Blogging is all about the friendships you make

Dale, moi, Susan

One of the best parts about blogging is the friends you make. I’ve found that you really get to know someone well when you read their blog, but it's even better when you get to meet them in person. Meakin and I have been very fortunate to have met some of you. In fact over the last three years we’ve met thirty-one of you, counting spouses. If you count children, we’re in the high thirties.

Susan and Dale, of The Schnitzel and the Trout are two of our most recent. They were visiting family near us and were able to come to lunch at our house. Meet the Schnitzel and the Trout, photo above. I’ve known Susan for almost the entire four years I’ve been blogging. We had a great time visiting with them about their European adventures, the best websites for lodging in France, and of course, food and trout fishing.

You know we’ve made friends with Larry & Beverly of Big Dude’s Eclectic Ramblings because we toured north Georgia wine country with them recently. But we also know them from the fabulous parties they host in the spring at their dock at Almost Heaven South on Lake Tellico along with Chris from Nibble Me This and his wife Alexis, and Katherine from Smoky Mountain Café with hubby A.J., a.k.a. the Cajun crawfish chef.

Larry

Chris

A. J. & Katherine

Penny of Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen and her husband David of Riding with Dave were also at the party. I’ve known Penny almost from the beginning of blogging. This year David rode his motorcycle all the way to Alaska where Penny met him for the ride home. Now that’s an adventure. They had just returned from France and we were delighted to hear all about their trip.

Penny with Larry in the background

David

Other bloggers were Dave of Big Daddy Dave and his wife Laurie in the background enjoying the crawfish. They live near Larry and Bev. And one more Dave - Dave of Year on the Grill and E-Recipe Cards with his wife Jackie, who drove all the way from Kansas for the get-together in the foreground.

L to R, Dave, Jackie, Dave, Laurie

Rebecca from Chow & Chatter and I have tried to get together several times. This past winter she was visiting in Florida with her adorable young family (the wee one is on her lap), and we met Lyndsey of The Tiny Skillet and her husband and daughter for lunch in Sarasota at a restaurant catty-corner from Whole Foods & Sur La Table. Talk about location, location, location. Guess where we went after lunch.

Lyndsey, Rebecca & the wee one

Last but certainly not least, a couple of years ago Penny of The Comforts of Home, hosted a get-together at her home for fourteen bloggers (names of everyone here). Along with the blog The Comforts of Home, Penny has just started a food blog – From Harvest to Table. Penny cooked a delicious lunch for all fourteen of us, plus some spouses, and afterwards took us to her favorite antique stores for an afternoon of shopping. Somehow you knew when fourteen ladies got together that we were going shopping didn't you?

Penny, first row, second from the right

It is such fun to meet friends face to face. Who will be next?