Home again

The last two weeks have passed in a whirlwind! The weekend of the 8th I was supposed to go with my mom for our annual trip to Branson. Unfortunately, instead we traveled to Arkansas with my father for a funeral. (In case you’re keeping count this is funeral number four for us since October…)

My Uncle Floyd, my grandfather’s (on my father’s side) youngest sibling, suffered a massive stroke and passed away. It was nice to see so much of the family but horrible to see them under those circumstances.

I was able to reconnect with my cousin Jeff over this weekend. It was amazing to see him after so many years apart. Jeff and I used to spend all summer with our grandparents on their farm but it’s been years since we were able to see each other. We had some fun reminiscing on some of our childhood adventures.

This weekend mom and I did travel to Branson and we had a great time. My granny and our friend Sharon were able to join us. While the weather was quite cold, the bargains extremely scarce and the parking hard to maneuver we had a BLAST!

I’d like to take a moment to speak about a place in Branson called McFarlain’s Family Restaurant.

Now before I get into this I need to make a few specific’s clear.

I’m picky. I only eat specific things. I have found specific places to eat and I only order the same things off the menus offered at each place.

I have another little hang-up—I CAN’T STAND to have one food touching another. I just can’t eat food that has touched something else (there are exceptions to this personal rule but that’s beyond the point)

Mom suggested we try McFarlain’s restaurant. I’ve never been there but I decided to give it a go.

After scanning the menu I knew I wanted Country Fried Steak but I can’t stand a lot of pepper so I was pleased when I learned their creamy gravy was only lightly peppered.

The waitress, a sweet woman named Roberta, joined our table for our order. I gave it and then I asked, “When the meal is plated does the food touch or do you have it separated?”
She grinned and said “It all touches.”
Me: “Can you please plate mine so that it doesn’t? I have this thing…I can’t stand my food to touch.”
Roberta: “I understand. My sister is a nut like you” (At this point she gently taps my head with the collected menus.)
Mom and I chat. Time passes. Before we realize it, it has been almost an hour and we still have no food. We are heading home from lunch and we’ve got a stop planned in Springfield. We need to get on the road.

The manager joins our table with our order ticket in her hand. Seems there was some major catastrophe in the kitchen and our order ticket ended up in her pocket rather than on the prep line wheel.
(I have to admit I must have been in a good mood. Any other time this stretch of waiting would have made me unpleasant. I didn’t get angry, upset or even annoyed—mildly or otherwise! Yes, those who know me are STUNNED I didn’t get bent out of shape!)

The manager was extremely apologetic. She felt terrible for the lost order. To make up for it she insisted we have free dessert—oh boy did they have to twist my arm for that! ;)

When the food arrived, it was AMAZING! My food was served in individual bowls—gravy on the side! The meal itself…let me just say O…M…G…It was FANTABULOUS!

The steak was perfectly tender. It was easily cut through with the fork! The breading had no annoying extra spices. The gravy had a scoosh more pepper than I prefer but even at that it was WONDERFUL!!!!

They serve a honey cornbread on the side that is enough to make you go wild! Its light, fluffy and the “individual” serving size is enough for two people.

There is so much food I couldn’t eat it all in one sitting. I ended up having to bring it home. So of course I had no room for dessert. They gave it to us to go.

Mom ordered their seasonal Pumpkin Cream pie. I had Pecan. Now folks, I’ve got to say, I have had pecan pie before—or so I thought. This was unlike any I’ve EVER tasted before and I can guarantee you none will ever compare to it again. It was the best danged pie I’ve ever ate. I wish we lived closer so I could run out and grab me another hunk!

With my picky eating habits it’s hard for me to find places to eat. Once I find them I don’t deviate. I now have a new place on my Donica Approved list: McFarlain’s.

So, if y’all are ever in Branson and you’re looking for a place to chow may I suggest you drop over to Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and in the Imax Entertainment Complex and hop into McFarlain’s Family Restaurant.

Make sure to ask for a table in Roberta’s section for excellent service. And would you say hello to Tena the manager for me?

So that is what’s been happening in my life—what’s been going on in yours?