Patsy Terrell

Lived fully, laughed loudly, gave generously

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Celebrating

2015-06-08 19.33.54Tonight a friend and I went to Mulvane to eat dinner at Luciano’s Restaurant. Luciano moved to Kansas for love and opened a restaurant with his family’s recipes. I did a story about him a few years ago for a magazine and it’s a neat story. Apparently it’s very difficult to open a restaurant in Italy because of the necessary permits and such. So, it worked out for everyone.

I tried the Pasta Carbonara, and it was good, but I think next time I’ll have something with the red sauce. I had red sauce last time I was there and I missed it this time. My friend had red sauce tonight. He let me have a taste and I was reminded of how extraordinary it is.

Tomorrow is my friend’s birthday, and I wanted to celebrate my fourth year being self-employed, so it worked out to celebrate both. We had a lot of great conversation about all things writing as well as a few other topics.

Then there was creme brulee. What else needs be said?

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Dinner at the Harvey House Museum in Florence, Kansas

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Friday night, my friend, Jocelyn, and I had dinner at the Harvey House Museum in Florence, Kansas. Fred Harvey, famous for serving food to people who were moving along the Santa Fe Railroad, built his first hotel in Florence. About one-third of it remains and is now a museum.

Fred was a pioneer. The first man to believe one could make a living serving good food and fast. Travelers had 15 minutes to eat most of the time, and it was a good meal. What we had Friday night was a typical Fred Harvey dinner, and it was delicious.

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This wasn’t all of the delicious food we were served. Here’s a photo of the menu.

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We started with the French Coleslaw, then enjoyed the relishes on the table. They explained the Harvey system for cups. Guests were offered coffee, hot tea, or milk – all served in the coffee cup. Someone would ask what each guest wanted. If it was coffee, they left the cup as normal; if it was tea, they turned it upside down on the saucer; if it was milk, the turned the cup upside down on the table.

Fred believed in white linen table cloths and was the first to use the 18 inch square cloth napkins. Ice water was on the table, which was unusual for the time because ice was hard to come by.

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Jocelyn and I were seated with the Blankenships, a nice couple from Topeka, and her brother, Jim, from Pratt. Jim looked so familiar to me that I just kept thinking I must know him from somewhere. But, the mystery remained at the end of the night, so perhaps it was just my brain playing tricks on me. Regardless, it was a fun evening.

Our dinner ended with a delicious dessert, complete with real whipped cream. Oh my, it was wonderful!

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Although they do dinners for groups pretty regularly, I think this is the first time they’ve had one for the public. I saw it mentioned on Facebook by one of their dedicated volunteers and started asking friends if they wanted to go. Jocelyn said, “yes,” and we made our reservations. They can seat 24 I believe, and they were sold out.

Initially they told us a bit about Fred Harvey, the Harvey Houses, and of course the Harvey girls. Occasionally I’m in a group where there’s a woman who was a Harvey Girl, and it’s always fun to visit with them. Fred started out with men as servers, but women turned out to be the better option. They signed on for six months at a time, 12 hour days, 7 days a week. They had to be young ladies of fine moral character. Fred was apparently quite the task master, but also cared for them. It wasn’t uncommon for Harvey girls to name their sons either “Fred,” or “Harvey.”

In addition to the dinner, we had time to check out the museum. I urge you to make a visit to Florence, and support the museum and the work done by the volunteers who make it all possible.

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Upstairs they have an assortment of period materials arranged in the rooms. I loved this crocheted bed spread and tea set.

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Get Florence, Kansas and the Harvey House Museum on your tourism agenda, and if you possibly can schedule to go when they’re serving a meal.

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Kansas Restaurants

I have two questions for you. You can answer either or both.

I’m working on a magazine story about pie in Kansas restaurants.

1. Suggestions of Kansas restaurants you think have the BEST pie. No frozen crusts or canned fillings – handmade pie – from crust to meringe.

2. Your answer to why people prefer pie over other sweets. Everyone loves cookies and cake, but if you ask people their favorite, they often say pie. Why is pie better? What is it about pie that makes it special? If you answer this one, please give me a way to contact you in case I want to include your comment.

You can either post in the comments here or email me patsyterrell@gmail.com.

If you know anyone in Kansas I should talk to about pie, let me know. Thanks in advance!

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A Taste of Italy in Rural Kansas

Tons of interesting things happen in Kansas, and I miss a bunch of them because I’m already committed to something else. Here is one of those things… and although I’m going to miss it because I’m already committed to another cool thing… there’s no reason you should. Besides, you’ll be able to support a great cause while you have a fabulous time.

If you’ve read here any amount of time you know I’m a devotee of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, which promotes the preservation of rural culture in Kansas. Kansas has a treasure in the work done by this organization. It’s phenomenal what Marci Penner and crew have done to put Kansas on the map. I’ve been a fan for a long time and last year got to meet a number of people working in the towns when they were working on a website that features rural Kansas.

You also know it’s pretty rare I put up a “commercial” for something. I’m fiercely protective of blog readers’ time and energy. I appreciate that you share my life with me and never want to abuse that trust. So, you only see this sort of thing when it’s something I think is really, really, really cool and am either attending or wishing I could attend.

I can’t make it to this one, but there’s no reason you should miss out! Here’s an opportunity for you to get involved in a meaningful and fun way. Wish I could see you there… I know it’s going to be a great evening.

A Taste of Italy in Rural Kansas!

Saturday, June 26,starting at 6 p.m.
La Torre, 158 Chisholm Road, Inman

There’s an Italian Villa near Inman in McPherson County, in the middle of wheat territory. It’s the home of John and Chris Hershberger and they have invited the Kansas Sampler Foundation to do a fundraiser at their home where they serve meals by group reservation only. They are booked months ahead of time.

Chris comes from Italian descent but it’s her husband John that is the Italian chef. He’s so enamored about Italian cooking that he’s even taken a cooking class in Tuscany. Chris is an artist and, well, you’ll just have to come on June 26 to see how rural Kansas can be transformed into an artistic slice of Italy, in Mennonite country.

They will serve an outdoor sit-down five-course meal, including fine wines. The first course will be pizza from the outdoor wood-burning stove. Guests may walk around to see the yard during this time. At 7 p.m., the meal will be served.

Reservations are $75 a plate. The proceeds will go to special projects of the Kansas Sampler Foundation. The KSF mission is to preserve and sustain rural culture.

If you want to be part of a really special evening, send $75 to KSF, 978 Arapaho Road, Inman, KS 67546 or call 620-585-2374 with a credit card number. You will receive further details by e-mail or letter prior to the event.

It’s designed to be a simple evening in a “wow”ful place. Great food, great outdoor setting, and people all interested in helping rural Kansas be the best it can be..

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The Boot Hill Saloon and Grill in Vega Texas

I recently had the best meal I have had in years. It was at the Boot Hill Saloon and Grill in Vega, Texas – right on Route 66. Vega is not a booming metropolis, but it can boast a fabulous restaurant.You may be wondering how these two things came to be.

Well, thereby hangs a tale.

You may have seen a woman named Rory Schepisi on some reality shows. One was a program where they put some big city folks into a small town to compete for money they would split with a local citizen. That town was Vega. Rory was the runner up. She didn’t win anything.

But, proving that people may have chosen the wrong winner, she decided to sell her New Jersey restaurant and move to Vega. She built the Boot Hill Saloon and Grill right on Route 66. It has some wonderful touches, including tin ceiling tiles.

She was later the runner up on the show to choose the next Food Network Star. With her degree from the Culinary Institute of America, she seemed to have a good chance. But, she did not win. Having tasted her food, I can’t imagine why not. When we were in Vega she was off filming something for the Discovery Channel. She seems to be a popular gal.

Well, I don’t know much about TV shows. But, I know something about food. And I know this is good stuff.

One of the things I judge a restaurant by is its French Onion Soup. I’m not a huge fan of French Onion Soup, but if the broth comes out of a can it tells you something about the place. If it’s really cooked stock it tells you something else.

I ordered the soup and a salad. When I tasted the soup I knew I was going to love the salad, and I was right. It was amazing.

Greg had wontons filled with a wonderful mix.

The restaurant itself is also worth a look around. And it’s one of those places where you should go to the bathroom. The ladies room has nice decor. The men’s room is paneled with old barn wood. Check out this beautiful chair in the ladies room.

This was the best meal I have had in a very long time. I cannot wait to go back. The Boot Hill Saloon and Grill makes Vega Texas a destination.

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Classen Grill in Oklahoma City


The Classen Grill in Oklahoma City is a find. An absolute find. I can’t take credit for it – I read about it on roadfood. But, it’s well worth a stop. I was so fortunate that I was staying at the Sleep Inn, which is right across a small street. The hotel was nice, in case you’re looking for one. I didn’t even move the car, but just walked over to eat.

I got there at about 8:03 a.m. – they open at 8 on Saturday – and there were people already settled in with coffee and friends and newspapers and assorted other goodies.

It’s a very unassuming place – inside and out – but the food is fabulous.

This is a very literate crowd – more than a couple of people walked in carrying a fat copy of the Daily Oklahoman. Seated behind me were two attorneys, discussing judges. A few booths away were a couple of younger women making plans on the cell phone to meet another one.

I was the only non-regular there. At a table with four folks at it I heard the waitress say, “I missed you last week.” The patron replied, “Yes, we were gone.”

And the waiter that was taking care of me and the attorneys behind me brought a plate to the older gentleman and said, “That muffin’s probably not brown enough for you.” He replied, “It’s not as much as usual, but it’s OK. It’s OK.”  When the waiter knows how brown you like your muffin you know you’re a regular.

I ordered migas – scrambled eggs with a mix of goodies in them. Bear in mind I don’t really care for eggs without something added to entice me. I finished these. They were delicious.

I heartily recommend The Classen Grill in Oklahoma City. It’s well worth the trip.

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Wigwam Motel, Mammoth Cave and Big Moose’s BBQ

When Greg, Mark and I stayed in the Wigwam in Holbrook, Arizona on a trip across Route 66 two summers ago, the following morning I proclaimed, “When you CAN sleep in a Wigwam, you SHOULD sleep in a Wigwam.” Well, I stand by that, and the phrase has even become famous as The Lope has used it in a book now. OK, famous might be a stretch, but it’s in a book.

Wigwams were once a small chain, but there are now only three left – Holbrook, Arizona; Rialto, California and Cave City, Kentucky. We stayed in the Arizona and California ones on that trip, but I had not been to the one in my home state of Kentucky until this past weekend. Finally, my Wigwam Triology is complete.

In a burst of energy or stupidity, depending on your point of view, a group of us came from Kansas, Missouri and Ohio to meet in Kentucky for a Wigwam experience.


From Left to Right, that’s Greg, Barb, Natalie and Ace, Mia, Will and Richard, me, and Mark.

Wigwams are way cool. I had number 4 this time. There are 15 of them in Cave City – some with one bed and some with two. Greg and Mia had number 3, Mark had number 5 and Barb and Richard and their family had number 6. Each is basically the same with its own little bathroom and cool furniture. You even have your own little parking spot beside your Wigwam.

And the view from inside the Wigwam has this cool profile. You can even see the sign in the distance from my front door.

There’s a bigger Wigwam that is the office and gift shop, and two smaller ones that are restrooms beside it.

They’re built in a big circle, with a drive that goes behind them.

Friday night, Barb and Richard built a fire in the little fire pit in the middle. We roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. It was very cool.

Cave City and Holbrook both have some original furniture still left. Very, very, very cool.

Wigwams also have the cutest little bathrooms with the oddest little angles. The mirror angles down at you over the sink and the shower has more corners than you can imagine. I love the tile in these.

Cave City tells us they may have to give up the tile because it’s getting worn. They have a lady in Bowling Green that re-canes their furniture for them. It’s way cool. Did I mention it’s cool?

And, Cave City isn’t called Cave City for no reason – Mammoth Cave is nearby, which we also visited.

At various times we all took the Frozen Niagra tour. It’s only a little over an hour long and has about 80% of the pretty formations in the cave.

Mammoth is the longest cave in the world. I’ve been on a longer tour before, but was content to take this nice, easy, pretty tour this time.

Previously I did a tour that involved a lot of hiking. With my “overstretched arch” in my right foot, lots of hiking was not on the agenda for me this time. The foot continues to improve, but a multi hour hike would not have done it much good.

I have to say that the rangers at Mammoth Cave are the nicest ones I’ve ever run across – not that park rangers aren’t always pleasant, but the ones at Mammoth Cave seem to be particularly fond of their jobs and genuinely happy to be interacting with the public.

This tour had an optional part of it – 49 steps down to see another part of the formation. As the guide put it – there are 49 optional steps down and 49 mandatory ones back up.

If you took the steps down, you saw this “drapery” overhead.

And this large stalagmite.

This tour had a lot of pretty formations to see…

You could peer down into Crystal Lake…

Our guide, Jeff, told us there was about 10 feet of water in it now. It has been very dry there lately.

In fact, the park has two ferries, which were closed until late August. I took one of the ferries the following day when I did some sight seeing around the park and took in some walking trails and some scenery. It’s a beautiful area.

I did hike down to the famous sand cave where Floyd Collins met his demise in the mid 1920s. Floyd was looking for a new cave – a new tourist attraction – and got caught in a collapse. Newspaper accounts of him being trapped brought about 10,000 people there to witness the rescue operation. Unfortunately, Floyd was found dead about two weeks after the initial collapse.

I also visited some historic churches and soaked up the atmosphere.

To top off the trip, we discovered a fabulous restaurant in nearby Glasgow, Kentucky – Big Moose’s BBQ. Mark and I went there one night before everyone else arrived. When we mentioned we hadn’t been there before they gave us a sampler platter of all their side dishes, all of which are delicious by the way. That’s not because we were special, although we do like to think so at times – they give a sampler platter to anyone who’s new so they can pick their favorites. How’s that for some Southern Hospitality? The young lady at the front counter was as pleasant as could possibly be on top of that.

We loved it so much we encouraged everyone else to go there so they did the next night. I cannot speak highly enough of the sweet potato crunch. Lets just say in the south we like our brown sugar and pecans and we know that to do with them and we’re not afraid to use them. When Greg tasted it he said, “I want this in my mouth all the time.” That sentiment was shared by everyone.

I also heartily recommend the Indian Stew and the hashbrown casserole.We all loved it there. So, should you find yourself in the area, don’t miss Big Moose’s BBQ. It’s well worth the short drive from Cave City to Glasgow. When you leave be sure and ring the bell – that lets them know you liked the food.

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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more.

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Olde Towne Restaurant in Hillsboro, Kansas

Mark, his friends Carl and Chris, and Wayne, are in the area from Kansas City this weekend. Carl is notorious for planning what has now been dubbed the “food coma caravan” trips.

I’m quite impressed with what they do. They get The Kansas Guidebook by Marci Penner and plan a route, with the idea of hitting a number of local restaurants along the way. They had breakfast at the Burns Cafe, lunch at the Breadbasket in Newton and dinner at the Olde Towne Restaurant in Hillsboro.

I didn’t get to join them until dinner tonight, but it was a blast. Greg and Mia had lunch with them today, too, but I was at the retreat and then Trish and I had lunch here.

On the drive to Hillsboro Greg, Mia and I were treated to a nice sunset, too.

The Olde Towne Restaurant is in a building built in 1887. Greg and Carl explored it and its multiple levels. The rest of us just ate. It’s a German buffet – $11.49 for an adult – and includes a salad, dinner and dessert.

We asked one of the servers to take our photo. That’s Mark in front, Mia in the orange, Chris in the green shirt, Wayne in the center, Greg in the blue jacket, me behind Greg, and Carl – the mastermind – is the tall one in the back.

It was a blast to see them. I hadn’t gotten to see Wayne in a long time. The open road suits Carl and Chris. Mark is always fun. It has been a long time since I’ve seen Mia – that girl works hard – so it was nice. I wish I had time to see them all more.

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Praying in Restaurants

OK, I’m about to tick some people off – well, so, what’s new – get your own blog and you can blather on about what an idiot I am. Or in this case, what a heathen.

Topic of the day – I’m sick of people praying aloud in restaurants.

I grew up in the south, where we went to church three times a week, said grace before meals, and feared God. I never, ever prayed aloud in a restaurant. Nor did I ever witness such a thing until the last few years. I’m officially sick of it. It’s rude. Yes, that’s right, rude.

The other day at Roy’s these two twenty-something guys came in and sat down at a table with some other folks (not unusual, there) and proceeded to bow their heads and pray aloud so that everyone at that table, at our table next to them and at the table next to us felt they had to stop their conversation until they were finished. And, this man was relishing in having an audience because he went on for some time – longer than an elder deacon at dinner on the grounds in a southern Baptist Church.

I’m fed up with this “I’m holier than you are and I’m going to demonstrate it right now in front of God and everyone, so maybe you will get a clue and turn from your horrible ways” attitude. God will accept a silent thank you for the bounty before you. You need not engage the entire restaurant in what should be your private relationship with the Almighty.

If you want to demonstrate your Christian attitude, why not do it by not drawing attention to yourself and interrupting the conversation of everyone else in a room? Aren’t Christians supposed to be kind to those around us?

I’m all about tolerance, and that includes for those who are fundamentalist Christians. But you are infringing on others rights when you pray aloud, overtaking an entire group’s conversation in a restaurant.

You can pray silently, not making a spectacle of yourself – he’s God, he’ll hear you. There is no need to be as public as possible so everyone knows you’re a Christian – or so you would have us believe, anyway. Frankly, I’m always suspicious of people who have to be so adamant about how they are religious or are not gay or are telling the truth or fill in the blank. It almost always means exactly the opposite.

So what am I going to do the next time this happens, as it inevitably will? Well, I want to say that I’m going to keep on talking while the public demonstration of what is to be private piety continues in my midst. In reality, out of reverence, I will no doubt stop my conversation yet again and then be annoyed at the whole situation all over again. It doesn’t make me feel reverent.

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A Retail Day

Well, I’ve been out tonight shopping for a dishwasher. The repair person came today and said not to even try to fix this one. It’s the motor. So, I’ve been to Home Depot, Lowes and Sears tonight shopping. I think Lowes is the winner and part of the reason is that they can probably install it on Friday.And they’ll haul away the old one. That’s another bonus. You’d think people would catch on to what you want when you’re dealing with something like this. Of course they’re going to remove it. But if they don’t haul it away I still have a problem.

In addition, I need to buy a new cable modem it seems. I believe that is the problem with my computer setup. I don’t understand that at all – seems like it would work or not work – not be doing something inbetween. But, that seems to be the answer anyway.

So many places for money to go.

Teresa and I went to dinner tonight at the new place downtown. It’s not going to last unless they make some major changes. Namely, the food is bad. We both had a chicken dish and there was nothing about it that was appealing. The salad was not fresh. They were serving the same crappy vegetable medley that everyone does – steamed carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. We all know that it comes frozen in those combinations. Please, go buy a vegetable every once in awhile.

I hope they improve, but to say I was not impressed is a gross understatement. They’re in a building where the last person did all this amazing work on these cool tin ceiling tiles – hand painted them – they’re gorgeous tiles. You’re greeted with stained glass in the front. It’s beautiful. And then you go in and find tables with vinyl table coverings on them. Please. Make up your mind. Do you want to be an elegant place of a vinyl tablecloth place?

That place couldn’t decide between being elegant or a sports bar. These people are really trying for elegant – you gotta get rid of the vinyl and spotted glasses if you’re doing that. Food was bad at the last place. It’s bad at this place. I’ve never been in the restaurant business – nor do I want to be – but I know what makes a place good and what makes it bad. I would give them the advice freely, but I’ve learned it’s not advice anyone wants.

I hit both Westlakes today looking for candy canes. Peggy called this morning that she’d seen some at the north store. I needed to pick up a prescription at Coberly’s next door anyway so got those. I checked the south store but their’s weren’t deeply discounted. I also popped in to Smith’s Market, which I love. I’ve had quite the retail day.

Well, I’d best go wash the dishes I put in the dishwasher last night. That, of course, was just prior to discovering it didn’t work. So, I get to handle all those dirty dishes again. Lucky me! But I don’t want to leave them, even if I can get a new one installed on Friday, because I’ll be cooking on Friday evening for Peggy’s party on Saturday.

I think I’m also going to fix myself some tea. My voice is scratchy sounding and my throat is a little hoarse. I don’t feel bad at all but it could use a little soothing. When I first wake up until mid afternoon – or until I’ve talked a lot – I sound pretty awful. Peggy thought she woke me up this morning at 10 or so when she called. Of course, it’s impossible to wake me up with the phone because I don’t take it upstairs at night. But, I do sound like I just woke up for hours every day. Maybe I need to sing to myself every morning for awhile.