The Last Weekend in August

I got home from Seattle today with a mailbox full of fall catalogs. Yikes. Then I was talking to a friend and she mentioned how wild it is that tomorrow’s September. I can name something equally wild: the fact that I haven’t updated this blog in two weeks. The truth is that I’ve been a very busy gal; I’m working on a project that I’m not quite ready to mention because I don’t want to jinx it. But hopefully soon I’ll be able to spill the beans and we can have a little chat. In the meantime, let’s talk about this past weekend.

I went to the International Food Bloggers Conference (IFBC) in Seattle and there were definite moments of awesomeness. I met some fabulous new friends like her, her, her and her.  I got a chance to hear photographer Penny de los Santos speak again and sat in on an inspiring talk by Saveur editor, James Oseland. But so many folks have already written about the conference, so I thought I’d tell you what else I was up to. I had some Moonshine cherries. Dear god, have you tried these? My Southern readers–are these in your daily routine? Because I’m going to try and figure out a way to make them a part of mine. Kristina brought them from Tennessee. I knew I’d like her right away.

Moonshine Cherries

I also learned a lot about pie. Peach pie, to be exact, made with Frog Hollow Peaches. The lovely Kate McDermott taught a little demo class and I’ve finally learned how to achieve pie-crust greatness.

making pie with kate mcdermott

I stayed with my sister all weekend. And I met her dog Sherman for the first time. I fell in love.

Sherman

We hit up the dog park and did some serious snuggling. There were also great meals (without Sherman, of course). I finally got a chance to check out Nettletown, the sweet little spot my Seattle friends had told me so much about. It’s one of those places that’s incredibly hard to describe. It has both Chinese and Swiss influences–a reflection of owner Christina Choi’s background. There are great sandwiches, noodle dishes, interesting snacks and desserts (like that peanut butter, chocolate, ginger haystack below). And the space just feels really good. There’s a slower pace and a careful deliberation to the food. Put it on your list next time you’re up in Seattle.

Nettletown

There were also wonderful meals with new friends at Delancey (yes, we did in fact order one of every pizza on the menu) and Staple and Fancy, Ethan Stowell’s new Ballard spot.

Delancey

There were glasses of wine, cocktails, laughs until my cheeks hurt, lots of trips over the West Seattle bridge, and homemade Kettle Korn (thanks, Matt!).

And now I’m home–with a big to-do list, staring September straight on in the face. I’ve got new friends to contact, a house to clean before my mom comes home next week (eek!), and a project to keep slaving away on. But first, I’ll unpack. Got to start somewhere.

Comments

  1. alice

    It was so great meeting you. I hope our paths cross again in the near future!

  2. Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite

    So great to see you again Megan. I will never forget that meal at Delancey!!! xoxo Good luck for the busy busy fall....

  3. Jennifer(Savor)

    I am glad you werre able to go to the conference - sounds like I need to get some of those cherries

  4. Andrea

    That does indeed sounds like a great way to end August. I almost typed "end the summer" but I guess we've technically got almost a month of summer left. Happy September! I'm excited to hear about your new project!

  5. shannalee

    Welcome back! Seattle looked lovely, and I can't wait to hear about your big news! Glad you got to attend the conference and meet those cool bloggers - kind of jealous, actually!

  6. Stephanie

    Oooh, big news, yay! Sounds like a fab experience, so bummed I wasn't there. I'm making a list of the places you've been eating in Seattle for when I finally make it back - HEALTHY - ready to eat!

  7. Angharad

    I wish I'd known these tidbits when I was breezing through seattle last year! Delancey has my name written all over it. Yum.
    The IFBC sounds fun - I haven't read anything else about it yet! Must investigate...

  8. Cheryl

    The problem with going to these conferences and meeting people like you is that I then wish we lived in the same place so we could meet for coffee and, well, pastries. But San Francisco has so many hills, and I get up there so rarely.

    Come down to San Jose and we'll buy a jar of maraschino cherries and pour grain alcohol over them. It'll be just like we're back at the conference, only with fewer snarky tweets.

  9. Dana

    Truly one of the highlights of IFBC was getting to put your lovely face with this lovely blog. I'm so glad I got to spend time with you outside the meetings as well. You are a treasure! Can't wait until next time!

  10. Tracy

    Hello Darling!! This morning I was thinking about how sad it was that you and i could only share a few glimpses of each other across that gigantic table at delancey...I'm really glad I got to know you and share hair net fun together! I'm so thankful that you live in the Bay Area!! Some good things are coming our way! xoxox

  11. Delishhh

    Found your site and really excited about it. Great blog and you have a new subscriber.

  12. Maddie

    Sounds like you've been up to all sorts of good things! I love the photo narration here. And having seen glimpses of IFBC madness streaming on Twitter, I'm totally living vicariously -- what a cool opportunity.

  13. Anne Zimmerman

    Missed your posts, but have felt sure you were up to good things. I am so jealous of your seattle jaunts. I am hoping to be up there soon.

  14. sarah henry

    Hey there, Ms. Megan, I had lots of fun hanging out with you Saturday & doing the West Seattle bridge shuffle together.

    So glad to discover your very own personal blog. Why did I not know about it? Well, now I do, and it's lovely.

    I look forward to adventures together in Oaktown and beyond.

  15. Danielle

    So glad to read that you had an awesome time - sounds like everyone who attended IFBC did!! Bummer for me for giving it a miss this year....there's always 2011! :)

    Catch up soon! xx

  16. Kelsey/TheNaptimeChef

    How fun! I am so bummed to miss the conference - bad timing with the start of preschool! Can't wait to hear about the big project! :) I am so envious you got to eat at DeLancey and Nettletown!

  17. merry jennifer

    It was so great meeting you, Megan. I've followed your blog for some time, so it was fantastic to finally put a person to a URL. I'm so envious of the Delancey dinner. On my next Seattle trip, I vow to go there. And I have definitely not had the moonshine cherries, but I AM in the south, so now I must search them out. Not sure what I will do with them, but they will be mine, all mine.

    If you're ever in Florida, look me up. I'd love to connect again, and for longer this time.

  18. Mary

    Moonshine cherries. Oh, my! Must find. Natch, beautiful writing and photos. Am so excited for you, Megan! Good luck with your project - know you'll shine. Pie class from the pie queen - how cool is that? Keep hoping Kate takes her classes on the road.

  19. El

    Glad you had fun. Welcome home!

  20. MomGordon

    What a lovely time and lovely people! Get that house cleaned and a few edibles in the frig!! Can't wait to hug you!

  21. Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction

    Lovely post about your trip to Seattle! It was so great to meet you... Glad we had a chance to chat at Delancey!

    PS - What an adorable picture of your sister's doggy :)

  22. kickpleat

    Damn, I wish I would have gone to the conference! Those cherries look awesome and I wish I could learn all your pie crust secrets.

  23. Kristina

    Meghan - meeting you made a gorgeous weekend even more gorgeous. You, my dear, are 8 million shades of awesome and I need some more of you in my life. I'm already busy plotting a way to get out there to see you.

  24. megang

    Jen, Jennifer, Mardi, Alice: LOVED meeting/seeing you ladies, too.

    To my new soul sisters: Kristina, Tracy, Cheryl, Sara, Dana: Let's do this again sometime SOON, Food blogging conference or not. So loved meeting each of you and miss you already!

    Shannalee, Danielle, Anne, Jeanette: There's always next year. Come!

    Mom: emptied vacuum bag this morning just for you.

    Kelsey: xxoo

  25. Erin/Blue Egg Kitchen

    I'm a first-time visitor to your site, and I love it! It feels cozy and warm and clean. I'll definitely be back often.

  26. Barbara Bakes

    I loved all the tweets from IFBC. And I really love the laughing pictures making pie. Sounds like a perfect weekend.

  27. A Canadian Foodie

    I still want to hear more - but I love the feeling you created in this post about coming back to fall....
    :)
    Valerie

  28. Joseph's Grainery

    Sorry our paths didn't cross at IFBC. Would've loved to have met you!

  29. Staci Shultz

    Megan, your posts make me wish we lived closer! At the very least, I should go out and spend two weeks with you: one week eating our way through SF (and Berkeley, if you don't mind) and then one week in Seattle. How's that sound? And then you could come to me in Georgia, and we could embark on a culinary tour of the South. :)

    Meanwhile, I must track down some of those Moonshine cherries...

    1. megang

      Yes, Staci! You must find moonshine cherries...I think they're a TN thing, from what I gather. And I'm dreaming of a food tour of the South. It could be in my not-so-distant future, so I'll come and kidnap you from academia. Hope you're well, my friend!

  30. sharon

    Megan. I am a friend of Matt's (Rachel) mom and she told me about this blog. It is absolutely delightful and your photos are beautiful.

    1. megang

      Thanks, Sharon! So happy you stopped by and left a comment!

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