TURNING 70 ISN'T SO BAD??? NOT TO BE A DEBBIE DOWNER...but I had to look at life realistically. Just because you want a nice day may not be what others deal out to you. How we react might get in the way.
We had the week planned out and there was a serious change in the plans, but it's all good. On Sunday, we decided to go to Abilene for the day so we could ride the train for free. The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. We were not considered a family because we didn't have any children with us so when we got there, we would have to pay full fee to ride. We decided that we will ride the train on a different day when it's not so hot out and not so many little tykes would be on board.
We started the day out getting up early so we could go to Abilene. I watered my porch plants before loading up in the car to leave dressed comfortably for the trip. Twas already steaming hot outside with high humidity. We had a 11 o'clock reservation at the BROOKVILLE in Abilene. I was to have fried chicken and Husband Chicken Fried Steak.
We arrived in Abilene early, so we drove around looking at the lovely large and stately historical houses. At 11 we entered the Brookville Restaurant to eat because we had an 11 o'clock reservation. No problems. We were on time and were led to the dining room where we were seated at a small table with a tablecloth so wrinkled it ruffled my feathers. I was taken aback and surprised at how tacky this was for a classy joint.
We've dined at the BROOKVILLE before, but this was the first time the tablecloths were so wrinkled. I looked about the room at all the tablecloths to see they were badly, and I do mean badly, wrinkled. I'm nit picking.
They were clean, but terribly wrinkled for a high dollar restaurant that's suppose to have a eloquent upscale presentation. For as much as one pays to eat at this restaurant, this surprised me. What's going on? Because I'm turning 70, I guess I deserve to be somewhat of a critique. AND criticize I did. Under my breath. Not to be a snob, but it was unprofessional. Not to be ungrateful, but this neglect to detail isn't proper in a nice restaurant.
Sitting down at the table, we were asked what we wanted to drink. The appetizers were served. Nice atmosphere and good service so far. The gorgeous chandeliers that hung in the dining room needed the light bulbs changed out, as 3 or 4 bulbs were burnt out of each large chandy. No toilet paper in the bathroom. Someone is falling down on the job.
As we were enjoying our appetizers and iced tea chatting about our plans for the day, an older woman approached our table and began scolding us that reservations didn't start until 11:30! 11:30? Then why were we given a 11 o'clock reservation, seated, given our drinks and appetizers? Because we had a 11 o'clock reservation. We hadn't barged in demanding to be seated. Excuse me.
The one taking the reservations should have been the one to be talked to, not us who were guest already dining. I had wondered if she wanted us to leave because it wasn't 11:30 yet.
Mark this one up to experience and let it go. Not a big deal.
She wasn't the one to seat us, but I believe she was the HOSTESS. When my husband phoned for reservations the day before, he was given a 11 o'clock reservation and our food ticket that was placed on the table when being seated had 11 o'clock written on it.
If there was a hiccup on the reservation time then visit with the one that took the reservations and works at the BROOKVILLE not the diners with a 11 o'clock reservation. I believe that nothing should have been said to us if there were no problems with the reservations as we were already being served and already eating.
Coleslaw, a few pieces of sliced baked apple, a few sliced peaches, and pickle chips were served as appetizers on a white plate. The creamy coleslaw was delicious as I remember it being. I have the recipe. As the Family Style Meal was brought to our table, I was served 4 small pieces of fried chicken and my Husband was given a chicken fried steak. I asked for a take home box ahead of time for leftover chicken because I knew I could not eat all 4 pieces.
Small bowls of mashed potatoes, gravy, cream style corn, 4 tiny dinner rolls were served. The gravy and mashed potatoes were rather good. The cream style corn was out of this world delicious and I have this recipe as well. The dinner rolls were lacking because they were too heavy, dense and lacked flavor and the fried chicken wasn't the best, but I didn't go hungry. The iced tea was weak, but the dessert was creamy ice-cream. I had about a half of cup of ice-cream. This was good.
I kept the meal well controlled and didn't starve. Small everything. SMALL portions.
When paying the bill, this same Hostess offered some candy to my Husband and said to him, "Well, don't take them all!" Thank you, I won't. Makes me chuckle now that I am HOME.
I usually play a game when dining out. I talk about what OUR FAMILY STYLE RESTAURANT would serve if we had one.
OUR RESTAURANT would serve up an appetizer plate with sweet pickles, black and green olives maybe celery sticks. Then a small dinner salad would be served. Dinner biscuits with real butter as well. The Family Style Meal would follow with cottage cheese, green beans, cream style corn, creamy coleslaw, baked honey carrots, mashed potatoes with gravy, thinly sliced cucumber and onion salad! AND OF COURSE the chicken dish. There'd be a children's plate with an all beef hot dog or corndog with macaroni 'n cheese. Dessert would be gooey brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Iced tea, water, finishing the meal off with hot coffee or hot tea. Whaalah served on beautiful Blue Willow Dishes. Crisp white table clothes and napkins on sturdy tables with comfortable chairs. Fresh cut flowers in crystal vases on the tables with classical music playing quietly in the background. The waiters would be in all black clothing and shinny shoes. Sounds like a winner to me. Hello somebody.
AFTER LUNCH is when we found out that the train rides were not free. We went downtown to the Dollar Store for some Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies. I had the jitters and thought these would calm what was going on with digestion. Onto two Antique Stores to tique.
It was in the second shoppe that I found an Antique Alfred Maekin Copper Tea Leaf Pattern, Ironstone China Oval Platter.
Just what I was looking for priced just right. My Tea Leaf collection is slowly growing. I picked it up placing it in the shopping cart. Hubby found a pair of Cabala jeans that unzip into shorts and then I came across a Tea Service that I could not do without. It was a 6 piece Tea service with oversized serving tray. My heart said YES and it was priced so low, I couldn't believe it. The tray alone usually goes for $150.oo and up. This set had a coffee server, tea server, creamer, sugar and tea caddy plus the serving tray. All pieces were for $49.oo. $49.oo!!!
When checking out, the clerk said this was 20% OFF coming to $39.20. OH HEAVENS...I felt blessed. All of this for under $40. Unbelievable. I will be polishing it and when I do, I'll smile really big.
Happy shopper.
AND THEN WE DROVE HOME, unloaded and rested. Supper would be left over Brookville fried chicken, potatoes, and baked beans. Gosh it was good. Great day and the week is just starting.
