This tiny naked baby, arms opened wide for a hug, sits on my kitchen window sill, a sweet reminder that just two weeks ago my kitchen was overflowing in love and friendship and hugs from women who have known me almost forever.

 

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The baby came hidden in an authentic King Cake, carted all the way from Louisiana (along with some genuine boudin sausages) by my friend Sandy.

I'm not sure who found the baby in their piece of cake, but I love that they plopped him down where I would spot him and be reminded of them every day.

The Diva weekend started on a Friday night, two weeks ago tomorrow, when half of the women braved my dirt road in the dark of night just to get together with friends they've known since high school. 

The rest rolled in on Saturday.

The beauty of these get-togethers, though, is that we weren't all friends in high school. It took a few decades, but we're grabbing this chance to connect in ways that are impossible when you're a teenager. 

I didn't start snapping photos until Saturday morning, though, when some of us ventured out on a walk to wake up my husband who had escaped to his tent across the creek soon after grilling us a delicious fajita dinner the night before.

 

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What a sweetheart! 

We thought about jumping in on him, then realized he might be as naked as that King Cake baby, so we just talked to him through the canvas, instead. 


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Look! I wasn't the only one swinging a big camera that weekend! 

 

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I love this one of Rae and Max, just chillin' by the creek…


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Max and Belle love Rae – she always brings them treats. 
This time she brought puppy Valentines, of course…

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After a morning spent hanging out on the porch talking and eating more fajitas, we piled into SUVs and headed to Flat Creek Estate for a wine tasting and tour. 
It was fun being a customer for a change!

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We even talked Chef Sean into posing for a photo…

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Back at the house, we continued the celebration of our friendship with tons of food, including the King Cake below…

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…and a toast (I knew that one day all of those souvenir shot glasses I collected would come in handy!)

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And that's why I feel this photo says it all…

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I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Letโ€™s face it: Friends make life a lot more fun.

~ Charles R. Swindoll
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19 responses to ““Girl…We SO Crazy” (a Diva weekend in Long Hollow)”

  1. Jackie Hamby Avatar
    Jackie Hamby

    You are so right Barbara, friends DO make life a lot more fun! As I’m reading this and looking at the pictures tears of joy and gladness are rolling down my cheeks. I am so glad I finally made it to one of the gatherings, thank you so much for not giving up on inviting me! I still can not tell you how much I enjoyed being in the presence of all of you. Looking forward to many more memories!
    Jackie

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  2. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    And I'm so glad you finally made it to one, too!! It was wonderful seeing you! It's crazy how hard it still is for all of us to mesh our schedules, but it's so worth it to make the time to get together. I'm grateful for the treasure of all of you!

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  3. Shrinky Avatar

    My goodness Barbara, I can’t imagine a more perfect gathering, those photo’s truly sum it up so well. Wow, yes, how blessed you all are to have friendships that run so long and deep, it’s a gift many would envy. And as for that little keepsake sitting twinkling on your windowsill, he’s a sure reminder for when the next gathering is due!

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  4. lisleman Avatar

    Poor guy in the tent or smart guy in the tent? I’m thinking smart guy. Did he at least get some of the goodies or the tequila?

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  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Oh, he was definitely a happy camper! He knew we'd be up late talking and laughing and that was the only way to get any sleep. Plus, I truly think he'd been wanting to do this for awhile but didn't know how to tell me without hurting my feelings. ๐Ÿ™‚ Yes, he got enough goodies to gain 4 or 5 pounds, but would you believe he turned down the tequila?
     
    Barbara Shallue, writer, blogger, photographer, Silpada representative and wanna-be drummer.
    http://barbarashallue.typepad.com
    http://barbarashalluephotography.blogspot.com 
    http://mysilpada.com/sites/barbara.shallue

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  6. Christine Avatar

    What a wonderful gathering, girlfriends are the best! Your husband reminds me of mine he loves when I soak up time with women and loves to help with the cooking ( which I hate ) and is happy to go away so we can have girl time. We are so lucky to have such gems ๐Ÿ™‚

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  7. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Yes, we are lucky to have husbands like that! I don't think there are many who are so thoughtful and understanding about our 'girl time'!!
     

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Shrinky, the funny thing is many of us barely knew each other until just recently. Thanks to Facebook, we're getting a second chance at having these wonderful women be a part of our lives. (I remember that when I start grumbling about some new change Facebook has surprised us with!)
     

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  9. Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns Avatar

    Barbara: This sounds so wonderful. I’m envious. It’s been a long time since I’ve participated in such a gathering. So glad you found fulfillment and reminiscence. Thanks for visiting my blog!

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  10. Otto von Mรผnchow Avatar

    Friends are important on so many levels. It looks like you had a great diva weekend.

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  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    We always have so much fun together. It's a wonder we don't do this every weekend!!
     

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    It's never too late to start! We actually just started these a few years ago and they've grown considerably! (Thanks for hopping over to my blog, too!)
     

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  13. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    So great you do this regularly. I love that hermit’s tent.

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    He just thought he was far enough away that we couldn't bother him. ๐Ÿ™‚
     

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  15. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    He just thought he was far enough away that we couldn't bother him. ๐Ÿ™‚
     

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  16. Rae Sinor Avatar
    Rae Sinor

    Jackie…I cry reading Barbs stuff ALL THE TIME!!! We’re so glad you finally made one too!!!! The first of many I hope!!!

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  17. Rae Sinor Avatar
    Rae Sinor

    OH BARB! You’ve brought me to tears AGAIN!!! What a wonderful tribute to our relationships and our time together at your wonderful home! It couldnt have been more perfect!!! I love the pic of Max and I too! I LOVE THOSE DOGS!!!! And my sweet and wild Belle! SO PRECIOUS!!! Thank TOm again for being so patient and wonderful! Can’t wait to see you again soon my friend…It soon will be time to look at dates for the lake AND here at my house!!! AND THEN THE REUNION IN OCTOBER! SO much wonderful time to look forward to!!! YIPEE!!!!!

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I am determined not to miss any of those this year! I just hate that I missed that lake get-together! (But you know that already! lol) We are truly blessed to have this friendships and I'm so grateful for every chance we get to be together! 
     

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  19. Rae Sinor Avatar
    Rae Sinor

    I know you were, bless your heart!!! We’ll make SURE It works for you this year!!! YES!!! BLESSED WE ARE INDEED!!!!!

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