a sunny day in Kitsap, where we ate, drank, and talked books

A little over a year ago, I remember seeing Shauna Ahern and Molly Wizenberg—along with a group of other talented local authors—on the stage at the Palace Ballroom. I’d been a longtime fan of both their blogs: Gluten-Free Girl and Orangette. It is a funny thing to think you almost know a person through their words, their stories, their recipes. After getting to know both women better in the past year, I am happy to say they are every bit as warm, welcoming, and wise in person as their written words lead you to believe.

Rodstol Farm’s glass bottle tree, shot by my husband

Last weekend, the three of us participated in a panel discussion for our books in beautiful Southworth, a small town a little over an hour away from Seattle. The event? A “Food for Thought” fundraiser to benefit the Kitsap Regional Library. Monica and Mark Downen of Monica’s Waterfront Bakery in Silverdale, along with chef Chris Plemmons of Olympic College prepared the feast.

the barn

succulent, well-seasoned rotisserie chicken

The event was hosted on Rodstol Lane Farm, a gorgeous little 94 year old hazelnut and blueberry farm. One of the proprietors, Cynthia, was simply one of the sweetest ladies I’ve ever met. (Monica, Chris, and Peter were likewise just wonderful to be around–it is rare to witness that sort of hospitality nowadays!)

roasted potato salad with cranberries and scallion

white bean and tomato salad

“Gazpacho” salad

The food was simple and delicious–exactly the kind of unfussiness we all desire on a hot, summer day. A trio of salads to start, and then the main event: Italian sausage, the juiciest roast pork (with vinegar and beer mustard for saucing), and crisp, golden-skinned chicken. To finish, plush apricots and cantaloupe, chocolate macaroons, homemade chocolate chip and butterscotch chip cookies.

tender, juicy roast pork with bits of crisp skin

precious chocolate-dipped macaroons (gluten-free!) and sweet, local apricots

chocolate chip and butterscotch cookies, two types of cantaloupe

our books!

There were various stands set up at the event, including local wine vendors and a man who made ice-cream out of skyr, an Icelandic yogurt. It was a most pleasant picnic.

signing books after our panel discussion

After lunch, we made our way to the main stage. Chris moderated a discussion about food blogging, writing, and its various challenges. We spoke about new-to-us ingredients, things we like to eat, and our day-to-day lives. (How funny it was to realize that all three of us met our husbands through blogging!)

a sweet photo my husband took

key lime, raspberry, and vanilla ice-cream made by a local

It was such a honor to sit up there with two female writers I’ve admired for so long.

(And of course, we ended the day with ice-cream.)

Thank-you Monica, Chris, Cynthia, and Peter for your incredible hospitality, and the chance to participate in such a worthy event.