Recently, my cousin and I celebrated our birthdays. When there was a convenient time for both of us, we were going to find a place to eat out. My afternoons didn’t always work nor did her evenings. I mentioned that I had a couple of mornings off so we planned on lunch. I figured it was best that we meet in the middle, so Somerset and Greensburg were definitely out. I threw out Donegal and Ligonier as possible options. My cousin chose the latter, as we had met there before. It was January and we met at Abigail’s Coffeehouse. We both needed to get out after being indoors due to the snow and extreme cold.
There’s a nice Mexican restaurant in town in the Diamond, and she agreed to meet me there. El Vacquero Mexicano is located a couple of doors down from the Ligonier Creamery. If the enchiladas don’t fill you up, then stop in for an ice cream sundae. Next time I’m in Ligonier, I’ll definitely do that. My cousin talked up the tamales, and I almost took her up on that offer. On my next trip there (or when I go to Plaza Azteca), I might order the tamales. Instead, I got the beef enchiladas which were just as good a choice. We had cucumber lime water to drink. It looked like lemonade but tasted like a non-alcoholic mojito. It was nice to catch up and talk about life. I talked about the Fourth of July picnic at the farm and the fireworks.
Next time, I’ll treat us to coffee. Either at Abigail’s, Silver Horse (in Donegal), or one of Greensburg’s finest cafes.
As we left the restaurant and walked around the Diamond, we spotted The Kitchen on Main. Maybe our future dining experience will be there. After an amazing lunch of tamales and enchiladas, it was off to the Ligonier Valley Library.
It had been a long time since I had been here for a visit but this made for a nice post-lunch stop. I brought a book with me that I was previewing for the Fall, once I finish The Jazzmen. Earlier this week, I read the introduction for Three Shades of Blue. The one I read yesterday was Jane Austen’s Bookshelf. It’s not a collection of the iconic author’s finest works, but of other women writers from centuries past.
On my visit to Ligonier (likely in August), I’ll bring my latest Steven Curtis Chapman book. I’m set to begin reading this just after Labor Day. I may also revisit his other books that I read in 2010 (Choosing to SEE) and 2017 (Between Heaven and the Real World) in the future.
We found a quiet room to sit in where we could read our books. There were magazines and newspapers (which hung off of a pole). The latter reminded me of the days when bookstores had newspapers you could read while you sat in the cafe. How I miss you, Monroeville Borders. I plan to stop here again in the future, maybe on my next visit. A library card may also be in the plans for me, either in Ligonier or at one of the local libraries. That would make my Eastern PA cousin feel good as she works in a library. She too has her own blog.
The room I sat in had a beautiful picture window behind me. It provided a great view of the town square and really proved my theory. That is, Ligonier is its own little Stars Hollow/Hallmark Christmas town. Imagine how nice it would look during the holidays.
My meter would be running out soon, so I thanked my Somerset cousin for a great time and parted ways around 1:30pm. I’ll be back soon, though.
Stylish 🍒 