Conference Memories

Last week at this time I was jetting to Denver for Romance Writers of America's annual conference. So, having been gone all week, I didn't do any cooking other than the leftover breakfast I nuked in my hotel room microwave and the frozen pizza I tossed in the oven when I returned home Sunday evening. However, that doesn't mean there isn't food to talk about. Like the incredible Fried Cheese Curds I had at one of the hotel's restaurants. No pictures, but trust me, they were awesome. If you don't believe me, just ask Mary Connealy. 

For me, the highlight of any RWA conference is always the Harlequin party. Every year, they treat their authors to an indulgent night of desserts and dancing at some exclusive hotel that makes us feel so special. 

There's fun with friends. Don't we clean up well?

From left to right, LIS author Christa Sinclair, me, LI author Jill Lynn and LIS author (and my roomie) Sharee Stover.

And did I mention desserts?

Decadent.

Indulgent.

Incredible!

Insert your own adjective. 

Yeah, there's only one way to top all of that.

Does Beauty and the Beast seem rather apropos? Though he's the cutest beast ever. I mean everyone knows that spaghetti sauce makes the best face mask and hair gel.

Now it's your turn. Which dessert intrigues you the most? What would be your first sampling? And are you one of the many caught in the clutches of summer's heat?

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Three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy Obenhaus, lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children, two dogs and countless cattle. 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 mindyobenhaus.com. 

Quick Dinner for a Hot Summer Night

Last week something (I don't even remember what) went wrong and I was suddenly stuck for a quick meal using whatever I had on hand.

Uh oh.

Then I had an idea!!!!!

I remembered how we were all wowed by Mary Connealy's quick lasagna using cottage cheese. Hmmm. I had some of that. Maybe I could improvise!

Tomatoes?   Check

Basil?    Check

Spaghetti?    Check

Garlic?   Of course. I always have my favorite freeze-dried garlic on hand.

Cottage Cheese?  Check

This was perfect because A) it was hot and B) I didn't really feel like cooking and this was quick and tasty.

All I had to do was cook the spaghetti, then briefly stir-fry the tomatoes, garlic and basil.
I drained the spaghetti, tossed it into the wok with the tomato basil mix, stirred in the cottage cheese to warm, and serve.

I also happened to have a fabulous multi-grain baguette to go with it. I could have added a salad, but I didn't. ;)


There you have it - carbs, veggies, and protein in about ten minutes.



So what are your go-to meals in a hurry?  Isn't it nice to have Yankee Belle friends like Mary Connealy to fall back on in an emergency?