Sweet Tea is like Liquid Crack! and food blog conference info

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea, it's like Liquid Crack!

I’ve had sweetened tea before, but nothing compares to the sweet tea I had in the South recently. It’s so addictive, I called it Southern Liquid Crack all week. One glass and I was hooked. The waitress kept filling my glass each time she walked by. It never fell below half full. I asked what type of tea they use and she assured me it wasn’t the brand of tea that had me hooked, it was the 70 cups of sugar that went into the tea that had me wanting more. She may be right. I thought I’d start making my own sweet tea, but since I don’t typically don’t drink sweetened drinks, (I like my sugar in cake and cookie form) I’ve decided to go into Sweet Tea Rehab! That’s right I’m getting off my crack addiction as soon as possible, or it will be really difficult to fit into a swimsuit now that summer is here, not to mention I haven’t worked out in a couple weeks either.  Unless you consider hauling gallons of down a hill to help plant my brothers garden. I think if I had to carry them up the hill, that may have counted.

Who knew planting a garden at someone else’s house would be so much fun. It was, but somehow it wouldn’t be the same if I were to do it at mine. They have plenty of room for this wonderful garden too!

I attended BlogHer Food in Atlanta last week* and then took a detour on my way home to visit my brother his wife and my two nephews. I am so glad they wanted to put up with me for a few days. I had the best time ever!

Being on the East Coast felt like being home! Even thought I was many miles from where I grew up, it felt like it, it was so green! I now live one the West Coast where the primary tree is a palm tree.

There were many happy moments on my trip and I really wish I could have stayed longer. The wheels are turning in my head how to go back again soon.

Jennifer {Savoring the Thyme} and I

Blogher Food was held in Atlanta this year. I met so quite a few people and can’t wait to get to know them better. I met Jennifer at Campblog Away a few weeks ago, we decided to be roomates at blogherfood food.  It couldn’t have been a better decision. Although traveling out of my time zone sure messed with me a bit, I think the lack of sleep effected my ability to even navigate my way around the hotel. I may have even rubbed off on sweet Jennifer a bit 🙂 I didn’t know what to expect at a larger conference. I am glad I had Jennifer to help me. One of the best parts of the trip for me was getting to know her. I felt like I was with a long lost friend.

I even met Charlie. “Sorry Charlie only good tasting tuna get to be StarKist”.

One look at Betsy and I wanted to cut my hair off. She is so lovely! She sure knows how to throw a wonderful party too.

I’m still thinking about the bread pudding with chocolate sauce, YUM!

Jennifer @savorthethyme, Kelsey @thenaptimechef, and Aimee @simplebites

We all had a fun outing at a Sweet Auburn Curb Market

There were plenty of Georgia Peaches along with lots of other interesting items

Aimee was showing me the Whole Pigs. The sign was clear as day, but I must have asked her three times where it was. She may just have been trying to say “hey dummy it’s right up there” 🙂 but no she was a doll.

Later on, a group of us went to dinner,

I sat across from the lovely Elissa of 17andbaking, she is so inspiring.

I will keep my eye out for whoever got the photo of us all at dinner as well.

I met so many wonderful people, wish I had photos of them all to share with you.

A great week, lots of fun. I’m now in Rehab for my delicious Liquid Crack Addiction, but wanted to also mention a special:

Happy Birthday shout – out to my favorite girl who has just entered her teenage years!

23 Comments

  1. Gallons of sweet tea or not, I don’t think you have anything to worry about come swimsuit time. You are gorgeous, such a wonderful photo of you and Jennifer at the top of this post and your brother’s garden…WOW…it is a big one. So nice that you were able to see him and his family (cute nephews) and I’m glad that you had a good time at the convention.

    1. Paula you are so sweet!

      I didn’t realize how much I missed my brother and family until I visited and now want to go back! SOON 🙂

  2. HaHa! I forgot you snapped that photo at the market. How funny.

    What a fun recap. Meeting you was definitely one of the highlights of BHF. I have a feeling we’d be BFF’s is we lived closer. Stay in touch!

    1. I love that photo, it’s so funny. I know I kept asking, where? where?

      It was great meeting you and yes, if we lived near each other you wouldn’t be able to get rid of me. I look forward to keeping in touch! We can always skype 🙂

  3. Dear Diane,
    You are an amazingly sweet, kind, awesome, genuine, fun, good gracious, it is time for me to list every dang tootin word in the thesaurus for the words above. Phew. You have brought joy to me in ways you will never quite understand: you know I was not going to attend but something made me go and I know it was to be able to deepend a friendship with you!

  4. Did you know that any time a link is clicked it redirects you to your homepage? I’ve been trying to watch your video on how to make the rose frosted cupcakes but I keep coming back to your homepage. It’s very frustrating!

    1. I recently moved my blog from blogger to wordpress and some links are broken.
      Here is the link to the rose video, thank you for telling me. It will take me a bit of time to repair all the broken links 🙂
      I searched for the video on google and surprisingly it landed me right at it, I will have to work to see where the link is broken from
      Here is the link, let me know if you are unable to see it. https://www.createdby-diane.com/2010/08/video-how-

  5. I am so envious Diane, but I am glad you had such a good time! Atlanta is one of my favorite cities-so much to do and see. Yes, sweet tea IS liquid crack, but fortunately there are a few places in S. Cal that you can find it just as good as in Georgia….Lucille’s BBQ has great sweet tea! Hope to see you again soon, so we can raise a glass together!

    1. I sure do hope to see you again!
      Oh my goodness I may have to get a glass of sweet tea 🙂

  6. Just a note, after a lifetime of that Southern Crack called Sweet Tea, I know exactly what you mean. Go visit southernplate.com – she has a pretty good version and she substitutes artificial sweetner.

    1. I love sugar!
      A few years ago I gave up sugary drinks, so it was a real treat to have the sweet tea.
      I don’t drink artificial sweeteners 🙁 don’t like the taste and they often give me a headache.
      Thanks thought I’m sure many others will love the option.

  7. Love the headline on this one, Diane! I also cannot go anywhere near Sweet Tea………….way too yummy! Missed you while you were away and look forward to hearing all about the blogging conference.

    1. Hey Kim 🙂 I won the ticket for the event from the blog her pity party last Nov. so glad I went but it’s really is so much nicer when the events are in our back yard!

    1. Yes, missing the liquid crack already.
      But so afraid if I have even a glass I won’t be able to resist it!

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