by Jill Jacks

Created on: March 04, 2009

I don't know how far back the practice of girls night goes but the concept was passed down to me at any early age. I was the only girl of five siblings. When a household is dominated by one sex survival takes on new dimensions.

My mother taught me to be heard rather than ignored and to be proud of being female. I am not a feminist by any means but I do appreciate the differences between the sexes.

Mother was responsible for the household finances and as such decreed that the cable bill specifically showed payment for channels other than the ones broadcasting sports. Television was broken down into categories the likes of sports, education, and what is commonly known as chick flicks. Each were given their time in the sun.

Girls in families with no sisters often turned into tomboys. They didn't have my mother. She had one daughter and she meant to get her due of daughter time. I didn't mind. My mother was my mentor and idol. I wouldn't have had it any other way. She passed away a few years ago but her gifts to me continue on.

One such gift was the tradition of girls night. I credit her with this tradition or gift because she made it a unique experience each and every time. Once a month my mother made my father take the boys out for the evening. I was allowed to invite two friends over to spend the night.

Our evening began late afternoon. We met at my house and from there mother would take us to the market. Each girl was required to bring a simple recipe. My friends were usually required to bring a salad or a vegetable dish recipe. Mom supplied the recipe for the main course. We would then assist in picking out the necessary ingredients. Once home we began preparing and cooking our meal.

It was my mother's innovative way of teaching me to cook in a fun and relaxed way. She said she wanted me to share good food with good friends my whole life through. She also wanted me to appreciate the tastes of others. Even though I am sure we must have tried dishes we didn't like I can't recall any. I do recall some of the best meals I've ever eaten and the recipes are recorded in an events binder my mom had me keep of our special girls nights.

Once the meal was over my mother didn't disappear to the kitchen to clean dishes and leave us girls in peace. We made the meal together and we cleaned up together. This was the first of many features to girls night. With dishes done we retired to the living room with a beverage to relax and digest our meal. We took as long as we dared.

We never

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