Christmas at Federal Grove, Auburn KY

 One of my clubs returned for Christmas lunch at Federal Grove Restaurant and B&B in Auburn, KY.  This year Himself and I arrived early so I could take photos of the restaurant without disturbing people.

During the Christmas season they serve their well-known "family style" meal all day.  An all-you-can-eat meal served to your table in platters and bowls... if you run out, just ask for more.  Our meal had: fried chicken, country ham, turkey & dressing, green beans, corn pudding, mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, baked apples, and rolls.

So many pretty Christmas plate sets!  My favorite is the evergreen trees.

Head up either of these stairways and you are in the B&B area.  No one was staying the day we were there, so we were invited to explore the rooms.

Very nice spacious rooms!

Any information you'd want about the restaurant or the B&B can be found on their web site:

https://www.federalgrove.com/

Black Sheep Bistro...The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly [Now closed]

On one of our 'out and about' times we went past lunch and the hungries were hitting hard.  A friend had eaten at The Black Sheep Bistro and said it was good.  So we decided to try it.

Neat idea for a bar.  That is a truck ramp.

We were seated and given a bowl of pickles (??) and tall jars of ice water.

The menu was interesting and there was a board with additional specials.

Himself had the "Smokin' Cuban", Bro 1 had the "Smokin' Big Burger" and I made up a plate from the sides: garlic Parmesan red potatoes, jalapeno corn, lemon asparagus couscous, and smoked mac & cheese.

The Good

The food was excellent.  Portions were large (we took a lot home).  The smoked mac & cheese and the jalapeno corn...fantastic.  I could make a meal on the mac & cheese.

The Bad.

The service.  It was hard to get either server's attention in the small open room.  They sat and yakked with their backs to us (we were the only customers).  And once she got to the table she only paid attention to the person who flagged her down.  Water refills..not unless you asked.

The Ugly.

No air conditioning (or it was set at 85*!).  It was HOT in there on an upper 90s day.  No fans either.

And the one bathroom was foul smelling and the heat didn't help at all.

Would I go back?

Yes.  During very cool temperatures and I'll ask for TWO jars of water.

[Edit: As of 28 Jan 2017 the Black Sheep Bistro closed permanently.  Not surprised.]

Jefferson Davis Monument - World's 2nd Largest Obelisk

As I mentioned last week, Himself's brother was here for a visit.  One of the stops on "Teri's Tour" was at the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site.  Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, was born at this site in 1808.

His monument is a 351 foot concrete obelisk.  

The monument is the tallest unreinforced concrete structure in the world. No steel was used to reinforce the concrete walls below its pyramidal top. As one pour was completed, large chunks of limestone were left projecting up to connect it to the next pour above. It is also the tallest concrete obelisk in the world. It is the second tallest obelisk in the world after the Washington Monument.

Construction began in 1917 but stopped in 1918 at a height of 175 feet (53 m) due to building material rationing during World War I. Construction resumed in January 1922 and was finished in 1924 at a cost of $200,000. The monument's base was set on limestone bedrock and limestone was quarried on the site for use in its construction. The concrete walls are 8.5 feet (2.6 m) thick at the base and taper to 2.5 feet (0.76 m) thick at the top.

At the top of the monument is an observation room with a window in each of the four walls.  However, we didn't go to the top this time.  In the summer this area is so hazy with humidity, you can't see much from the top... like a foggy day.  Right now they are doing some sort of work on the top, and you can go up only on Friday thru Sunday.  However there is a nice museum to look thru and a pretty good gift shop.  

The monument sits on about 20 acres that has picnic tables and playground equipment...and lots of open area to enjoy.  It is a very nice park... especially in the spring and autumn!