Big Summer Potluck 2011 Recap
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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!)
Sounds like a fantastic time. It’s always nice to meet fellow bloggers and benefit from one another’s talents.
The place looks especially gorgeous.
Love your recap… and all you took from the experience. 🙂
Amy, It’s interesting that you post this, about your life being your blog and feeling “less than” others. It’s interesting because it is so very relative. I could say the exact same things about how you blog compared to me, I would definitely be the less than in that category. But what I think is important to remember is that what you have to say (what anyone really has to say) is important and touches the lives of many of those that follow you. And whether your are super big or super small, or somewhere in between, what you do is important. No matter what, what you write about makes a difference and impact on people and is important. I think that the potluck sounds like a wonderful event. Small and intimate, friendly and fun. Spending the last few days at BlogHer, being a very small and pretty quite blogger is a bit intimidating. Something small and intimate would probably serve me better. Do you remember when I met you last year? I could hardly believe I was meeting “she wears many hats”! (a testament to relativity!)
Colette,
You are always full of wisdom AND encouragement.
I totally remember meeting you last year and won’t forget how we were instantly at ease with each other! Sisters forever!!!
~ Amy
Love this, Amy! Taking a nice, deep breath along with you.
I felt similarly when I came home, and I also took the chance to breathe and to just be content. It was lovely to see you, even though we didn’t get to chat long. Great post! 🙂
Lovely recap. I loved seeing you! xxoo
I love this post, Amy. It sounds like the perfect kind of get together!! I wish more conferences were that way.
so sad i missed it this year! i hope to make it next time 🙂
Looks like a lovely place and by all accounts a worthwhile get together. Thanks for sharing.
I vote for all conferences being just “get-togethers.” Can we get a petition going or something?
PS…really sorry I missed this! And missed seeing you again!
Sounds like my kind of conference!
I’ve never attended a blogging conference, but if I ever do this is the kind I’d like to be a part of. Looks like a lovely place full of lovely people who happen to be your cousins. 😉
Such a great little recap! That place is so gorgeous! You are so lucky to have gone!
Such true words Amy.
I miss you. I miss you much.
Everyone needs this kind of reminder! Sounds like it was one fab event!
What a perfect snapshot of the weekend, I LOVE the cousin reference…that is so true!
The weekend, the weather, the people, the speakers, the food, the location all came together like ingredients to a recipe that tasted so good, you can’t wait to make it again! So glad we had a chance to hang out 🙂 Have fun in the garden and in the kitchen!!
I definitely find myself sitting and thinking a lot more this week. I love reading everyone’s perspectives of the weekend so thanks for sharing. It was an amazing experience and glad I was able to be a part of it.
I wish I could of have been there, but couldn’t travel due to the baby:( Next year!! Glad you had a nice time!
Well said sweets! Loved seeing you again!
It sounds like a perfect “reunion”!!! So glad you had a great time.