The County Seat

"Well I was born in a small town

And I live in a small town

Prob'ly die in a small town

Oh, those small communities"

-John Cougar Mellencamp

Every time I come home, there is one stop I must make. Before I sit down at my own dinner table, I slide into the a cozy booth at the County Seat Restaurant. The small town diner might as well be home with its familiar wallpaper and the family of waitresses that know my name. There are no pretensions at "The Seat." People come as they are, stay as long as they please, and are guaranteed plenty of food and an endless river of coffee.

Small town pride is what the The County Seat is serving up every day. Pride in the simple things; a little lamentated menu, filled with familiar dishes, all served with speed and a smile. The name of the restaurant itself holds the history of the little town of Clarion which was the county seat of the neighboring counties. The menu gives an ode to Clarion's past with sandwiches titled "The Bailiff", and "The Sherif."

County Seat- n.

A town or city that is the administrative center of its county.

The seat is more than just a local favorite. It is a ritual for friends, and a good luck meal for local teams. During high school I would wake up an extra hour early just to share a game-day breakfast my volleyball team. The Seat boasts "The breakfast of Champions," whenever the local teams get a win, and even when they don't, the teams still find their favorite fuel at the seat. I'll never forget the one fall morning when 15 or so hungry volleyball girls piled into The Seat, arranging the tables to accommodate our rowdy team. Mountains of pancakes, dozens of eggs, and plates and plates of toast were devoured over laughter and excitement of the upcoming game. When we were finished and went up to pay our check, the waitress informed us that an elderly man had picked up our tab. The Seat's food is affordable, but when multiplied, the bill must have been over 50$. The man said he simply enjoyed having us at the restaurant in the morning, and that he wanted to treat us to breakfast. We never got the chance to thank the nice stranger, but his act of kindness was paid forward in our over 50$ tip.

Oh and another thing... No matter what time of day you go, you will see at least 5 people you know.

At The Seat it is acceptable to order a single M&M pancake, oatmeal with blueberry syrup and peanut butter along side a chicken salad loaded with fries and a homemade monster roll. Need I explain why I love this place? You can have your pancake and eat it too!

I have eaten all over the world, but the only food I really MADLY crave comes from the seat.

Namely:

The Chicken Sizzler Salad

There are no organic greens, no aged balsmaic mango-tango-herbacious dressing, or delicate filets of the freshest protein. Nope.

Chicken, lettuce, croutons, and "guts"- hard-boiled egg, green peppers, tomatoes, carrots. With full fat ranch dressing please.

But somehow.

It is,

PERFECTION.

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.
~Robert Montgomery

Spring Break...

A time to hit the beach and forget about school for a week. Time to get in gear for a new quarter and give yourself total relaxation after your winter finals.

Time to bust out your little bikini or speedo that has been in hibernation. Uh oh...

The lazy winter might not have been so kind to your now pale bod. You too have been in hibernation, and indulging in one too many girl scout cookies. But do not fear! It is never to late to get some healthy eating habits that'll benefit your spring break-self! These recipes have all the flavor of sinful snacks, but without the guilt!

Here are two figure friendly meals that will get you back into spring break shape!

Tutti-Fruitti Pita Pizza

What You Need-

Pita

2 T Cream Cheese

1 tsp Honey

Grapes

banana

peach

orange

pecans

1. Toast your pita

2. Combine your honey and cream cheese and smear over your toasted pita

3. Top your pizza with all your gorgeous fruit and pecans.

4. Go on a drizzle a little mo' honey! How lovely?!

Strawberry and Grilled Chicken Salad

What You Need-

Grilled Chicken Breast

Spinach

Strawberries

Grapes

Raisens

onions

edamame

broccoli

Balsamic Vinegar

oil

honey

poppyseed

Have fun on the sunny shores during your break!

And if you are aren't heading anyplace special...

Watch this! It is the next best thing!!!

Be a kid.

Today the Athens sky was awakened to a clear blue. For the past months it has been sleeping behind a blanket of fuzzy grey, but now spring has jumped outta bed, bright eyed, bushy tailed, and ready for fun! It seemed that the new sky cast a spell over campus, and like a scene from a picturebook, the greens were covered with picnics, kites, chalk artists, and "studying." You can't help but smile when you are surrounded by such joy! All the sunshine is turning once overstressed, overworked college students, into carefree kids...

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older"

-Tom Stoppard

Let's Remember the Days...

Do you remember the days when cooties were your biggest worry? A time when hopscotch, four square, and tag meant something. When summers were endless, and the ice cream man was your buddy. The time in your life when calories didn't exist... Let's play pretend that those days are today, because no one wants to grow up!

Put your jellies on and don't forget to tell your Mom when you'll be back, because we have a play date with childhood!

Way back when your lunchbox was packed full of trade-able goodies, there was one sandwich that was never bartered. The essential childhood food--

The Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich--

You might be thinking " Wow do I really need to read this?" I know you have been making PB+J's for as long as you can remember. I understand... But I think you need to take a look at this PB+J... It is a little different than most... It looks back!

HOW ADORABLE!

I also included another oldschool favorite...

Ants On a Log--

What You Need:

1. Wheat bread, PB, J, celery, raisins, a big fat glass of milk, and some creativity.

2. Before you assemble your sammy, use a round glass to the head, and cut out a face on one piece of bread.

3. For your logs, smear the pb on your celery and stick your ants (raisins) in the pb.

4. Eat your new sandwich friends.

Because, One two three four I declare a thumbwar!

Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack all dressed in Black Black Black!