Made it down to the blogmeet today in Indy. We were fortunate enough to meet up with Brigid and Old NFO prior to the start of the meet and do some shopping for items that aren’t commonly available in the Frozen Northlands from whence Mr. B and I hail. We hit Penzey’s Spices and snagged such items as Orange Extract and Sichuanese Pepper Salt. After a quick trip to Trader Joe’s for some favorite items, we also went to Artisano’s for items such as Butter Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 18 year old balsamic vinegar and the like. These purchases will allow Himself to expand the culinary creations that I am so lucky to have put before me.
The blogmeet was in a lovely alcove at a large round table that just fit the group. And we were a bunch that would have put Ye Olde Knightes to shame as far as pocketknives and multi-tools are concerned. The only folks who didn’t have a pocketknife were those who flew in for the occasion. Some of us had multiples because two is one and one is none.
As always, the group was chock-full of knowledgeful goodness. At one point I looked at Uncle Jay, who was posed somewhat meditatively– he just smiled and said “I’m learning.” From a new non-blogging member who shall be known as Lurker 2–ETA–Lurker 2 is Don– (Kerry is officially Lurker 1), we learned that there is a beautiful blue color at the middle of a fireball caused by a large electrical short; from Tam I learned that, like most great writers, just sitting down at the computer and writing is the first step (also that even if you have a Kindle, it does not preclude also buying books in the traditional paper format). Listening to Roberta talking shop was a definite eye-opener as well and a history lesson from Karl was enlightening as well. Old Grouch was anchoring the group as usual with a quiet smile and words of wisdom.
It was great to see Old NFO again–he’s one of those people who you wonder if you’d met in a past life or something since I was instantly comfortable with him at the first blogmeet. Also some girl-time with Brigid is always a welcome thing–something that I don’t get enough of. Uncle Jay was the impetus for this soiree and talking hot peppers and peppery-mishaps with him was fantastic (situations where actually clawing your eyes out seems like a viable option due to the crawfish spices or ghost pepper sauce being inadvertently introduced into them). Hopefully we can catch him on a flip-trip and spend some more time.
As always, a wonderful time that ends too soon, but at least we can keep in touch. Thanks to Roberta and Tam for putting it together again and to Uncle Jay for being the catalyst this time–couldn’t have asked for a better early Christmas present.
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