Hi from Marco Island, Florida!
We are here for a few days for the annual Great Harvest Convention! The trip is a chance to attend sessions on how to make our store the best it can be as well as a chance to network and meet all the other owners. I always tell people that although GH is technically a franchise, it’s much more of a co-op of local owners bursting with creativity.
Our travels went well, although it’s been one of those days that feels wasted on flights. Two things I miss from past lives: direct flights and free luggage. Hauling two rolling bags onto two flights is quite the process!
But I did get a nice double serving of Biscoff on my first flight! I smiled at the attendant and told him I loved them and an extra pack fell onto my tray 
PSA: Charlottesville’s airport doesn’t allow yogurt to go through security! Even though I’ve brought it on many a’flight, Karen got the whole “over 3 ounces and a liquid" speech today. Guess it just depends. (And overnight oats are probably easier to get on since the ounces aren’t on the package) She ate one and had to throw away the other two before we got inside.
But let me tell you – the Cville security crew is the NICEST I have ever experienced. So personable! The woman wanted to know where we got our sandwich bread. Heh – Great Harvest is a’comin’!
Matt and I packed sandwiches and apples to eat on our flight
Cheese, jam and chia seeds on homemade Dakota bread
And FINALLY – a crunchy apple!
I had my sandwich around 1:30 and my apple at 2:30.
We also packed a snack bag for the trip
Spoons, napkins, decaf instant coffee, Amazing greens (for emergency hangover treatment!), raisins, bars, various nut butter packets and Meg’s granola! The breakfast at our hotel is fit for a king – $15 for pancakes!? So we’re planning to do breakfast in our room tomorrow morning. I called ahead and we have a mini fridge! During the conference on Mon+Tues we’ll have breakfast included.
Tonight Karen, Matt and I are sharing a room (since we arrived a day early) but tomorrow Matt and I move to our own room (!!)
Once we landed and acquired our rental car (quite a pain in the butt, Dollar!) we made our way to the island, which took about an hour. In the mean time, Karen and I became famished and split a banana while I was driving us there and after we had stopped at a Publix for yogurts, milk and fruit for breakfast.
We arrived, checked in, parked, unpacked (=all easier said than done!) and then made our way to the hotel bar for a drink!
Manhattan for me, Martini for Karen!
Of course the cherry was the best part 
After our drinks, we had a late (8:30) reservation at the nicer restaurant here at the resort.
We started out with a bottle of the Seven Deadly Zins – a favorite wine of Matt and me! I had two glasses – too much! – over the course of dinner.
To start, really fun sourdough with buttah – we were all so hungry and it tasted so good!
After much scrutinization, I ordered the local red snapper in a Thai BBQ sauce. It did not disappoint! I absolutely loved it – breading, noodles, spice and all!
Matt had the jumbo shrimp – boy were they jumbo! And Karen’s Hawaiian-style Sea Bass – ay yi yi!
Our table split a side of snap peas (for a veg!) and mushrooms
For dessert, we shared the coconut crème brulee and some decaf coffee
After dinner, Matt and I went walking on the beach and now we’re all zonked for bed!
See ya tomorrow!
Nice choice for dinner Kath. It sounds like a nice combo.
And, not a bad place to go for a conference! I’d trade that for the Chicago weather here any day! 🙂
The fountain picture is gorgeous!
I hope Karen is feeling ok…remind her not to push herself too hard. Hope you three enjoy the conference!
Ohh the coconut creme brulee sounds heavenly! I definitely want to try making that at home!
)Oh my gosh I love your snack bag. And the contents of course 😉 One thing I’ve never done is eaten a jam and cheese sandwich. That sounds like it has potential Kath!
I love the idea of a snack bag! And I can’t believe they stopped someone for yogurt…that doesn’t make any sense to me!! Have a great time in FL and enjoy the warm weather for the rest of us who aren’t so lucky. 🙂
I’m glad (for you!) GH picks nice places to have conferences! Have a great time!
Walking on the beach sounds lovely!!! Definitely sounds like a long day…rest up! 🙂
Karen is absolutely beautiful! If she would like any recommendations for head scarves or wigs from my Madre (who has had breast cancer), just let me know! She found some VERY cute ones, and I’m sure would be happy to pass the love along:)
Slash I would dieeee to go to Florida right now! I am tired of the snow:(
She says she’s already spent $200 on them! So I’m not sure if she needs more, but if you’d like to email me the link, I’ll forward it on to her
Looks so beautiful and a lot of fun!
That red snapper sounds delicious
That fountain is gorgeous! Enjoy your trip 🙂
Emergency hangover treatments are a must! 🙂
Have a wonderful trip and enjoy that warm weather!
Dinner looks wonderful, I’m especially loving the looks of that jumbo shrimp … mmm!
Have a great tip : ]
Make that “trip” ; ) But if you get a tip, I guess that’s great too, ha.
what a day you had…and a wonderful blog post after a wasted day, i.e. a travel day. but you didnt waste it…at all!! everything looks awesome!
“Two things I miss from past lives: direct flights and free luggage”–Amen to that!
And it’s so random what they allow on and dont in some airports vs. others.
Coconut Creme Brulee…please could you ship me some of that? 🙂
ummm…I love the 7 deadly zins-my parents live near that winery, and when ever I am up in Northern California to visit them, I have to stop in and restock! Enjoy your trip!
I want to try that wine. FL looks lovely. Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures!
Beautiful! Enjoy it down there! Even though I live in Florida, I’ve never been down to that area!
I love that first picture- totally gorgeous! And your sandwiches look professionally made….no pun intended, ha 😉
i just ate such a mediocre apple. yours look so beautiful and perfect!
I absolutely detest the 100 ml liquid rule! It cost me many youghurts because you never know which officer would let it slide and which wouldn’t. At least, you didn’t have to declare your apples as “imported fruit”. I had to on my last flight from Canada to the US.
How was the coconut brulee? I’ve never had it and always wanted some? Are there any coconut flakes in them or just coconut flavored brulee?
Amazing!
Seven deadly zins — love the name!!
Have a great time! I bring food with me when I travel, but I made the mistake of bringing a jar of peanut butter home with me on my carry on last year, and they threw it away 🙁
How gorgeous! Yay for warmth and sand and happiness!
Karen looks absolutely lovely. I just had to say something. 🙂
Your dinner looks lovely! Do you change lenses when you are out in restaurants or just use one? I can’t decide which one is best for restaurants!
I never take off my 35mm – LOVE IT!
That’s my new default lens, too! Do wish it zoomed in and out a bit more, though. Almost perfect. Almost.
Yeah me too. But then it wouldn’t be so sharp!
I love Seven Deadly Zins, a great wine. I used to live in that region and had tasted at that winery several times.
I hadn’t yet seen pictures of Karen with a hat/head covering. I hope she is doing ok despite all the treatment!
She just shaved her head – her hair was starting to fall out 🙁 She’s OK though!
Karen looks fantastic! Tell her to keep up whatever she is doing and to cut herself some slack. My mom’s chemo/radiation was rough- I don’t know how Karen is doing it!
Have a great time this week. 🙂
I would say have fun but it looks like you already are 😀
Mmmm….I love 7 Deadly Zins!
Karen looks so beautiful!! I hope you all have a fantastic time Kath. You deserve it
I always wonder about yogurt and airport security! I’d be so upset if I made the effort to pack it but then couldn’t bring it through. Have fun learning! P.S. Karin looks fantastic!
I’m so jealous you’re in a warm place right now but happy to hear it sounds like the trip is off to a great start!
How cool that you are on Marco! My aunt and uncle live there and she tells me everyday that it’s 80 degrees, sunny and beautiful! What resort are you staying at?
I’d rather not say for safety but I’ll tell you when we leave!
Karen looks so beautiful with her head scarf-she looks vibrant and pretty!
I am inspired by her energy(what a year-moving,surgery and involved with a new
business starting up-goodness!)
How does she manage it all while smiling over a martini and looking so
good? I am sure it is tougher than it looks ,but boy Karen looks fabulous-
hope she is feeling well too.
Have a great trip,and take time to treasure a trip away with family ,whether
for business or pleasure 😉
I agree–she is one classy lady.
Do they sell Biscoff at your grocery store? They do at mine. If you want, I can send you some. Or do you just like to eat it on airplanes? I’m that way with chocolate covered pretzels for some reason. I just like to eat them on airplanes.
Yeah! Actually Biscoff sent me a huge package of them last year. I just find it extra special on flights 🙂
Karen, you look absolutely beautiful!
Have a wonderful time In MArco!
Glad you made it there safely! Switching flights is such a pain, especially with so much luggage!
Love the shirt you are wearing at the bar 🙂 Have a nice GH vacation/seminar! 😀
So glad your trip is off to a great start! I hope the three of you enjoy it immensely!
I’ll think of you on my Delta flight tomorrow as I enjoy some Biscoff!
I hope ya’ll enjoy your time in FL and the conference! GH is coming soon! Seems like just yesterday you guys started the process.
Are you disappointed like I am when you order a fancy drink and it’s served in a plastic cup? I think you should get a swanky glass for a swanky drink. 😉 Karen looks so cute in her striped shirt and matching head wrap. How brave she is! I hope you have a fantastic time at the conference. I stopped by GH on Kings Dr. yesterday and thought of you. 🙂
Yes, I was very disappointed !
I’m glad you had safe travels! I cannot do layovers – I need those direct flights!
Can you tell Karen that she looks FABULOUS for me?
Thanks so much to you all for your kind words about Karen! She’s really happy to be here 🙂
It seems like you work for such a positive company!
That’s so important in business 🙂
Wow! That sounds like a marathon day….take some time to relax and enjoy the conference. Looking forward to hearing about all the yummy bread/GH details. Wishing we had one in Ottawa.
Karen looks beautiful. She’s so chic!
Sounds like you’re starting your conference off right; with drinks and nice dinner!
Your mother in law looks simply lovely!
Enjoy your work and play this weekend!
I feel your pain on the free luggage! I was flying AirTran a few weeks ago and when I got to the gate I saw a little coffee cart and a sign that said, “Free Coffee – See? We’re always trying to find ways to save you money.” I guess I would rather pay $3 for a cup of coffee than $20 to check my bag …
My <3 to Karen!
Marco Island looks gorgeous! You guys past the best plane food, too 🙂
fun! isn’t the weather gorgeous down here? you’re smart to bring food from home — airport food is just so expensive!
Just wanted to chime in and echo the sentiments about Karen — she looks beautiful!
Never heard of Marco Island but it looks like paradise. Have fun!
Someone just recommended that wine to me. Apparently it’s banned from the shelves of the LCBO (our gov. run liquor stores in Ontario) because the labelling is “innapropriate” !?!? You can get it but it has to be special ordered!
Ahhh looks like an amazing work vacation! I didn’t realize Karen had already started treatments, tell her to hang in there and stay strong…chemo is no joke and she should be proud that she is kicking it’s booty! Please give her many many (((hugs))) from one survivor to another. 😉
Looks like a fabulous resort…I’m sure you are going to have an amazing time!
I must say I am in awe of Karen’s strength and energy. What an amazing lady she is! 🙂 I am a cancer survivor and I was so fortunate to avoid chemotherapy but I’m quite certain that I didn’t have her drive to push through so early on after my surgery. She’s an inspiration. Go Karen!
Hope Karen is doing ok! Sending positive vibes! 🙂
Can we just talk for a minute about how jealous I am of you? Thanks 🙂
I’m sad to see Karen losing her hair, but she still looks as beautiful as ever! I hope her spirits are high. You are all in my thoughts!
I am so glad that Karen is able to accompany you guys on this trip! She looks well!
I love reading all the comments about Karen and her latest hair accessories. It’s like she has become every readers Mother-in-Law! How blessed we would be if that were the case. :-).
LOVE LOVE LOVE your shirt (sitting at the bar with Karen) Where did you get it???