it's a first.

a neighborhood book club.  It's something new for me, and the response to starting this was awesome.  We had our first meeting last night, and everyone who committed to being there showed up.  We had a yummy chocolate mousse cake from costco-so good, some lovely cheeses, crackers, and fruit.  I brought the last bottle of red wine and Ann's champagne rounded out our feast.  Our discussion was just as good as the food, and I'm so glad we took the steps to make this happen.  I'm really looking forward to next month, we'll be discussing my selection Death of Bees.  Even though I just finished it a few weeks ago, our discussion about Lost Lake reminded me that I should do another re-read so I'm more prepared.  We are utilizing our clubhouse [it's such a homey setting], and we hope to be able to sit outside this summer.  Our clubhouse is so under used, and the back porch which overlooks the pool is such a nice spot and shaded.  I got to meet one new person, and I had more face time with someone I see when we are out walking our dogs.  The starting of this book club is good timing for me as I'm looking for more "me" things to do away from work and home.  Also, I don't have to drive-BONUS!

throwback thursday. college days

Tuesday I had the good fortune of having dinner with some wonderful ladies that I met while doing my student teaching practicals for my education degree at Kennesaw State University. The last 2 semesters of the education program can be pretty grueling, and it's important that you bond with the folks in your cooperative group. We definitely did, there were about 16 of us, and 9 were guys. The four of us, Shannon, Mary, Me and Tina (pictured L-R) spent a lot of time laughing and crying, but we survived. Only 2 of us, Shannon and Tina actually got jobs in the teaching world, but we all agree that we would not have made it to the end without each other. The only thing that's really kept us apart over these last 10-ish years have been our family and job responsibilities. Luckily, we still live nearby, and with our children getting older we hope that we will be able to get together more often.

Here's our photo from dinner, I've reached out to Mary, and hopefully the next get together will include the 4 of us.

so what's happened since last we met?  Shannon has 1 son in college (almost done), a son and daughter in high school, the youngest now being 16.  Same husband, but has moved a couple times, and they are still trying to get settled.  For Tina, same house and husband, and she now has 4 (!) grandchildren-her oldest daughter was expecting her first baby last time I'd seen her.  Her son (out of college) got married this past June, and lives nearby.  Her youngest daughter (trying to find her way) is working in Florida.  Everyone is healthy and doing great, and moving along through life.  I feel so blessed to have a chance to re-connect with these ladies.

on being a girl

this week has reinforced for me that it really is fun being a girl. it was great having the monday off while everyone was at work/school. i got lots done. then knit night and the "after party" so much laughter-very good for the soul. i'm expecting more fun and laughs with jillian tomorrow for dinner, my quilt club on friday, then SAFF with Mom on saturday. yesterday i was able to mark more things off my "to do" list-woohoo!. such as dusting and cleaning stuff in the cabinets in the dining room-ugh, not my favorite thing, but it had to be done, and it felt really good putting all the sparkling things back in place- i finished citron, cast on my kai-mei socks, did one 1/2 sleeves for coraline, and completed a quilt top, and finished a book-i love my hobbies :-). i spent a lot of time in the kitchen too-turkey stock for thanksgiving-the picture doesn't do the smell justice!
a very girly dinner-steve and andrew were out bowling so mom and i had a frittata with prosciutto, asparagus, spinach, portabellas, and sundried tomatoes and a cucumber tomato salad-yum. i also made ina's pumpkin roulade with ginger cream for sunday's dinner-here's the cooked pumpkin i got in this week's market basket that i used-this was totally crazy to cook, but provided the perfect amount for the roulade with only just a little left over-maybe pumpkin muffins?
i snapped this photo earlier this week-don't you agree- a wonderful use for your car's ashtray-stitch markers at the ready.
of course, there was laundry, clearing out the 162 emails i'd gotten since monday, and other domestic "stuff". i also watched juno-i'd seen it before with jillian, and i cried again towards the end-not sure if it was the heart-wrenching fact that she was 16, pregnant and putting her baby up for adoption, or the angst of vanessa on wanting a baby of her own and not being able to have one~it reminded me while it's not easy being a girl, surrounding yourself with incredible women sure can make it a wonderful thing.

girl time. . .

our one photo of the day. joyce and mei.

enjoyed another field trip with the dixie stars-kathy couldn't join us :-( maybe next time. we went to heritage quilts and 2 sisters knit nook in newnan, and brenda heard about a new yarn shop in peachtree city, so we stopped there on our way home. both yarn shops are great and carry a variety of natural fibers. look forward to visiting them again.

also got to enjoy some time with mary, karen, katie and sara before katie moves to nyc. great company, food and wine (and daiquiris!)