Extreme Home Makeover in Salado, Texas

In December James got the information on the Extreme Home Makeover being filmed in Salado.  He was asked to be one of the caterers for the event.  What an honor and an overwhelming experience this proved to be.  The house was built for one of the soldiers who was shot at Fort Hood during that tragic event last year.  He was shot four times, once to the head.  I believe that I had heard that he had been home from Afghanistan for a short period.  What a tragedy this was for all involved.  The extreme makeover people picked Salado not only for it's location to his outpatient needs, but because they felt like the city would take care of him and his family.  This is such a complement for Salado.  I liked the town before then and now I really like it.  James was asked to furnish food for the night crew and given that he is nocturnal (and has been since birth) this worked out great.  I believe that most of the times began at 2 AM.  There was one time which his Dad, Grandmother and myself were privileged be at, and we there until 10 PM.  We would serve 200 at a time.  The workers would come and go as their shift either stopped or had a break.  They housed us in a large tent with tables and chairs.  There also was a coffee bar, carbonated beverages, Blue Bell ice cream and a massage chair.  At any given time tables were full of coming and going volunteers.  In visiting with the people who came to our table (I can talk to anyone!) there were people from all over Bell County.  One man was an attorney and his wife was a nurse at Scott and White.  She came on her time off and he closed his office for the day.  He was picked to make the headboard for the bed in the Master Bedroom and was able to us a skill from a previous life!.  Another woman lived on base and was just minutes away from arriving there with her children as the shooting took place.  She felt sad, but blessed that she was late. She and her children would have been in the line of fire.  There were tables of soldiers that were there volunteering their time for obvious reasons and were soooooo appreciative of the food.  In all, the people were very giving.  They had food 24/7 and it was all donated.  James was able to get Michelle at US Foods to donate the food for him to use.  And even Enterprise of Georgetown gave us a VERY good rate on a van to carry the food back and forth.
We also visited with the security guards that are part of the 65 member paid crew that travel from place to place.  We had to be escorted to the tent.  They too were overwhelmed by the generosity of Salado and the people who were there.

 It was interesting to hear just how the entire operation is run.  There are people who arrive early to speak with the city, police, fire department and neighbors.  No detail is left out.  I never thought about the neighbors.  But while we were there at night, everything was lit up like day.  Because it was close to Christmas, there were even a few cedar trees with Christmas lights.  There were neighbors standing within the fenced in areas watching, all of them I saw were enjoying themselves.  If you were a volunteer you parked on HI 35 close to the trailer manufacturer and they had buses that carried the people over there.   James had said that we would easily see where to go and man was he right.  There must have been 10 large tents set up and then the house was completely illuminated.  It was just the third day and the outside of the house was completely finished and they were working on the driveway.
What a privilege it was for us to be a part of this.  Soldiers are one of our loves at the restaurant.  About a year ago our daughter Elizabeth set up a program where we honor the soldiers that come into the restaurant.  Some sneak past us if there is no uniform or they don't say anything but I think we get most.  We have some wonderful friends who contribute to this effort.  At Silver and Stone the role that these people play in our country hopefully never goes unnoticed. 
The show is supposed to air in February.  You can go to Extreme Home makeover-Salado to get the date and times.  This has always been one of our favorite shows and this event confirmed that.   I know that the Lord has his hand in this entire endeavor.   Since I am still computer challenged, I can't figure out a way to get our pictures to post.  But within a few days you can go to our web site silverstonerestaurant.com and see them.  My New Years goal is to overcome what my kids did in Kindergarten.

New Year's Eve

Wow, what a wonderful way to end the year 2010.  I had gone up to the restaurant at 4:00 (first seating was at 5:00) to take my star balloons.  There was already a lot of energy there and I knew it would be a good night.   Our theme was New York, New York and I choose different color balloons to put through the restaurant.  We had to take down one of the Christmas Trees to give more room on the floor for guests but the remaining white lights with the colored balloons gave a mystical affect throughout.  We were treated to  a different menu from Chef James along with some favorites.  Sweet breads, Peach soup, and Pork belly all seem a little out there for Georgetown but everyone around raved about the menu.  I don't know what was in the middle of the peach soup but I have never eaten anything as fresh and good.  I know that it is very hard to figure out what will be good and yet different.  I watch him go over the menu for long periods of time to make sure that it is just right.  It is always a little risky when something different is tried.  I feel very fortunate that I have tried something different in my life now instead of the usual steak and potatoes. 
When I stepped back from having fun with our wonderful friends, what I saw was laughter and enjoyment on people's faces.  You have to know that it made me feel very proud.  I know that we are the right track with the restaurant with a sophisticate but comfortable style.  After we had been there for only an hour the band was in place and playing.  We were very blessed to have Vinson and Lee.  They are a jazz band out of Austin and are regulars for us mainly in the summer months when we can sit outside.  They played way pass the midnight hour of kissing and champagne. 
Tonight's blog is all about the food and fun of Silver and Stone Restaurant on New Year's Eve.  I was in awe of how our team pulled together and made it a great night.  We are blessed to have a team that truly cares about people and hospitality.  I will talk later about just how you get to the point we are at and where do we need to go.  It is a very difficult business and you really have to enjoy making people happy.  That is what we like to do.  To make everyone happy all the time is the perfect dream and I believe that my son can do it.  In my life I never dreamed that we would own a restaurant and that I would get to participate in it as I do.  I am always very tired when I get home but I love it.  It is great to be the Mom.