Hi Couch Potatoe, When I hang out with my friends it is that we are together, chatting, perhaps going for a walk, stopping a the cafe and drinking tea or coffee or beer. chit-chat, nothing serious or planned. (Now, Here is where I get creative) : hanging out by the spoons and/or ladles to me could mean in someone's kitchen or in a restaurant. I am probably way off but that is the feeling I get.

I don't know if "hanging out by the spoons or ladles" is a colloquialism in it's entirety, but the term "hanging out" means that the people are "standing around" or together with other people, but not doing much. One would say "I'm just hanging out with my friends", when she is over at a friend's house and they aren't doing anything specific; as opposed to "My friend and I are at the movies." When one is "hanging out", there is some casualness to what they are doing; they are not there for business or out of obligation.

hang out 把(衣服等)挂在露天 挂出 探出身子; (树枝等)伸出 坚持 ④(物资等)维持下去 ⑥[俚]居住 ⑦[美俚]闲逛, 鬼混; (在某处)闲呆着 可能是 我们生活很拮据的意思 猜的