Day Two of the Alabama Soap Meeting did not disapoint (click here for Day One). Jen Merk, the 10 year (outgoing) President of the show kept things running smoothly. The Demonstrations were particularly interesting on Day Two.
My favorite demonstration was one on hand dipping candles. Who knew it was so easy? Or time consuming? The demonstration was very hands-on, with most everyone in attendance getting a chance to dip.
Mid-day, an amazing thunderstorm of Biblical proportions struck the little town of Pratville. The skys opened up with such force that I feared for the roof of the convention center. My husband text-messaged to say that it was a beautiful sunny day in Bellingham. Ah, the ironies …
The food on Day Two was stupendous. Every single item was cooked in multiple sticks of real butter. The potatoes were swimming in little pools of butter, the green beans were wading through golden rivers of fat and the broccoli cassrole was a double whammy with mountains of cheddar cheese and ponds of melted butter. It was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten and I safely should only eat such a meal once every ten years. My arteries have never seen so much pure butter in their entire lives.
Being a soap show, of course the soap was wonderful. I especially liked this checkerboard soap. The creator (Darlene English) shrugged off all compliments and generously shared her technique. I can’t wait to try it.
I was especially tickled to see Karen White’s key differentiators. She said she bought them because she saw them on this blog. Awwww … (no wonder I liked them!)
We ended the night with the board generously taking me out to dinner (thanks!) at an amazing restaurant. I had Fried Green Tomatoes for the first time. Everyone swears they were fried in Olive Oil. And, when the waitress came out and said they had run out of Red Velvet cupcakes? I was bummed but stuffed…. only, she had lied! The Board had conspired to custom order an entire platter of Red Velvet Cupcakes.
It was a perfect way to end the evening – laughter, conversation and cupcakes.
Thank you Alabama Soapers for a a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The Key Covers were from http://www.modcloth.com but I did a quick search of their site and didn’t see them anymore =(
But, they do have cute Mushrooms and Cupcake Key Covers now:
http://www.modcloth.com/store/Womens/Accessories/Pins+and+Keychains
I’m totally going to pick up the mushroom and cupcakes right now …
=)
Hi there,
Where do you get your key differentiators? They are adorable!
Thanks!
Ruality – That is AWESOME! I am so excited that you’re working on a Mastermind Group.
For the weight loss and working out thing, more technology is better than less in my experience. So, daily twitter or email check ins about working out and that kind of thing should be helpful – in addition to the monthly get togethers.
=)
Let me know how it goes!
We loved having you at our meeting! And I’m sure my husband is getting sick of me saying, “Anne-Marie said this,” or “Anne-Marie did that,” over and over again.
I already spoke with a friend today about setting up a Mastermind group for weight loss. (Because of all that butter and fried food!)
Barbara,
It sounds like so much fun. How did I manage to skip such a cool part of growing up? We did Sand Candles but never that kind of hand dipping thing. It was so simple but oddly soothing and meditative to do.
As a kid I took a crafting class; my favorite lesson was making hand-dipped candles. Each kid was given a wick. They lined us kids up and we marched through the teacher’s kitchen, wicks in hand, dipped once into the wax, and then marched out through the living room and back into the kitchen for the next dip. Round and round the house we marched, and at the end we each had a finished candle! It was so much fun.
It was SUCH an awesome time. I can’t get over how sweet, friendly and sharing you are at your meetings.
And, I STILL am not hungry. I’ve eaten like half a sandwich since yesterday and I swear, I am STILL full from that delicious southern cooking.
And, yes, I did love the fried green tomatoes. I am 100% certain that I would eat more veggies if they were all dipped in fat and deep fried. Why hasn’t anyone let me know about that secret before? =))
Anne-Marie,
As all the others have already said, thank you so much for coming to the meeting. Needless to say, you made an impact! What you didn’t state… did you LIKE the fried green tomatoes? *snicker*
I loved your southern recap! I’m so glad you enjoyed your dripping- with-butter southern cuisine ! And you had fried green tomatoes! Woohoo! I’m glad you had a good weekend and I wish I had been there!
Jeannie…in Georgia…wishing I had some broccoli casserole!
How fun does that look? I love the pic with all of the cupcakes.
I also love the checkerboard soap. Could you share the technique?
Hope there’s tons of sun in Bellingham for you.
OOPS! Computer went nuts…only meant to send that once.
Sydne
Anne-Marie,
Thank you for coming to our gathering. You are a delightful woman and wonderful speaker. I can see another career in your future…motivational speaking. The goal-setting discussion was amazing. It made it almost easy and feels actually achievable. Thank you,
Sydne
Anne-Marie,
Thank you for coming to our gathering. You are a delightful woman and wonderful speaker. I can see another career in your future…motivational speaking. The goal-setting discussion was amazing. It made it almost easy and feels actually achievable. Thank you,
Sydne
Anne-Marie- It was great to have you here! You were an energetic inspiration, great fun to have around and a wonderful speaker. Thank you for coming! Making a massage candle is on my agenda for this evening, for sure!
Have a safe trip home- and y’all come back 😉