The “Thoroughbroads” experienced major life changing events over the years they met for monthly luncheons in Louisville. Divorces, illnesses, career changes, family crises  were shared with each other over a delightful meal, tasty libation and camaraderie. You see… women usually want someone to listen to them…not just hear them. We need to share our story. It helps us to sort things out, make personal decisions and to heal or learn from the experience when it is shared. We are not always looking for someone to solve the situation, We want compassion, which will shore us up to meet the issue head on and find our own solutions.

For the “Broads”, the meals we eat, the adult beverages we enjoy and the setting for the get-togethers are just part of the big picture. The comfort of exposing your inner issues, thoughts, needs or successes to true friends is sometimes comfort enough. Of course, if the issue is large enough, TRUE comrades will stand with you or fight along with you if you ask.

Now don’t for a minute think the gals in this group were perfect listeners. Some of us would share an opinion about your dilemma and not all of us would agree. And some of us would just listen and then call that “special Broad in the group” and maybe say something like, “ WHAAT THE??” But that is just normal when you gather gal pals. We tend to ganer all of the details and into a large opening of a funnel and then drill it down smaller and smaller until we find an answer we can live with or they can and sometimes that drilling down requires a gal to call a bestie and feel free to express a little shock to get it out of your system.

I am happy to report that in this group of Broads; it always came down to supporting one another. Whether we were on board with the person’s final decision or not, we were her shoulders…and that proved to be enough. Of course, an adult beverage always helps when you are divulging a confidence.

Here is a recipe we always found helpful.

Commiserating “Te-kill-ya” Punch Recipe

Based on one of Martha Stewart’s Tequila punches. Watch yourself it can be truth serum!

Ingredients:

16 ounces of Jose Cuervo Gold

 ¼ cup Cassis

 ¼ cup fresh lime juice

24 ounces of a ginger beer

12 ounces of Club Soda

Thinly sliced lime slices to use in an ice ring to keep the punch cold

*Margarita salt for rimming the glasses

*Lime peel curl for garnish

Stir all ingredients together in a 4 quart punch bowl then add the ice ring and garnish.

**IMPORTANT TIP – Be sure to temper the punch bowl first with cold water…if you pour super cool or a hot liquid into glass it can crack! Another gal pal saw this happen at an event with a borrowed antique Waterford glass punch bowl …not good!

…That should explain the picture of the Waterford Punch Bowl above.