French Cafe Therapy
Last night I celebrated my best friend’s birthday at a French Cafe in town. We had reservations for five at 6:45 PM. We gathered at a big round table by the window and enjoyed chatting about everything and about nothing. An artsy black chandelier provided muted lighting, and a talented pianist tickled the ivories in the background. For appetizers, we ordered a yummy brie pastry and a pistachio encrusted brie. We decided to ask the waitress to bring us extra plates, and we passed them around the table adding a sample of our main course for each friend. I ordered the seafood crêpe, but after sampling my “goodie plate,” I declared that Ellie’s beef bourguignon was “the winner.” For dessert, we shared chocolate decadence, bananas foster, and some gooey eclair thing that melted in your mouth. Before the night was over, we pulled out our phones and started sharing horrifying 80’s pictures of ourselves from our Facebook pages (I used to have a mullet, so I won the prize for “scariest hair.”)
On Monday nights, I am a member of a sisterhood of bloggers called Soli Deo Gloria. Jen, our fabulously fun leader, encouraged us to VLOG this week on the theme of “fun.” My girls’ night out definitely provided the inspiration I needed for the following video:
“…those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
Proverbs 11:25b, NLT
Let’s Talk: How do you have fun and refresh your spirit? What’s your French Cafe Therapy?
My one-word focus for the year is “fruitilicious.” Find out what that means here.
My favorite way to recharge is to get away for a weekend with my husband, Lyli. We love to drive together, listen to music, and get away from the stressors of running a household. It sounds like your girls night out was a wonderful treat for you all :). And I always love seeing your face and hearing your voice 🙂
Bruce and I try to plan weekend getaways a few times a year….He tends to open up more when he is driving. I like to sing along with the radio. It works for us, too. 🙂
Who knew fun was biblical! I love this!!! Like, more than you know. really. I’m recording these verses in my journal.
You are going to laugh when I tell you that I searched for the word “fun” at Bible Gateway and discovered lots of verses on “FUNerals.” Not exactly the inspiration I was hoping for… 🙂
Lyli, this is the perfect scripture to share for this occasion. good friends and laughter are like good medicine. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Jody. Girl time really is the best time (next to hanging out with Him.).
Hi Lyli,
I’m so glad you had a wonderful time with your friends. My tummy was rumbling as I read your post. We love to drive to a dog-friendly beach and enjoy time as a family 🙂 I wish we lived closer to one so we could do this more often. Time with friends is always a blessing.
Four-legged friends bring so much joy to our lives, don’t they?
I’m smiling just picturing you at a French cafe using your French accents! Hooray for God’s faithfulness to heal you- oh what a long journey that was– and so fun to sit across the table from you and “chat” today. My favorite way to have fun is to just get the kids outside and do something for the sheer joy of it- a favorite way to play here is glow in the dark capture the flag- everything’s more fun with glow sticks 🙂
Oh, Alicia, I served in youth ministry for years and have played many a capture the flag game, but never with glow sticks. That sounds like fun! 🙂
Sounds like a fabulous day out! My husband and I like to get together with our son and his girlfriend for dinner, often a theological and/or political discussion, and sometimes a movie! It’s especially fun if we get to see his dog and cat! Thanks for the great post & God bless!
I haven’t been to a movie in ages, but I do love buying some popcorn and getting lost in a good story.
Loved the vlog – you brave girl you. I haven’t tried this yet and so glad to hear about your wonderful meal with friends. That is really a fun evening. I think the relationship with people we love provide many fun times. I did read the comments here and laughed that you found fun in the bible, well in ‘fun’erals. That made me smile. Ironic isn’t it! really did enjoy stopping by here today.
Jean, thank you for stopping by. Your blog is always such an encouragement to me… I am thankful for you! 🙂
I remember reading about your word – and I loved it then and now again! I was trying to think about refreshing – and right now I’m having a hard time finding the time – but there’s nothing like a hot bubbly bath, a good book and my favorite icecream! LOL – I need that ASAP!
oooohhh!!! Bubble Baths are so fun. Yes!!! 🙂
I love crepes! My youngest daughter is in college and it’s much easier to go on business trips with my husband. Fun is having so many hours in a car to heart-talk, laugh together. We usually pick a book I’ll read to him, too. That’s my idea of fun.
We love long rides in the car together as well. My husband is big on audio books and sermons. I am not so much a fan though. So we will listen to music and sing along.
What I’d give for a fabulous night like that. It sounds absolutely wonderful. Your question to me is hard one at this point in my life. If I were single, or if my husband had employment, of if I didn’t have three special needs kids at home, I could answer you with any number of ideas: go and see an opera, get on a plane and take a trip somewhere foreign, or just spend some time by myself. However, at this point in time I refresh by watching reruns of Grey’s Anatomy late at night when I can’t sleep and my kids are finally in their beds and enjoy my triple death combo of cheese balls, ice cream, and donut holes. That and I’ve learned to find joy and fun spending 24/7 with my kiddos. In all honesty, I get pretty lonely without them. Lol.
Late night ice cream sounds good to me. Once the weather is nicer, we like to sit out back or go to a park, too. Blessings to you, super mom! 🙂