My best friend has three boys, bless her heart, and we recently got together with a couple of friends on a Friday night to eat, drink, and do what we do best—talk!
We may or may not have discussed you, your mama, and quite possibly your cousins and second cousins or your high school math teacher who hasn’t changed one lick since they taught you in the mid-1980s and who they are married to, divorced from, and/or dating.
With ten kids between us, ages ranging from 4 to 21, to say we needed a break at the end of the week was an understatement. One friend’s mom had recently had knee surgery, she works full time, and has a son in basic training for the Army. I need a drink just typing that.
Add wine, good conversation and great food, oh and a little more wine, and you can pretty much describe the evening. We all graduated from the same small high school (cue John Mellencamp Small Town) so most of the conversations started like this..
“Do ya’ll remember so and so? You know, so and so? They grew up down the road from me.”
OH YEAH yeah yeah!
…well you’ll never believe it, but…
Noooo!
Just think of it as six degrees of separation hometown style. Everyone knows everybody. Don’t believe me? Just go to any small town Walmart on pay day or better yet (SCANDALOUS) the liquor store. You’ll see your mama, your friend’s mama, or some guy you slow danced with at homecoming 20 years ago. Same thing goes for church on Sunday mornings. You get your weekly dose of small town gossip, and some spiritual guidance for the week. Bonus!
It was fun and a much needed girls’ night in. I hope next time we don’t wait so long to get together.
Gossip may be tacky, but, like wine, in small doses it’s good for the soul.
Here’s a yummy recipe from our girls’ night in. They’re on the spicy side, so be warned. They’re also messy, so make sure you have plenty of paper towels.
Buffalo Chicken Jalapeño Poppers from Rachael Ray
Ingredients
18 – 20 jalapeño peppers
1/3 cup hot sauce, such as Frank’s Red Hot
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups of rotisserie chicken, skin and bones removed, shredded
1 rib celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
Yields: Serves 4 as an appetizer
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425ºF.
Working lengthwise, slice off the top quarter of each jalapeño. Using a small spoon or paring knife, scrape the seeds and ribs out of each jalapeño.
Place a small saucepot over low heat. Add hot sauce and whisk in the butter until melted. In a medium size bowl, combine the pulled chicken, celery, Monterey Jack cheese and half of the blue cheese.
Scoop some of the chicken mixture into each of the peppers, filling them all up. Lightly mound the chicken into each pepper. Place the peppers in a baking dish and top with the remaining blue cheese.
Bake the peppers until tender and heated through, about 15 minutes. Serve.
Have you had a girls’ night in lately?
This post was sponsored by Viva Towels. For fun, fork-free recipes – including videos – and snappy entertaining ideas, get over to the VIVA® Diva Café.)
Aww, it sounds like you ladies had such a fun time. Good for all of you—you need a girls’ night to catch up on stuff!
I love your description of your hometown and all of your funny stories. I just imagine the town from Sweet Home Alabama…that’s one of my favorite movies!
This recipe sounds wicked yummy—thank you for sharing it. I haven’t had a girls night in or out in forever, but am hoping to soon so will definitely try making this.
Katie´s last blog ..Locked Out
having one tonight, actually, after a manu/pedi. love Girls Night In!
So this is why my ears were burning! I am sure all discussions were all positive and complimentary. I am definitely trying this recipe with a few substitutions such as banana peppers instead of jalapenos. I have a low hot pepper tolerance.
That looks and sounds like a very fun night!
Friglet´s last blog ..Say cheese
Sounds like a wonderful time. Those Buffalo Chicken Jalepeno Poppers sound delicious. Thanks for the recipe
And guess who I saw in the grocery store today?!
Leisa Hammett´s last blog ..Joy&Pain (5-Part Mini-Grieving Series)
I need a moms’ night in! I love the sound of that recipe too! YUM. Will have to try that.
I grew up in a town of about 3,000. You couldn’t pass gass without someone else knowing and telling at least half of the town about it. (grin)
Steph.´s last blog ..This is NOT a little story about a man named Jed…
There’s NOTHING quite as satisfying as a night chit-chatting over wine with old friends. Sounds like FUN!
Musings of a Housewife´s last blog ..Jet Settin’
Mmmm, it’s like I was there…right with you…almost…seeing as I live down the road a bit
Liz@thisfullhouse´s last blog ..Bittersweet Sixteen
So much fun!
Kaye´s last blog ..Not much longer
WE’ve made those before! They’re delish and MESSY! My favorites are still the old stand-by jalapeno poppers we’ve been making since college (mmmummmmble years ago)
wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cream cheese and served with mango chutney dipping sauce. There’s nothing better 
That’s sounds like a wonderful girl’s night. YAY for you and good friends!
rachel-asouthernfairytale´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Little Angel
Well, it’s nice to know that moms have their time-offs too. I thought it was only limited to us dads. LOL
I completely agree with your opinion
Thanks for the post.This recipe is really lip smacking.Enjoyed the dish.
Fit Gizmos´s last blog ..Ab Lounge Sport