What a meeting! I don't know about you, but I learned so much and met so many nice people. If you weren't able to make the conference this year make plans for next year. You won't regret it, although you may go home a few pounds heavier.
For starters, I missed most of Sundays' meetings because I was taking the ServSafe Certification Class which I have to admit was very informative. I thought after this many years of cooking I would not have any surprises, but I did. Put raw chicken on the bottom shelf, ground beef on the next to the bottom, OK sounds good to me. Who says an old dog can't learn new tricks.
Anyway, I passed.
Anyway, I passed.
In the meantime, there was an Aspiring Innkeeper Workshop, headed by Carolyn Waterman. I talked to one of the "interim Innkeeper/Inn Sitters" and was very impressed with her knowledge. This workshop was headed by Barry and Bonnie Ponstein.
I wish I could have had an opportunity to listen to "Answers to Your Web Questions" hosted by Earl Hardy, our own Bed and Breakfast Association Website Advisor. Maybe next time we can schedule this at different times so everyone will have a chance to talk to the "Webmaster." I need all the help I can get.
I also missed the "Making an Inexpensive Gift Basket Look Expensive", but I saw her baskets and read her handout and walked away with alot of good ideas. Thank you Carolyn Taylor.
There was a reception with Vendors and exhibitors. Alot of freebies, pencils, magnets, soaps, etc. I love free STUFF. Next year maybe we can have a canvas bag, with our logo, and we can put all this free STUFF into it.
I did make the Alabama River Dinner Cruise aboard the "Phoenix" riverboat. It was cold and it was dark, but the lights outside were beautiful and the food warmed our souls. Carolyn Waterman was the main speaker on "Keeping the Light Burning Brightly--How to Prevent Burnout". There was a suggestion...maybe at that time we could have introduced one of the interim innkeepers?
We started our mornings with a fabulous breakfast presented by the Embassy Suites Inn. That's where the "extra pounds" come in. Eat, eat, eat, sit, sit, sit, oh what a way to spend the holiday. Oh, by the way. Next year, Mardi Gras will be later. No excuses not to attend.
Now to the meat of the matter.
What a pleasure to meet First Lady Patsy Riley. If I could speak like her, no notes, just up front and personal, I would have really accomplished something (and my English teacher would be very impressed.) She made me proud to be a B&B owner when she said we opened our homes in the wee hours of the morning to weary travelers with a smile just like her mother used to do so many years ago.
Mrs. Riley was followed by Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright who also was very enthusiastic about the Alabama Bed and Breakfast Association. What a privilege to have these important, prestigious people take the time to speak to our organization. They were sincere about their appreciation of our time and efforts , especially in promoting tourism in Alabama. Many kudos to the people who worked on getting our speakers for this convention.
Lee Sentell, Director of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, was our next speaker. Do you want to get your B&B in the next issue of the Alabama Travel Guide, send in a picture and some information and .....just maybe.
This is someone you definitely want on your side. Talk about PR.
Kathy Danielson from the Foley Convention and Visitor Bureau was the next speaker. Her topic was "Tourism On A Shoestring Budget." Kathy is responsible for planning and implementing at least four events per year and assists other groups who are producing events in the community. I remember when Foley was just a one stop sign town you drove through on the way to the beach. Now, it has alot going on and I feel sure this is due to Kathy's endeavors. We should keep her in mind for tourism in our different areas. I bet she could come up with some neat ideas.
Lorna Reeves, editor of Taste of the South, presented us all with the latest editions of Tea Time, Taste of the South and Southern Lady. This is the second edition of The Alabama Bed and Breakfast ad and it is a keeper. Please get some extra copies for your guests. It is a great picture. She did a nice presentation of "A Partnership in Hospitality."
"Your Press Kit--What Belongs and What Doesn't" was very informative. Lynn Edge, freelance writer of The Birmingham News, is also known for editing and designing cookbooks and consulting with B & B's getting ready to open.
A cooking demonstration was presented by Chef Dennis Wingler of the Embassy Suites Hotel. Sauteed Chicken Breasts with caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes was on the menu. Followed by a reception and the announcement of the Silent Auction Winners. I hope we did well with the Silent Auction. There were some beautiful items up for bid.
Dinner was followed by a tour of the Hank Williams Museum by manager Beth Parker. Of course, everyone knows Montgomery is Hank's home town. Although, I always thought Georgiana had that claim to fame.
Prior to adjourning the Conference for 2008, everyone met for the annual meeting. I believe all of the important items were covered in Lillie's last email. Thank goodness.
Now, something light and sweet by Carolyn Bivins, extension agent, as copied from the Brewton Standard:
A group of graduates were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups--porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite--telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:
"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you 're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
When all you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup: but you consciously went for the best cups...and then you began eyeing each others cups. Now consider this:
Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. the cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate we have.
The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.
Please live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak Kindly.
Thank the Lord for your blessings in 2007. And enjoy your hot chocolate in 2008.
Remember, the happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.
A recipe Quaint on Brooklyn would like to share (please send in your favorites)
Keep the pot boiling.
Quaint Frittata
1 stick unsalted butter
2 bunches sliced scallions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
12 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 package frozen shopped spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups chopped artichoke hearts
4 small unpeeled red potatoes, cooked and chopped
1 bell pepper diced
4 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper.
Melt the butter in a cast iron skittle and add the scallions, garlic, mushrooms, spinach, artichoke hearts, bell pepper and potatoes. Saute until the vegetables are tender. Spread in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Beat the eggs with the heavy cream in a large bowl. Add the cheese, salt and pepper and mix well. Pour over the vegetables. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until light brown and done. Serve immediately.
You may top with chopped tomatoes, roasted garlic and/or sour cream.