Dance of the Virgins, Blog Love and a Recipe

By Sibo Chacko

Are you familiar with the 'Dance of the Virgins'? 

I wasn't and when my blogging friend, Lisa, mentioned it in one of her letters
I had to know more.  Lisa and I are both Virgo's, writing every now and again about this and that.
When she mentioned a special house in Vermont, I was enchanted and wrote about it here.  When she mentioned 'Dance of the Virgins',  I just couldn't resist. I had all sorts of visions running thru my head and I needed an explanation. Lisa was happy to oblige. I also asked her to spread a little Blog Love
to a few of her favourite blogs. Lisa is blogless in Vermont (I am hoping she will start one)
but an avid reader :) I count myself  one of the lucky ones!

Dance of the Virgins

Lisa's "Dance of the Virgins" remembrance:

"We met through work at the Real Estate office I was managing.  First Sandi and Holly and then Ginette.  All Virgos, we were connected by a shared aesthetic, work ethic, warped sense of humor and varying degrees of fussiness. Our birthdays range from late August through late September, two of them on the cusp and two of us only a day apart.  We loved each others houses, but decided upon Holly's rambling farmhouse for the annual celebration, the "Dance of the Virgins".  Held in September,  we would have a potluck feast spread on her antique harvest table, filling our plates with treats such as Lavender Scones, or a dense and sinful Chocolate Loaf with Raspberries. Holly giggles (which she does the best!) when she remember serving Mimosas, but making tea for Sandi and I. There was no dancing, we were all past being virgins in any sense of the word and it wasn't just for the four of us.  We were aware of needing a token Sagittarius (Lori) or Aquarius (Michaela) to keep it light and fun.  We did this for years until it grew beyond birthdays into a monthly "girl's night out" celebration with a fair portion of the zodiac present at a local restaurant.  There is no doubt that if Jeanne were to move back to the States, we would have to resurrect the tradition. She's "one of us" as well!  I would have to include my other two dear friends, Hilda and Cheryl.  Both are Geminis, with birthdays a day apart. There are few in life who become your "cup of tea" friends, the ones who nurture your soul.  How do you celebrate each other?"

I can tell you right now, I am tempted to create a 'Dance of the Virgins' extravaganza!
I have visions of the spirited ladies in the movie Ya Ya's of the Sisterhood 
around the table with lots of laughter. It would be the very best way to celebrate each other.

I must say...

I feel a most definite Ya Ya moment coming on!

Some serious head dress envy is going on right now :)

It would be magic to create a 'Dance of the Virgins' 

with friends, don't you think? I hope this inspires you :)

image

By this point, you may be wondering who Lisa is....

Here she is with Scottish singer-songwriter, Al Stewart...another Virgo.

Lisa and Al Stewart

She writes....

And to carry on the Virgo theme, I've attached a photo of myself with fellow Virgo, Al Stewart ("Year of the Cat" fame).  This was taken at my home after a concert I had produced for the The Old Meeting House in Francestown, NH.  A clip of that concert can be found on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btv0BZdQYNw
 Featured in this video is my former neighbor, Matt Savage.  Matt is autistic, but his passion for music has rewarded him with an early pass to Berklee School of Music as well as his own jazz trio, television appearances and CD's. At my request, I had asked Matt's mom if he would accompany Al on one of my favorite songs, "The Year of the Cat".  Perhaps on 12 yrs. old at the time, he never rehearsed with Al Stewart, who showed up 15 minutes before showtime. They had no idea what to expect.   To this day, I laugh through my tears as Matt repeatedly tinkles the piano keyat the end, to show us it is out of tune!!
 Hugs,
Lisa

Lisa's 'Blog Love' list....

Pall Spera Company Blog: 

(Our company facebook page is blessed to have to insightful, 

creative writing of Paschal MacMurray 

who reminds us of our connection to others):  

The Restored Homestead: 

(aka Holly's blog!):  

The Sartorialist  

Content In A Cottage

Juniper Hill Farm  

A Femme Du Certain Age

Fuoricitta 

(Deirdre & Caleb are Vermont authors & 

restaurant owners who write about food, passions and travel): 

The Gardener's Cottage 

(I see a "cottage theme" in blog love here!)  

I love Janet's classic style!:

Joy The Baker 

 lastly...

Oh...PS, feel free to share the Lemon Bread recipe.  

I had the pleasure of sharing this recipe when I went for tea 

and a visit to another Virgo your readers may know...

the late Vermont author and illustrator Tasha Tudor.  

Another story for another time!

Lisa's Luscious Lemon Loaf

Ingredients:

6 Tbsp. Butter, Softened

1 Cup Sugar

2 Eggs

½ Cup Milk

1 ½ Cup All Purpose Flour

1 Tsp. Baking Powder

Freshly Grated Zest of 1 Lemon

Lemon Glaze: ½ Cup Sugar (or more)

Juice of 1 Fresh Lemon

Instructions:

.  Melt butter in small pan  -  add to 1 Cup Sugar

.  Add eggs, lemon zest and mix

.  Stir in flour, baking powder, milk

.  Pour into greased and floured loaf pan

.  Bake 1 hour in preheated 350 degree oven (I put stove timer on for 

50 minutes and start testing for doneness with a toothpick)

.  When done, remove from oven and lightly poke holes on top with a fork.  

Spoon lemon glaze over top and put back in oven for another 5 minutes.

.  Cool…Can be frozen for a month or two, or eaten right away!

Many thanks to Lisa for sharing her stories, spreading a little 'Blog Love' and providing us with this luscious lemon loaf recipe. Such a small world we live in. When you come to think of it....wouldn't it be fun to have our own Blogging Dance of the Virgins??? I think we should start by creating our own head dress and posting on it!! What say you?

I leave you on that note with a little movie clip

 from Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. 

Best wishes for a wonderful weekend...

may it be filled with joy :)

Jeanne xxx

movie photos Total Film and Yahoo Movies