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 

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 

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?