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Email a FriendPosted by Claire on Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 3:51 PM (EDT):
I love a bargain, but I try not to buy stuff like that for the house, because I have no willpower.
Day After Chocolate
Unless it's already Lent, I never miss this shopping spree.
Posted by DariaSockey in Family on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 1:48 PM
I just arrived back from Walmart with a bag full of pecan turtles, Ghiradelli squares, Dove hearts,Belgian truffles and red and pink M&Ms. This yearly pilgrimage to the Valentine candy aisle takes place every February 15th, except when Lent starts early. It was fun to people watch while picking out these half price goodies. All the customers were women. Some of them kept picking things up and putting them down, obviously wrestling with dieters’ guilt. Others were making cracks about chocolate as a remedy for depression, menopause symptoms, and other ills. Back home, I walked through the door singing “The Candy Man” from the old Willy Wonka movie. The February blues were momentarily banished as each family member took one package of favorite sweets to hoard in whatever hiding place he deems best. The rest fuels our week long Mardi Gras (Semaine Gras?) celebration.
It’s a simple celebration. Everyone watches lots of TV and eats a lot of candy and other goodies, pausing to nod solemnly whenever Mom says, “Only X more days til Ash Wednesday, guys. Think about what you’re going to do for lent.”
If anything is left over at the end of the week, it’s put away for St. Patrick’s or St. Joseph’s Day.
Do you serve a lavish spread of edible goodies during the last days before lent begins? Or do you think this only makes it harder once the fast begins?
Comments
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Posted by jes on Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012 10:44 PM (EDT):
I have a bit of a conundrum! I’ve recently lost 70+ lbs on weight watchers, so my snacks and treats over the past 9 months have been very moderate. so I will be without mountains of pre-Lent chocolate, although I am vicariously enjoying all of these posts about the logistics of the pre-Lent (then potentially post-Lent) chocolate. I also quit eating meat on Fridays, and so I’ve been praying about what would be a good Lent offering. Any suggestions?
Posted by Elizabeth on Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 12:42 PM (EDT):
In past years, I’d given up TV (or at least TV I chose and turned on) and radio in the car. I’ve also added instead of taking something away such as daily Rosary in the car. When I was in college, I added daily Mass twice a week. I’m not sure what I’m doing yet this year, though it might be back to giving up desserts and in-between meal candy and cookies..
Posted by Daria on Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 2:34 PM (EDT):
Congratulations, Jes, on that terrific weight loss! I’m glad you find all the internet lenten chocolate angst amusing rather than tempting. Last year I put myself as cook and the family as eaters through the penance of meatless dinners, Monday thru Friday, instead of just on Friday. It forced me to be pretty creative, coming up with new recipes rather than the same old fish sticks or pizza. I also found a blog where there the writer gives 40 days worth of meatless menus, with recipes sized for a large family (12 servings). When I made these I either cut the recipe in half, or made the whole thing and used it as leftovers a second time. This blog is called A Perpetual Jubilee, so if you google that you should find it easily.
Posted by Susie on Thursday, Feb 16, 2012 8:33 PM (EDT):
Went to Bible study today and the leader had brought in the Polish doughnuts - I forget what they are called, but they are filled with chocolate, or lemon, or jelly. These were from a bakery - not a grocery store and even though I always pass up the donuts after Church, I did eat one of these! It was delicious - a great way to celebrate before the Lent fast. We usually have something special for the several days before Lent. Right now we are working on the Valentines candy. We will have a pie for President’s day. And probably some dessert for Fat Tuesday too. We give up desserts as a family for Lent (except for Sundays and Solemnities) except for fruit.
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