Fudgy mousse something or other

What is your favorite dessert?

Cheesecake?

Pie?

Anything chocolate?

All of the above?

Mango cheesecake marvel

At a writers’ retreat in Monterey this week we had the incredible desserts pictured, but we had other kinds, as well.

Oreo mint ice cream sundae tower thingy

View from our room

The sound of the surf crashing onto the wall underneath our hotel room…

the smell of seaweed…

the taste of salt on my lips…

and the the sight of the foamy waves hitting the rocky shore along the 17 Mile Drive.

All of that was even better dessert for this mountain girl. Here are some visual tastes for you…

The lone cypress on the 17 Mile Drive near Carmel

Pacific Ocean sunset

Could there be anything better? Oh, yes, there most definitely is.

We’ve been writer prayer friends for 20+ years: Tricia Goyer, Robin Gunn, Janet Grant (also my agent!), Cindy Martinusen Coloma and me

The faces and hugs and warm encouragement of writer friends who-know-what-my-life-is-like.

These memories will carry me for a time–but will also make me long for future dessert moments with them.

My roomie, Linda Evans Shepherd

So, what’s your favorite dessert?

Do you have a photo or recipe to share?