nothing like an old friend...

I mentioned last week that I had some childhood friends over for a visit.  These are girls I have known my entire life.  We went to grade school together.  Two are sisters, the absolute sweetest of women, one makes the very best cupcakes anyone has ever tasted and the other runs one of Phoenix's biggest sport bars.  The other is a mother of FIVE, a school teacher AND sings in two different bands.  Can you imagine a better afternoon visit?  Nothing like friends and food all mixed together.

Did I forget to mention there was food?  There is always food.  The plan was dessert and a movie at my house.  Mother of 5 friend brought the last Twilight movie because they were all dismayed that I have yet to see it.  Guess what?  I still haven't seen it.  You know what happens when four women get together.  Talk, talk, talking.  Eat, eat, eating, some more talking and movies are forgotten.  I cannot imagine the movie would have been better than our gabbing.  I mean Cary Grant wasn't in it so how good could it be?

Dessert is easy and should be eaten with people you love, or alone in a dark kitchen at 2:00 a.m, wait where were we going?  Oh right, because I am a crazy person (many people will verify this), I decided to do a little 3 dessert sampler. 

I polished the silver...

and set the table....

 

I clipped some flowers from the front yard (remember these from yesterday?)...

 

I like to set a bottle of water at each place setting.  These are simple bottles from Ikea and I use them all the time.  We keep our water in them, I put them out at dinner parties and on the nightstand when I have guests.  It's hot in Arizona, we need lots of water.  Water bottles filled...

 

Time to eat.  The only thing I didn't make from scratch (I didn't make it at all) was this. 

 

The vanilla was to go with the Black Cherry Sweet Cake...

 

and the pistachio (which was DIVINE by the by) paired with classic brownies (sweet sister #1, who was in my wedding, requires chocolate)...

 

and last but not least, no, more like first because it is crazy good (Andrew Henry's other favorite dessert) was Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie...

 

None of these were gluten-free so I had Gelato (again, pistachio was surprisingly delish).  Do you know what the best part of the day was?  I bet you do...

 

These are my 3 girlfriends.  These fabulous and all over 40 women (don't they look great?!) are the best part of any get together.  No matter how busy you are, if you have 5 children at home, a big restaurant to run, live over an hour away, or jewelry orders to fill, please find time to connect with your friends.  You know - where there is a will, there is a way.  Make it happen for yourself.  Feed your soul with friendship.  As Martha would say, it's a good thing.

things i love thursday...

I've tweaked things up today.  The "thing" for this Thursday afternoon is not a something but a someone.  My lifelong friend is coming to visit tomorrow.  You all know her as "California - friend" from our Monday morning  four lovely women series.  We have been friends for almost 40 years.  We started kindegarten together,  she was partially responsible for me meeting Andrew Henry, is my daughter's godmother and was the maid of honor at our wedding.  We have always been...

Oh this book.  What can I say about this other childhood friend?  I loved this book when I was little.  California friend and I once performed it as a play for my mother.  I knew it by heart.  I played "Bear".  I played Bear because I wanted to be Bear - I really did.  The story is delightful, Duck is a happy housekeeper (didn't want to be Duck) and Bear is a happy cook.  They celebrate their differences and are the best of friends. 

I wanted to live in Bear's kitchen.  It thrilled me to no end, the thought of making "honey cake" or "nut pie" in this kitchen was just beyond beyond.  Don't you just love it!  I know my mother is cringing - she's a duck.

Here's the funny thing.  I did turn out to be Bear.  I have my own version of his kitchen now.  I am not now, nor will I ever be Duck, would rather cook than clean any day!  I connected with Bear, all those years ago, for a reason.  I think if you get stuck,  if perhaps, you have misplaced your joy, try looking back.  What did you like to do most as a child?  Is there a way to bring some of that into your life again? 

One of my favorite things to do as a child, was to laugh with my best friend, and I'm getting to that again tomorrow.  I might just bake her a treat.  I probably won't clean my house - she won't care.  We'll be eating and laughing.  We are always laughing.  

Two good friends - hard to beat.

How about you - are you a duck or a bear?

corned beef and cabbage...

and some wonderful friends, what more could you ask for?  We celebrated St. Patrick's a day early this year.  We were invited to dine at the home of some very dear friends.  The Barker Family household is full of love and children.  Ray and Michelle have 4 (yep FOUR) charming children.  Lucky for us, Michelle's parents were in town and joined us for dinner.  Thought you might enjoy joining in our celebration...

Three generations of beautiful women in the kitchen - Paula, Michelle and Madison...

Know what else was in the kitchen...

The boys like to wrestle.  The boys are serious.  They have a large mat and "wrestling dummies" - I think one was named "James".  Really, what is St. Patrick's Day without a little wrestling?  Bridger and Pryor showed us some of their moves...

When I say "serious", I mean it folks.  The trophies are starting to accumulate.  How COOL is this one? 

I mean, have you ever seen a Kachina Doll trophy?  I sure haven't.  I love creativity.  Thinking oustide the box is so exciting to me.  You know who is always excited?  Grandpa Fred.

I've just noticed I don't have a photo of Ray.  Ray was the best man in our wedding.  I might have one of those from the wedding, let me go check.  Yes indeed - just so you can meet the whole family.  Here is daddy Ray.

There is one more member of the Barker clan.  The youngest little "steal your heart" girl with the perfect name.  Meet..........Ruby.

Ruby is dancing with Andrew Henry.  She told him he was her "prince".   I couldn't agree more Ruby, I really couldn't.

Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year?

I brought in some yellow flowers from the front yard and set the table for two. Dee arrived full of news and questions, energy and life. A much needed break and “Tigger” injection for me!

We dined on bell pepper frittata with dates (out of figs) and artichoke spread. Breakfast potatoes came in the form of scalloped potatoes with leeks and gruyere cheese (don’t even talk to me about these). Throw in some sliced tomatoes with olive oil and basil, a little fruit with yogurt and honey and you’ve got yourself a feast my friends. A feast!

When I mentioned this breakfast might just be a “pit stop” for Dee, I didn’t know whether she was planning another adventure or not. Honestly, I had no idea it was true.  She is actually leaving in 3 weeks for………..Egypt and Jordan.  This is what I’m talking about people!

I want to be Dee when I grow up. During this trip, she will spend 4 nights on the NILE RIVER and visit Petra in Jordan! Should we try to hide in her suitcase? Just in case that doesn’t work out, I’ve asked her to come back and give us a “guest blog” about her trip. Perhaps she’ll even tell us about the time she was attacked by wild Cambodian dogs. Seriously, I couldn’t make that up.

Pearls of wisdom? Dee didn’t disappoint. This one spilled out during the course of our conversation - “Don’t explain. Friends don’t expect it and enemies don’t believe it”.  Now,  Dee doesn’t remember where she heard it so she won’t take credit for originating it, just passing it along.  She's a good Tigger that one.