Blogger Party and More
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Good afternoon, bloggers!
I really hope that the SISBP happens! That’s “Sippin’ in Sonoma Bloggers Party,” for those of you joining us regulars. My corn and heirloom tomato salad is the recipe my friends most often request and is unbelievably simple. It will be perfect after a trip to the lovely Sonoma Farmer’s Market or during your own summer picnic. (I think I got the recipe from a Williams-Sonoma cookbook, so it’s a fitting recipe, considering the company was established in Sonoma!)
3 cups fresh white or yellow corn cut from about 6 ears of cooked corn (I just boil the ears for a few minutes.)
1 large heirloom tomato cut into bite-size pieces (or 20 cherry tomatoes, halved)
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
Salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all ingredients together in your favorite serving bowl; cover. Serve at room temperature.
Now, on to some of those questions:
•Several of you asked how interior designer Linda Woodrum created that fabulous master bedroom canopy. She worked with experts at Ethan Allen to design and assemble the canopy, but you can easily recreate the look by following the instructions posted by HGTV Dream Home fan Katine. She posted photos of her HGTV Dream Home look-alike bedroom on Rate My Space. Check it out – amazing, don’t you think?
•The Chandelier in the master bedroom is the Eight Arm Bell Chandelier by Ethan Allen.
•Lastly, a lawn mower is not included in this year’s giveaway. Put one on your “need to purchase” list. Make sure it is a push mower – you may need the exercise after lounging the day away in your new HGTV Dream Home master bathtub. (At least I would.)
Your Super Fan,
Gail
JandVs mom- I am really looking forward to meeting you too! I have written down the questions and I will get answers for sure.
Jenny D
JandV- Our tour is not until 4pm. We are meeting up with Bonnie B at La Salette and then walking over to the hotel. I would hope to scout the area for a couple of venues while there.
Jenny D
Hi guys..Can you believe I MISSED the last entry day!!! Had a little medical incident.
JandVs MOM..If you see someone wearing a guess who I am tag on Saturday…that will be me. If we make it I know where to look for you all
DEBBIE LEE..That is the most useful ABC’s I ever have seen I copied them..Thanks so much
Janet D I am praying for your son’s continued good health
JENNY D…Oh honey, what a funny story.How I wish that it had been them telling you you won..I’d love to win, but since I’ve been on this blog I kind of feel like one of you should really get it. I’m really very happy where I am. That’s why I figure I will win. God loves to ruffle my feathers when I get too comfortable…and the next thingyou know we are up and on a mission somewhere else.
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU
So, had the winner been selected and how will he or she be notified?
Seems like all you ladies are very close…I haven’t been a part of the bloggers, but it almost feels as though you think that only one of the bloggers are going to win…I think I have a fair chance…Just remember a few years back (can’t remember the gentlemens name) he only entered once…and he won…I am hopeful and would be a true blessing to win the HGTV dream home…Its absolutely perfect!! Take care all, and cheers to the lucky winner..
Jessica- Good luck to you!
Jenny D
JandVs Mom
I think we should put this into action soon while we all are in the moment. I am at gmail if you need to contact me. sooner is better.
Esla Sinclair
Hi Elsa, I am trying to find the ladies meeting up in Sonoma tomorrow but I would love to brainstorm with you, thank you for the invatation, I’ll be gone Sat but Sunday I will gmail you and
1. tell you all about the tour and 2, hopefully know more about the area and a site
Talk to you soon
I put this on another page but wanted to find all you ladies going tomorrow, Jenny I am planning on getting to Sonoma about 11 am, Don’t have to be at the hotel till noon Would love to stop by and visit with you and your mom, and Bonnie b and maybe lovelykitty at the resturaunt for a drink..
I hope that Brenda contacts me, I don’t know where in the north bay she is but you can get to Somona from Petaluma too if she’s south of me – and calistoga if she’s north, I’m going 12 thru Santa Rosa
= Brenda, we want you there! Also, I haven’t had a mom’s day off since Bitts was born 5 years ago, and before that….. I don’t remember having a mom’s day off, If I went anywhere it was always with the kids or hubby,(except grocery shopping), What should I wear, are we going casual (jeans?) or decked out (Jeans with pearls;)
This is from before…
Jenny D are you still here> I’m trying to read from most current back, what a lot of new stuff!
Brenda, Are you in Somona or Marin Co, If you are I can get you, My tour id 12:30 need to be there by noon, I don’t know how to do this and not let everyone know your address but post tonight or EARLY tomorrow morning and we can figure it out. If your’e not going cause you don’t like to drive in the rain, I can relate to that…Let me know
it’s 8:30pm now and I will be reading all these new posts for at least an hour or so, I’ve made dinner and everyones asleep except my son who won’t get home till 10pm, We are staying up tonight to watch the last Conan show till June,, It’s always been the only time we get to with hang together.
I’m going to put this on the 2 19th pages as well as the newest one, I can’t read all of them tonight, I had just started to catch up this morning and I leave for the day (with my son) and WOW!
Please let me know if anything changes by tomorrow or if anyone see a current post from Brenda I will go to this page in the morning for any new info for “the best day ever” If you have kids and let them watch SpongeBob you’ll get that…
Everyone who can make it on Sat. have a blast. I will be thinking of you all having so much fun in beautiful Sonoma from AZ. I’m so jealous. Let all of us who can’t make it know all about it. Check on our house!!!
My “card” is waiting to be sent to the winner, if it isn’t me. Anything to help this years winner be able to keep this perfect home.
We can always use more pictures…Hint Hint
I will be at tha Ledson hotel at 1pm. If we get there much earlier, we will walk over to the Salette Resturant to see Jenny D and her mom and maybe Bonnie.
My tour is at 2:30, and we were going to drive out to the Ledson Winery (The Castle), after the tour but may just stay in the Plaza and have dinner there.
The weather is suppose to be very nice until the late evening, so we will have fun. Looking foward to seeing everyone.
JanV Mom’s..look for me when you retutn from your tour. I don’t know what how anyone of you look. I will be there with my husband.
Is there a sprinkler system?
Is there am alarm system?
BoBo and I will be at The Ledson Hotel today at 1 to hopefully meet some fellow bloggers…I’ll be the tall woman with the cutie-pie reddish/brown dog ! Will I see you there? Ingrid from Sonoma
Janice Haney,
Thank you, Texas huh? I lived in Dallas for almost two years and absolutely loved it. It's always a great thing to have family around, so to know your son and family is just next door is great. It means more hand s to help you pack if you win right? I so love children, hope your grands are doing fine. Good luck to you and blessings always.
Esla Sinclair NY
OK JennyD, this is where I will come to post about the SISBP.
I would like to know who plan on coming to the party for sure. So far, I know Brenda, JandV’mom, JennyD, BonnieB, Ingrid and BoBo And I think Tamara said she is coming for sure. And I truly hope Marie Miller will be coming (she just HAS to come!!), and also DBCoop.
We would just like to get a ideal of what size party we are looking at.
If you are coming to the party, please only post on the “Blogger’s Party and More” Blog.
Lovelykitty,
Can you guys on the planning committee post an invitation to the SIS party on each different blog so that bloggers are aware of when and where they should RSVP? Get as much info as possible so you’ll know whose bringing what as well as what you still need for the party.
Don’t stress! Make this as easy as possible on yourselves. Only plan for those who RSVP.
Example for RSVP:
Name, contact info (email and/or phone), dish(es) bringing, donation for supplies, would you like to volunteer?, If yes, which committee?, time of arrival, number of guests with you, do you require seating?, are you bringing chairs, tables, games, etc
Just some ideas for your planning committee.
Lessie & Lovelykitty, should we wait until the winner is announced? What if it’s not a blogger that wins? I don’t want to sound skeptical, but realistically speaking if we really want a SISP, it should come from the Owner of DH2009 before we make all the arrangements.
I sent this message to Jenny D. at her home email:
I agree the party should be fairly soon after the winner is announced. Interest may drop off after that. Someone (HGTV?) should approach the winner re: the blogger’s desire for the SISBP (assuming it’s someone who hasn’t been reading the blog and doesn’t know of our plans) and find out what they want to do. If the winner does not want to be involved in hosting or organizing the party then we should step up and get going. It would be nice to wait for warmer/dryer weather however….maybe if we gave the winner a month, plan it for April 15…tax time! We could use that theme for donations for the winner to pay the taxes…somebody in an Uncle Sam outfit collecting donations in a big top hat? ha ha This will be fun to plan and carry out!
Lessie- I have an invitation in the works that will allow anyone interested in attending to rsvp, make suggestions on overall event details and suggestions on when and where it should be held.
It’s coming soon.
Jenny D
I think most of us have decided that we will wait until the winner is revealed before we really get started on the logistics of the party. Love your ideas so keep them coming!
Jenny D
Jenny D and Katherine,
You guys are right on target! I like your ideas. Everything is on hold for now. The SIS party will take place. I don’t think people will loose interest if the winner is not a blogger.
Enjoy yourselves! Post pictures for those who can’t attend.
Lovelykitty, Jenny D, Bonnie B, and Lessie, I got the post and will be here too to talk about any SiSBP planning, It does make complete sense that this is the site to do it on,
It’s funny, the Feb 9 post we wrote on for days and now there are so many different sites all in the same time line.
I sent Bitts to school today and my house is…Well I certainly wouldn’t want to be ambushed today;) Where do you begin when you haven’t done anything for weeks, I think paper work first, I would be oh-so-sad if I lost my internet, or power, because there is a 48 hr notice in that 2 feet stack of bills staring at me. Gotta go
Lots of Love,
My First time blogger on this site. Ive been blogging on the Blog Cabin. Voteing for all the fun stuff. Ive entered to win the Dream Home as well. Is this the best way to find out all that is going on with the Dream home ? I wont be able to take a tour. Im in S.W.Michigan Home of Tabor Hill wine. and many others. Good Luck to all .
Linda
Jenny D, you are so on top it. I agree, we should wait until the winner is announced, and then start with the planning.
The weather is already nice, and spring is right around the corner.
The trees on my street ate already in bloom with pink flowers.!
We will still get rain for a while, but you know how quick spring comes here.
So okay…..what I’m getting is: When one of the bloggers (ah..I mean when someone wins) that’s when we go in to swing mode..got it…Makes more sense…All for one and one for all!!! Keep thinking those positive thoughts people…..It’s been a fun ride hasn’t it…..and now we have something to look forward to in celebrating…..Let’s hope whoever wins (ahem…) is as enthusiastic and euphoric as we have been and are…..that’s huge,,,,right? (((((HUGS)))))
Lovelykitty,
You can cout me in for the SIS party. I would love to be there, I missed out on the tours because I’m booked at school and work. this should be an event to remember. how can i miss it win or not? I somehow didn’t get to read most comments for duty call a lot in my case. I hope to meet all the exciting bloggers out there and I wish everyone good luck.
Esla Simclair
Hey guys, I’m back. The flu really kicked my butt! My physician wants me to stay off work until Monday.
I thoroughly agree that plans for the SISBP party should wait until after the winner is announced. In the meantime, I’m up for partying with “My Girls” — you know who you are and you know how to get in touch with me.
Welcome back Brenda D) !!
It was suppose to say Brenda
!!
Knowing the great energy that all the Bloggers have, BoBo and I are convinced that the SIS party will happen…but the logistics of it baffle me. Ingrid from Sonoma
oopps…I mean baffleS me ! Ingrid / Sonoma
Good morning fellow bloggers. Counting down the days until we can start planning “The Sippin’ in Sonoma Blogger Party!” I have been surfing over at http://www.foodnetwork.com, and have been finding tons of scrumptious recipe ideas for the SISBP. That site is so cool, you can even create your own virtual recipe box to save all the neat dishes that you run across! My fiance is Italian, and just bought me a Pizzelle Italian Cookie Maker. I found a great recipe by Emeril over at FoodNetwork for these delicious cookies. (PS, they would be great at the SISBP)
Happy dreaming everyone – Tamara
Ingrid, I am thinking the SISBP really isn’t going to be as big as everyone thinks. People do a lot of talking, but when it comes to actually showing up, well that’s a differant number.
I can see around 20 to 30 people.
I think it would be better to have it at the park at the plaza because the one across the street from the DH is for the residents, and if none of us wins, well..
And that poor neighborhood has been through enough with all the strangers.
We could have it on a warm Saturday, and have a couple people bring a few tables, mostly for the food. Everyone will decide what dish they will bring, and if someone doesn’t want to bring a dish, they can always go across the street to the cheese factory, and purchase a nice dish, as well as a couple bottles of wine.
We can keep this very hassle free and organized.
Everyone bring a lawn chair and or a blanket to sit on.
We could desinate one person to bring the napkins, utensils and plates and cups (that could be me ). We need to come up with a date soon for those who would like to stay over night can book a room.
We need to get a list of those attending so we can make name tags, so anyone from off the street can’t crash the party ;D .
OK…that’s my input that I am just throwing out there. Can someone else please add theirs. Jenny D, you had a lot of good ideals. Let’s plan them now if you please
.
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I think most of us have decided that we will wait until the winner is revealed before we really get started on the logistics of the party. Love your ideas so keep them coming!
Jenny D
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I agree with you JennyD, but we do need to start a little planning and at least come up with a month so some of us can book a room. I live almost two hours away, and know David, mu husband, would like to have a couple glasses of wine, and he can’t drink and drive that far. The Plaza starts getting full in the spring, so we may need to start making plans sooner then later.
Ingrid & Bobo – Do you know what the law is in Sonoma for having liquor outdoors, such as at the plaza? Is is different at the Armstrong Estates park? My son’s soccer team practiced there the whole season and there was no one who lived there on the team. Where do you take Bobo? It would be most unfortunate for him not to attend the SISBP.
lovelykitty – I am leaning toward what you said about the number of people that would or could actually come.
What about kids? Just a thought.
My dearest “SISBP” friends: Love all your ideas & think any and all ideas could be incorporated for “the Party”…however, I had a thought (we are in trouble now)…since Steve Ledson is so much involved with the DH2009, why not approach him with loaning out a day and time and room in the “castle” for the SIS party? I know there are club members that gather there to share extraordinary hand-crafted wines, impeccable hospitality and exquisite atmosphere of the Ledson castle…I believe with a little luck, it could be an event that HGTV & Mr. Ledson would love to be involved with? What do you all think?
I’m still thinking…if we all joined the Ledson Wine Club, we could make the “SISBP” an annual event…it would be GREAT getting together every year!! As on the Ledson site one idea would be: “Celebrate spring fever in Sonoma Valley Wine Country. Wineries up and down Sonoma Valley showcase the very best of their current releases and special bottlings. At Ledson they welcome you to ZINoma where you will get an overview of the history of Zinfandel followed by a horizontal tasting of their award-winning Zinfandels.” I noticed on one Club Event at Ledson’s, “they enjoy private wine & food pairings one-on-one with a wine specialist, a California style BBQ and exciting activities into the evening.” Dinner: $35/person!! WOW!! Neat, huh?
Teri, they do let you bring alcohol to the park. I was surprised when I saw that on one of my outings to Sonoma. But Ingrid said no dogs are allowed
.
http://images35.fotki.com/v1209/photos/1/1239747/6333243/P6080241-vi.jpg
Marie – I really like your idea of having it as an annual event.
lovelykitty – I’m equally surprised that Sonoma would allow that but hey, I’ll take it. *^*
I’m thinking(since I hate to cook)that everyone brings their own picnic-style lunch…then everyone enjoys their meal and no ONE person is bringing alot of food for people that may or may not show up.If we meet at the Plaza,there are plenty of picnic tables to accomodate our group. (But why not bring a chair or blanket just in case?)
Even though dogs are not allowed on the Plaza,I can have BoBo on a leash,near the perimeter,so he can join in,for a short time,
anyway. Gail lives close enough so she can come for sure,but let’s invite Jack T. too!!!
Ingrid from Sonoma
I am not big on cooking either Ingrid. Did you notice that I volunteered my self to bring plates and napkinks and such
.
Lovelykitty…no wonder I liked you right away…if I could pick-up all our meals,or
eat out, I would be totally content. Unfortunately, my husband doesn’t agree with me 100% of the time.(but pretty close)
Also, we share a love of animals. Do you think they will ambush YOU? Ingrid from Sonoma
If they do ambush me, better have Brenda near by, because I will truly need a nurse
.
Seeing all the love BoBo has for you Ingrid, just makes my heart grow. Aren’t animals wonderful. I get crticize for working at the Animal Shelter for free, but I tell people that I get paid with love, and you can’t beat that. Kitten season is starting, and I will be surronded by babies
.
Oh, I forgot, another item I can bring is the complete salad in a bag. Love those
.
Marie that’s a great Idea !! love it SISBP at the Ledson Winery and HGTV that would be a Great Party everyone’s in invited !! DREAM BIG!!So Every one is a winner!
Lovelykitty…donating your time is a wonderful thing…anyone that is giving you grief for doing that is just jealous of you
being able to do something that you love…they probably are at a job they hate.
You worked for 30 years…now it’s time to fill your heart by doing what you WANT to do!
Ingrid from Sonoma
I just can’t wait to see who the winner is.. I really hope they can live in the house. I know if you make 50k and living in a million dollar house is silly since of property taxes higher maintenance and so on. I have decided I would if I won make a huge effort and tried to stay in the house. I would love for my son to go off to college and to come home to a beautiful house waiting for him. And a place where he can get married in. If he chooses. My husband makes 48k a year and I am stay at home mom but just thinking of of that house is cool. I wish who ever wins cherish it. If you have kids yes I know you would want to cash out and enjoy a more cheaper life.( ie) buying a cheaper house and family vacations.. Yes you would have money if you sold it,but just think when your kids come home to that beautiful house. Yes 49k a year I will try to keep it. I wish HGTV would pay all the taxes and so on so the winner can enjoy it.. good luck everyone….P.s if I win I am throwing a huge party at the new pad… All bloggers,stay at home moms, working moms, even santa clause can come…….
Well, sorry to say, a Blogger or Message Board member didn’t win. Happy for the winner’s, but it would have been so much if a Blogger had won and would have had the SISBP at the house.
The couple seems very nice. Wonder if they would like to come to our party
.
So many people are so dissapointed about not winning I wonder if we will still have the party.
Well, if not I plan on going out to Sonoma to meet up with my girls and play anyway
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There’s good info here. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog. Keep up the good work mate!
There is obviously a lot to know about this. There are some good points here.