The Big Harvest Potluck!

Two weeks ago I was able to experience one of the best food blogging weekends ever. I will admit that  I usually get a little crazy the day before a blogger conference. I get stressed knowing I will be gone for a few days and my husband will have to make sure the kids go to all the places they need to. I also make sure I have a pedicure, a new haircut and maybe a new outfit or two. Who doesn't want to look nice for a weekend away, right?

Well this time that didn't happen. I forgot about my toes, my hair or any new clothes. Gathering with this group of people is like attending a family reunion or meeting old friends on a retreat to refresh and renew. No need to impress as no one judges and people are as genuine as can be.  I used the extra few hours packing, baking a coffee cake to bring and getting some last minute work done before I left. It was a nice relaxing ride to Pennsylvania especially since I drove there with fellow food blogger and friend  Kristin from Dizzy, Busy and Hungry. Kristin was also my roommate for the weekend.

I have participated in quite a few food blogging conferences and trips but this past one might be the most memorable one yet. Usually we gather in July for the Big Summer Potluck but this year we gathered in the early fall for The Big Harvest Potluck. The weather was more then perfect and the scenery was just spectacular. From the company, to the food, to the new friends I made, to the beautiful surroundings at Burpee Fordhook Farm, everything was just wonderful.

There are plenty of thank you's to go around.

First I owe a bunch of gratitude to Maggy, Pam and Sharon from Three Many Cooks. They open up their house and hearts every year to all of us food bloggers.

Then there were the wonderful speakers who shared their stories:  Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer of The Canal House, Barry Estabrook of Politics of the Plate, Cheryl Sternman Rule of 5 Second Rule, and Karen Thornton of Chasing Hannah.

There were so many people that helped make this lovely weekend possible. Thank you to Erika of The Ivory Hut, Chris from The Peche, Brian of A Thought for Food, Brooke of Food Woolf, Sabrina of The Tomato Tart, Deb and Rod of Smith Bites and Kathi Johnson.

And thanks to these sponsors : Gourmet Garden, OXO, Terra Chips, Kerrygold, Sabra, Burpee, KitchenAid,  and Analon. They really made it one delicious weekend! I genuinely love all their products and will be using these brands in some of my future recipes.

I can't wait until the next Harvest potluck!