I’m not superstitious, but I am using two recent situations to build a case that our family should eat out in LaGrange County more often.
Mine was the first mistake: I burnt dinner. Again.
The second was my husband’s. He’s a kind soul. He was dusting our furniture, and he accidentally dropped and broke my “Angel of the Kitchen” figurine.
Upon showing me his faux pas, I laughed hysterically, grabbed the camera, and said, “I gotta’ share this one,” already weaving the story in my mind.
My lack of culinary skills is one clue, and my broken figurine is my second clue, that in order to eat well, the family will need to venture outside the walls of our home.
On Monday, we’ll eat at the Blue Gate Restaurant. It’s a true necessity to take my teenage son to a restaurant where he can eat to his heart’s content. After all, a teenager’s favorite words are: “All you can eat.”
On Tuesday, we will make a dinner of a pretzel from Jo Jo’s Pretzels. I think my daughter could eat here every day.
On Wednesday, a girlfriend and I will sneak off to the Garden Gate Café. I absolutely LOVE their salads and quiche. The sweets are to die for!
On Thursday, we will head out to the Emma Cafe for a local dinner known as “haystacks.” This fun meal consists of any combination of corn chips, crushed crackers, rice, meat, lettuce, olives, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and cheese sauce, all stacked on top of each other. Stepping back in time at this nostalgic setting makes the drive very worthwhile. Best thing? They do the dishes!
On Friday, we’ll eat at home, but I’ll leave the food preparations to some locals: I’ll grab a loaf of bread from the Rise & Roll Bakery, some fresh cheese at the Guggisberg Deutsche Käse Haus, and seasonal fruit at the Pumpkin Patch Produce Market.
On Saturday, hubby and I will enjoy a quiet moment at the Morton Street Coffee Company
. We’re spoiled with their many delightful freshly-brewed coffees (the Blueberry Cinnamon Crumble coffee is a personal fave!); their muffins and coffee cakes are made from scratch; and their soups really do warm the soul.
From now on, I think I’ll take my culinary clues from my burnt skillet, my broken angel, and from the many wonderful eateries in the area.
Hey Friend! While finding a replacement for your “Angel of the Kitchen” would likely be a Piece of Cake,
I’m with you in just trying out all the good places to eat in the area. The Hawkins Kitchen might be a good place to eat, complete with the Easter Bunny napkins that I am still storing safely in my pantry for a special occasion!
…exactly my sentiments, Tammy, and very well said. I have owned a restaurant, a catering service, was manager of a deli, raised 5 children, (4 were boys) and we were sure they had hollow legs, because there was just no way that there stomachs could hold all the food they shovelled into their mouths….needless to say my kitchen is closed because of illness….I’M SICK OF COOKING !!!!!
Your last line is hilarious! Did any of your children follow in your footsteps?…and open a food-related business? (Not get the sick of cooking bug. Ha!)