Well, I can’t always write about the good stuff now, can I?
This morning I had a beautiful South of the Border Quiche on the menu. Corn, multicolored peppers and all kinds of other good stuff. I’ve done this quiche before so nothing too taxing. But, while the quiche was cooking for an hour, I noticed it wasn’t firming up in the middle as it should. So, I turned it up and slowed down breakfast a bit. No big deal. The quiche browned nicely and looked to have firmed up so I took it out and thought, “Phew, saved that one.” I even was able to let it sit for a while. Well, I went to cut into the quiche and it just didn’t look right. Still a little wet and not cooked. I thought to myself, “I can’t serve this.” I’ve had some near breakfast disasters, a candle melted in someone’s Strata (a nice Birthday idea but not exactly thought through), and others, but nothing like this.
I quickly and calmly grabbed a pan, cracked some eggs and started to scramble, in many senses of the word. I went to the Dining Room and apologized to the guests that it would be a few more minutes as I needed to implement Plan B. They smiled, which put me at ease… a little. Of course, I grabbed my largest pan, which isn’t always the best. The eggs started sticking. So then I grabbed another pan and poured the eggs into that pan and it worked much better. Within five minutes, Plan B was in place. In addition to my scrambled eggs, I served corn muffins with honey butter, tomato, cucumber and cilantro salsa and sausages. Not my most impressive breakfast, but the guests seemed to like it and completely understood that things don’t always work out as planned.
In my eight years as an Innkeeper, I’ve never experienced anything like this. I probably even could have served the quiche. But, thanks to Lucas and Lee, the lovely couple honeymooning in the Barn, to Tamra and John and to Lois and David, for their patience, understanding and grace. Both John and Lee said, “If you served this every morning, I’d be happy.” Not all my guests would have been so kind.
When I woke up this morning, I debated getting out of the right side of the bed. I usually get out on the left, but a cat was blocking my way. Many times I get out on the right and don’t even give it a second thought. Today I did. And it wasn’t even Friday the 13th. So, there you have it. Guess I should have my oven checked…
