This year was no different. With Lora Leigh as guest speaker, we lined up to get our marching orders. Answering the call from this year's luncheon coordinator, Kimberly Ward, we helped stuff goody bags and decorated tables, schelped and mingled, met awesome new and old authors who hosted tables, and chatted up eager attendees. There were raffle baskets galore, assembled under the direction of Dani Wade, chocolates on the tables, goody bags stuffed with free gifts from authors and 3 books each, and Door prizes. What kitty could ask for more?
Food? Never fear! The menu consisted of Spring Salad, Honey Dijon Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Steamed vegetables, and rolls, a purrfect combination.
Thanks to the wonderful caterers at the Von Braun Center in downtown Huntsville, AL, we were well-fed AND treated to a choice of Strawberry Cloud or Double Chocolate Cake for dessert. (Cleaning our whiskers!)
Stomachs full, pooped but purrfectly refreshed, the Heart of Dixie Romance Writers can safely paw another one up for the books. 172 attendees, 25 authors, including our guest speaker, with as many Door Prizes and over 35 raffle baskets later... the fun just kept on coming! (Who could resist getting wrapped up in this kind of goodness?)
Bear witness to the result...
Purrfectly content! This position is probably typical for all of us after this past weekend. (Yawn! I know I've assumed this position more often than not in the past few days. And I wasn't even in charge this year. Hats off to Kimberly Ward who has also been planning a July wedding!)
15th Anniversary Luncheon down. But for Heart of Dixie members another year of planning begins... with J.T. Ellison to appear as our guest speaker next year, May 4, 2013.
Arrrrr! I ask ye all... Is there anything better than a pirrrate kitty?
I you went to the luncheon, what was your favorite memory?
I just love the fun here! It never ends! :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the weekend was meeting people near and far. I got to eat with Harlequin Desire Author Janice Maynard who was accompanied by her husband. What entertainers they both are! And sitting with USA Today Bestselling Author Janette Kenny was a hoot! I loved hearing their take on the writing business as well as getting to know them a little bit on the personal side. But then, the readers are what it's all about, and they rocked the house....which made all the work worth it! It was a great weekend for sure <3
Janice is such a hoot, isn't she? I'm so glad I got to get to know her on Friday night.
DeleteAnd you're right, Lesia. The luncheon is and always has been about the readers and giving back to those who make writing such a joy!
Meeting lots of new people is also my favorite part of the luncheon. I loved meeting Janice Maynard and her husband. It was also great to meet J.T. Ellison since she will be our speaker next year.
DeleteAnother fun part is working with the great folks at the VBCC. Miss Jackie is the food services manager. She and her stafr are alwasy soooooo fantastic!!
Glad all went well. It's great to hear that the luncheon was a success yet again!
ReplyDeleteMissed seeing you....saw you one day at Costco though. :)
DeleteYes, we missed you, Cheryl! Sorry you couldn't make it. There was a great crowd! And Kimberly added some new things to the luncheon that made it even better than ever before!
DeleteHaha! What fun, Kathy! Love the pirate kitty!
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful luncheon. I got to meet Kimberly Ward's oh-so-sweet and gentlemanly fiance, Jason. I had fun signing books next to Lexi George and chatting with her. And I met lots of other great folks, including a librarian and her mom who sat at my table, and three sisters who also shared my table.
Hey Melanie, thanks for stopping by today!
DeleteLexi George is so much fun, isn't she? Her books fall in line with her sense of humor. I absolutely love to hear her stories.
I'm so glad that you had a great group at your table! Wish I could have had one of those seats but again, the luncheon was for you and your readers. (So looking forward to reading your critically acclaimed second book, THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER. Woot!)
Kimberly had extremely big shoes to fill and she did a beautiful job of doing just that. I am so proud to be a member of Heart of Dixie.
ReplyDeleteYou said it, Jean! Me too!
DeleteAw! How sweet of you to say, Jean! ;)
DeleteI'm so glad I'm a part of this writing chapter. There are so many beautiful and talented ladies in HOD. Couldn't be prouder or feel luckier than I do now.
Ok....I remembered a great moment. It was the first time one of my kids went to the luncheon. It was a revealing event for her in several ways, but there was a moment when life came together for her. It was when the microphone rang out with talk of balloons and the explanations of blowing them up. I was howling with laughter and Clair? Not so much. She held her forehead in disbelief and when I finally got her to say something she looked me in the eye and said, "Dear Lord! They're just like you!" Hahaha....I laughed even harder! It was a beautiful day for my daughter to see me as an adult, not as her mommy.
ReplyDeleteOh, when both my daughters came to the luncheon they saw me in a different light too. Something about their Mom being around people who thought like she did and joked like she did about the people in her head. LOL!
DeleteMoms + kids + relating to cohorts = priceless
Yes, exactly. Priceless! <3
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