Lent. That penitential period for Christians around the world. One of the holiest times of the year, yet one of my least favorite. Yes, I am aware that I sound like a 12-year-old.
The only reason I even give anything up for Lent is to set a good example for the girls. That, and my Catholic up-bringing ingrained from twelve, yes twelve, years of short-skirt-uniform-wearing Catholic school years tends to rear its guilt-inducing head if I don't make some sort of 40-day sacrifice.
This year I gave up chocolate. This may seem simple and elementary for some, but not for a chocoholic like myself. Yes, it is a sacrifice, but 20 days into the fast I start to wonder if God really intended to deny me of that Dove chocolate after a long day of dealing with squabbling sisters. Wouldn't he rather I volunteer at a soup kitchen instead? But I digress. Even more maniacal than me is Hubs, who gave up cheese. CHEESE. Note to self, or any Catholic willing to listen...if you give up something like cheese for Lent, it will definitely throw your entire cheese-loving family into a tailspin. (Have you realized how many recipes contain cheese?? More than you think.)
My parents, those old-school Catholic baby-boomers, gave up wine. All alcohol, really. Apparently this has put quite a damper on their wine and pizza nights.
Chocolate. Cheese. Wine.
We are some mighty crabby Catholics right about now.
Anyhow.
We are spending Easter weekend with my parents, and they have begun preparing for the weekend, as evidenced by the picture my mom texted last night...
Nothing like an Easter basket for adults...
