My mom and I promptly started to brainstorm places that we could go for lunch. There was quite a lot of consideration that went into it, and even some time spent asking for recommendations from friends. This is something that I don't think men understand. They're happy to just pick a place and go. I want to know where the restaurant is, if it is easy to park, if it will be busy, what kind of food they have, what's the ambiance, have I been there before, or have any of my friends, what's the dress code, cost and the list goes on and on. We finally determine a restaurant that fit the bill of what we were looking for, Terry's Turf Club.
I drove us to the restaurant in Alex's new car. Since it's a new car and I haven't completely figured out how to parallel park it I opted to go on down the road until I reached a spot that I could pull in to. (This is another thing that my mom understood, but I'm not convinced that Alex would. He probably would have teased me). We put our names in and waited outside, luckily it was an unseasonably warm January day. We passed the time by talking. Now, for anyone that knows Alex they know that talking is one of his strengths, but when women get together the conversation always steers to people and life events. They are completely different conversations when there are men around.
Finally we were seated at the bar. Terry's Turf Club is a small hamburger joint... and for my mom and I this means milkshakes. Unfortunately for us, their neon signs were not 100% indicative of their offerings so we were out of luck. Alex is a fan of ice cream, but getting a milkshake with Alex would just not be the same as getting one with my mom. It's hard to pinpoint the exact reason for this, but I think that my mom and I have a similar appreciation for milkshakes and therefore I enjoy milkshakes more when I'm with her because I know she is enjoying hers as much as I am mine.
Later that evening I headed over to my friend Amy's for an old fashioned sleepover. We had some wine and caught up for a while. The funny thing about girl time, especially when you're at a restaurant, is how long it takes to finally decide on what to have for dinner. Eventually someone has to take the lead, otherwise everyone will continuing talking indefinitely. I love that the conversations are always different than the ones I have with Alex. We can talk about girly things like recipes, clothes, interior design, weddings, blogging and share new stories and reminisce about old memories. (That's not to say that there aren't deep conversations as well, but those usually come later in the evening).
Another thing I've noticed is that while girls can easily sit around and chat and do nothing for an entire evening, there are usually games involved. Girls will bring games with them to a friend's house. I doubt that thought would ever cross a guy's mind. Alex and I will sometimes play Sequence together, but it always ends up very competitive. With the girls, or even a mixed crowd, you play games to entice more laughter. We also had some birthday cake. I'm not sure if it's just my own experience or a general rule with females, but I find that birthday cakes are more important to my friends than to Alex.
My girlfriends will always appreciate the little details of a cake, a card, a gift, or even just the effort of driving to see them. We ended the evening by changing into our pajamas and falling asleep to some episodes of Sex and the City. Even if Alex and I had a television in our bedroom, I highly doubt we would be falling asleep to SATC. It would definitely be ESPN ("I just want to see the score of the game..."). No thank you.
The next day I met back up with my family and we spent the day with my extended family as a belated Christmas gathering. Later that afternoon Alex and I drove back to Lexington. The next weekend I had the opportunity to spend some time with Alex's family. I drove over to Louisville last Saturday morning to spend the day with his cousin Amanda and Aunt Brenda. Of course there was shopping involved. Whenever Alex and I shop together we always have a mission and Alex usually knows exactly what he's looking for before we go into the store. It's efficient, but that's not what I call shopping.
Shopping with the ladies is more about the thrill of a find and a good deal. It's about finding something unexpected for someone else. It's about trying on clothes for the fun of it. It's also about giving your opinion and talking through potential outfits. It's about browsing through every single clothes rack and relaxing enough to just lose track of time. After spending an hour or two in the first store we were all starving. Considering we were all dressed appropriately and we were already out on the town the restaurant consideration went quite a bit faster than it had with my mom the weekend prior.
We decided on PF Chang's and each ordered something different to share. We ate our delicious food and got lost in conversation. I love when all the plates have been cleared and the bill has already come and gone and you still find yourselves talking without pause (It was already 2 p.m. by that time so we weren't in any hurry to give up our table). It's a wonderful feeling to know that I've gained more family than just Alex's parents and siblings, especially considering that Amanda and Aunt Brenda are so close by. After lunch we did a little more shopping at Von Maur which included some time spent playing dress up. You know you've found your shopping soulmates when you're all ready to head home at the same time.
On my drive back to Lexington I called my mom to catch up. Before I knew it an hour had passed and I was already home. There's something rejuvenating about those types of phone calls. Although it was a tiring day I had enough energy to meet up with Alex and our friends for a night of bowling. Sunday Alex and I went to church and did a little book shopping. After a few hours we ended up coming home and ordering the books online. Typical. I did not feel energized after that shopping trip haha.
Monday night I planned to have "Bachelor Viewing Party" for ABC's The Bachelor. When I had roommates, in college and after college, it was always a tradition to watch shows together. Mostly because it was entertaining and an excuse to get together that didn't include spending any money. It wasn't the best timing because a few of the girls had things come up and they weren't going to be able to make it after all. Alex said that if nobody was able to come he would watch The Bachelor with me. I appreciated the sentiment, but that wouldn't have been the same evening on any level (instead of adding to my entertainment he would've likely annoyed me with his commentary and criticism).
Luckily, my friend Jasmine was able to make it over and we enjoyed a quiet evening of wine and The Bachelor while Alex went to work out (thanks for making yourself scarce honey). If shopping is relaxing and talking on the phone is rejuvenating than this type of evening would be considered therapeutic. By the time Jasmine headed home and Alex returned I felt perfectly content, as if I had just received a rose myself. (Although, with Ben as the bachelor I probably would've made like Brittney and left on my own accord).
Last night Alex and I joined our friends at Megan and Greg's house for dinner. The beginning of the evening we all congregated in the kitchen and chatted, later on the men ended up near the television where they could keep an eye on the games that were on while the girls ended up talking at the table. Some things never change!
The good times continue tonight with the first meeting of the New Year for the Women's Guild at my church. While I treasure all of the girlfriends I've made in Lexington thus far, it is a nice change of scenery to spend an evening with this group of ladies, the majority of whom aren't in my age bracket. You just never know what you'll learn! One thing I have learned lately (or I should say, been reminded of), is the fact that I have friends and family near and far and all I ever have to do is reach out to them for girl talk or to plan a girl's day or night out, or in. Because as much as I love Alex, he just can't be substituted for time with the girls.
~
This week I was on a pistachio kick... Here are a couple simple recipes:
Baked Pistachio Chicken
from the AbsDiet Cookbook
from the AbsDiet Cookbook
- 1/2 tbsp. dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. honey
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- 1/4 cup whole grain bread crumbs
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Mix the mustard, oil, and honey in a shallow bowl; season with salt and pepper. Mix the pistachios and bread crumbs on a plate.
- Dip the chicken in the mustard mixture to coat and then in the crumbs. Place the chicken on the baking sheet.
- Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Turn the heat down to 375. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink when tested with a knife.
Pistachio Pudding Cake from my mom's collection of recipes (circa 1970’s)
- 1 pkg (4 serving) Pistachio Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
- 1 pkg 2 layer yellow cake mix (preferably not pudding mix)
- ½ t. almond or vanilla extract
- 4 eggs
- 1 ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup oil
Combine all ingredients in a large
mixer bowl. Blend; then beat at medium
speed of electric mixer for 2 minutes.
Pour into greased and floured 10-in tube or Bundt pan. Or can bake in a 13 x 9 in cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or
until cake springs back when lightly pressed.
Cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove
from pan and finish cooling on a rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if
desired.
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