The 2012 Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged Conference (sponsored by Healthy Families) was held weekend of August 24-26 at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas. While it is an overused adjective, awesome really is the only word I can use to describe this gathering of women writers from across the State of Arkansas. From start to finish, the program was packed with technology tips, inspirational speakers and fun activities. Oh yeah. I was reunited with a couple of former students, Ashley of ederington.com and Natalie of Ghidotti Communications (representing Yarnell’s). And there was even one well-timed, well-thought out engagement. Just how many meetings do you go to when that occurs? You’ll have to visit Gina of Desperately Seeking Gina for that romantic story. A very special thanks goes out to Beth, Stephanie, Julie and Lyndi, the AWBU leadership team, for planning and organizing the weekend.
A few weeks ago I was contacted by Lyndi Fultz of nwafoodie about serving on a panel during the Foodie Friday (sponsored by Ziploc and Arkansas Farm Bureau) session of the conference. Don’t ask me why. I am so NOT a blogging expert. It sounded intriguing and something that I might enjoy. I did. Way more than I ever expected to.
My group was a panel of mostly foodies who talked about content and was moderated by an amazingly brilliant media specialist, Rebecca Haden of Haden Interactive. OMG! Just let me have 25% of her knowledge and I would be so far ahead of where I am. Serving with me were Amy James of Our Everyday Dinners, Tara Johnson of Taste Arkansas (Arkansas Farm Bureau), Julie Kohl of Eggs and Herbs (just love that name), and Shannon Magsam of Mealtime Mamas at NWAMotherlode. Yep. I was the token grandmother in the group of spring chickens all of whom have beautiful and informative blogs that I highly recommend you explore. I survived. (Don’t you just love our specialty aprons. More about that later.)
Lyndi led the Techie Panel – my head is still spinning from that session. Thanks to Stephanie McCratic of Evolved Mommy, Rebecca Haden, Christie Ison of Fancy Pants Foodie, and Kat Robinson of Tye Dye Travels, I’ll be doing some serious redesigning of my blog and taking a look at all of that analytical data which up until this time, I had pretty much chosen to ignore (mostly because it was WAY beyond me).
We were thoroughly entertained and enlightened by world-renown herbalist and author, Tina Marie Wilcox, of the OFC.
Rather, we experienced her. The more she talks, the more animated she becomes. What a hoot! I just thought I knew a lot about herbs. That’s like comparing a thimble to a gallon bucket. Or maybe a thimble to the Pacific Ocean.
As part of our herbal learning experience, we were divided into groups, given a particular herb and told to use it to create a dish. Call it our foray into Iron Chef. Now understand that our supplies were VERY limited so creativity and ingenuity were the order of the day. (That’s putting it mildly.) My group, which obviously had THE most talented chefs (and two bossy ladies named Debbie and Jasmine of Just Jasmine) and should have one but didn’t, but who cares, who lost two to one, had summer savory. And boy did we use it up grand. (Nothing like cooking with camera hanging around your neck.) This competition was definitely a hit of the conference. Another AWBU sponsor, Petit Jean Meats, and their representative, Misty Wilbanks, helped us out by providing slices of their peppered ham and PJ bacon. (They also provided a really tasty coffee cake at one of the breaks. Who knew?)
Our Delicious Dishes
Winner: Best Use of Herbs
Goat cheese with summer savory and basil and a balsamic-rosemary reduction.
Tomato, peach,watermelon,basil, and summer savory salad with garlic and EVO sourdough toast points.
White bean and Petit Jean bacon hummus (recipe) with oregano, black olives and red pepper.
Tomato, peach,watermelon,basil, and summer savory salad with garlic and EVO sourdough toast points.
White bean and Petit Jean bacon hummus (recipe) with oregano, black olives and red pepper.
A very special thanks to Jenny Mars of Blessings and Raindrops who gave us such practical pointers about food styling and photography. I’m trying Jenny. I really am.
One of the features on Saturday was a presentation by a Writer’s Content Panel lead by Angie Albright of A Growing Season, Kyran Pittman of Planting Dandelions and author of Planting Dandelions: Field Notes From a Semi-Domesticated Life and Beth Stephens of The Little Magpie. Do yourself a favor and check out those very talented writers.
And then there was Lela. Lela Davidson, Managing Editor of ParentingSquad.com and the Associate Editor of Peekaboo Magazine, is also the author of Blacklisted from the PTA, an “irreverent look at motherhood and the modern family.” Gina, the newly engaged soon-to-be blushing bride, is giving away a copy. Check it out. Also check out Lela’s book. I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed. Thanks to All You Magazine for sponsoring Lela.
Video courtesy of Lela Davidson on You Tube
Look for her new book, Who Peed On My Yoga Mat?, coming out soon.
Unplugged? In the end, it wasn’t about being that all. It was about being plugged in to one another as women and as writers. It was about making connections. To ourselves. To new ideas. To new possibilities. To new friends.
Due to previous engagements, I did not get to stay for the big Country Outfitter cookout and hoedown on Saturday night. Everyone I have talked with or heard from said that it definitely was a hit. I’m sorry I didn’t get to model my new my gift from CO but be looking for that soon. Remember, there’s a giveaway about to happen! The winner will receive a gift certificate for $150 toward a boot selection from Country Outfitter. You might want to mosey on over to their site to check out the possibilities.
A great big shout out goes to other sponsors of AWBU. Without you, this would not have been possible.
Clothesline Sponsors: Please pay them a visit.
Crayola
Hortus Ltd. / The P. Allen Smith Companies
Jarden Corporation / Ball Mason Jars
Kiwi
Microplane
Moo.com
MoxyOx
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day
www.nwaMotherlode.com
ShurTech Brands/Duck Tape
Love all of this. I am so glad you were there!
What an excellent recap, Debbie! Thanks for the shout outs.
Wow, I loved your review and photos of the experience. I would have loved to have been there, but vacation with grandchildren takes priority. Thanks for sharing.
Go Team Savory! 🙂
You were PERFECT for the panel and I told you so!!!
You are a perfect blogger: you are interesting, supportive, and constantly improving.
Love ya’
Lyndi