This is correct but I would add that if you manually write a check, it's still your choice whether you want to put the vendor name in QuickBooks or not.  The only time you would definitely have to is if you are printing the checks from QuickBooks.  Additionally, as a further note to the above point of creating a vendor such as Misc Expenses, it might also help to create a "vendor" per subject, e.g. Hotel, or Dining, and put all related expenses under vendors of a certain subject.