“Not having the best situation, but seeing the best in your situation is the key to happiness.” –MARIE FORLEO
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sign and a little note telling me that I could have a dessert “on the house.”
The waitress showed a lot of personality when she took our order. While we were waiting on our food, she would stop by and check in, reciting our choices from memory to confirm our order and make sure everything was okay. It turns out she has a master’s degree, yet works two jobs, is raising two children, but wants to go to law school in her spare time. Impressive. Dinner was delicious (Kona-coffee crusted lamb and rainbow trout). As we were eating, I heard a waiter comment to his coworker, “You’re doing an awesome job, Daniel!” Then we were offered our dessert options: one of six Mini Indulgences, and I chose the Belgian chocolate. It was presented with a candle to complete the acknowledgment of my special day, and made even more so by the TLC we received. As we were leaving, I asked to speak to the manager (Amanda) to compliment her on her well-run restaurant, and she acknowledged there was “something special” with her team. Then she talked about her favorite menu items and described them with so much enthusiasm that we took Doug’s mom back there for Mother’s Day. The cost to the restaurant for this special treatment? A little company culture and $4! Yet that special attention infused our entire dining experience and inspired us to go back.
This is a great dessert you should make the day before. It can also be made as a layer cake (with enough topping for three or four layers), and it freezes well, too! Million-Dollar Trifle
Ingredients
• 1 package (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix • 8 oz cream cheese • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar • 1-20 oz can crushed pineapple, with juice
• 2-8 oz cans mandarin oranges, drained • 1-3.5 oz package instant vanilla pudding mix • 1-8 oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed
I recently heard the quote: “A company becomes the people it hires, not the plans it makes. “
That made me pause and reflect on our very special team at Imagine Going There Travel. Not only is each person great at what they do, they also handle every reservation with such care and attention to detail. Plus, they all are amazing women who I love to work with, so I thought it might be time to introduce you to them. Look for our Team Spotlight in the next few issues.
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, combine cake mix ingredients according to box instructions and pour into a greased 15x10-inch sheet cake pan. Bake as directed. Cool and cut into 1-inch squares. 2. In a large bowl, whip cream cheese until soft, then gradually add powdered sugar. Stir in pineapple with juice and the drained mandarin oranges, reserving a few slices for garnish. Mix in dry pudding mix and fold in whipped topping. 3. In a trifle bowl, layer 1/3 cake pieces, then 1/3 of topping and continue layering, ending with topping. Garnish with reserved mandarin orange slices. Refrigerate overnight before serving.
With all the advancements in technology, there is still no
substitute for great people whose DNA is just old-fashioned, heartfelt customer service.
—Carol Shaddix
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Great Vacations Matter Because Great Memories Matter Most
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