We had a decent, but, uninspired workout on a Sunday afternoon followed by a drive to a dumpy house for sale in a desirable neighborhood.
Janice and I walked around the property without a realtor, peaking into windows and matching rooms with the photos posted on the real estate website, thinking out loud about faults, fixes and visions.
I'm looking for a house and depending on the opportunity, it could be the dream home, a flipper or a transitional accommodation. Does the location merit stability, a sweat equity investment or a turn-key abode? Am I up for putting in 20-30 hours per week, every week to upgrade this property with my skills, sell and move-on at a profit or do I chill and hang out leaving my weekends open for adventure?
It all depends on Motivation and Goals, doesn't it?!
House Hunting or Cooking, we all have various interpretations of success.
In a corporate environment...time and money. Working in Senior Dining for Assisted Living communities, we had a budget for everything: labor, food cost, equipment. Corporate structure demanded adherence to published financial goals. We worked with the $5.25 per day, per resident for food cost only and excelled with batch cooking skills that would make any grandmother proud. The corporate menu was as uninspired as Cream of Wheat and a hard-boiled egg. Our guests weren't looking for 'Street Food' or con-'Fusion Food.' They wanted the same meals they grew up with in the 30s and 40s; the same food they raised their own families on. Preparing food in a corporate, senior living business was all about shaving that last nickel. At $4,000 per month for the luxury of living in the community, the Company allowed approximately $150 of that payment to go towards keeping Mom and Dad nutritionally satisfied. My crew and I did it very well with our financial hands tied behind our backs.
Company Motivation? The BenjaminZ!
Personal Motivation? Creating home-cooking for people in the twilight of their lives.
At the school district where I work in Nutrition Services, we are tasked with providing meals that fit the National School Lunch Program guidelines. There are budgets, recipes and labor schedules that require close attention and our Team endeavors daily to meet those goals. The head of our department, however, has a wonderful spirit of education and adventure! One of my favorite sounds is a question that starts like this:
"What can we do with this product?"
My breathing hastens and the mental drop down lists begin to fall. The conversation begins and the first few X-models are created.
"Can we make this allergen friendly?"
"How about another thickening agent to appeal to gluten-free students?"
"What kind of dairy substitute could we use?"
I love the challenge, but, with all candor, it can be a bit frustrating when I'm still thinking 'inside the Box.' What I've learned is the only thing hindering me is...Me. Get off the well-traveled path and start blazing a new trail of discovery, adventure and exciting tastes for kids. We OWE it to them to not only challenge their brains with Math, Science, Athletics and Music, but, it is our responsibility to expose them to taste experiences. Thai-style sauce made with Sunflower Butter instead of peanuts, but with fresh ginger, cilantro, rice vinegar and sesame oil is a WOW! waiting to happen for the students. We've sampled them and they LOVE it!
Motivation? Educating children's palates with Tastes of the World and hearing their approval.
At home...Siobhan and I spend time in the kitchen most often on a baking project. She's 12, a girl and she's 12, so, there is a ready supply of flour, sugar, eggs, baking soda, baking powder and chocolate chips. She is now versed on the use of measuring spoons, cups, a KitchenAid mixer and it's various attachments. Clean-up has been the greatest lesson learned so far; baking is fine, but, working clean and putting things back in place after the exercise is Golden for me! There is forward thinking and responsibility associated with making good things.
A warm, perfectly baked chocolate chip cookie is a creation borne from following directions, implementing subtle observation, and paying close attention to detail. Decent can be good and good can become great with our own dedication.
What's fun with Siobhan is looking and talking about what a "Perfect" cookie should be and how we can achieve that. We look at the edges, the center, the 'puff' of leavening, color and texture. When things go...not as expected, how can we adjust our methods to reach the desired outcome next time?
Perfection is always the goal, but, imperfect home made cookies are still de-LISH!
When the Boys come by we hang out in the kitchen, discussing a new brewery, their latest meal creation or plans for the future. The guys put into practice the hospitality they observed and were active participants growing up. Whether smoking ribs, making sausages, canning pickles or frying carnitas, my boys have applied those lessons to their own lives and share their love of cooking and hospitality with friends.
The Circle widens.
Making dinner with Janice is special time. While we may be starving after a late afternoon workout, it's the process of creating something together that is most satisfying for me. Usually, we meander down the Dinner Trail and take a couple hours before we sit down. She loves preparing the grill with a good brushing and takes the reigns on proteins. We taste things together and offer each other advice and encouragement. We sip wine and kiss in the kitchen, share stories of places we've lived and people we've known. Reminiscing of meals we could never re-create, but, still savor with the whiff of a familiar aroma, is a staple. When we plate-up, there are photos taken; when we sit together at the table, we holds hands, pray in thanksgiving for our daily blessings and kiss once again.
Preparing meals, is it Work, Play or Love?
It can be either; doing it for a paycheck, making it an activity or gathering because of Love.
I choose Love.
Take care, God bless and remember:
"Food, Faith, Family and Friends,
the Best Things in Life Aren't Things!"
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