June 2017 – CATHOLIC AND CHOCOLATE

Our Lady of the Rosary – San Diego, California

Our Lady of the Rosary church in Little Italy, San Diego is a must every time we vacation there. First of all, Little Italy is one of my favorite destinations. Yes, because it gives me that Rome I desire everyday in my life.

So on Sunday’s, we attend Mass to begin our beautiful weather day in San Diego.

It’s not a very large parish, but it gives me that old time feel. The architecture, even the way the Priest projects his homily, makes me feel very connected to Our Lord.

The stained glass windows are tall and gives the church much reverence. It’s hard to not keep staring at them. And during mass, while the readings are read, I tend to look up at them and reflect. It all works together.

The pictures I have below are from multiple visits.

We were blessed during one of our visits, to celebrate Corpus Christi. We joined in on the procession after Mass.

There is also a gift shop at the parish where I found my first My Saint My Hero bracelet. Now I have other items of their products and pass onto others as gifts. Look them up!

Their parish community seems to very much treasure what they have. I always love going there.

I had to post this pic here as well. On the same side of the church, other corner, there is an Italian bakery called Pappalecco. Going to mass at Our Lady and then Pappalecco, goes hand in hand.

Everything is delicious.

So when in Little Italy, treat yourself to both. You will never be disappointed.

Our Lady Queen of Angels – Newport Beach, California

My husband and I like to visit Orange County California often when we can. We enjoy the beach weather and relaxation the ocean provides.

Of course when we are visiting, during a weekend getaway, we attend Mass.

Here are pics of Our Lady Queen of Angels.

This is an affluent area. When I first arrived I was blown away by the marble touches. The wooden planked ceiling and arch is exquisite. With a sun roof right above the main altar. Even on days where the marine layer is thick, this still brings in bright light. Great effect!!

The choir made me feel as though I had bought tickets to an opera. Their vocals were heart touching.

Overall, every time we visit this parish, the pews are always full. Always happy to visit this lovely church when were in town. If you are ever in Newport Beach, come see it.

London and Paris bites

Rummaging through my pics, I thought to begin a catalog of my food pics. This section is under my Daily Bread menu. I will try to remember what I thought of the bites I had throughout time until now.

My love food began after my recovery from CDiff, when I could eat spaghetti sauce once again. My awareness to food was life. I correlated much to living to being able to enjoy food. Not just to slam down your throat to eat, but to truly appreciate it. By the grace of God, I know my new outlook towards food was forever changed.

For this post, I’ll begin with pics from my 40th birthday trip to London and Paris. Hope you enjoy!

Laduree on the Champs Elysee. Nowhere like it. A must see even if you just buy one macaron. All the care they put into these cookies is out of this world. It’s too bad you can’t get them in the States.

Our first Parisian meal. I wish I wrote down the name of this cafe, but I didn’t. Plainly, it was chicken and mashed potatoes. Steak and fries. BUT it wasn’t plain at all. Delicious and super savory!! There were multiple flavors going on in each bite.

This Patisserie was right near our hotel. Filled with fresh baked pastries. Exactly what you would expect to find on your first day. I not only get excited about the pastry itself, but also the way the shop keeper decorates their bakery. Every detail counts.

This photo below is a little out of place because it’s the only one from this stop. It was taken at Galleries Lafayette. There’s a whole floor dedicated to beautiful food from all over the world. I snapped this picture and then was told to stop taking pictures. Not noticing there was a big sign that said “Please no pictures!”. This was their spice section.

This gelato is from the famous Amorino.

Latin District. It’s right near Notre Dame. We went twice while there. My husband really enjoyed all their offerings. We experienced fondue and delicious warm bread in one restaurant. You can find almost every food in this section of Paris.

London.

Unfortunately, I do not have many pics of the food we ate in London. It wasn’t because the food wasn’t good, it’s just that it slipped my mind.

For sure, here is a pic of Fish and Chips. I mean, how could I not get a pic of this??!!

Harrods. In Harrods, I was surprised to find a floor of food. Only because I thought it was mainly fashion. But was it spectacular! I apologize my pics at this time are a bit fuzzy.

My husband and I enjoyed some seafood at this one stand. You sit on a stool right in front of the chef and he serves your meal right to you. It was fresh and tasty!! They have a whole candy section as well. Being a chocolate lover, you bet I bought some to go treats!!! Eating there was an experience.

Westminster Cathedral – London, United Kingdom

Just learned that my cousins will be traveling to Europe this August. One of their stops will be Paris, France. When my husband blessed me to London and Paris in 2011 for my 40th birthday, the talk of Euro trip made me want to run through our pics of our trip.

We visited London and Paris in the month of April. Most perfect time. Spring time!

It was also Holy Week. Some may think why would we travel during the most holiest time of the year. I used to think the same way until we experienced it in different places other than our home town. And now, I want to do it more often.

We attended Solemn Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion at Westminster Cathedral. Of course before we left, I researched parishes so that we wouldn’t miss Holy Week activities. Westminster was closest to our hotel.

I love the fact that wherever we are, I feel right in tune with the rest of the parishioners. Not missing a beat! Westminster was grand and beautiful. I really wasn’t expecting that type of facade, but then again we had just toured St Paul’s Cathedral. Really enjoyed it’s old history worn look.

Sacré-Cœur – Paris, France

My cousin is currently touring Paris and her experiences she’s been sharing, made me think of our time there.

Before going to Paris, I of course, checked off the places I wanted to visit. My husband only had one desire and that was the Latin District because of their food. We for sure went there…twice!

On the day we visited Galleries Lafayette, we headed out of this magnificent shopping center to find a place to eat. We walked, walked, slow walked, fumbled, and began finding ourselves frustrated. From leaving the Galleries, we thought for sure we would run into a nice bistro, but for some reason we kept making turns into more buildings that didn’t provide any food or drink. We were lost!!!

So as my husband said “let’s just go down this way and if we don’t find anything, we’ll find a cab and go back to an area we know”. Fine. I agreed as I was dizzy and hungry.

So we walked and found some passers-by. Shops started to appear here and there. Next thing we see, is a cafe. Meats and cheeses. Breads. Olives. Jams. And of course, wine!! We had no idea that we were now in Montmarte.

We felt like we died and gone to heaven. Right away, the waiter provides us a table facing outward to the street. Sets us up and gives us full attention. The bites were delicious!!! My husband and I couldn’t believe how delighted and joyful we were at what we stumbled upon. And while we were almost done, I remember peeking out towards the right and looking up in between some high trees and noticed a steeple. I couldn’t believe what my eyes were showing me. So I focused again. Then I asked the waiter, “is that Sacre-Coeur?????” He said, “Yes!”

I jumped out of my seat and told my husband, we got to go! It’s not that far and we are already so close. We can’t let go of this opportunity. Good thing the food refueled us. We were now on our way to this historic church that I only read about and had marked down on my planner to see, but due to time and it appearing that it was not going to be in our radius to visit, I had scratched it off and figured, we wouldn’t see it.

We arrived in about 10 minutes.

It was everything I thought it would be. We stood there at the bottom of the steps and admired it. My husband was ready to move on and I said…”we have to go inside.” He said, “the only way in is by these steps.” I said, “let’s go!” To reach top, it took 270 steps. The views were amazing. There were many visitors around just enjoying this spot. You could see the city clearly on this late afternoon.

We get to the line where people are forming to go inside the church. And as we get closer, there’s a big sign stating “NO CAMERAS, NO VIDEO, NO PICTURES PLEASE!” I wish I could’ve taken pictures inside. Even now, it’s hard for me to remember what I saw and wished I would’ve written it down. But I do recall it’s design and thinking it didn’t look like most cathedrals from that time. The altars made me wonder who had come to pray at them. The main altar glistened in gold. The candles flickered in every direction. The respect inside was evident. You were in a sacred space. My husband and I prayed and thanked God for bringing us here.

How is it that we ended up in this spot? All the wrong ways we thought we were taking and yet they were not. The recognition was fully there that Our Gracious God had led us to Sacre-Coeur. To experience not only this basilica, but to embrace its name as well. This basilica is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. What it is, what it stands for, speaks to our visit there more than just taking in its views. But from what my husband and I experienced in our time of marriage, what I experienced in my 40 years of life (trip was a birthday and anniversary celebration) was hallmarked in this adventure.

How I ask in my prayers that our marriage be consecrated in His Most Sacred Heart.

Thank you Jesus for the glories, the graces, the adventures you have given us to not only experience for travel sake, but for the soul and our relationship to You in them all. +++