Oh, FUN! I have no doubt the food was good, and that you felt right at home with each other. Isn't it great to meet someone for the first time that you feel you already know? Yes, those two are experts at Southern Hospitality and know just how to do it right!

Tell us which gadgets, please you're putting on your list. Inquiring mind wants to know!

claire de luna,

My list of gadgets are: A hand blender (or as Emeril calls it, a boat motor) for blending soups, etc. I've never used one until today. Cathy also has a onion chopper that I loved. I'm not sure I can describe it. You put the onion in the bottom, press down and the onion chops and pops up into a holding cup. It was great. I will have to find it on-line I'm sure.

I had such a great time. She served us the best orange juice I've ever had in my life. Fresh, Florida orange juice was like heaven in a glass!

I do hope pictures are on the way. Did you get a glimpse inside Cathy's famously well-organized freezer??

I'll be watching for pictures too, I'm sorry you're missing all this lovely snow, though. (grin)

But what? No drinking? No wine? No vodka in the orange juice? I thought it was required. Of course, I know that Cathy is even less of a drinker than I am...

Annie

Fresh orange juice makes me think of Fuzzy Navels...

What a wonderful day you both had with two of the CF's best people. Did you also get to meet Buster Frank?

You can grab the onion chopper at Bed Bath and Beyond. They have the "as seen on TV" version that works great.

BTW, I have your braiser in my closet waiting for yor return in April. We can settle up then, so don't fret about it.

dedtired, Yes I did get a look in her freezer and in her cabinet too. She is so organized, I just want to go home and throw everything out of my cabinets and start over. Their home is beautiful!!

Peppi, That is just so kind of you to buy the braiser for me. Yes, I did meet Buster Frank. I wanted to take him home! We lost our cat last spring when we came home from Florida. I love kittys!!

Annie, A little too early in the day for even me to have a glass of wine.

Eh, excuses, excuses. (grin) Wine is made from grapes. Grapes are fruit. Experts say we should get more fruit. It's good for breakfast. Yeah, that's it.....

Annie

OMG-Turns out it was Brad and Angelina!! What an attractive and charming couple. They even charmed Buster Frank. Ray and I enjoyed hearing about them and their beautiful family. What big hearts. Of course we shared grandbaby stories. This is definately a "do over" get together.

We had a great time in the kitchen; isn't that what CF members enjoy most? Karen and I agreed that we are not on the same level on the cooking scale as a lot of you, but we enjoy learning and the comaraderie.

I wanted to showcase the fresh squeezed OJ from the grove down the street so I poofed a drinky. I ran it by Peppi who said it was doable. OJ ice cubes
Peach nectar ice cubes
Triple Sec
Peach Schnapps

Blended for a frozen drink. I think I'll call it Lutz (pronounced Loots) Lightening.

Lunch wasn't fancy as it was about the visit. We had Muffaletta, Napa Slaw, and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque.

As far at the gadgets, I really didn't want to expose my EC side so I only brought out the few necessary to make lunch. Well, except for the watermelon seed remover, I thought Steve would appreciate trying to figure that one out.

The link below is for the dicer. I love it so I'm always perplexed by the negative reviews. Karen didn't have a problem using it.

CeL and I enable each other when it comes to gadgets; we can't help sharing when we come across a new one.

A few pictures are forth coming. Gotta figure out the new camera.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dicer-Chopper

I want that chopper. Sure hope they have it at BB&B, because that link says they are no longer available at QVC.

It sounds like y'all had a great time! What's more fun than hanging out with friends in the kitchen playing with gadgets?

Sally

Cathy, it sounds like you served a great lunch and had a good time.

Nancy

I agree, Nancy, lunch sounds delicious and I've never been to a CF get together where people didn't have a good time, we're a fun bunch. (grin)

I'm still looking for pictures...

Annie

I never doubted for one minute that this CF get-together would be anything less than fabulous!

That "drinky" sounds delish, Cahty!

I can't wait to see pictures!

Linda

Oh my goodness, I forgot to talk about the wonderful drink! (Lutz Lightening) The fresh orange juice was just incredible. I want a "do over" too! Next time in Michigan. I told Steve, we have a lot to get done when we get home so I can have a CFer party at our house. Cathy please, Peppi, Sherry, Annie from the mid-west, and anyone else who would care to make the trip. Jim, Lou????? It will be a beach party at the lake.

You will all have to bring sleeping bags because we have a really small house. Ha! But, we can make it work.

Karen, you are on! After all, I have to deliver the braiser.

(Does this poor women know what she has gotten herself into? Old time CF'ers at a house party?)

Cathy, watermelon seed remover? Now that I have to google.

karen, I'm in. I even have a tent to go with those sleeping bags but remember, I'm not far from Elery's there, so we could make additional sleeping arrangements there. Or we could rent one of those big campers and park it in your yard, LOL. that oughta get the neighbors happy!

Annie

What a great time! Now, Karen, you know we'll all take you up on it. We'll be in MI sometime this summer. I can borrow a sleeping bag from someone in the family. I'll be watching for more details.

Ann

Hee...heee...heee...I am just a hop, skip and a jump from Michigan. I could definintely make it to a house party!

And I have all kinds of camping gear/accommodations! Just give me dates. As long as they don't conflict with canoe trip....I can be there!!

Linda

Cathy did you show her your laundry room, LOL!

Pictures?

Sounds like a slumber party in the works!

Jessica, I didn't specifically show her the laundry room but we were talking about limited space so I showed her the cabinets that I shoved into the laundry room wall to make a pantry. Steve was eying it with a look that said "I can do that".

What a wonderful day! Max and I know how much fun it is to be with Cathy and Raymond and I'm sure Karen and Steve are great too.

Lunch and Lutz Lightening sound perfect.

Cathy, I just sigh (not sure if it's desperation or envy, probably both), when I see photos of your storage. You will always be the organization queen to me, although I like your gadgets too.

I never realized before that your laundry room pantry was three cabinets in the wall. What a fabulous idea that is.

Lee