Friendship… is not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything. – Muhammad Ali
The Antidote to fifty enemies is one friend. -Aristotle
Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship. – Dorothy Parker
The amazing ladies of Steel Magnolias!
Happy sunny lovely weekend ladies!
I celebrated my weekend solo by hosting a Ladies’ Lunch. I figured that if my husband can go play with the Bohemians in the woods and get his “boy” on, then I certainly can get my “girl” on and celebrate the ladies! I LOVE getting the ladies together. They brighten my day, enrich my life and make me laugh. And it is good.
I think my girlfriends are so important to me because, well… they get me. They know I will be goofy, they know I might crack some bad jokes and they know I will be wearing pink and a smile. I could tell them I want to go join the circus and they might try to talk me out of it and disapprove, but they would be there for me. I could tell them that I was overwhelmed and they would be the first to offer their help. I could tell them I want to go against the law and they would imagine being the Thelma to my Louise. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get your girlfriends together, not just alone, but as a group.
Tulips brought from one of my lovely friends. So sweet!
Of course I enjoy my time with each and every amazing girlfriend, but having them together brings such an experience to life, it’s hard to explain. It is the Ya-Ya Sisterhood come alive, right on my front patio. We rejoice in each other and in knowing that we are of like mind, and can share in each other’s joy, pain and perspectives. I am always amazed at how dynamic and diverse my friends are. Birds of a feather do flock together and let me tell you, we are a whole bird sanctuary of fun, talkative, outgoing and cool ladies. But we are also so unique and I am grateful for their individual insight and various strengths and weaknesses. I love that one friend is now getting into cooking when she was scared to even enter the kitchen. I love that one of them is super sensitive and makes me be a kinder person. I love that one friend always has the positive point of view. And I love that one friend tells it like it is and socks it to me when I need a good talking to.
I invited the ladies weeks in advance so they would be sure to put it in their calendar. We are very busy women you know! I planned the menu with creating dessert first, naturally. It is my favorite part of the meal, and is a MUST in my house. Key lime pie, brownies, and orange olive oil cake. Hors d’oeuvres were pigs in a blanket – a sure crowd pleaser which allowed me to exclaim to everyone “You’re just in time for weenies!” And “It wouldn’t be a ladies’ lunch without weenies!” This kept me in hysterics laughing so hard, no matter how many times I said it or who was (not) listening. I am easily entertained.
White trash food – it's SO good!
We also had blue cheese dip, cucumber and watercress sandwiches (no proper lady would be without her tea sandwich), and of course, PINK champagne!!
The main course was panko and walnut-encrusted chicken and orzo salad with cucumbers, baby mozzarella balls, tomato and corn. Delish!
As ladies arrived, there were oohs and aahs over clothing, jewelry, new haircuts and reacquainting with ladies not seen in a while. We sat and talked about everything – dating, married life, men in general and how they are a different breed, impending divorce, and new relationships. We talked about work, baby dreams, food and books and TV shows and so much more.
I caught my next door neighbor, a very nice man, sitting on his patio, eavesdropping. Hilarious. I orchestrated a little trivia game about famous women (I come from a long line of people who love games). The questions were tricky like:
Who was the founder of the American Red Cross?
(Clara Barton)
What year were women allowed to vote?
1920
Who was the African-American Voodoo Queen of New Orleans and famous herbalist?
(Marie LaVeau)
Don’t worry. It was multiple choice and everyone got a prize, regardless of what answer they gave. Some of the prizes were books I had read that I wanted to pass on including THE HELP and BOSSYPANTS.
I am proud to have these amazing women in my life and as my friends. I hold my head high and my chest out knowing that they consider me a friend. So, in honor of them, I say:
Don’t take your friends for granted.
Your friends need you as much as you need them.
Sometimes friends need to talk, even when they don’t say so. Reach out to them often just to check in and be there for them. Don’t assume that just because they haven’t called you to tell you their problems, that all is great.
An email is not the proper way to catch up if you live close enough to drive. And even then, it’s not personal.
You do not need a reason or occasion to get your ladies together. Just invite them over or out for lunch or whatever and that’s it!!
Fancy toes for fancy ladies. Can you guess which are mine?
And if you need a little inspiration or to remind yourself of the power of the female friendship watch,
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
BEACHES
IN HER SHOES – I think about my sisters the whole movie through and cry like a baby whose favorite doll just got stolen.
HUZZAH Ladies!!!
