Black Friday Dinner

We went out to eat tonight. Early reservations - 5:30. Great company - my brother and his girlfriend. Expensive restaurant - and a coupon. : )

We came home fat and happy. ; )

You think I'm kidding. I'm not. Fat and happy is not an exaggeration.

We went to Texas de Brazil. It's a Brazilian steakhouse. Michael and I went with our team to one when we were in Brazil in 2000. We were a little overwhelmed there because we didn't know what we were eating, but ever since the Brazilian restaurants began opening here, we've been wanting to try it again. Stephen had a coupon for half off the meal and set up reservations for tonight. (This is one of those restaurants where we must have a coupon or we can't afford it. 50% off the meal meant they took $42 off our bill.)

Let me explain how the restaurant works. Everyone pays the same price for the meal which includes a salad bar and all the meat you can eat. Drinks, desserts, and a few other items are a la carte. The salad bar is more upscale and gives you the opportunity to try some things in small quantities that you might not normally choose. When you are ready for the meat, you turn a small red card on your table over to green. Then they begin bringing you meat on huge skewers and you tell them whether you want any or not. They cut it right to your plate. We had pork, all kinds of steak, chicken, lamb, sausage, and ribs. We ate till we were stuffed. And then we ordered dessert. Chocolate mousse cake. Yum!

We had planned to take the kids as well. At their ages, they would have both been free. But I'm so glad we didn't have to. Michael's mom and her husband came over to stay with the kids while we were gone. From what I heard they had a blast! When we came home, Daniel and Mary Ann were playing the piano. Brenna and Jim were under the dining room table, which was covered in blankets, pretending they were zoo animals, I think. We appreciate so much their willingness to come romp with the kids so we can go out occasionally. Everyone should be so blessed with parents who are willing to invest in the health of their marriage. (with boundaries, of course, let's not get carried away.) But you know what I mean.

Anyway, if you haven't gone out with your spouse in a while. Make a date and go. Enjoy a meal at a favorite restaurant or just go walk around the mall together. Being kid-free lets you relax a little and enjoy the time on a different level.