Ladies Who Lunch

My friends, yesterday was fabulous, if not a little exhausting, but completely fabulous. I walked around with a bird on my finger all. day. long.

It feels good to feel good, let me tell ya.

Mrs. Moofish had a birthday at the beginning of the month, but since we both had the flu, and then our combined 6 children had the flu, we had to postpone. However, good things come to those who wait, and last night we were not disappointed. We had dinner and we both dined on fish, which was fab-u-lous. Then I gave her the present I have been dying to give to her for well over a month.

Do you think I could say fabulous one more time?

Gift giving is so very hard for me. I am one of those crazy people who can't wait to give you your present, and I want you to like it. A lot.

Mrs. Moofish liked her present. A lot. Let's just say there was a lot of giggling and happiness going on during the gift giving. And I am not talking about her. Although she did her fair share, much to my delight. She even practiced great patience since I tortured her, just a bit, by putting the present out on the table and making her stare at it until after dessert.

When dinner was done, it was still fairly early. She looked at me and said, "How do you feel about going to the fabric store?"

I looked at her and, "Come on, Moofish, it's your birthday. It's our one night to go to the bar and get wasted, and get home after midnight so we can catch a few zzz's before the car pool line. It will be just like old times!"

Just Kidding!

Mrs. Moofish and I met as teenagers (well I was almost 20) at the church we were raised in...we were two good church-y girls who were not what you would call big party girls.

Well, I did end up marrying her hunky brother so I guess I am pretty wild.

Back then "Girls Night"' was hanging out at our friend Cathy's apartment. Cathy was the only who actually moved out of her parent's house before getting married. There was actually 5 of us Gals who would hang out together: Joanna (Badabucci), Cathy, Heather, Mrs. Moofish, and me.

Wild Girls Nights never included bars or alcohol, or anything of that nature. We were all a bunch of goody-two-shoes. Our Girls Nights were more about chocolate, and chocolate, and a cheesy snack or two.

I remember, very clearly, the menu for one particular Girls Night was Hash Brown Casserole (with CheezIt's sprinkled on top), Brownies, Ice Cream and Chips. We didn't watch movies, because the talking lasted way after midnight. Who has time for movies when you can talk about everything and nothing all night?

Those were good times, my friends, because Mrs Moofish, Joanna and myself were all a little bit love sick for our (then) new boyfriends (all three of us eventually married those guys!) Oh! The Memories!

Anyway, back to last night. After dinner and presents, Mrs. Moofish asked if I was interested in going to the fabric store. After I squealed with delight, I composed myself and said, "Since it is your birthday and all, I will go to the fabric store, just this once."

A wild hour at the fabric store! My prayers had been answered.

We have a very large Joanne Fabric and Crafts store here. You can get everything from glue sticks to Easter candy. Mrs Moofish and I find ourselves there a lot when we are together. It's kind of like Our Store.

When we are together there is this weird sort of magnetic pull that makes our car just drive to that place. It's weird, but it's so fun! Especially because the last three times we have been there together they have had 80's and 90's music piping through the speakers. Like they just know we are coming to shop.

I always find myself singing these songs to her in my goofy way. Last night I sang with my keys as my microphone, because the bolts of fabric were too big. We have known each other since when we were "kids" so I feel free to be absolutely silly with her. When we are together I find myself regressing right back to teenage behavior. Of course the fact that she's related to me helps. What can she do about my weirdness? She's stuck with me...


Happy Birthday Mrs. Moofish. How sweet it is to celebrate birthdays together! We may not be ladies who "lunch" very often, but we sure can tear up a craft store can't we?

Here is another birthday gift for you (and for those of you who need a wild and crazy Girls Night Recipe):

Girls Night Out Hash Brown Casserole (Cathy's Recipe)

2 lb. bag frozen hash browns (defrosted)
1 pint of sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup dry onion
1 box CheezIts - (1-1/2 cup slightly crushed for sprinkling on top;
the rest of the box to eat with your girlfriends)
1/2 cup melted butter

Mix potatoes, sour cream, soup,cheese and onions in a large bowl; add salt and pepper to taste. Spread mixture into a 13x9 baking pan. Mix butter and crushed crackers together. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake at 350 for 1 - 1.5 hours or until middle sets.

Eat and enjoy.
Preferably with hot brownies and ice cream.
And several of your closest girl friends.

Fabulous.