We all grew up around 35th Street Park in New York City. Kids hanging out, having fun, getting into trouble, but mostly good kids. We all went through the first loves, fighting, drinking, drugging stages of growing up in the city. We have know each other since grade school but somehow we lost touch. Then six years ago, thanks to Facebook we slowly found each other, one by one. We have tried to make it a tradition to meet at least once a year for drinks and dinner. This time Ceil invited us to her home for a weekend and we finally agreed on a date that worked for most of us. Merci and Marlene had a wedding this weekend and we really missed them but we are planning another get together real soon.
I was the first to arrive and so Ceil took me for a ride to Soons Orchard Farm Market , well I love this place, Apple picking, hay rides and pumpkins patch. They made their own fresh squeezed apple cider and candy apples and apple cider donuts!!! I grabbed a basket and I filled it to the brim with goodies like home made pies, organic peanut butter and some Ketchup Jalapeno. Kathy and Annie came soon after that and my sister got to us after 4 pm. We talked about old times, people we knew and loved, some of them still with us and some of them gone but never forgotten. We laughed and consoled each other because life is just not easy or fair sometimes. Mostly we laughed and it was good to be with people you trust and know care about you as much as you care about them.
Finally all together we took a ride to Orange County Distillery at Brown Barn Farms where we enjoyed a cocktail and some great live music and entertainment. Our choices were 2 Martinis, one Gimlet, a Salty Dog, and the Courkat. Cheers. There also was a school bus food truck along side the barn serving up some yummy, comfort food making everyone feel comfy and right at home. Then we decided we would like some dinner, so off we went to Dos Amigos Authentic Mexican Restaurant
It was an evening filled with White and Red Sangria, plates of Guacamole and chips, Tacos, Enchiladas and Flautas and the star of the evening Tequila. Ole! Did we make a spectacle of ourselves, yeah maybe a little. No, we did not care. The staff was so gracious and friendly and patiently helped us with the ordering, answering all our questions and keeping us happy. What a absolutely fun place to eat.
Cheers to the low maintenance friends, who know life get busy and when we get together is it nothing but love. I have to give a great big shout out to my niece Sandra, who really made all this possible by staying with my mom all day Saturday and Saturday night. I got home early Sunday morning and let me tell you it is wonderful to see people who are so happy to see you back home.
It truly takes a village and I am so happy with my tribe and I love them forever. Love. Peace and Joy.