Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Oh the People You'll Meet!

David appreciating the selection of food


"Oh the people you'll meet".   That is a play on the line from Dr. Seuss's book The Places You'll Go.  It is a coming of age book for children that is meant to send them out into the world on their own, ready to face their futures... . But there is another connotation to the phrase.   Some of us who have established ties with friends and family still welcome getting to know new people.  We have found that to be especially true with the blogging community.



Welcome all!



When I heard that Larry ( Big Dude's Eclectic Ramblings) was having his yearly blogger get together at his lakeside home called Almost Heaven South, I knew that this was the year that we could be there.  Here is Larry welcoming everyone.  His place has always been a special gathering place for bloggers and friends.  This year the major part of the meal was prepared by Katherine of Smoky Mountain Cafe and her husband  A.J.  These native New Orleans transplants, who now live in Tennessee, are experts in making Crawfish and Shrimp boil.



A.J. and Katherine


The cooks are ready for the presentation.  We all appreciated the authentic tastes and demonstrations on how to eat  crawfish.  It was a bountiful presentation.






And here.





Crawfish, shrimp, sausages, potatoes, corn and whole cloves of garlic were strewn across the paper covered tables.  What a feast.  Thank you Katherine and A,J.!





Sam of My Carolina Kitchen made a Bahamian Pea and Rice Salad.  It was a perfect accompaniment to the crawfish boil.




I brought watermelon and pineapple and cream cheese stuffed celery.  The recipe is here.  There were many appetizers and desserts that I did not get a picture of including a medley of delicious nuts from Cathy of Wives with Knives, who could not be there.  Oregon would be a long way to come, but thank you Cathy.  The nuts were delicious.


Here are some of the bloggers in attendance.





Dave of My Year on the Grill and Inspired by eRecipeCards and his wife Jackie came all  the way from Kansas City.  What an honor it was to finally meet them.  Dave's website eRecipeCards is awesome and Jackie knows how to tell a mean story.  LOL.  In the background you can see David  of Big Daddy Dave and his wife Laurie.  They live close by and are lucky enough to visit Larry and Bev often.





Sam, of My Carolina Kitchen and her husband Meakin were also there.  They go to the event every year and it was good to see them again.  They, along with Meakin's brother Stuart and his wife Sandy, were staying an extra night so they could cook Larry and Beverly a special dinner.  I hope she blogs about it.

I didn't get a picture of  Chris ( Nibble Me This ) and his wife Alexis, but I enjoyed talking photography with him.  Go on over to his blog to see some of the attendees sucking mud bugs.  He has some great pictures of the whole event.






Larry makes the best Margaritas and I hope he will blog about them on Big Dude's Eclectic Ramblings.  Here he is holding the secret ingredient.




Thank you Larry and Beverly for opening your home and dock to all of us.  You are terrific hosts and if you can put up with all of us, we will be there next year.  You are the best!

18 comments:

  1. Gosh, what a fabulous time that was Penny! Glad you and David made it this year and can share that fun bloggers get together at the lake! Nothing will compare en France!!!!!!

    My bedtime story was lovely last night! Thank you again for the lovely book - told you children's' books are often my favorites!

    Hugs - Mary

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  2. What a fun post; it must be wonderful to live it in your area and get the chance to meet fellow bloggers. I do follow Sam so it was nice to see her. Thank you for giving me a glimpse of what it must be like.
    Rita

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  3. What a special event. We will all live vicariously through you!

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  4. And a good time was had by all! Terrific photos! i have a bit more to do before I get to my post on the event, but what incredible fun! Great food but more important, so much fun to put personalities to the folks we think we know so well! Worth the drive and already making plans for next year!

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  5. The food looks wonderful! How fun you were able to go this year. Sam looks great as always.

    You must be getting so excited about France....
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  6. What a fabulous spread on the table. I love that the boil was just put there (sans bowls or plates). Nice to see some familiar faces. Looks like a really good time!

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  7. Oh gosh that looks so good! I would drive to Alaska for that meal!

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  8. It was a pleasure to get to know you and Dave and as I said you were just as I expected you to be. I'm really glad you were able to take time from your busy trip planning to make it over the mountain and especially glad to hear you're already in for next year. Thanks for the nice write up and I wish you had been able to stay for dinner - you won't believe what the Hoffer boys laid on us. I look forward to seeing France through your eyes.

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  9. It all looks wonderful, Penny! So glad you and David made it and had a great time!

    XO,
    Jane

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  10. Penny your photos are fabulous of everyone. I look a little goofy, but I probably am. It was a great party and everyone had such fun. I'm so glad you and David were able to attend. We had such a good time visiting with you both.
    Sam

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  11. I'm sneaky that way, I stay on the backside of the camera :-) It was so nice to meet you and David!

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  12. What an exciting time! It must have been wonderful to meet many of the folks whose blogs are visited frequently! I would love to be able to attend one of the parties!
    I will be going to my first crawfish boil this weekend....can hardly wait.

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  13. What a party! The group looks like everyone are having a wonderful time and the food is out of this world!!! Wish I didn't live so far away. I'll be looking forward to hearing all about your trip, Penny.

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  14. We had such a wonderful time and I am so glad I finally got to meet you and David. The day just went by way too fast!

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  15. I am so jealous! I will get there someday!

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  16. What fun and you really got some great shots. I sure hope I can go next year!

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  17. Que rica comida muy tentadora me encantan los choclos o elotes ....se lo que es pasar en familia una tarde divertida y paseando por Paris,grandioso paseo,abrazos hugs,hugs.

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