Girls Night #1 -A New Monthly Tradition

Last night was a big day for Oklahoma men everywhere.  It was the first Sooner’s home football game.  Testosterone was busting out all over town.  I went to Wal-Mart to get some groceries, and the shoppers were swimming in a sea of Crimson and Cream clothing.  Men were pushing shopping carts full of chips, beer and all kinds of manly-man snacks with the purpose of either heading off to Norman to the game, or camping out in their favorite arm-chair to watch men run after pigskin all day at home.  It’s a sacred day in Sooner- land for men (and women) here in Oklahoma.

It’s also an amazing time to have a Girls Night In.

Mr. Wonderful was heading off to the game with Chris, and so Melisa came over and we spent the day cooking up women-food and we invited over some amazing ladies to share it with us.   Angela, Melanie and Cindy showed up for a night of fun.

After doing my healthy food plan for the entire week, I was ready for my one cheat day.

I wasn’t disappointed.

Let me stop here and tell you, if you haven’t had a Girls Night In (or Out), you haven’t lived.

I’m serious.

It’s a proven fact that females need to get out about twice the number of words per day than men do.  Since we live with men all day, every day, well might I just suggest that we women have a LOT of stored up words that need be to released?

Here’s a little taste of what we had.

Appetizers and drinks began out in the living room.

Mmmmm….Crostini and two toppings.

One was my Bruschetta and the other my Basil Artichoke Pesto Spread.

I must apologize for the horrible pictures.  We had mood lighting with candles going and the lighting was not ideal for pictures.  I was focusing on quality girl time!

We also had a tiered tray of these wonders.

Mmmmmmmmm.

Can you say yummmm?  Caprese Salad Skewers.

And this variation…

Heaven.  Pure heaven.  Mediterranean Salad Skewers.

This fruit, cheese and nut platter was a huge hit.

Oven-warmed and gooey Brie cheese on fancy crackers with a little pepper jelly on top?   Who cares about fruit and nuts anyway?

It’s one of my new favorite things.

For dinner, Melisa made this salad.

It was so delicious.  Hard salami wrapped in provolone with a cute little cherry tomato (fresh from my garden) tucked inside.

She also threw in some leftover artichoke hearts from the skewers and this wonderful stuff called California hot mix – a spicy vegetable- marinated mixture of cauliflower, carrots, onions and jalepenos.  We whipped up a fresh Italian dressing to pour over top of this Antipasto style Salad.

Melisa served the salad with warmed Ciabatta bread that we dipped in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and dried italian herbs.

Melisa also made this.

Baked Manicotti.  Oh mercy, this was SO good.  Cheesy goodness stuffed manicotti tubes covered in marinara sauce and topped with more cheese.  I am going to make this soon for the family.

Now, please don’t take this the wrong way.  These are my spiritual friends from our incredible church.  We love the thought of Jesus laughing along with us as we do life.

The featured guest of honor tonight and everynight?

Laughing Jesus.

If you don’t believe in a laughing Jesus…leave a comment, I’d love to share my walk of joy with you.  He laughs with me everyday.  Enough said.

No Girls Night In would be complete without dessert.

Specifically chocolate.

Or more specifically, individual Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes.

The food was devine, the company fantastic and we have made a pledge to do this once a month.

Because we need to get our words out.

And because girls need to be girls.

And because there is  more good ladies-food to be had.

Oh we had one party crasher.  Molly.

The female version of our Max.  She wanted to join the women fun.

Max is in love.

Plan your own Women’s Night In.  You can’t believe the fun to be had!

~Katie