Okay, are we the only people who actually had the air conditioner running the day after Christmas? I'm not complaining, mind you. I prefer the need to run the AC to cool the place down versus the need to run the heater. I have no qualms about the image of Santa being a fat guy in Bermuda shorts.
And because the weather cooperated, we finally got to make use of my wife's favorite little Christmas present, the Torpedo Dark Room Projector. She has been wanting one of these things for a while and I just kept thinking it would probably be a real waste of money. But, without going into great detail, we tracked one down at Super Target and the box had clearly been opened (a bad sign to me) and the audio cable was missing. Long story short, they sell on E-Bay for as much as $150, we paid $85 at your friendly Super Target.
Now don't get all giddy thinking that you can purchase one of these Torpedo projectors and hook it up as your new 70" wide screen television in your home theater. It is actually a toy for kids (yes, you get it in the toy department), and I'm not quite sure what the life expectancy will be for the bulb. Also, when they say "dark room", they aren't kidding. The day we bought it, we went into a bedroom, aimed it at the white wall and connected it to a DVD player. It wasn't that great at all because even with the curtains shut, it was still somewhat light outside. I just don't want anybody to get any ideas of avoiding the cost of your huge wide screen TV thinking that you'll buy one of these and invite the neighborhood over for the Superbowl.
But my wife had a different idea, and last night we enjoyed our first "drive-in movie night" out on our new deck. We put a white sheet over the railing of the upper deck in order to create a screen and set the projector on a box on the new deck. Instead of using the sound that is built into the projector (it really does sound like an old drive-in) we connected it to the sound system I purchased for my laptop. Awesome!
If you ever recall going to the Mission Drive-in when it was still open (or any drive-in for that matter), there is something different about watching a movie and feeling the slight breeze, hearing the sound of something off in the distance that isn't part of the movie, and occasionally looking up and seeing the stars. It just isn't the same experience as inside a movie theater with obnoxious teens chatting or texting on cell phones or an unruly brat kicking the back of your seat.
We did have one minor irritant; somebody down the street from us must have been having a party because they had on a really crappy boom box turned on pretty high. During quiet parts of the movie we could occasionally hear the high pitched sound of a crackly speaker (not unlike a drive-in movie) tuned to KZEP or maybe KONO. But I guess it would have been rude of me to crank-up the volume on our little sound system to play stereo wars. I would have surely won the battle, but other neighbors may not have enjoyed all the squeaks and beeps and whizzing sounds of Wall-e in full Dolby quality.
Just like the drive-in experience, my daughter brought us some Bill Miller chopped sandwiches, fries and a bucket of iced-tea for us to eat while enjoying the movie. That was always one of my favorite things about packing up the kids to go to the Mission. We would take an ice chest full of beverages and lots of snacks to munch on, though I do recall always going to the snack bar for some pop-corn or maybe a hot dog.
Anyway, I'm not sure how often we'll enjoy a movie on the deck, but it was a nice way to spend a mild winter evening with a slight breeze. And when we were done, we didn't have to wait in along line of cars to get out of the place - we just got up and walked inside. Into the air conditioned house.
A recent visitor to the Blog left a comment suggesting that we try The Lords Kitchen over off of I-35, south of Ft Sam Houston. That person didn't leave a name, but to whoever you are, thanks!
This little restaurant has been up for all sorts of local awards for awesome burgers and such. But the thing is, if you don't know where it is, or don't have the use of Garmin, you could simply drive right past it. And that would be a shame because tucked inside this tiny place sitting just feet from the railroad tracks, is a whole lot of yummy goodness.
TLK is small with limited parking, but once you get inside, you'll get the feeling of Little Hips or some other tiny burger joint.
The place is covered with pictures of regulars and there are several display cases of old toys and model cars and such, giving you lots to look at - and I like that in a place.
If you are worried that the name, Lords Kitchen, means you'll be dining in church pews and such, you won't. In fact, the radio played oldies from KONO and aside from the name, there is nothing to make The Lords Kitchen stand out as anything more than just a good place to eat.
And if you like Bobby J's burgers in Helotes, I can tell you you are going to love the freshly made jumbo sized burgers here. TLK hits on all cylinders with awesome onion rings, incredible French fries, and burgers that are made perfectly. I love it when someone is not afraid to put a little mayonnaise on a burger!
Our neighbors Gus and Ruby ordered up the 1/4 pounders and a large portion of onion rings for us to share. If you have any concerns about grease in your diet, don't get the onion rings. But if you love that flavor of a perfectly golden fried onion ring that simply melts in your mouth and explodes with sweet onion goodness, you are welcome to join the rest of us on the un-healthy heart diet. I love onion rings and these are some fine rings. If you go, you must get them.
The 1/4 pound burger is going to be sufficient for your normal dining visit. If you figure in the generous portions of fries or onion rings, you are not going to go hungry, I assure you. These are fresh ingredients and the important thing is, the fresh buns are grilled so when you get your burger, you feel as though it is something from the fifties, before the days of processed, pressed patties and assembly line burgers.
My wife had the lunch special including the 1/4 pound burger with fries. These are the fries where they take the potato and cut it, fry it up and serve them hot and delicious. We all tried them and we all agreed they were outstanding.
I am clearly going to weigh 300 pounds if I don't change my ways. But when I saw the 1 pound Lords Burger, I simply could not resist. I felt better about myself when I saw a guy a few tables away being served the 1 1/2 pound "Get Down" burger.
This thing is nothing short of wonderful. Instead of one huge patty, it is a double meat burger, not overcooked, and served with lettuce, onions, tomato, pickles and the aforementioned mayo with mustard. And in case you are wondering, yes, I ate the whole thing.
A few things you should think about before going. First, the parking is limited (we parked along the street across from the restaurant), and the place is small. I can easily see how you could go there and have to wait for a table. Also, it does take time to make huge burgers, so this isn't fast food. But I don't think we waited any longer than we have at most other good restaurants. 
Bottom line: get ready for an extremely Tasty Treat!
But my wife had a different idea, and last night we enjoyed our first "drive-in movie night" out on our new deck. We put a white sheet over the railing of the upper deck in order to create a screen and set the projector on a box on the new deck. Instead of using the sound that is built into the projector (it really does sound like an old drive-in) we connected it to the sound system I purchased for my laptop. Awesome!
