Karen Mouse
resiurK deknoK
- Joined
- May 9, 2006
- Messages
- 11,633
Update please!
10 Days in October: Argle-Bargle or Foofarah? UPDATED: POSTS #984 & 995!!!
- Thread starter oybolshoi
- Start date
praisehisname
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2003
- Messages
- 4,343
Hey Brenda! Hope everything's OK. We're still here... 
Denise
Denise
oybolshoi
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
- Messages
- 11,879
I know ... I know ... the updates are taking too long. How many times can I tell you that I'm sorry before you just stop listening? What I need is a job that allows me the freedom and flexibility to pursue my creative interests... I've spent the last 90 days in an uber-intensive outside management training seminar on top of my daily job and let's just say my cup has runneth over...with bile. 
Before we go back to Day 9 of this trip ... remember, the first half of Day 9 was completed in May just before Jay and I went back to WDW for our anniversary ... I want to share a recipe with you. I cannot personally endorse this drink because I haven't tried it, but I have it on good authority from Zweihund that this drink is da bomb!
Wedding Cake Martini
1/2 oz vodka
3 oz amaretto
1/2 oz orange juice
1/2 oz pineapple juice
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker 1/2 full with ice. Shake, shake, shake ... shake shake shake ... shake your drinkie!
Allow to stand for one minute and then strain into a chilled glass. Top with some fresh whipped cream and savor.
And now for some ironic symmetry: I'm going to try to finish Day 9 of this inexcusably long, drawn-out, obvious cry for attention this weekend. Why? We leave for WDW in 3 days.
Yes, that's right. Jay and Brenda are headed back to the Mousetrap for 10 More Days in October ... Oh, the humanity!
This upcoming trip will be a Grimace-free zone, so I apologize in advance to anyone who's a fan of her exploits. She will not be frowning her way through this next trippie (which I will start some time before the end of this decade).
And speaking of Grimmie ... let's pick up where we left off so many months ago...
Thursday, October 26th ... Mid-morning
The morning had started off chilly, it's true, but what do you expect at 6AM? As our Magic Behind the Steam Trains tour came to an end, the weather had warmed up nicely and we were favored with a balmy day that reminded me of early spring back in the Midwest ... light blue skies with wispy white clouds drifting overhead and just the hint of a breeze. In a word: perfect!
We hopped the monorail to begin our journey back to the BCV and the lipless Grimace that we were sure awaited us.
Never fear - Plankton's here!!!
We walked through Epcot on our way back to the villa and poor Jon ... he was like a kid in a candy store - pardon the cliche'. He stopped at Greece's festival booth and just stared at the menu board. I nudged Jay. "Are you guys hungry? I know I am. Why don't you grab a snack here and then we can go get Grim ... uh, mom, and come back to graze around the world for lunch."
Can I just say that I've never seen a grown man so excited over the prospect of eating spanakopita? Well, aside from that really hairy guy that nearly trampled us a few years back in his haste to purchase this triangular treat. There we were at our very first F&W festival when we were literally mowed down by a very hairy, very burly man who kept shouting to his companions, "THEY HAVE SPANAKOPITA!!!!!" Thanks to this courteous gentleman, Jason and I always look for Greece's booth and find comfort in the continuity of its spanakopita samples
You'll notice that we took the picture of the booth a few days earlier - Greece is very popular, even with people who aren't suffering from excessive hair growth.
Greece is the word ...
Food Options: Greek Salad with Flatbread; Spanakopita; Walnut and Honey Baklava
Beverage Options: Boutari Moschofilero; Boutari Santorini; Konstantinos Ampelou Gis Red; Boutari Samos
Spanakopita...is there anything it can't do?
I must confess: I didn't eat any of this sample, so let me see what Jason has to say about it; hold on for just a second.....
Jason said, "It was flaky, yet crisp; the inside was a cheesy-spinachie mixture that coated my teeth with Greecie goodness."
Jon ate his sample in two bites, so I assume that means it was a tasty experience for him as well.
I'd say it was about 11:30 by the time we arrived back at the villa. I really expected Grimace to be upset that we had been gone all morning, but I comforted myself with the thought that she could have done any number of things on her own and been perfectly content.
You wanna know what she spent the morning doing?
Laundry.
But it's not what you think.
She washed one pair of blue jeans.
That's right: one pair of jeans.
And used the entire supply of laundry detergent to do so.
She's lucky it didn't rain while she was wearing them or her pants probably would have started foaming and lathering right away.
Grimace also ironed a pair of pants and watched The Price is Right while we were gone.
That's it.
No morning stroll over to the Boardwalk to have some fresh coffee and pastries at the bakery while being dive-bombed by birds. No swing on the beach to watch the Friendships cruise past. She didn't even drink her morning coffee while making use of that fabulous balcony right outside her bedroom window.
She was in Walt Disney World and she spent the morning with a washing machine, an ironing board, and a television set.
I lose. She wins. It's time to ditch.
"Jason and I are going back to Epcot for lunch. What are you guys doing?"
I could see Jon's face and it was obvious that he wanted to graze at Epcot but my mom said, "Oh, there isn't anything that we want to do there - we've seen all that. I think we're going to go back to the Magic Kingdom."
I shrugged. "OK. Have a nice afternoon and don't forget we have dinner reservations for 7PM at California Grill."
And with that I walked out of their room, motioned to Jay, and we ran for the door. I felt kind of bad for Jon, but I wasn't going to fight that battle for a 68-year old man. If the mad scientist wants to lunch around the world he needs to speak up, otherwise he ends up eating hot dogs and french fries, neither of which he really likes.
I'll warn you - the rest of this day is going to seem more like a food review because that's really what Jason and I did: we ate ... a lot. But since the 2007 F&W festival is currently taking place I thought it might be nice to include our experiences here for those of you who have never been or who have been and want to re-live the food love.
On our way back to Epcot we stopped to take a picture of a baby lizard ... they were all over the place. Plankton really looks menacing, doesn't he?
Quake in fear, tiny reptile!
Once inside Epcot, we crossed the bridge over the World Showcase lagoon and started the afternoon off right with France.
First Lunch:
It's pronounced Fraaaaaaaaaance
Fromage de Chevre & Kronenbourg 1664 Beer
This is the picture-perfect goat cheese tart...slightly browned and just warm enough that the cheese has melted into one gooey glob of goaty goodness. And to aid in the digestive process...Kronenbourg 1664 Beer. The only time I ever get to have the Krone is at Epcot because it's not easy to find here in St. Louis and this makes me sad. Now I know there are some people who don't really care for this beer, but I do. It's not too dark and chewy, like the beers that Jason prefers, but it's not like drinking Bud Light, either. I think it has a good strong flavor without being too overpowering and I'd be drinking one right now if I could lay my hands on one. Do you think the Krone would go well with a peanut butter sandwich?
Second Lunch:
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain...
I can't help it, but everytime I see SPAIN, I drop the "S" and end up with PAIN, which is what I would be in if I actually ate anything from this food booth. I am, however, married to a man with a cast-iron digestive system and a liking for spicy food, so we had to stop and let him try something.
Food Options: Papas Con Chorizo; A Taste of Spain (Spanish olives, marcone almonds, and chorizo); albondigas
Beverage Options: Nora Albarino; Condesa de Leganza Crianza; Montecillo Crianza.
Papas con chorizo
This sample was comprised of mushy potatoes with ground up chorizo sausage, hamburger, and lots of spice. Jason thought it was very good...I did not like the way it smelled...too hot and meaty. My nose is super-sensitive, and really strong food odors can put me off eating for hours - luckily this was a small sample and it only turned my stomach a little instead of resulting in a digestive reversal of fortune that would have really upset the French.
We took a little detour on our way to third lunch because Plankton was getting a bit restless.
Magic Carpet Ride
Let's call this bath house The Chum Bucket
All this plush-toy posing is hard work. I think it's time for another snack.
Third Lunch
India
Food Options: Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Naan Bread; Vegetable Curry with Basmati Rice; Coconut Rice Pudding.
Drink Options: Grover Vinyards Sauvignon Blanc; Sula Chenin Blanc; Grover Vinyards Cabernet-Shiraz
Jason dared me to order something here and I struggled to pick food that wouldn't ruin the rest of the day. After consulting my stomach, small, and large intestines, my brain decided on soup.
**Sigh** Those of you who don't know me well, and now that I think about it, that's probably all of you...well, anyway - I've come a long way in the 12 years that I've known my husband; I eat things today that would have had me retching in horror just a few years ago. I have learned that there is more to life than tuna fish and maccaroni and cheese. But despite my gastronomic progress, I am still, in the end, a picky eater. And I did not like this soup. I think it was the curry, which seemed very strong to me, and the thickness of the soup itself. I just didn't care for it. The bread was tasty, though.
I couldn't help but comment on the name of the vinyard whose wine was being featured at this booth: Grover
The vinyard of choice for monsters everywhere
** Did you know that October 14th is Grover's birthday?**
And now, an interlude....
Here are a few pictures of some of the booths we sampled the night before but didn't photograph due to laziness and poor lighting. We learned a long time ago that drinking and nighttime photography really don't mix.
Turkey
Morocco
Japan
Hurry up -they have spanakopita!!!
It's the perfect size...for me to destroy!
We now return to the food...we remember it fondly.
Fourth Lunch
Welcome to Italy, where we forgot to take a picture of the booth. Just use your imagination - I'm sure your mental picture of the food booth is great!
Food Options: Timballo alla Penne e Capri; Pizza alla Salsiccis; Zeppole Fritte al Cioccolato
Beverage Options: Sicilian Limonata; Soldo Pinot Grigio; Bellavista Moscato; Castello di Querceto Chianti; Banfi Rosa Regale; Peroni Beer.
Pizza alla Salsiccia, Zeppole Fritte al Cioccolato, and Soldo Pinot Grigio
So what is this, really? It's a big hunk of deep dish sausage pizza - very soft and chewy and actually quite good - just the right amounts of sauce and cheese. That puffy item on the other plate is basically a chocolate cream puff - mmmm, mmmm, good! No false advertising in Italy...pastry dough and powdered sugar mean that there is no meat hidden inside this tasty treat! The wine was also very good, especially with the cream puff.
Although we didn't have them at the booth, I would like to say that Rosa Regale and Bellavista Moscato are both excellent dessert wines. They're sweet but not overpoweringly so. And Peroni beer is pretty darn tasty, too!
That's it for tonight ... I've been up since 5:30AM CST and my eyelids are getting droopy. I should be back to finish up the day sometime tomorrow evening.
Thanks for reading!!
Before we go back to Day 9 of this trip ... remember, the first half of Day 9 was completed in May just before Jay and I went back to WDW for our anniversary ... I want to share a recipe with you. I cannot personally endorse this drink because I haven't tried it, but I have it on good authority from Zweihund that this drink is da bomb!
Wedding Cake Martini
1/2 oz vodka
3 oz amaretto
1/2 oz orange juice
1/2 oz pineapple juice
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker 1/2 full with ice. Shake, shake, shake ... shake shake shake ... shake your drinkie!
Allow to stand for one minute and then strain into a chilled glass. Top with some fresh whipped cream and savor. And now for some ironic symmetry: I'm going to try to finish Day 9 of this inexcusably long, drawn-out, obvious cry for attention this weekend. Why? We leave for WDW in 3 days.
Yes, that's right. Jay and Brenda are headed back to the Mousetrap for 10 More Days in October ... Oh, the humanity!
This upcoming trip will be a Grimace-free zone, so I apologize in advance to anyone who's a fan of her exploits. She will not be frowning her way through this next trippie (which I will start some time before the end of this decade).
And speaking of Grimmie ... let's pick up where we left off so many months ago...
Thursday, October 26th ... Mid-morning
The morning had started off chilly, it's true, but what do you expect at 6AM? As our Magic Behind the Steam Trains tour came to an end, the weather had warmed up nicely and we were favored with a balmy day that reminded me of early spring back in the Midwest ... light blue skies with wispy white clouds drifting overhead and just the hint of a breeze. In a word: perfect!
We hopped the monorail to begin our journey back to the BCV and the lipless Grimace that we were sure awaited us.
Never fear - Plankton's here!!!
We walked through Epcot on our way back to the villa and poor Jon ... he was like a kid in a candy store - pardon the cliche'. He stopped at Greece's festival booth and just stared at the menu board. I nudged Jay. "Are you guys hungry? I know I am. Why don't you grab a snack here and then we can go get Grim ... uh, mom, and come back to graze around the world for lunch."
Can I just say that I've never seen a grown man so excited over the prospect of eating spanakopita? Well, aside from that really hairy guy that nearly trampled us a few years back in his haste to purchase this triangular treat. There we were at our very first F&W festival when we were literally mowed down by a very hairy, very burly man who kept shouting to his companions, "THEY HAVE SPANAKOPITA!!!!!" Thanks to this courteous gentleman, Jason and I always look for Greece's booth and find comfort in the continuity of its spanakopita samples
You'll notice that we took the picture of the booth a few days earlier - Greece is very popular, even with people who aren't suffering from excessive hair growth.
Greece is the word ...
Food Options: Greek Salad with Flatbread; Spanakopita; Walnut and Honey Baklava
Beverage Options: Boutari Moschofilero; Boutari Santorini; Konstantinos Ampelou Gis Red; Boutari Samos
Spanakopita...is there anything it can't do?
I must confess: I didn't eat any of this sample, so let me see what Jason has to say about it; hold on for just a second.....
Jason said, "It was flaky, yet crisp; the inside was a cheesy-spinachie mixture that coated my teeth with Greecie goodness."
Jon ate his sample in two bites, so I assume that means it was a tasty experience for him as well.
I'd say it was about 11:30 by the time we arrived back at the villa. I really expected Grimace to be upset that we had been gone all morning, but I comforted myself with the thought that she could have done any number of things on her own and been perfectly content.
You wanna know what she spent the morning doing?
Laundry.
But it's not what you think.
She washed one pair of blue jeans.
That's right: one pair of jeans.
And used the entire supply of laundry detergent to do so.
She's lucky it didn't rain while she was wearing them or her pants probably would have started foaming and lathering right away.
Grimace also ironed a pair of pants and watched The Price is Right while we were gone.
That's it.
No morning stroll over to the Boardwalk to have some fresh coffee and pastries at the bakery while being dive-bombed by birds. No swing on the beach to watch the Friendships cruise past. She didn't even drink her morning coffee while making use of that fabulous balcony right outside her bedroom window.
She was in Walt Disney World and she spent the morning with a washing machine, an ironing board, and a television set.
I lose. She wins. It's time to ditch.
"Jason and I are going back to Epcot for lunch. What are you guys doing?"
I could see Jon's face and it was obvious that he wanted to graze at Epcot but my mom said, "Oh, there isn't anything that we want to do there - we've seen all that. I think we're going to go back to the Magic Kingdom."
I shrugged. "OK. Have a nice afternoon and don't forget we have dinner reservations for 7PM at California Grill."
And with that I walked out of their room, motioned to Jay, and we ran for the door. I felt kind of bad for Jon, but I wasn't going to fight that battle for a 68-year old man. If the mad scientist wants to lunch around the world he needs to speak up, otherwise he ends up eating hot dogs and french fries, neither of which he really likes.
I'll warn you - the rest of this day is going to seem more like a food review because that's really what Jason and I did: we ate ... a lot. But since the 2007 F&W festival is currently taking place I thought it might be nice to include our experiences here for those of you who have never been or who have been and want to re-live the food love.
On our way back to Epcot we stopped to take a picture of a baby lizard ... they were all over the place. Plankton really looks menacing, doesn't he?
Quake in fear, tiny reptile!
Once inside Epcot, we crossed the bridge over the World Showcase lagoon and started the afternoon off right with France.
First Lunch:
It's pronounced Fraaaaaaaaaance
Fromage de Chevre & Kronenbourg 1664 Beer
This is the picture-perfect goat cheese tart...slightly browned and just warm enough that the cheese has melted into one gooey glob of goaty goodness. And to aid in the digestive process...Kronenbourg 1664 Beer. The only time I ever get to have the Krone is at Epcot because it's not easy to find here in St. Louis and this makes me sad. Now I know there are some people who don't really care for this beer, but I do. It's not too dark and chewy, like the beers that Jason prefers, but it's not like drinking Bud Light, either. I think it has a good strong flavor without being too overpowering and I'd be drinking one right now if I could lay my hands on one. Do you think the Krone would go well with a peanut butter sandwich?
Second Lunch:
The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain...
I can't help it, but everytime I see SPAIN, I drop the "S" and end up with PAIN, which is what I would be in if I actually ate anything from this food booth. I am, however, married to a man with a cast-iron digestive system and a liking for spicy food, so we had to stop and let him try something.
Food Options: Papas Con Chorizo; A Taste of Spain (Spanish olives, marcone almonds, and chorizo); albondigas
Beverage Options: Nora Albarino; Condesa de Leganza Crianza; Montecillo Crianza.
Papas con chorizo
This sample was comprised of mushy potatoes with ground up chorizo sausage, hamburger, and lots of spice. Jason thought it was very good...I did not like the way it smelled...too hot and meaty. My nose is super-sensitive, and really strong food odors can put me off eating for hours - luckily this was a small sample and it only turned my stomach a little instead of resulting in a digestive reversal of fortune that would have really upset the French.
We took a little detour on our way to third lunch because Plankton was getting a bit restless.
Magic Carpet Ride
Let's call this bath house The Chum Bucket
All this plush-toy posing is hard work. I think it's time for another snack.
Third Lunch
India
Food Options: Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Naan Bread; Vegetable Curry with Basmati Rice; Coconut Rice Pudding.
Drink Options: Grover Vinyards Sauvignon Blanc; Sula Chenin Blanc; Grover Vinyards Cabernet-Shiraz
Jason dared me to order something here and I struggled to pick food that wouldn't ruin the rest of the day. After consulting my stomach, small, and large intestines, my brain decided on soup.
**Sigh** Those of you who don't know me well, and now that I think about it, that's probably all of you...well, anyway - I've come a long way in the 12 years that I've known my husband; I eat things today that would have had me retching in horror just a few years ago. I have learned that there is more to life than tuna fish and maccaroni and cheese. But despite my gastronomic progress, I am still, in the end, a picky eater. And I did not like this soup. I think it was the curry, which seemed very strong to me, and the thickness of the soup itself. I just didn't care for it. The bread was tasty, though.
I couldn't help but comment on the name of the vinyard whose wine was being featured at this booth: Grover
The vinyard of choice for monsters everywhere
** Did you know that October 14th is Grover's birthday?**
And now, an interlude....
Here are a few pictures of some of the booths we sampled the night before but didn't photograph due to laziness and poor lighting. We learned a long time ago that drinking and nighttime photography really don't mix.
Turkey
Morocco
Japan
Hurry up -they have spanakopita!!!
It's the perfect size...for me to destroy!
We now return to the food...we remember it fondly.
Fourth Lunch
Welcome to Italy, where we forgot to take a picture of the booth. Just use your imagination - I'm sure your mental picture of the food booth is great!
Food Options: Timballo alla Penne e Capri; Pizza alla Salsiccis; Zeppole Fritte al Cioccolato
Beverage Options: Sicilian Limonata; Soldo Pinot Grigio; Bellavista Moscato; Castello di Querceto Chianti; Banfi Rosa Regale; Peroni Beer.
Pizza alla Salsiccia, Zeppole Fritte al Cioccolato, and Soldo Pinot Grigio
So what is this, really? It's a big hunk of deep dish sausage pizza - very soft and chewy and actually quite good - just the right amounts of sauce and cheese. That puffy item on the other plate is basically a chocolate cream puff - mmmm, mmmm, good! No false advertising in Italy...pastry dough and powdered sugar mean that there is no meat hidden inside this tasty treat! The wine was also very good, especially with the cream puff.
Although we didn't have them at the booth, I would like to say that Rosa Regale and Bellavista Moscato are both excellent dessert wines. They're sweet but not overpoweringly so. And Peroni beer is pretty darn tasty, too!
That's it for tonight ... I've been up since 5:30AM CST and my eyelids are getting droopy. I should be back to finish up the day sometime tomorrow evening.
Thanks for reading!!
DisneyMom5
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2003
- Messages
- 4,567
Mmmmm....
All we got to see of the F&W this trip was all the walls up to block the view and the booths that were not open, and the second to last night the topiaries started going up. Sigh. Make sure you take a lot of pics, we want to see how it all turned out!
All we got to see of the F&W this trip was all the walls up to block the view and the booths that were not open, and the second to last night the topiaries started going up. Sigh. Make sure you take a lot of pics, we want to see how it all turned out!
TheDISneyFamily
<marquee><font color=peach>°O° DIS Friendship Pixi
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2007
- Messages
- 1,581
Veeeerry clever, Brenda. 
I love that you are writing about last year's Food & Wine Fest, just in time for people to be going to this year's F&W Fest! Excellent reporting, as usual. I love the Plankton pictures! I can't wait to see him running amok in PFTS! I'll pay you BIG MONEY if you can get a picture of him hanging from the trapeze during the Cirque act! Even though overall, I know you had a nice time with your mom & Jon last year, I think you will have an even better time this year. (You are going alone, right?!) Have fun planning your DIS meets. I'm really looking foward to reading about your next adventure in WDW. (try to talk to Jay while he's tipsy/happy walking around WS about going back to WDW in December '08 - we need to share a Chef's table someday!)
Have a great weekend!
-Michelle
I love that you are writing about last year's Food & Wine Fest, just in time for people to be going to this year's F&W Fest! Excellent reporting, as usual. I love the Plankton pictures! I can't wait to see him running amok in PFTS! I'll pay you BIG MONEY if you can get a picture of him hanging from the trapeze during the Cirque act! Even though overall, I know you had a nice time with your mom & Jon last year, I think you will have an even better time this year. (You are going alone, right?!) Have fun planning your DIS meets. I'm really looking foward to reading about your next adventure in WDW. (try to talk to Jay while he's tipsy/happy walking around WS about going back to WDW in December '08 - we need to share a Chef's table someday!)Have a great weekend!
-Michelle
oybolshoi
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
- Messages
- 11,879
You. are. awesome.
Between Plankton (and the fact that your husband made a youtube video of your pictures), Grimace (and all that she is), and your incredible writing- I just had to stop being the creepy lurker and post.
I look forward to reading your other reports and becoming apart of the Brenda fanclub
This question might be ridiculous- but what does "argle-bargle or foofarah" mean?
"Then, the doctor told me that BOTH my eyes were lazy! And that's why it was the best summer ever."
Stop ... you're making me blush.
Thanks for the kind words, especially since this report has been taking forever for me to finish ...note to self: try writing it before you post. I'm glad you've enjoyed reading so far and hope to see you around the boards - don't be a stranger!BTW - Argle bargle or foofarah is a phrase I stole from a Simpsons episode ...
argle-barle means: verbal dispute or ongoing argument; and foofarah means: frivolous or a whole lot of fuss over nothing.
The idea was for you the reader to get the whole Grimace / Brenda experience and then decide for yourselves if my mother-induced exasperation was justified or a whole lot of wasted energy over nothing. You be the judge!!
Hmmmm.... I am intrigued, especially since Plankton is headed out on a cruise next week. That little green bugger sure does get around ...
Adonde esta mon amiga??
I seem to have misplaced my babel fish ... but I think you may be asking for an update? Read on my friend.
OK Kid. We've been patient enough. Out with it woman.
We want an update!
We want an update!
We want an update!!
>
>
>
>
>
PLEASE????
I give you the update and then you don't read ... I'm hurt.
Karen ... you're in the air right now over the Atlantic Ocean so I know you're not reading...
Hi Hedy! Thanks for reading.
Hey Brenda! Hope everything's OK. We're still here...
Denise
Denise! How are you? Thanks for checking in on me .., overall things are OK ... just too busy for the fun stuff although new fun stuff starts in 2 days.
Mmmmm....
All we got to see of the F&W this trip was all the walls up to block the view and the booths that were not open, and the second to last night the topiaries started going up. Sigh. Make sure you take a lot of pics, we want to see how it all turned out!
Sarah! Thanks for popping in - hope this means you're feeling better. I wanted to update earlier this week but I had to bring work home from the office all week and it just sapped the creative urges right out.
Lots of pictures - we can do that! Jason gave me my own digital camera as an early birthday present and now we'll have twice the pictures and 4-times the blurriness!
Veeeerry clever, Brenda.
Have a great weekend!
-Michelle
Michelle - how are you my friend?
And yes... that was my plan all along ... draw out the trippie for a year to coincide with another F&W Festival ...
Plankton is definitely attending PFTS and if there is any way for me to get Cirque pictures with him I am all over it!
You are correct - it's just Jason and me this time around, so I think we'll have a much more laid-back and calm experience than last year. Also, since I'm now 12 months out from the last surgery and the pills I've been taking for my arthritis are starting to work this trip should be relatively pain-free.
Can I just say ... Naproxen is a miracle drug! I'm not being paid by the pharmacuetical companies, I swear, but the difference this stuff has made in my life during the last two months is amazing. Maybe I should change my tagline to Viva Naproxen???
Anyway, sorry for that medical detour... This is the first time we've done any DISmeets at WDW and I'm really excited - we'll be meeting people here and there during the trip.
We should have a chance to meet DisneyDuet and her hubby; BriarRosie; Zweihund & her hubby; Shovan & her hubby; Yearbook 50; AFEG, KarenMouse, Timon, and Lindy Loo - all people we were supposed to cruise with next week. It will be a blast ... and then you will all know just how dull and uninspiring Jay and I are in person.
We're really much more appealing on paper.
And that last comment of yours ... INSPIRED!!!! That would be so cool - we need to work on this.
Thanks for taking the time to read - loving your TR as well!
/
mcarthur205
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2005
- Messages
- 500
Hey Brenda - just to let you know I'm still reading along and looking forward to two more trippies from you soon! I'm soooo jealous that you're getting to go to the Flower & Garden Festival and the Food & Wine Festival in the same year.
DH and I had a great time at WDW in July (only two days but oh well...). The highlight of the trip was our dinner at V&As - the food was delicious, even better than we expected and the wine pairings were perfect. I'm still dreaming of the butternut squash soup. Thank you so much for inspiring us to try it
Hope you enjoy your trip and look forward to reading along again when you return! What should I be looking out for - are you going to finish this report and the Shrubbery first before starting the new ones or are you going to try to write them all concurrently? LOL
DH and I had a great time at WDW in July (only two days but oh well...). The highlight of the trip was our dinner at V&As - the food was delicious, even better than we expected and the wine pairings were perfect. I'm still dreaming of the butternut squash soup. Thank you so much for inspiring us to try it
Hope you enjoy your trip and look forward to reading along again when you return! What should I be looking out for - are you going to finish this report and the Shrubbery first before starting the new ones or are you going to try to write them all concurrently? LOL
cntkg1
<b><font color=blue>Runs with Scissors!!<br><font
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2005
- Messages
- 10,349
Spanakopita?? That may have been me running you down a few years ago. Are you sure it was a man or maybe a woman with low voice? Sorry.
Great update B!
Edited: Sorry I couldn't read earlier. Remember, I had that date with Bailey this morning and then my appointment to stick hot pokers in my eyes. btw...you were right. It wasn't too bad. I brought reinforcements!! (Kristin and Jesse).
Great update B!
Edited: Sorry I couldn't read earlier. Remember, I had that date with Bailey this morning and then my appointment to stick hot pokers in my eyes. btw...you were right. It wasn't too bad. I brought reinforcements!! (Kristin and Jesse).
praisehisname
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2003
- Messages
- 4,343
Hey Brenda! I wasn't trying to put any pressure on you for an update, just wanted to let you know we hadn't forgotten you!
Great update. I felt kinda bad for Jon that you and Jay ran out so fast, but you're right. He can speak up if he wants to go, too!
All the food pictures look so good. Maybe someday DH and I will go kidless during F&W!!!
Denise
Great update. I felt kinda bad for Jon that you and Jay ran out so fast, but you're right. He can speak up if he wants to go, too!
All the food pictures look so good. Maybe someday DH and I will go kidless during F&W!!!
Denise
50 years Too!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2005
- Messages
- 1,184
Hi Brenda,
Feeling sorry for myself this Saturday morning. Instead of getting rid of the slimmy, dead plants littering my yard, I turned on the computer and, hooray, anotherBrenda report!
I actually thought of you earlier as I was reading a new trashy book by Jen Lancaster, Bright Lights, Big ***. Though I think you are probably nicer,
she and her husband remind me of you and Jason with a bite. You might want to pick it up for that plane ride.
Anyhoo, you are going to love PFTS. My husband is toying with the idea of flying for just a weekend to go back. Remember, we live in Oregon, so it must be fun.
Deb
Feeling sorry for myself this Saturday morning. Instead of getting rid of the slimmy, dead plants littering my yard, I turned on the computer and, hooray, anotherBrenda report!
I actually thought of you earlier as I was reading a new trashy book by Jen Lancaster, Bright Lights, Big ***. Though I think you are probably nicer,
she and her husband remind me of you and Jason with a bite. You might want to pick it up for that plane ride.
Anyhoo, you are going to love PFTS. My husband is toying with the idea of flying for just a weekend to go back. Remember, we live in Oregon, so it must be fun.
Deb
oybolshoi
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
- Messages
- 11,879
**Thanks for hanging with me on this ... it's so nice to hear from my DISfriends! 
Glad to know you're still here CarolAnn! I was wondering how your trip went in July and how your evening at V&A was - I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed yourselves. And that soup ... I wish I has some right now. It's cold and rainy today and that stuff would really hit the spot.
As for the trippies ... I'm not sure which one I'll start next. I may try to go back to the Shrubbery and get that moving while working on the food portion of this upcoming trip. A lot of it will depend on how busy I am at work - that directly impacts my ability to update.
I'll be sure to let you know what to look for, and thank for reading! It's great to hear from you again.
Trust me ... I've seen you and that person was not you. It was a man ... covered in fur ... screaming at the top of his lungs.
Glad you liked the update and it's good to know that everything went smoothly this morning ... I was thinking about ya! And don't apologize ... I know you'll get here when you can.
Hi Denise! I didn't take your post as anything other than one Dis-friend checking in on another - no presure at all and I appreciate that everyone still wants to read this TR after all this time. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I still feel bad for Jon, but after 6 days I just couldn't take it any more. Jay says that some day we should just send Jon to the F&W festival by himself ... he may be on to something there.
And ... yes, someday you and your hubby need to treat yourselves to a few grown-up days at Epcot so you can have some snackin-drinkin good times.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Deb! How are you? Sounds like you had a great time at your PFTS - it must have been terrific if your DH is considering a flight back to Orlando to attend another. You know... we're going to be at the one on October 20th, so if you're going to fly back I think you should pick next weekend.
And I must say ... when you first posted that reading a trashy novel made you think of me I said to myself, "Self ... you must stop flashing your assets for free ice cream; Deb thinks you are a tart!"
And then I read the rest ... Jay is always nice ... I'm the one who has the claws in this family.
Thanks for reading!
Hey Brenda - just to let you know I'm still reading along and looking forward to two more trippies from you soon! I'm soooo jealous that you're getting to go to the Flower & Garden Festival and the Food & Wine Festival in the same year.
DH and I had a great time at WDW in July (only two days but oh well...). The highlight of the trip was our dinner at V&As - the food was delicious, even better than we expected and the wine pairings were perfect. I'm still dreaming of the butternut squash soup. Thank you so much for inspiring us to try it
Hope you enjoy your trip and look forward to reading along again when you return! What should I be looking out for - are you going to finish this report and the Shrubbery first before starting the new ones or are you going to try to write them all concurrently? LOL
Glad to know you're still here CarolAnn! I was wondering how your trip went in July and how your evening at V&A was - I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed yourselves. And that soup ... I wish I has some right now. It's cold and rainy today and that stuff would really hit the spot.
As for the trippies ... I'm not sure which one I'll start next. I may try to go back to the Shrubbery and get that moving while working on the food portion of this upcoming trip. A lot of it will depend on how busy I am at work - that directly impacts my ability to update.
I'll be sure to let you know what to look for, and thank for reading! It's great to hear from you again.
Spanakopita?? That may have been me running you down a few years ago. Are you sure it was a man or maybe a woman with low voice? Sorry.
Great update B!
Edited: Sorry I couldn't read earlier. Remember, I had that date with Bailey this morning and then my appointment to stick hot pokers in my eyes. btw...you were right. It wasn't too bad. I brought reinforcements!! (Kristin and Jesse).
Trust me ... I've seen you and that person was not you. It was a man ... covered in fur ... screaming at the top of his lungs.
Glad you liked the update and it's good to know that everything went smoothly this morning ... I was thinking about ya! And don't apologize ... I know you'll get here when you can.
Hi Denise! I didn't take your post as anything other than one Dis-friend checking in on another - no presure at all and I appreciate that everyone still wants to read this TR after all this time. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I still feel bad for Jon, but after 6 days I just couldn't take it any more. Jay says that some day we should just send Jon to the F&W festival by himself ... he may be on to something there.
And ... yes, someday you and your hubby need to treat yourselves to a few grown-up days at Epcot so you can have some snackin-drinkin good times.
Thanks for reading!
Hi Deb! How are you? Sounds like you had a great time at your PFTS - it must have been terrific if your DH is considering a flight back to Orlando to attend another. You know... we're going to be at the one on October 20th, so if you're going to fly back I think you should pick next weekend.
And I must say ... when you first posted that reading a trashy novel made you think of me I said to myself, "Self ... you must stop flashing your assets for free ice cream; Deb thinks you are a tart!"
And then I read the rest ... Jay is always nice ... I'm the one who has the claws in this family.
Thanks for reading!
oybolshoi
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
- Messages
- 11,879
Thanks for an update....hope you have a great trip.
Hi Jusmom! How are you? I'm hoping to get one last update in before we leave ... we'll see what happens.
Thanks for the good trip vibes - this will be our last Disney trip for at least two years, so we're going to try to make the most of it.
Hope you and your family are well.
oybolshoi
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
- Messages
- 11,879
Thursday, October 26th: Still Stuffing Our Faces at Epcot...
I believe the last installment ended with Italy (or Eye-Ta-Lee, as Grimace would say). So that means we must have kept walking towards Australia, which has always been a safe bet in past years.
You'll notice that from this point on Jay and I stopped taking pictures of the food booths. I don't know why...guess we just got lazy (again).
Fifth Lunch: Australia
Food Options: Shrimp on the Barbie; Beef Skewer with Green Bean Salad; Gilled Lamb Chop with Caramelized Onions; Macadamia Nut Tartlet.
Drink Options: Rosemount Traminer Riesling; Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon; Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet; Benjamin Tawny Port; Foster's Lager.
We opted for the Shrimp on the Barbie and the Beef Skewer.
As much as it pains me, I've just gotta come out and say it: Australia let us down. In years past this was always a popular stop and it could always be counted on for some tasty samples. Maybe we caught them on a bad day, but this was really not up to our level of expectation. The shrimp were OK, but they were tasteless and chewy (Barbie obviously left the shrimp on the grill too long). The beef was too chewy and it was dried out (Barbie should just let Ken take over the grilling duties). As for the veggies...I didn't eat them because they looked as if they had just been rescued from a vinegar bath.
Can I just say that I miss the grilled tenderloin with pepper-berry sauce they had two years ago? And I miss the bread they used to serve with the more-than-two grilled shrimp. And why does every dessert from down under have macadamia nuts in it? Really, why ruin a perfectly good calorie-laden dessert by adding nuts?
I confess, it's a puzzlement.
Sixth Lunch: Scandinavia
Food Options: Grilled Salmon Salad; Kjottkaker; Ligonberry Mousse.
Drink Options: Wente Chardonnay; Valckenberg Dornfelder; Carlsberg Beer.
Feeling somewhat friskie after our Australian disappointment, we ordered the salmon and the ligonberry mousse.
This is not a complaint, but that salmon doesn't look like it's been grilled at all. It looks like salmon slaw, if such a thing actually exists, and there is a single pea staring out at us like an unblinking vegetable eye of doom. And it's sitting on a super-sized triscut. Or maybe that's hardtack...I'm not exactly sure. Either way, this was actually very, very good. I'm not a fan of salmon, but this had a very light flavor which was a relief because some salmons are just too fishy for my taste. And the cracker was a nice touch - soft and gooshie foods always pair well with hard and crunchie ones.
As for dessert...I did not, and still do not, know what a ligonberry is. Before stopping here and using our last two snack credits I'd never even heard of a ligonberry. Have you ever heard of a ligonberry? What type of US berry is it related to: Strawberry; Raspberry; Gooseberry; Twinberry; Dave Barry???
Inquiring minds want to know!
After much discussion Jason and I have decided that it is similar in taste to a raspberry with some undertones of cherry (which, while not a berry should be considered a cousin just because it rhymes). This was a really tasty dessert - light the way a mousse is supposed to be with a nice sweet / tart contrast. Two thumbs up for the ligonberry, whatever the heck it is.
From Norway we decided to check out those margaritas we kept seeing on our travels around the world showcase.
This booth, to the best of my knowledge, is a permanent fixture in the Mexican section of the world showcase. Somehow, in all our past visits, Jason and I never saw this place. I can guarantee you that oversight has been corrected and will not be a problem on future visits.
The stand offers four, I mean five different frozen margaritas: Strawberry, Kiwi, Mango, Lime, or Fiesta (a combination of all four). You will be given your choice of salt, sugar, or neither for the rim of your cup. And then you will be very happy giving yourself an alcoholic brain-freeze at 2PM on a very sunny Thursday afternoon.
Brenda imitates Grimace with a Fiesta Margarita
Don't let this picture fool you - I was actually very happy. But I did a pretty good job of imitating the Grimace, if I do say so myself!
Mmmmmmm, that's good squishee!
As so often happens, I found myself with a song going through my head (not a very good one, either) and amused myself by trying to come up with more appropriate lyrics.
Are you familiar with the song Come a Little Bit Closer by Jay & The Americans?
If you are, then my feeble attempt to re-write the chorus might make you smile. If not, then I apologize in advance for further wasting your time.
Come a little bit closer
You're my kind of drink
So tall and so cool
Come a little bit closer
I'm barely buzzed
And the day is so young.
We parked ourselves on a bench just past the bridge near the Aztec temple and shared the frozen-fiesta love while watching these funny looking birds wander around Cantina de San Angel. We thought the ducks were aggressive, but they've got nothing on these babies! Maybe they just didn't like my singing ...
The big whitey bird AKA Ibis
And thus ended our tasty travels around Epcot. We set a new record for us: 23 food booth visits out of a possible 25 (the 26th was just selling beer and since we got to taste most of that for free, it doesn't really count). The only two booths we did not sample were Thailand and Germany. We did have some pretzels in Germany one afternoon, though, for what that's worth.
All in all we give this year's Food and Wine Festival two thumbs up and hope to come back in 2007 to give it another try. But for now ... it's time for some lounging and napping at the pool before dinner at CA Grill.
Look where we found Plankton on our way to the pool:
What's that mouse got that I don't have?
I believe the last installment ended with Italy (or Eye-Ta-Lee, as Grimace would say). So that means we must have kept walking towards Australia, which has always been a safe bet in past years.
You'll notice that from this point on Jay and I stopped taking pictures of the food booths. I don't know why...guess we just got lazy (again).
Fifth Lunch: Australia
Food Options: Shrimp on the Barbie; Beef Skewer with Green Bean Salad; Gilled Lamb Chop with Caramelized Onions; Macadamia Nut Tartlet.
Drink Options: Rosemount Traminer Riesling; Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon; Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet; Benjamin Tawny Port; Foster's Lager.
We opted for the Shrimp on the Barbie and the Beef Skewer.
As much as it pains me, I've just gotta come out and say it: Australia let us down. In years past this was always a popular stop and it could always be counted on for some tasty samples. Maybe we caught them on a bad day, but this was really not up to our level of expectation. The shrimp were OK, but they were tasteless and chewy (Barbie obviously left the shrimp on the grill too long). The beef was too chewy and it was dried out (Barbie should just let Ken take over the grilling duties). As for the veggies...I didn't eat them because they looked as if they had just been rescued from a vinegar bath.
Can I just say that I miss the grilled tenderloin with pepper-berry sauce they had two years ago? And I miss the bread they used to serve with the more-than-two grilled shrimp. And why does every dessert from down under have macadamia nuts in it? Really, why ruin a perfectly good calorie-laden dessert by adding nuts?
I confess, it's a puzzlement.
Sixth Lunch: Scandinavia
Food Options: Grilled Salmon Salad; Kjottkaker; Ligonberry Mousse.
Drink Options: Wente Chardonnay; Valckenberg Dornfelder; Carlsberg Beer.
Feeling somewhat friskie after our Australian disappointment, we ordered the salmon and the ligonberry mousse.
This is not a complaint, but that salmon doesn't look like it's been grilled at all. It looks like salmon slaw, if such a thing actually exists, and there is a single pea staring out at us like an unblinking vegetable eye of doom. And it's sitting on a super-sized triscut. Or maybe that's hardtack...I'm not exactly sure. Either way, this was actually very, very good. I'm not a fan of salmon, but this had a very light flavor which was a relief because some salmons are just too fishy for my taste. And the cracker was a nice touch - soft and gooshie foods always pair well with hard and crunchie ones.
As for dessert...I did not, and still do not, know what a ligonberry is. Before stopping here and using our last two snack credits I'd never even heard of a ligonberry. Have you ever heard of a ligonberry? What type of US berry is it related to: Strawberry; Raspberry; Gooseberry; Twinberry; Dave Barry???
Inquiring minds want to know!
After much discussion Jason and I have decided that it is similar in taste to a raspberry with some undertones of cherry (which, while not a berry should be considered a cousin just because it rhymes). This was a really tasty dessert - light the way a mousse is supposed to be with a nice sweet / tart contrast. Two thumbs up for the ligonberry, whatever the heck it is.
From Norway we decided to check out those margaritas we kept seeing on our travels around the world showcase.
This booth, to the best of my knowledge, is a permanent fixture in the Mexican section of the world showcase. Somehow, in all our past visits, Jason and I never saw this place. I can guarantee you that oversight has been corrected and will not be a problem on future visits.
The stand offers four, I mean five different frozen margaritas: Strawberry, Kiwi, Mango, Lime, or Fiesta (a combination of all four). You will be given your choice of salt, sugar, or neither for the rim of your cup. And then you will be very happy giving yourself an alcoholic brain-freeze at 2PM on a very sunny Thursday afternoon.
Brenda imitates Grimace with a Fiesta Margarita
Don't let this picture fool you - I was actually very happy. But I did a pretty good job of imitating the Grimace, if I do say so myself!
Mmmmmmm, that's good squishee!
As so often happens, I found myself with a song going through my head (not a very good one, either) and amused myself by trying to come up with more appropriate lyrics.
Are you familiar with the song Come a Little Bit Closer by Jay & The Americans?
If you are, then my feeble attempt to re-write the chorus might make you smile. If not, then I apologize in advance for further wasting your time.
Come a little bit closer
You're my kind of drink
So tall and so cool
Come a little bit closer
I'm barely buzzed
And the day is so young.
We parked ourselves on a bench just past the bridge near the Aztec temple and shared the frozen-fiesta love while watching these funny looking birds wander around Cantina de San Angel. We thought the ducks were aggressive, but they've got nothing on these babies! Maybe they just didn't like my singing ...
The big whitey bird AKA Ibis
And thus ended our tasty travels around Epcot. We set a new record for us: 23 food booth visits out of a possible 25 (the 26th was just selling beer and since we got to taste most of that for free, it doesn't really count). The only two booths we did not sample were Thailand and Germany. We did have some pretzels in Germany one afternoon, though, for what that's worth.
All in all we give this year's Food and Wine Festival two thumbs up and hope to come back in 2007 to give it another try. But for now ... it's time for some lounging and napping at the pool before dinner at CA Grill.
Look where we found Plankton on our way to the pool:
What's that mouse got that I don't have?
punkin413
feel the magic, dang it!
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2007
- Messages
- 9,581
wow.....SO.....MUCH......FOOD!!!!!! i don't know how you did it!
this is what dawn's nightmares are made of.
The big whitey bird AKA Ibis
this is what dawn's nightmares are made of.
cntkg1
<b><font color=blue>Runs with Scissors!!<br><font
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2005
- Messages
- 10,349
That must have been one rip-roaring party B. Two food choices and five alcohol choices for you two? (I'm only assuming that you chose all 5 since you didn't tell us otherwise).
(And you can't fool me with the picture either. The other choices were hidden out of the picture, weren't they?)
Sorry, I thought you meant the "other" friskie. I'm thinking...TMI Brenda. TMI!!
From Norway we decided to check out those margaritas we kept seeing on our travels around the world showcase.
Hmmmm, Margaritas and Norway? Norway and margaritas? Not quite the match I think of.
OK....got it now. I was worried about what a Norwegian Margarita tasted like until I see that the booth was altered a bit for the Festival.
As so often happens, I found myself with a song going through my head (not a very good one, either) and amused myself by trying to come up with more appropriate lyrics.
Are you familiar with the song Come a Little Bit Closer by Jay & The Americans?
If you are, then my feeble attempt to re-write the chorus might make you smile. If not, then I apologize in advance for further wasting your time.
Come a little bit closer
You're my kind of drink
So tall and so cool
Come a little bit closer
I'm barely buzzed
And the day is so young.
And now it's stuck in my head. Until, of course, I get to that Hallmark store today and "read"/listen to a certain little card.
Great update Ms Brenda. Thanks for the giggles.
praisehisname
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2003
- Messages
- 4,343
Mmmm, margaritas! I was all set to try one when we got to the Mexico side of World Showcase, but my stomach was empty and I knew that wouldn't be a good combination! 
I have to tell you Brenda (in case you haven't come over to read my trippie yet, hint, hint), this very trip report is the biggest reason we tried the Beach Club (shows you how long this thing has been going on ). We LOVED it there! It is now our favorite resort and we can't wait to go back!
Denise
I have to tell you Brenda (in case you haven't come over to read my trippie yet, hint, hint), this very trip report is the biggest reason we tried the Beach Club (shows you how long this thing has been going on
). We LOVED it there! It is now our favorite resort and we can't wait to go back!Denise
WDW Poly Princess
Needs a Disney Fix
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2000
- Messages
- 4,873
YAY for updates! I can't believe it's almost time for you to go again! Heck, I can't believe it's almost time for me to go again!
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