One GIANT STEP

This is the color of the building as Tim sprays. Unfortunately the shot of the whole building did not come out. So will share that one next time. Tim said satin sheen is more durable. He also told us some sealers can not be painted over.
After the building was painted we had a steady stream of neighbors drop by and say they liked the color or it looked good.

I can tell you it is a giant step toward our opening the store but one of many needed to finish the lengthy list of to dos we still have.

Stephen is searching for a door man for us. Bill is still waging a loosing battle with the poision ivy that just keeps coming back. We are trying to find a 30 by 30 space on this property to build a cottage that does not cross over a water line, electric line or pole, gas line, sewer line or obstruct our ability to do business. It will require a miracle only Mother Theresa could manage but still there is hope.

Bill has some vision a neighbor will sell us a plot of land close to the store but I am focused on the store that seems to have it's own problems stacked too high to see over.

In addition to the miracle of paint we got to eat the Bar B Q Bill made and it was wonderful again. That is three successful Bar B Q Ribs he has produced. Tasty enough thinking about them makes you hungry and yummy everytime.

Men like to BarBQ

Men will cook

if danger is involved

John Wayne

How many brothers fit on a log?

Exterior Paint 101 and Four Brothers

THANK YOU Timothy! Also thank Stephen, Michael and William who all contributed hours of their time and received little more than a scorching sunburn for their work. What would we ever do without the generosity of our children? We are very blessed.

To paint a 38 year old steel building Timothy tells us we will need to power wash it after every bolt is tightened and sealed. Of course he actually does most of this labor himself but he does get a bit of help from his three brothers. Power washing begins on the roof and finishes on the sides. This is followed by spraypainting the sides and back. The roof is saved for another trip and the front of the building must be delayed because of new siding materials the humidity is really high and the heat is intense sunburning my arms and I am on the ground manning the camera trying to look like this is helping.

The three brothers help with verbal commands and jokes while Timothy does a professional job in record time. The Dad manages to clear the sides of grass and trash. He also hauls off the third but not last truck full of trash. He burns limbs and wood for two days and we are beginning to see the mountain shrink.

Dish Issues

How many Christophers does it take to unscrew a ceiling fan? Three, one Dad to hold the screw driver and two sons to turn the ladder. This coming trip is all about our son Timothy organizing us into a paint screw tightener sealer washer crew. His own little family army of parents and siblings. As a side venture we hope to get the old ceiling fans down and possibly new ones up.
http://www.acemart.com/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=C9
Some of the planning for serving food involves plates bowls and cups. So on our 26th anniversary we were crusing the asiles of resturant supply in Arlington. We were sticker shocked by exactly how much those plates cost! The bill for a divided plate 11" by 1" deep and bowls to match with a complimentary color mug for coffee runs over 500 dollars with out tax or shipping added. OUCH! This is double what I had budgeted based on what dishes for a home usually cost.
http://catalog.carlislefsp.com/dinnerware.html
Here is a break down on our conclusions about what to buy. A round plate 9 to 10 inches with several serving dishes for sides is not only difficult to pass and carry it is far more expensive almost double. The question of what will fit on a plate and what colors look most appetizing or coordinate with the store or keep our country look were all considerations. The mugs were easy. A big mug easy to fill and carry, comfortable to hold and classic style made it a no brainer but you would be surprised at exactly how difficult that can be to find.
http://www.servu-online.com/Bar-Refrigeration-Restaurant-Refrigeration/Commercial-Refrigerators.asp
Pottery was our first choice but plastic won out when we considered dishes in the sink to wash and possible dropped or chipped. The color was set when we found some crock style pictures in several sizes. They have a speckled finish with a deeper color inside and will help make the plastic seem a bit more homey, we got one size for the syrup and one for the BBQ sauce we have not yet developed. Please note we bought Texas/US/AMERICAN when ever possible and European as a second choice. No made in China if possible.

We had to consider the size of each meat and side as well as color so the food looked appealing. We discovered the ribs we have settled on were large and needed a good deal of space, pickles are long, slaw can be mounded and beans run everywhere, so inch deep plates were needed. We decided on cloth napkins that are generous, country colors and can double as a bib and will wrap the fork and spoon. The cloth napkins will also help soften the plastic plates.

Some ways we will save money initially are no buns or sandwiches just a bread (type as yet undetermined). All sugar creamer and other sweetener will be in a server on each table we found on sale at the rest-sup store. No glasses or urns for tea (plan to add these after we get store up and running). Menu is set at certain items we will always serve (while other items will come later reducing costs of what ingredients we will need on hand and hopefully have a few excellent items).

We have reduced the amount we need to spend on ref and frez units by half after discovering some nice smaller units we plan to refill as needed and will definitely help with opening the store where we went from over 4000 to over 2000. Great savings!

The never ending saga of the missing septic tank continues. We continue to dig and pray alternately.

The paint we are using on the store is a whole subject by its self and I will get to that with pictures after this long weekend. But think space and beyond.

The Fathers Day Anniversary and Bills upcoming Birthday were covered by ordering these items: 18 quart roaster oven, 12 cup food processer and unique waffle iron. I do not think the Amazon people have their act together and will avoid ordering from them again. Polite but inept would be my verdict. Saved a good deal of money by sticking to white and black appliances that will hopefully look clean. Costs about 200 dollars, another owie!

Have abandoned the idea of staining the floor even with professional son labor that costs hugs and all the Dr Peppers he can drink it is just money we don't have.

We are testing the ribs on our paint crew. Bill has prepared them twice and had is chewing bones and begging for more. But this is our first real test as kids at home are easier. Big kids and Grand kids verdict are most telling for future as their taste buds change once they leave home.

Steppin Up

Michael and moma were at the store finishing up painting for the overhead and counter cabinets. We put in one long day and a few extra hours. But the cabinets are getting there. With a country look the trick is to be worn but not dilapidated. Kind of like old blue jeans and knowing when they are cool and when to recycle into a pillow. These cabinets were close to a pillow as you can get but a tub of wood filler and sanding till you choke does wonders. One of these cabinets was Van Brock's original counter and it made us glad to save it. The Brock family is intertwined with mine on so many levels.

The David L Brock family settled in Kanawha about 1895. He was married to Lucy Hulsey both born in Georgia. They had seven children. My grandmothers oldest sister Swan Elizabeth Walker married Henry Washington Brock, David's oldest son. Another son George Reese Brock married Battle Boulware, my Grandfathers older sister. Still another son William Davis Brock married into the Walker family. His wife Maud Walker was my grandmothers cousin. These good families are buried at Kanawha Cemetery.

Research about whether we need a partnership or sole owner is going slowly. There are advantages to both. Sometime between now and next year we need to resolve the issues.

The cooking what to cook how to cook it and serve it is more complex than we first imagined. Bill experimented with a BarBQ rub that made us all hungry for more. We are trying to weigh these different aspects.

1. Cost to make vs what someone could resonably be expected to pay.

2. A product that is somewhat original and difficult enough someone would not likely cook it for themselves on a regular basis.

3. Something we can consistantly do without crying and screaming or giving up.

4. Foods that are healthy after being prepared.

5. A way to heat and cool foods on hold for customers.

6. A way to keep food sanitary but visible.

7. Food laws and regulations.

We will not be frying food though we know Cathy's burgers were very popular. The doctor says bake, broil, grill and boil. Since Bill and I anticipate spending 12 to 14 hour days in the store we must be able to eat this food also. God bless Cathy's fortitude for standing on her feet all day, besides we know the Novice burgers are somewhat famous and we are not here to compete but to offer a choice.

Billie Bell was right about that pile of tree parts we have beside the store. It has been too windy to burn them and we do not want to be known as the couple who burned down half of Kanawha. Trying to start this store while living three hour drive away is like trying to give birth with out being pregnant. I want say it can't be done with adoption and all but it takes twice as long and the interim time sure leaves your drawers hangin out for everyone to see.

I am trying to collect pictures of the folks around this area in cluding Kiamichi so we can display them in the store possibly have some genealogy records to share with anyone interested. I have about ten years of searching combined with what some other generous people have given me. I owe a great deal of my success to those who shared their labors of love.

We went to see my Aunt Jane (King) Boulware before we left. She is still such a pretty thing even at 94. I know she misses Ernest. Me too.

In a few days we will converge on Kanawha with a face lift part one in mind for the store. Our son Timothy will be painting the store top and sides. The face will be later.