Cafe De La O

A Simple Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:18:43 +0000

This picture was a gift from my youngest daughter Savannah in the mid 1990's. It has been hanging on my wall neigh on 30 years. I cannot remember if it was a birthday gift or a Father's Day gift but either way I fell in love with it at first sight. Now I see her when I look at the picture, as she was when she was a little girl. The picture itself captures those things which I hold dear, The great outdoors, fishing and a good way of life.

Earlier this year I took my two grandsons, Jack and Josiah, fishing at laguna Lake Park. It was a good place to start. We didn't catch anything, but we had a ball. The boys are Savannah's sons. It completes the cycle. Anyway, I've been telling myself I was going to share it and today is the day. God Bless you, stay safe and go fishing!

Once Upon a Time

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 16:03:52 +0000

Way back when, in what we now refer to as the "Old Days", photographers would go door to door offering to take children or family photos, for posterity sake, oftentimes bringing along a pony, a child's cowboy hat or other cowboy or western paraphernalia but for the most part it was just simple children's photography.

It might seem odd now but it was mid century America. There were no cell phones with cameras, computers or AI. It was a simpler time, a more trusting time. It was a good way to live.

On one such day, a photographer came by the house and took photos of Jeri and the kids; DeeDee, Lori and Meranda. It was the summer of 1978. Meranda had just been born in May of that year, so I'm guessing these picture were taken in June or July.

Andrew was a few years on the horizon, Savannah about a decade away and all our son in laws and grandchildren were waiting in the future. This was the genesis of our family. Conversely, the older generation, all the people we loved, America's Greatest Generation, were still with us. That is what I see when I look at this photo.

Life was simpler, once upon a time.

Castaneda's in La Habra

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 01:03:28 +0000

My wife Jeri and I had a few errands to run today in the La Habra area, it was lunchtime and we were hungry so we stopped at Castaneda's for lunch. We have been there at least a half dozen times and I have always ordered the the same thing; one cabesa (beef head) taco and one carne asada taco, a la carte.

My wife on the other hand, has tried a few other dishes but today she ordered the chicken taquitos plate which comes with four taquitos topped with guacamole and the two usual suspects, the ubiquitous but always the perfect accompanments; rice and beans. She enjoyed her meal but could not quite finish. Fortunately I was there to help and ate the last taquito.

They have a small salsa bar but it has enough choices to satisfy.

Castaneda's is a modest, simply adorned restaurant and if you are a boxing fan, you will enjoy all the boxing photos on their wall.

If you go, don't be squeamish, try the cabesa taco!

Castaneda's Mexican Food

911 W Whittier Blvd

La Habra, Ca 90631

Phone: (562) 690-0290

The Green Chile

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:25:02 +0000

I am not from New Mexico. I was born in Boyle Heights, an eastside neighborhood in Los Angeles and grew up In Pico Rivera, a small town a little furthe east than Boyle Heights and east Los Angeles; that said, I was raised, in part, with New Mexican cooking. My father was born in Alberquerque but was in fact, from the Las Cruces area in southern New Mexico. My mother, who is Mexican American did 95% of the cooking but my father had his specialties; Chile Verde (Green Chile, fried chile for his huevos rancheros, and he had away with breakfast potatoes and a few other items.

My mother did everything else; including enchiladas, chile rellennos, tacos, tostadas, menudo and much, much more. My mother learned to make all the New Mexicam dishes my father loved, including and especially, stacked enchiladas. They were always topped with cheddar cheese and two fried eggs. She never made green chile enchiladas.

Anyway, this is my long winded way of saying my wife Jeri and had our supper at the Green Chile in La Habra tonight. I had the stacked enchiladas, half green chile Pork, half red chile beef and, of course, topped with two fried eggs. At the first bite I was transported to the past. It was the taste of home.

The food is good and it is comforting. Give it a try, maybe you will be transported too.

ADDENDUM: We ordered sopapillas to go and ate them at home,

The Green Chile

2050 W, Whittier Blvd

La Habra, California 90631

Phone (562) 448-3674

A Word to the Wise

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:11:10 +0000

Something to consider! What are you leaving behind?

A Throwback Thursday Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:28:03 +0000

This is from, circa 2005-2006 just before Halloween. I remember the day just not the date, Jeri and I, along with our granddaughters; Marian and Maddie (Meranda's daughters). A while back but it seems like yesterday. They are young adults now, hard at work and building their lives but in my mind's eye, they are still the same little girls. Savor the moments!

Me and my grandsons

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:13:46 +0000

My daughter Savannah took this picture of me and my grandsons, Jack and Josiah, yesterday at the Pepper Shaker in La Habra. The Pepper Shaker is a classic old school diner with great food and great service. we frequent it often. As my wife is wont to say, "Making memories!"

My Quiet Place

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:05:10 +0000

The trees are lush and green and two of my trees are joining together to form a canopy, which was my hope when I planted the trees back in 2014. I wanted a cool shady area for a picnic table and a family gathering spot.

It also serves as my quiet peaceful place, especially when I need to be alone and talk with God.

Looks like I might be harvesting the avocados sometime in December but that's just an educated guess.

Supper at Casa Jimenez

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 03:44:26 +0000

My wife and I had supper at Casa Jimenez, here in Whittier, tonight. We have been coming here since they opened about twenty years ago.

There are several restaurants that we patronize but Casa Jimenez is one of my favorites. The food is old school here. This is not a trendy place. They serve good satisfying Mexican food. It tastes like home. It is comfort food.

Tonight I had my favorite combination plate; a red chile beef enchilada, a chile Relleno and a hard shell beef taco with the ubiquitous sides of rice and beans. My wife had her usual; enchiladas rancheras. She enjoyed her meal.

Good food at reasonable prices, a good attentive staff and a comfortable atmosphere.

Jeri and Her Father Henry Huizar

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 02:12:22 +0000

This photo was taken in the early to mid 70's. About the time Jeri and I met. She is dancing with her father to some long forgotten song. I'm sure somewhere in her mind she was thinking, I can't wait to meet Randy!"

Her father Henry Huizar was a much loved man. I can say, unequivocally, that I loved that man dearly.  

He has been gone since 1991. She still misses him. So do I.

 I am adding the original photo. I did use AI to restore the photo to it's original quality but changed nothing else.

Food Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 02:03:19 +0000

Last night my daughter Savannah made two pizzas.. They were absolutely delicious, or as my father was wont to say when things turned out exceptionally well, "Just like downtown!"

Thank you daughter!

A simple Braunschweiger (smoked Liverwurst) sandwich for lunch. This is something I have enjoyed since my early childhood. My father made them every once in a while on a weekend and he would make one for me too.
As I was making the sandwich, along with mayo and mustard, I spread some butter on my bread, and immediately Mrs. Eriksen  came to my thoughts.
Mrs. Eriksen was the mother of my pal and neighbor, Richard Eriksen. Sometimes Richard would spend the night at my house and sometimes I would spend the night at his. During the evening Mrs. Eriksen would bring us sandwiches. They were delicious. I asked her one day about her sandwiches and she told me she put butter on the bread.
To this day, from time to time, I'll add a smear of butter to my sandwich bread and I always think of Mrs. Ericksen.
Along with the sandwiches she would bring us a refreshing drink. I asked her about that too. Half Kool Aid and half orange juice. My wife and I raised our kids on that drink. I would tell them about Mrs. Eriksen every single time.
Food, even a simple Braunsweiger sandwich can trigger the memories.
God Bless you Mrs. Eriksen. I ain't forgot ya! R.I.P. Dear woman





Today I was craving corn, Elote if you will, Mexican style corn on the cob, slathered with butter, mayonaise chile powder and whatever else the elotero (the corn man) puts on it. about an hour later my wife heard his horn honking, "The corn man is passing by"! she didn't need to tell me twice. I got two, she got one. Pure satisfaction in a bite.

Vintage Family Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Wed, 27 May 2026 19:56:58 +0000

A few months after my mother, Anita De La O(nee Osuna) passed away, I was going through some boxes that contained paper items, news clippings and other various items, when a small piece of paper fell out of an old envelope to the floor.

It turned out to be a photo of my grandmother Mary Osuna (nee Espinoza), my grandfather Agustine "Auggie" Osuna and my mother, the baby.

Presumably, it was taken in 1929. My mother was born on May 2, of that year. My grandmother was 18 or 19 years old and my grandfather roughly 21 or 22..

This was the first time I had seen this photo. I have no idea why my mother never shared this photo with us but I am grateful it was in the boxes I was holding for her.

I improved the quality of the photo using an online AI app.

ADDENDUM: I added a colorized photo.

The Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Thu, 21 May 2026 20:27:54 +0000

Good morning, or good afternoon. I hope all is well with you.

I was tending to the avocado trees this morning. I could not help but notice how thick, healthy and lush the trees are. I have noticed, when I am not well, the trees seem to be distressed. Maybe it's just a coincidence but when I am healthy and thriving so are the trees.

Or it could be that when I am not doing so well I give them less attention. Whatever the case may be, the trees are doing well.

The trees and I have become old friends now. I try to lay my hands on them every day. Maybe it means something, maybe nothing but it makes me feel better. I am hoping for a good harvest at the end of the year or early 2027.

It still amazes me that I can stand beneath the trees. They gives good shade.

Good Bless you family & friends. Enjoy this God given day.

A Baptism and a Dedication

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Mon, 18 May 2026 06:00:14 +0000

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6 KJV

A big day for our family this Sunday but even more so it will be one of the biggest day in my grandson Jack's life memory.

He took it upon himself to make such a momentous decision. His family, all of us, are proud of him, not arrogantly proud but justifiably proud. 

Also, his younger brother Josiah was dedicated to our Lord. Again, a monumental moment for my grandsons and their parents; my daughter Savannah and my son-in-law Josh Guerrero. Today justifies their hard work and training 

My wife and I ask and I pray that God guides them both in every decision in life that comes their way and they learn to choose wisely; in love, in finances in choosing friends. We pray that they stay strong in character; choosing integrity, honor and loyalty and all those qualities that good men possess.

We thank Pastor Ralph and Cindy  De La Torre and all the unsung heroic House of Grace church members and family members that provided guidance along the way.

Justifiable Pride

A New Season Begins

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Fri, 01 May 2026 01:54:51 +0000

A new season begins with new avocados making a showing this past month, at least with the two Haas avocado trees. The Fuerte tree has not yet been a good producer and has yet to produce any avocados this season.

The Fuerte was the runt of the group, in fact, it still is but my gut instinct tells me it will outgrow the other two trees in time.

I nurture them. I put my hands on them and I'm hoping they can feel it. They are strong and healthy and they produce good tasting avocados.

The avocados will probably be ready for harvest late December to mid January. It's going to be a long wait!

Happy Heavenly Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 22:34:00 +0000

Seventy-eight years ago today, October 25, 1947, my mother and father were married in a quiet courthouse wedding in Downtown Los Angeles. Today would be their 78th anniversary.

They met earlier that same year when my mother was babysitting for her aunt Peewee. My father knocked on the door. My mother opened it. He took one look and was smitten. It was literally a whirlwind romance.

Their first official date was at the Avodon Ballroom on Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles. The accompanying photograph is from that night.

The Avodon Ballroom was a popular nightclub throughout the 1940's. It was the Big Band era and this was one of the venues that hosted some of the big names.

My father was not a big name but he did sing there from time to time. Presumably, with the house band.

Back to their first date; they were enjoying themselves, along with a few friends when my father excused himself. My mother used that moment to go to the ladies room, or the powder room as they were sometimes called.

A few moments later, a young woman rushed into the ladies room, "Annie, Annie, he's singing!!

"What, who's singing?"
"Andy! Andy's singing, he's singing to you!"

She rushed out of the ladies room and there was my father, in her eyes larger than life, singing, "Embracable You" by Frank Sinatra. That moment is the moment he won my mother's heart.

I heard this story so many times over the years, especially after my father's passing in 1981, that it is imprinted in my mind.

It was a good solid marriage but like every marriage they had their ups and downs but they stayed together.

So, Happy Heavenly Anniversary to the absolutely amazing man and woman; Andrew and Anita De La O, that gave their all to my sister, my brother and me.

October 19, 1974

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:40:00 +0000

Fifty-one years ago today October 19, 1974, I walked into the Golden West Ballroom in Norwalk, California. This woman caught my eye. I asked her to dance and she said yes.

Fast forward through the decades; five children, nine grandchildren, gray hair and a lifetime of memories. We grew old together.

It's not our anniversary but we remember the date every year.

Throwback Thursday Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:19:00 +0000

Sometimes an old photo can trigger not only memories but emotions as well. My wife Jeri was in the, "Family Way" with our daughter Meranda. I'm not sure of the date but Meranda was born in May of 1978. So maybe March or April of that year.

This was the first house we lived in on Newlin Avenue. We moved in on February 15, 1978. We lived in three houses on Newlin. When we speak of that house now we refer to it as, either the white house or the first house, so we will know which house we are talking about.We loved that house, in fact we loved the neighborhood too.

We didn't know it yet but looking back we understand now, God Blessed us. That house, that pregnancy, as well as the neighborhood was the genesis of our family.

Then and now, I always thought my wife was a beautiful pregnant woman.

This photo is from sometime in 1979.

Back in those days me and my old pal, the late great, Steve Wallace made the drive to Lake Piru practically every other weekend to go trout fishing but sometimes we would snag an occasional Largemouth Bass. We almost always caught our limiit.

Sometimes we would be having such a good time we would stay a few days. Much to the chagrin of my wife. We didn't have cell phones back then. I never called and she never knew if I was dead or alive.

In our minds, we were the adult versions of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Steve was Huck. It was Huck that took this photo.

Steve passed away in 2000 and Lake Piru has never been the same since. God Bless you, stay safe and enjoy your memories.

Happy Birthday to my Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 23:04:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to my wife Jeri. I celebrate and I thank you for all the good meals you have cooked for our family, all the love and all the shared adventures.As I have always said, you make me look good by just standing next to me.

I give thanks to God,who, in his infinite wisdom, put you directly in my path. Happy Birthday, I love you and your family loves you!

Arroz con Pollo

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 02:04:00 +0000

Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Rice) for tonight's supper. This is a dish that I have made for years but it has been a while.

For the most part I stick with tradition but I add linguicia sausage which is Portuguese. Linguicia lends a distinctive taste to the rice.

Tonight I also borrowed from Puerto Rican cooks, who know a thing or two about Arroz con Pollo. I used the Gandules peas which is the central ingradient in Arroz con Gandules. It also adds flavor and texture to the rice.

Ultimately though, this my own personal take on Arroz con Pollo. Not 100% traditional but I can live with it.

There is a debate as to the origin of Arroz con Pollo. It is thought to come from Spain, which is a plausible theory considering the great rice dishes Spain is famous for including Paella, Spain's national dish. The other side of the debate is that it all began in Puerto Rico.

I don't know. What I do know is that Arroz con Pollo can be found in almost every Latin America country, including Mexico and the American Southwest.

I should also add that this was a dish my mother regularly made when I was growing up. Cooking and eating it brings the past alive, if only for a moment.

Buen Provecho

The Way Things Used to Be

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 02:01:00 +0000

The Helms Bakery Truck

The Good Humor Ice Cream Truck

The Helms Bakery Truck and the Good Humor Ice Cream Truck, two icons from my childhood. Simple times, good times! I'm kind of sorry today's generation of children never got to experience life the way it used to be. Maybe it is that way with every generation.

We did not have cell phones and computers, but we did have comic books, and we did play outside: hide and seek, tag, dodgeball and we had the Good Humor Ice Cream Trucks and the Helms Bakery Truck.

Jeri and Meranda 1978

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:19:00 +0000

From 1978: Jeri and Meranda in front of our first home (a rental) on Newlin Avenue in Whittier. We moved into that home on February 15, 1978. Meranda was born in May of that year.

We were young. The future and retirement seemed a long, long time away. We had a good time in that house. Lots of good parties, good neighbors and good friends. We lived in two other homes on that street until we bought our current home on February of 1998, twenty years later. We didn't know it then but we do now, we were Blessed.

#TBT #ThrowbackThursday

The Red Headed Ancestor

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 21:40:00 +0000

Some time in the mid 1980's I was visiting my uncle Henry, my father's youngest brother, at his upholstery shop in Uptown Whittier. I don't remember how the conversation came about but we began talking about Las Cruces and Dona Ana, New Mexico, family and family history.

At one point he told me of a wild red headed ancestor who came riding into town, guns a blazing. He stayed and settled. Was he a De La O? Or perhaps someone who married into the family? Possibly a great great grandfather. Or just some unfounded family lore? I don't know.

All of my life, before my hair turned grey, I would occasionally find a hard wiry red hair. I never gave it any thought. I just plucked it. Same with my mustache.

My girls had light colored hair, as did my brother but my youngest daughter (Jack & Josiah's mom) Savannah's hair, while not red, had a tinge or a hint of red.

Then along come Jack and Josiah. My red headed grandsons. Now? I'm inclined to believe that story about the red headed ancestor, though the guns a blazing might be slight embellishment.

Happy Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 14:53:00 +0000

Seventy-seven years ago today, October 25, 1947, my parents were married in a private civil ceremony in Los Angeles. They remained married until my father's passing on May 7, 1981. My mother passed away April 14, 2018.

They were old school, salt of the Earth, people. Together; through hard work, tenacity and determination, they sought and found the American Dream.

They were two imperfect people just like the rest of us but they stayed together and they built a life together. It was a simple life. A good life.

Happy Anniversary mom & dad. We still miss you and we still love you!

The first photo is from their first date in 1947 at the Avadon Ballroom in Downtown Los Angeles. The second was in 1978 during a road trip to Lake Tahoe.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

noreply@blogger.com (Randy De La O) — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 02:04:00 +0000

Way back in 1979, when my old long gone pal Steve Wallace and I used to fish Lake Piru in Ventura County we always made a pit stop at Disco Sally's in the town of Piru.

Disco Sally's was a small market, a small Mexican American restaurant and a tackle shop on the edge of town on the road leading up to the lake.

After buying any extra gear, tackle and bait we needed we would sit at the counter and have breakfast or lunch, whatever the case would be.

More often than not, we would order the taquito plate. The taquitos were extraordinarily good. One day, I mentioned to the owner Henry that they were really good. He said his wife made them with canned roast beef hash. Simple but good.

I don't know why it took me forty-five years to get around to making them but it did. I was at the market this morning and saw the cans of Mary Kitchen's Roast Beef Hash. Today's the day, I said to myself.

They weren't perfect but they will be. Good things come to those who wait.

Ol' Steve has been gone a quarter of a century. He was on my mind and in my heart today.