Big Summer Potluck 2011

This past weekend I broke myself away from my beach summer to spend a weekend in beautiful Bucks County, PA at the second annual Big Summer Potluck. BSP started last year as a small gathering of food bloggers getting together for a day of food and fun. This year’s gathering was a weekend long affair, with a scheduled itinerary that seemed a bit more “conference-ish”. At least that’s how it seemed to my outsider’s eyes.

Notice I called myself an outsider…because that’s what I was most worried about going into BSP. Although I think I’m generally pretty friendly and I certainly have plenty of deep connections with people, I know I’m someone who takes a bit of time to warm up with new people. Especially if I’m going into a situation where lots of people already know each other and I’m the newbie. I know there are many reasons for this and it’s who I am. But it’s not always the best trait to have going into a new group situation…

But anyways, my doubts turned out to be for naught (as usual). The BSP group was warm and friendly, and I had a chance to meet some amazing bloggers, some of whom I have quietly followed for a long time, and others who were totally new to me. It was nice to meet the faces and people behind the online personalities, and to see that everyone is almost nicer in person!

BSP was almost more of an inspirational gathering more than a traditional conference. Our speakers, the wonderful Shauna from Gluten Free Girl and Penny de los Santos, creator of fantastic photographs, focused on finding your inspriation and communicating your true self through your work.

What I took away from this is that we can’t be anyone other than who we are. I know that sounds like something straight out of an after school special, but isn’t it true? Because if we aren’t genuine, then why are we blogging anyways? Time and time throughout the weekend, I thought about the direction I’ve taken here on 990 Square over the past year. I’ve moved away from just talking recipes, and I’ve talked more about me–about my passions new and old, from running and racing to my love of all things Disney Parks to my new found half city/half country home life balance. Some people think those things are odd–I particularly get a lot of crap about the Disney thing since I’m grown woman without children–but you know what? They’re what make me me.

So my take away from BSP is to keep being myself, and to write the blog I want, not the blog someone else thinks I should write. Will this really change what you find around here? Probably not a lot. I’ll still be sharing the food and places I love. With a side of crazy running and Disney love.

I’m glad BSP was my first experience of a blogger conference. It was like joining a new group of friends and they’ve reluctantly convinced me to give twitter another chance (@990Square). And it lets me cross another one off the list! Many thanks to Wendi at Bon Appetit Hon for playing chaufer through some horrible traffic and Jen at My Morning Chocolate for being a lovely roomie! And to Maggy from Three Many Cooks and Erika from Ivory Hut for organizing!

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