Chocolate Cake and a Turducken

Working in a hotel you come across so many things it's pretty ridiculous.

You'll get people with lots of money or who can only spend a certain amount. You come across people who are super nice or those guests who had a looong trip to the final destination. The people you meet are all different.

For someone who never turns down free food, it's always awesome when a guest gives you food. Not only is it thoughtful, but you know that you are appreciated. The other night, we helped a guest store a chocolate cake for his friend's birthday. Luckily I worked the next day and they didn't finish it. They gave it to the front desk and we  finished it. It's almost like a tip to me. Not only did we receive a cake, but also a full box of these chocolate covered pecan caramel things from another guest. And this was all before 10 am in the morning. Most of the time, a guest can't bring the food with them on the plane or they have extra of whatever they are making, so they end up giving it to us. Other times guests will actually make things for us and that's just as sweet, if not more.

Where I work, it's not a normal hotel. It's a condominium resort and we get lots of families who want a little extra space on their vacation. I don't blame them. I love hotels but having an extra bedroom and nice kitchen and living area makes things a little easier. So many families are coming now to Aspen for the holiday season and with that, we are receiving so many packages. I give props to our bell staff and front office for dealing with all that is being handled and keeping their cool about it.

Very recently, we came across a perishable item that needed to be refrigerated. This was for a big family who are all coming out to celebrate the Christmas season. They had so many packages being delivered but the most important was the turkey. One of the family members kept on calling to make sure we had it. When it finally arrived it wasn't a turkey. No, it was a "Turducken" It kinda made me smile in that it was pretty unique and a little fun for the family who is from Louisiana. And for those who don't know what it is, it's a duck stuffed inside a chicken, stuffed inside a turkey. It's a little too much for me, but maybe it's a family tradition. Who knows, we got a kick out of it! I'm wondering how they are going to cook that thing and what is it going to taste like?

So whatever you are having for the holiday season or whatever you give to those at the front desk, I'm sure it's pretty awesome! We try to give memorable vacations and memories to families who stay with us. And thanks to those guests who give us memorable moments and memories we can cherish.

Me-n-Eds

This post is a little late due to my internet troubles.

Thanksgiving was a little different this year. You see, this was the first time I was away from home & family. This year I didn’t have my Grandma’s awesome cranberry sauce or her pumpkin pie. Don’t even get me started on the turkey and how good that is. I work in Aspen, CO away from my family. So, I couldn’t even have the leftovers. And I am not going to enjoy my dad’s really good turkey noodle soup he makes every year after Thanksgiving. That soup is so hearty and perfect for cold weather. It’s made with egg noodles, turkey, celery, carrots, and more.   I spent the holiday at work as I started at 3 pm. Thankfully, my work provided a Thanksgiving meal for lunch, but the atmosphere wasn’t the same. I did have my work family though and the deep-fried turkey was so good. All the food was good!

Even though Thanksgiving is a day for family and friends to get together and be thankful for what you have, I sort of had an early Thanksgiving. I was home for my dad’s birthday in early November and we all gathered at our favorite pizza place, Me-n-Eds in Lakewood, CA. I’ve been going there since I can remember and my dad grew up there as well. The pizza is crispy & wonderful and my favorite toppings are sausage and mushrooms. When I was younger my cousins and I would also watch them make pizza through the glass case and I would always play pinball or the car race game.  I’ve had several birthday parties there and a band plays every Friday and Saturday night.

So you could say that going to Me-n-Eds was my family Thanksgiving. My family was there and it was basically a feast. We all enjoy it and our stomachs get so full. And my Grandma made her famous carrot cake. I was thankful for everything and love that surrounded me.