Eclectic…artistic…and flavorful…

I understood why I was told to arrive early…we stepped into the restaurant to something totally unexpected. A small bar area took over the entrance to Jacques imo’s…a long bench was available for those waiting to be seated….we were led up some stairs through the kitchen…yes through the kitchen and into an amazing area.

What was so fascinating were the walls and ceilings….painting after painting cover hand painted walls…interesting artwork and wire fireflies hung from the rafters. Small tables with colorful table cloths filled the room with tired areas for

While waiting for our drinks a plate with 2 tasty cornbread muffins dripping with butter are left to tempt our tastebuds and they certainly did….yummie! The menu is varied… appetizers with a creole flair and entrees offered something for everyone…seafood, foul, pork, lamb or rabbit… I was served a spinach salad with a fried oyster on top of a spicy oriental vinagrette dressing…a choice of two sides were served….my selection was mashed sweet potatoes and of course a New Orleans favorite…red

I was not only impressed by the food, but also the waitstaff as they worked well as a team….if one saw a need they took care of any table in the room….always smiling and checking to be sure we had all we needed…service can be one thing that ruins a lovely evening…but not at Jaques imo’s!

Jacques imo’s Cafe…eclectic…artistic and flavorful!

#greatwaitstaff #Eclectic #NewOrleans #service #food #delicious #creole

Three of America’s finest…

Frustrated and disappointed at the possibility of not getting home, I called Delta for an alternate game plan….we made a backup reservation that would get me home around 11:30 and I resigned myself to a long night sitting in Columbia, SC airport.

I arrive at the airport and checked the status of my flight. Amazingly, I was able to be put on another flight that might allow me to make my connecting flight…I am learning that being kind and patience with the gate representative is always the best way to go….

After going through security, the food court seemed the best place to wait and get something to eat. As I walked, I could see the heavens unloaded with a down pour of rain and lightening…nothing would be getting into or out of this airport. There were no seats for two at the restaurant so I sit a table for four to relax and let go of what was out of my control….tell me…why is that so hard to do that sometimes?

While checking email, I looked up and saw 3 service men waiting for a table… there were plenty of tables for 2, but not three….I have three empty seats….three good looking, young men…what is a woman to do?

I caught the eye of one and waved to them to join me…now we have a full table and lots of conversation. These three men, Logan from W.Virginia (or was it Virginia); Caleb from Ohio and Julian from Arizona had just graduated from their military training. They had been at the airport all day long and I believe that Caleb had eaten at every venue possible and was still going strong…

Since we had time on our hands and I had an iPad, we entertained ourselves by making a movie trailer, checking the weather storm and dictating the soldier’s creed with Dragon Dictation only to laugh at the totally incorrect recording that replayed.

I wanted to capture their spirit and pride so they proudly repeated part of the soldier’s creed for me to record…Listen to a portion of what they believe… https://swapthoughts.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/solider-creed2.mp3

Last night was the highlight of my week… So today, I salute Logan, Caleb and Julian who blessed my day by joining me for dinner…please add them to your prayer list for protection and safety as they begin their journey for our nation.

A special thanks to Logan for the wonderful book he gave me. Everyone should by it for your home…read the stories to your children and remember what these brave men and women do to protect us!  Stories from A Soldier’s Heart by Alice Gray and Chuck Holton

#country #service #freedom #delays #airport #Soldiers #brave