There’s just no way way around it. When Eddie Ross is in town and there is a gathering of bloggers, fun will be plentiful, and laughter will be abundant. I was one of about a dozen very fortunate bloggers invited to an invitation-only dinner at JCT Kitchen in Atlanta with Eddie and Jaithan and hosted by Steve McKenzie, CEO of Larson-Juhl . What a fun time it was! Steve is the consummate host and we were all so excited to be there.
I met SO many new bloggers and wish I had gotten a chance to sit down and talk in length with every single one of them. This is uber popular blogger, Jennifer, from The Peak of Chic. Jen is now a featured blogger in House Beautiful. I didn’t get a chance to speak with her in detail, but really enjoyed meeting her.
And this fun and sassy lady is none other than Mary Kay Andrews, famous Southern author, who has written many best selling books, including Savannah Blues, Savannah Breeze and her latest, The Fixer Upper. She’s hilarious and fun and I would love to have spent more time with her too. Click on that link to her blog to read about her crush on Eddie. She’s one funny lady!
One of my very faithful readers and frequent commenter, Jennifer with Fiddle Dee Dee, was also invited to the soiree. It was so much fun meeting her and she drove over from North Alabama. She and her hubby also came back for the framing workshop on Saturday.
Also in attendance was Kerry Howard, from the Top Design show, where he and Eddie met. Kerry’s a fun Southern gentlemen with a great drawl and quick wit and I met him last year at the Scott’s shopping trip I attended and first met Eddie. Great seeing him again too. This was a new to me blogger, Tammi with Talking with Tammi and I didn’t get to visit with her too much, but again enjoyed meeting everyone.
We had a nice long table and took our time with dinner, savoring every moment and talking up a storm.
There were conversations aplenty around this table. The food was exceptional, as well as the company.
Me, Jaithan, and Jennifer all sat next to each other.
Eddie and me.
I didn’t take a lot of food pics, but did manage to snap this of the dessert, donuts and coffee ice cream that Steve ordered up for the whole table. I was stuffed when I left the place. I had salmon for my main dish. I got to meet another Birmingham girl, Jennifer with Newlywed Diaries and she and I had a lot of fun chatting and getting to meet for the first time. She’s the cute little thing on the front row right, in that group shot above. Also, a special hello to my new friend, Patti, with Anatomy of a Dinner Party. So fun to meet her too!
We were there for 3 whole hours and I completely lost track of time, chatting it up with several people. There was one little glitch going on outside that we were all aware of, but weren ‘t too worried about. The weather. It was starting to snow and the temps were dropping like a rock. I, of course was staying with my parents and had told my mom that I expected I’d be gone a couple of hours and would call her if I was going to be later. Well, of course it went much longer than 2 hours, we talked and talked and when I walked outside, it was already after 10:00 pm. She had left me a voicemail on my phone getting a little panicky that I wasn’t home yet. I haven’t had to call my mama for a very long time. 🙂 I called her in a hurry to tell her I was fine and was about to leave for home. I did have to brush the snow off my back window to get out of the parking lot. Luckily, the roads weren’t too bad yet and I made it to my parent’s house just fine. It got down to about 13 that night and the next morning was pretty much a disaster with some very bad ice on the roads. We heard there was a 29 car pile-up in Atlanta and there were well over 400 accidents those couple of days with the snow and ice. My sister and I did manage to make it down to the Atlanta Gift Market on Friday late morning and I’ll tell you all about that later. Meanwhile, we’ll move on to Eddie’s framing workshop on Saturday. Another fun event!
Luckily, the weather cooperated Saturday and we didn’t have any trouble getting out for the framing workshop. Me, my sister, Renee and my friend, Renae Moore all met up to go together.
It was really great to visit Larson-Juhl in person. I had met Steve, the CEO last year on the Eddie shopping trip to Scott’s and you might remember, I did a framing giveaway with them back in October and they were so gracious to frame my newspaper articles for the giveaway and what a fantastic job that was. I adore those framed pieces! It was fun to see a tour of Larson-Juhl and to see what all they do, especially the printing process for Artaissance, their online art reproduction gallery that allows you to custom size artwork to fit your home decor needs. Check out Artaissance for some great and unique art ideas for your home.Walking into the foyer, we were greeted by these beautiful floral displays (made by Eddie, of course!). Since this was a tea, there were tea sandwiches, scones, beautiful dessert goodies, and more, such a delectable spread.
Tea, wine, and water were served on a beautifully displayed table. Notice the use of burlap.
Fresh flowers on a table display.
Perfect place for a Saturday afternoon party. Eddie was posing for pics with everyone, so of course I had to get another one of the 2 of us. Eddie is such a great talent, so creative and funny too. Everyone loves Eddie.
Steve McKenzie really knows how to throw a party. Nothing was left undone and we all felt pampered and served. Thank you, Steve, for the fun afternoon!
My friend, Renae Moore, me, Eddie, Mary Kay Andrews, Layla of The Lettered Cottage and her hubby, Kevin). Thanks, Layla, for letting me borrow some of your pics. 🙂
Picture taking was the event of the day too, with many group and individual shots. As you can imagine, when there are bloggers around, there will be lots of photos.
Layla, me, Angela from The Painted Cottage (who is taller than me!) , and Renae.
Eddie and Layla. I’ve noticed, all the girls like to touch Eddie on the tummy when they pose for pics. 🙂
Eddie shot some beautiful photos of his French basket collection on burlap and Larson-Juhl framed them up especially for this event. Take note of the larger middle print, that one was going in a raffle for a giveaway. Eddie took me over and showed me his wall and I was oohing and ahhing over the giveaway prize, exclaiming “I WANT that!”.
After visiting and eating for the first hour, we then went into a nice room for Eddie’s framing presentation. He’s a wealth of knowledge and it was fun watching the slideshow and hearing Eddie’s thought processes on the subject of framed art.
This was one slide showing an easy way to group art first before you nail all the holes in the wall, just to be sure you have it right.
Eddie in action. The last thing of the day was the raffle drawing for the giveaway framed print. When the glass jar was brought in, Steve reached in and drew out a name. I was willing it to be MINE….and guess what? To my total shock, it WAS!!
Eddie presented me with the print and we were laughing it up. I promise, it wasn’t rigged!
I was never so shocked in all my life. You know how you wish for something to happen and when it actually does, you can hardly believe it?! That’s how it felt! I was SO excited to get this beautiful piece of artwork.
And it’s going in my dining room, the perfect spot, I think. I had Eddie sign and date the back of it.
You can see my prize there on the floor. Renae, me and my sister, Renee. She enjoyed it all too and kept telling everyone who asked. No, I’m not a blogger, only one per family. She did take lots of pics for us though.
Me and Layla had fun catching up again.
Kevin and Layla, they are one cute couple. I was so happy to finally meet Kevin. He’s just like I pictured him to be.
Renae, Me, Eddie, Mary Kay Andrews, Layla and Kevin.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, we were all sent home with a beautiful canvas print of a Biltmore Collection Shield Back Chair that I can’t wait to frame.
And Eddie had procured original botanical prints out of an old book from a vendor at Scott’s for all of us too. What a day!
After a very eventful and fun weekend, it was time for me to head back to Birmingham. I got out of there just as the sun was beginning to set on I-20 and while listening to old school R&B, I made my way back to my Sweet Home Alabama and to my dear hubby.
What more could a girl ask for?! Not much.
Jojo says
Can’t wait to meet you next time! We should have more SE blogger events – maybe a weekend retreat? One of the blogs I read actually held such an event and it sounded heavenly. They held it in Macon with home/garden tours and even scheduled a day trip to Savannah for more of the same. Great inspiration!
Daisy Cottage says
What an awesome post!!!
LOVED reading about such a wonderful time and I’m absolutely thrilled for you! The photos are fabulous – girl you look amazing – LOVE all of them…. thank you for taking us again on one of your adventures! You share so beautifully and it is a real treat to live vicariously through you!
Love ya,
Kim
angela | the painted house says
Great post! You had a wonderful trip. Not gonna let a little treacherous ice hold you back, huh? 🙂 Again, wonderful meeting you!
Marty says
Sounds like such a wonderful weekend. So nice to meet fellow bloggers. Your prizes are just fabulous. Glad you had a great time. Hugs, Marty
Phillips Phamily Mama says
I know y’all had so much fun! That darn ice/snow kept me from coming, and I’m so bummed. It was great to read about your time with Eddie, Jaithan and all the other bloggers.
One of my favorite places to eat in ATL=JCT! I hope you had some of the “Angry Mussels” for appetizers. They are the best! Don’t you love the decor there?
Congrats on winning the framed piece. What a way to remember a fun weekend!
eddie ross says
Aww Rhoda,
What a sweet post! Jaithan and I had so much fun this weekend with you and all of the other bloggers! I think it was a great way to start 2010!
xo
Eddie + Jaithan
B'ham nancy says
How exciting and congraduations. I feel like we all won through
you because we get to hear all about it and see the pics.
SmellingCoffee says
Congratulations on your win! And thanks for sharing your fun time with us.
Blessings to you,
Jennifer
Tami says
It was so nice to meet you too! Im so sorry we didnt get to chat more but I was so happy to see you won that piece of artwork! Woot! I love your blog very Pinktastic!
KM Family says
You all just loo as if you are glowing!
Looks like a fantastic time!!
Layla says
It was GREAT seeing you again Rhoda!
LOVE your pics too!
Layla 🙂
Debra says
Hi Rhoda,
I was almost as excited as you just reading this post. Thanks for all the pix and sharing it with us!
Congrats on winning that beautiful print that is PERFect for your DR. 🙂 Can’t wait to see where you hang it.
Maureen says
I so regret that i could not make this after your heads-up! Looks like a fabulous time, and I would LOVE to attend something like this next time ’round. And let me just say, you look great, dear friend!
xoxo
WendyBee says
Wow! What a trip! And lucky you to win the drawing…looking forward to seeing it in your home.
You are truly photogenic! What a lovely picture you make!
Thanks for sharing all the fun with us!
WendyBee
Kathy says
What fun you guys had….so wish I lived closer 🙁 I just adore anything Eddie….I love visiting his site…. I should have asked you to put in a good word about me….I hope little ole annon me doesn’t scare him with all my blog love….YIKES I sure hope not….
Lucky duck you….what a great raffle prize….you make me think of my Mother….she always wins the raffle….well me …not so much….remember the moniker Susan Lucci i gave myself…although I have won a couple of groovy things recently…. It’s such a thrill to wait for the mail when that occurs….
Super post Rhoda….
I so agree Layla and Kevin are adorable…
All the best,
Kathy 🙂
ps I felt for your Mum…..when we Mothers are told 2 hours at one min past we start to worry !!!
Joyce says
What a fun time you all had and your so lucky to be the winner of the drawing. I wanted to attend on Saturday but our street ended up being like an ice skating rink with all the ice. Now the JCT kitchen is one of my favorite places to eat. I live only 5 minutes from there and love the menu. The decor reminds me of when I use to live out in San Francisco. If you are in town again try Flip for gourmet type burgers for lunch, also on the same road. Now I am thinking about food instead of dieting. Oh and you look wonderful:) Enjoy the day.
Joyce
Renae says
Miss Rhoda!
So good seeing you again and it was definitely a ‘tea’ to remember! Great fun, hope to see you again soon!
xx
Lisa@DestinationSeaborn says
Congratulations you lucky lady! I loved seeing all your pics, it’s the next best thing to being there. I remember Eddie and Kerry from TV, it’s great to see them again and know they’re really down to earth! I can’t wait to see what you do with the botanical print. Have a great week! ~Lisa
Kathy@Creative Home Expressions says
What fun, Rhoda! So glad the snow didn’t put a damper on the weekend. You look marvelous, as usual, and I love your outfit with those boots! ; ) Eddie looks fabulous and I think everyone poses that way with him because of his vests ~ he wears them very well, I think! Love the chair print and it looks like you all had a great time.
Jennifer says
I had such a great time meeting and chatting with you, Rhoda! Hated to have to miss the framing party, looks like ya’ll had a great time!