Anyone Game? It’s my Sep 2013 Blog! I'm home; with a TR link in #1189, 10/14

[skier_pete]

Yummy!

I am so coming to your house for dinner.

I have been to her house. So worth it!

 

[Jade+3]

Yum, that looks beautiful. I will need to visit for some cooking lessons.

 

[dgbg100106]

I have been to her house. So worth it!

I am jealous...

 

[franandaj]

The closest that I'll get to tasting some of that wonderful food is the trip this Sept/Oct. It all looks great. I am so up for the steamboat idea! But tell me you must have had several rice cookers for that many people.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yummy!

I am so coming to your house for dinner.

Anytime! Just let me know when.

I have been to her house. So worth it!

Thank you!

I am jealous...

Seriously. When you and DH decide to head over, let me know. We will lock in a night for dinner.

Yum, that looks beautiful. I will need to visit for some cooking lessons.

When in Melbourne.....let me know.

The closest that I'll get to tasting some of that wonderful food is the trip this Sept/Oct. It all looks great. I am so up for the steamboat idea! But tell me you must have had several rice cookers for that many people.

We had 8 adults and 5 teens/tweens for dinner. Mum had 2 rice cookers going; but that was only because the teens had the frankfurters and we have a pesky vegetarian that needed segregation. Still......it was great with the 2 cookers going.

If we find the appropriate Asian supplies, we could do it for Sept/Oct.....just use a big stock pot on the stove; rather than a rice cooker.

 

[PrincessInOz]

An Honest-to-Goodness Firm Itinerary


Last week, we finally locked down dates for the Durango part of the trip with DH’s cousin. I’m delighted to say that our trip is firming up even more. We’ve had to tweak around for the dates that DCuz could meet us but here’s what I’ve settled on:

13 Sep: LA/Anaheim (4 nights)
17 Sep: Sedona (3 nights)
20 Sep: Grand Canyon (2 nights)
22 Sep: Page (2 nights)
24 Sep: Monument Valley (1 night)
25 Sep: Durango (4 nights)
29 Sep: WDW (8 nights)
7 Oct: Universal (2 nights)
9 Oct: LA (1 night)
10 Oct: Depart for Melbourne.


In order to fit around the dates that DCuz provided us, I've had to shift Universal to the end of the Orlando leg; rather than the start. That also means less time in LA at the end, which is fine by me and DH.

I’m working through all the ground content travel plans like accommodation, activities, tickets, car hire, internal flights and the like. Rather than…..bore you…..er…..hit you with too much detail……. now in one hit, rest assured……I can stretch the details out over the next month or so.

 

[dgbg100106]

it is so nice when the dates are firm and airfare purchased, it just makes it more real for me.

Congrats on getting the dates in place.

 

[zanzibar138]

I LOVE that chocolate ripple cake in the shape of a snake! Awesome! I wouldn't have eaten for a week after all that food

 

[ACDSNY]

It looks like the New Year was kicked off well with your wonderful feast.

 

[franandaj]

If we find the appropriate Asian supplies, we could do it for Sept/Oct.....just use a big stock pot on the stove; rather than a rice cooker.

What Asian Supplies? Fran and I have a lot of Shabu Shabu things like the netted fishers and things. We could look for a throwawayable pot at garage sales (plus we have some really cheap stores here that we could get one to use on the BBQ). We could just put it over the coals and let everyone gather by the BBQ. I do have some electric hot plates, but don't know if the electrical would reach.

I love me Shabu Shabu or hot pot. We can do a Tri Trip on the grill and then seafood in the hot pot for a surf and turf cookout! This might be where a local (ED) could come in handy to pick up some fresh fish and veggies. Fran and I are coming up with other ideas, we talked about some queso and chips so we will have quite the variety of nationality cuisines. But we are having groceries delivered far to early for fish to be fresh for a cookout. This is definitely a discussion to be had on the planning thread!

 

[PrincessInOz]

We would need to get some of those nets, possibly chop sticks.

The alternative would be to cook a noodles or fried rice in the apartment and take it down. It would be easier and we wouldn't have to worry about having to heat and cook raw food in hot broth.

 

[skier_pete]

Hmmmm...a bit disappointed to see you won't make it up into the northeast US at all, so we won't get to see you, but still looks like a great trip. The Southwest at that time of year should be pretty great.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hmmmm...a bit disappointed to see you won't make it up into the northeast US at all, so we won't get to see you, but still looks like a great trip. The Southwest at that time of year should be pretty great.

Pete - I did try hard to get to the east coast. But with DH's cousin and all that......maybe next trip.

 

[dgbg100106]

Yes, the east coast got the shaft this trip, but maybe next time.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yes, the east coast got the shaft this trip, but maybe next time.

Yes.....I have to factor in a visit around the Chesapeake at some stage. Civil War country is on my hit list.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Plans as they stand for September 13 16; SoCal



What are we doing?

Fly out of Melbourne Airport on a direct flight to Los Angeles. Clear customs, pick up a hire car and head to Anaheim.




Where are we staying?

Two of the four nights accommodation has been sorted out. I'm still working on the other two nights. Hopefully, the plan that I'm wishing on will come through. Otherwise, I'll find accommodation for the first two nights. DS is a little worried he might be doing this....

I haven't told him that I'm not QUITE that cruel. Close; but no cigar!



What are we doing?

I suspect that well be crashing on arrival day. DS has fallen asleep in the car on both the previous two trips and I don't expect any differently.

So that means, we will need to find a place to head to where DH and I can do the tag team thing for lunch. Weve traditionally headed for the Farmers Market. This trip, I think we might need to go towards the beach somewhere. So, I'm thinking maybe we should go towards Manhattan or Hermosa or Redondo Beach. It might all be a castle-in-the-sky wishful thinking on arrival day......but you never know! It may actually turn out this way.

In the 3 full days that we have in SoCal, I'm hoping to see my Aunt, who lives in San Diego; and have 2 full days at Disneyland. I'd love DH and DS to see Carsland. I think they would just adore the Radiator Spring Racers.

Me? I'm hoping to catch up with Fran and Alison in their home turf. That shabu shabu place seems to have opened up and I owe them at least a dinner. Well see how it works out.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I'm late to the party, but looking forward to reading more about your adventures!

 

[dgbg100106]

Yes.....I have to factor in a visit around the Chesapeake at some stage. Civil War country is on my hit list.

Remember that we have even history prior to that, we have the new world and colony history.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm late to the party, but looking forward to reading more about your adventures!

Nice to see you here! Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Remember that we have even history prior to that, we have the new world and colony history.

 

[PrincessInOz]

White Night in Melbourne




What is White Night, I hear you ask?


In 2002, Nuit Blanche was conceived in Paris, France in an attempt to make art and culture accessible to large audiences, within public spaces. From this one spark, the White Night festival has now spread to over 23 cities over the world. Cities such as Montreal, Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Ottawa, Quebec, Brussels, Kyoto and, of course, Paris wil light up their cities for one night this year.

Last night, Melbourne was the first city in Australia to join the ranks of these global cities producing all-night events.

From dusk till dawn, White Night Melbourne transformed the city into an all-night wonderland with over 80 free events celebrating music, food, film, art and light.


I bumped into some 'friends' of ours at the very start of the night.....I guess anyone who was anyone was out in force last night.

Many of the city museums and open spaces were just falling over themselves to host an event. I didn't get a chance to enjoy any of the museum offerings; waaaaay too many people turned up. I did try to make it into St Paul's Cathedral for the Photon offering.

Hmmm.....Look into the light.....I guess no one told them to stand to the side of the light.

Ground Control to Major Tom.....

....no one shoot an arrow at the Bullseye!

These blow-up figures where fun to look at!

I was keen to check out an event along the Yarra River.

It's our very own version of World of Colour!!!

Okay.....close, but no cigar!

Spirograph, anyone?

Still in Birrarung Marr, we had this projection entitled From the Deep.

It was pretty, but loud.



The organisers promised lots of lights.

So, it was time to go seek them out.....




(Continued in Next Post)