From the Summer Reads Blog Hop, Sherry Strode wins an ecopy of HER UNEXPECTED FAMILY.
Fr
om Melissa Schroeder’s 10th Aniv Blog Hop, Kathy Watts wins an ecopy of PHANTOMS & FANTASIES.
Ladies, please contact me at Carol(at)CarolBurnside(dot)com with your preference of file type. Thanks to everyone for participating!
7/30/14: Actually, ladies, check your e-mail. I’d forgotten I have your addys. Happy reading, everyone!
Okay, so my trip to San Antonio and the RWA conference began on Tuesday. I flew in, grabbed a shuttle and made it to the hotel and my room with no trouble. Whew! I wasn’t there long when my son called that he was on his way from Austin, where he works as a firefighter and EMT. When he arrived we walked along the Riverwalk and stopped at the Esquire Tavern, a night spot the Marriott’s concierge recommended as being eclectic.
I was so excited to see Jason, I only got one quick picture before our food came. 
The Esquire Tavern was located in the upper story of an historic building and looked very Texas, inside and out. We had drinks at the bar while waiting for a table, but it didn’t take long. Our dining selections were (from their menu):
CHICKEN MOLE – mesquite smoked organic chicken, dark mole, candied almonds and creamed corn
HUITLACOCHE ENCHILADAS – corn tortillas stuffed w/ huitlacoche & creamed corn, topped w/ huitlacoche salsa, Oaxaca cheese, chimichurri and macerated onion
I have to say, my son’s enchiladas were better than the mole. Mine had a great flavor, but was a thigh/leg quarter and really difficult to eat. The waiter tried to convince me that the bright pink inside my chicken was a vein. Um, no. Cook it more. They did. I ate. Just when the darkness of the mole became a bit too intense, the candied almonds rescued my palate and made me want more.
Live music topped off the experience and we walked back. Ever the EMT, Jason roused a transient sleeping under a bridge because neither of us were sure he was breathing. He grunted an answer. We left him to his stupor and continued on to enjoy a small cup of gelato on the return trip along the riverwalk. Yum!
Tomorrow: Lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Susan arrives! And a humongous book signing.
I’ve been away at the Romance Writers of America’s national conference with my good friend Susan Carlisle and others. The conference took place in San Antonio along the Riverwalk, which was quite lovely even if it did add to the humidity. It was a blast, exhausting, and I have stuff to share now. Woo-hoo, right?
San Antonio in July…I know, right? Who thought that would be a good idea? Hot and humid describes the weather no matter which day is referred to. Thank goodness for air conditioning, which our friends from England found too chilly. There were a ton of workshops and events. A ton. It was difficult, at times, to choose which one I wanted to attend. The food was good, the friendship divine, the atmosphere inspiring. What more could I ask for, a drink, maybe? But no, we had those too. 🙂
I’m trying to regroup today, get unpacked, judge my Maggie contest entries and score, get a few chores done around the house, feed myself and the dogs, and sneak in a workout in the pool. Oh! And send the entrants for the recent hops through Random.org to choose winners. Definitely got to get that done, too. So, check back each day this week for updates, pictures and more.
#RWA2014
CAROL BURNSIDE / ANNIE RAYBURN 