Food

My ex-daughter-in-law gave me a coupon for a free dinner at Outback; I was delighted, since that's one of my favorite places to eat.  There were stipulations to the coupon:  It must be used Monday through Thursday, and I had two weeks to use it.  
Today is the last opportunity to get my free dinner, and it doesn't look to me like we'll be getting it.  
Of course, it goes without saying that we'd have to buy one dinner, because Cliff is not going to sit in the car while I eat.  Still, we could choose one of the cheaper meals, drink water, and get by for ten bucks; but then the right thing to do is tip the waiter or waitress for two meals, even though you are only paying for one.  Because they are serving two people.  I doubt we'd get out of there for less than $15, and you can buy a lot of beans, canned or frozen vegetables, and bananas for that amount of money.  
Then there's the fact that Outback doesn't open until 4 P.M.  If we eat out, we like to do so at mid-day.  
Besides, we have a freezer full of meat here at home that my Jersey cow has graciously provided us.

 I made sure my hand was in the picture so you can see the size of the roasts we get from a yearling, half-Jersey steer.  It isn't a lot of meat, but then we are two old folks who don't need a lot of meat.

Here it is in a two-quart pan, ready to cook.  
It's amazing how my attitudes about eating out have changed.  We recently met Cliff's cousin and his wife in Sedalia at Golden Corral.  I was eagerly looking forward to all the choices, especially the fattening desserts, since I don't allow myself to make many calorie-laden desserts these days.  
As I considered what I was eating, I realized there was nothing on my plate that was outstanding in taste.  The meat and vegetables were too salty, and the desserts were mediocre.  When given a choice, I usually choose fruit pie and ice cream:  This pie crust wasn't flaky, there weren't enough spices in the apple filling, and the ice cream wasn't really ice cream... more like ice milk.  
I need to pay more attention to what I am eating when a meal is costing us $25.   
Because I wanted to taste decent apple pie one more time before I die, I made one Sunday.  We each had one 1/8 sized piece of pie each day, and then the grandson happened by and helped himself to a bigger piece.  The pie is gone now, but I can honestly say it was a dessert that was worth the calories and the effort.  
Dang it, I could live on apple pie and ice cream.  
Today it's back to red beans and rice.