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Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

Archives for August 2013

5 on Friday: Reasons to try (and love) Chick-fil-A

August 9, 2013

Okay, I know this is going to look a little biased since my husband works there and all. But I am falling hard for Chick-fil-A.

He doesn't have to wear a bow tie; he chooses to. And I think he wears it well.

He doesn’t have to wear a bow tie; he chooses to. And I think he wears it well.

We actually started liking the restaurant before my husband’s job there. If you’ve never tried it (what are you waiting for??) here are 5 reasons I think you should. (No particular order.)

1. The food is fresh. Lemonade from freshly squeezed lemons. Chicken that tastes and looks like a chicken breast you’d cook at home. (Or better if you cook chicken like I do.) Out-of-the-park salads. I have friends with varying food allergies and they choose Chick-fil-A over other fast food restaurants because they can accommodate the allergy. Also, they have the best ice. I know, weird, right? But I would go there just for a cup of ice.

2. The customer service is unmatched among similar restaurants. The first time we went to a Chick-fil-A, we had kids in tow, which is always an adventure when eating out. A friendly man helped us, greeted us, and our food was delivered to our seats. I’m a frequent visitor now, and I haven’t met a grumpy or apathetic team member yet. And I believe them when they say “my pleasure” when I say “thank you” for something. It’s a noticeable difference from the “yep” I get from other fast food cashiers.

3. The play area. Okay, this one’s for parents, but it’s been our lifesaver some days. For under $4 the kids and I can get an afternoon beverage and they can play in the play area while I soak up some air conditioning and read a book. (Translation: I need some space.) It can be crazy depending on the time of day and your personal Chick-fil-A location, but it’s one of our go-to spots.

4. Chicken for breakfast is new and different. And tasty. It’s a little known fact that Chick-fil-A serves breakfast, and I’ll admit I was skeptical. I love breakfast, and there’s another fast food place that I usually choose for breakfast when we’re eating out. But no more. Chick-fil-A’s biscuits are better than homemade. And chicken for breakfast is surprisingly good. Not every day, but seriously, give it a try.

5. They’re community-minded and closed on Sundays. Maybe that doesn’t matter so much to you but as the wife of a service director, I’m grateful that he definitely doesn’t have to work Sundays. Chick-fil-A cares about its workers and the communities in which they live. They’re locally owned and operated, and they treat their workers well. They build community in the communities they serve.

I know Chick-fil-A has been the center of controversy in years past, and while the founders are Christians and the leaders express their opinions in ways that sometimes alienate groups, those are not my reasons for supporting Chick-fil-A. So, if there’s one near you and you haven’t visited yet, seriously, what are you waiting for?

Filed Under: 5 on Friday Tagged With: chick-fil-a, chicken for breakfast, customer service, eat more chicken, fast food restaurants

A new take on a classic suspense: Review of Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge

August 7, 2013

There was a time in my life when I read everything Stephen King wrote, and Misery was one of my favorites. (Can anyone forget Kathy Bates’ performance in the movie version? She took crazy to a sort of likable level.)

misery loves companyThis new book, Misery Loves Company, by Rene Gutteridge is like Misery but flip flopped. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from Tyndale House in exchange for my honest review through the Tyndale Blog Network.) Instead of the author being kidnapped by his biggest fan, the roles are reversed. Juliet is a grieving widow and blogger who calls herself Patrick Reagan’s biggest fan. But she hasn’t been thrilled with his last three books, and she tells the blogging world what she honestly thinks about his latest offering. The same day, she wakes up in a secluded cabin with no memory of how she got there and she finds herself face-to-face with her favorite author, who is also grieving the loss of his wife three years earlier. As Juliet tries to figure out why she’s there and whether Reagan means her any harm, her husband’s partner on the police force begins searching for her. What finally brings them all together is shocking and life-altering.

Some might call this an unoriginal work because it feeds off of King’s original idea, but I found it clever and engaging. Gutteridge retains elements of the original story without the gore. (For example, you know the part in Misery where the author’s feet get chopped off so he can’t escape? Well, Gutteridge gives Juliet a serious case of frostbite so her feet are rendered useless.)

It’s still a thrilling, and a bit terrifying, read. It’s risky to take on a similar story from a master like King, but it paid off for Gutteridge.

Click here for a sample chapter.

Filed Under: Fiction, The Weekly Read Tagged With: blogging, Christian fiction, christian suspense, grief, imitation, kidnapping, misery, misery loves company, new novels, rene gutteridge, stephen king, suspense, terror

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