FOOD FOR THE SOUL
Please tell me who invented the holiday that we call Valentines Day? Because I, for one, would like to meet the barbarian, and politely punch him in the chops. Who in the world hated mankind so much that they wanted to set aside a day just to make single women remember, once again, that they are alone. Plus, we are forced to celebrate this horrid holiday in the middle of the coldest month, towards the end of winter. Why not choose a date in spring when the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and the animals are sashaying around the forest looking for mates? But nooooooooooooo, some idiot plopped it a month when we have been cooped up for 3 months, and have reached the point that we have gained enough weight to sufficiently warm our bodies in the cold bed…..alone…..
A person can’t just ignore the date because the reminders are everywhere we look. I remember when I was married, I would get the token flowers delivered to work. I would show them off, and my co-workers were in awe at the wonderful gesture made by my husband. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that in 2 weeks the bill would be arriving at my house, and I would need to figure out how to pay for the flowers with a budget that was already stretched to the limit. It wasn’t his fault…he was doing what was expected of him. If he was feeling really generous he would give me a slinky nightie…one that never seemed to get pulled out of the drawer because we had 4 kids and no energy. Then he changed it up, and every year I would get a pair of matching etched crystal goblets, champagne glasses, or small plates that he got from the Avon lady. Those are still featured proudly in my china cabinet. Then the divorce happened, and Valentines day took on a new meaning. Now I am here to tell you that as a 50 (something), pleasingly plump, single woman….Valentines Day Sucks!
Forget trying to ignore the holiday, and go about your business. There are romantic movies shown every evening leading up to the 14th, (fairy tales)…there are catalogs and magazine ads showing the latest in “barely there” nightwear (hurl)…there is a whole aisle dedicated to candy and chocolates at the super center (candy for one…not!)….there is a huge section of cards to mark the holiday (gag)…..and don’t forget the roses of various colors, the teddy bears with hearts all over them, the chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne (burp), the cakes and cupcakes with the mushy love crap written all over them (great, more poundage on the rump) , and my personal favorite: weekend getaways for the couple in love.
So I guess I will pull up my big girl panties in a few weeks, I will ooohhhh and ahhhhh when my co-workers get their flowers, and I will continue to tell people that I am happy being a single woman. I refuse to feel like the loser that I have portrayed myself to be in the photo on the left. I will tell myself that while the holiday may make a person painfully aware that they are alone, it only lasts 24 hours, and I can muddle through another one. Because on February 15th I will treat myself, and will begin counting the days until spring…..when the sun will shine, the weather will warm up, the flowers will bloom and the animals will again be looking for potential mates. And who knows…maybe next year I may be the one getting the roses…and candy….and chocolates…and teddy bears….and mushy cards…A girl can never shop hoping ♥
FOOD FOR THE BODY
Mini Ham and Colby Sanwiches
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 to 3 teaspoons sugar
- 15 dinner rolls (about 3-inch diameter), sliced
- 15 slices Colby cheese
- 15 thin slices deli ham (about 1 pound)
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- In a small bowl, combine the butter, mustard, onion, poppy seeds and sugar. Place roll bottoms, cut side up, in an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Top each with Colby cheese, ham and mozzarella. Drizzle with half of the butter mixture.
- Replace roll tops. Drizzle with remaining butter mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Yield: 15 servings.
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