Tuesday, July 29, 2014

RWA 2014, Part One

Tex here, fresh off the heels of RWA 2014 in beautiful San Antonio, Texas.

From the time we arrived, it was obvious that Harlequin was a huge sponsor of this shindig. 
Wherever you turned, there was a Harlequin sign. 
I particularly liked this elevator door, though.
Recognize anyone noteworthy here?


RWA's annual literacy signing was my first event. I was so excited. 
The massive ballroom was filled with energy.

The next night was a party hosted by Amazon.
My roommate, Lindi Peterson, and I decided to go as twins.

I finally got to meet our own Julie Hilton Steele.
That's her on the right. Not the best pic (sorry Julie), but proof that we have met.

This party was packed, but with all the right stuff.
Like roaming cowboys.
Wish this was a better pic, but you get the idea.
That's Mary Curry, one of LIS's newest authors, along with Missy Tippens, Lacy Williams, Laurie Alice Eakes and Deb Kastner there in the lower right hand corner.
I think Missy was kinda likin' that cowboy.

And while he was impressive, you'll notice that I got a better shot of the candy.
Chat balloons with little hearts in them. 
How cute is that?
Luckily they weren't peanut. Otherwise, the bowl would have been empty.

Friday night was biggest event in my book.
The Harlequin party. I've heard about this party for years, but this was my first. 
L-r: Janet Dean, Tina Radcliffe, Lacy Williams, Missy Tippens, Merrilee Wren, Myra Johnson, me, Mary Curry and Debby Guisti.
Does this group clean up well or what?

We piled into cabs and headed to Westin Riverwalk Hotel.
Oh, my. Such a gorgeous place.

After climbing the grand staircase, we spilled into a beautiful lounge area decorated in red and white.
I really wanted to take one of these pillows home with me, but decided to behave.

Lavish displays were everywhere.

And the desserts...?
How I missed tasting this flourless chocolate cake is beyond me. 
I guess I was in such awe.

This was the s'more station, complete with homemade marshmallows. 
They're the square ones on the left, regular and chocolate.
Very, very cool.

But not as cool as this.
Any guesses as to what they're making?

Ice cream.
But not just any ice cream. This was liquid nitrogen ice cream.
See that big silver tank behind the chefs in the fist pic?
I've seen them make this type of ice cream on the The Food Network, but have never tasted it.
How do they make it, you ask?
Well, they whisk their ice cream mixture, then they add the liquid nitrogen until it's frozen.
It is the creamiest ice cream you will ever have.
Personally, I could have taken this big old bowl and huddled in a corner somewhere until it was gone.
Absolutely amazing.

Missy and I having fun in the blond section. :)

I gotta hand it to those Harlequin people. They really know how to throw a party.
And they think of everything.
Remember that red and white table display I showed you above?

Socks.
They knew 200 women would be ditching their high heels after a couple dances.

This was my first RWA since 2007, and I had a blast.
Now I'm counting the days until they meet in NYC next year. If for nothing more than the Harlequin party. :)

Missy will be sharing more on the conference later this week.
So until then...

35 comments:

  1. This was great! Now I really want s'mores...

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    1. Virginia, I could have kicked myself for not trying one. I was too awestruck.

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  2. Ooooh -- thanks for sharing this! Great pictures. Kind of fancy dancy for me but I loved looking in on that Harlequin party. And the socks are cute. What a great souvenir.

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    1. Kav, fancy is fun every once in a while. Especially when you get to share it with so many friends. :)

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  3. Mindy,
    You look beautiful and I love your dress. I had seen the socks (cute too) on Seekerville but now I understand what they were for. Really enjoyed your pictures and whats not to love about cake, ice cream and chocolate?!

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    1. Thank you, Tracey. I was pleased I could recycle dresses this year. Haven't been able to wear that one since early 2010. :)

      I think I'm still dreaming about that ice cream. Would you believe I walked out if there only having eaten 4 dark chocolate truffles and one of those little cups of ice cream? That is just wrong. Guess I was too busy dancing.

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  4. Seriously the best food evah! My favorite was the homemade square marshmallows.

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    1. I still can't believe I didn't try one of those, Tina. Grumble, grumble, grumble...

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  5. I had a great time. Can't believe I danced for 3 hours. My feet sure let me know they didn't appreciate it.

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    1. Margaret, it was my knees that were giving me grief the next day. But just think of all the calories we burned. All while having the time of our lives. :D

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  6. Thanks for the coverage Mindy! I always wanted to know what the "Fairyland" party was like. So glad you had a great time.

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    1. Piper, it was so nice to meet you. Such a beautiful lady.

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  7. Getting really frustrated with blogspot this morning. This is the 3rd time I've tried to post this.

    Sooooo

    Hey Mindy!!!!

    Thanks for the recap. Great party.

    I wasn't particularly inclined to have my marshmallow roasted over a sterno (!) so I ate it plain. Still yummy. Best part - all that food was virtually calorie-free because everyone danced the night away. Awesome DJ who really knew how to get people moving. Even me.

    Mindy's photo doesn't begin to do justice. She looked absolutely stunning in that dress. It was an act of humility to be photographed next to her. ;)

    Thanks for sharing the recap!

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    1. Obviously your frustration with Blogger is affecting your brain, Mary. But thank you. I'm so glad I got to meet you, actually hug your neck, AND that you got to go to the HQ party. A first for both of us.

      Yeah, the Sterno thing is a little weird. Don't think having a campfire in the ballroom would have gone over too well, though. :P

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  8. Looks like fun. And you looked so fabulous. Though I don't think I'd want your diet.

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    1. I don't recommend the liquid diet either, Julie. Though the grilled prime rib I ate Saturday for lunch more than made up for it. Guilt-free eating at it's best. So happy to be a carnivore (sorry, Kav).

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  9. dunno about square marshmallows- just don't seem right somehow!
    my feet hurt just seeing all the heels!
    Susanna

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    1. I thought so, too, Susanna. But according to those who ate them, they were ah-mazing. :)

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  10. That looks like SUCH a fun party! Thanks for letting us get a glimpse of it :)

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  11. Well, I was GOING to post Part 2 on Friday. But I think Mindy posted all the same photos I was going to do!!! LOL I'll have to figure out something else, I guess. ;) Maybe different angles of the food?? ;)

    I had so much fun. But my hip muscles still hurt!! Doing the Wobble gets me every time. :)

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    1. LOL! I told Danielle she was going to have to teach me how to do the Wobble. Not to mention dance like Beyoncé. Ha!

      Most of my pix weren't that good, so I'm sure you have much better shots, Missy. I say go ahead and post away. :)

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    2. Missy did you get a better shot of the cowboy?!
      Susanna

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    3. LOL, Susanna! Yes, I did get a slightly better one. I'll be sure to share it. :)

      Mindy, I hollered in pain at Zumba today when I used those Wobble muscles. LOL

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    4. So they teach you the Wobble at Zumba?

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    5. They did at my last class. That's where I learned it. But my current class doesn't do it. We were just doing moves that hit those same muscles! :)

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  12. I love this, Mindy!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing all of this, and the Harlequin Party.... Oh my stars, it's just plain wonderful. So fun, so upbeat, so busy and I danced next to Nora Roberts and Linda Howard for an hour and THOSE TWO DON'T STOP..... Wonderful memories!!!!

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    1. Ruthy, I bet you gave ol' Nora a run for her money. ;)

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  13. Love this post! Thank you for sharing it... makes me want to save my money and go to NYC next year :)

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  14. What great pix, Mindy!!! I well remember the awestruck feeling last year at my first Hq party--amazing!!!!!

    (If it sounds like I'm shouting, it's because my ears are still recovering from the loud music!)

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    1. LOL! I know what you mean, Myra. I like to have never gotten to sleep that night for the roaring in my ears. :)

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  15. Loved your pics, Mindy. How I would have loved to be there. One day I will experience a Harlequin party, and I have a hunch I'll be as awestruck as you were. :-)

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    1. You will love it, Keli. Just remember to take it all in. :)

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    2. Such a fun party and great recap! Thanks Mindy! I wish I'd had a pic taken of me with the HQ pillow. Weren't they such fun?

      Mary Curry, I also ate my marshmallows without roasting. Two. Huge marshmallows. Yum.

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