Fat Valentine's Day

For the first time since 1945, February 14 is both the Feast of Saint Valentine and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Ash Wednesday (along with Good Friday) are days of fasting. That means one primary meal, two lesser meals, and abstinence from meat.  Not exactly conducive to a romantic meal.  The day before Ash Wednesday is Fat Tuesday (a day noted for its emphasis on excess), so Hubby Tony and I decided to combine both celebrations into one observance.

Purple for Justice. Green for Faith. Gold for Power. Hearts for Love

After Tony got off work tonight we met at a nearby Italian restaurant, where the dimly lit dining room and intimate tables offer the perfect romantic atmosphere.  Instead of worrying about calories, I treated myself to a delicious pasta dish tossed with toasted almond pesto, sun dried tomatoes, and goat cheese. Tony ordered the salmon special, a large perfectly-grilled filet served on top of a portion of creamy risotto.  Before the entrees came we shared a Caesar salad, and after tasting a bite of each other's entrees we split them, too.

After the bill was paid Tony headed towards home to start a pot of coffee and I swung by the grocery store for a dessert of cookies and ice cream.  At home I plated it up, and we ate and drank until everything was gone.

As I had started the day with a work training event that culminated with a lunch of decadent burgers, fries, and shakes, the combination of two rich meals in one day made me feel very fat!

Five years ago today: Ashen