Lunch With A Good Friend

My hometown of Bartlesville hosts the OK Mozart Festival every year in June. For those who aren't fans of classical music, it's not all classical. In fact this year's finale was "An Evening with Gershwin."

But the festival isn't what this post is about.

Just a short drive west of downtown is the home of Keepsake Candles. I can't remember if I've mentioned this before or not but about 32 years ago I went to work at the candle factory. I was part of the staff for almost 10 years (before going to work for Phillips Petroleum Company.)

Originally I was part of the candle making team. Later I worked as the secretary/bookkeeper as well as in the store. But that's not what this post is about either.

This is a photo of Alice Ririe and me from last Saturday. She and her husband developed the process of making their unique candles back in the late 60's. The candles that are produced in the factory are wax replicas of antique glassware - from toothpick holders to vases. Check their website to see the variety of candles that are handcrafted there.

Yard in front of the candle factory.

Several years ago Alice decided to host Cafe Keepsake during OK Mozart. Wonderful lunches are served on the porch throughout the festival.

Wall decoration on the porch of Keepsake Candles

I invited my friend, Kristin, to lunch at Cafe Keepsake. Since she's a working girl and an hour isn't hardly long enough for a good visit, I picked her up on Saturday and we drove out.

There were 3 choices on the menu that day. I chose 7-layer salad accompanied by a bit of fruit. Some of you know that I'm not a coffee or tea drinker but that day I chose Island Breeze Herbal tea. Both the salad and herbal tea were very nice on a hot day.


Kristin's choice was the salmon and artichoke sandwich, also accompanied by fruit. She said it was very good.

Ah - and then, dessert. There were a variety of pies to choose from. I had a slice of frozen Strawberry Margarita pie. Sorry about the half-eaten piece. Kristin and I were enjoying our time together talking and eating and I totally forgot to take a picture before taking a few bites.

Kristin had the Chocolate Mocha pie. She was actually the one to ask if I wanted a picture of the pies. You can tell we both liked our choices!

Of course, after lunch we had to do a bit of shopping. The shop sells many lines of candles besides the ones that are made there. Honestly, it didn't cross my mind to snap a photo of Keepsake's classic line of candles - the ones that I used to help make. Shame on me! However, if you enlarge the photo, on the right hand side you can see some small "teapot candles" that are made there.

The reason I took this photo is because, back in the day, AD built those 2 display cabinets in the very middle of the picture.

Personal note to Kristin: I know you'll read this. Saturday was just the best! Let's plan to do it again next year.

PS. If any of you are ever in the area, I'd invite you to visit Keepsake Candles. And, if you do, give me a shout. I'd love to meet you out there.