Coming back from the BlissDom conference can leave one’s head spinning – so much good information and advice. What do I implement first? How do I maintain the friendships and connections that were made while there? (Photo: Julia, Sarah, AnNicole, Beckie, Melissa, Kimm, Kimba, me, Rhoda, Layla, and Kate.)
The key-note speaker was fabulous (as was every other panelist throughout the weekend!). I wrote down iPhone notes from his talk because I wanted to remind myself of my goals for this blog! Kevin Carroll said it like this, as he encouraged all of us bloggers to live differently – to live with a purpose, a passion, and with intention:
Commit to it
Find what you are passionate about and commit to it – chase your dreams! Edie is a physician but has chosen to stay home and raise her family, and she writes a powerful blog, full of wisdom (that’s how I feel every time I visit her), and she also makes killer cupcakes!
Seek out encouragers Surround yourself with people who believe in you and who give you permission to dream! These girls are a great support to me – I am thankful for them!
(Roommies at Opryland – Emily, Melissa, Nester and me)
Feed your creative side
Amy from She Wears Many Hats, and I met for the first time, and we both have a creative love for food and an exciting adventure is ahead – but more on that later.
Maximize the day (today is a gift!)
{In}Courage is a place to be encouraged and to find “rest” in beautiful words shared by inspiring bloggers. They threw a lovely dessert party for us all to enjoy! (Read my post on today being a gift, here.)
Speak up, stand up for something, and be courageous
If you were a fly on the wall during this luncheon, you would have heard the words courage and courageous spoken often. What a special time with Layla, Traci (my sister?), Melissa, and Rhoda and Kate. And here’s Layla’s exact words that describe our time together:
As we dined together under the giant palms, we talked about all kinds of things. We laughed, we cried, and we bonded.
It was a fascinating sixty minutes and it’s hard to put my experience with them into words, but in a nutshell, they’re the kind of women that understand your past, believe in your future, and accept you just the way you are.
And the last point … Expect the unexpected (you never know where you will end up in life!)
Although Kevin, the speaker, was very entertaining, he was also inspiring to listen to. I even texted my husband during his talk and told him about Kevin. When anyone brings “courage” into a discussion, my husband and I both listen. We have had many date nights with conversations wishing more people would act with courage. Our world would be different.
But one thing is true. The world became different when blogs were born and more voices were heard! The “blogger chicks!” at this convention have made a difference and are a part of that. They’ve stepped out into an “unknown world” (who is reading my blog, anyway?) and have shared their hearts and lives and passions. That takes courage!
It took courage for me to start my blog a few years back. I felt that too many people were caught up in the lies of perfectionism and image-making to open their homes and invite others in. So I started typing away … wanting to encourage others. To show them it’s easy. It’s meaningful. Entertaining and hospitality has rewards!
Blogging may not be for you, but I’d love to hear an area in your life that you wish you had more courage in?
Maybe it is entertaining, hospitality, speaking, writing, working on friendships, being a better wife, speaking up in an area you are passionate about …
(Thank you Barbara Jones and Alli Worthington, for long hard hours put into BlissDom 2010. And photo credits go to Emily (Chatting at the Sky), Layla (Lettered Cottage, and Rhoda (Southern Hospitality).
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. 
Looks like such a great time!! And how great to make cyberfriends real skin friends……love that!!
.-= Fiona´s last blog ..I must decrease =-.
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Sandy, you are such an inspiration to me! Helping overcome my fears about entertaining and now making me think about what else I need courage to do. Public speaking is a big one. Also, I need to figure out how to start following my passion, which is helping kids to read. If reading skills are weak, then school success is difficult to achieve.
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Thanks for sharing your photos…I love to see my favorite bloggers in candid shots! I wish these conferences were closer to me.
.-= Lynne @ Our Happy Home´s last blog ..Cleaning & Organizing…I {{heart}} it!! =-.
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Looks like you had a GREAT time and it’s so fun to see these pictures of all the bloggers together!
I am hoping that next year I will be able to go!
.-= Christy´s last blog ..Anna Claire’s 1st Birthday =-.
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Wish we’d had more time to hang out at Blissdom, but it was nice to meet you even briefly! And I love the way you’ve written this recap!!
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Sandy,
It was great once again to share a room with you and our hilarious roomies Nester & Emily. They were very well behaved until you left. I tell you things got a little louder and crazier without your calming presence to keep us behaved.
You are as gracious and lovely in real life as you are on your blog, which is something that your readers should know! Your passion in life comes across so beautifully in your written word and radiates from within when I see or talk to you in person. That is a gift!!
This was a great post, by the way!
.-= melissa @ the inspired room´s last blog ..The Awesomeness. =-.
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Great post! You are so inspirational, honey.
I was so moved by Kevin’s speaking, I felt such strength and passion and so inspired!
I wish I’d had more time with you
.-= rachel´s last blog ..Mashed Potatoes with Fresh Basil, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt =-.
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that was a great recap! blissdom was so encouraging. i loved meeting all of you and connecting with people who understand me.
.-= melissa stover´s last blog ..Passion =-.
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OH what fun…I have not heard of some of these bloggers so I am excited to visit them all!
You look great….looks like a lot of fun!
Sandy Toe
.-= Sandy Toes´s last blog ..Stringing a little Valentine {love} =-.
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BlissDom was wonderful, and Kevin Carroll? Wow. It was great seeing you again!
.-= Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home´s last blog ..Visual Bliss =-.
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Thanks so much for sharing from the weekend. I live in Nashville and was so bummed to miss Blissdom a second time! I know everyone left full and blessed.
Jennifer
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Kevin was awesome. I am sorry I didn’t spend more time with all you girls.. You all are inspiring.
.-= Cynthia´s last blog ..Spring Cleaning: Woodwork =-.
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Loved reading your thoughts. I don’t think we met at Blissdom. Don’t you wish you could have met EVERYONE?! It was overwhelming but so, so fun. I love the picture of the cupcakes from the (in)courage party–they were beautiful and DELICIOUS!
.-= Rachel Boldman´s last blog ..Blissdom 10 =-.
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Where did the time go?!! So many wonderful women to meet, so glad to have met YOU! I, too, wish we had run into each other more in order to get to know one another. Selena, Apron Thrift Girl, speaks so highly of you and I was excited to meet you. We will no doubt cross paths again. Best wishes on your upcoming book, can’t wait to read it!
.-= Cathe Holden´s last blog ..The Blissdom10 Conference =-.
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It sounds like all of you had a great time.
I am new to blogging and my incouragement would need to come in the writting aspect of it. Finding my voice and just learning how to put my feeling down on paper.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..The Guest Bathroom =-.
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Sandy, what an awesome post. You’ve captured the excitement, comraderie, and the emotions that overflowed this past weekend. It was simply an honor to meet you.
Have a fabulous week.
Kimm
.-= Kimm at REINVENTED´s last blog ..Blissdom 2010—Words Elude Me =-.
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New to this, I’m writing my 100th post tomorrow.
Exciting, invigorating and terrifying have been the last four months of my step-forward in courage and faith. Thank you for encouraging and inspiring me to continue on! Hopefully we’ll meet at NEXT years Blissdom (now that I know what it is!!
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Beautifully written Sandy. I too hung on to every word that Kevin spoke. I felt so inspired when I left that session.
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Girl, you know I’m crying again, right?
.-= Alli´s last blog .. =-.
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Looks and sounds like it was a fabulous time! I wish I was there. Maybe I will get to go next year…I’ll have more blogging experience under my belt by then!
Holly
.-= Holly L´s last blog ..Did Someone Say "Brownies!?" =-.
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I’m glad you had a wonderful time!! I’m excited to reap from your learning! So exciting!!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..For Mom! =-.
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Okay, I’ll admit that I’m a little tired about hearing/reading about blogging conferences. HOWEVER, I really appreciated your post! Courage. Now there’s something I need more of in my life. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Astrid´s last blog ..Songs by Ava =-.
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I have read a few recaps from the conference, but this was by far my favorite. Thanks for sharing your experience and making it meaningful to those who read (and love) your blog.
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..Snow Way =-.
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Sandy- great recap of Blissdom! It was so much fun getting to know you. I look forward to our future chats!
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Sandy, I liked this BlissDom recap. I’ll be honest–I have read about the fun of this weekend with a good deal of wistfulness. I so wish I could have gone! I guess we all wish we could have been part of it. But it’s nice to gain a little insight into what was said. I really appreciate the challenge to think in terms of courage. Thank you for sharing that!
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Sandy, what a great recap! You really put it well, the weekend was a fun time and we all took away something from it. I’m so glad we had that lunch together & spent some time with each other. You’re a very gracious and special lady & I’m honored to call you friend. xoxo
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Thanks for these bullet point tips. I have written them down to refer back to in moments when I need a re-focus.
Courage. A word that is becoming more and more personified to me these days… hand in hand with… fearless.
Fantastic post friend! Looks and sounds like you had a great time!
.-= Donnetta´s last blog ..Valentine Truth vs. Lie =-.
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I didn’t know you were at Blissdom until the inCourage party and then you KNOW how crowded that was and I never made it across the room to meet you. I’m so bummed it never happened, but you totally made my friend Aubrey’s day (Little Bits of Life) when SHE got to meet you, so that counts. Next year!
.-= Lora Lynn @ Vitafamiliae´s last blog ..Expression =-.
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Enjoyed seeing your face with all the other lovely faces. Sandy, you are beautiful.
At this point in life ~ Courage to be ok with being happy again…someday…but not today. ‘Will sound odd to some, but I think it will take courage.
.-= Melanie Dorsey´s last blog .."REMAIN" ~ Morning Poetry & Pictures =-.
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Kevin was an amazing speaker. He has a gift, and it was wonderful that we got to share it at Blissdom. I’m working hard to hang on to all the inspiration of those three days!
.-= Country-Fried Mama´s last blog ..Cornbread recipe, as taught to me by a fine Southern man: Mmm, mmm memory =-.
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Beautifully written and remembered. You captured the emotion and spirit of the event. You were one of the most gracious women I met – so warm and real. Thank you for shining so brightly, lovely lady.
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Looks like you had a wonderful time! What a wonderful write up and looks like you met some lovely people!
.-= Kristen ´s last blog ..Blogging Mentors (Recipe – Chocolate Cocoa Pancakes) =-.
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Hey there, just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to reach out. Interestingly enough, this post really touched on something I’ve been struggling with. I’m a writer by profession, but started a blog rooted in design for all kinds of reasons I won’t bore you with! It’s kind of strange, though, being a small fish in a HUGE pond, and sometimes I’m not quite sure my voice will ever be heard over the chatter. It’s also interesting, having gone to school and earned degrees in writing, to be blogging amid so many self-proclaimed writers, if that makes sense. Almost as though my talents are no longer unique because everyone is doing the same thing. This is DEFINITELY not a bad thing, as I love all these inspiring voices that now have a platform to be heard, it’s just unearthed a lot of emotions I wasn’t expecting. I began blogging for myself, as an outlet to write for someone other than “the Man” but have encountered so much pressure to be popular. As if traffic to my site equates with my own personal success!
Anyway, alllll that to say I have SO much passion about what I’m writing about, I just hope I have the courage to remember it’s the reason I embarked on this crazy adventure in the first place! Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve been wondering what it was like on the inside. ☺
.-= Erika-2bydesign´s last blog ..High Strung =-.
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I wish I had a little more courage when it comes to Blogging. Seeing all you lovely ladies gathered together makes me feel I would like to be a part of it all. For now I will be content to design and sew my heart out and hope that this year will find me less intimidated, more laid back, feeling free to share my thoughts with others. BTW Sandy, you are looking very hip with that cute little scarf! As always, you are in inspiration to me.
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I really enjoyed your post, and though I met Emily and I think briefly met Nester, I’m not sure I met you. I loved all of your bolded words, and so much of what you said resonates with my experience as well!
.-= frelle´s last blog ..Initial Impressions of Blissdom 10 =-.
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Fabulous recap. I wish I had more courage in dancing, but maybe I’ll work on that this year!
Thanks for linking up on my Blissdom Recap link up. Sorry it has taken me so long to get over to read your Blissdom posts!
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