I don't have time for more than a drive-by post right now but I'm all smiles. :) What a fun time!

Bobby, you look great!

Eileen

It sounds like you had a good time and I'm sure the food was fabulous.

Cathy, I remember when you pulled out a bunch of gadget's at a get together here in Michigan. You made us all write down what we thought the gadget was for. It was hard, I know I had no idea about a few of them. It was a fun game and I learned a few things.

Bobby, have fun playing with your new pots and pans and show us what you make using them. Need recipes? Just ask!

Nancy

Kevin and I would definitely like to join you and Bobby on a future get-together. Kevin has a friend in Tampa who wants us to visit her (I met her when Kevin was in grad school with her, and so she knows me). I thought we could fly to Orlando for a cheap flight, rent a car, and then drive to Tampa. We could see Bobby in Orlando, but I'm more interested in Tampa, since it has beaches. I'm a bit afraid that Orlando will remind me too much of Orange County, but I will keep an open mind. I'm looking at the weather averages, and it looks like March and November are the best months - the same as Texas. I remember the Gulf being warm enough for swimming in early November and being quite tepid in October, but I've only been to the Texas Gulf Coast. I remember lots of jellyfish in the water and Portuguese Man-of-War, which were pretty scary. Maybe Kevin's friend has a swimming pool, or maybe there is a nice water park in the area. October might be better for a water park.

You coffee brownies sound really good. The only way I consume coffee is in desserts like cookies and ice cream, but the brownies sound even better than the cookies. I might want to substitute Amaretto for the rum, but rum is good too, although I would probably rather drink it.

Lars

Bobby, You do look great. Love that smile. And now nice to get together with Cathy and that wonderful Italian meal. Simply delicious maybe but not simple.

I think it is great that you are adopting some of Cathy's pots and pans. They are going to a good home.

~Ann

Wow, I'd love some of those brownies, especially with Bobby and Cathy! Can I have a cup of coffee with them?

I'm sure Cathy's pots are getting a good home, where they will be well appreciated.

You look great, Bobby, and I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures of the things you make with those new pots. double bonus that Cathy got vacuum cleaner help.

Annie

Bobby! You are so handsome, and what a good sport to pose for the pictures. You guys had fun! Too bad about the store closing early, although it does give you an excuse to get together again.

The card is darling. What fun!

A frying pan in a Neutrogena box... Anyone else singing Ole Dan Tucker?

Sounds like a great get together and a nice way to give a second life to some cookware.

Wow. I'm still basking in the afterglow. Cathy is an amazing host and person, as many of you already know.

I knew we would have a good time and I was excited when we began planning this, and my excitement wasn't in vain. I had more fun than I even fathomed was possible!

I initially wanted to get Cathy a wok for her new induction stove as a way to say thanks because she'd posted about that Breville wok... but I changed my mind because I knew she'd have likely already gotten one herself. Well, I was wrong... she'd already gotten TWO (one large and one small)! I figured that with her downsizing and trying to get rid of "stuff', the best thing to give her would be something she could consume and not have to store... so that's where the snickerdoodles came in. I lost my coffee grinder and had to grind the cinnamon with the mciroplane!

So, I hopped in the car and headed for her house... it took an hour and 15 minutes to get there.

When I arrived, I was greeted with this on the front door!

What a nice welcome! She opened the door and we hugged and started talking like old friends. I've only met her once before and it was when we had a group gathering in Orlando... it has been about 4 years now, but still, there was no awkwardness at all.

When we planned the get together, she asked me what I liked to drink. I joked that I normally liked coke and rum, but tea would be fine for our gathering I didn't expect her to serve me a glass of coke and rum as soon as I arrived, but she did while we waited on the bread to finish. I was also introduced to 3 of the most beautiful kitties I'd ever seen.

Then we went off to the store that closes 30 minutes before it is supposed to. No matter, this was about spending quality time together and even fighting rush hour traffic, we had a lovely conversation in the car.

Back at the house, we continued talking while she finished getting the food ready. She showed me some of her "craziness" (The meal was even more delicious than my eyes and nose lead me to predict. She asked me if I drank red wine. I told Mrs. Cathy that I only drank Sangria as far as "wine" goes. She pulled out a bottle of Sangria and poured me a glass! Are you kidding!?

When we planned this, she asked me if salad would be OK. She wanted to know what I liked and wanted me to be honest. I told her I didn't like tomatoes, but otherwise salad was fine. I told her my favorite dressings were ranch or bleu cheese... she said that she always put olive oil and vinegar on salads, so when I arrived, I was shocked to see that this sweet lady had made a special purchase just for me... bleu cheese dressing! I would have been fine with oil and vinegar, but it just shows how caring and accommodating she is that she did that! The homemade bread was amazing and the spaghetti with meat sauce, meatballs and sausage was just over the top. I wanted to stuff the leftovers in my pocket :o)

The dessert was out of this world! I can't even describe how good it was. I was going to ask for the recipe, so thanks Cathy for posting it :o) I'm going to make it for my next quilt group meeting!

After we ate, the gadget game ensued. I knew what some of them were because I'd seen them posted here in past threads, but a few of them stumped me. I tried to look perplexed in the picture, but I think I ended up looking like I'd just gotten wind of a bad smell :o)

Then we did the Adopt-a-pot thing, and the adopt-a-magazine thing... and then she threw in some "extras" that I wasn't even expecting.

I asked to see the vacuum and we played with that and I gave a tutorial on how to convert it into a canister for the most efficient bare floor use.

Then it was time to go... it was hard to leave, but I've been invited back, so yay!

Time for pictures of the loot now. Excuse the picture quality as my digital camera decided it didn't feel like turning on anymore and I had to use my cell phone...

First up, the pots and pans. A couple of heavy non-stick pans and a stainless fry pan. Also, a small pan with a brush built right in the lid for melting butter. She also had a meatloaf pan in the box and I WAS GOING TO BUY ONE ANYWAY so that was a welcome addition. Also, some dry measuring cups... red which matches many of the things in my kitchen and with metal handles. Awesome! After I picked out those things, she walked me out the garage where she showed me an insulated double boiler. I can't wait to use it!

While we were in the garage, she also gave me a box of Pyrex mixing bowls WITH LIDS... she was quick to point out that they nest for easy storage :o) Now I don't have to use the Kitchen Aid bowl for EVERYTHING! The magazines are pictured too... I've never read cooking magazines before, so I'm really looking forward to those.

While we were eating the homemade spaghetti sauce, the subject of canned tomatoes came up and Cathy said that Jessy turned her on to a brand called 6 in 1. She sent me home with a can of those and some corn meal (and I just found weevils in mine, so I needed some more!). Then she asked if I used vanilla. I told her that did, but that I'd just dropped an 8 dollar bottle on the kitchen floor and it shattered into millions of pieces and went all under the 'fridge and stove... so she sent me home with a bottle of HOMEMADE vanilla extract. I've always wanted to make it myself and have never gotten around to it, so this is so perfect! She used one of about 75 funnels to fill the bottle :o)

The final picture is of where I have to store all this great stuff. Cathy, now I need a tutorial from you on how to organize. The good thing is that I can throw away a few cheap things now because I have much better replacements :o)

Cathy, even though adopting the pots was the excuse for our get together, the best part about the whole "event" was just spending time basking in your presence. Thank you for everything seems like such an understatement. Your home is beautiful, your gadgets were fun, the food was fabulous, the kitties were great, the "loot" I got is amazing, but seriously, the best part was YOU! My jobs are stressful and my grandmother is ill... so yesterday was a perfect "escape" for me and was just what I needed. You never really know where someone is coming from and how much even the small things can mean, but I want you to know that I truly appreciate you. As I said in the card, you rock girl :o)

I also appreciate having a place like this to share such experiences and meet such people!

Where I said she showed me some of her craziness (that was her word, not mine), the explanation was deleted when I hit submit... the craziness was that she has everything labelled and organized to a T...

This is an AWESOME post!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing it with all of us!!!
Smiles,
Sooz

What a fabulous forum date!! I know firsthand that Cathy is a great cook, sweet , generous and organized, so I'm not surprised! I'm doubly delighted that she bestowed her terrific treasures on such a deserving dude!
You both rock! This is what the CF is all about!!

How much fun!!!! What a great day and visit. I know how generous Cathy is and how much fun and Bobby I just love that smile.

When I, in Florida next year I'll plan a get together for the Fl bunch ( and anyone else who wants to) ....lots of extra bedrooms!

Thanks all for your kind comments. The HG was disappointed that he missed meeting Bobby so he was eager to read the get together report. He had a DH and didn't get home until 10pm.

Bobby, I was looking forward to your perspective and, as usual, you took us to the next level!

Nancy, Yup, it was a mini version of the gadget game we had at Sheshebop's house. Remember that I posted all 36 gadgets so CF members could participate virtually. Then we bought a gift in MI and sent it to the winner. Here is a sample of how we played the game virtually.

Annie, Can I have a cup of coffee with them? No, but you can have a big glass of iced coffee! That iced coffee is really working out for me.

Lars, I would LOVE to host a visit from you and Kevin. Let me know of anything that I can do to facilitate that. SRQ is another airport that I use (especially for international travel).

Chase, That would be fun and your FL place is close to Bobby.

FOAS, Neutrogena box-that's the Sam's Club special bagging.

What a wonderful time it sounds and looks like you had. I wish I would have still been in Florida and perhaps could have joined you.

Bobby, Cathy is a wonderful hostess and a very generous and caring person. Steve and I enjoy our time with her and Ray so much.

Also, thanks for the recipe Cathy. I'm trying that tonight.

Karen

Yes, thank you for all the kind comments! I was in such a hurry trying to get that novel posted in the space between both jobs last night that I didn't have a chance to respond to you all!

Lars and Chase, it would be fun to meet both of you, together or separately depending on how it works out.

Annie, if you want coffee and aren't a coffee snob, I'll bring my "new" Keurig! I found one in a clothes basket sitting outside the dumpster at my second job and being the gadget guru that I am, had to bring it home and try to play with it... It worked perfectly and looks brand new... I don't know why anyone would throw it away! I cleaned it out really well with a bunch of vinegar and hot water and am really enjoying it. I've never liked coffee before, but this is easy and Millstone makes a caramel truffle coffee that is out of this world. The K-cups for hot chocolate and lemon iced tea, however, suck!

Cathy, Jasper is even enjoying his present... he's having fun with the bag you gave me to help carry the pots. Everybody won on this deal :o)

I think my beloved portable induction cooker is going to get a well deserved break as I rediscover the joys of gas cooking with these amazing pots! The poor range has been forsaken for so long it probably doesn't work anymore! We're going to change that fast!

THIS truly is what the cooking forum is all about.

What a wonderful post! I'm so happy for both of ya'll [and all the kitties]. You both brought us right to the get together and it's much appreciated. Just what I needed to read tonight. Thanks so very much for sharing!

this is so fun to read, thanks for sharing !

Glad you both had such a good time!

Ok, now I've gotta know what is that gadget?

Di

Sharon, I would love to see you and meet Bobby and Cathy in Florida next year. Kevin and I have a place to stay in Tampa at his friend's house, and I think I would enjoy exporing Tampa Bay and the surrounding area. I would love to see Clive again also - I enjoyed talking with him very much when I first met him. Kevin has lots of vacation time - me not so much, and so I have to ration it carefully. What time of year were you thinking of going? I don't do well in heat, and so May through September might be uncomfortable (I'm remembering when I lived in Houston). I remember September still being hurricane season.

Jasper is a beautiful cat, Bobby!

Lars

This was fun reading. Thank you both for sharing!

Teresa

Lars - Hurricane season doesn't end until Nov. 1st! And October is still pretty warm too.

If you guys start planning a get-together, I need to plan vacation time for around then so I can drop in on my way to Orlando to visit my Mom.

I'd love to meet you ALL!

That was a fantastic CF get together.

Yes, Cathy is a great person. Bobby, you may not know this, Cathy and I have a date. We are going to travel the world and make trouble in all fancy restaurants. Whenever I win the first price lottery.

If you are interested, we can do a Ménage à trois. You and I can talk vacuum, about "When it sucks, life is good."

dcarch

Wow! Cathy you rock! Bobby, you lucky dog. You got a nice of great loot. This was fun to read.

Sherry

Cathy, this post is right where it belongs. Many of us love to read about our forum friends getting the lucky opportunity to get together with others from the forum. Besides, I really miss you. And Bobby, I have not seen you in a very long time. Nice to have you back also.

Sherry

Yes! What Sherry said!

Thank you both for sharing.

Rusty