Woohoo! Today is the launch of the Paula Deen Network! If you haven’t subscribed, you can do so here. I’m so excited for the entire Deen family as they begin this new chapter. Subscribe now and don’t miss out on the fun!!
Alrighty…speaking of people I love, I got to spend the weekend in Nashville with Erika and 1200 other amazing Christian mamas at the Dot Mom conference. Goodness! It was so much fun!
Not only did I get to see so many of my sweet friends, I was able to meet so many new ones. The best part though…was the encouragement I received about motherhood and marriage during the weekend. Between the speakers during the general sessions and the breakout classes I attended, I felt very blessed by what everyone had to say.
Erika and I left early, early on Friday morning and flew to Nashville. We landed, rented a car and drove to Hendersonville. Dot Mom started at 1:00 and we were there right on time (well, first we ate some yummy Mexican food and then we were there right on time!).
The conference broke at 5:30 for dinner and we met Ashley, Kelly, Jenn, Laurie and Heather for dinner. It was Jenn’s birthday, so we celebrated! We especially celebrated because on Jenn’s birthday last year, she had just been diagnosed with cancer and shaved her head on her last birthday. Praise the Lord she is in remission!!
After dinner, we went back for the evening session. By the time we returned to the hotel at 9:30, Erika and I were beat! It had been a long (but very rewarding) day!
We’re ready to go on Day 2!! I love spending time with my sweet friend :).
Kelly and I took a selfie before worship began that morning.
After the morning session and the breakout session, the conference broke for lunch at 12:30. At this time, Erika and I decided to head out to Franklin, TN for some shopping and eating.
Pie in Franklin. Oh mercy…it was delicious!
We shopped and ate our way through Franklin before returning to Hendersonville for dinner and a movie. We got back to our hotel around 10:30, went to sleep and were up at 4:45 to catch our flight back to Dallas.
I got home at 10:30 (while Andrew and the kiddos were at church) and the house was spotless, the laundry done and two sweet notes were left for me. After church, I met them for lunch and then we came home, napped in front of the TV, ate cookies and stayed in our comfy clothes all day. I love spending time with my girlfriends but there is no where on earth I would rather be than at home with my family.
On the foodie blog today, the perfect breakfast for your fall mornings….
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Oh my word it looks like y'all had so much fun!!!!! Friends, worship, shopping, eating…Yes, that's a good time! But I'm losing my mind over the idea of Snickerdoodle Monkey Bread. THAT IS FREAKING GENIUS!!!!
Tara G. says
Rejoicing with you!! The pie looked fantastic!
Tab & Erika says
Had a great time this weekend friend!!! I agree with Sheaffer…that looks DELISH!!
kimm atwood says
Sounds like an amazing weekend
Natalie Zambreski says
Sounds like so much fun! I can't even imagine how good and rich snickerdoodle monkey bread would be!
PS- this is my first married Christmas, and my husband LOVES monkey bread on Christmas morning. I love all your different twists on monkey bread and think it will be such a fun tradition for us in the next 100 years! 😉
Tracy says
What fun! Love the selfie you took with Kelly – two of my favorite bloggers! I agree that with family is my favorite place to be but I do come away feeling totally refreshed when I've had a fun time away with my girlfriends. Dot Mom sounds like a blast!
Leigh says
I wanted to go to that conference so bad! I couldn't take off work because I just went back after maternity leave. I hope you enjoyed Nashville and Franklin. I live in Franklin. There's so many cute places to eat and shop. Now to get that snickerdoodle monkey bread recipe! My hubby loves snickerdoodle anything.
Anonymous says
Love your blog. Looks like you had fun at the Dot Mom conference! I have a question… As a Christian woman, how do you address/defend Paula's negative media that happened last year. I know that you and her are friends and this might be a sensitive subject. Does what she said offend you because your daughter Ashby is from another culture/race?
Mix and Match Mama says
I believe in repentance and forgiveness…she has repented from her actions and so I feel like she should be forgiven.
Rachel Pursley says
Oh my! Hate I missed you (Long Hollow Baptist Church is my home-church)!! But so glad you were able to experience the best Hendersonville/Nashville/Franklin has to offer! 🙂
Amanda A. says
You were in my town! 🙂 I live about 10 minutes away from downtown Franklin. I hope you enjoyed your time while you were here. I cannot wait to make this monkeybread as well! 🙂
Kelly Stamps says
WHOOO I look a little dreadful in that selfie. ha! But I'm glad I got to have a little time with you and Erica! it was fun to meet in person!
Shesabigstar says
Isn't Franklin just the cutest town to shop around… love it there!
Chrystal Richardson says
That pie was from Merridees! That was my first job and i worked there for about 6 years! That is a place that is still so dear to my heart so it makes me happy that you were able to stop in and enjoy some amazing pie!
Chrystal Richardson says
I'm so glad you stopped in and enjoyed some pie from Merridees! That was my first ever job where I worked for about 6 years and it is still a place that warms my heart! I hope you enjoyed it 🙂
audra wray says
Can we have Shay Shull on the Paula Deen Network please?? That would be icing on the Paula deen cake!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am :). Five segments this fall!
The Nelson Happenings says
DOT looks like a ton of fun !! Love the selfie of you and Kelly !!!I'm hopping over to your foodie blog now ! It's my favorite 🙂
Betsy Lynn says
Glad you enjoyed your time at the conference. My husband does events at Long Hollow, I told him you were there and if he saw you to ask for a picture 🙂
Katie says
Would love to hear your biggest take-away from the conference-the overall theme of what you heard, something that was said that encouraged you or challenged you.
Anonymous says
Will you post the days/dates you will be on Paula Deen's network so we know ahead of time to make sure we watch! Thx
Anonymous says
Will we be able to see any clips on your blog fr Paula's network? Pretty please! 🙂
Anonymous says
Congrats to your brother on his book deal! You must be so proud of him. I can't wait to read it.
Ashley says
It was wonderful to spend time with you! I felt like I knew you already but it was special to get to have dinner together 🙂 Hopefully I'll see you again soon!
Ranisa says
Totally off the subject of every other comment but I wanted to say that I love love your lipstick color. I know you mentioned it in a previous post but I think it compliments you do well. Perfect color. I like it better than st German.
Anonymous says
My friend just got engaged to Paula's step son 🙂
J.Marie says
I've always wanted to tell you that your commitment to your faith is inspiring, i wish I had that.