One of my best friends came over today. We met way back when
we were teaching high school together.
My fondest memory of her was right as Christmas break began. She
and a group of teachers came over to make out Christmas cards – none of us
had children at the time, so this was totally possible!
She had some tea and then this woman – whom I really didn’t
know very well – asked if she could call me to let me know she got home OK.
“Sure,” I thought. I usually have friends call or text me
when they leave late anyway – because I get worried about the country roads.
Well, this lovely woman called me - a little after midnight. And, not only did
she let me know that she was OK, but also told me her entire life story – in
vivid detail.
That’s my kind of friend.
Well, really, it was the caffeine – my husband was in bed
mouthing: “When are you getting off the phone?” And I was shrugging my
shoulders wondering the same. As an hour or two passed, we finally hung up
– I was a little wiser knowing so much more about this woman.
Turns out, that caffeine high started a pretty spectacular
friendship.
We’ve shared difficult times, sad times, happy times, joyous
times and just plain regular old normal times.
Tonight was one of those amazing normal times. We each have
families now. We live farther apart. It is hard to see each other as much as we
would like.
Tonight we slipped right into comfortable again – forgetting
that months have passed without hugs, that kids have grown inches since the
last time you saw them and that life has a funny way of keeping you busy.
Tonight, time stopped. Tonight we just enjoyed the company of good friends.
The weather was amazing. The kids played outside all
afternoon and evening. My husband grilled Moroccan chicken skewers. I made caprese
salad with cinnamon basil from our garden. Her kids helped make homemade
whipped cream (I forgot how fun two-year-olds are to bake with!). And, I made
my traditional 4th of July strawberry shortcake a few days early.
That just means I can share the recipe with you in time for the 4th!
Tonight it felt like we had never skipped a beat – that the
rhythm of our friendship was never altered. ~It is lovely having a friend like
that.
Strawberry Shortcake
~ I have had this recipe for quite some time now and made
changes over the years. The blog I took the original recipe from has been
deleted, so I can’t even link it to the owner. I wish I could!
The best part of the recipe is that you can put it in Ball
jars and keep them in the fridge so they are ready as soon as your company is!
In a food processor, combine 2 cups white whole wheat flour,
¼ C. sugar, 3 tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. salt, and ¼ C. butter (cut into small
pieces). Add ¼ C. olive oil and ¾ C. milk slowly until the dough forms a
ball. Bake in a greased 8x8 pan at 450
degrees for approx. 15 minutes. Let cool.
My favorite part is cutting it up into squares, and mixing sliced
strawberries in with it in a Ball jar and putting on the lid (and for some red, white and blue flare, add blueberries for the Fourth!) At serving time,
throw on some fresh whipped cream.
1 C. heavy cream, 2 T. confectioners sugar – whisk until it
has thickened.
~Enjoy!
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