December 17th, 2015

Women & Wine, The Swirl Girls, Ocean City, Maryland, Thanks for a Great Evening

A glass or two of wine with friends is one of life’s greatest pleasures.  The Swirl Girls started in Ocean City, Maryland, almost 6 years ago by a group of friends that enjoy wines.  Women and Wine, it is all about good conversation and great wines to taste.  And, dinner is usually served, as well.

Once a month throughout the year they get together.  One person is the host, she provides the food, the rest bring what they would like to drink which is usually wine but there a few that prefer spirits at times.

And, at this time of the year, Donna, gives a Swirl Girls Christmas Party.  It is at this time that “members” can invite friends to attend.  And, that is where I come into the picture.  My friend, Cindi, invited me.

We were to only bring a present worth about $20 or so with an Italian theme.  We arrived at Donna’s to find the house totally decorated, the tables set, and the Swirl Girls ready to mingle with friends.

Nobody is posing for photos so what you see is what I got.

Tasting wine is not the same as drinking it.  You have to pay attention to those acute senses of sight, smell, touch and taste.

A true Swirl Girl holds the stem of the wine glass, and gently swirls the glass in small circles on a flat surface, allowing the oxygen to penetrate the wine.  You are aerating the wine.  As the wine coats the sides of the glass, it releases its bouquet.

For dinner, we had pasta, Caesar Salad, shrimp, cheeses, breads and soups.

For dessert homemade cakes, cannoli and cookies.

Then the Presents…..We all got one number.  Everyone got a present.  By the order of numbers, starting with number 1, this person opens her present, then the person with number 2 decides if she wants that present or she can open her own.  In reality you can steal the other person’s present.  And so the evening went.  For example, I got this bottle of Italian Pisa Liquor and was immediately snatched by one of my “friends”.

Others were able to show their presents so others could make a decision.  The bottle of champagne was snatched too.

The next photos show some of them wearing colanders.  There is a reason.  And, it is not that they had too much wine.  Did you read about the woman that wanted to wear a colander on her head on her license’s photo?  They finally did let her.  She is part of a “religion” called the Pastafarians.  I am not making this up.  You can research it yourself.  So being politically correct, we decided that the theme would still be Italian and few colanders showed up during the evening.

The greatest gift of life is that of friendship, and I have received it!! At times I don’t get to see them often enough, but when we get together is like time have stood still.  Love it and I find it priceless!!

Yeah, it's all here.