Some of us are lucky enough to have lifelong friends. You know, the friend who may not vote as you do, but can remember when you snorted milk out of your nose laughing so hard in third grade. Or who sat next to you in church every Sunday in the days when we had to wear hats. Or the friend who passed notes to you during class commenting on how cute Bucky’s hair is in the back. These are the friends who see you for the person you are, who know your spirit and soul and can (usually) overlook your mistakes in life.
I recently spent a fun weekend in the Tennessee mountains with five old friends. We all grew up in Athens, Georgia, and now live in Columbus; Macon, Georgia; Lookout Mountain, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; Athens, Alabama; and Clemson, South Carolina.
We met at the cabin and proceeded to eat, drink, laugh, play games and talk, talk, talk for three days and nights. We pretty much solved most of the world’s problems, at least those that deal with beauty tips for the older woman, sex, fashion, cooking and how to use iPhones. We are not a tech-savvy group, but what we don’t have in tech smarts we make up for in good humor. I laughed so hard I may have snorted (and peed a little as well).
We played games that I highly recommend for groups of all ages, including coloring books for adults. I’m hooked on this. Then we had a variation of charades, ping pong, the crazy hat game, and Left-Right-Center. Let me know if you need ideas for group activities.
Did I mention that we ate? We are not shy about our love of food. I held a biscuit class one morning and then we took turns with dinner each night. We each brought an appetizer to add to the cheeses and crackers. I cherished this time of day, sitting down with a glass of wine and some delicious something to tide us over until dinner tine. Below are several that were outstanding.
So, before time gets away from you, call a few of your friends and plan for a night or two to reconnect. You could even just have a spend-the-night party at your house. Our small group of six will do this yearly in January and then in June we will have our third yearly vacation of the larger group of 15! I’m in charge, so all advice is welcomed.
Like most recipes, I am sure that none of these are truly original to my friends, but they made the dish so I am naming it in their honor.
DONNA’S BAKED PROSCIUTTO AND BRIE WITH APPLE BUTTER
Makes 16 pieces
1 loaf crusty French bread
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup apple butter
16 thin slice prosciutto (about 1/4 pound)
2 pears or apples, thinly sliced
1 pound Brie, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
PENNY’S SMOKED SALMON POTATO CHIPS
PEGGY’S JALAPEÑO POPPERS
20-25 jalapenos, cut in half and seed (wear plastic food gloves)
2 softened packages cream cheese
2 pounds of bacon (not thick cut)
GINA’S PEPPER JELLY CHEESECAKE
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
1 8-ounce jar Red Hot Pepper Jelly (divided into 2 equal parts)
5 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 egg
BRENT’S BACON SWISS DIP
8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups grated Swiss cheese
6 green onions, chopped
8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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