who you calling fat?

Three weeks ago began the season of Lent. But before we go there, let’s start here:

Last year, I was in New Orleans for Fat Tuesday (and Joy’s birthday).

This year, I wanted to recreate the fun. I invited all my friends over for some regional eats, including King Cake, jambalaya and shrimp po boys.

It was all so delicious! Joy even made us an authentic Pimm’s Cup cocktail.

It was packed with all kinds of goodies. In addition to Joy (and Jonathan, as you can see in the photo above, dork), several other friends showed up to delight in the brightly colored festivities.

Jen, Mandy, Reagan, Jason, Ronnie, Jonathan and Joy. Craig was there, too, but for some reason he’s not in these photos

Afterward, we headed out to the J Clyde for some adult libations.

Get ya beads!

I think Jonathan looks like an old lady wearing her specs.

Dennis and Mallory joined us for some dranks.

Jonathan and Mandy still love each other…even though she (and Craig) are little photobombers.

I love this guy.

As we sipped on a few cold ones (and enjoyed 1/2 off pint night, holla), we all talked about Lent season and what we might consider giving up (or taking on, whatever the choice may be). Last year, I gave up cheese…talk. about. hard. (that’s what she said.) This year, I decided to try something that I’ve been thinking about for a while.

I gave up meat for Lent.

I’ve been trending towards a more meatless lifestyle over the past few months, and it’s something I’m really interested in. I also jumped on the Food Inc. train and really had my eyes opened to a lot of things I already knew and even more that I didn’t.

I’ve been meatless for about three weeks now, and it hasn’t been too difficult. I have to clarify that I’m still eating fish, and I’ve not been as strict as I might should be: ie, I went to a bbq place that had ham chunks in the green beans, and I just picked them out.

One great thing about going meatless is that it’s challenged me to become a little more creative and also it’s helped me to get more of my veggie and fruit servings in. I can’t wait to share some of the recipes I’ve been testing out these past few weeks with you!

Do you celebrate Lent season? Have you given things up in the past? Did you do it for this year?

where, oh where, did I go??

I know, I know…I’ve been absent. But I’m coming back, and better than ever—I promise! Tons of lovely, lovely pictures of food and friends, and an interesting development from the past few weeks. See you all soon!

waiter, there’s grass on my burger.

Oh, it’s supposed to be that way? Ah, got it.

This past Friday, Jonathan and I decided to just cliche it up by having a dinner and a movie date, something we rarely ever do. I was really craving a burger, and without even knowing this fact, J suggested that we check out Flip Burger at the Summit.

I went with the Butcher’s Cut (above, forgive the blurry photo…it was somewhat fancy inside, and I felt sort of like a goofball snapping photos), which consisted of steak (cooked medium), red wine jam, blue cheese, caramelized onions, scallions, and frisee (the grass on top). It was so delicious! The steak was cooked perfectly, and the flavors all blended so well. I’m finding that I really like the stank of some blue cheese

Jonathan had the Ossobuco, with veal, gremolata mayo, braised ketchup and crispy fried onions.

Ah, MUCH better photography skillz. I had a tiny bite (I don’t do mayo, and honestly, veal creeps me out), and it was pretty tasty as well. Jonathan gave a a grunt of approval between bites.

We also shared an order of vodka-battered onion rings.

They were good, but still a little greasy. I mean, not for onion rings, but they were too greasy in that I haven’t really eaten this kind of stuff in forever.

For the movie part of our date, we went to see The Adjustment Bureau.

(source)

It was meh.

Honestly, I just kept thinking about how silly a lot of it seemed. It wasn’t terrible, but I feel like it could’ve been so much better. It had a great idea—fate, chance, free will. It was based on a short story by Phillip K. Dick (Blade Runner), and you could totally tell. That being said, some things just don’t translate well to the big screen.

My weekend was pretty uneventful, other than our “big night out” (we’re such old people). Saturday it rained all. damn. day, so I celebrated with pajama pants, Netflix, and breakfast.

I feel like I could’ve set this up a little better…but honestly I was so ready to shovel it into my mouth that I didn’t take the time. There was a fried egg, biscuits, gravy (not shown), potatoes with onions and peppers, and veggie sausage. Perfection!

Sunday I got a lot done in my room and met up with an old friend for some drinks and fun chat catch-up time. Basically, a great weekend. I’m never happy to see Monday come, but my nice weekend high lessened the blow.

What is your favorite way to spend a lazy, rainy Saturday?

better to have loved and lost…

I know I’ve been sort of absent lately. Part of it was the flu last week, and then having so much work after my first day back. And part of it was something that happened last Monday.

My beloved Charlie passed away.I know I just started talking about Charlie on the blog, but I’ve had him since last year, around the holidays. My sister called me when she found him at her vet’s, bound for euthanization. His previous owner had died, and no one ever really wants to take in older cats.

I took him in knowing that he was older, but also knowing that he was healthy and still pretty spry. Charlie was a good cat, never caused me any trouble, and a faithful companion to his adopted little brother.

Charlie didn’t suffer, and he managed to go into the bathroom to be near the towel he liked to lie on. I’d noticed he had been moving a little slow in the last few weeks, and he had lost a little weight. And I knew he was older. But as I told my mom, I just didn’t expect it. It all happened so fast.

I like to think that I gave him a good home, and lots of space to roam around. Thankfully, my roommate Reagan came to my office to tell me in person, and I had some time to process it all. But when I came home, and I saw the two little food bowls side-by-side, I lost it. I cried and cried. I’d become so attached, and it made me aware of how time is fleeting, and how close I am to my Dave.

I know that maybe I’m being a little silly, but I have such a soft spot for cats, and it’s so easy to develop a quick relationship with these living, breathing fuzz balls.

Rest in peace, Charlie.