Monday, June 7, 2010

It Really Does Exist and Don't Be Jealous

I couldn't decide how to title this post and I'll explain both.

Our first East Tennessee Blogger Get Together was this past Saturday and if you missed, you missed A LOT of REALLY good food and a FANTASTIC time with some genuinely wonderful people.

Larry from Big Dude's Eclectic Ramblings and his wife, Bev, generously hosted this event at their home on Tellico Lake. 

Larry calls his home "Almost Heaven South" and he's not exaggerating, It Really Does Exist!

Once you see the pictures of the wonderful day we had...you can't help but be jealous!  We really enjoyed spending time with Larry and Bev, Chris from Nibble Me This and his wife, Alexis and their son Trevor.  We also enjoyed meeting Sam from My Carolina Kitchen and her husband, Meakin. 

Check them out!



The homegirlz and friends chillin' out on Larry's pontoon boat.



This picture doesn't show it, but at this point I had already been asked 8 times how much longer until we eat.



A.J. talking to Larry's neighbor Steve.



Chris putting the finishing touches on his delicious creations!



How Chris beat six hungry kids to the front of the line, I'll never know!



I want this recipe Sam!  Sam made an amazing salad with oranges,red onion slices, Kalamata olives, topped with a vinaigrette.



My contribution was sausage jambalaya...the kids got to it before the camera did.



Larry's barbecue chicken drumsticks...glad I got this one in because they didn't last long.



Larry's smoked ribs...the man can smoke and barbecue!  We demanded more that evening and we fought over them...seriously.



Chris' grilled corn and if that wasn't enough he made BBQ butter to go with it...I know you're kicking yourself for not making the trip aren't you?



Chris and Alexis also brought Mac-N-cheese, and grilled asparagus with oranges.  I put the BBQ butter on the asparagus and am convinced Chris' BBQ butter could stand alone as a side dish.



That's Sam in the yellow dress and to the left is Pat and Bev.  Pat is Bev's sister.



My oldest homegirl, Lauren and Sam's husband, Meakin.  Meakin your are brave beyond words getting on a jet ski with a 16 year old!



Trevor (Chris' son), Kaitlin (my homegirl), Alex (Larry's granddaughter).  Blogger get togethers are definitely a good time!



There's no denying, this is Almost Heaven South!  Don't be Jealous!



24 comments:

Chef E said...

John Denver just came rushing into my head- Country Roads

Your right I am jealous!!!

Looks like a great time!

The JR said...

You knew we would be....

What a wonderful get together!

Big Dude said...

Thanks for the kind words and the great pics. Glad you had such a good time and now that I've had the real thing, I'm definitly a fan of jambalaya.

gigi said...

One day!!!! I'm just gonna show up!
Glad yall had a great time and I am so glad you took pictures!

gigi said...

One day!!!! I'm just gonna show up!
Glad yall had a great time and I am so glad you took pictures!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Katherine, it looks like everyone had a fabulous time. Your pictures are fantastic. It's so nice that you could all get together. I hope today is not too much of a letdown after the fiesta. Blessings...Mary

Becca's Dirt said...

What wonderful you all had. Yes I am jealous. Wish I could have been there. The food looks scrumptious. I want to know more about bbq butter.

Marguerite said...

I am so jealous, too! Especially of the food, omg, it all looks fabulous! And what a beautiful place, too! Glad that ya'll had fun!

Joanne said...

Oh this sounds like so much fun! If I could someday get to meet you and Chris I would be super happy!

Marjie said...

It's a beautiful place Larry has there! Too bad I don't get to Maryville much any more. Jeez, I'm not gonna lie, I've not been in 6 years. Sad.

Jennifer said...

Man that looks like a hell of alot of fun! Wish I could of been there!

Anonymous said...

That is a bonafide feast! Thanks for sharing all of those yummy and wonderful photos.

The Blonde Duck said...

It's a good thing I wasn't there. If I had climbed on the raft, I would have sunk. Because I would have eaten all the ribs and jumbalaya and corn...

La Bella Cooks said...

Everything looks amazing! So glad everyone had a fun and delicious time.

Chris said...

My favorite picture is the one of Meakin and Lauren because they passed Trevor and I on the canoe coming back in from the lake, where Meakin had convinced Lauren to gun the jet ski to full throttle.

LOVED hanging out with you guys!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

sorry... I am sooo Jealous

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Katherine, it was so wonderful to meet you and your great family. Loved your jambalaya. I don't think a bite was left.

A great time was had by all. Bev & Larry's Almost Heaven is just that. What a lovely place. I would drive back up there any day for Larry's ribs.

Chris's compound butter for the corn was awesome and so was the orange asparagus. Thank all y'all for hosting this fabulous event.
Sam

Anonymous said...

Wow, sounds like so much fun! And what a feast too!

buffalodick said...

Looked like a great time!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Looks like I missed a fabulous party, Katherine. I hope I can attend the next time...

Great pictures... And THAT is Almost Heaven South!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Reeni said...

What a fun get together! And such delicious eats! I would be impatient too.

Fresh Local and Best said...

I saw this gathering on Sam's blog, and I am SOOOOOO Jealous. It looks like everyone had an incredible time!

meleah rebeccah said...

Holy amazing! That really does look like a slice of heaven. And yes, I am jealous!

Lorinne said...

Your get together and pictures inspired me to try your sausage jambalaya. It was a big hit!