I started my first morning in DC with a bowl of Trader Joe’s raspberry soy yogurt topped with gigantor blackberries, a cup of oolong tea, and a treasure map that would guide me from Emily’s house to the Eastern Market metro.  The Eastern Market metro would eventually take me to King Street, where I would meet a different Emily, Emily of Daily Garnish, for lunch.

But first, check out all the goodies I purchased from Trader Joe’s for THIRTY BUCKS!  I really do think that if TJ and Tampa met, it would be an instantaneous love affair.

I misinterpreted the treasure map and hopped on the wrong transfer train, both of which caused an embarrassingly late arrival at Nickell’s & Scheffler’s.

Luckily I was greeted by the most pleasant of company and a super delish grilled veggie panini.  I ordered mine first, sans cheese, and snuck a grin when I overheard Emily order hers dairy-free as well.  It was an unusually nice feeling to not be the weird one of the group!

I soaked in what was left of a winter wonderland on my walk home.

Then I was followed by this little guy for a lengthy stretch.

And then… this.  A giant snowball standing solitary in the middle of Lincoln Park.  This Florida girl found it fascinating.

Conclusion?  My first tweetup was a great success!  It was my first step towards making my virtual foodie community something real, and I liked it.