Yesterday was Fat Tuesday, officially the last day of gluttony before we Christians  traditionally opt for a more ascetic lifestyle during the season of Lent, a period of forty days beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter Sunday symbolizing the forth days Christ spent fasting and in pray before starting his ministry. During lent, we typically sacrifice something we love - typically sweets, liquor, bad habits, etc... - and also spend the season working harder to do the work Christ wants us to do - serving others. To prepare for the season there are worldwide celebrations and carnivals where Christians have one final feast before giving it all up for a season of fasting and sacrifice. This is Fat Tuesday (or Shrove Tuesday for some).

Today marks the feast of the Epiphany and for many, like myself, the end of the Christmas season. (Boo!)

A lot of people like to end the holiday season January 2nd, when it's back to work, back to school, and back to the daily grind. A lot of Christians, however, continue the celebrations throughout the days of the revelation of the Christ child to the Gentiles through the visit of the three kings. For Western Christians, that day is the 6th of January.

I hope everyone had a very Happy New Year! As for me, things have been pretty mellow the first four days of the new year. After our nights of Christmas celebrations and the three of us constantly battling illness thanks to the 72 degree weather post solstice, we all just needed a break and some R&R time.

We never do anything spectacular for New Years Eve. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I actually decided to venture out into the city for NYE. It is just too crazy and full of people who cannot hold their liquor. Instead, ever since Terry & I have been together, we have opted for a simple night in with sushi and champagne followed by a binge marathon of something witty. This year we celebrated with The Thin Man followed by one of our favorite shows, Futurama. Since we are a pretty low key family, it's a great way to ring in the New Year. Plus it doesn't cost a fortune and we can sit in our pajamas all night.