BlogHer09, depending on where you look and who you read, you might believe there were two different conferences going on at once.  I’m going to tell you about my experience at BlogHer.  I wasn’t sure what to think, feel or expect but, I packed my 5 outfits, shoes, hair straightener, makeup and my 200 bloggity ‘Monkey Cards’ (Monkey term) and set off for the land of Chicago and the great big Sheraton to hopefully mingle and connect with other people who ‘get it’.

My first experience brought tears to my eyes.  I ran into Loralee in the lobby, recognized her immediately, and tentatively walked up and said “Hi”  She looked at me with complete lack of recognition, I introduced myself and was immediately engulfed in the most ginormous hug and squeals.

That set the tone for my conference.

There were many times that I walked around the conference all by myself and walked up to people whom I thought I recognized or just wanted to say Hi to, there were times where that person was a “BIG DEAL BLOGGER” everyone whom I met was gracious and welcoming, funny and sweet and my head may never go down again from some of y’all telling me how gorgeous and darlin’ I am.  Bless y’all.

I can’t link to everyone, though I want too, because I will inevitably leave someone out.

But this is just the first of my BlogHer posts and in a way the most important.. what I took home with me from BlogHer is a full heart, amazing memories, new friends, stronger bonds with old friends, a lifetime worth of hugs and most significantly for me… I took home a renewed sense of why I blog, what I want from my blogging, and from myself.   I brought home confidence because of the people who told me, ” I love your recipes, you make cooking so easy.. Thank you, my family Thanks You” or “I love your stories about your family, your writing touches me, speaks to me, makes me laugh and realize that I’m not alone”

BlogHer09 gave me confidence, new direction and renewed enthusiasm, listening to others tell why they started blogging, why they continue blogging or what they gain from it.  My heart is overwhelmed.. I feel that my body was hugged but my soul and spirit… they were rejuvenated.  I can never thank Elisa, Lisa and Jory enough for giving this community a voice, a place to gather and learn from each other, to touch, to cry together in person instead of behind our computer screens, to hear the laughter that we’ve only imagined, and have it settle on our hearts and touch our souls.

Thank you for giving me a place that gave me the greatest gift of all:  Confidence in myself, a renewed heart and spirit and best of all.. my bloggy groove back.  I am eternally grateful.

I'm a deep-fried Southern belle, married to a cowboy boot wearin', Harley ridin’ Texan Prince Charming. I am the always proud and frequently exhausted mom to two 8th generation Texans My childhood was spent at my Granny's side learning to cook with cast iron, butter and that special southern ingredient -- love Today, I share my passion for food, family and photography with thousands of monthly readers on my blog, A Southern Fairytale. I love cute boots, my Canon camera, belly laughs with friends, the beach, my family and ellipses..."

36 Comments

  2. Rachel,

    That’s exactly how I felt about Blissdom. I went thinking I was a tiny fish in a big pond and got there and realized that I was doing MUCH better than I had thought. It made me feel apart of that “BIG POND” community and it felt good. I definitely was ready to BLOG It when I got home. I’m glad you had a great time! I’ll see you at Blissdom 10′.
    .-= Alyssa´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday – Getting Back to Basics =-.

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  3. It’s finally nice to see a positive post about this conference! I’m not a money making blog so I couldn’t really afford to go, maybe some day, but I did wonder how a food blogger would be received amidst all of the other kinds of bloggers who blog more about family and such. Yay!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
    .-= Mary´s last blog ..Homemade Southern Banana Pudding =-.

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  4. It was so great seeing you and squeezing on you, girl!!!! I can’t wait to see you again. You are a true, true gem and I’m so thankful to have finally got my picture with ya 😉

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  6. Yes yes and yes

    and the green Sorrelli – awesomesauce-over-ice cream good.
    .-= Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]´s last blog ..Lane Bryant, Yummie Tummie, & Sorrelli, OH MY! =-.

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  13. I just adore you! I loved hanging out with you at BlogHer and can’t wait for BlissDom in Feb!
    .-= Shannanb aka Mommy Bits´s last blog ..Mixin’ it up on the road to BlogHer =-.

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  14. Meeting (and partying) with you was definitely a highlight for me, Sugar. You are so sweet and SO funny. xoxo
    .-= Karen Sugarpants´s last blog ..Four Minutes At BlogHer Changed My Life =-.

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  15. I freaking LOVED meeting you. LOVED IT. Seriously, you are so damn delightful and gracious, both online and in person.

    NEW YORK 2010, BABY!!!!
    .-= Loralee´s last blog ..OOPS! I did it again. =-.

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  18. Now THIS…this is exactly the type of experience I assumed everyone who went would have. Sadly, not the case. However, your post, beautifully written btw, has inspired me to attend BlogHer ’10. I’ve heard it’s all what you make of it, as is true with most anything.

    Thanks for sharing a positive experience. It’s refreshing!
    .-= Miss Behavin´s last blog ..BlogHer 2009 =-.

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  28. I’m SO glad to to read your wonderfully positive review of the experience. Mine was pretty darn good too. Well except the part where I didn’t get to hug you. Shoot.

    Seriously, so glad you feel renewed and that you had a great weekend! : )

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  29. We were at the same conference.

    Amen sister.
    .-= Jessica Gottlieb´s last blog ..Love Is A Verb =-.

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