Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Fun trip; fun training

I was MIA last week in blogger land due to an unexpected group training trip.

My team had to travel to Whippany, NJ for some training.

We rented a van and off we went for the week...

We stopped for lunch at a little tavern/bar along the way...Toasted Monkey Tavern! The food was good, waitress was hilarious but food was really, really slow. To their benefit, they are not used to getting big groups on people on Monday afternoon...they are busy at night and weekends so I think that was the issue.



Little selfie with one of my co-workers...


We had an intense week of training. Seems weird right; training for employees when they are closing down our site? Well...we are losing a lot of people already and I think it is their way to keep us engaged and hopeful for the next year until the closing.  I figured if it is training on my resume...I'm in!

We had one really nice group dinner at a local Italian restaurant called Trattoria Toscana. It was amazing!!!! Seriously!! If you are ever in the Whippany, NJ area make reservations and go here! I think you have to have reservations...it is always busy and rightfully so!  

They start your table off with a complimentary order of bruschetta...it was sooo delicious! 



















I ordered the capellini pasta with Gorgonzola sauce and shrimp! It was so creamy and delicious!



Thursday we began our drive back home.

On the way home; we stopped at Legends. My brother-in-law recommended it and it was fantastic bar food!

We all shared a bunch of appetizers.

Here are the fried pickles...



and fried onion blossom strips...


Before we left; we asked the waitress to get our picture as a group...here we are after eating tables full of fried deliciousness!!! My adorable co-workers!!! Dave on the far left, Matt next him and then me, Terri and Liz! Such a fun group of people I get to work with...at least for another few months!! :-)


Have a fantastic Tuesday - hugs to you all!

Do you ever splurge and eat "unhealthy food"? How often? Do you like fried pickles? What is your favorite fried appetizer? Do you like to try new places or always return to the same restaurants?

HUGS!!

25 comments:

  1. I rarely splurge, but do reward myself with little bits of unhealthy food. Last night I got three forkfuls of hubby's carrot cake at the restaurant.

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    1. Oh yum Tabor-that is a perfect splurge only I would get my own which explains why I need to lose weight!!! Carrot cake is my very favorite!! Now, I need cake! HA HA! Have a great day!

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    1. It was way tooo yummy! I ate way too much for too many days in a row - traveling is not helping my weight loss! HA! Have a fantastic day!

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  3. Funny - I was thinking that exact thing when I read the first part - why are they training? But yep, never hurts to learn more stuff while you can. Plus - ROAD TRIP :)

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    1. Right Rebecca Jo?!?! Crazy to spend that money but if I can add it to my resume...I am in! We really bonded as a team driving together in that van for 6 hours - great team building experience! HA!

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  4. Oh Ann...now I am hungry!! Everything looks delish. It is strange that they are doing training when the end is in sight but I like your positive attitude.

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    1. There is no other way I can look at it. They are definitely closing the site the right way and giving us notice, etc. so I am definitely blessed as many other companies do not go this route. Plus, it was sun to bond with the team! Have a fantastic day!

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  5. It sounded like a good work trip especially the good eats. I do like fried pickles. I also liked fried stuffed mushrooms. Your plate of the pasta with Gorgonzola sauce and shrimp looked incredible. Now, I have a hankering for pasta. Enjoy your Tuesday!

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    1. Yes Robin! I love mushrooms also...someone else at my table actually got those and I missed the picture. Sadly, every vegetable tastes good when it is deep fried - HA! Have a great day!

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  6. That looks quite yummy!!

    I have to tell you that everytime I see a pic of you, it makes me smile. You've got a happiness that comes across.

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    1. Aw - you are so very sweet Linda! I hope that is the case in real life - I try hard to leave people better than I fond them - I have a lot of years to make amends for - HA! but for real! Hope you are doing well!!!! Have a great week! HUGS

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  7. It is nice that you have a fun group of people to work with. Traveling as a group I bet was fun too. The food looks and sounds delicious. Have a great rest of the week. Hugs

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    1. Thank you Mags! They really are such a great group and we all support each other - it is so nice! The sad part is that we know it will be over soon but maybe we can all get new jobs together - we will have to work on that! Have a great day!

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  8. Well everything certainly looked delicious. I don't cheat too often but I will from time to time!!! I do like fried pickles.

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    1. Yes another vote for fried pickles!!!! I wish I cheated less - I need to borrow some of your self control! Have a great day Debby!!!!

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  9. I splurge all the time ad I'm trying to get myself on a healthier diet but it isn't easy. I don't think I've ever had a deep fried pickle

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    1. Before you get on that healthy track - do yourself a favor and try a fried pickle! They are the bomb! I really need to get back on track but traveling is such an easy excuse to eat unhealthy! Have a great day Ann!

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  10. So nice to get time away with fun coworkers on the company's dime! Good food, good info, and nice memories! Yes, to your question about unhealthy food. It's my favorite. Sigh.

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    1. Sadly it is my favorite too!!!! It was a great time though - so all worth it! Have a fantastic day Terri!!!! HUGS

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  11. A busy time for you. We don't have unhealthy food too often. We do tend to stick to the same places to eat and only try somewhere new after a recommendation by a friend. Fried pickles.....not sure about them.

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    1. I promise if you tried them you would love them - they sound awful but are amazing dipped in ranch!!! PROMISE! Good for you sticking to healthy food - pass you will power my way please!! Have a fantastic day Andrew!!!

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  12. That place looks so cool. I have done the unhealthy more that once, twice..... HEEHEEE

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    1. Patrick that sounds like me! HA! It was a lot of fun and the fried food was so yummy - especially the pickles!

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  13. That's crazy they are spending so much money on trainings when they are closing down! Maybe they are planning on keeping you guys some how.

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