My Crazy, Whacked-Out Week

Mindy here, and since moving to the ranch in May, we’ve had some less-than-normal weeks. But this past week had me jaunting across half of Texas, savoring time with writing friends and seeing some significant changes at the big house. All of which had me craving some major comfort food.

So last Tuesday I made my trek from Southeast to North Texas and the beautiful Gaylord Texan Hotel and Resort for ACFW’s annual conference where I enjoyed four amazingly relaxing days in which people prepared my food and no one expected me to paint anything. Unfortunately, I failed to take pictures, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Before going to the hotel, though, I stopped to visit this little guy.

Max is getting so big. But he still melted his Grammy's heart when he reached for me as I was getting ready to leave.

The 2017 ACFW Conference opened Thursday afternoon with a thought-provoking keynote speech by Randy Alcorn. All I can say is that I will forever look at Heaven in a different light.

Friday morning, it was time to hit the road again for our oldest son’s Aggie Ring Ceremony in College Station, Texas.

 

Texas A&M is a school steeped in tradition, including their class rings.

Mom (or Dad) puts the ring on the student’s finger, you go to Kyle Field (football stadium) for pictures, and then later you drop said ring into a pitcher of liquid and then chug said liquid until you catch your new ring between your teeth. Since his major in industrial engineering, the boy settled on watered-down lemonade instead of anything carbonated that might make it even more difficult reach the bottom of the pitcher. But Mama didn’t hang around for that part because she had to get back to Dallas.

Most of you know that I always share photos of the amazing meals they serve us at the ACFW Gala. However, this year, the notion of taking any pictures seemed to have slipped my mind. However I did manage to eek out a pic of our AMAZING gala main course.

 

Best filet mignon EVER. Tender, juicy, seasoned to perfection.

And what is conference without a little craziness among friends?

 

Georgiana Daniels, it was so much fun to spend time with you.

But all good things must come to an end. So Sunday morning, my luggage and I piled into the car and headed back to the ranch.

You wouldn’t believe how many fun things were waiting for me there. Signs of life.

Things like tile.

Kind of looks like cinder blocks. Until you look closer.

Should look better with some grout.

We now have window casings.

New back doors.

 

And even interior doors.

 

All of that deserves some comfort food. Okay, maybe not that stuff, but I sure needed some. And Beckey’s Diner was just the place.

 

Meet the Monday lunch special – chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, buttered corn and layered salad. Nothing could have been a better cure for post-conference brain.

Now it’s back to the grind where kitchen cabinets are still in limbo and more painting awaits. Along with a renewed vigor for my next story. Whoop!

So what's going on in your neck of the woods this week?

 

Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com