Dinner at Christina’s
Well, it was lunch, but that’s the name of her blog! I was running about 20 minutes late but still was the first to arrive. I was kind of nervous/anxious because while I know these women through their blogs, it can be different when you actually meet in person! And I am considerably older than these women, so that was a variable! But I felt at home once we started talking about food! 
And it wasn’t until I got home that I realized that we didn’t take a group photo!
Christina made two of my favorite things – baked brie and bacon wrapped cheese filled jalapenos!
She also had a vegetable tray:
I made my pizza – I wished I would have thought to make the dough in front of them because it is so easy. Two cups flour, 1 cup warm water, 1 package of yeast and 1 teaspoon of salt, then you are ready to roll out the dough! My pizza was pepperoni and red pepper with fresh basil. And I used my new pizza tray which I LOVE!
Michelle from Lucky Taste Buds made this pasta salad:
And she gave us each a goodie bag – how sweet was that??
With an equally cute note tucked inside:
One of the things in the goodie bag I am most wanting to try:
Yep, read about them on tons of food blogs, but yet to try!
We were talking so much I forgot to take many pics – and am bummed I forgot to get a picture of Mara’s white chicken soup! It was so good!
After my pizza came out of the oven, Christina unveiled her Mom’s zucchini pie recipe – which is a family secret! I totally wanted the recipe!
The above picture was right out of the oven – my slice below – and happily NO ONIONS were present!
Christina’s Dad visited recently, and not only did he make her TONS of sausage, he made this delicious hot sauce – is that a family secret too??!! I told the girls how while I love hot sauce, I like flavorful hot sauce, and this one fit the bill!
And what a perfect hostess – she even had to go containers!! (apparently you can buy them at the Dollar Tree – who knew?!)
But the best part is that I came home with these – hot and sweet sausage – along with homemade breakfast sausage!
I have my thinking cap on and plan on making one dinner this week from some of the sausage – THANK YOU!
And for dessert, Michelle made cashew banana chocolate chip bread – it smells so good! You may see this as part of my breakfast tomorrow!
It was so nice meeting these lovely ladies, just wish my sister would have been able to make it!
Off to snuggle with Tony – come back tomorrow for my step-son Joe’s birthday blog!
Wow, what a wonderful spread, it all looks super tasty.
WOW! I am so jealous! I’m so glad that ya’ll had a great time!
I had so much fun with you girls!! We’ll have to get together again soon…and yes, Mama Rini’s ASAP!
Sounds like it was so much fun – and what great eats!!!
What a fun blogger meet up!
Also, if you are interested, I’m having a giveaway for a year’s subscription to Vegetarian Times Magazine on my blog in case you want to check it out!
what amazing food!!!! food blogger potluck = better than any restaurant!
Mmmmm……. a visual FEAST!!
Sounds like some wonderful fellowship to go with the delicious food.
Peace,
Boozy & Broke
a wonderful gathering with great food!
how fun!
What a fabulous time! I just read Mara’s post and got so jealous -the food and company looks seriously amazing!
Wow!! That entire spread looks amazing! You bloggies are such fabulous cooks
I’m sorry I missed it too!
Everything looked great!!!
What a fun meet-up. I haven’t read Christina’s blog but I will have to check it out now. I do read Michelle’s though, and yours, so just knowing you two, I KNOW the food was good!
ahhh what a wonderful post on our get together!!! It was SO great meeting you and putting a face to the person.
Next time, I’d LOVe to meet Hannah! She sounds like she’d be a great role model for messy me. hehehehe Of course, the next time I’d love to meet your sister too! I had NO idea you guys were even related, so it was quite a cool surprise to find out. hehehe
It was great meeting you too! Thanks again for the goodie bag!
Wow…. a bog meet-up?!?!? How fun!!!! Your pizza looks GREAT! You’re right…. that IS an easy pizza crust! I may try that!
-A
Thanks, Biz!! I seriously had a fantastic time w/ you guys too. I also was really nervous beforehand, but as soon as you came in the door w/ your personality I was like “PHEW it’s gonna be ok!” hahah
And, no, the hot sauce isn’t a family secret! 
I’ll ask my dad for the recipe for you. Thanks for coming and we’ll have to do this again! Maybe we can rotate house to house to split up the long drives, or find a semi-central restaurant.
Thanks again Christina! Maybe eat out next time – Schaumburg seems like a central location
The blogger meet ups are so fun! We started one here in LA, but it was at a restaurant, so no one cooked. Ironic, huh? But it’s a really fun thing to do!
What an awesome spread!! That sounds like so much fun. It makes me think I need to get together with some D.C. area bloggers! I’d love to meet many of my favorites in person. I’m glad y’all were able to get together. Your pizza looks to die for.
That pizza looks so yummy! My mouth is watering…and that pasta salad too!! I’m a carbaholic haha!
What a great spread you had there at your blogger meet up
How fun!
Wow, that is a GOURMET potluck! The food looks awesome, and those are lovely pics, too!