Making A Happy Life, One Craft At A Time
It’s fall again here and I couldn’t be happier! This is one of my favorite seasons and with it comes changing leaves, cool weather, cozy fires and my very favorite, trips to the pumpkin patch. Each year we drive down to Carpinito’s to play in … Read More
I’m just back from Feast 2017, and am trying to find the words to describe my weekend away. Just like last year, I am in awe. I went with an empty belly and one goal: To try as many things as I possibly could. Good … Read More
There are few moments in life where I have been completely and utterly full, but still longing to eat more, to savor just one more bite of congee, or perfectly cooked lamb, or just one more sip of rum punch out of a fresh cracked coconut. “Just one more taste!”, my heart and my mouth beg! My stomach gives in, hesitantly.
This was Feast Portland last year, and if you checked out my Instagram feed that rainy weekend last September or read my recap, you recall how I fit in some of the best food a gal can get her mouth on. You drooled along with me as I ate foie gras mousse with pears and pickled mustard seeds on crostini at the Grand Tasting event, and the Sweet Breads Al Pastor at Smoked when I was lucky enough to score a last minute ticket. For 4 delicious days you followed along with me as I traipsed along the streets, many bars, and fields of Portland eating my way through Feast. You held on through the very end when I wrapped it all up at the Brunch Village, enjoying one last coffee and mimosa while nibbling on beignets dripping seductively with raspberry jam.
And oh dear reader, it was good. So good.
So good in fact that it’s time to go back, and I’m going to show you so much more this year! Starting Sept 14th, I’ll be back at Feast checking out my old favorites with the Grand Tastings both for Friday and Saturday bringing you live updates on beers from Burnside Brewing (Sweet Heat anyone??), Migration Brewing, and so many others. I’ll be sipping wines from Owen Roe and so many other wineries that I haven’t heard of before (you can check that list out here). The folks at Bulleit and Buffalo Trace will be in attendance as well as smaller batch distillers like Flooded Fox Den Distillery. There’s something for everyone, or at least one gal with a pension for cocktails and delicious beer. I’ll be at Smoked again, savoring so many plates from chefs outlined on the line up here.
I love my old favorites, but I am ready for something new, too. Last year I didn’t give myself nearly enough planning time to attend some of the other events you can find at Feast. Not this year though! This year I am on a mission to do it all and bring you all with me! I’ll be on a bar crawl with the folks from Reyka Vodka, attending Drink Tank events through Feast checking out topics on pilsners, and new ways to enjoy my personal favorite, gin. I’ll even be checking out “Ham and Eggs”, which is described as “a celebration of 1980’s excess featuring caviar and jamon”. This event had me at the 80’s, but I won’t say no to the rest! Cue the Whitesnake, please!
Is that it?
No! A girl has to keep some surprises for you, right?
Ready to join me? Check me out on Twitter and Instagram via the handle @makemendgrow for live updates, and insight into all the food and drinks you can handle (or that I can!!).
And just in case you need a little more eye candy, here’s a few extra shots to entice you into joining me, or at least keeping an eye on what I’ll be up to!
Yours in delicious food,
Raina
It’s been a year since my 40 by 40 list post was created and I am slowly getting through the list! I still have a lot of work to do, but have ticked off quite a few big items. One more year to go to … Read More
I’ve been back a little while from Feast now, and I still can’t get over how amazing the whole time was. Was it that I had time to myself, or the chance to see old friends? Was it the late nights, fires, food and drink? Or … Read More
No matter what you do, or where you go, having or finding your tribe helps.
Wait…What’s a tribe?
You know that group of people that get you, and you don’t have to explain what you’re up to? That’s your tribe! It’s a group of people who understand the quirky things you have going on, and are likely there with you.
I have my momma tribe-fierce ladies who are figuring out this whole baby raising thing as we go. They are the gals who know sleepless nights, nursing, and crying (ours and that of the baby).
I have my work tribe-the folks who understand words like Apollo, email-only, bug fixes for 2016.
And just as importantly, I have my food blogger tribe. And oh man, is this tribe good. It can be hard to explain to people why my food went cold, trying to get the right shot for a blog post. I get funny looks when I explain that I get paid to write and eat and that it’s a real thing! Having a tribe makes you feel less crazy for the things you do! This is the group that gets that sweet, magic time between when your kiddo goes to bed, and you succumb to Netflix, when you write as much as you can, for as long as you can because you just don’t know when the time (or the idea) will be there again. These are the people that know, and understand, your other baby-the words and recipes that are stuck in your head. Whenever you can find that tribe and the time to be with them, you take it.
I had an amazing chance to connect with my tribe and even build on it, at the International Food Bloggers Conference (IFBC) a few weeks ago. Imagine: three days of food, wine, technology; all while surrounded by people who are just as excited about it as you are! Plate after plate, class after class; talented chefs, photographers, and writers. All there for you to enjoy.
It was like Wonkaland, with about as many calories.
I came up with no less than 30 new post ideas, made new friends, AND ended up with a ton of new swag (yet another perk of attending conferences)!
Still not convinced? Check out some of the highlights of IFBC 2015. Food, free swag, wine, more food and wine, and finally a quiet spot to relax and jot notes. I’ll warn you, these were mostly taken with my iPhone, as I was too busy having fun.
I highly recommend attending a conference to connect with like minded individuals, refocus your writing, and to give your motivation a boost. After all, sitting in front of a computer IS work, and having something that reminds you just how fun writing can be is essential. Everyone needs their tribe-do you have yours?
Please leave a comment! I’d love to hear how you find your tribe, any and all types!
Yours in food,
Raina
