My Incentive Trip–The People & The Food!

I said it Wednesday on my Live!…It’s the people.

THAT’S the best part of all of Stampin’ Up!® events, including incentive trips! This time we spent time with our cousins Dan & Donna Melcher (my mom and Dan’s mom were sisters.) We intended to have a meal together or something and ended up hanging out for a few hours a few nights, just gabbing. [Imagine! Me, gabbing. 😉 ] We had a lovely time, and Todd even stayed up til 11pm one of the nights!!! That’s unheard of!! 😉 The next night was only 10. 😀

I also mentioned my original OG (Cruise/Dinner Family) Lisa Marie Smith. And I PERSONALLY didn’t take ANY people pics!! I stole these from Lisa Marie’s posts. We hung out with her family too–Chuck, Alissa, and met Rebecka (daughter) and Adalynn (granddaughter) for the first time. When Lisa Marie said [Chuck] hasn’t talked this much [like he was to Todd] since we got here, we realized they hadn’t seen each other since Maui!

Look at these adorable pics!

Another person I have evidence of chatting with for a bit was Tamara Bertram. (It’s a good thing others take pics!!) We met her on her very first incentive trip (it was our 2nd full one) in the Greek Isles when her hubby decided not to leave the ship for the Athens port. We had lunch with her! And Todd hasn’t seen her since. It was a fun reunion, and we got to meet her daughter Alicia, too. 🙂

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Ok so another awesome thing I love about vacations is FOOD!! We had some GREAT food!!

The second night we were there, we decided to try a walk-in at Narcoossee’s, the seafood restaurant where we really tried to make a reservation. I surprised Todd and ok’d our sitting at the bar where they served the same menu. I usually don’t like high top tables–or more like the chairs. But I knew Todd really wanted to try this restaurant. It was fabulous! Very expensive but fabulous.

We both love and wanted the lobster bisque, and it was highly recommended. Well, it was good. But honestly if you’ve had the lobster bisque around GR at Cooper’s Hawk or The Old Goat? That’s definitely better. I probably wouldn’t bother ordering it again here.

Todd ordered a bucatini pasta entree with shrimp and roasted tomatoes. It was really good!

But MINE was cravable! I ordered a shrimp and grits appetizer AND a loaded mashed potatoes “side”. The glazed pork belly on top called my name–loudly! They were both incredible!!! Both my [grilled] shrimp and pork belly were so tender! Remember how Todd “won” the first glass blown pumpkin outing with his color choices, and I “won” the first glass blown Christmas ornament with mine? Well, I definitely “won” dinner with these meal choices. 😉 Woohoo! SO GOOD.

When we first had problems making reservations at the resort, we had just decided we’d take a bus to Disney Springs (big outdoor mall with lots of food choices.) We didn’t want to keep paying resort prices and thought we’d have more options. Plus, we had some good recommendations from Disney-loving friends. We went there for one meal each of the last 3 days. OUR FAVE was The Polite Pig–a bbq place. It was amazing!

Todd ordered a smoked turkey BLT and grilled Mexican street corn. I didn’t bother with his sandwich 😉 but the corn was delicious! (We were splitting everything.)

I ordered the bbq meatball appetizer–that again came with grits and crispy onion tanglers. And we also ordered sweet potato TOTS and mac and cheese. SO SO GOOD!!! The prices seemed more “normal” for what we ordered, too. Todd admitted his turkey BLT was the weak link of the meal. 😀 This meal was so good, we had it a couple days later AGAIN! We considered trying a poutine place, but we couldn’t resist this. But we weren’t as hungry so we just split the meatballs and tots. Cuz we knew were gonna have dessert again, too, which I’ll share next!

Can you tell I love food??? I should have had a post just about the food!! (But I still have projects & swap boards to share!)

Dessert was from the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop. It was expensive. But my mouth said it was WORTH IT!!

Todd ordered an Ocean Beach Sea Salt Caramel Sundae. I think he loved it, but I’m not sure. Because I was in heaven with mine! And I think he chose something different the second time. Here’s his first one. It’s sort of hiding, but yes, there’s a Ghirardelli Salted Caramel Chocolate on top.

I ordered a Strawberry Passion Hot Fudge Sundae. Both times. And didn’t regret a single bite!! Vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream, sweetened strawberries, hot fudge, whipped cream and a chocolate covered strawberry. Heaven. It’s a good thing there’s not one of these near us. I’d go broke! We definitely paid for the Disney and Ghirardelli brands for these. But as I said, no regrets. Our cousins said there IS one in Chicago, but I still talked Dan into the Strawberry Passion when they went. 😀

Ok, I think that’s all the food I have to share! Thanks for letting me re-live my journey with you!

As per the usual, I have to share my disclaimer: earning this trip does not represent standard results. All demonstrators have the opportunity to earn it, but it takes dedication and loyal customers–and I dare say, a wonderful rock of a husband & cheerleader to do it. 🙂 (Thank you!!) Less than 1% of all demonstrators earn the incentive trip each year.

Have a magnificent day and weekend!!

ps: I’m hoping to be back later today with swap board pics and sneak peeks from new product displays. Regardless of when, I will share.