this one's for the girls

Girls night out started a long time ago when my cousin and her neighbor decided to get a group of girls together to play a game called "Bunco".  Heard of it? 

We spent the first night eating delicious food, laughing ourselves sick, then peeling ourselves away from each other at one in the morning. It was as exhilarating as my first kiss, and much like that momentous night, I was HOOKED.

Now 12 years later we're the best of friends, who have been by each others side through thick and thin.  We've loved on new babies, cried at funerals, braved divorce, and celebrated birthdays, twins, and bridal showers.  Last year we were honorary bridesmaids at Nicole's extraordinary back yard wedding.

Two girls who had moved away came back for this party and let's just say it's a memory that will stand the test of time. 

We don't play the dice game when we get together anymore, but we do get creative with the prizes.  A few months ago Nicole and I were co-recipients of Cheesecake Factory gift cards for holding the splits longer than anyone else.  That's right.

I get to host every September and last week I cleared my calendar, cooked for two days, and prepared for an evening with my best girls.  Have you ever had waffles and dinges (din-juz) off the food cart in New York?  Imagine a light, crispy waffle topped with salted apples, buttery caramel sauce, crispy bacon, and whipped cream.  Little piece of heaven.

Or how about a waffle smothered with slow cooked, smoked pork, cole slaw (I'm usually not a fan of slaw, but I make mine with fresh cream instead of mayo), cracked pepper kettle chips, and home made tangy BBQ sauce. 

Have you ever had fried chicken and waffles under pecan syrup?  Or a waffle topped with strawberries, {spekuloos}, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream, finished off with a buttermilk syrup drizzle? 

We ate...and ate...and ate...

...while we cut out and embellished {gift tags} for every occasion.

Jilly and I have tried and tested many a waffle recipe and Mommy's are the best. 

Mommy's Waffles
2 C whole wheat flour
2 C white flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 heaping Tbsp sugar
1/4 heaping C powdered milk

Mix all ingredients together and add

2 eggs, beaten
3 1/2  C water

Mix together and add 1/3 C oil last of all.  Stir it up and pour the batter on a hot waffle iron.

I have the Waring Pro double wafflemaker found it at Sam's club for $69.95.  It's worth every penny! 

I served fresh limeade with a dash of cream in mason jars, with name tags.  

Click on the tags to print your own.  I used my current favorite font, Century Gothic, and the pink swirly straws are from {Pick Your Plum}.  Lots of fun stuff there!

For the last 12 years these girls have made me laugh harder, smile brighter, and made my life better.  I hope we're still getting together in 50 years, by then we might be using the mason jars to soak our teeth.