Friday, March 22, 2013

Blogging Buddies

Several months ago Neicee of INSOMNIAC with a hook
and I were chatting away as bloggers do and we realized we lived fairly close together.  When a yarn store/coffee shop opened up in Downtown Tarpon Springs we decided it was a perfect reason to meet.  So we set a day aside to meet in person.  That got me thinking because one of my favorite bloggers was down this way enjoying the beach, all the way from Chicago.  Can you guess who that might be?  Well Kate from The Garden Bell of course!  I happened to send her a message on her blog hoping she might read it by chance, and tell her where we were going to meet and suggest that she come along.  The lovely Kate thought it was a great idea, so we kept the news from Neicee, so she would be surprised! 


 Look who I found just after I arrived.  Kate had made the long drive up from where she is staying, it was soooooo great to see her and meet her in person.  And believe me blogging friends Kate looks fantastic, amazing, very fit, she is in tremendous shape!


Neicee arrived just after Kate and I did.  I, of course, grabbed her and hugged her then backed up to show her Kate!  Boy was she surprised.  It was worth it keeping the surprise form Neicee just to see the happiness on her face, and the smile that reached all the way to her gorgeous blue eyes.


Look at these two gorgeous women.  We had the best time.  We laughed and talked, and laughed and talked.  We visited for almost 3 hours and I swear I could have kept going but Kate had to start her long drive back, and Neicee and I had to get back to reality.

 

The whole time we were visiting the ladies were sending text messages to Pammy Sue of Scotty's Place, their readers kept going on and off so they could read the texts, I just had to get a picture of them with them on.


It was so lovely to meet these fascinating women.  You know we all write what we want on our blogs sharing some of who we are, but meeting in person can be a bit strange.  You wonder will they like who I really am?  It is a bit nervousy to meet, and I think we all felt that way at first, but once you hug, and smile, and laugh it feels like you have been friends forever.


Not only are bloggers lovely to talk to they bring you gifts!  This lovely Vera Bradley gift was from Kate.  It is fun and colorful just like her. Thanks so much Kate.


And look what Neicee bought me for my new crafting space.  It is the most adorable button basket and inside is this darling little mouse sewing on a machine.  It looks like a Featherweight to me.  Thanks so much Neicee for making my space even better.


I have to say the yarn store is new and needs more yarn, but it was the perfect place to meet up with blogging friends.  I am hoping that next year Kate will meet us again, wouldn't it be great to make it a tradition?  And as for Neicee it is so wonderful to have her so close, we lead very busy lives but I am hoping we can get together more often now that we have done it once.

So my advice is if you get the chance to meet a blogging buddy, jump on it.  It will be even better than you thought, because if you are friends on your blog you already have something in common, the rest takes care of itself.

Have a great weekend.

36 comments:

Vicki Boster said...

Meredith - how wonderful to have the chance to meet blogging friends --- that is truly a special treat! Looks like you gals had a GREAT time! You shared this beautifully and made us all feel like we were one of your group! That photo of you all --- is fabulous!

xoxo,
Vicki

Lillie and Moss said...

How nice!!! I am so happy for all of you to meet and chat and laugh! Great memories to cherish and many more to come, I am sure of it!
Hugs,Shari

Suzan said...

How wonderful that you three lovely ladies were able to meet up and REALLY get to know each other!! Friendship is golden where ever or how ever you find it. So many memories for all of you!

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Looks like you all had fun. I've heard of other bloggers doing this. What a nice chance to meet in person.

Unknown said...

What a fun post. Ah, to have been there and enjoyed each and every moment of this gathering. I can't wait till next year when we do this again. I think we were so busy that the yarn really didn't even matter. So, girls, you will be driving down the coast to visit me next time. A day beach side would be perfect. Thanks again for letting me snag the one group shot. Hope I remember how to do a link back.....eeks....it's been a while now.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh, I am green with envy right now!

All three of you are such awesome ladies with wonderful blogs. I know you had to have had a blast.

I think it should be an annual thing. So much fun.

Sending hugs and blessings your way dear friend.

Gracie Saylor said...

Meredith! I am so excited for you!! It really is very special to meet face to face with folks we have common interests with, isn't it. I am glad you spear-headed the gathering and shared it with us. Joy!!!
xx,
Gracie

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a GREAT visit. I've met several of my blogging friends and they are all more like family now.

:-) Have a great weekend.

Crafty in the Med said...

Yesssss that is what I call super duper fun! I'd love to meet up with other bloggers and you never know 'cos the world's a small place LOL!


What gorgeous presents too.....that mouse is so sweet.

keep well

Amanda :-)

Kris said...

What fun! How I wish I could have been there too. And had I known...I would have been texting right along with you! You are all three just lovely!!!!
xo Kris

Claudia said...

Great photos of everyone and it's clear a good time was had by all! Love this post, Mer. It is indeed a wonderful thing to meet our blogging friends in person.

xo
Claudia

deebriese said...

What a great post! Thanks for taking the pictures! We need to do it again! XOXO Neicee

cockney blonde said...

I know just what you mean about meeting up with your on-line buddies. Glad you enjoyed your visit and your gifts look wonderful, x

Betsy said...

Such fun!!! I can vouch for meeting bloggy friends face to face. I love my times with Taci, Gracie & Teresa. It looks like you had as much fun together as we do! I'm so happy for you. My feeling is definitely that you can never have too many friends and seeing people "with skin on" makes it even better than just blogging.
Blessings,
Betsy

JCDiTaranto said...

That looks like a lot of fun. I can sure understand how it would make you a little anxious, though! Funny you should mention Tarpon Springs, because I had relatives who lived there for the longest time!

Pammy Sue said...

Y'all look so cute! I am so disappointed that I wasn't there. Boo-hoo! So glad y'all met and had a good time gabbing.

I immediately noticed your vest when Kate sent me a picture. I asked her if you'd made it and she told me you had. Love it! You must email me the pattern info. Denise said you'd gotten it out of Interweave Mag, but she couldn't find it.

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Wow Meredith, did that sound like a fabulous time. I would love to meet all you blogging friends too. I hope it will happen someday! I guess one never knows, but I can only hope the opportunity will happen. I'm home and had a great time with my mom, xoRobin
She mostly knew me!! : )

kathyinozarks said...

what a totally awesome day-hugs

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

How fun!! It is fun to meet other blogging buddies. I have got together with some Ohio bloggers before a couple of times too. I have a girlfriend from childhood who lives in Tarpon Springs. We were there to visit her a few years ago and then she was up here in Ohio this past summer. Maybe one day we will get to meet when you come up for a visit! ~Hugs, Patti

Mrs. Micawber said...

You are so right about meeting our bloggy friends when we can ... I've met up twice now with my "separated-at-birth-sister" Snowcatcher and we have so much fun.

Don't you just dream about a bloggy convention, or better still, a bloggy craft camp where we could all hang out for a weekend and stay up late and drink too many caffeinated drinks and yak about yarn and life? I do. :)

So glad you got to see these lovely ladies.

Teresa Kasner said...

What a fun time you all had! I love it when Gracie, Tacie and Betsy and I do the same. Wouldn't it be something if we could have a big huge blogger retreat somewhere really awesome and we could all be there? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Gerda said...

It must be nice to meet blogger friends! Groetjes, Gerda

Unknown said...

How wonderful is that! You all look so happy. I am so happy for the three of you.

Tanna said...

Lucky girl!! It is great fun to meet our blog friends in person. =) Such a wonderful treat AND at a yarn shop! ;) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Meredith! blessings ~ tanna

kathy b said...

SOMEDAY we'll meet too!! now I want to meet your Garden Bell friend from my neck of the woods.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the buttons.

Happy Weekend

Babajeza said...

Hello Meredith

What a great post. :-)

Karen said...

This is a great post, Meredith, and such a wonderful picture of the three of you! I've met a couple of blogging friends in person, and it was so much fun. Bloggers are wonderful people:)

An Aussie Felter said...

What a wonderful day!

Susanne Tyree said...

It is nice to read posts like this. How fortunate that the 3 of you could meet and spend time together. I think when people have common interests they always get along because there is so much to chat about. Love it that you had gifts for each other, how thoughtful and awesome!
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Taci simmons said...

How fun Meredith!! It looks like you had a wonderful time :) blogging friends are the best ! :)

RURAL said...

I've met other bloggers in person, and Meredith, you nailed those feeling perfectly.

And isn't it wonderful to have a real person behind the blog...to visit with, talk to, and hear their voice.

Sounds like absolutely fun.

Jen

millefeuilles said...

Dear wonderful Meredith!

This post is simply awesome! Brimming with joy and friendship of true, fabulous minds! You ALL look special.

Happy week to you,

Stephanie

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

I saw Kate's post first! How fun that ya'll were able to get together. I met one blog friend in Illinois several years ago. And then I met Maureen from Daydream Living in Dubai although she was living in Switzerland at the time -- that was last April and then they moved to Dubai over the summer so we met up again in December. Really and truly, if you have a connection online, it is so very easy to just begin a conversation that never seems to end. :) So nice to see your smiling face. Best wishes, Tammy

Sue Pinner said...

How fabulous, what an exciting time you must all of had together.
The 3 muskateers lol x

Claire said...

Oh what a fun catch up Meredith.....great photos.
It's so nice to meet in person and as you say you are already friends on your blog and have things in common.
Lovely, thoughtful gifts....that wee mouse is just too cute.
I have a blogging friend living 5 minutes away, it was great to discover we both lived in the same little town.

Claire x

Mistea said...

It sure is fun meeting bloggy friends. What I really like is your venue. A cafe and yarn store is a perfect combination.