I know, I haven’t posted in a really long time. But if I was going to take forever to get up a new post, isn’t gluten-free, dairy-free pumpkin pie a nice one to leave up there? 
Things have been crazy busy and I promise I’m going to get back to posting regularly. I just participated in an amazing weekend of food, new friends, and inspiration at Eat Write Retreat 2012.
There were so many wonderful things about the conference, and I left energized (if exhausted). Here are a few of the highlights:
We square danced. Yes, even Ms. Two Left Feet (me–photographic evidence below!). Although there was a collective gasp of fear when we saw it, within a few minutes we were all having a blast making fools of ourselves together. This was one of the highlights of the whole conference for me–it broke down walls in a way that never happened last year. Once you sweat, laugh, and fall over each other for a couple of hours, who can’t be friends?
I got to meet Michael Natkin. Michael blogs at www.herbivoracious.com, and I’m a huge fan. He was incredibly nice and down-to-earth, and I was so happy he could be with us as part of his new cookbook tour (can’t wait to cook from it!).
The people. Last year, we had some “famous” bloggers attend and speak on panels. I have to say, I was disappointed with how cliquey they were, and how they failed to interact much with the rest of the attendees. This year, I have to say there was not a single person who wasn’t kind, friendly, and open. We didn’t have any panels this year, but rather individual speakers who I felt were able to really connect personally with everyone. Kudos to Robyn and Casey for putting together an outstanding group of speakers–and for inviting back all of us volunteers!
The sponsors. Mike from Calphalon, Arianna from OXO, and Ronnie & Aja from Jarlsberg were all return sponsors and it was so nice to see them have as much fun as last year. They even got into the square dancing with us!
The food. Aside from the general deliciousness of food, I discovered that Dogfish Head makes a gluten-free beer! I snagged a 4-pack to take home and will definitely be purchasing more. It’s a sorghum and buckwheat beer (brewed with strawberries), great for the summer.
The swag. Anyone who attended last year knew to leave significant extra room so they could fit all of the swag we’d get throughout the weekend. And oh, did it keep on coming. Still working on where to fit my Calphalon slow cooker, but luckily my OXO swag was not nearly as big as my mandoline from last year!
The inspiration. Food blogging is a hobby of mine–I have a day job that I love. But it’s pretty amazing to meet so many folks who blog as their business, and to see how they pour their passion for food into their blogs. Something to aspire to.
That’s all for now–but I’ve got cinnamon apricot pistachio oatmeal cookies and spicy lentil & fish curry recipes on the way, so stay tuned!
Lovely post about an amazing weekend. You’re definitely right about the “vibe” and how friendly and open everyone was, including the speakers. I wasn’t at last year’s conference, but I can’t imagine a nicer group than the one we just spent an intense and wonderful weekend with.
It was a great weekend and I enjoyed spending some of it with you! (And if you can’t find room for that slow cooker…)
Can’t wait until EWR13!