Date Day

I can count on one time the number of times by husband and I have done anything, just the two of us, since Peanut was born. That was 14.5 months ago. Pretty sad, isn’t it?

We’ve had a Christmas tradition since we started dating back in 2003. Every year, we take one day to go out to a nice lunch and then spend the rest of the afternoon Christmas shopping for last-minute gifts. I typically have my shopping done way in advance  and neither one of us likes crowded malls, but ’tis the season. We fight the masses, usually pick up one or two don’t-need-anything-else-but-that’s-perfect-for-so-and-so gifts and enjoy spending time together. Last year we skipped this tradition. We had a 2-month old, I hadn’t slept in days, I hadn’t showered in days, I was still a bit of a hormonal mess and it made my brain hurt to think about logistics.

This year we decided to resume the tradition. We dropped Peanut off at my sister-in-law’s house and headed to Columbus for our special day. Our restaurant of choice was Montgomery Inn. It’s one of our favorites. We’ve been to the other two Ohio locations near Cincinnati, but this was our first time at the Dublin store. We arrived at sort of a slow time so the place wasn’t busy at all. The service was absolutely amazing and so was the food. Pardon the cell phone pics. I didn’t have room in my “shopping purse” for the DSLR.

 

I started off with one piece of bread from the bread basket. Definitely fresh out of the oven. It was still hot. Carbaholic here was in heaven.

 

Our food arrived before I could even finish my slice of bread. I ordered the Gulf Shrimp Cantonese with a loaded Idaho baked potato as a side. Am I going to pretend this was healthy? Not in the least. It was delicious. I’ve had this dish one other time and literally dream about the warm plum dipping sauce. It’s a sweet plum jam with a big dollop of hot Chinese mustard on top. The waiter gives you instructions to stir it together before you dip your shrimp. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Totally makes the dish.

I managed to make it through all of the shrimp, but the baked potato did me in. 3 or 4 bites and I was done. It was the fluffiest, most perfectly done potato I think I’ve ever eaten in my life, but I had to stop before I got uncomfortably full.

After lunch, we headed to a mall near the restaurant and did our shopping. After lots of browsing and buying a final gift for father-in-law, I was in desperate need of refreshment. I remembered that this mall had a Teavana from my last visit so we headed that way. Disappointment ensued. Did you know Teavana doesn’t serve tea by the cup during the holiday season? Yep. Found that one out the hard way. They’re just too busy and it backs things up in the store. I totally get their logic and don’t fault them in the least. I was just a little disappointed since I had my mouth set for an iced Blueberry Bliss & Lemon Lime combo.

We were getting ready to head out when I spotted a Godiva store. I was so excited that I forgot to take a picture. My mom started a tradition with me when I was really little. Anytime we were near a Godiva store (which wasn’t often), we’d study the case, buy 2 pieces of chocolate each, find a bench, settle in and draw out the eating process as long as possible. My mom loves Godiva chocolate, but it’s pricey. Her theory was that if you were going to eat fine chocolates, you had to savor each and every bite. I’ve never forgotten this lesson and I always

My chocolates of choice for this visit were a white chocolate ganache bliss:

and a gingerbread truffle:

Source

Both were heavenly. My husband was ready to get the heck out of dodge so I agreed to savor them in the car rather than on a bench in the mall. Those two pieces of chocolate lasted me the entire hour and a half long car ride home. Thanks, mom, for teaching me to truly savor my food!

We picked Peanut up on the way home and spent the rest of the evening chillin’ with her until her bedtime. It’s nice to get away and have some time as a couple, but we all enjoy our time as a family, too.

Do you have any favorite treats that aren’t available close to home? What are they? Where do you have to go to get them?

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