Dear Foodie Fam,

Bacon and Butter is one of our fave brunch spots! It's absolutely decadent.

When our cousin wanted something crispy and slathered in goodness, I took her to Bacon and Butter to chow on smashed fries and bacon gravy.

I had a Grilled Cheese Benedict (three cheeses, challah loaf, hollandaise, two eggs, fried sage) that was a beautiful melty combination of cheese and hollandaise.

Yaz had a Schnitzel Sandwich (crispy pork cutlet, slaw, brioche bun, sunny egg and fries) which was so generous and crispy, she had to strategize slicing and eating it!

This meal was one of the most precious ones I’ve had in such a very long time.

Yaz and I were very close before she moved out of state. She is my husband’s cousin who lived with my husband’s family since she was pretty much 4 years old. I met her when she was around 5 years old and she’s the closest thing to a little sister to me.

I missed goofing off with Yaz for the years that she was gone from California. It meant everything to me to catch up over food. When she was a little girl, getting her to eat was like pulling teeth! I was the same way at that age and had a certain amount of patience with her but of course it was frustrating! She was famously picky.

I told her when she hit high school, she would be all about food. I couldn’t wait to pig out with her! However, she moved to Texas by the time she gained that appetite.

Now that she’s back in California, I look forward to having so many more meals with her. I love catching up with her! Even when I am busy, meals are a great excuse to set aside time, slow down and make up for the years that passed. I still learn as much from her as she does from me.

Yaz stayed with Dutch and I for a few weeks. Since I stay home to work, I had the time to make small meals for Yaz. She’s still a bit picky but it felt good taking her to the grocery and picking out some meals to make. It also meant a lot to make the small meals for her. I want her to feel welcome and feeding someone is such a humble way to show someone you care.

Yaz applied for and got into a local trade school. Now and then, she’d drive down the freeway where we live just an exit away to have lunch. Other times, all Dutch’s cousins come over and he loves frying them chicken or making a roast. We love feeding those closest to us and it’s something special to feed this lady.