Tex here, just off the plane from Indianapolis, the site of the 2013 ACFW Conference. And, oh my stars...what a wonderful conference it was.
Of course, the highlight of any conference is the gala. Everyone is decked out in their finest and the food is to-die-for. And since I haven't cooked in days, I'm going to make you all drool over our fare.
The ballroom was filled to capacity and everyone look GORGEOUS.
Brandilyn Collins welcomed us and blessed our meal.
Then dinner was served.
Mushroom ravioli with summer vegetables, leeks, and charred tomatoes was our first course.
My, oh my, was it delicious. Especially if you love mushrooms like I do.
Then, with conversation swirling about the room, we moved on the salad course. Mixed baby greens with apples, marcona almonds, goat cheese fritters and herb dressing. (who comes up with these names?)
Sorry, no pic for this one. By the time I remembered to take one, my plate was clean. But, boy, was it ever yummy. Especially that goat cheese fritter.
Finally, with beautiful piano music playing in the background, it was time for the main course.
Filet mignon with caramelized shallot mashed potatoes and Syrah sauce.
This had to be the most perfectly cooked, most tender steak I've ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth. It was amazing.
But the pièce de résistance was dessert. Chocolate swirl cheesecake with caramel sauce and raspberries. Ooo, I get tingly all over just thinking about it.
You guessed it, I cleaned that plate too. Matter of fact, it took a good bit of self control not to lick my plate. But considering I was all dressed up, I restrained myself.
Yes, ACFW 2013 was a smashing success. I went with no expectations, no plans, except to enjoy old friends and meet new. What I discovered, though, was that I needed to be fed. Not physically, but spiritually. And between our keynote speaker, Robin Jones Gunn, and an amazing workshop by Jim Rubart and Allen Arnold called Live Free, Write Free, the parched soil of my spirit was quenched.
I love it when God shows up in unexpected ways.
Next year we're off to St. Louis. Hope to see you there!
Followed some of the webcast and even that way could tell what a great experience it was. Sounds like the food was as topnotch a caliber as everything else there. Maybe one year I'll get there. This year it's the Surrey Conference again -- I'm lucky enough that it's local for me.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I love that there are so many conferences to choose from. We all need that refreshment and regeneration that comes from being with other writers.
DeleteThanks for the food recap. Made me realize that a vegetarian wouldn't starve at a conference...especially with that cheese cake! Yum. I watched the webcast and got a feel for the whole experience. Hoepfully next year I'll be there for real.
ReplyDeleteKav, you're in luck. They do have meals for those with special dietary needs, including vegetarian. However, I have no idea what those people were served. I knew you wouldn't get nearly as excited about that steak as I did :) But I'm sure they had delicious options for folks like you, too. And I hope you do get come next year. I can't wait to meet you!
Deletelittle fancy for me LOL and I'd probably been licking my plate regardless so no one here probably wants to sit with me at one of these shindigs... :-)
ReplyDeletecheesecake..yum!
sounds like you had a great time!
Susanna
You know, Susanna, if you would have been there and I saw you licking your plate, I would have joined right in. :D
Deletethanks Mindy you're a true friend and Texan! :-)
DeleteSusanna
I'm going to have to SHOOT YOU! You stole my post!!!! LOL I was making excuses to my table, snapping shots of our food, so I could use it for my post on Friday. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe I'll just share the salad photo. It's the only one I remembered to take before I took a bit out of the food. LOL
It was wonderful to get to see you and have breakfast with you, Mindy! You did a fantastic job with the Carol Awards and looked so gorgeous.
That was supposed to say BITE.
DeleteMissy, I was just going to say that you could talk about the salad:) I'm glad we could hook-up too. But I was SO nervous doing the awards. Always am, but usually get comfortable after a few minutes. Not this year. My knees were shaking like crazy. But it was still a great conference.
DeleteWow, Mindy -- you didn't look nervous at all. You were like an announcer diva! I was quite fabberghasted at how cool and collected you were. I'd have just yammered gibberish if someone forced me up onto a stage! And I'd read everyone's name wrong and mismatch titles and oy it would have been a disaster. You were ubercool and diva smooth in delivery. :-)
DeleteAww, thank you, Kav. Guess I should take comfort in knowing I looked calm. There is a reason I have a script AND, if any name pronunciations are in question, I always ask.
DeleteThat dinner looks like it was fabulous. And I would have been tempted to lick my plate, too!
ReplyDeleteNext year in St. Louis!
That'll be our theme for the year, Jan. Meet me in St. Louis! :)
Delete:) Now that song will be going through my head all day!
DeleteAnd I'll have to put the movie on my Netflix list.
See what you've done?
Hee, hee, hee... :)
Delete