Who was in the group and would they accept me into the club? Would my writing be good enough? In how many ways would I embarrass myself over the course of the next year? How would my participation impact my writing?  I needed answers or maybe a glass of wine.

What is Pensters Writing Group?

Pensters Writing Group has been in existence longer than I have wanted to write. With over fifty years under its belt, Pensters Writing Group is the largest and oldest writing group in Baldwin and Mobile County. Pensters site lists information about how to become a member and events that are open to the public.

Finally, I was excited to attend a meeting with the writing group but I must admit I was a bit hesitant. Stepping into unknown territory wearing my birthday suit . Well not really wearing my birthday suit, but I was nervous just the same. For as long as I may remember, I have wanted to be a writer. And it was time to improve my skills.

Attending the speaker sessions that Pensters offers monthly would offer useful information. As a member of a  writing group, I would be able to make connections and participate with the writing community. “The purpose of the Pensters shall be to improve craftsmanship and to promote marketing of member’s works.”

Why I joined  Pensters Writing Group

With a slight hesitation and eagerness, I approached the group, and signed in. Just beyond the sign in area, the speaker and author Kara Martinez Bachman was sitting and selling her book, “Kissing the Crisis”- Field Notes on Foul-Mouthed Babies, Disenchanted Women, & Careening into Middle Age”. I thoroughly enjoyed our brief conversation and purchased a book. Anyone careening into middle age needs a handbook and I was no exception.

As the meeting started, I grabbed  a seat near the back of the class and observed.  Then as I gazed around it was easy to see the group consisted of  passionate writers.  Most of all,  I had landed where I needed to be. Learning from experienced writers and published authors was one of my reasons for joining the group.

Joined Pensters Writers Group to improve content for blogging

Of course, improving my craft is on my list. Anyone contemplating writing or starting a blog must focus on creating quality content. Happy to hear  Pensters Writing Group’s mission included assisting me on my journey to improve as well. Maybe this extra support would make up for the missing degree and fancy initials after my name. Oh why didn’t I pay more attention in school?

For my continuing education, I daily read something that will improve my writing skills. Since I have waited so late to start, I have a lot of catching up to do. I joined Pensters Writing Group  to utilize as a resource. If you have yearned to write, come to a meeting. You can sit by me in the back of the class.

In conclusion, if you live too far away to join our group, find a writing group near you.  For anyone creating a blog it is the perfect reason to join a writing group.  Creating quality content is important to attract and keep a fan base returning to your site.  This would be at the top of my blogging lessons 101. Take the plunge and join.

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When I decided to hold a drawing for all the followers on my site, I wondered who would win. Would it be someone I knew well, a friend or family member? Or would the winner perhaps be a local or a winner from far way that I did not know?

Who is  Anniversary Tasting Event winner?

Whoever the anniversary tasting event winner turned out to be would receive dinner for 4 at my house. For the evening, I will prepare all the cooking.  Maybe Grill Man would do the dishes? Who would we welcome at our house?  I added the names to one of my favorite bowls and mixed them up well.  Grill Man took pictures while I drew the name.

Dinner for 4 will include a great meal, celebrating, breaking bread and libations. And the winner is Vicki Armitage. Pulling Vicki’s name out of the hat is a special treat for me. Vicki is a local writer  and  also very supportive in the community.

Most noteworthy, along with The Fairhope Writers Group, Vicki is one of the writers of Fairhope Guidebook. Page and Palette sells the guidebooks. I keep a copy in our guest rooms for house guests to read. If need to buy presents, this is a special treat to introduce people to our lovely community.

Eagerly, we look forward to hosting Vicki and her guests for dinner. Soon, I will have to start working on a special meal for Vicki and her dinner guests. Especially now that I know who’s coming for dinner, what am I going to cook?

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Certainly coffee has been part of the landscape while I have tried to learn my blogging lessons. In my first year of blogging I have created recipes, chatted about music, blew off steam with Mimi Rants, talked about new restaurants on travel trips, events or places you should discover, occasional attempts to introduce paddle boarding to everyone and my writing. Curious naturally, I enjoy discovering new things and happy to pass on information to my friends. We are friends now, right?

Is there a blogging manual?

Likewise, I hope that you have enjoyed Dining With Mimi as much as I have enjoyed creating the line-up. Starting a blog, Dining With Mimi did not exactly come with a manual. Creating recipes, cooking, entertaining and sharing my love of food is a passion.  All of my friends will attest to my love of cooking, dining and sharing meals. My favorite memories include this mix. Are you doing this now?

Overall, writing about my passion is an entirely new attempt and I was a bit leery about what to expect. Would I? Could I? And should I? Over the years, I had started creating recipes and including each in a binder for the “cookbook” that I would one day create. With every new year completed, now seemed like the perfect time to start. If not now, when?

In fact, launching the web site was the easy part. Learning how to integrate Dining With Mimi into my busy world has been the harder part. Selecting what, who, when and why takes a fair amount of effort on my part to present the posts as they arrive on the web site or in your email flow.

How to subscribe and be on The List?

If you haven’t subscribed, please do so now. Look for the subscription box on the front page,  just under my photo wearing the hat.  This will make sure that  a notice is emailed to alert you a new post has been published. No one wants to miss any thing, right?

Finally when the web site had been part of my world for a year, I knew it was time for an event. High time to announce Dining With Mimi to my lovely community. A Tasting Event offered me the opportunity to thank everyone that has been so gracious in supporting me.

In addition, it gave me a chance to meet and introduce the public to my site. My hope is that I may become a resource for people who need help with learning how to cook or how to entertain without Valium. Cooking and entertaining tips at the ready. Check out the Q and A category and pose a question.

Dinner parties or events for  10 or 200 become easier to manage with experience or tried and true formulas.  Next on my list, is to complete my first cookbook. Send me an email if you would like to be on the waiting list for the cookbook.

First Friday Art Walk was a great time to hold first year blogging Anniversary Tasting Event. In the coffee shop, we set up two tables of treats to taste. I included several recipes from my site and a couple to post in the next month.

Updated 100 year old Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Chocolate Heavenly Bite Mini Tarts

Over the course of the evening, I saw friends that showed up to support me. Thank you and I love you for it! Elated to meet hundreds of people who either breezed in for a coffee or book, and happened to find us or smelled the 26 quarts of Seafood Gumbo that was simmering in a large roaster. Some people wandered in to find out what “Dining With Mimi” was about. White pumpkins decorated the tables outside of Page and Palette with my cards announcing our presence.

Yet, as much as I love planning a party and entertaining, this Tasting Event stressed me out. Mainly, my stress centered around preparing food for a public event. Usually, if your invited to a party at my house, at least I know how many were invited and the number that responded. As a result, this was very different. Eventually, I came to terms with how I would manage this type of Tasting Event.

As you would expect, lots of heads and hands went into helping me plan and execute event. If your part of my crew, your efforts are greatly appreciated. My favorite part was cleaning up after. Well, not really my favorite part but a few friends chipped in and helped clean up the after-party.

What did you miss during First Year Blog?

In addition, if you are new to my site, please go through the archives and look at what you have missed.  Comparatively from gumbos to cocktails, travels to New Orleans or Barcelona, music from David Gilmore to Sheryl Crowe, family, friends and my Peep Picayune.

Learn to Make Shrimp, Sausage and Okra Gumbo

In summary, please let me hear from you and tell me what you like, love and things that you are not so fond of. Of course, I promise to listen and analyze. How may I help you? What entertaining dilemmas  do you have?  Which items prevent you from cooking more? Tell me, Mimi is listening.

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What’s included in the blog?

First of all, lots of time and energy is involved with the site to offer my reflections on food, entertaining,  flavor, completed travel trips, music that I hear, memories  with friends that bear repeating, shops I adore and paddle boarding. Also, writing has been on my list for a long time. Equally important cooking and entertaining for my friends and family is a joy. Because web sites allow the sharing of information, this site is my vehicle to share with you.

Creating in all it’s forms

Uniquely, my creation project which includes the web site is a natural extension of all of my passions. Project consisted of participating in events or travel, writing, editing, photography, blog design, cooking, creating recipes, cleaning constantly, endless research, marketing and a ton of clerical. Likewise my travel an addition to the site based on past trips and recent local trips:

24 Hours Coastal Mississippi

Updated 100 year old Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Prior to this project, whipping up dinner did not always include consultation with a cookbook or recipe. Documenting the recipes and recording the measurements also gives me a gift to share. Once you master the basics in cooking, you may create your own versions of soups, pasta, sauces,  desserts, cocktails, etc. Very important to learn the basics first, to adjust ingredients as needed later.

Do you cook from scratch?

Most of my cooking consists of “cooking from scratch”. A few shortcuts here and there are almost necessary with my busy schedule. I know that I am not alone in this regard. No one has excess time on their hands anymore, right? My retired friends are the busiest people who I know. Learn to take shortcuts that lower loss of quality in  your cooking. In Weary Souls Chicken Soup Recipe I started with a rotissorie chicken.

Throughout the site, music weaves throughout the pages like threads in a fabric.  In my kitchen, music must be playing whether  I am making concoctions to delight the senses or puzzling over a food combination. Music soothes the savage beast and it does a pretty good job on me as well. Most recipes get a “Shout Out to Alexa” for a tune while I am cooking. I love most forms of music and try to expand the artists mix. After all, change is good for the soul.

I love to cook, eat and travel-to-eat which demands that I add in an exercise. Paddle boarding has been an answer to a prayer. To paddle with friends has helped me to relieve stress, burn calories, improve muscle tone and cut weight. While cooking and taste testing can take its toll on your waistline, paddle boarding is my answer. What’s yours?

Help Celebrate First Year Anniversary by sharing site

All my loves neatly lined up are the basis of what I have offered in my first year of blogging. Thank you for your support of my web site. If you enjoy the writing and recipes, please subscribe as a follower and share. Moreover, I realize that you many places that you may spend your time. Of course, I am honored that you spend some of it here at www.diningwithmimi.com.

Please let me know what you would like to see more or less of in the next year. What are your cooking questions that need answers? Do you have an entertaining dilemma? Rather do you have a kitchen challenge? Please leave me a comment and let me know how I may help. I want to hear from you.

My blogging plans for next twelve months include the following:

Improving photo quality
Field Trips to Specialty Locations
Website enhancements
Guest chef stories

In summary, Dining With Mimi is a work in process and I have lots to learn about the world of food, flavor and blogging. As I improve my techniques, photos and cooking I will be happy to share my insights. As a surprise, I have a couple of things that I am working on that will allow us to Celebrate First Year Blog Anniversary. With this in mind, details to follow, check back with the site for more information.

From my kitchen to yours I send blessings
and visions of dreamy cocktails,

Mimi

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