The Big Summer Potluck (and a Giveaway)
My Big Summer Potluck story started off a bit different from most others in attendance at this year’s gathering.
I snagged a ticket to the event a few minutes after they went on sale back in February.
Fast forward three months later – Memorial Day weekend my husband and I took a trip to nearby Philadelphia. During one of our dinners, we found ourselves seated next to a couple who was very helpful in suggesting items for us to order off the menu. Our conversation continued and, as it turned out, she was a food blogger who I was twitter friends with but had never personally met. She asked if I was going to this year’s Big Summer Potluck, as she was hoping to get off the waitlist soon. When I told her I was, she told me I was going to love it.
A few weeks later, she sent me a message saying she got a ticket. I immediately asked her if she wanted to be roomies, as I had a hotel room all to myself. She said yes.
Fast forward to just a few weeks ago, when my husband realized I would be sharing a hotel room with someone who was (technically) a stranger. He thought it was strange and I in turn thought it was strange that he thought it as strange. All I needed to know was that she was a food blogger and that she was going to Big Summer Potluck. That was enough for me.
What he doesn’t get is that there is an unspoken (or actually spoken) bond between us food bloggers. We are a family, united by our love of food.
Big Summer Potluck was everything I thought it would be, and then some – mostly because its message transcends food blogging. Among the speakers – Brooke spoke about the importance of mindfulness in our busy lives and the difference between doing versus being. Joy talked about jealously and comparison and the importance of finding your own voice. You can still “look around” and be inspired but then make it your own. And Molly highlighted how we are all works in progress.
One post is not enough to get into more detail about the weekend. But it’s suffice to say that I came out of the weekend with renewed inspiration, not just pertaining to my blog but all of my personal endevors. Thank you Pam, Maggie and Erika for putting together a truly special event. Can’t wait for next year’s! And thank you to my roommate Lisa – for taking a leap of faith.
To say that The Big Summer Potluck was full of great food is an understatement. Equally as amazing was our goodie bag. One of the best items in the bag was the Pioneer Woman’s second cookbook. Because I already have a copy, I’m giving it away to one of you. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post letting me know what you think of the concept of being mindful in the digital age. You have until Saturday, August 11th 11:59pm to enter. This giveaway is for US residents only. The winner will be chosen at random, notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.
Good Luck!
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Rosa — August 6, 2012 @ 1:41 am
A great gathering and lovely giveaway (don’t count me in though as I don’t live in the US)!
Cheers,
Rosa
Baker Street — August 6, 2012 @ 3:37 am
Wow! looks like you guys had a great time!
I have been wanting to get myself a copy of Ree’s book forever, so I’m totally in for the giveaway!!
Eileen — August 6, 2012 @ 9:12 am
You are such a beautiful spirit. My husband would have had a heart attack too so don’t feel bad…
Having said that, being mindful means taking time for self… for me that meant going part-time and finding time where I could so that I could enjoy my 3 daughters, writing and being more consistent with my self-care regiment!
Abrazos,
Eileen
Corisa — August 6, 2012 @ 9:42 am
Mindful in age should be about how the individual is on the inside and not how they are seen through someones eyes! As long as they are confident about their age and embrace it, they feel and look even younger!
Helen — August 6, 2012 @ 10:02 am
Being mindful today has not changed much from yesterday. Still cautious, still always aware of your surroundings. If you have a common connection, one that you are very confident of, go for it!!! Would love a copy of Ree’s book!!!
Monique — August 6, 2012 @ 10:15 am
You are so right about the unspoken bond bloggers have! When i went to BlogHer two years ago (ahem, where i met you) the woman who introduced me to you was also a stranger to me. And I have since had her over at my house and etc. After only meeting her for one day at BlogHer.
I always miss out on these awesome opportunities to meet bloggers. Ialways find out about after the fact. Bummer. LOL.
gail — August 6, 2012 @ 10:35 am
it is so important to be mindful in this digital age
Jennifer — August 6, 2012 @ 11:14 am
I love that we can meet so many new people in this digital age; however, I am also of your husband’s opinion that we cannot let our guard down too easily and trust everyone we meet who is a blogger. We need to be mindful of new friends and also be cautious for our own safety.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic — August 6, 2012 @ 11:22 am
I agree that there is an unspoken (and strong) bond between food bloggers! But knowing that, I still try to be mindful in this digital (aka over-sharing) age… I’d love to win a copy of the cookbook!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes — August 6, 2012 @ 1:50 pm
I really want to attend the big summer potluck one year. I couldn’t agree more. The food blogging community is one big family.
Diane — August 6, 2012 @ 3:15 pm
I love that we can meet so many new people in this digital age but then again you can never be to careful!
I have a wonderful friend I met about 5 years ago now and though we have never met in person I met her through a cake site and we became really close friends!
Mirtha — August 7, 2012 @ 1:06 am
tough one, we must not overshare but we can’t overprotect ourselves either so I guess we have to trust our gut instinct. Perhaps rooming with someone you had only met online would be one thing, but you had actually met her, if by chance…
Lynn — August 7, 2012 @ 9:59 am
I read a tweet from a friend that went to the potluck that resonated with me and got me thinking about this topic. We’re bombarded daily and it’s hard to stay on top of all the blogging necessities (especially when one doesn’t have a smart phone
Getting better at organizing and sticking to priorities helps me. I plan ahead, including time to connect with friends and exercise in my day. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and cancel but I simply put things down, turn it off and go. Amazing how powerful this simple act can be! BTW- love your story of meeting your Twitter friend!
Biz — August 7, 2012 @ 4:12 pm
I’d love to get that cookbook – the price in the bookstore is over my budget with my daughter in college now.
Ha, I had to laugh, I would have roomed with you and never given it a second thought. My husband shakes his head when I start a sentence “my blog friend. . .” He keeps telling me “they aren’t your friends!”
I beg to differ. Glad you had such a great time!
My Inner Chick — August 7, 2012 @ 9:34 pm
—I’ve been hearing about that cookbook!
And I saw it at Barnes & Noble last week.
I WANT. I Want! x
Beth M — August 7, 2012 @ 10:24 pm
hi my friend! To me, being mindful in the digital age is to realize the power of your written words. Just like spoken words, they can bring joy or bring confusion/hurt so choose them carefully.
Joanne — August 8, 2012 @ 7:34 am
It is funny about the unspoken blogger trust that exists. I stayed with another blogger in Seattle when I was there for BlogHer Food and my mom and boyfriend thought it was super weird that I was staying with someone who I barely knew. But I did actually feel like I knew her from reading her blog!
I’m so glad you had fun! This is one blog conference I’ve always wanted to attend…perhaps next summer!
Lisa S — August 8, 2012 @ 9:49 pm
I think that we need to learn to focus and absorb. I find myself looking at a blog, then before I know it I have clicked into 5 other blogs. There is so much info it is easy to get lost!
That being said…I love your blog and hope I win the cookbook. I have the first one and havent gotten the new one yet!
Jessica — August 9, 2012 @ 2:47 pm
So true! When I moved to New York, I met up with two friends that I had only known in the blogosphere. One met me for breakfast and the other invited me, a total stranger, to her home to share in a family celebration. How amazing! I love our little food blogger community!
Carolsue — August 10, 2012 @ 4:28 am
I think there is also a “bond” amongst bloggers and I’ll bet there are more honest indivividuals in this group than in many other digital grops. Even so, one needs to be careful in all things involving digital transactions, relationships, etc. etc. I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting any fellow bloggers, but hope to someday.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
bianca @ sweet dreaming — August 10, 2012 @ 11:12 am
Love this post! thanks for the giveaway
Elisabeth — August 11, 2012 @ 8:44 pm
I like the idea of being instead of just doing!
JulieD — August 13, 2012 @ 12:14 pm
I have this book so don’t enter me in the contest. So glad you had fun at BSP!! What’s Lisa’s blog? And I totally don’t think it’s weird rooming with a food blogger you have never met or only met once.
Jersey Girl Cooks — August 14, 2012 @ 3:51 pm
Aww, nice post. It was so fun rooming with you! Hope to do it again next year. I have been away so I am just catching up on my blog reading.
vianney — August 28, 2012 @ 9:50 pm
So true. food bloggers are special people. When I went to NYC I fianlly met a great food blogger at the train station and I have to tell you she is amazing, loved her right from the start!! so glad you went I hope to go next year!!