The Garden (Bodeci) Party

My sun tea, from left: white pomegranate, black mango and "Duchess Grey".  Trader Joe's

Simple flower arrangement on the food table.  Pretty hand towels in ceramic holder (a birthday gift from Adrienne.  I loved one of her first blogs about them) beautifies my bathroom.  

My flowers were all dead-headed recently, so I welcomed my girls with this cute little sitting area near my front door and a painting I did years ago depicting Sonoma Valley lifestyle.


(As you sing my song, please sing it to the musical score of "Garden Party" by Ricky Nelson)

I had a BODECI party to reminisce with my old friends

a chance to share old memories and talk 'bout our kids again.

 So, I went to the veggie garden to harvest stuff to eat.

Then I washed, sliced, grilled, seasoned and created a wonderful treat.

Grilling my harvest is easy with one of these vegetable grillers.

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

"If you can't please anyone then ya got to please yourself!"

I tossed my grilled vegetables with olive oil, vinegar, fresh ground pepper, sal de mer, fresh basil and shaved Parmesan Reggiano.  Served in my grandmother's 1950's salad bowl.

Christina's white bean roasted pepper casserole,  Kathy's chicken lettuce wraps,

Amy's arugula, fig salad and the sun tea brought major claps!

Deborah's sliced tomatoes vinaigrette and steamed green beans from the vine
with Ellen's stuffed mushroom caps, Oh! it was quite divine!

 Easy party trick: keep a Bodeci basket nearby to toss those papers, notes and stuff
you always have on your counter top. (My laptop fits in nicely, too!)

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

"Ya see we can't please everyone so we got to please our self!"

The girls arrive!

Donna made this awesome vegetable farrow (sp?) salad, a highlight of our day
We were getting ready for desert  along with a bit of Chardonnay.
Then April's oatmeal/ coconut cookies and Trisha's soft brie & grapes
We knew to enjoy just a bit cuz we want to keep our shapes!

From left background: Christina, Kathy, Amy, Deborah, Donna
Foreground:  April and Ellen

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

"Ya see you can't please everyone so ya got to please yourself!"

Said hello to Seamac, our "pool guy" and good friend,
he said, "Have fun and take a dip, just gotta give it 'bout ten.
So Donna, April, Amy and I stripped down to our swimsuits
then jumped into my warm, aqua pool with giggles, hollers and hoots!

Amy, Donna and April splash  and play!

But, it's all right now, we've learned our lesson well, 

Ya see I can't please everyone so I got to please myself!

Stay tuned for my scarf tying competition modeling show!

Asked to model my Hermes scarf, (Oh, I'm such a ham!)
Everyone had a chance to try and make me a bit more glam!
We can show those photos another time cuz I'm sure you want to take
a little time off (Well, it's Labor day, so, go take a break!)

Rocky and Boomer share a bit of insight about us girls.

But, it's all right now, I've learned my lessons well, 

Ya see we can please everyone as long as we please ourself!

The End (for now!)

Young Woman, Old Girl

I didn't raise daughters, but I have 'my girls'.  They are K and R, my son's girlfriends and I have known them both for over three years.  Both are uniquely beautiful and both have had their share difficulties in life.  They are smart and work hard for their achievements.  They don't put on acts and play "bitchy", in fact, they are sweet and show their vulnerability without being wimps.



I remember when I was their age and how, not too long ago but before I met these girls, I would think, "I thought I knew everything back then.  What a dumb ass I was!  I wouldn't go back to that age for anything, with all of it's insecurities and challenges."  I found myself expressing to friends of my age, "What I have found, is that 'the older I get, the less I know'!"  Because I have lived more than twice the amount of time on earth as 'my girls' doesn't mean they are not wise.

How many lives have us girls led?

Before knowing K and R I assumed there wasn't much I could learn from young women of their age.  I mean, let's face it, after viewing their generation in action on TV programs such as, "My Sweet Sixteen",  (I think that's the name.  It depicts bratty teen girls who practically send their parents to debtor's prison in order to have a sweet sixteen party and a new sports car for a gift.) "The Kardashian's" and "Jersey Shore", it's no wonder I hadn't much time for their generation of women.  A generation who was raised viewing and revering those tabloid photos of Lindsey, Brittany and Paris behaving like spoiled tramps, not a shred of class or dignity, only to want to be just like them.

Remember when you thought getting married was the end all!

Over the summer, both of 'my girls' were around a lot and not just because my sons were.  They both really enjoy spending time with me.  We can sit for hours talking about school or work or guys or how we aren't feeling good about a certain part of our body.  We also support each other during those times when life slaps us in the face and praise each other for each new accomplishment.  And, I learn plenty from 'my girls' as they learn from me.  After knowing them as I do now, I would go back to those days, but only if I could come back to where I am now.

Life will hone us into the beautiful women we are.

I have met young girls who are old enough to be my sister.  They are the ones who are forever immature, needy and self-absorbed.  Similarly, I have met old women young enough to be my sister, but because of their close-mindedness, negative attitude and inflexibility, they have lost their sense of playfulness and independent spirit.  

Just a bunch of young women, old girls.  Do you see Adrienne back there?

One day, a few weeks back, 'my girls' and I talked about how the three of us were young women, mature and responsible as well as vulnerable and insecure.  We three are also old girls, young at heart and wise, having jumped over many hurdles in our lives. The three of us realize that we are human and flawed.  We will make mistakes.  We will do something stupid.  And, in our humanness find forgiveness for ourselves.  All we can do is to work at being the best we can and to learn from each other.  

I am an old girl but for sure, I am still a young woman!