Right now, I feel like that athlete who shouted after the Super Bowl win…..I’m going to Disney World.
Only it’s not Disney World and It’s a Small World, but BlogHer 11 in San Diego and a great big blog world!
I blogged this week about my mama’s homemade chicken and dumplings and now I get the chance to back it up. Put my cooking skills to the test! Uhhh oh and yiippppeee! I just got the email on Friday that I’m one of 8 finalists chosen out of 200 entries for the Knorr chicken stock concentrate cooking contest.
All 8 of us are getting an all-expenses paid trip to BlogHer 11 in San Diego, CA which will be August 4-6. Yikes, less than 2 weeks from now. Here are the other 7 finalists:
Rumor has it we’ll be cooking LIVE in front of an audience. Oh man, talk about pressure. I’ve got to start practicing with my mama, since she can’t go with me. 🙂 There will be 4 finalists chosen at that time to represent Knorr. Of course, I would love to win that too, but if I don’t, I will be so happy and excited just to go to the finals and to BlogHer 11. I have always wanted to attend since I’ve been with the BlogHer network for 3 years.
My parents are up in the mountains for the next week, putting up corn (that’s freezing corn if you don’t know the lingo) and I’ve got to find a day for practice before I fly off in that airplane to CA.
I know you are ALL excited for me, so I couldn’t wait to share it with you too. Talk about jumping up and down and squealing with excitement! That was me all weekend, pinching myself once again.
Most of you who have been reading my blog know that this has been an incredibly hard year for me. In fact, the hardest year of my life. So many devastating losses, disappointments, and broken dreams, but here’s one thing I can tell you:
God has been blessing my socks off since I have moved back to Georgia. It’s as if he is smiling down on me and whispering, “just wait and see what I’ve got in store for you next.”
That blesses me SO much and I’m extremely thankful to Him for opening these doors and giving me all the wonderful opportunities that are coming my way. This is just the latest in a list that is getting longer by the day.
Thank you, Lord, for your blessings!
Color me grateful.
Linking to Richella’s Grace Imparted party!
Congratulations Rhoda! Thanks for such a fun and resourceful blog. My home looks better because of you.
A well deserved win! Congrats.
Congratulations Rhoda!!! I’m so happy that you have this opportunity.
I’m just tickled pink for you! I am so happy that you get to go to California for this…and I wish you well.
Have a Wonderful time!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
Congrats Rhoda! You so deserve it! I am glad there as been plenty of sunshine following your days of rain. It’s amazing the curveballs life throws at you that totally turn out for the best! We have been hit with our own curveball in the last week that may change so much for us. It’s a wait and see game now. You understand that, I know.
Have a wonderful time in California! I can’t wait to hear of your grand adventures!
Jen
So excited for you…..Hope you win
Congrats- what fun!!!
Sweet Rhoda~
I am THRILLED for you!
Those Chicken and Dumplin’s look so YUM!
You will be a HUGE hit bringing that SOUTHERN tradition to the West Coast!
Good for YOU!
Wish I could see you cook!
I’m sorry.
I didn’t know you have been struggling with some heart breaks and disappointments.
HUGS to you from Bainbridge!
And…I had NO idea you had moved to Georgia.
So much has happened.
I send you LOVE and JOY and PEACE!
Isn’t it wonderful when you wake up each day and KNOW FOR SURE that GOD is leading your LIFE in HIS direction!
Yeah!
can’t wait to see what He has in store for YOU!
Hugs and LOVE and SUNSHINE!
xo
Rhoda~
Sweet Rhoda~
There are so many things I want to say.
I went back in your post to discover a bit of what has broken your heart and changed your course.
Let me just say how much I admire you for keeping on keeping on.
What a testimony you are.
It’s so scary how fragile life is.
From day to day…moment to moment…we just never know.
You are such a BRIGHT star shining amongst us all!
One day you will look back and see just HOW BRIGHT you shined through this darkness.
The irony is…the walk you are taking with God can only be taken when you’re in the darkness of the valley.
So many life lessons to be learned.
Your life will be forever changed having walked so close to GOD.
Hugs from Bainbridge!
Please know my HEART is thinking of you and praying for you!
You are strengthening so many who are watching!
YOU HAVE NO IDEA who all you are lifting as you share your brokenness.
I adore you and KNOW that BIG~AWESOME~AMAZING things are in store for YOU!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
God is blessing you and you in turn are blessing us by sharing such exciting news. I can’t wait to read all about your trip.
Congrats Rhoda! I am tickled pink for you! Yep God is good ALL the time isn’t He? Again congrats girl!!!
Rose
Welcome to my neck of the woods! I grew up in San Diego (now I live closer to L.A.) I hope you love it, and congratulations!
(Let me know if you want a sous chef…hint hint…I’d love to meet you!)
Way to go Rhoda!!!! Congrats. and have a fabulous trip to CA. I’m headed that way but further north next weekend. Let’s hope we have cooler weather on the west coast.
Loved watching your sweet mom’s hands roll the pastry – so glad you are doing well and that life is getting better.
Hugs – Mary
Life is certainly smiling on you these days!! As I was reading this, I told my husband “Rhoda has a silver horseshoe stashed away someplace that I need to find!” Ah girl, you deserve it! You’re great…I’ve never met you, but I think you are about as genuine as they come! Best of luck and more importantly, may God continue to bless you!! 😀
♥ Becky in SC
Congratulations, Rhoda! I am so happy for you. Good Luck in California. I am so glad God is blessing you.
Congrats my friend, I’ll be rooting for you, and I wish I could come see you but it’s a 10 hour drive! I want to be there to see you cook, I miss you so, but it will be a great success I’m sure! Win, Rhoda, win!!!!
xo
Kate
Dearest Rho:
I am so happy for you. God has truly blessed you..and I feel that this is just the beginning. Earlier this year was a very dark time for you. I prayed and prayed for you that God would bring you back here safely to us, and He did. You are a beautiful person who deserves every good and perfect gift that this life has to offer.
Now go out there and show those folks how to cook. You learned from the master – your Momma is an amazing cook.
Love you friend!
Judy
Rhoda,
Congratulations! So happy for you. I am sure you will do great although (for me) the thought of cooking in front of an audience would be scary but if anyone can do it you can!
I had just thought recently how happy and content you are after moving to Georgia. Definitely proving that you have picked yourself up, dusted yourself off and are taking life by storm.
So happy for you. God is good!
Think of you often – like every time I look at the chandelier in my living room 🙂
Mary
WOW! Congratulations!! I really can’t wait to read all about it!
Rhoda, I have to tell you that my heart just broke for you when I read that you had been hit with something so major. I’m so thankful that blessings have followed so quickly!!
Have fun practicing those dumplings! 🙂
Rhoda, Congrats and have a wonderful time!!