< Previous60 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 HOMEPORT mahogany vintage Victor Victrola talking machine phono- graph, which had belonged to Jessica’s grandparents, still plays records. They have a recording of President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressing the nation during World War II. “We have many family heirlooms here and they are very special to us,” she said. A ginger jar in the Royal Crown Derby pattern was given to her by her mother-in-law, along with other special antiques, which are on display. One of the big changes they made to the house was closing off a dou- ble-door entry into what was a primary bedroom, making it an accessible mudroom for coats and shoes adjacent to the front door. “This just fit our lifestyle better,” she said. And although the large downstairs bedroom and ensuite bath probably would have been considered the primary bed- room, their 14-year-old son claimed it as his “sanctuary.” The couple moved their bedroom upstairs near their 3-year-old daughter. They also have a family room on the second floor. One of their favorite parts of the house is the front porch, which faces east and has an unobstructed view of the Moody Gardens golf course. Here Jessica can tend to her plants — especially an aloe and alligator succulent. The couple sits in the breeze in comfortable chairs or a porch swing for their daily coffee break, enjoying the calm of the day. “It is quiet here and a great view,” John said. “This is our paradise.” The front porch where the McAleers sit for their daily coffee break. “It is quiet here and a great view. This is our paradise.” JOHN MCALEERCompassionate Guidance in Your Time of Need. E. R. Johnson Family Mortuary has been serving the Galveston, Galveston County area with compassion and respect for over 71 years. Our deep roots in the community are a source of pride, as we grow side by side with the families we serve. During this time you need someone who understand the needs of families in celebrating the life of their loved ones and making sure that we take all precautions in maintaining a safe environment to assure the health and well-being of everyone that wants to celebrate the life of their loved one with dignity. E.R. Johnson Family Mortuary has always been in the forefront making sure the families we serve receive our utmost attention, care and service. We hope you will consider us your source for compassionate care and exemplary service. Our pledge is to help you honor your loved one in the most meaningful way, offering thoughtful guidance and personal attention to every detail. 3828 Ave O | Galveston, TX 77550 409.762.8470 E. R. Johnson Family MortuaryImages, descriptions, and information provided are representational and conceptual based upon preliminary development plans, for illustrative purposes, may not be shown to scale, may contain non-standard optional features, and are subject to change. The Developer reserves the right to make modifications and changes to the project in whole or part including amenities and features and to the information contained herein without notice. Please refer to the Condominium Information Statement and the proposed condominium documents included with same for further information and disclosures. @TIARAONTHEBEACH/TIARAONTHEBEACH SALES GALLERY OPEN DAILY 4918 Seawall Blvd. Ste C · Galveston TX, 77551 Fill your day with more. Ownership at Tiara will offer you the finest in beachfront condominium living with an abundance of five-star resort-inspired amenities that include Pickleball, Climate Controlled Wine Lockers, a Pet Wash, and Private Beach Access with chair and umbrella valet. With so many choices, what will you do first? One, Two & Three Bedroom Condominiums from $1M | TiaraOnTheBeach.com · Call 409.974.453764 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 65 COUNTER CULTURE ‘BEAUTIFUL SIMPLICITY’ Caterer can cook luxe meals for hundreds, but family time makes her happiest story by BARBARA CANETTI | photos by STUART VILLANUEVA L isa Hedrick loves to cook. Hed- rick, owner of Hedrick’s Catering and Events, happily will prepare a sumptuous dinner for two or can orchestrate a meal for 200. And her goal always is to put togeth- er a purposely plated dish that tastes as good as it looks, she said. Hedrick, who grew up in Friendswood and has lived in the same house with her husband, Rex, for 25 years, has been in the catering business for the same amount of time. Cooking to her is an artform, something she learned at her grandmother’s stove as a small child. “I’ve been cooking since I was 6 years old with my grandma, baking cakes and family foods,” she said. “My grandfather was in the Merchant Marines and traveled the world. He would come back with stories and describe foods and meals to my grand- mother and we would go out and find the seasonings and ingredients to make them. “I saw how she was being complimented — not just as a cook, but as a good cook — and I wanted that kind of admiration, too. Truly, it is a love of cooking for us.” When she was in her late 20s, she of- ten would offer to help prepare the food for a friend’s party or a relative’s baby shower. Then other people would reach out to her and ask her to help plan their parties or gatherings. As requests grew, so did her confidence, and she launched her company to cater and arrange large events and weddings. “This business just found me, and it took off,” she said. As much as she loves the big food events, it’s the smaller, more intimate meals that bring her personal satisfaction. Cooking at home in her kitchen with daughters Cecily Williams and Abigail Manchaca, who both are married and no longer live in her house, is a special time for her, she said. She loves to prepare her favorite “comfort” foods, with ties to her Mexican heritage. “When I tell my daughters I am making picadillo, they come over immediate- ly,” she said, adding that rice and beans always accompany this meal. But she also loves inviting her extend- ed family of 40 to 60 people — she has two siblings but her mother had nine siblings and her dad had seven — to a loud and crazy dinner at her home. And, when she sets the table, she never fails to include fresh flowers and decora- tions, she said. “Pretty food and pretty table,” she said. “That’s not work for me.” The family always eats at the dining room table, she said. (Left) Lisa Hedrick, center, owner of Hedrick’s Catering and Events, can orchestrate a meal for 200 but cook- ing in her kitchen with her daughters, Abigail Manchaca, left, and Cecily Williams, is a special time for her.66 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 COUNTER CULTURE “When you cook, you get everyone together and enjoy each other,” she said. “We all sit at the table and it gets loud, which is what we do.” One of her favorite embellishments for meals is using micro-greens and edible flowers — marigolds, violas, snap dragons, micro orchids — that she organically grows in her yard. And she likes to create colorful buns and breads to match with the table decoration theme, using only natural ingredients. “It’s all garden to table for me,” she said. Because of her husband’s work, Lisa and Rex divide their time between Texas and California, where they have a sec- ond house in Long Beach. But Friendswood is home. And although her kitchen here is large and adequate, she plans soon to create a commercial-size kitchen in her house — not for work but just because she wants one “for the beauty and the wow factor.” “I want a large stove and a huge, oversized hood,” she said. “But when I cook here, I cook simple, using herbs, wine, full-fat butter and heavy creams. We eat in moderation, and it is beautiful simplicity.” COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 67 GRANDMA CELIA’S BEST PICADILLO 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 pound ground beef ½ large onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup diced carrots 1 cup diced potatoes 2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped ½ cup water 1 cup green peas (if frozen, thawed; if canned, drained) Salt and pepper to taste Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat and cook ground beef for 5 minutes, breaking up large pieces. Stir in onion and garlic, until onion be- comes translucent, about 2 minutes. Add carrots and cook another 5 minutes. Then add potatoes and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently. While meat is cooking, put tomatoes and water in a blender and blend until smooth. Add this to skillet and stir in the peas. Season with salt and pepper and simmer until vegetables are cooked and liquid has reduced, about 10 minutes. Add more wa- ter as needed to finish cooking vegetables. Serve with Mexican rice and beans over warm corn tortillas. (From top) Lisa Hedrick loves to decorate her kitchen and table with fresh flowers. She even incorporates edible varieties in her meals; picadillo, a traditional Latin comfort food featuring ground beef and potatoes, is one of the family’s favorite meals. (Opposite from top) Hedrick toasts flour tortillas in a skillet to serve with her picadillo; she likes to create colorful buns and breads using only natural ingredients to match with the table decoration theme. “When you cook, you get everyone together and enjoy each other.” LISA HEDRICKRoasted Pablano Stuffed with Fresh Gulf Shrimp & Cheese 408 25th Street Open Monday-Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm Join us for LUNCH EATcetera is a Local Family Eatery serving fresh, healthy lunch and light brunch fare. Dine inside or enjoy the dog-friendly sidewalk cafe under our signature red umbrellas. A multitude of vegan and gluten- free offerings available. Dessert too! Call 409-762-0803 See us on DoorDash.com Free 2-Hour Street ParkingExquisite Homes Laffite’s Cove, Galveston TX 3425 Petite Circle | $3,850,000 13243 Binnacle Way | $1,699,000 3235 Lafittes Point | $2,000,000 13538 Stewart | $900,000 Pending New Listing Pending New Listing 281.773.3477 bjennings@greenwoodking.com Chase Jennings, Associate chasejennings@greenwoodking.com BET JENNINGS 2022 Real Trends America’s Best Real Estate Pros in Galveston & Texas Specializing in the Pirates communities: Laffite’s Cove, Pirates Cove, Pirates Beach & Pirates Beach West A long-time resident of Laffite’s Cove Director of Laffite’s Cove Board Pirates POA & UTMB Development BoardNext >