Thursday, March 3, 2016

And it started like this....

Through some interesting zigs and zags I ended up on All In The Family.  First I started in Allrecipes.  Then in 2011 I relented and joined FaceBook.  Got added into a group that I later watched implode.  Some of that group reformed and I asked to join it.  It had its ups and downs.  2012 they held a secret Santa exchange.  What the heck and why not, I thought.  I had a lot of fun with that.  Georgi was my secret Santa and I enjoyed getting to know her.  2013 it was just a card exchange which was still fun.  I love getting fun mail, know what I mean?  By the time December 2014 rolled around the name of the group had changed and so had some of the members.  Again a card exchange was suggested.  That year I was so not in the Christmas spirit so I thought about it before I decided to make cards and join the list.  I'm glad I did.  I'm not terribly crafty but I do try hard.  Making those cards and thinking about who those cards were going to go really cheered me up.


Anissa with her contests.  I sat and watched while she showed us her motel room and proved there was nothing up her sleeves.  I believe Angie won that time but it was still a fun positive thing for me to think about.  Sure I thought about other people from the group.  One was definitely Toni Marsh.  While I will never have known her like Tempi, Marj, Liz or Bettina, I will never hear Styx "Come Sail Away With Me" without thinking of her.  I'm glad I had a chance to tell her that in her card that year.


AITF helped generate some much needed positive thoughts in me then.  In 2015 I tried posting a good thought for the day but that didn't really catch on.  Then a thought occurred to me.  Why not a "What did you have for Dinner?" post.  Prior to this Georgi used to post about dinner but at this point the pain in her back made it so she couldn't. Who knew it was more than a wrenched back?  So I asked if she cared if I did a dinner post.  Oh yeah, I freely admit to stealing the "What did you have for dinner?" idea from none other than Lilly Dory, one of our newest members.  I had enjoyed her AR posts because I always know what I had for dinner but arriving at the final dinner decision may change dramatically during the course of the day.


So on this anniversary I would like to thank all the dinner posters-the regulars and the not so regulars.  Hey, even if you aren't there every day I'm glad when you do stop in.  Even though I really enjoy the food porn, trust me, it doesn't really matter what you had for dinner.  For me it is like stopping in at a friend's and having a cup of coffee ( which I'm usually doing when I post), catching up and starting the day.  You have shared recipes.  You have taught me things about food I did not know.  I'm pretty sure for every 100 things I know about food there are about 1000 I don't.  You give me ideas for when "what's for dinner ?" is just a blank empty space.  Best of all you make me laugh and give brightness to my day.


This last year hasn't just been about food.  I'd like to think I've gotten closer to some of you.  How can you not when you share loss?  Be it a dear family member, friend or a beloved pet.  Sympathized when the daily grind of Life has gotten to you.  Sent prayers to those with health concerns.  Celebrated the arrival of new lives with you.  That is how family is supposed to work.  No,. it doesn't matter that we aren't really related.  There are some of you that I talk to more than my own sister.


Thanks again for being here and enjoying with me the daily dinner posts.  You've all brightened my days.  Happy Anniversary Everyone!!





Monday, January 4, 2016

WANTED: A Collection of Cooks, A Flock of Friends, and a Gathering of Gardeners.

Yes, you are wanted and invited on June 10 thru the 12th, 2016 for a party.  Back in the day it was called a roundup.  Sadly, the Allrecipes that inspired  then aspiring , good home, and professional cooks to try and meet face to face for a meal, lots of fun food and otherwise filled conversations doesn't seem to exist.  At least not for me anymore but I'm not letting that stop me!  I have met some of the best people because that site whether it was there or later on FaceBook.




The first roundup.  Magnolia Blossom drove 8 hours and arrived on a cold wet night.  We were strangers then.  We moved onto killing phone batteries with our conversations until we upgraded phones.  Yeah, we can talk that long.  I'm telling you when food and friends (ok so there could be adult beverages involved) get together connections happen!


Because of that first gathering there were more.  Uh yeah, cause we had such a great time at the first one. My dear friend, Brenda, who'd stayed over started planning the second one the day after until she realized she was planning a party at my house but that didn't stop her. Lol.  For me it was like having family for a holiday party.  Fun, laughter, food.  Except my family rates really high on the dysfunctional scale and that day no one bolted as soon as the dishes were cleared nor was there forced mandatory conversation by those still in attendance.  It was just filled with people who wanted to share time together.


Another lovely group of people in this photo.  That was #3.  There have been 5 gatherings here.  I took a bit of a break from AR and the last get together was June 2014.  I noted today with a bit of surprise that I haven't blogged since 2014 either.  I suppose its because several things caused me to be disillusioned with AR then I had some pesky health issues.  Glad to say my doctor is happy with me and my health now.  Sorry to say AR has not had the same luck.  Returning to the site when I thought to get back into the "groove" of things on AR, I found some dramatic changes.  I do appreciate those that, like Lily Dory, who keep posting on the site.  I applaud your efforts.  And yes, Lily, I did steal your "What did you have for dinner?" idea to use in another FB group I'm in.  I truly thought your idea for the post was brilliant cause I always know what I had for dinner.  I really enjoyed reading your posts and getting supper ideas so I stole it, started using it March 2015 and would like to say your "what's for dinner?" is a hit in my little group too.  I sure have fun posting and seeing what everyone has made.


So anyway, June 10, 11th and 12th, 2016 you are invited to come to the middle of the Midwest for 3 days of food and fun.  Friday the 10th afternoon/evening I will have hearty appetizers available for those that have traveled to be here.  I know!  After years of hearing Missouri dogged by friends of the past, I'm always amazed people are willing to come here.  We do have cool stuff here those people just must not have seen any of it.  Pryde's, it is THE place where any type of cook can walk in and go "Oh, wow!".  The WW1 museum is the top rated of it's kind.  There are all kinds of historic sites.  Jesse James grew up not far from here.  The Pony Express started just north of us.  Remember this was the gateway to the West.  Oh, and we have lots of vineyards to visit too.  Now Saturday at 1pm will be the BBQ lunch.  No, you don't have to bring anything just arrive safe and sound!  I provide several kinds of BBQ and sides.  I generally don't make potato salad or deviled eggs and in the past Mi Being Mi/ Sheila or the bean lady as my son calls her has always brought the baked beans.  We eat, we talk, we go look at the pond and the horses and generally have a lot of fun for several hours lasting into the evening.  Leftovers are available.  Sunday for those left and that wish to come,  I supply a nice breakfast brunch.  I know, I know you might want to take me out to breakfast but trust me brunch here works best.  Besides Magnolia Blossom has to get her smoked turkey sandwich to go for the trip home.  Oh wait, she is staying longer this time.  Eh anyway, brunch here is best.  Trust me.


My email is cathillcafe@yahoo.com if you are interested in details.  We have several rooming options here.  One is the Downy House http://www.downeyhouserental.com/ which has already been reserved by two people so email or msg me if you would like to talk to them. 
http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=08472 this motel is 15 minutes south of me and was declared reasonably priced and clean with a pool by those that stayed before.  This is a B&B in town http://www.pinkrosebudbandb.com/.  For those with campers or that like camping http://www.claycountymo.gov/Parks/Smithville_Lake/Camping this is about 15 minutes as the crow flies.  In Liberty, MO there are all kinds of restaurant chains and motels if that suits your needs better.  This is the airport site for those that fly http://www.flykci.com/  Several have flown in before and can share their experiences if you wish to be connected with them.


May 2016 give you peace and fun filled journeys wherever they lead you.  Hopefully, one of your journeys will find you here.


Best Wishes,
Cat