Last week I had the luckiest and most wonderful opportunity to attend EVO, a conference focusing on the evolution of Women in Social Media in Park City, Utah. It was beyond my expecations, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect as this was my first “blog” conference. I usually attend the yearly IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) conference, and this conference was even more unique in many ways. Read below for some of my favorite highlights.

THE TOP 10 THINGS I lOVED ABOUT EVO (in no particular order) :

1. Making so many new friends

2. Learning so many new things from so many talented people and new great blogs to follow.

3. Seeing beautiful scenery set in the most beautiful part of the country. I could almost move there..

4. Staying at the Canyons Resort: Great huge hotel room, great views, great staff, comfortable beds. I highly recommend it!

5. The Food seminar located at Alpine House: Wonderful food and goodies, cooking demos, speakers and mouth-watering Watermelon-Mint Punch

6. Laughing and crying listening to so many wonderful speakers’ stories, specifically the “Make a Wish Foundation” speakers

7. Meeting Jill, Founder of “Mom it Forward” and Rachel, Founder of “Today’s Mama”. The most incredibly organized and talented women I have ever met.

8. Closing party at Park City Resort (although I had to leave early and miss it ugghh!)

9. Listening to the Producer and Creative Directors from Oprah.

10. Meeting the wonderful sponsors and learning about new businesses and products (great meeting Park City Mountain Resort, City Deals, Think Thin, The Giving Tees, Nu Skin to name a few)

I have had a super busy month. Busy is good, but it’s almost unbelievable. It’s the heart of summer, and I am working at home with 3 kids going in 3 different directions. Besides my normal recipe development work projects, my cookie event at Pepper Place farmer’s market last week, 4 television segments this past thursday for NBC 13 “Daytime Alabama”, monthly work for the Birmingham magazine, and a new huge holiday recipe project for an international client, I can’t believe I am finding time for this blog post. In light of all this, I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to Park City, Utah for Evo 10, a conference featuring women in social media. It’s been called “a summer camp for bloggers” taking place in a beautiful setting. Forgive me for no recipe today, but I have a fabulous one coming tomorrow.

Over spring break (I can’t believe it has been a month), I had the ultimate pleasure and honor to teach my “Healthy Baking for Kid’s Cooking Class” at Studio B in Alys Beach. It was such a wonderful experience in an incredible venue, Studio B, located at the most beautiful beach in the country, Alys Beach. We had originally planned for 15 kids, but when 24 arrived, we didn’t turn them away. We made all types of wonderful healthy baked (and no bake) treats. I will feature some on the blog this coming week. Below, is a shot of some of my hometown Birmingham friend’s children who attended and some other shots taken from the class by the talented, Colleen Duffley, owner of Studio B.

I don’t know if many of you have traveled lately on Delta, but I’m typing this post 10,000 feet up in the air. How strange is it, that I can access the internet in the air but can’t turn on my cell phone. Anyway, it is pretty cool. If my blog posts are few this week, please understand that I’m not in my office this week.

In the meantime, I have my first Cookbook Give-Away for the new “Martha Stewart’s Diner at Home: 52 Quick Meals to Cook for Family and Friends”. It is a new cookbook just out in October 2009. I love mine!

Here are the rules to enter (It’s simple):

1. Leave a comment on my blog telling me what it is you like about my blog, and a way to contact you, if you’re the winner.

2. Deadline is Thursday, November 5, 2009

If you love awesome specialty food shops, read on. Fromagination, in Madison, Wisconsin, is an incredible specialty food shop celebrating Wisconsin Artisanal Cheesemakers and highlighting artisan cheeses from around the United States and the world. In addition to the selection of cheeses and perfect companions, they offer catering, lunches, gift baskets, classes on cheeses and private events. I wanted everything in the store, and I mean everything! Cheese, trail mix, honey, candy, decorations for the home, beer, wine and more cheese. Located on capitol square in Madison, it is a must see if you get to this area.

Today, I am in Madison Wisconsin for a Wisconsin Cheese Media tour. I get to tour about 8 different cheesemakers around the area while tasting fabulous cheeses, attending a Fondue lunch as well as an award winning Cheese and Beer Pairing reception. I thought I would feature a simple cheese appetizer that my family loves in honor of the amazing Wisconsin Cheese. It’s so easy and wonderful for this time of year or as the holidays near (Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas), and my kids love it!

Also, I will also be featured on NBC 13 Daytime Alabama at 11:30 a.m on Thursday cooking a simple Slider recipes so check it out. I know-busy week.

Things have been so busy lately, and I am so excited about this summer! My kids are out of school, and they are so happy about that. Plus, I get the wonderful opportunity to teach kid’s culinary camps in the incredible location at Alys Beach Florida at Studio B. Colleen Duffley, a photographer of 25 years, had a “plan B” to create a studio that brings the best creative talent in food, photography, fashion, art, design, beauty, music and literature. There will be seminars, classes and inspirational lectures by some of the world’s most creative people. Just a few of the foodies are Sarah Foster, Emeril Lagassee, Michael Chiarello and Scott Peacock. Check out the site’s “B List” for more information on who’s coming to Studio B. See my classes in late June/early July.