Having friends as an adult gets hard…it’s even harder to make new ones. First off it seems like all of your friends are at a different stage in life than you. Some have newborns, some have toddlers, some don’t have kids, some are married, some divorced, and everything in between. Trying to coordinate becomes a logistical nightmare. It’s almost a holiday at our house if there isn’t soccer one weekend, we almost don’t know what to do with ourselves. So I’m working on that.
How am I working on that? Well first off getting over the whole gee they never contact me so I won’t contact them thing that gets you nowhere fast. If you liked doing stuff with that person get over it and just contact them. But don’t just do the vague let’s get together soon crap. Pick three ideas. Then offer up those three ideas. Maybe they will go for it, maybe they won’t.
For years I had been hearing about how Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery (a beautiful place FYI) does a summer concert series. The have half seats and half lawn. I had tried in years past to go but either the concert I wanted was already sold out or I didn’t have much interest. Until this year. There it was…my high school years in all its glory. The Go-Go’s were coming to town. Along with The Motels, Patty Smyth of Scandal (the band not the show), and Naked Eyes all as the opening acts. I put on FB that I wanted to go. I knew my friend M would want to go if she could. She is my go getter friend who is doing something pretty much every hour of every day it seems like. Her one day is usually filled with as much stuff as my one week…but that is how she likes it. Sure enough she was in and MDP surprisingly wanted to go too (I was unaware of his desire to see the Go-Go’s).
We got lawn seats because they are cheaper and the nice thing is that you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. You can purchase wine there, which we did with the help of Jameson who I asked for a recommendation…he made a good one. MDP was highly amused at the people watching saying he knows where the stereotype of 40-something women and drinking wine comes from now. We just brought meats, crackers, and cheeses to go with the wine. And mini Starburst…because why not.
I also made Onion-Raisin Chutney to go along with our cheeses. Took forever to pick a name for it, could be a jam or a relish as well. I wasn’t really planning on putting it up on the blog until we ended up sitting next to fellow Canadians (which MDP was happy he got to talk hockey) and one of the ladies was eyeing the chutney. Asked what it was…it didn’t have a name that day, and we gave her some. To which she was a fan of and asked if it would be on my blog, to which I thought, it is now. 🙂 So it is. It has a definite sweet and sour flavor and it pairs best with the Machego and Gruyere that we brought.
As far as the concert goes it was awesome. They played all of their hits along with their obscure stuff which I think MDP was quite surprised that I knew the words by heart of EVERY single song they sang. 🙂 Side note: Patty Smyth was great in concert, I would go just to see her again. She went into the crowd, took selfies with people while singing, hugged tons of people, danced with them, etc. I also had no idea she was married to John McEnroe so she was really out there just to have fun and not to make money and it clearly showed! She also has an incredible voice. I was super happy that the Go-Go’s encore song was one of their old punk songs which not many people know that is where their roots lie.
Anyway, if you are having trouble making plans with your friends…just keep trying. Eventually you will meet up and it will be a fun time!
Picnic Time Toluca Insulated Cooler Picnic Tote, Green
The wine that Jameson recommended for us. It went perfectly with our eats.
My friend M (she was a bridesmaid) and me…and a man with a Motels t-shirt behind us. 🙂 And of course MDP and me just below.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sweet onions, diced
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 ½ cups golden raisins
- 1/3- 2/3 cup white grape juice
- 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 3 TBSP honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Saute onions in the oil over medium heat until softened and browned.
- Reduce heat and cook an additional 10-15 minutes, until they are beginning to caramelize.
- Add the raisins, 1/3 cup white grape juice, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, salt, and cayenne.
- Cook down until the onions are beyond soft and the raisins are fully plump from the grape juice.
- Add more grape juice (the other 1/3 cup) and increase heat to medium and cook until the mixture has thickened into a glaze covered raisins.
- Let cool and then refrigerate until ready to serve. I like to have mine at room temperature when serving with cheese.
Karen says
I went to a concert there last summer and agree that it was awesome. I think that the lawn seats are actually better because there is more room for your food spread!
Kathy says
I also love the Go-Go’s and it makes it even cooler that I was in high school with the drummer, Gina. We sat next to each other in Home Ec and she was FOREVER banging on the desks like they were her drums. Looks like it paid off though. She has attended almost all of our reunions and in 2015 we will have been graduated 40 years. OMG, that makes me sound old! HA HA
I agree with your just keep asking. Eventually the plans will come together and almost always a gerat time is had by all 🙂
Kathy
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
You look so happy and that chutney looks awesome 🙂
KB says
I’m so glad I looked at your blog just now BEFORE I went to the store tomorrow morning. All I need to grab is some sweet onions, golden raisins, and white grape juice and I’ll be on my way to this heaven. I love practically anything in the acidic-and-sweet-and-savory jam/chutney family (provided it doesn’t have something I can’t stand in it) and the pictures here were just killer. Glistening and glorious.
On the topic of pictures…that last shot of you and MDP brings out your eyes so well. I never noticed you had such striking blue eyes before! They’re a gorgeous color.
Rosa says
Indeed it is very hard to make friends… Mine always move away! 😉
A lovely chutney. Perfect with cheese and crackers.
Cheers,
Rosa