Conference Wrap-Up

Last week I attended American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee. I knew it was going to be great the moment I stepped into the lobby of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and saw this gorgeous glass sculpture.

A photo just doesn't do it justice, though.

One of the best things about a writers conference is connecting with friends, both new and old.

And chatting with the Love Inspired editors is always a treat.

The workshops are informative. I especially loved this one with Carrie Schmidt from Reading is My Superpower, Beth Erin from Faithfully bookish and other book bloggers.

And then there's the food. The night of the gala is always a treat.

That chocolate creation was absolutely divine.

But by the end of it all, I was ready to get back to the ranch. To pony tails and no makeup. To beautiful sunrises...

And nature in all its glory.

Now it's your turn. What have you been up to? Is it feeling like fall where you live?

Three-time Carol Award finalist, 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 

ACFW Conference 2016 - A Taste Sensation

Hard to believe, but ACFW 2016 is now in the history books. And this time, we have to wait more than a year before we come together again, so savoring the memories is extra important. 

Of course, there was one conference highlight that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

I got to hang with Ruthy!!!! Not near as long as I would have liked to, but still. She is so sweet, so cute and definitely related to the Energizer Buddy.

Another highlight was the Love Inspired dinner on Friday evening. Thirty of us eating, talking, laughing, eating...

What a blast.

And the food? Amazing. Absolutely amazing and very Nashville.

Pimento Croustade.

Pulled Pork Red Potato Skins.

Shrimp and Grit Cakes.

Smoked Chicken Cheddar Biscuits.

Smoked Trout Salad with Fried Green Tomatoes.

Throw in some Catfish Tacos and we're talking down-home goodness with class.

Even the water was pretty.

And the desserts.

Oh, my stars. 

Banana Pudding with Smoked Salted Caramel and Marshmallow Meringue AND Music City Mud Pie with Warm Whisper Cream Caramel.

Of course, no one ever leaves an ACFW Conference hungry and Saturday night's gala is always the high point of our feeding frenzy.

We started with a Green Salad with baby tomato, cucumber, radish, goat cheese, carrot, toasted brioche croutons and an herbed buttermilk dressing.

Followed by an entree of Harissa Spiced Grilled Beef Tenderloin Medallion and Turmeric Roasted Chicken, Cauliflower puree, Baby Squash and Tomato, Toasted Barley Potato Hash and a Black Raisin Shiraz Reduction. 

But the dessert?

Be still my heart.

White Chocolate Bombe, Red Velvet Cake, Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream. I'm not sure what sipping cream is, but those crumbles are candied nuts, either pistachio or hazelnut. Regardless, they were delicious. And the combination of everything in one bite?

Divine.

I mean, just look at the inside. 

So smooth and creamy.

Sigh.

Oh, I almost forgot this.

Even the butter took on a Music City flare.

So now it's back to reality. Back to smoothies and tuna. Back to laundry and dishes. But I've returned with a renewed vigor and a quenched spirit. And isn't that what conference is all about?

Were you at ACFW 2016? 

If so, we want to hear about your conference experience?

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. 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.

ACFW 2015 Recap - Food, Glorious Food!

Mindy here, still trying to get my bearings after an amazing ACFW Conference. 

This was a different kind of conference for me. I didn't attend many workshops, however, for the first time, I taught one. Thank goodness it was a tag-team effort with the lovely and talented Lisa Jordan.

Conference is like a big family reunion. Hugging one neck after the other, meeting new family members and savoring every moment, praying it will carry you through to next year.

This year I got to meet my potential twin. Mindy Peltier and I not only share the same nickname and given name, but also the same middle name. And we're both blondes. How cool is that?

Another great thing about conference, is spending time with your editor.

Or editors. 

Our LI editors, looking as cute as ever at the LI Author/Editor dinner, said they heard some great pitches this year.

Look at this lovely ad I came across in the conference booklet.

Way to go, Jan.

And then there was the conference food.

No one will ever leave an ACFW conference hungry.

Thursday's dinner

That pecan tart was TO DIE FOR!

They fed us breakfast, too, but I didn't bother with those pix. I mean eggs are eggs, right.

Friday's lunch.

Okay, Kav, I'm sure you're not impressed with that steak, but that peanut butter mousse tart was definitely a winner.

Saturday's lunch is always our lightest meal. If you want to call it that.

There was also a yummy corn chowder that started this meal, however I forgot to take a picture because I too busy devouring it.

Then it was on to the grandest meal of all.

You know, for a bunch of writers, our group cleans up pretty well.

Any time I get to hang with Becky Yauger is a special event for me.

This delicious spinach ravioli was our appetizer.

Followed by a wedge salad that I almost forgot to take a pic of.

Just look at this entree. Steak and salmon. (Cue the angels singing)

But the most decadent thing of all was the dessert.

Creme Brulee. (insert satisfied sigh)

You will be pleased to know that I refrained from licking the bowl. Though, I really wanted to.

All in all, it was another great conference. I heard lots of chatter about some really good workshops and continuing education classes. 

Today, though, it's back to reality. Time to start working on a new proposal and planning for the next conference, which, by the way, will be a month earlier than usual. August 25th, I believe.

And next year, we're going to Nashville. 

Will you be there?

ACFW Recap (Celebrating Tina, too!)

Tex here, fresh off the heels of the 2014 ACFW Conference in beautiful St. Louis, Missouri.

And what a conference it was. Nice and relaxing.

Probably because I didn't have any duties to worry about. Yes, I volunteered, but I gladly passed the torch of Carol Awards coordinator to the amazing Casey Herringshaw.

Isn't she cute?

She's now my fourth daughter and I couldn't be prouder of the way she handled not only the contest, but she rocked the Carol Award presentation. She was poised, polished and oh so comfortable with her new job. 

Yay, Casey!

So this conference, I had no worries. 

I attended a great session on marketing, as well as many wonderful workshops.

I got to hang with my editor, the incomparable Melissa Endlich.

And my agent, the fabulous Tamela Hancock Murray.

Oh, I got to eat some really, really good food.

I highly recommend the salmon at Charlie Gittos, a cute little Italian restaurant in downtown St. Louis.

Cooked to perfection.

Of course, the gala is always the culinary highlight of any ACFW conference.

Here is this year's menu.

Sorry, no pix of the salad, but hey...it's a salad.

But the entree...

The beef was tender and cooked just the way I like it!

And yes, this Trim Healthy Mama scarfed down all of her dessert.

The BURNT caramel cheesecake didn't taste the least bit burnt at all. :)

Then it was on to the awards.

Tina Radcliffe and I were both up for a Carol in the Short Novel category.

Talk about mixed emotions. Of course I would love to win, but I wanted Tina to win, too.

And the winner is...

The always lovely, yet hates to have her picture taken, Tina Radcliffe.

(insert crazy loud applause)

I am SO happy for you, Tina!

But alas, all good things must come to an end. 

By Sunday morning, we were all a bit foggy, including the banks of the mighty Mississippi River.

But, oh, the memories we made and relationships we grew will live in our minds forever.