Much Needed Escape

I went away for the weekend to a bed & breakfast which I'd had a gift certificate for since Christmas. The place was quite grand and full of fine arts and antiques, a gorgeous wrap-around porch full of lounge chairs and rocking chairs, and an overall slightly too elegant feel. I felt a tiny bit out of place by the look and feel of the downstairs. If it wasn't for the owners, I might have believed the furniture indoors was not for sitting on, but admiring.

The host couple was very accommodating - very willing to work with my needs for breakfast and snacks. For instance, my gift certificate/package included a fruit tray (apparently) but the lady-owner prepared something with cheese and nuts so I could enjoy that. She also kept the mini fridge stocked with water! And while everybody else was eating what looked like amazing stuffed french toast for breakfast, I was having baked eggs with herbs. On the second day, she made spinach brownies with the tiniest amount of flour possible to keep my carbs count low. Very thoughtful, huh? BTW the spinach brownies? They were divine.

I was able to stick to my meal plan for most of the trip. In area restaurants, I ate steak & broccoli, eggplant rollatini w/sauteed spinach, and roast duck w/a green bean medley.

And then I let myself eat ice cream. :) Just once, at Coldstone Creamery, and I found out very quickly that the excitement of doing so wears off about halfway into the cup. Seriously! I was all jazzed to have it...and omg was it rich and creamy...but before I'd even finished it I felt like the flavor was just kind of there and eating it had lost its appeal.

So, I think that when/if I treat myself to something like this again, I will bear that in mind and go for a smaller portion. I thought I would destroy a medium cup that night...but I ran out of joy like my old Buick ran out of gas way before there was a sign of empty. It was a good lesson. I did like the ice cream and I'm still glad I went and had it. There were blissful moments of omg-this-is-amazing to make the decision worth it. Now I can get more with less.

I have to say the best tasting food the entire trip was that eggplant rollatini from Sal's. Out. Of. This. World. It was a mention in a list of appetizers in this sampler thing they offered and I asked if I could order it by itself. It was wonnnnnderful. :) And something I can probably produce from home when I want to make an Italian style-something again. Second, was that spinach brownie. I'm telling you, it was made of divinity.

I am totally pleased that I was able to stick to my plans this weekend. I didn't dip into a single bread basket or order any starchy sides - as tempting as they all were. I had my ice cream, as planned, and that was that. This is my pat on the back.