Iced Girls Night

Jen and I drove up to Brattleboro (LOVE this town!) for a girls night out with Helen. The plan was to go out for a nice feast at India Palace and then a nightcap at Metropolis. Sounds awesome, no?

Life, however, intervened. Jen and I were both raggedly exhausted and it was Helen’s first day on the new job. She wouldn’t get to base camp (the fabulous Latchis Hotel and Theater) until 9 PM.

We could’ve rescheduled, right? NO! We all needed this getaway even if it wasn’t the raucous playtime we’d all (OK, maybe that was just me) envisioned.

Jen and I got to Brattleboro around 4. We wandered around, briefly stopping in galleries and shops. We even went into that crafts gallery you know, the one with the magnificently tremendous collection and the impossibly condescending and oddly rude owner/manager. Interestingly, she didn’t ask us if we needed assistance or wanted to know more about any of the artists. Huh. Jen said our scortese amico remembered us. Gee, and I’d been so pleasant the last time we were there....apart from growlingly out condescending her and writing about her customer repellent manner, that is.

In any case, Jen and I were on a mission -- find Prosecco and snacks.

The lovely and gracious proprietor of Distinctive Decor (I am SO going to buy this recycled plastic Adirondack Chair from her) directed us to the Brattleboro Food Co-op. Wow, what a spectacular joint!  We kept finding more and even more tasty chips (Cassava and Beetroot, mmmmmm), deep dark chocolates (Equal Exchange, YES!) and wines. Yup, they had Prosecco too.

We brought our haul back to the large, brilliantly kitted out room (eggplant and lavender painted walls, abalone shell lined art deco mirrors, comfy couch) with the marvy X 12 view and settled in with our paperbacks and treats.

When Helen arrived we ordered take out from the next door Flat Street Pub and settled in for a round of dishing, schmoozing and general chit chat. And then SLEEP!

I just love that Helen and I can do this -- that we can, more or less casually, get together for an evening. That a girls night out is now possible. Yes, she’s three and a half hours away in Hoosick Falls BUT that’s 1,600 miles closer than she was last year at this time. I’ll take it!

After a lovely, laid back breakfast at The Works we got back on the road -- back to our Hough’s Neck and Hoosick Falls homes.

Winter will be over soon. We’ll visit more. We’ll sit in Helen’s huge back yard and in our small but beachy patch of heaven. Madison, Julianna, the incipient Baby Girl Grant and I will play in the sand, feeling the wee waves lapping our butts and toes.

Can’t wait!