This post is {over}loaded with pictures, but I’m not apologizing. 
I hope you will enjoy reading about the fun trip that I went on last Monday and Tuesday to General Mills HQ in Minneapolis. I put on my big girl pants and flew all by myself, navigated three unfamiliar airports and seriously had the time of my life with 29 other fabulous bloggers!
On Monday night, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner cruise on Lake Minnetonka. The food was delicious, the conversation wonderful and the weather and scenery gorgeous.
Tuesday morning came bright and early. We arrived at General Mills HQ in a flurry of anticipation. We were thrilled to be there. It was so awesome to be around other women who “get” me. Do you see all the cameras in that photo below? Cameras, phones, Flip cameras galore!
See the Cheerios carved out of stone? They were carved out of the same stone that is used to carve figures of past U.S. Presidents. Cool!
Kix, Pillsbury, Wheaties, Betty Crocker, Cheerios and PlayDoh
Breakfast! Yum!!
All eight original Betty Crocker portraits!
After breakfast, the General Mills historian (wouldn’t that be a super cool job?) told us all about how GM got started and their history leading up to the present day. I love history, so it was just fabulous to listen to each detail.
Then we headed to the Kitchens!
Where the magic happens…The Betty Crocker Kitchens!
Beautiful!
All of the bloggers were divided up into groups to rotate through different stations. My group started out at the Cookie Station. It was so fun to see all the different variations that can be made by using a Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix!
Cookie Station
1. Red Velvet Rich and Creamy Cookies
3. Creme Brulee Cheesecake Bars (I’m posting this recipe tomorrow!)
4. Citrus-Kissed Fig Thumbprints
Cake Station
Brownie Station
Breakfast/Bisquick Station
1. Caprese Pizza with Crispy Pancetta
3. Fresh Lemon Cream Crepes
Note: Two of these recipes are not available on BettyCrocker.com, but I will be making them and sharing the recipes with you soon!
Lots of red aprons, cooking, baking and taste testing going on.
Oh…and giggling too!
So, the camera crew asked Amanda and me to do this…ahem…”natural” conversation about the new Dessert Mix. We could barely keep a straight face. Then I said that the craisins were so yummy and Amanda said, “Oh yes, so fresh.”
I cackled. She cackled. Then I snorted. The video was over. Ha!
We learned about these new Betty Crocker products.
- Dessert Mix that will be available at Sam’s and Costco
- Gluten Free Bisquick and Cake Mixes!
- Specialty cookie mixes that will be available during the holidays! Can’t wait to try these!
- Decadent Supreme Cake and Brownie Mixes
Before we left for the airport, we took a whirlwind tour of the photography studios and prop storage area. I was amazed at the stylizing that goes into each recipe photo. Wow! And I would so be in heaven to get to “play” with all the props!
Me in the magical Betty Crocker apron…not the most flattering angle, but oh well.
This is what 30 women look like in sugar-induced comas
No…wait…
THIS is what they look like…
I’m giving shout outs to each of the wonderful bloggers that attended this event over on my Facebook page. Be sure to go “like” My Blessed Life on Facebook, so you can visit each blog.
The loot I brought home. Kitchen tools, a bag and a booklet of all the recipes we made and tasted. I even managed to get through airport security with the cake knife and icing spatula! Squuueeeee!
A huge thank you to General Mills for both the invitation and covering the costs of my trip. It was wonderful! Thank you also to Kelly who organized everything and kept all 30 of us crazy bloggers on task. Also, thank you to Matt Holland Photography who took several of these photos and put up with the craziness!
P.S. Today, I made my husband’s birthday cake with a Betty Crocker cake mix and icing. I would have made a cake from scratch, but he specifically asked for a boxed cake and icing. Silly boy.
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh looks so fun Myra!! I love all the pictures & especially all you ladies in the red aprons – lovely!! Glad you had a great trip!
@mandi @ itscome2this, Thanks for your sweet comment Mandi!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
So FUN – look how adorable you are! Hope my area treated you well. Looks like you at least were sent off with some extra sweetness, which is always good.
@Mela Kamin, Thanks Mela! I had a great first impression of Minnesota/Minneapolis. Everyone was so nice and the weather was beautiful! I think I’m finally recovered from the “extra sweetness!” Ha!
This is so you. You absolutely look like a kid in a toy store on Christmas. Glad you went and had a blast,
@Florence, I felt like a kid in a toy store on Christmas.
The level of “fun” was just beyond description! 
I love the pic overlooking the kitchen. And the props!!!! Would love to play in those, too.
@Katie @ Frugal Femina, Katie, do you think we were separated at birth? I wonder if our DNA is the same. LOL! xoxo
Oh fun! What a great trip you had. Before I even read a word I saw the Al & Alma’s boat and knew you were in MN. Glad you had fun here and that GM was such a great hostess.
@Angel/TaDa!Creations, Thank you for your sweet comment!
Al and Alma’s, Minneapolis and GM treated us superbly. 
HOW fun!!!
You’re so darlin’. That sounds like such an amazing time, I’m so happy that you had this experience!!! YAY!
@Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale, Thanks girl! It was amazin’!
P.S. Can’t wait to see you again. I feel like I know you so much better than at Blissdom when I was like a fish out of water. Ha!
I think this is the best round up yet!!! GREAT job!!! love it!!
Blessings!
Amanda
@Amanda, Thanks sweetie! You are the best!
I love your collages. The prop room was amazing, my pictures didn’t turn out so well. It’s so fun looking at all of it again!
Great memories!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last [type] ..September Menu Plan – 2010
Wow, you summed it up perfectly. Loved hanging out with you and hope to get to see you again soon!
Molly´s last [type] ..I Baked with Betty and she didnt kick me out
Myra, I know that jealousy is not very becoming but I must admit…I’m jealous! haha It looks like you had a wonderful time! Thank you for sharing your adventure with the rest of us!
Anna Evans´s last [type] ..A Heart That is Overflowing
Myra,
An interesting fact — My nephew went to work at GM in Hannibal, MO a couple of years ago after several years with Kraft. One day he saw a Wheaties box with someone’s picture and inquired about it. He found out that employees could submit pictures to see if they would do a special one for them. He sent a picture that was taken of him, his dad (my brother), and his grandpa (my dad) — all eagle scouts — in their scout uniforms when he received his eagle scout award. They made some copies of the box which are displayed in hard plastic holders. Really neat. I have thought how fun it would be if they had those on the grocery shelves:)
Happy birthday to Ernie.
Oh Myra, you did it justice, my friend! What a magical time and more wonderful with you by my side! I love you more than words!
QuatroMama´s last [type] ..The Neverending Balancing Act
HOW FUN!!! I just love the pictures! =)
Rachel´s last [type] ..Birthday Recap
Looks like a wonderful time!! GM is a fun place to visit. Glad you enjoyed MN — a great time to visit compared to winter
Oh my word! I’m in hog heaven just reading this post.
Kristine´s last [type] ..Moms Review 4 You Wednesday Blog Hop
So glad you got to do that!! You are one smart ‘cookie’ ;-D
And thanks for noting the GF mixes! I have tried the cake mixes, but not the Bisquik yet. Blog on!!
What a fun time you guys must have had!! I’m SOOO excited about those new cookie mixes……..now I’m off to check out some of those amazing looking recipes!
this looked like it was so much fun. My mother in law- who is the best baker I have ever known- would have loved something like this.
Thanks for sharing your experience
Angie
Angie´s last [type] ..Monday Morning
This looks like an incredible experience! How were you able to do this? I really enjoyed reading your blog and seeing the pictures!