Kenmore Blogging Summit Experience – Day 1

Where do I even begin?!  Ok, ok … let’s do a timeline format! 😀

Friday — 5am — I got to the San Antonio International Airport, headed through security (the line was SO short and wonderful!), found my gate which is basically right when you walk out of security.  I was nowhere near ready for breakfast, so I sat down and started my book (I bought “Heaven is for Real” specifically for this trip).

6:30am — Time to board the plane.  It was about 50* in San Antonio and I was about 1/2 way through the book.

7am — Plane took off.

9:15am — The plane landed in Chicago about 30 minutes before it was scheduled arrival.  (Which was FINE with me because it was supposed to start snowing by 11am.)  The temperature in Chicago was about 9* – BRR!  After I got off the plane, A Kenmore greeter met me at the baggage claim (SUPER cool, by the way!).  I had to wait around for 3-4 other bloggers before we could be shuttled to the Sofitel hotel.  No big deal – I finished the last 20 pages in my book, had a nice chat with the Kenmore reps.  (Now, by the way, I have nothing to read on my way home!)

From the plane, I could see that Chicago has had snow fairly recently, but it appears to be off the roads.  It was not snowing when we landed.

Noon-ish —  The last of the bloggers (that we were waiting for) arrived and we were shuttled off.  We get checked into the hotel.  It’s about 13* now.

         

It was REALLY (at least in this Texas girl’s opinion) starting to snow now and bloggers that are not already here were having a heck of a time doing so.

2?-ish-pm — (I don’t REALLY remember the time) @michellew_ and @anddadtoo and I went to have a snack.  We found a place called The Tempo Cafe right around the corner from the hotel.  It was pretty good and not horribly over-priced.  I had the Chicken Cesar Salad (only 1/2 because it was HUGE).

6pm — Cocktails and Appetizers!  I don’t drink, so I had water (SPARKLING water)!  For appetizers, they served smoked salmon, some kind of duck egg roll thing, and a tomato/basil/mozzarella mixture on a stick.  Michelle and I tasted the tomato/basil/mozzarella together – but only after much discussion over how to eat it.  So we did it in one bite.  For my taste, the tomato overpowered the mozzarella.  But it wasn’t horrible.  That was the only appetizer I tasted since I don’t eat fish … or duck!

During cocktails, I got to meet Paula (Frosted Fingers), Kim (What’s That Smell), Denise (Creative Kitchen Adventures) … gosh … so many bloggers!

7pm — Dinner!  We had a sit down dinner at the hotel and got to meet with some Google+ reps.  It was very nice – they served Pretzel Bread, Butternut Squash Soup, Braised Short Rib with Potato Puree & Veggies, and Whipped Marscarpone Cheesecake.  I don’t think I’ve ever had short rib, but it was delicious!  And the potato puree was excellent – I might have to find a recipe for that!  The cheesecake was so perfect!  After dinner, Michelle, Rob, Denise and I headed down to the bar in the hotel lobby and chatted for a bit.

         

10:30-ish — Bedtime!  HUGE day tomorrow!

**Let me just say that I can’t believe I was in CHICAGO!!  Day 1 was great – met AWESOME people, had great food, and learned quite a bit about Google (which I will share very soon)!

**Full Disclosure: Kenmore is sent me, all expenses paid, to the Kenmore Blogging Summit.  This post is me sharing the experience I had on their dime.  All opinions are my own.