Category Archives: lent

dental, lent, music

Of music, teeth and Lent

On Sunday, I got to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra for the second time in my life. I blogged about my first show two years ago; it was a show that knocked my socks off. I have an appreciation for the music they play and the days on end they spend on the road each year.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

With a new band leader and a new female lead singer (at least new since two years ago) it was like a whole new show, even though I recognized several of the musicians. This year, my parents and I purchased a CD, so I can enjoy the music any time I want to now!

I really wish they’d play close to Nashville sometime, so my husband and I can see them together. But, hey, its also a really nice perk to tax season in Texas! I already have next year’s show on my calendar. Who cares if I am one of the youngest people in attendance… great music knows no age limit.

 Glenn Miller Orchestra

With all the fun under my belt, it was time for me to go get my teeth cleaned yesterday. I haven’t had a cleaning in… I don’t know how long. I know some of you are going, “Ew.” Others are nodding in agreement. It is what it is.

I’ll be honest here… I had forgotten what to expect, and I went in braced for tons of bad news about my dental health. My blood pressure was definitely elevated and my pulse was 116. Worked up a bit? Uh. YEAH.

But all went well. I love how my teeth feel now, and I got a mix of good AND bad news. So I’m choosing to bask in the good news versus wallow in the bad. I go back in a week to have a TON of work done. I love sedation dentistry. I am blissfully unaware, and they get about four visits worth of work done at one time. Love it.

It was Fat Tuesday, so I followed my dental appointment with work and then splurging myself on a good dinner and a Shamrock Shake from McDonalds. (OMG HEAVEN in green.)

I blame Nashville for my love for Mardi Gras. It was never a big deal growing up, but when I moved to Nashville I discovered how much fun it can be.

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So, I wore my beads and didn’t care if anyone else cared. It let me have a little subtle fun.

Lent is kicking off, and I was going to give up alcohol. However, that’s pretty difficult when you’re a bartender.

My mom, however, gave me a book to read through Lent. Rediscover Catholicismlooks perfect for this goal. (Moms know best!) I am still strongly Catholic and my faith is as strong as ever. However, I do think I’m in need of a “reboot” to the passion of my beliefs. This might just be the thing I need… it’ll do more than giving up alcohol!

So what are others giving up for Lent? Or are you giving yourself more of a challenge of something to do through Lent instead? I’d love to hear and be able to lend support if I can!

lent, recipe

Looking for Lenten recipes

3 Comments

120: Fish for dinnerLent not only means “giving something up” for 40 days leading up to Easter, it also means no meat on Fridays. I always say I could easily be a vegetarian. It not usual, when my husband is on the road, for me to go days on end without eating meat at all. But that’s my choice. When it comes to Lent, you would thinking cooking without meat was some sort of foreign challenge to me.

I do make a mean tilapia (as seen above). My parents and I discovered that last Lent. And I came up with this clam dip that I don’t know that I could duplicate now, since I didn’t write it down. I think it was just crab meat, mayo and garlic salt. I think. I really don’t remember, though.

Growing up, we made a lot of meatless spaghetti. And of course pancakes as a breakfast-for-supper meal. I love tuna fish sandwiches, and Tuna Helper is all kinds of awesome.

And you can’t beat one huge salad, either.

But this year… I want to try something new and different. I want to stretch my legs in the kitchen for Lent.

I definitely want to make hummus. I’ve been wanting to do that for a couple years now, and I think it is time I made that happen. I’m also thinking about stuffed bell peppers one night. I made a stuff tomato once when my husband was on the road, using a rice mixture I just made up, and then melted mozzarella cheese on top. That was yummy goodness. So I might do something similar using bell peppers.

Past that, though? I am kind of as a loss. I want recipes!

So help me out. What is your favorite Lenten/vegetarian dish? Throw me a cooking challenge!