helenjane.com » bocce

Bocce theme: Pucker Up

Helen Jane — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:24:04 +0000

This week’s theme was “Pucker Up” and we all brought meat.
I know, how does that happen?
No lemon snaps?
No lemon bars?

Lemon chicken, lemon garlic shrimp, lime garlic beef, lemon beef.

Of course you could have also brought anything made with Alum, lemon, sour apple.
But we stuck to citrus.
And we stuck to beef.

We beat Abbey Lane two out of three games.
James is still celebrating.

Bocce bocce everywhere

Helen Jane — Mon, 03 May 2010 14:46:20 +0000

This week, bocce season starts up, kicking off 20 weeks of Themed Potlucks, neighborly competition and really, really good wine.

The town Chamber of Commerce hosts a fundraiser bocce tournament before regular season play begins and James and I were lucky to play. They have breakfast burritos, Bloody Marys, sparkling wine and snacks throughout the day delivered by the foxiest ladies Napa Valley has to offer.

What I love about the event is that it’s competitive without being uncomfortable.
It’s fun without being cheesy.
Also, bocce!

What do I look forward to most this season?

I love that different aged people can all excel at bocce. We could play competitors 12 to 100 years old and all have an equal chance of being an amazing player.
I love getting together with some of my best friends in a focused activity once a week.
I love the food and the wine.

Afterwards, James and I had an impromptu gathering, our first real party at the house since we’ve moved in. We grilled sausage, we caught up with what folks had been doing since Dottie was born.

Don’t tell anyone, but for one brief second, we relaxed.

Hard bellies

Helen Jane — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:17:41 +0000

We won all three bocce games last night against the Tipsy Moonshiners.
They were missing half their team.
And Fiesta! night was fun.
Although I had a touch of the heartburn.

I’m linking to my friend
Girl in the Valley
Because she updates better.

Mom arrives for the next five days.
She’s thrilled to be shopping and cooking and taking care for a while.
James will appreciate the break from my constant “Hey, do you mind…?”
and I’m just happy to have some time with her while I’m still her daughter and not her grandchild’s mother.

Still with the work.
Still with the bocce.
Still with the cheese club.
Still with the projects.

Also, lots and lots of pre-baby contractions rocking out. This could go on for the next six weeks, or it could culminate in a baby tonight. Fascinating how this upheaval works.

If I could just release my grip and throw my arms over my head, I think I would enjoy this more.

It’s funny, to get the opportunity to slow down after a whole life of hurry ups.
It’s funny, to hear from old friends.
It’s funny, that I didn’t relax like this sooner.