Blue Velvet Sectional

Last weekend, I got together with 5 girlfriends I have known since before puberty hit. Lots of history there.  It's less like herding cats to get us together now, since most of their kids are old enough to feed themselves.  We had the same great time  we always did.  And, holy shit, can we ever drink wine! Many, many bottles were consumed. Since we were asked to leave a downtown hotel last year due to excessively loud laughter, this year, I was fortunate to be able to book a beautiful apartment  that could fit everybody.  Some good friends own a stunning Victorian row house in Cabbagetown, and were kind enough to let my friends stay in their garden level rental unit.  It ended up being the perfect solution; we had a great place to hang out, and my old friends were able to meet some of my new ones. After starting our Saturday night with a few bottles of bubbly, we headed out for dinner at Buca Yorkville .  It was fantastic, and different. The cured fish "charcuterie"

I did not grow up around salad.  We hardly ever ate them, to be honest, unless you count the potato and macaroni salads, swimming in mayonnaise, that would be trotted out in the summer.  I loathed mayonnaise as a kid, so I wouldn't go within 10 feet of those monstrosities. (Side note- I'd probably be 10 lbs thinner if I didn't finally develop a deep appreciation for mayo.) My high school best friend was worse than me.  I'd eat peas, carrots and lettuce, but she absolutely hated all vegetables, which she sneeringly referred to as green things .  Her disregard for vegetables was so total, she couldn't actually identify them.  One summer, she hosted a BBQ when her mom was away.  She grudgingly bought all the vegetables people liked on their burgers.  I was helping her prep before guests came over, and said I'd prepare the toppings. "Did you get lettuce?" I asked "It's in the fridge" she said.  I looked, but there was no lettuce.  When