...well, we're at the beginning of anniversary time here in the Howell household. Yep, 17 years ago tonight we were having our rehearsal dinner at the Ramada in Ithaca. It was a great night, as was the next day, our wedding, but as far as food, well, I know we are better cooks than any of the cookin' we had those nights.

We've ended up with a little tradition for a few years now of "little steaks" to celebrate mom and dad's anniversary as a family. A few years ago we got a good deal on some filet, cooked it up, wrapped in bacon on the grill, with some potatos and corn on the cob, and, well the kids, little food snobs that they are, were hooked. Today, stinkin' lobster was like $7.00 a pound, but NO, we had to have the "little steaks!" Tonight's menu included corn on the cob, and caprese salad, along with a lovely Goose Watch Chambourcin, and you know, after a bottle of that, I could've cared less what we had paid for the steaks!

We did do a little "number crunching" though, as we sat finishing the wine, and the $40 in meat + $2.50 for corn + $2.00 for tomatos + $3.00 for fresh basil + $2.50 for fresh mozzarella + $12 (we think) for wine = $62. AND there are leftovers for another full meal, if not, possibly two. FOR FOUR! So you do the math. Treat yourselves well, buy the nice steak, drink the wine, and celebrate yourselves, your families. Celebrate LIFE! It is SO worth it!