Treats

When I was a child I remember that after beach trips on hot summer days we would stop off at the local Milk Bar and Mum and Dad would buy everyone icypoles. We kids would get the generic type icypoles - usually lemonade flavoured, or perhaps even orange, raspberry or lime.

But Mum and Dad would treat themselves. They'd get something like a Wild Strawberry or a Golden Gaytime - creamy icecream with fruit or nuts or biscuit and covered in chocolate that would crack as you bit into it. 

I can't remember any of we kids being jealous at all. Heck! We had ICYPOLES! Who needed anything more? 

But I do remember those delicious looking icecreams...and as the years have rolled past I realise that they were possibly the only things and the only times my parents truly treated themselves with something that was just special to them. They were always such giving people, working hard to make a living, pay the bills and keep food on the table for their ever-growing family. Honestly, they deserved a tiny bit of luxury now and again - even if it came in the form of a 50c (and THAT was expensive back then!) icecream now and again.

I was reminded of this yesterday when my man and I treated ourselves to some fine dining to celebrate Valentines Day. We headed down the Mornington Peninsula and ate at Montalto Vineyard and Olive Grove in Red Hill. Folks, if ever you're down that way, do drop in. Lovely surrounds, friendly, attentive staff without being overbearing and the most delicious cuisine. 

Pricey? Yes. My man and I spent on one meal what I spend on a weeks worth of groceries...but I reminded myself that sometimes we need to simply relax, treat ourselves and enjoy every delicious morsel. We work hard every day and often deny ourselves the pleasures of life in order to simply get by. 

So we relaxed, and indulged and had the most wonderful time chatting and enjoying each other's company whilst admiring a beautiful view and enjoying the most delicious food in quite a while.

And although the Wild Strawberry and the Golden Gaytime were not in the same league food-wise, I really, really, really hope my parents felt the same sense of enjoyment and satisfaction all those years ago...because oh how they deserved to be indulged now and again!