Big Summer Potluck 2011 Recap
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photo courtesy of Three Many Cooks
A week ago I returned from Big Summer Potluck 2011, a gathering of friends from the food blogging community. What I’ve usually found to follow most conferences or workshops is a bit of the blues, along with spinning in circles feeling “less than” compared to what everyone else is doing. Not to mention the 50+ things I always seem to learn that I’m not doing right or didn’t know about at all.
But Big Summer Potluck was different.
Big Summer Potluck wasn’t a conference or a even workshop. We listened to talented photographers and writers share how they use their gifts to capture life’s stories to share, and connect with others. We hung out with friends, old and new, listening and laughing and encouraging one another. There was no SEO, or optimizing, or analytics discussed. No business cards were passed about. We were able to just enjoy the company of each other. It felt like a family reunion with many cousins, some who I’d never met in person.
photo courtesy of Three Many Cooks
Yep, Big Summer Potluck was different.
After returning home, missing my friends set in a tad, but instead of a long list of things to tackle and get a move on, I found myself just thinking. Just being. And then thinking some more. I also found time to reach for my guitar, that I haven’t picked up in months, and learned something new. The next garden project plans were begun. A few chapters of a much neglected book were read.
And I breathed.
For me, Big Summer Potluck was the pause I needed to realize (once again) that my life is not my blog. My blog is just a way to share bits and pieces of my life, and what I learn from others like you. I don’t live to blog.
I’d say that’s pretty good stuff to get from a potluck, don’t you? Plus, I’ve got some pretty darn cool cousins y’all!
I encourage you to take some time this week to sit and think and breathe. Maybe learn a new song, or pick up that knitting project that’s gathering dust. It’ll be worth it and make you a better you for all the other people in your life. Promise.
Appreciation and hugs to Erika from The Ivory Hut, and Maggy, Sharon and Pam from Three Many Cooks, for planning such a great weekend for all of us cousins. Many thanks to the inspirational speakers, Penny de los Santos, Shauna Ahern, Pam Anderson and Justin Schwartz for sharing your experiences from the heart. It was a lovely weekend. Mwaaah!
Read more about Big Summer Potluck 2011, and see what others took away… (and meet some of my cousins too!)
I’m tickled that you’re here! Like you, I wear many hats, and live to tell about it. This space is a place for sharing food, home, garden, travel and lifestyle tidbits, with some fun always thrown in for good measure.
Oh Amy. I so love this post. I love how honest it all is. What a nice breather for you and for everyone else who went.
Blogging so much more than the whirlwind of stuff we learn about. To me it has really always been about the people, though I do admit to get caught up in it all sometimes. For instance, I have never heard of Amos Lee until I met you. And everytime I see guitars or Amos Lee pops up on The Coffee House on XM I think of you and smile. I think that’s pretty cool considering we live in different states and don’t talk everyday.
Anyway…thanks for sharing…I wanted to go to this so bad but couldn’t work it out. I would love more of these types of get togethers. Small, intimate and just special.
Beautiful reminder Amy. I’m so glad that you had such a great time catching your breath with everyone. Wish I had been able to make it this year but there’s always next year right 😉
being fed . . . that is what it’s all about . . . being fed physically, fed emotionally, fed spiritually (however you define spiritual) . . . it’s about the connections NOT the comparisons . . . no ‘less thans’ or ‘more thans’ no ‘big’ or ‘small’ . . . just plain ‘being’ . . . who you are, who you are meant to be . . . being reflective, being thoughtful, being present . . . being. it’s all good Amy, it’s all good . . .
Oh, this post is so happy! I’ve been to a few travel blogging conferences, and I know that feeling so well — that feeling that you know everyone, even the ones you’re meeting (technically) for the first time. Glad you had fun!
Wonderful! Just wonderful…thanks so much for sharing. And thanks for sharing all the other post. I feel like I was there ; ) xoxo
That sounds so wonderful. I wish I could have attended this…it sounds right up my alley – very refreshing!
Amy, this potluck sounds like exactly the kind of event I need. I am a bit over the usual large scale “corporate” shows. This is more my bag. Beautiful!
Loved this, Amy. So hear what you are saying. My goal a month ago was to shut off at nighttime and move on to what really matters. Family, friends, garden, food, …connecting. It’s been the best summer ever for me. It’s good to be reminded and encouraged to keep healthy boundaries and a positive perspective on blogging. Thanks for the refreshing post!
Sounds like such a great event! I’m definitely hoping to make it next year.
Your words are so true, and so good to hear. I made a very conscious effort to step back a bit a few months ago, and I’ve had the best summer ever with my family. I’ve played more, connected more, and have taken in alot more fresh air. It’s been priceless.
I really love this recap Amy. And the “not living to blog” is something I realized there, too. I came home and have been able spend more time living and less time blogging as a result…a much better use of time. xoxo