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It all started with an email from Sarah at The Rogers Group:
Jerilyn, the brains behind the original Cinnabon recipe, is inviting you into her home for an exclusive hands-on event: you are one of just a few select bloggers to be invited to this bake-n-taste made by the original CinnaMom herself.
The getaway takes place Feb. 9-11, with the tasting event on Feb. 10 at Jerilyn’s farm house just outside of Seattle. We would love for you to join us in making this indulgent new treat while learning more about Jerilyn’s new recipe and her love of all things Cinnabon.
This sweet escape will include:
* Roundtrip airfare to Seattle
* Two nights’ accommodations in Seattle
* A day with Jerilyn and her famous treats – with plenty to take home!
* An optional day of sightseeing around Seattle
I skimmed the email and quickly wrote back, “Thanks but I live in Arizona!” Thinking this was a tasting event and I was one of many, being invited.
Sarah kindly (and patiently) replied, “Well, that’s okay. We want to fly you out for this!”
Ohhhh…………
I re-read the note 
My husband always says: “People don’t read! You have to spell things out for them.”
Raise your hand if you are guilty of this. <raising hand now>
I had to work through the travel details with my husband and come to terms with the fact that he would not be able to attend the event with me. I don’t like airplanes or heights and I have a fear of drowning. Therefore, I also had to come to terms with the fact that I’d be flying, on a plane, WAY UP HIGH, staying in a hotel near the water and riding a giant Ferry across a huge body of water.
Breathe, Shara, breathe!
Okay. I can do this. I can! I wrote to my friend Suzanne (also a client of mine for over two years now). I told her about my plans and said: “Hey, you should come along!” I was half joking thinking she’d write back and say, “Don’t be silly. I can’t get away on a whim.” I told her my flight plans and within moments she wrote back to tell me she had vendors in Seattle and could fly with me. In fact, she had already booked a flight – on the same airline as me – in the seat beside me.
Suzanne ROCKS.
We met, just as we were boarding the airplane. Hugs! Hello! So good to finally meet in person! We chatted all the way to Seattle and I hardly noticed that I was on a giant bird with wings, WAY UP HIGH.
We met the lovely Sarah (Rogers Group) at the airport and Suzanne ran over to ask part of the Finnish Olympic Team (guessing the snowboard team) if I could take their photo. They had also been on our flight. They happily agreed. They were super excited that we had asked – see for yourself.
Oh my goodness, they were so happy we asked for a pic!
From there we drove to the hotel in a Town Car. Our driver, Sadeek, was an immigrant from Ethiopia. We asked him about his family and if he enjoyed living in Seattle. He explained to us that he works 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, on call. Most of his paycheck is mailed home to his family so that his siblings can attend school to earn a trade certificate. One of his siblings is studying to be a pharmacist, one an engineer and the other an architect. All of that is made possible by one man – with one simple job – here in the United States. Think about what that means, for just a moment. I mean…WOW. “The Land of Opportunity” indeed, eh?
We thanked Sadeek and headed into the hotel. I have stayed in many hotels over the years. I was even awarded a trip to the famous Hotel Del in San Diego. With all due respect, I found the Seattle Edgewater Hotel to be my all time favorite. They had the room decorated in Trout and cabin-attire, though. Hardly fair. I’m a country girl - they had me at “Trout.”
I looked out my hotel window – WATER. TONS of it. EVERYWHERE. No land in sight.
For someone with a fear of drowning, is this hotel room view ideal? Not so much.
Breathe, Shara, breathe!
Suzanne and I dined in the lovely Edgewater Bar. Soon after I met the Cinnabon crew for appetizers, wine and an introduction to our itinerary. Each of us was given a gift basket full of Cinnabon items. We chatted for a good two hours and I learned about the blogs of each person on the trip. In total, we had 9 bloggers from around the country. Six of them were “foodie bloggers” and three of us were “mom bloggers.”
The following morning we woke, ate breakfast and then walked to the Ferry. I was told this walk was a “skip, hop and a jump.” I assure you – that was not the case.
On the Ferry – we all chatted about important subjects, family and job life and inevitably…Brad and Angelina -vs- Brad and Jennifer (I sat away from the window, of course, so I didn’t have to watch the water too closely).
Thank God. A life preserver. Just in case.
Once we hit Bainbridge Island we walked to the Cafe Nola for lunch. Ohhh…the food! Four of us decided to order various plates and share the dishes so we’d all get to taste a little of everything. Stuffed, we took a van ride up to the Jerilyn’s farm. Jerilyn is the recipe creator behind the famous Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls. She was called in again, by Cinnabon, to create their new cupcake line.
“Anything else is just a CupFake™.”
I was taken back as we approached the farm. I had imagined in my mind this glorious, large, fancy farmhouse. Something fit for Kings and Queens. I have no idea why I had envisioned that…but I had.
What stood before us was a large piece of property with a tiny farmhouse centered in the middle. 600 square feet to be exact. An old barn sat to the side along with a little vegetable garden. As we walked into the house we saw a large island for baking, a small eating area to the left and a small living room to the right. If we walked straight, we entered a little bedroom, turned the corner to the left, came through a small sitting room and past a little bathroom, then back into the kitchen. That made up the entirety of the house.
Jerilyn's modest farmhouse (from the back).
One of the Cinnabon gals joked that people tell Jerilyn she lives in a “kitchen with a bed.” That really is the case.
We listened to Karen (Public Relations for Focus Brands) talk about the company, the products and then she gave the floor to Jerilyn. Jerilyn shared her story and how the Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls came to be…the history behind the story is amazing; not all of it is contained on their About Page. Jerilyn was asked to create the “perfect recipe” for the Worlds Best Cinnamon Roll. After numerous failed attempts to create a big roll that would not sink in the middle, it finally hit her – the perfect ingredient! Exactly what she needed to be sure the rolls would cook, just right, all the way through!
Yeah. She didn’t tell us what that ingredient is. We tried to pull that out of her but…no.
Jerilyn finished her story by saying…”Never give up!”
We then split up into groups of 3 in order to bake some of Jerilyn’s recipes. We made coconut cupcakes and buttercream frosting. While the cupcakes were cooling we all headed out to the old barn where Jerilyn will sometimes host parties. Inside the barn Jerilyn told us about her non profit organization PeaceTrees Vietnam (started in honor of her brother who was shot down during the war). Jennifer (Director of Public Relations for Focus Brands) talked about a charity near and dear to her heart, also: The Daisy Foundation.
Jerilyn, excitedly telling us about PeaceTrees Vietnam, in honor of her brother.
Back in the Farmhouse we began to decorate our cupcakes. I worked tirelessly with Mommy Goggles to create JUST the right design. And…if you have a background in early childhood, I’m sure you will agree – our cupcake ROCKED.
The cupcake designed with Mommy Goggles.
The President of Cinnabon shared a bit more with us and we all enjoyed the cupcakes, the stories and the atmosphere. I also took a few minutes to talk with Jerilyn’s mother. She turns 90 this year and I knew she’d have some wisdom to impart. I asked about her nursing home and if she gets to see Jerilyn often. Yes, every single day, in fact. She told me about her children and her grandchildren and how so many kids these days are “plugged in.” The electronics and gadgets take away from their ability to enjoy life – the outdoors – taking in the fresh air and learning to self entertain. I shared with her about my own little home in the woods and about our property, the animals, the sticks and the rocks. The fresh air and the small town community. “So you get it, then, don’t you?” she asked.
Yes. That I do.
Jerilyn's vegetable garden. My hubby and I want one of these in our yard!
Even at the age of 90, she sits on the Board of the PeaceTrees Vietnam charity organization and plans to travel to Vietnam with her daughter (Jerilyn) in just a few weeks.
I can only hope to be that active and involved at the age of 90…
From the Farmhouse we ventured over to Jerilyn’s favorite restaurant for dinner: Four Swallows. The Cinnabon executives joined us. Again – the food was glorious. I jumped in head first and tried mussels for the first time; thanks, Cathy!
(FYI: Not a fan of mussels.)
The chef told us that the Steelhead had just been pulled from the water the day before. Of course, I had to order that! It was wonderful. I also ordered an appetizer plate to share with the table. Check out this color! Amazing.
The appetizer plate from Four Swallows; Bainbridge Island.
I chatted quite a bit at dinner with Karen (Focus Brands) and Elita (Blacktating). It was a great talk; I learned all kinds of things that I didn’t know. American Pie sayings, among other (more family friendly) things 
All in all, I loved it.
Back on the van and back to the Ferry. While waiting for the Ferry I saw two kids sitting on the bench. The boy was not much older than my son. He was coming down from a high – leg twitching, eyes batting, etc. He and his young female friend appeared to be homeless. Just watching this made my heart crack a little. My God, people. Our children are gifts – the very thought of my son living on the streets, looking for his next high and a warm place to sleep…the agony in my heart grew as I watched these kids and followed them with my eyes. With my heart. With my sorrow.
Back on the Ferry and then back to the hotel. As wonderful as my time was, I just wanted to get home to my family and to my simple, quiet life – in our tiny little house that reminded me of Jerilyn’s life. A life that I sometimes view as “not enough” when in reality…it’s all that’s ever needed. I wanted to get home to my husband and to my children; so I could love them the way children ought to be loved. So that I could work on leaving a legacy for them of faith. Of hope. Of perseverance.
Of…as Jerilyn said…”Never giving up.”
As much as I loved the cupcakes (the Carrot Cake was my favorite, by the way), I loved Jerilyn’s story and her legacy even more. I’m sure the PR folks knew that we would…it was their brilliant plan all along, no doubt
And it worked. I’ll never look at Cinnabon the same again. The depth is there now. The family aspect. The perseverance. The story behind the story. The woman who lives in a tiny little farmhouse, humble and happy. Working to share her life with others in need, inspiring others to do the same.
Thanks, Cinnabon. Not just for the wonderful treats but for allowing me the opportunity to spend a day with your Jerilyn, her mother and the people behind the scenes. I won’t forget the things I learned while on my trip.
With gratitude and appreciation – your new Cinnabon Fan.
admin 
It all sounds so WONDERFUL!!! I’m still very jealous, but so happy you got to experience it
Thanks for sharing with us 