So Much to be Grateful for

Thanksgiving is almost here. I can hardly wait to taste all that yummy food. Then it's on to Christmas and all the fun and festivities of the holiday season.

So today, I thought I'd pause for a moment and think about all that I am thankful for. Actually, I was driving home from the grocery store with all of my Thanksgiving fixins when the song Count Your Blessings popped into my head. 

"Count your many blessings, name them one by one."

Hmm...name them one by one?

So I did.

There in the car, I named off each and every thing I was thankful for .

First and foremost, I am thankful for my family.

My ever-growing family.

And there's a reason why I appreciate them so, aside from your typical reasons.

You see, I'm an only child. Growing up, I watched all of my friends with their siblings and longed to have a big family.

Now, I have just that. And whenever we're all together I'm still floored that God could entrust one lonely little girl with so many incredible people.

And don't even get me started on the grandkids, because there just aren't enough tissues to go around.

While we're on the topic of family, I'm also thankful for my dogs.

Because they are my babies, too. 

I'm thankful for God's provision. Food, a safe place to lay my head at night and countless other things we often take for granted.

I'm thankful for the simple things in life. Those things that remind us God still reigns and longs to delight His children with His majesty.

Things like gorgeous sunsets.

Picture perfect settings.

I'm thankful for the lovely ladies here at the Yankee-Belle Café and friends who love me just the way I am.

Who encourage me. 

And aren't afraid to call me out when I need it. 

And, of course, I'm thankful for books and for the calling that God has laid upon me to write for Him.

It's a humbling responsibility, indeed.

And today just happens to be the official release date The Deputy's Holiday Family. 
Whoo-hoo!

Okay, now it's your turn to count your blessing.
What are you thankful for?
Don't forget to name them one by one. 


  

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  

Taking a Break - A Foodie's Fun Weekend

Mindy here, fresh off a wonderfully relaxing weekend. Saturday, hubby and I decided to combine pleasure and business when we visited the home of Bluebell Ice Cream, Brenham, Texas. If you’ve never had Blue Bell Ice Cream, all I can say is that you’re missing out.

But Brenham isn’t all about ice cream. After our trip to Home Depot for floor tile, we took time to visit downtown Brenham for some lunch.

 

Must be Heaven came highly recommended by my friend, Becky Yauger, who used to live in Brenham. This long-time diner is well-known for their sandwiches and pies. I had the Texas Grill Monte Cristo but, alas, I forgot to take a picture. Probably because I was distracted by the pies.

 

Ever heard of Sawdust Pie?

In case you can't read it, the sign says, "Start with mixing equal parts of shredded coconut, graham cracker crumbs, sugar and chopped pecans to create that unique 'dry' sawdust look. Add egg whites and vanilla extract to make it look like 'wet' sawdust. Bake in a pie shell layers with sliced bananas and topped with a non-dairy whipped topping and sprinkled with finely chopped pecan pieces."

And would you take a look at these beautiful cheesecake slices.

If I hadn’t been so full of sandwich, I might have ordered one. Guess I’ll have to wait for our next trip.

After lunch, we stumbled onto a cute little corner bookstore.

 Well, actually I came to a screeching halt when I saw this display in front of it.

Do you recognize anything familiar?

And would you believe that the Christian fiction section was front and center when you walked into the store? Whoo-hoo!

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of meeting my sister-in-law and a couple of her friends for afternoon tea. Oh, you all know how much I love drinking tea, but afternoon tea is always a special treat. A time to sit and take a breather, enjoy some tasty treats and the company of others.

It’s always fun to drink from pretty tea cups and eat off of china.

Even the tea trivets are special.

 We had our savories.

Scones, one savory, one sweet.

And then the desserts.

 Be still my heart. The coconut lime cake was to-die-for, as was the strawberry shortcake trifle. I loved, loved, LOVED the little mason jars they served them in.

Okay, update on the big house reno.

Sheetrock starts going up today! Yay! However, we received word last week that our three new French-style back doors are going to be delayed because the manufacturer messed up and put door-knob and lock holes (also referred to as double-bored) in all seven panels as opposed to only three like they were supposed to. Boo!

In the meantime, we’re trying to knockout what we can, which generally involves more shopping. Which will, likely, mean another trip to Brenham.

Oh, boy! Cheesecake, here I come!

Now it’s your turn. Have you ever been to an afternoon tea? What was/would be your favorite part? 

 

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 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.