Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Bloomington, MN and the home of Bethany House Publishing. I had only visited once before, back in 2009, right after I signed my first publishing contract. In January. With snow piled higher than I was tall along the sides of the roads. This time, the sun was shining and temps were in the mid-sixties. It was a glorious visit.
And not just because of the weather.
We had an excellent sales and marketing meeting where I got a fabulous idea for a Christmas present to my readers . . . stay tuned for more information on that in the future, and a handful of editorial meetings where Dave Long and Jessica Barnes helped me brainstorm an upcoming novella project as well as discuss future novel possibilities. (Those kinds of meetings are always a little nerve-wracking for me, but Dave and Jessica were wonderfully supportive and encouraging.)
My agent, Rachelle Gardner, flew out to join me for the first day of the visit, and it was great to spend time with her again. We didn’t have a lot of one-on-one time, but she proved a great asset during our marketing meeting.
Now, you might recall my recent post on my love of waterfalls (you can see it here). Well, apparently, my editor also happened to see that post and, since the weather was so beautiful, surprised me with a trip to Minnehaha Falls in the heart of Minneapolis. Compared to the lovely trickles in Georgia my husband and I viewed, this was a raging rampage – and gorgeous!
Me, Dave Long, and Rachelle Gardner
The colors were just beginning to change as you can see in the picture on the left of the river past the falls.
Then, for dinner that evening, they treated Rachelle and I to a great local diner that specialized in savory waffles. For the record I would like to mention that Jessica, Rachelle, and I all dared to try the waffle. Dave opted for the hamburger. Here is the 
menu description of the waffle: Pumpkin, currant + Swiss waffle, red onion jam, pear allspice butter, spicy pumpkin seeds, bacon lardoons (which were 2-inch square hunks of bacon, by the way), sunny-side egg, maple syrup, powdered sugar. I must say that I was feeling very adventurous – a bit like one of my heroines, I would like to think. (LOL). I wasn’t a big fan of the red onion jam, but I ate nearly everything else. It was so unique and flavorful.
On the way to the airport, the marketing team took me to lunch at an elegant spot where we talked about Amy Green’s penchant to break out into show tunes, Steve Oates’s garden turned mud flat, and Noelle Buss’s upcoming wedding (only days away!). It was such a lovely time. 🙂
So, what is the most interesting local food you’ve ever tried?
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Sounds like a fun time! My most memorable local food experience was my family and I eating snails in a Hanoi market. Combined with the fried frog and chips (no fish & chips available!) made Vietnam a very interesting culinary experience
Oh, my! You are a brave woman, Carolyn. Wow. Not sure I could do the snails. Maybe the frog since it was fried. Frog & Chips instead of Fish & Chips. That’s just funny!
You picked a great week to visit our city. The weather has been wonderful! I’m glad you saw Minnehaha Falls and enjoyed some great restaurants! Come again!
I definitely plan to return, Cathy. I always love my time there even though it is so short. Maybe I’ll come back just for fun one day and see all the various sites.
Thanks for sharing your visit. The pictures are beautiful.
I’ve only been to MN in the dead of winter with -28 degree temps. I would like to go one time when it’s a bit warmer.
My first visit was in January, so I hear you about the cold, Andrea. Brrr! The weather was absolutely perfect for the two days I was there this time. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.
What beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure, Jennifer. Our God has made a beautiful world. 🙂
I loved this peek into your Bethany House visit. How cool that Minneapolis had such a beautiful waterfall to add to you recent ‘collection’!
I know! I was totally surprised when Dave mentioned a visit. The surrounding park area was so green and lush. There was a group of young mountain bikers gathered in one area. And we saw a couple dragging kayaks around as if they were wanting to attempt the river since it was so full. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me. 🙂
HI, Karen. Thanks for those beautiful pictures. Bethany House looks like it’s – literally – a HOUSE! Very homey, at least according to the picture you posted.
I studiously avoid food I don’t know and food that has questionable origins or preparation techniques. One accidental mistake I made, in Paris in 1996, my friend and I were stranded because of a last-minute rail strike (trying to get back to Holland, our base) and we went into a little pub-type of place, and ordered hamburgers. Not being French speakers, we figured a hamburger is a hamburger. While waiting for our meals, I was looking through the French menu and looked up a few words in my word book. Did you know “hamburger au cheval” means a hamburger made out of horse meat? That’s what it appeared to be. I will NEVER eat a horse again. Poor baby!
Oh, no!That’s awful. I certainly understand your hesitancy. I have pretty simple tastes so I don’t get adventurous too often, but every now and then I step out of my comfort zone. I was glad the ladies convinced me to try the waffle. It made me feel like an intrepid heroine. Ha!
Ah, Karen, I always love it when you post here, and I get to follow your fun adventures. I was wondering how your trip to Bethany House went. So happy for you! Looking forward to your next novella.
Thanks, Beth! It was a great trip. Lots of ideas sparking. 🙂
That looks so good! And the falls are lovely. I’m glad you had a great trip and quality time with everyone! I guess the weirdest thing I’ve eaten was fried calamari in California. It was in a salad and I thought it was onion rings. I squealed when I realized I’d eaten it.
But down south, we love chicken and waffles 🙂
You know, I’ve never had chicken and waffles. I think I would like that. My husband got me to try calamari once. Kind of chewy but not much taste. 🙂
When my husband and I were in Bible College in the Northeast Georgia Mountains (35 years ago) we stopped at a little Mom & Pop diner. With our burgers, they served us deep fried pickles-along with the fried green tomatoes. Really, they were deep fried, like onion rings! Not a fan.
I’ve seen fried pickles on menus around here, too, but I’ve never tried them. I like pickles but not sure I would want to eat them like French fries. Ha!
Sounds like a wonderful visit to MN, Karen! Oh my, those waterfalls look gorgeous, and the waffle looked yummy! So glad you had a nice time. 🙂 And I’m curious about which Georgia waterfalls you visited (when you mentioned the “trickles” in your post, LOL). 😉
Hugs, Patti Jo
Hi, Patti Jo! My husband took me on a whirlwind 2 day waterfall excursion right after the ACFW conference where we visited 8 different waterfalls in Georgia. Anna Ruby was our favorite, but we also visited Amicalola, Helton Creek, Angel & Panther Falls, Desoto, Raven Cliffs, Tallulah Gorge, and the much more modest version of Minehaha.It was a great trip!
I love the waterfalls, Karen! I’m not a brave foodie. At. All. My husband loves to try new food and he tells me whether or not he think I’d like it. If he gives it the thumbs up, I might work up the guts to give it a try! 😉