Guarded, scattered, anxious. Just a few words to describe my state of being before attending my first ever food blogging event, Big Summer Potluck in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I had just decided to drive directly to the Friday night dinner which meant wearing my “party clothes” in the car. I had slipped in sheets of paper towels between the seat belt and my crisp white shirt and cranked the air conditioning to preserve things just so. I was driving to a party to meet about 50 people at a house in the middle of the woods. People who I’ve never met in real life. But I was SO excited.
The food blogging event was a last minute trip for me thanks to Casey at Tastestopping. The event was not really about blogging, f-stops, or SEO. No, not at all. The inspirational words of award-winning photographer Penny De Los Santos and food writer and cookbook author Shauna Ahern (Gluten-free Girl) pierced the walls that I had built up over the past decades and into the core that housed my passion, my soul.
Wow. So unexpected.
I could feel the tears welling up and let a few drop to the floor, but didn’t want to melt into a slobbering mess. This weekend was a certainly a moment for me in my journey; a moment that has sparked something inside me to move. To act.
My walls are still here (hey, some are good), but I’ve been working hard at making them less hard and more giving and more open.
Allowing myself to be me.
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A big thank you to the hosts, Three Many Cooks and The Ivory Hut. Best hosts EVER.
Thank you to Pam Anderson and Justin Schwartz for your unselfishness and willingness in sharing your perspective on “the business”.
Thanks to the sponsors who fed and gifted us – Kerrygold, popchips, Green Mountain Coffee, Green Valley Organics, and KitchenAid.
And thank you to my husband, kids, and parents for letting mommy go on her first solo overnight trip!
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Read more about Big Summer Potluck by other attendees:
I was right there with you on the anxiety thing. But it was beautiful. And lovely to meet you!
It was great meeting you and glad I got the chance to chat with you on Sunday!
I think you captured the weekend beautifully — in words and pictures. So sorry we didn’t get to talk this weekend. I knew I missed out on meeting some wonderful people…but we have next year, right?
I feel the same way. I wanted to talk/meet every person, but it was a great weekend regardless! And yes, there is always next year and Twitterverse! 🙂
So lovely to meet you in person!!! Thanks for sharing your fears and your tears and your softening. We all melted a little more ‘together” over the weekend. I definitely want to see more of you in real life soon!
Hope the family lets mommy go out and play more often.
XXOOJAX
So glad I met you! You exude joy! Would love to hang out with you and the NYC crew!
So glad that you joined us at BSP! Loved hearing your perspective on the weekend and seeing your lovely photos!
wow…thanks for the compliment! so glad i attended. i’m looking forward to next year!
Simple and honest. Very nice Amy. Where were those doors that I’ve seen a couple times now? I missed them in person.
Hi Karen – Thank you! The doors were in one of the greenhouses on the site.
I think everyone was blown away by the impact of this amazing weekend. Everyone was affected in a similar and different way. I also got a last-minute ticket and I think we were meant to be there. It was so great to meet you, and I hope we could make plans to dine together soon.
I feel the same way. We were meant to be there. Awesome to meet you and let’s definitely get together soon!
so intrigued- you must tell me all about it!
skype soon?
hey amy, just read this and am so happy and proud of you and your journey. I’m totally amazed to see you taking these steps and I think it’s beautiful. What a great weekend!
bj