My Scoop of Coop and Dose of Delight

Last night I had a lot of fun. A lot of fun. I started with making dinner for this family (see recipe below) so they could eat it tomorrow night. I then picked up this gal and we headed out to see Angel, Rob, Britt and Coop (the fam from above). We meant to just kiss and hold Charlie for a while and then head out to dinner just the girls but ended up talking for a long time, reminiscing, getting out the yearbooks so I could figure out who we were talking about, and getting more information about people we know than I could ever successfully erase from my mind. Rob, you know more details about some people's lives than any 10 girls I know. AND Mister Railroad Man, quit the act. You are not a back-country bumpkin, you are diabolically smart, you are so full of BS it is unbelievable but so much fun to sit around and talk with. Thanks for the entertainment. By the way, how did you luck out with gal like Ang? And, Britt, don't even get me going. The kid is non-stop cute. Funny, dimply cute. And Coop, I could hold and kiss his face and chubbiness all night. I think Rob probably wiped him down after we left because Amanda and I were kissing on him so much.

Finally, we realized it was basically bedtime and headed to dinner. It was one of those fun's like the time goes by way to quickly. So much so that I forgot to even call Dave and let him know we were still out talking and don't wait up. Sorry.

I have a serious problem with memory. High school is sort of murky, some years of college are too. Not for the reasons that you would think - I didn't have that much fun. So, Amanda tried to remind me of certain things. Some things that I am probably better off leaving in the murk. Good ol' queen bee business that tends to happen when there are a lot of girls that are strong-willed and smart. Stuff I think most of us wish we could re-do and do better and kinder. Whatever happened happened, I say. I think everything works out for the best, experiences teach you things and all that stuff. Hopefully, 15ish years later, we aren't still pulling that kind of nonsense. But I also had fun remembering the fun and adolescency goodness.

I will tell you, Angel in high school (and later as roommates in Israel) was the kind of golden gal that you could bask in her glow and feel pretty content. You weren't mad that she was golden, you just loved the way she made you feel when you are around her. She is still that way. If I were her, I would be a bundle of nerves, stress and weepy tension. Ang says any mom would do what she is doing. Amanda says it best, "but not with the grace and strength you do it with". I agree. I'm glad we are friends all these years later. Everyone should have a gal like her to bask in and around.

Amanda is still super funny, a super quick talker (I love it, it makes me do the same and I don't get to do that often enough, at least when anyone is listening!), smart and savvy. I also loved this about her in h.s. and love the way the years and experiences have added to it. Much wisdom, a lot of self awareness and she still can enliven a conversation with laughter.

It was a lot of fun ladies, can't wait until we do it again - soon! It was just what I needed, all the candid talk and misty eyes (mine) and walking away feeling really happy with myself and those around me. I need a daily scoop of Coop but will take what I can get.

Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad

4-6 chicken breast halves, sprinkled with lemon pepper and grilled

1 pkg of pasta (penne or bowtie), cooked and rinsed with cool water

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 bunch of spinach, cleaned and torn (or one or two bags baby spinach, my pref)

1 chopped red and/or yellow pepper

1/2 c. almonds, sugared and toasted (sorry ang, I forgot this step)

Dressing - combine and process in a blender

1/4 c sesame seeds

1/3 c red wine vinegar

1/2 c soy sauce

1/2 c canola oil

1/4 t salt

1/4 - 1/2 t ground pepper

1/4 c fresh chopped parsley

3 T sugar

Grill chicken and cut in to strips, then slice in to bite-sized pieces.

To make sugared almonds, you'll want to use slivered or chopped almonds. Put them in a non-stick fry pan with a couple tablespoons full of sugar and less than a tablespoonful of water. Cook over med-high heat, stirring, until nicely toasted. Let cool.

Combine everything and toss together.

And tonight, I made this for our friends and some for us. I serve it over red potatoes that I mash with garlic, butter and chicken stock, and some asparagus. Yum.