We especially love steam trains. Many a vacation, anywhere in the country, has been arranged to include a ride on a restored steam train. But the fact is, we love all trains!
A few years ago, I was lucky to travel from Sacramento to Salt Lake City on Amtrak. It was one of my favorite life experiences! I was with about 24 Tupperware consultants who were all going to Jubilee (convention), and we just had the most fun 18 hours ever!
Out of this love of trains has grown a passion for railroad art. That will be the subject of a later post. But the other thing that has happened, is that I have started a collection of Railroad China. My sets are replicas, since the real stuff, if you can find it is very expensive! Since I love to use it, that's a better solution for me, since I probably wouldn't want to use the "historic" stuff. I also have two dining car cookbooks. (Keeping my eyes open for more...) They contain great old pictures and information about the glory days of train travel, as well as menus and recipes from the various railroad dining cars.
I discovered just recently that my girlfriend is also a train nut! Her birthday is on Labor Day. So guess what? I am setting out my railroad china and cooking her an authentic dining car dinner! She knows she is coming for dinner, but has no idea about the theme. I hope it is a happy surprise for her!
Now all I have to do is decide on a menu. Should it be a menu from "My Old Kentucky Dinner Train"?
MENU 1
Kentucky Beer Cheese
Tomato Basil Bisque
Soft Lettuce Salad with Champagne and Roasted Beets
Crown Roast of Pork au Lait
Booker's Creme Brulee
Or maybe we should choose a menu from the "Great Smoky Mountain Railroad"?
MENU 2
Portobello Mushroom Napoleon
Apple Blue Cheese Salad with Raspberry Viniagrette
Roasted Cornish Hens with Cajun Cornbread Stuffing
Grand Marnier Flan
What's your vote? I'm leaning toward Menu 1, since hubs doesn't really love cornish hens...but I DO! Which ever menu I decide on, I'll be sure to report back on my Dining Car Dinner!
Chuga, Chuga, Choo, Choo! Chris
You had me at Kentucky. And Beer. And Cheese. :)
ReplyDeleteI say Menu 1.
What a creative idea!!
I say do half of one and half of two.........wait no Menu one is my choice.
ReplyDeleteMy fondest train memory was going from Toronto to Vancouver a few years back, what a cool trip. I like sleeping on a train.
What a fun idea. I bet that 18 hours with giggling ladies was fun while swapping T.W. party stories. Looking forward to seeing pictures from your 'All Aboard' the train table. Happy BD to the choo-choo girlfriend!
ReplyDelete