Candy, candy everywhere. At Big Top in Austin.
Who Knew?
Who knew there were so many varieties of extra virgin olive oil? I didn’t and neither did some of my best girlfriends. We decided to learn more; so off we went to an olive oil tasting at The Virgin Olive Oiler here in Ft.Worth.
It was an amazing, entertaining and informative event. Just the store itself captured our curiosity. Everywhere we turned there were shiny barrel like containers filled with many varieties of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
We were given a really interesting talk on the ins and outs of extra virgin olive oil. We asked so many questions, but Charles the owner seemed eager for even more questions. From information about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil to the tasting of the varieties–everything was explained.
Charles instructed us on the correct way to taste, and then we started tasting. We tasted from light to bold varieties. We mixed varieties of balsamic vinegar to varieties of extra virgin olive oil–comparing each one. We were also served horderves with of course some type of extra virgin olive and balsamic vinegar complimenting each dish.
Each one of us left with a purchase and vowed to be back.
Today we had good food and wine with good friends, and we all learned something. Remember “thisisyourbestyear”.
You can contact The Virgin Olive Oiler at www.thevirginoliveoiler.com or follow them on facebook.
Dinner and Wine
We all need wonderful girlfriends. I had a wonderful time with some of mine at a wine tasting and dinner at City Club in Ft. Worth. Texas. “thisisyourbestyear”
Coffee and Cake
Workout friends are the best.
Birthday Workout
Birthday workout–go figure. At least we go for coffee after. Luv my workout partners!
Mega Bus Traveling–The End of the Trip
Avis driving the Mega Bus.
We are sitting up top at the front of the Mega Bus. We left right on time. Time to let the seat pack, plug in my phone and read my book. Do something different this year. Remember, “thisisyourbestyear” Be Blessed!
Mega Bus Traveling Part 5
Diana leaving San Antonio on the way back to Houston.
Mega Bus Traveling Part 4
We came on the Mega Bus for the Kirk Whalum concert. Here we are with him. Can you say “thisisyourbestyear”?
Friendships Lost
I always try to write while on an airplane flight because it keeps my mind calm. I also listen to music especially gospel when going through turbulence. On this particular flight I began to write about friendships through the years.
You know friendships and how they change as we live our best year.
I thought the process was going pretty good, and then I decided to take a break and read one of my favorite magazines–More. While reading the latest for women of a certain age, I ran across an article written by Jacquelyn Mitchard entitled “Where Did Our Friendship Go Wrong”. This article got me to thinking even more about friendship(s). I will ultimately give credit where credit is due. It is an excellent article for women who have lost a friend. I’m not talking about death, moving away or anything like that. I ‘m talking about the feeling that occurs when the friendship just stops and no matter how hard you or the other person tries, you can’t seem to get it back.
Jacquelyn Mitchard’s article deals with what we as women of a certain age go through when a friendship dies. I will not give away the article, but it will cause you to stop and think even if it has not happened to you. It has not happened to me in this particular manner.
The article will make you smile, it will make you sad. You know the feeling you had when you broke up with your one true love, but you still saw him almost every day in the hallway.
A friendship that dies is sort of like a divorce or even the death of a spouse. You tend to have to divide friends and acquaintances. When a divorce happens who gets what friends, who gets the church, who gets the activities that you enjoyed together (the other friends came with the activities). When a spouse or partner dies, this couple becomes a single person and that makes all the difference in the world. How can the friends discuss their significant other when you don’t have one.
I can’t imagine my life without certain friends, those that I see and talk to daily, and those that I see only on occasion.
I can’t imagine Oprah without Gayle
or Lucy without Ethel.
I even thought I couldn’t imagine Jen without Evelyn (it was my guilty pleasure until last season–little too much drama for me).
Then again, I always thought Diana Ross and the Supremes,
Desitiny’s Child and others would always be together–not! Almost every time I read an article on former first lady Laura Bush, she is doing something with her friends.
As we live our best year, we notice that our friendships can change and evolve. We can have friends of different ages. We can have our friends that we enjoy doing certain things with. It does not mean that we love our other friends any less. I love to travel with my cousin Kaye, it does not mean that I love my other cousins any less.
Grab your coffee, tea or wine and take a look at Jacquelyn Mitchard’s “Where Did Our Friendship Go Wrong”. Reflect on the friendships that you have lost and enjoy the ones that you have now because no matter what has happened in the past “thisisyourbestyear”.
Here is the link to this wonderful/thoughtful article: http://www.more.com/memoir-friendship-wrong