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ELEVATE EVERYTHING

LIFESTYLE LETTER

NOVEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER

Hann Livingston | hann.livingston@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Giving Thanks THIS YEAR'S THANKFULNESS ISSUE HOLDS EVEN GREATER MEANING. We have been through a lot and, frankly, we all feel a little beat up. For me, that has led to reflection and an even greater appreciation for all that I have and a better understanding of things that I have taken for granted. Being in the moment has become

Melinda Gipson | melinda.gipson@lifestylepubs.com ACCO UNT MANAGER

Suzanne Otwell | suzanne.otwell@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Matthew Endersbe L AYO UT DESIGNER

Kelsey Proctor

part of my daily life. Simple pleasures like watching the sun rise or seeing my dog play are that much more important to me. My friends and family feel more dear. Despite all of the challenges, we are blessed with living. In a pandemic, the concept of life and death becomes all the more clear. Gratitude, I've found, holds the key to how we handle the obstacles life brings us. We can be grateful for the smallest things no matter how bad things seem. And it is that gratitude that brings us the positivity to forge ahead. In No Mud, No Lotus, Thich Nhat Hanh sums it up this way, "Many of us slog through life without conscious awareness or intention. We set ourselves a course and we barrel ahead, without stopping to ask whether this path is fulfilling our most important goals. That's partly because many of us believe that happiness is not possible in the here and now. We think we need to struggle now so that we will be happy in the future. So we postpone happiness and try to run into the future and attain the conditions of happiness that we don't have now."

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

It is profound in its simplicity. We always have the now and what are we doing

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

this moment, not being miserable about the past or paralyzed by some dystopian

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

version of the future. Generosity and giving is rooted in gratitude. If we appreciate

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what we have, no matter what that is, we can grasp our basic human need to help and to give and find our true purpose as human beings.

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Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Leesburg Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Leesburg areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Leesburg Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE NOVEMBER 2020

FEATURES 14 A Dogâ€™s Journey to A Forever Home Bringing a Lifetime of Companionship to Homes in Northern Virginia

20 Setting His Sights Higher Brian Balik's loves of nature and photography have spawned a slew of booming businesses

26 The Heart of a Builder: How a Foundation of Gratitude Builds Both Exceptional Homes and Community

32 The Thanksgiving Next Door Chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin has partnered with

32 14

LoudounGo to prepare locally-sourced Thanksgiving Day meals to take away

20 DEPARTMENTS 10

Lifestyle Letter

Giving Back

20 Inspired By 26 Our Town 32 Culinary Creations 38 Renovate & Refine 43 Faith Reflections

GIVING BACK ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY ANNETTE ANDERSON

A Dogâ€™s Journey to A Forever Home

BRINGING A LIFETIME OF COMPANIONSHIP TO HOMES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Reagan, a 6-yr-old Labrador Retriever / Great Pyrenees Mix gives Patti a goodby snuggle

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

PULLING UP ALONG A SUBURBAN STREET ON A FOGGY SATURDAY MORNING, MINE IS THE LAST CAR IN A LINE OF A DOZEN VEHICLES FULL OF EXCITED FOSTER FAMILIES. They’re all awaiting a van transporting more than 60 puppies and adult dogs from Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. It’s A Forever Home’s bi-weekly delivery of warm, furry happiness. The van has traveled some 24 hours straight to bring its charges from southern rescue organizations, many of whom are filling a desperate need for shelters that have closed due to the pandemic. In Mississippi, in particular, whole litters of unwanted puppies are routinely deposited by the side of the road. When they are found by animal lovers in the A Forever Home Network, they are provided with medical care

Ridgely holds NIna, a Shepherd / Collie Mix Age: 8 weeks Gender: Female "The Neshoba 6"

and their information shared with the organization in Northern Virginia. Locally, AFH volunteers then activate their lists of more than 2,300 foster families to find a warm and loving home willing to care for the animals until they can be adopted. Happily, many won’t wait long! Co-founder Maribel Taylor-Mattox says that there are probably enough

Haughton holds Nathan, a Shepherd / Collie Mix Age: 8 weeks Gender: Male of "The Neshoba 6"

applications on file to adopt every one of the dogs in the September 26 transport, or there will be as soon as their irresistible photos hit the group’s website https://www.aforeverhome.org/. If there is any silver lining at all in quarantine, it is that people are both starved for companionship and have the time at home to puppy train! “Beagles especially just fly out of here,” says AFH photographer Annette Anderson. Pointing at the Neppl family (mom Randy, son Haughton, 11, and daughter Ridgely, 10), she says, “This is the Neppl’s second litter in three weeks!” Randy chimes in that she personally got involved with the group when they went to New Orleans to rescue homeless dogs after Katrina, and says, “It was life changing.” When Haughton turned nine and asked for dog toys to donate to AFH instead of the usual kid presents, fostering litters became a family affair.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

GIVING BACK (CONTINUED)

Besides all the expected warmth and love the animals bring their family, Randy points to the uncommon lessons these extraordinary dogs can teach her kids. (See https://www. ourafhfosters.org/our-prior-fosters for a neat demonstration in beagle mothering.) Annette is quick to say that she knows as an adoptive dog owner how much the volunteers and owners benefit, but hastens to add, “We’re in it for the dogs.” For example, the group’s adoption contract stipulates that if the adoption isn’t working out or the adoptive owner is ever not able to care for their dog, they must return it to AFH.

Johnny Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix Age: 7 weeks Gender: Male Cute little Johnny is yet another unwanted puppy from Mississippi.

Patti Stinson, the shelter liaison and volunteer coordinator looks up from her checklist to explain, “We want lifetime commitments from people. Our goal is to find good, long term, forever homes for

Bobby Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix Age: 7 weeks Gender: Male One of the "Singleton 8" seeking a forever home

every single animal.” There may be a few valid reasons to have to give up a pet, but “99% of our adopters will do anything for their animals.... It’s why we say, ‘Welcome to the AFH family!’” When a family adopts a dog from A Forever Home, it is certifiably healthy and has had all its shots. Many puppies and dogs are both crate-trained and potty-trained. In fact, you might say A Forever Home both prepares the dogs for a home and the homes for a dog! The group recently celebrated its 18th year as what may be the largest foster-family based rescue organization on the East Coast. It all began with a personal credit card, a rummage sale, and the idea that there was a better way to manage animal rescues. Maribel says she and her sister Carmen Cline first volunteered for several rescue and shelter operations, but were disappointed with a general lack of organization and medical care for the animals they encountered.

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

Poppi Breed: Bulldog Mix Age: 12 months Gender: Female Poppi is a seriously cute old Bulldog mix. A sweet, shy girl who gets along with kids and other dogs.

Buster Breed: Labrador Retriever Mix Age: 7 weeks Gender: Male "The Singleton 8"

Sammy Breed: Beagle Mix Age: 2 years. Sammy is a sweet boy found on a road in rural Mississippi. He gets along with other dogs.

Convinced there was a better way, Carmen created a strict protocol for the care of puppies and pregnant mother dogs that virtually eliminated deaths due to virulent diseases like Canine Parvovirus that can kill puppies with only minimal exposure to an infected animal. Nearly two decades and 14,376 adoptions later, they have proven a model that saves lives, and have even reformed the practices of the shelters with which they interact. The more puppies thrive, the greater the need for good homes. (If the dog you fall in love with on these pages is taken, don’t worry, there are always more!) Randy can hardly contain her praise for the group. “Our whole family is learning

Visit http://aforeverhome.org to see dogs and cats available for adoption, to volunteer or to donate. Every dime of the $425 adoption fee goes to cover medical care, food or transport, and around $300,000 more is needed for annual support.

so much watching these dogs interact. And when the kids grow up and look back on this crazy time, we hope they remember more than online classes and Zoom playdates. Plus, to be honest, it’s hard to feel stressed about life when you’re surrounded by puppies!”

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

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INSPIRED BY

BRIAN BALIK'S LOVES OF NATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHY HAVE SPAWNED A SLEW OF BOOMING BUSINESSES

SETTING HIS SIGHTS HIGHER ARTICLE KRISTIN ROCK | PHOTOGRAPHY BRIAN BALIK

BEARS. SNAKES. ALLIGATORS. The things that make

the 21-person team gets a few more hours of sleep.

other people run away draw Brian Balik in to take a

If it’s going to be a clear day, they check their gear

closer look. Brian, 27, grew up in Sterling, and began

and fan out, armed with specially equipped drones

his career as a naturalist, teaching school-aged day

and a list of spots to photograph. That list may have

campers about Virginia’s plants and animals. As “Balik

as many as 900 locations to shoot for paying clients

Outdoors,” he offered bear tours and wildlife tracking

or be intended to bulk up their catalogue. A few thou-

across the country. One company became four, plus a

sand photos later, the team gathers at its Middleburg

nonprofit. His mother ship, Above Loudoun, is now one

office to edit, categorize, and share.

of the county’s fastest-growing businesses, bringing new perspective to a familiar landscape.

Social sharing is a big key to Above Loudoun’s success. While the rest of us “sheltered in place” this spring,

Funnily enough, the inspiration for Above Loudoun

Brian and his team roamed Loudoun, connected only

came from a trip to the other side of the continent. Brian

through the company’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

went to Alaska to photograph fish -- and yes, bears --

Each day a new batch of aerial photos hit Facebook,

using a drone camera. He remarked on the beauty of

with special posts to local groups. Print sales and

the Kenai River and a local who had visited Leesburg

licensing deals popped, followed by a coffee table book,

countered with, “You live in a really beautiful area. I have

postcards, and then a calendar. Brian views the photos

never seen anything like fall in Virginia.”

as love letters to Loudoun’s towns and farms, intended

He returned from the trip and began flying his drone,

to remind us of the extraordinary beauty of the place we

not to track a lost dog in Purcellville or migrating birds

call home. As he puts it, “Above Loudoun is such a hit

in Aldie, but simply to see a local farm from a new

because we forget just how spectacular this place is.

angle. Using high-tech weather and wildlife sensors,

When we change our perspective, we can appreciate

his photos of the Peacock Barn capture an incredible

the land, the nature, the communities.”

piece of land, a spectacular sunset, and the heart of everyone who sees the image.

Meanwhile, the company’s social media success prompted Above Loudoun to hire tech talent for

A typical day at the company starts at 4 a.m. with

design work and to advance its social media strat-

meteorological texts. If it’s going to be cloudy or foggy,

egy. Brian saw the opportunity to share those skills CONTINUED >

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

The red barn that started it all. This iconic shot inspired the creation of Above Loudoun

Surveying the Vines at Breaux Vineyards

“ABOVE LOUDOUN IS SUCH A HIT BECAUSE WE FORGET JUST HOW SPECTACULAR THIS PLACE IS. WHEN WE CHANGE OUR PERSPECTIVE, WE CAN APPRECIATE THE LAND, THE NATURE, THE COMMUNITIES.”

Sunset over Purcellville: West Main Street in Purcellville bathed in the evening glow

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED) Bear Chase Brewery is a favorite after-work hangout for Brian

with outside clients leading to the launch of Balik Social Media Management. The non-profit pet-finder grew from hundreds of requests for their thermal-sensing drones to help find lost dogs or cats.

The best place to catch the sunset is just over the mountain

Lately, Above Loudoun is looking up as well as down. The company took a series of night sky photos that revealed a jaw-dropping view of the Milky Way from Bear Chase Brewery in Bluemont, and now offers it as a backdrop for portraits. Relying on several staff meteorologists, the company also started storm chasing in the Midwest’s tornado alley for major media companies. Brian watches weather patterns pass over the elevations in western Loudoun, and when a storm builds up, he sends teams out ahead of the front to get into position. Check out Above Loudoun’s Instagram account or Facebook page for some eye-catching results. Following storms, coyotes, and clients, Brian Balik has grown his love for Loudoun into a full-blown success by every measure. If you’re counting, Brian has one other company that he’s been quiet about, leaving us to speculate on his next entrepreneurial adventure. But don’t expect him to go too far afield. Though he’s traveled extensively (only missing five of the 50 states) and is in talks with top media companies in nature photography and television, he says he wouldn’t live anywhere else. For Brian, happiness is found off the beaten path, windows down and music up, on the backroads of Philomont. Above Loudoun prints are available at facebook.com/aboveloudoun or call 571-244-5851. Postcards and the calendar can be found at the Very Virginia Shop in Leesburg. 22

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

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THE HEART OF A BUILDER: HOW A FOUNDATION OF GRATITUDE BUILDS BOTH EXCEPTIONAL HOMES AND COMMUNITY

ARTICLE MELINDA GIPSON PHOTOGRAPHY MEGAN WAGONER

MAYBE THE BIGGEST LESSON COVID

I realized, is so that I can create for our clients

Women’s Shelter (LAWS), which fights

HAS TAUGHT US IS THAT ALL THAT

that same environment for their families.”

against domestic violence and abuse.

WE ARE, WE LEARNED AT HOME. It

So, you might say that it’s out of grati-

“We picked these organizations because

was at home, as a first-generation son of

tude that he decided to commemorate the

we felt they addressed conditions that have

Irish-born parents that Matt Bowe’s dream

15th year of Matthew Bowe Design Build

to exist for a great home life. I’ve always had

of being a builder took shape. His 15th

by giving back to the community that has

a wonderful home life, going back to the way

year of building and renovating homes in

supported him for so long. Beginning in

I was raised by my parents to the home that

and around Loudoun County gave him

May, he announced that he planned to

my wife and I have created for our children and

the opportunity to reflect on what brings

donate $1,500 for every new client that

now grandchildren.” Appreciating how blessed

meaning to the work he does.

came on board, distributing it among

he’s been, he realizes, “That is not the case for a

“Home has always been a sanctuary for

three charities: Tree of Life Ministry, rep-

lot of people; home is not that wonderful place

me,” he said. “It’s where we share family meals

resenting food security; Loudoun Habitat

that they can escape to and shut the world out.”

with loved ones and where we’ve celebrated;

for Humanity, which is committed to hous-

It soon became apparent that Matt’s

it’s been a place of peace. The reason I build,

ing stability; and the Loudoun Abused

$1,500 pledge was really intended all along

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

Matt Bowe Revels in the Bustle of a Construction Site

to be a $15,000 commitment spread among

life in such a way that you’re about serving

continue to pour it out. He wants me to be

the three charities over the course of his

others, then good things flow”

a conduit and to use the natural gifts He’s

15th anniversary year, and that gaining new

He calls the current pandemic and social

given me. Everyone has to find that balance

business wasn’t going to be a condition of

turmoil “spiritually oppressive for our coun-

of supplying their needs and then allowing

fulfilling this commitment.

try,” but adds, “I just try to maintain a spirit

the surplus to flow through to others.”

“Everyone knows the adage it’s better to give than to receive. Everyone can recall

of gratitude. It only takes a moment to pause and consider the suffering of others.”

In the meantime, he gets to do what he loves, which is building. “Beyond what a

an instance when they reached out to meet

One of his favorite biblical parables is

home can become, I love building, I love the

someone’s need and were blessed by it.

the Parable of the Three Servants. A man

construction, the hectic bustle of a job site,

You don’t do it for that reason, but you can

gives each of his three servants money

and the problem solving, I just love doing it.”

expect [a positive outcome] because, in my

to steward, and to the one who best mul-

“There are other builders building grander

mind, that’s when you’re fully in line with

tiplied those resources, he gave more. It

houses in the county,” Matt says, but what

how God created us. If you know Christ, if

may be less scriptural, but another favorite

his team of seven employees does is dif-

you know God, and if you are aligning your

adage is, “God can’t fill my cup unless I

ferent. Every project involves every team CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

OUR TOWN (CONTINUED)

“THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING UNIQUE THAT SPEAKS TO THE OWNER. I’M NOT SAYING WE CAN MAKE EVERYTHING HAPPEN BUT SO FAR, WE HAVE ALWAYS FOUND A WAY.”

member from start to finish, so there’s a plan in place for

the salvaged logs of the original cabin. When re-in-

every design element from the ground up prior to con-

stalled on the walls of the new living room, complete

struction – every decision is extremely well documented

with chinking between the planks, and tobacco wood

and managed, with a tight budget control process.

flooring, the home’s living room will still feel like the

All that goes back to the concept of being a good

original log cabin. “It’s a bit quirky for a Queen Anne

steward and – no surprise here – of emulating his par-

Victorian,” but it meant the world to the homeowners

ents’ work ethic. Because most of Matt’s clients are 60

who desired to hold onto the character of the original

or older, they’re often “downsizing” into a home that will

home and to imagine all the generations, past and

be a perfect fit. They place a high value on quality and

future, who are warmed by that same fireplace.

durability, which translates to lower maintenance and

“For us that’s a typical project,” Matt says with a

lower operating costs. “That’s a big focus of what we

smile, “there’s always something unique that speaks to

do...each client trusts us with a considerable investment

the owner. I’m not saying we can make everything hap-

that took a lifetime to accumulate and asks us to make

pen but so far, we have always found a way,” whether

their dream come true. We want to honor that trust by

it’s to preserve a 200 year old fireplace or dig and pour a

providing them with the best experience and the most

new foundation and basement under Middleburg’s his-

value possible,” Matt says.

toric Goodstone Inn, installing a new kitchen, all while

The firm is very careful about how many projects it takes

the Inn was in operation.

on, building just five to six projects per year, depending on

“They can be brutal but I love them because they

the mix of remodeling versus new construction, but Matt

require you diving in and figuring it out in a way that

admits a fondness for projects that present a challenge.

most people can’t see is possible. I am driven by what

Just the latest example: When a house in Lovettsville

is possible,” Matt explains.

burned down, the owners wanted to reconstruct the

In short, to properly weigh a decade and a half of

Queen Anne Victorian...reimagined for today’s more

accomplishment by Matthew Bowe Design Build, you

open spaces but without losing its historic “heart.” That

must go deeper than the cursory curbside view. We cel-

heart consisted of an original 1800-era log cabin, com-

ebrate how Matt’s foundation of gratitude and service to

plete with fireplace and chimney. After the fire, all that

others can fuel a passion to see what’s possible, and then

stood was that fireplace and chimney, but Matt couldn’t

make it happen. whether that’s building extraordinary,

find trades who wanted to undertake the challenge of

unique homes or an even more exceptional community.

underpinning it with a new foundation.

Eventually, a plan was developed and a team was

See https://matthewbowedesignbuild.com/ or follow their

assembled and through painstaking shoring, excavation

unique projects on facebook. You can learn more about the char-

and underpinning, the fireplace was saved. Matt also

ities Matt supports at http://www.tolministries.org/, https://

brought in a in a sawyer to mill live-edge planks from

www.loudounhabitat.org/, and https://www.lcsj.org/.

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

Preserving the Hearth

Downsizing in Style

Casting the Vision

A Porch Worth Living In

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

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Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

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CULINARY CREATIONS

t he t ha n ksg iv in g nex t door CHEF ERIK FOXX-NETTNIN HAS PARTNERED WITH LOUDOUNGO TO PREPARE LOCALLY-SOURCED THANKSGIVING DAY MEALS TO TAKE AWAY ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY ALEX PONCE DE LEON

Thanksgiving To Go

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

Chef Erik Foxx-Nettnin, aka "The Polished Foxx"

WE WENT LOOKING FOR A FEW GREAT RECIPES MADE FROM LOCAL INGREDIENTS AND HIT THE JACKPOT WITH A FULL MENU FROM CHEF ERIK FOXX-NETTNIN, FORMERLY OF MAGNOLIA’S AT THE MILL IN PURCELLVILLE AND NOW PARTNERED WITH LOUDOUNGO AND THE RESTAURANT AT PAWTOMACK FARM. Rather than hold back, we’re sharing his full menu as well as where the ingredients may be found, if you’re in a foraging mood.

menu + 5-lb. Whiffletree Farm organic free range Virginia turkey, sage butter basted and dressing stuffed + Shiloh Farm and endless summer harvest mixed green and roasted local beet salad, pickled shallot, heirloom tomatoes, Locksley Farmstead Fromage Blanc, sweet spiced pistachio brittle, Cabernet Sauvignon vinaigrette + Organic Brussels sprouts and local lardon casserole, cranberries, local candy onions, Shiloh Farm peppered honey + Candied local yams, local honey, Virginia hickory syrup, and Amish butter + David Lay Farms green bean and crispy onion casserole, and misty meadow mushroom gravy + Buttermilk and roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Amish butter, and Virginia potatoes

Thanksgiving Turkey

+ Springhouse Farm sausage and farmer David's apple stuffing, fresh sage, brioche and focaccia + Cranberry sauce L'Orange + David Lay Farms Danish apple crumb pie

d i rec t ion s

+ Fresh baked yeast rolls and salted Amish honey butter

1. Toast your peppercorns, bay leaves and garlic at 275˚

+ Roasted turkey giblet Bordelaise

for 8 minutes to wake up the flavors. Add them to a large

l a rge f ree ra n ged org a n ic t u rkey

stock pot and fill with 1 1/2 gallons water as well as salt and sugar and bring to a boil and turn off to rest for 10 minutes. Be sure all of your sugar and salt has melted. Feel free to add any seasonings you like for your turkey in addition or in place of the above -- things like crushed red pepper, jalapeños, fresh sage etc.

i n g re d ient s

2. Remove your turkey from its packaging and check for giblets, necks etc. Place it in your old grade tub on a steady surface. Pour your hot brine over the turkey and let

+ 1 1/2 cup of turbinado sugar

rest for about 20 minutes before refrigerating. Allow the

+ 3/4 cup of kosher salt

brine to flavor your bird for 24 hours. When ready to roast,

+ 1/3 cup toasted peppercorns

remove from brine and allow to drain. Pat all of the skin dry.

+ 6 toasted bay leaves

Drizzle and massage your favorite olive oil and or melted

+ 8 sprigs of fresh thyme

butter, bacon lard, etc. Salt and pepper evenly and in the

+ 1 quartered orange

oven she goes for about 3.5 hours at 275˚. For the last 10

+ 1/4 cup rough chopped roasted garlic

minutes, crank the temperature up to 375˚ to brown and

+ 1 1/2 gallon water

crisp. Before doing this, however, it’s best to check the

+ 5 gallon food grade container with lid

temperature at the breast and thigh joint to ensure at least

+ Large stock pot

155˚-160˚. Let it rest for 10 minutes and slice away! CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

CULINARY CREATIONS (CONTINUED)

Japanese Yams

c a nd ied bou rbon ya m s i n g re d ient s + 3 lbs sweet potatoes - peeled and diced into about 1 - 1 1/2” pieces

i n st r uc t ion s 1. Peel and dice sweet potatoes, add to baking dish. Combine melted butter with sugar, spices, cider and Bourbon.

+ 5 Tbsp butter - melted

Pour over sweet potatoes and toss to coat. Bake until ten-

+ 2/3 cup light brown sugar - packed

der and caramelized.

+ 1/4 cup apple cider + 2 - 3 Tbsp bourbon

Order your meal from LoudounGo.com and pick it up at

+ 1/2 tsp kosher salt

ChefScape of Leesburg. Each menu feeds six hungry adults

+ 1 tsp ground cinnamon

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+ 1/4 tsp ground ginger

on the big day.

+ 1/8 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg + Pinch of ground cloves (optional) + Pinch of Yellow Curry (optional) 34

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

Candied Bourbon Sweet Potatoes

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FOR F A M I LY LIVING NARI AWARD WINNING RENOVATION ADVICE TO MAKE GATHERINGS GREAT

THIS TIME OF YEAR IS ABOUT TOGETHERNESS AND FAMILY AND SPENDING TIME BEING GRATEFUL. Having an inviting, open home is important to making this time of year enjoyable and comfortable. “When people think of the holidays and homes, they think, ‘how can we all be together here in a way that makes sense’,” says Sonny Nazemian, from Michael Nash Design Build. “Part of that is having an open plan with a living area that flows.” This was exactly the case when new homeowners in McLean approached Sonny looking for an interior remodel. The old kitchen was small and dated and separated from the living space by a structural brick wall. The bath-

ARTICLE HANN LIVINGSTON

AN INTERIOR

RENOVATE & REFINE

rooms weren’t modern, and the basement needed to be stripped down and completely redesigned. In order to achieve an open layout around the kitchen, the supporting wall was taken out and replaced with supporting steel. A double sided gas fireplace was added to bring in the breakfast room and a sliding door connected both to the backyard living area. The kitchen was then upgraded with new appliances and cabinetry and a new functional island. Basements are often overlooked, but can be converted into beautiful and functional family spaces. This basement was challenging, but the end result is a spectacular room with a large bar area, gas fireplace with ledgerstone and a flagstone hearth. A guest bedroom and new bathroom were also added to complete the basement space. Now an entire level is perfect for entertainment and housing family during the holidays. 38

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

CONTINUED >

The open design begins with the entry

An open kitchen with good workspace

BRIGHT IDEA Making an old, separated kitchen into an open area involves bringing in design elements like a beautiful two-sided stone wall and fireplace and a functional island.Â

A central feature ties rooms together CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

RENOVATE & REFINE (CONTINUED)

basement

can

be a great place for entertaining friends and a place where kids can get away and be together.

BRIGHT IDEA

New modern bathrooms

TIPS FOR INTERIOR RENOVATIONS FROM SONNY NA ZEMIAN, MASTER DESIGNER/ REMODELER OF MICHAEL NASH DESIGN BUILD: 1. In order to achieve the perfect interior design and renovation, you must define how each room correlates with each other. You can't focus only on one part of the house. 2. For an open flow, look at the playing field of the home you are covering and keep the whole house in mind even if you are only doing a living room. Everything must match any new design.

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

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FAITH REFLECTIONS

WALKING THE WALK

A JOURNEY DOWN THE WINDING LIFE PATH OF UNASSUMING SPIRITUAL LEADER FRANCIS CHAN

FROM THE PULPIT OF A THRIVING MEGACHURCH OF MORE THAN 5,000 MEMBERS AND GROWING, TO A HOME IN THE POOREST REGION OF HONG KONG. From authoring a New York Times bestseller, to being surrounded by people struggling to make it by on just 50 cents a day. For most, it probably sounds like a tale of riches to rags; an unfortunate result of someone falling upon hard times. But for Francis Chan, it’s exactly what his soul needed—an opportunity to fulfill his God-given purpose of becoming a man who can truly say he practices what he preaches. And it was all by his own choice (with maybe a little guidance from above). Francis, born in San Francisco, was raised in a traditional Chinese home and navigated a challenging upbringing. His mother died during childbirth. His father remarried, then his stepmother died in a car accident when he was 8. His father remarried again, then, when Francis was 12, died of cancer. Francis was around 14 when he was introduced to a youth group by a friend. “I fell in love with Jesus,” he says, explaining that it was

ARTICLE NICOLETTE MARTIN

then he decided if there really was a Heaven and Hell, it didn’t make sense to spend his life doing anything other than telling people about Him. Twenty-six and newly married, Francis and his wife Lisa founded Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California in the early 90s, beginning with 30 people. Within the first two months, the church grew to 100. In 2000, the church grew even more, to 1,600. By 2008, Cornerstone Community Church was one of the largest in Ventura County and Francis’ new book “Crazy Love” was a New York Times bestseller. CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

FAITH REFLECTIONS (CONTINUED)

Watch the full interview @ CityLifestyle.com! Then, in 2010, Francis decided to leave it all. But, he wasn’t leaving God. He was separating himself from the megachurch that had started in his living room as he and other elders began to question its direction. “Was this really what the Church is meant to be? Is this all God had in mind when he created His Church in the first place?” Francis questions in his second book Letters to the Church. “We began to wonder if our definition of a church actually fit God’s definition.” “Everything had grown to be very dependent upon one person,” he continues. “The Bible tells us that every member of the body has a gift that is necessary to the functioning of the church. When I looked at what went on in Cornerstone, I saw me and a few other people using our gifts, while thousands just came and sat in the sanctuary for an hour and a half and then went home.” After leaving Cornerstone, Francis wrestled with what the next step was. He and Lisa ended up selling their Simi Valley house and moving their family of six at the time overseas to India, Thailand and China. And the $1 million his bestselling book made in the first year, plus the money it continues to make? Francis signed it all over to a charitable gift fund helping the poor and victims of human trafficking. “We witnessed the simplicity of the lifestyles in rural Thailand, and the joy of the men and women who served widows and orphans day in and day out” “You meet these believers that just blow your mind. It’s everything the Bible talks about,” Francis says, inspired by those he’s met throughout his travels. “Some of the

It was after that Francis believes he was called back to the

godliest people, the most committed...people that I

States, and the Chan family ended up back in San Francisco.

admire and aspire to become like. If I can get past my

This time, much like the beginning of Cornerstone, Francis

own hunger for comfort and enjoyment and really sac-

and Lisa once again felt a calling to plant a church.

rifice like I’ve seen some of these people do, I know I’ll have even more fulfillment in life.”

What started this time was We Are Church—an organization passionately pursuing what God wants in a church, done through

“People tha t I ’ve f ou nd that have spent t h ei r l i ves tr uly loving o t h er s a r e t h e jo yf u l peopl e.” 44

Leesburg Lifestyle | November 2020

values and practices like devotion to scripture,

committing

churches of 10-20 people meeting in a home, and calling everyone to share the gospel and make disciples.

“Som et im e s you sh ed som e t h i ngs an d you re alize i t ’s a c t u a l l y bet t er ; s om e o f t he th i ng s w e t h ou gh t w ou ld brin g us in t o t h e p r esenc e of G od actually now di st r a c t u s.” Francis’ extensive time overseas has shown him a contrast

In the throes of a pandemic, quarrels over U.S. politics, a

between the American church and the spirituality and Godly

growing divide among people and beliefs, and the unsurety of

lives of others across the world, and now struggles with see-

life, Francis’ vision of where the concept of church is heading—a

ing the division in the church, due in large part to growing

non-prophetic guess, he clarifies, laughing—can be summed up

issues of individualism and pride.

through a story of his daughter Rachel, when she was 5 years old.

“Try to look at the church in America from an outsider’s

“We regularly visited this rundown place in our city called

perspective, Francis challenges. “Is that really where you

Paint Pals,” he laughs, reminiscently. “There was this old maze

would look for answers— knowing the divisiveness; know-

you walked through with only a few walls, some little ceramic

ing all the scandals; knowing everything you know about it?

things you could paint and this big bubble machine that was

The church is in a really poor state and it in some ways feels

just a hula hoop dipped in bubble solution.”

like it’s getting worse.” “I wish we could learn and see the sacrifice of others,” he continues. “Overseas they’re just obsessed with each other.” Francis, pretending to hold up a phone facing himself, goes on to describe how he sees this generation as a generation all about taking selfies; noting that you could be in the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls and you’re always in the picture—always the center of everything.

“One day I was just like, ‘Honey, this week I’m going to take you to Disneyland!’ And she was like, ‘What’s that?’” he says. “I go, ‘You have no clue. This is like the happiest place on Earth. You’re gonna go nuts!’” Francis says Rachel began to get very sad, asking if they could just go to Paint Pals. “She’s working herself into tears,” he laughs. “Like, you’re crying because I’m about to take you to Disneyland.”

“All we really need to do is hit that little button that switches

“I feel like we’re just like Rachel when she was 5,” he says,

it off selfie mode,” he says. “And now I can’t even see myself. All

fondly recalling the Paint Pals days. “We’re accustomed to

I see is God and those around me. People that I’ve found that

certain things and God has something so much better for us. I

have spent their lives truly loving others are the joyful people.”

believe he’s leading us all into a deeper intimacy with Him that

Much like separation from his megachurch setting,

is just off the charts. Sometimes you shed some things and you

preaching in front of thousands, and the continued growth

realize it’s actually better; some of the things we thought would

of We Are Church exudes, Francis continues to spread the

bring us into the presence of God actually now distract us.”

belief that people are the church.

Nearly six months ago, Francis’ path led him to the Sham

“It’s not about going to a place and needing a critical mass

Shui Po area on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong with most

of 8 people or 1,000 people or this or that; it’s the person of

of his family, including his wife, all but one of his daughters,

Christ and enjoying that,” he says. “I really believe the Lord

two sons-in-law and two grandchildren. It’s a place where he

wants us during this time to go back to the scriptures, rethink

later found is where his mother also did ministries in the 1950s,

‘What did he really want the church to be?’ Believers have

and allows him the continued humbling opportunity to live out

been scattered since the beginning of the church. People

his journey through the Gospel, working with the ultra poor

were alone, people were in little groups and found each other

to bring relief, sharing the word of God and, you guessed it,

and enjoyed Christ together.”

planting churches.

CityLifestyle.com/Leesburg

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