Party on the Patio

Since I had my patio built back in April, I’ve been dying to have a party out there, so I recently invited over a few of my single girlfriends to enjoy some food and beverages, outside and inside. It’s been SO hot here the last few weeks, with 95 degrees and high humidity every single day. The heat is not what is so bad, but that humidity we have will just about knock you out. Late afternoon on my patio is all shade, so that does help, but when it’s this hot, nothing feels good out there. You just have to know that you’re going to sweat outside.
But, they were troopers and we started on the patio with drinks and appetizers and had fun talking and chatting until everyone arrived and then we moved to the screened porch to sit and eat and of course, talk.

Women love to talk, don’t we?

It was so nice to have a group gathered and use the new sectional furniture and we pulled out the extra stools to sit on as well.  If you missed my patio posts you can see the installation and decorating of the patio on those posts.  I am SO glad I did this project, it adds so much to my backyard.

We were sweltering out here, but made the most of it for a little while before we went into the screened porch.

Our friend, Karen, brought her sangria, which is delicious. I’ll have to get the recipe, but she adds fresh fruit and fresh mint and it’s delectable.

I had mine in a pretty glass that I found at a yardsale years ago.

I’m so grateful and blessed to have so many wonderful single girlfriends (and married too, I just hang out with the single ones more now).  Being single at an older age is not bad at all with friends to share it with.  Most of my friends are divorced and a couple of them are widows, but we all support and care about each other.  That’s my roommate, Rhonda, on the left, then Jana, Tracey, and Karen.  We are all in our mid to late 50’s or early 60’s, except Tracey, she’s still in her 40’s.

I made a big salad with grilled chicken and had fresh fruit, toasted pecans, and 2 different kinds of crumbled cheese for the top.  Everyone brought something and we had a feast.

Tracey brought a delicious chicken salad and blueberry bread.

I also made bruschetta from my dad’s fresh tomatoes.  I love this during the summer with fresh tomatoes!  I have shared this before, but basically it’s sliced crusty bread, broiled on both sides in the oven.  Dice up tomatoes and fresh basil and add fresh crushed garlic.  Mix all together with a little olive oil, salt and pepper.  It’s good to let the tomato mixture sit a bit and then spoon it on top of the baked bread.  Such a yummy summer treat! I think I had this the first time in Italy over 20 years ago and have been hooked ever since.

We moved to the porch to eat and had fun talking and chatting about life.  Of course, with single women the subject of men always comes up. Can you imagine that?  Who’s dating who, who broke up with who and how dismal the dating scene is out there at times for us single over 50 women.  There are good guys out there, but you have to look for them.   A few of my friends have steady boyfriends, but not all of us do.  From left to right:  Tracey, me, Jana and Dianne.

The facial expressions at this table say, hurry up, we want to eat!

Left to right:  Ellen, Tammy, Rhonda, and Karen.

It’s good to have girlfriends, isn’t it?  I appreciate all of mine so much. There is always someone I can do something with and I stay on the go, attending outdoor concerts, or dances, or going out to eat.  There’s always something to do in Atlanta and I’m glad to have friends to do them with.  With an occasional date along the way! 🙂