The Big Texan!

We headed to Lubbock this morning because our beautiful bonus daughter is graduating high school tomorrow night. As we were getting closer to Amarillo Shawn started talking about The Big Texan. He's wanted to go forever and this time it was going to happen.

The place is so cute. We bought some fudge and turtles from the candy store and stared at the 72 oz. steak and all the food that goes with it that's part of the challenge. You see, if you can eat a 72 oz. steak and all the things that go with it in an hour, it's free.

If you don't eat it, you pay $72. Luckily Shawn wasn't interested in doing that so we ordered off the menu and hoped someone would take the challenge while we were there.


We were in luck.

But before we knew that we took in the scenery.

We were sitting right next to the challenge table. See the 6 clocks? As soon as the insane person takes their first bite and says it's cooked as they wanted it, they timer starts. I had a picture of the steak on the grill and apparently went to be with the Lord, because I can't find it. But if you look closely you can see the grill master holding it up. She did that when people wanted a picture of it. She also yelled "72!!" at the top of her lungs. I have to say, it startled me every single time.


And then he sat down. He had to be about college age. And let me just say, he had muscles in places that I didn't know you could have them. His jaw was muscular. He had on a tank top with no arms...or sides, and we could see the muscles in his back. I wondered if his stomach had muscles.

By the time we'd paid he still had 20 minutes left....and it wasn't looking good. Poor guy. If we hadn't had family waiting we would have hung around.

We did take time to take a few pictures and sign the boot. It sure does help to always have a Sharpie in my purse. Even though my boss repeatedly steals them.

Sadly there was no time for cow pictures.

I'm so sorry Mr. Cow.

So we'd finally been to the Big Texan. And I'd discovered they have MSG in the seasoning...that they put on everything. At least the experience was worth the stop.
Oh, that and the turtle we bought at the candy counter. I don't eat fudge. Holy cow that thing was good! I'd drive back to Amarillo right now to get another one.

Unless someone wants to deliver...

Banquet Hangover

Since I usually am manning an auction table and then helping organize the bid sheets after the auction closes, I don't sit in my seat.  Which means I don't eat my dinner.  But this year I was the photographer so I got to spend some time in my seat.  Never more than 5 minutes, but enough time to eat a bit.  With my food allergies I knew not to eat a lot, but thought a few bites would be okay.  The salad dressing was at the bottom of the salad and I knew it wasn't Ranch so I had a few bites.  It was so garlicky that we were all laughing that even though our breath stunk, at least we all had the same smell.  Shawn had to leave to take the girls to piano and he said without even opening his mouth, they could smell it when they got in the car!  When the chicken, potatoes, and green beans came I scrapped the gravy off the chicken (if it had broth or bouillon cubes I would have been in trouble) and ate a few bites of each.  I knew the green beans would fine, and assumed the potatoes would too. 

Guess I was wrong.

In about 10 minutes I had a headache.  Not a migraine, because I didn't go blind, but a headache.  I don't know that I've ever reacted that fast.  I downed a glass of water, 4 Advil, and my lemon dessert.  What?  It couldn't hurt.  I had to finish helping that evening but as soon as I could I let Shawn take me home.

And now, almost 24 hours later??  Yep, still in pain.  I wonder what in the world was in that food!

And I wonder if this garlic breath secreeting itself from every pore of mine and Shawn's body, will ever be tamed.


I'll keep you updated.


I know you're all on the edge of your seats.