DoxA

Napping... One of Life's Greatest Pleasures

I was one of those kids who used to stomp off to the bedroom when my mom told me it was time for a nap. I was on to her... naps weren't for my benefit. No, naps were for HER benefit! Get the kid out of her hair for a hour or so and she could wrap herself in her own little private world without a worry or at least not hearing why I wanted several reasons I would not be getting a Popsicle at that moment.

I used to think if naps were good for you why aren't the grownups taking naps... hmmmm?

Little did I realize, at the time, most grownups would give boxes of Popsicles away just for the chance to take a nap. Of course when you realize you are an adult and in complete control of your life there are those times... on the weekends (and occasionally sitting at your desk. Come on! I know you do it.) when you can just sit back, close your eyes and wake up sometime later and discover an entire new hue of color and saturation of light outside. I have to admit taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon and waking up to twilight does mess with my mind. But I soon get over it as I realize, I have a whole new appreciation for my evening.

Today, I went out for a crazy, interval workout... scheduled by my coach. It was really hot out there today. When I finished 31/2 hours of cycling and 1 hour of running in succession I was barely able to drag my dehydrated body into the house. I drank a gallon of water, a protein drink, took a shower and crashed on the bed. As I write this, my legs do not feel as if they're a part of my body. But that's okay. If I get up they'll come with me whether they like it or not... they'll protest by getting me to my destination much later than expected and scream at me the whole time but... they come along anyway.

So, for this Satisfaction Saturday... I couldn't think of anything that brought me more satisfaction than that 40 minute little snooze. How 'bout you... Do you nap? I knew a guy who scheduled his naps daily and put on pajamas just for the occasion! I thought that was a little weird but he was a "leave It To Beaver" kinda guy... Do you have any strange napping habits? Let me know. Maybe I'll start using some of them. No really!

Right now the house is quiet, I've got a little bit of work to do and then I'll assemble the meal for the night. Joy already did all the prep work. She'll be home soon... I'm looking forward to an early turn-in tonight because tomorrow is always a big day and one where my workout schedule says... REST.

Standing in Line

I heard it about every ten to fifteen minutes yesterday... "What's going on? What are you standing in line for?" The answers were always the same... "The iPhone." The responses were equally predictable. "For a phone? It's just a phone." I have to admit the thought was already rolling around in my head and I didn't need anyone to tell me that standing for hours was not a good use of my time. At times it got to mocking. "You guys are gay!" Hey this is the Bay Area, did they really think that was going to offend anyone? Overall, the wait was a good chance to meet some fine folks, share in a cultural experience and tell tales later in life.

My day started like this, woke up at 6:45, got coffee and breakfast, checked in on the Tour de France, headed over to the AT&T Store, arrived at 7:30, stood in line for two hours... then someone comes out and says they've run out of phones, the guy in front of me goes into the store and records a conversation with the manager who reveals they only had 60 phones to sell and we can stand in line to pre-order one (You'd think they'd be smart enough to count how many they had and count the line but it's too hard to resist the look of people standing in line in front of your store). So, I decided the Apple Store would have a few more phones and headed over to Los Gatos; an upscale small community in the South Bay where a lot of tech moguls live.

The mother and son duo in front of me at the Apple Store in Los Gatos also stood in line at the Hillsdale AT&T Store and got shut out. They are personal friends with Steve Wozniak who told them he was in line at the Apple Store at the Oakridge Mall... In line... IN LINE! She used to work for Apple when there were only four employees. They own a beach house which the son told me was purchased for cash with Apple stock... yeah, that's cool. But on the release day of Apple's newest and hottest technology apparently the ground is level.

So, after another 5+ hours in line at the Apple Store, where employees walked up and down the line handing out bottles of Smart Water and letting folks play with the new iPhone, showing off the 3G technology, the mood was still upbeat and friendly with people cheering each person who entered the faux metal facade.

My Apple guide, Paul, was enthusiastic and accommodating telling me my activation was one of the smoothest that day. I was done in less than 15 minutes and then passed off to Cynthia who set me up, gave me a tour on the phone and advised on accessories. I was told however since I switched from Verizon I would be able to make calls and text but it may be a few days before receiving them. We'll see.

At a gathering of friends last night the day ended much like it started... "What's the big deal? It's just a phone." And I have to admit it is a phone but not just simply a phone. In this world where I'm endeavoring to stay connected, networked and informed the Apple iPhone with 3G technology is the tool to use.

Oh, and did I mention its half the price of the older phones? Good "job" Steves.

Silence is...

As we were walking to dinner the other night, my wife noticed I was clinging to my Blackberry. "I thought you were going to unplug?" She was right and I was quickly looking for an excuse to cover my distraction as I fumbled with the keypad. "Uh... I am. Just checking one thing."

I had noticed for both of us; we had been reeling from the numbing effects of routine and pressure. One morning, last week, as we were getting ready to head out the door she just looked at me and said, "Hello!" I had been in such a rush to get out the door it hadn't occurred to me that I had not even said good morning to her. When I apologized for my blatant insensitivity she graciously accepted and commented about my ever-present life in front of a computer screen. "You know, if you just occasionally could look away from that screen you might notice a few other things that matter in your life." Uh, yeah. That one stung and she was right.

I'm constantly struggling with balance. It seems all things in life today can consume you if allowed. There's enough work at the office I could be there around the clock. I'm trying to learn more and more about technology and communication, I could be studying constantly. I have an Ironman to race in June, I've got to train, train, train! Then of course there's work around the house, staying in touch with my girls, some TV for news and entertainment and, oh yes... Joy.

I had a dream last night. In it, we were doing laundry. But the cloths never got folded and put away they just kept piling up and before long, we had all these clean cloths but they were scattered everywhere in a giant pile in the living room where I couldn't see or get to my wife. I feel like that! Stuff is getting done; just not done all the way and unless it is done in parts and done all the way, you'll have a mess on your hands.

Randy Elrod posed a good question on Ethos, "Restless in my journey but confident in my destination," as describing his life and asks the same of us. I must admit, I too feel the same way and it's the restlessness part that gets to me. Which brings me to... the other night. My Blackberry, laptop... Twitterific; all had to be shut down for a little silence. Once done, we were able to fold the laundry, straiten up the room and see each other again.

Henri Nouwen states in The Way of the Heart "In our chatty world, in which the word has lost it's power to communicate, silence helps us to keep our mind and heart anchored in the future world and allows us to speak from there a creative and recreative word to the present world." So, with that in mind, I reconnect with my laptop realizing there will be times I may disengage for periods of silence, where I may miss a few days of blogging... just to keep things clear. Not just for my sake but for the sake of those around me.

Grace for the House of Women and Children

Today is the day I try to post something about satisfaction. Well, I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Satisfaction is in a job well done." So today, I feel satisfied for having done a job well. But not just me but about 20 other folks from our church...

Here's the back story. This past Christmas, like so many others, I challenged our church to consider giving a gift to Jesus at Christmas. After all, it's His birthday, so why just give gifts to each other and not to the one we celebrate? So, I asked the church and they responded. Oh, by the way... I told them all the money that comes in would be given away. None of it would be for church programs or needs (which we desperately need). So, when the money came in we asked what could be be done with this money... we had no idea.

Then one of our elders mentioned the House of Grace, a women's recovery house we are closely associated with through City Team, could use new windows. The House of Grace is actually two apartment buildings and a converted garage to house about two dozen women and their children. They had old single pain windows. Let alone the noise that could be saved by replacing them, there would be a tremendous financial benefit by replacing them with energy efficient dual paned windows... So we demo'd, installed and finished the first apartment building today. It was a JOB! But our rag-tag, team of volunteers knocked it out and now safety, shelter and comfort is more secure at the House of Grace.

Just so you know what kind of an impact is made, read this story of one of the women whose life was changed...

Jan (name changed to protect identity) came to House of Grace with an extremely violent history. She had lost her children and, due to her past, had been told that she would never see them again. Working over and over with government programs produced nothing. All hope was gone. "I need to recover for me - even if I never see my children again," Jan said. She moved forward with this attitude of pursuing sobriety and taking responsibility for what she had  done. Jan's social worker was one of the few who would at least talk with her and make an attempt for reunification. At Jan's first court trial, the district attorney would not offer reunification, but the judge miraculously overrode that decision. Based on the current law, an individual is only allowed six months to achieve sobriety when attempting reunification with children under three years of age. The judge's decision, therefore, was miraculous, since Jan was given 12 months to pursue sobriety. After working her program and doing everything the court and her social worker asked her to do, Jan and her children were reunited. They are no longer wards of the court. She recently received housing and will soon graduate. When she first came to House of Grace, she was inebriated and could barely walk. Today, she is responsible, healthy, sober, and loves the Lord Jesus Christ. She's a good mom and her children come first when she is making decisions.

Yeah... Satisfaction baby. The ladies were so grateful... thanked us over and over again... Used the word  "blessed." Sure. I know I was.

Worthy is the lamb

Without a doubt my favorite dish is braised lamb shanks. I look forward to this ultra comfort food every fall when my wife begins to regularly make it and we then usually stop enjoying it around Easter. This habit started mainly because the flavors, preparation and calorie consumption lends it self to colder weather. So Joy, my dear wife, is preparing lamb shanks and trying new recipes for a dinner we'll be sharing with good friends next week. In the last 24 hours I've sampled 3 new variations of lamb shank and there is a distinct winner that I must share with you.

Joy took a recipe from another braised dish (short ribs... again, another favorite) and substituted lamb shanks. This recipe is a variation that comes from the amazing chef Brett Maddock from Arnold Palmer's Restaurant in La Quinta, California. Thanks Brett for you culinary brilliance! I have modified it for the change of meat and different type of potatoes.

Braised Lamb Shank with Gruyere Mashed Potatoes, Braised Vegetables and Red Wine Bacon Sauce

For the shanks
4 1pound lamb shanks
2 Tblsp vegetable oil
1 Tblsp butter
1 cup carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cup onions, peeled and chopped
1 cup celery, copped
2 cloves garlic
1 oz fresh thyme
1 cup quality red wine
2 quarts beef stock

For the potatoes
4 large russet potatoes, peeled
1/2 cup Gruyere cheese, shreeded
1/4 cup soft butter (one stick)
1/4 cup half and half
4 Tblsp chives, chopped

For the red wine sauce
1 quart of the braising liquid
1/3 cup double smoked bacon, chopped
2 fresh basil sprigs

Season the lamb liberally with salt and pepper. With moderate heat in the braising pan add the oil and brown the shanks (about 10 minutes). Transfer lamb to a plate and cover. Add the butter to the drippings in the pan and add mirepiox (onion, carrots, celery), garlic, thyme and cook until vegetables turn brown. Deglaze with red wine and reduce by half. Place lamb back into pan and add enough beef stock to cover lamb bring to a boil and then place in oven preheated to 375 degrees for 21/2 to 3 hours (meat should be extremely tender and easily pull away from the bone).

Boil potatoes until tender and place in bowl. Add butter and half and half. With firm whisk, whip potatoes until smooth. Add cheese, chives, salt and pepper and continue to mix. Taste and add salt and pepper until you're happy.

Remove fat from the braising liquid and pour into a sauce pan. Reduce by half with the bacon and the basil. Strain remaining fat.

Place potatoes in center of plate. Place shank on top and generously drizzle sauce over all.

I recommend a sturdy Cabernet for this meal. Most recent favorite... 2004 Rutherford Grove Winery, Howell Mountain District.

Finally, to get this recipe in it's original form and to enjoy many other excellent chef's recipes, like Brett's; click to the right on the Chef's Secrets logo and order a copy from the Pendleton Foundation. The money goes to help people fund uninsured expenses for rare forms of cancer.

Bon Appetite!

Is There Such a Thing... Cheeseburger in Paradise

Got home a little bit ago from San Diego. While there with our daughter she took us to this little joint down in Ocean Beach called Hodads. The definition of a "hodad" is someone who hangs around surf towns, looking like a surfer but doesn't actually surf! Today we just call them wanna be's.

She said Hodads had the best burgers anywhere! Well, I'd like to think I've had some pretty incredible Burgers. So, here goes my Top 5 Burgers ANYWHERE!

Number 5... In n Out, West Coast!

Unfortunately a chain only for the West Coast, this classic establishment is hands down the best burger you'll find from location to location. AND the best value as well. Know the secret lingo and you can have a semi-custom made burger to your liking... Moi, single cheeseburger animal style!

Number 4... Juicy Burger, San Jose, CA

Got to have a local shout out. Place has the best 100% Angus beef... Sorry Jack the joke was funny but the meat is better! Here they let you put on your own toppings! I'm so glad I found this place... Mojo now a distant 6th!

Number 3...Hodads, Ocean Beach, CA

Okay, the place was good but I didn't like standing in line for 30 minutes to be sitting next to people banquet style next to several people I don't know! The burgers are huge and plentiful... the milkshakes look better (they add a scoop of ice cream to top off the shake!). And I have to admit they're good. Cool vibe, but my feet were sticking to the floor! I guess that's to be expected... naawww!

Number 2...Hamburgers, Saucilito CA

This place is so small you'll not only have a hard time finding it, you'll have a hard time getting to the cash register! But these juicy, melty burgers can only be matched with the outdoor setting over looking the San Fransisco Bay looking at the SF skyline! To me the best traditional burger ever!

BUT!!!

Number 1... Taylor's Refreshers, St. Helena, CA (or Napa Valley for you non locals!)

This ultra-cool, old fashioned drive up is the gourmet of burgers... and I mean gourmet, like in price tag! These burgers are so good but because of the seasoning, extras and the options to order your burger. My favorite is the "Western Bacon Blue Ring" topped with an onion ring, crumbled blue cheese, bacon, pickles, red onion & BBQ sauce on a toasted egg bun!

So, there you have it... but I know you'll want to argue your burger's better than mine! But I don't care. Take me there and I'll let you know what I think... but please fill free to tell me your favorites by leaving a comment below who you think makes the best burger!

Bon petpo bismal!

Something to Please the Palate

Every now and then on Satisfaction Saturdays I'll give away one of my signature dishes for you to make at home. These crowd pleasing courses are crowd favorites and original. This way I won't feel bad plagiarizing the culinary pride of someone else.

Since I'm starting this little idea today... I'll begin with a starter.

Most of the time we make these while our guests arrive while everyone typically congregates in the kitchen but they can be made as a true first course or what we'll do in more formal settings an amuse bouche.

Blackened Shrimp on Dijon Brie Crostini

¼ cup of Olive Oil or cut with some Chili Oil or use 1 stick of unsalted butter.
1-2 lbs. of large devained shrimp
2-3 Tblsp. of  Paul Pruhdome’s Cajun seasoning
several limes cut in quarters
1-1½ lbs.  Good quality Brie cheese
Stone ground Dijon Mustard
I small French or Italian baguette

To Cook

1.     Cut baguette diagonally making ¼ slices . Place on cookie sheet and toast in oven at 300 until golden or toast on a grill pan. 
2.     In the same oven, now turned off, place the brie and let warm until soft.
3.     In a small sauté pan over high flame place 2 Tblsp. of oil and get hot, but not smoking.  Place enough shrimp in pan to cover the bottom.  Cook until the sides of the shrimp begin to turn pink, about 20 seconds. Sprinkle 1 tsp.  of the seasoning and turn in pan. Cook for another 20 seconds and shrimp should be completely pink.  Carefully, squeeze fresh lime juice on shrimp and quickly toss in pan (This will cause the oil to splatter.  Not only will this add flavor but will help remove some of the oily texture of the hot shrimp).
    -repeat till all the shrimp is cooked (note: Less oil and seasoning will be needed as you add more shimp) -

To Assemble

Spread desired amount of mustard on toast (this is Crostini). Spread desired amount of warm brie over mustard and finally place a shrimp over brie.

Finally, if you're a little daring...  you can deglaze the pan with a little tequila to loosen all the brown bits, add remaining butter or oil, (you will not need to salt and pepper) and drizzle on shrimp.

OMGsh! The balance of spice, and acid, soft and crunchy are are a marvelous way to begin any gathering with food... ad a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or dry Rose' and you'll impress you're friends for sure.

Bon appetite!

Comfort Food HITS, The Spot

Our friends Daniel and Kelly Parkins are in town. Dan will be team teaching with me in the morning over at Twin Oaks Church. I call Dan my little brother, he calls me big brother. We do this because of the confusion that results in getting our names confused... Dan Perkins / Dan Parkins. When we both worked at Southwest Community Church we would get each other's mail or voice messages all the time. Even my father called and left a message for Dan PArkins!

Anyway, tonight we took a few hours hanging out at one of my favorite restaurants in Silicon Valley. Actually, when you consider the restaurants that are a part of the restaurant group it is from, I'm pretty much in favor of eating at any of the establishments of the Hillstone Restaurant Group. These would include all of the Houston's Restaurants, my So Cal fav Bandera's in the OC , the hip Cherry Creek Grill in Denver and  of course my favorite of all, Rutherford Grill in Napa Valley. Honestly, of all the restaurants I've just described you would be hard pressed to find many differences other than menu selections and slight decor options. So, having the Los Altos Grill so close makes for a favorite local hang out for us.

What this moderately priced food establishment is known for is the rotisserie chicken, incredible cornbread, flavorful fish sandwiches, melt in your mouth ribs and an Oreo Cookie, ice cream dessert that will blow you away!

These places are very busy and don't take reservations so plan to hang out at the bar (where you most likely stand for a while) or go on an off night... like Tuesday!

The Los Altos Grill is located at 233 3rd St. Los Altos, CA 94022 - (650) 948-3524