children will drain you if you allow them to. Putting the demands of others before your own best interest builds resentment and sometimes anger, when others are not there for you in the same way. Often times those close to you have no problem saying no to you, even when you consistently say yes to them. Thinking about yourself is not a bad thing. Your needs are important. Don't feel guilty about honoring yourself first. You then will be more equipped to happily be there for loved ones. If assisting someone overwhelms you or adds too much to your plate, do not be afraid to say No. We have to be mindful of those friends and family that will take advantage of our kindness. The more that you give, the more they will take from you. Oprah, I finally got the lesson. We humans do have a duty to give back to others, but not at the expense of our own well being. Happy Monday! The Griddle Cafe in Hollywood, California is one of my favorite spots to eat breakfast. The food is absolutely fantastic. The Griddle is open from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mon - Fri & 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat - Sun. The place is cute and small, but if you arrive early, your wait should be no longer than 20 minutes to be seated. Later in the afternoon, it gets a bit crowded, so your wait could be up to an hour. Whatever you do, don't leave. I promise you won't be disappointed. The breakfast menu is complete with many choices of french toast, omelettes, pancakes, bacon, chicken sausages, turkey sausages and home potatoes. Ohhhhh, how I love the home potatoes!. If you're a pancake lover, bring your appetite, because the portions are enormous. The pancakes come to you covering the entire plate. The Griddle Cafe doesn't only serve breakfast. They also have a great lunch menu, complete with burgers, grilled sandwiches and french fries. My family and I really enjoy this place and I think you will too. Oh yes, and I Love The Prices! Griddle Cafe Menu - http://www.thegriddlecafe.com/menu.html 7916 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90046 (On the corner of Sunset and Fairfax) Phone: (323) 874-0377 Twitter @thegriddlecafe I am the daughter of a wonderfully talented singer/songwriter/musician. My father plays the keyboards, and is a left handed bass player. Fortunately for me, I grew up in a house where I got to sit in on many jam sessions. As a young girl watching these guys and girls make music together, I was in awe.
My father sings R&B, but he loves all genres of music. Everything from the Motown greats like the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross to Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Jefferson Starship and Queen, to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Johnny Cash to Earth Wind & Fire to B.B. King was playing on the stereo constantly in my house. This exposure has given me a love for music. So it is a treat for me to be introduced to new bands on the horizon. When I discover something new, I am like a kid in a candy store. Their records immediately go into my music player, and I have to have a little bit everyday. For more, go to my "New Artists" page. |
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July 2018
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