Hey! Who are you calling a Bimbo?

Since I am a child of the sixties/ seventies, as you would expect, I've had my consciousness raised several times. But, today, I want to talk about my feminist side.

Now, most people who know me, would say that I am a rabid feminist....well, ardent feminist....uh, have strong feminist tendencies....well, I firmly believe that there are very few things that a man can do that a woman can't and about the only thing I wish I could do has to do with snow and cursive writing.

My family contained a number of strong women. My Grandma Quisenberry had been a leader in the Farm Bureau and a member of the board of Blue Cross/Blue Shield. My mom had been a 4H leader and changed careers in her fifties. My Aunt Marge had been a school teacher in a one-room school house and, up until her death, could give you that "teacher's look" that would bring tears to a grown man's eyes.

So, when I was invited to join a "women's group", I jumped at the chance. The group consists of 12 women ranging in age from 60 to 40. (I'm the baby). Most of them are managers in the computer industry. Three own their own businesses. I mean, we are talking smart, strong business women.

I was thinking, "What an honor to be asked to join this gifted group of women! They must see something special in me." However, it wasn't what I was thinking after I learned what they called themselves: The Bimbos Excuse me................The Whats?

What I found was a great group of smart, strong business women who truly cared for one another and just wanted to enjoy each others' company without the prying eyes of their husbands, significant others or children. In other words, they wanted to act like men at those male bonding things. If these are Bimbos, I thought, "Count me in!"

The Bimbos started when most of them worked together in Kansas City. When their lives started taking them to other places, they wanted to stay in touch. So, they began meeting for one long weekend a year. There have been 11 Bimbo Weekends and, while I have been to 3, I have only been a Bimbo for 2 years. Your first year - you only get to be a Bimbette.

At every Bimbo Weekend, we do 4 things: 1) sing the official Bimbo Song (Oh, little playmate, come out and play with me.. ), 2) watch "Thelma and Louise", 3) drink, and 4) eat, not necessarily in that order.

So, in honor of Bimbos past, present and future, let me share some of our favorite Bimbo Weekend foods:

Jeanie Bread
Serve 12 Bimbos.

2 French bread loaves
1 stick butter
12 ounces mozzarella cheese -- shredded or sliced
3 cloves garlic -- crushed

Melt butter and briefly sauté crushed garlic. Do not let garlic brown. Slice French bread in half lengthwise. Carefully cut out center of top and bottom halves keeping them whole. Brush butter on all sides of the cut out centers and into the hollowed out areas of the French bread. Spread cheese into the hollowed out areas. Replace cut out centers. Wrap each half individually in aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 325 degree oven.

Cloene's Lemon Squares
Serves 12 Bimbos.

2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 sticks butter
4 whole eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Cake:
Melt butter. Mix in flour and sugar. Pat into a 9x13 baking pan. Bake 20 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.

Filling:
Beat eggs and lemon juice. Mix in dry ingredients. Pour over baked cake. Bake 25 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.

NOTES: After second baking is completed, sprinkle with more powdered sugar. Cut into 1 inch squares. Cut while hot and take out of pan while still warm.

Judy's Quick Breakfast Quiche
Serves 12 Bimbos.

24 ounces frozen hashbrowns -- thawed
1/2 cup cheddar cheese -- shredded
1/2 cup Swiss cheese -- shredded
6 ounces ham -- diced
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup butter -- melted
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

Press thawed hashbrowns between 2 paper towels to remove moisture. Press into the bottom and sides of 1 deep-dish or 2 regular greased pie pans. Brush with butter and bake for 25 minutes in a preheated 450 degree oven. Combine eggs and milk. Layer ham and cheese in bottom of baked hashbrown "crust". Combine eggs and milk and pour over ham/cheese. Bake for 30-40 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. Quiche is done when a knife inserted near the edge comes out clean.

On Bimbo Weekend, this MUST be served with Mimosas!