Belly Up to the Bar With Bendy and Her Friendies!!! Button Pics & New Thread Started!

[oybolshoi]

Sorry to hear about the depreciated value on your Saturn .. that totally bites.

There's not much I can say about the CRV since I haven't been driving it all that long, but I really do like it. Very comfortable ride; car-like, easy steering; fabulous mileage, especially on the highway. And I know they hold their value exceptionally well - oh, and they've received a 5-star safety rating in all categories.

As for RFC ... we had breakfast at the one over at the Animal Kingdom last fall and the serving sizes were very generous at that time.

 

[TarzansKat]

Sorry to hear about the depreciated value on your Saturn .. that totally bites.

Thanks.

There's not much I can say about the CRV since I haven't been driving it all that long, but I really do like it. Very comfortable ride; car-like, easy steering; fabulous mileage, especially on the highway. And I know they hold their value exceptionally well - oh, and they've received a 5-star safety rating in all categories.

I've test driven one before and loved it. And, being that I have a child, I'm very into safety ratings, so that's good to know. I missed it in your last post, did you end with an '09, or are the '10s out?

I actually am able to get special pricing through Costco. I don't know if you have those out there, it's basically a warehouse bulk good type store for those who don't know. They have a special auto buying program, the last time I checked it was basically $100 over invoice. So I've contacted a dealer, and I have an appt to chat on Thursday.

As for RFC ... we had breakfast at the one over at the Animal Kingdom last fall and the serving sizes were very generous at that time.

Good to know. I'll have to go skipping about the dining reviews board and see what I can find.

 

[TDC Nala]

I love my PT Cruiser. Of course I've had it six years and Chrysler was still breathing then.

 

[oybolshoi]

Kat, I purchased a 2009 ... they didn't have 2010 available here yet and since we pay annual property tax on vehicles in MO, it's a little cheaper to pay tax on an '09 in 2009.

There is a Costco out here but we're not members.

Good luck - we're very happy with our decision and I personally love no longer having the stress of wondering if my vehicle is going to get me to work or home or to the gas station ... blah blah blah.

 

[TarzansKat]

I love my PT Cruiser. Of course I've had it six years and Chrysler was still breathing then.

I really like those, but it doesn't look like they have a lot of storage room in the back.

Kat, I purchased a 2009 ... they didn't have 2010 available here yet and since we pay annual property tax on vehicles in MO, it's a little cheaper to pay tax on an '09 in 2009.

There is a Costco out here but we're not members.

Good luck - we're very happy with our decision and I personally love no longer having the stress of wondering if my vehicle is going to get me to work or home or to the gas station ... blah blah blah.

Thanks much! I'm just getting to the point where my car doesn't feel right. I suspect it's a transmission issue. I've recently replaced the front brakes and the back are due soon, so I know how you feel.

 

[oybolshoi]

Another reason to love the on-line system (when it works) ...

I was trying to tweak the timing on the lunch we booked at Brown Derby on the 21st ... so I booked a replacement for 12:15 that afternoon and then like a good doo-bee pulled up the first ADR to cancel it only to find that I couldn't.

Hmmmm, says I; that's strange. I've been able to cancel all my other ADRs when necessary.

And then I look more closely at the reservation and it says: Lunch with an Imagineer.



We didn't want that at all and I have no idea why the DVC agent booked that instead of a normal lunch ADR ... I never made mention of eating with an imagineer. But now I know why he asked me for a credit card to hold the reservation.

Thankfully I spoke with someone at Disney Dining a few minutes ago and got it canceled.

Whew!

All I can say is be careful and double-check your stuff. I think there are still a lot of training and consistency issues between the various CMs.

 

[TarzansKat]

You were eating with an Imagineer and didn't even know it!

I hear you on checking the ADRs though, you never know. I'm checking the site out tonight to see if I can get any of my coveted ones, but so far, no dice.

 

[PNO4TE]

We spent a couple of hours at another local winery this afternoon and had a very nice time. Tasted 12 wines for $5 and that included the glass!

On our way home we stopped at our favorite produce stand and grabbed some raspberries, tomatoes and squash. Then we hit Wegmans and bought some lovely salmon filets and chickpeas.

We were very brave and did cedar-plank grilled salmon filets with a dry rub that I concocted out of lemon-herb seasoning, paprika, basil, garlic and a smidge of brown sugar. It worked quite well! This is ONE of the filets which we split and we plan to do something else with the second one tomorrow evening for dinner.

We also had sliced tomatoes and yellow squash/zucchini slices in foil packets also on the grill (no photo).

Our other side was pan roasted chickpeas in olive oil and garlic.

This was all washed down with a bottle o this Chateau Clos de Vaulicheres Bourgogne Epineuil 2006. Perfect!

for dessert we are about to have fresh raspberries, white chocolate and a local ice wine! I'll let you know how it is.

 

[oybolshoi]

You were eating with an Imagineer and didn't even know it!

Could you just picture the look on our faces if I hadn't figured it out before October? It just baffles me since I never mentioned wanting that at all. Not that it would be a bad thing, it just wasn't what we wanted to do that day.

I hear you on checking the ADRs though, you never know. I'm checking the site out tonight to see if I can get any of my coveted ones, but so far, no dice.

I'm usually really good about writing them all down on a calendar that I bring with us to WDW. I know with the on-line system I'll be double checking everything one last time ... twenty times or so.

 

[oybolshoi]

Wow Elin! That all looks terrific ... wish I was at your house right now!

We spent a couple of hours at another local winery this afternoon and had a very nice time. Tasted 12 wines for $5 and that included the glass!

On our way home we stopped at our favorite produce stand and grabbed some raspberries, tomatoes and squash. Then we hit Wegmans and bought some lovely salmon filets and chickpeas.

We were very brave and did cedar-plank grilled salmon filets with a dry rub that I concocted out of lemon-herb seasoning, paprika, basil, garlic and a smidge of brown sugar. It worked quite well! This is ONE of the filets which we split and we plan to do something else with the second one tomorrow evening for dinner.

We also had sliced tomatoes and yellow squash/zucchini slices in foil packets also on the grill (no photo).

Our other side was pan roasted chickpeas in olive oil and garlic.

This was all washed down with a bottle o this Chateau Clos de Vaulicheres Bourgogne Epineuil 2006. Perfect!

for dessert we are about to have fresh raspberries, white chocolate and a local ice wine! I'll let you know how it is.

 

[robinm1215]

This is what I will try for food & wine

Possibly cheese seminar 9/26 (something to take Mom to)
Bluezoo signature 10/16
Tequila tasting probably 10/16, 10/17 or 10/18. If not then, 11/1
Wonders Retreat signature 10/30
PFTS 10/31

And that's it. Plus the three events for the NY festival over Columbus Day weekend.

I could not reserve Jiko for my birthday. No availability at all. Moved it to Flying Fish. No matter since I have the Jiko wine dinner that week anyway. If I want to go to Jiko I can go eat at the bar whenever. I wanted to sit at the open kitchen on my birthday though (and Flying Fish has one too).

Left 8/29 open.
8/30 Flying Fish dinner
8/31 Brown Derby lunch/California Grill dinner
9/1 Coral Reef lunch
9/2 Le Cellier dinner
9/3 Jiko wine dinner
9/4 probably Tchoup Chop
9/5 Sanaa dinner
9/6 Ohana dinner

And these were easy to make online.

I'm calling it the Overhyped Disney Restaurant Tour.

When I called about Sanaa (you can't book that online - it doesn't work) they tried to convince me that I couldn't book Jiko for two and just show up as one person because there'd be a no show fee - I said that wasn't correct - now it looks like it was right as someone mentioned Jiko now has a credit card hold. I tried a dummy reservation online and it says "no credit card hold required." Clicked through and it did not ask for a credit card. Didn't complete the reservation though What is Disney up to?

Sheesh. Someone's a blabbermouth around here.

I have a few items in my F&WF event lineup.

10/15 Flying Fish signature dinner
10/16 Todd English's bluezoo™ signature dinner
10/17 Tequila tasting

My only dinner ADR so far is Bistro de Paris on 10/17. More TBA later.

All of your plans sound great so far!!

I booked today for Sanaa and found it listed under the resort restaurants, but not under Animal Kingdom Lodge, it has a separate listing of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village. There's also a listing for Animal Kingdom Villas-Jambo. Little confusing, but I was able to book with no problems.

For anyone wondering about Sanaa, I actually ate there on opening day. I was very on the fence about it too, but went over to Kidani to check out the new building since it opened my last day in Disney on my last trip and I couldn't leave without seeing it. I decided to have lunch there. Wasn't busy but I'm guessing it's because it was opening day. I got a great table right by the windows -- that alone was worth eating there so I definitely recommend asking for a table with a savannah view if you can. I am not into Indian food, but I really enjoyed it. The bread service appetizer was good -- you got to pick 3 dips to go with it. I got curry shrimp and I think some kind of ribs for my main course and had Chai Cream for dessert which was wonderful. Sorry, no food porn. I think if you really like Indian food you may be a little disappointed since I have heard it's not exactly authentic. I think they tone it down for the masses. But it was an enjoyable experience and the restaurant is beautiful. I would definitely dine there again

Saw Harry Potter 6 yesterday with the niece and the hubby ... a very good movie indeed. I'd like to see it again though because there were a lot of chatty kids there (understandable) and a woman with a baby (not understandable).

Most of the changes were fine but there is one scene in the middle of the movie that I don't really understand ... it's not a part of the book at all.

Still, a gorgeously filmed and scored piece. I think Azkaban still has the edge but this was quite good.

I saw Harry Potter yesterday too and enjoyed it. I have not read the book yet so don't have anything to compare it to but I heard they changed it up a bit.

Why in the world would someone bring a baby to the movies?? That always blows my mind.

A couple of quick pics of the new, not Volkswagon, Honda CRV ... the more I drive it the more I like it. I hope this is the beginning of a long and mutually satisfying relationship.

A couple of shots of my CRV parked in the driveway so our neighbors can all admire our purchase of yet another foreign-made car:


Who is this plump woman driving my new vehicle??? Oh wait ... that's me.

Grat pictures of your new car Brenda! Hope you enjoy many years of driving it.

Just wanted to say I have that same dress you are wearing in this picture. I shop in Ann Taylor Loft all the time

 

[jeminni]

Elin,

That salmon looks delicious. I hope you enjoy the fresh raspberries, white chocolate and the local ice wine.

I'm having Cheez-its and a glass of burgundy. There's something wrong here.

 

[robinm1215]

Another reason to love the on-line system (when it works) ...

I was trying to tweak the timing on the lunch we booked at Brown Derby on the 21st ... so I booked a replacement for 12:15 that afternoon and then like a good doo-bee pulled up the first ADR to cancel it only to find that I couldn't.

Hmmmm, says I; that's strange. I've been able to cancel all my other ADRs when necessary.

And then I look more closely at the reservation and it says: Lunch with an Imagineer.



We didn't want that at all and I have no idea why the DVC agent booked that instead of a normal lunch ADR ... I never made mention of eating with an imagineer. But now I know why he asked me for a credit card to hold the reservation.

Thankfully I spoke with someone at Disney Dining a few minutes ago and got it canceled.

Whew!

All I can say is be careful and double-check your stuff. I think there are still a lot of training and consistency issues between the various CMs.

Glad you got that straightened out. I have seen a lot if inconsistency with different CMs.

Our most recent experience was in booking the Magic Kingdom dessert party for August. They ended up booking us at a buffet dinner at the same location where the dessert party is (something they are apparently doing during free dining) -- only there's no dessert party that night. All the info they were giving sounded weird (including a seating time of 8:20 when the fireworks are scheduled for 10 that night and the event starts one hour prior to the fireworks). Still, they insisted they were booking us for the dessert party. We were very skeptical so I called back, found out the error, and changed the dessert party to another night.

I just don't understand how some CMs don't know what is going on...

We spent a couple of hours at another local winery this afternoon and had a very nice time. Tasted 12 wines for $5 and that included the glass!

On our way home we stopped at our favorite produce stand and grabbed some raspberries, tomatoes and squash. Then we hit Wegmans and bought some lovely salmon filets and chickpeas.

We were very brave and did cedar-plank grilled salmon filets with a dry rub that I concocted out of lemon-herb seasoning, paprika, basil, garlic and a smidge of brown sugar. It worked quite well! This is ONE of the filets which we split and we plan to do something else with the second one tomorrow evening for dinner.

We also had sliced tomatoes and yellow squash/zucchini slices in foil packets also on the grill (no photo).

Our other side was pan roasted chickpeas in olive oil and garlic.

This was all washed down with a bottle o this Chateau Clos de Vaulicheres Bourgogne Epineuil 2006. Perfect!

for dessert we are about to have fresh raspberries, white chocolate and a local ice wine! I'll let you know how it is.

That all sounds great! Now I'm hungry!

 

[oybolshoi]

I've been given a green light for the following F&W wine events ..

Flying Fish signature dinner 10/15
Blue Zoo signature dinner 10/16
Tutto Italia F&W pairing 10/17
Tequilia Tasting 10/23

That doesn't mean we'll get them, of course. If we're not able to land both signature dinners then we will pick up Sweet Sundays on the 18th.

Oink Oink.

 

[oybolshoi]

Robin, I bet that dress looks better on you than it did on me. I think I looked like I was about ready to drop twins.

 

[hmgray95]

A couple of quick pics of the new, not Volkswagon, Honda CRV ... the more I drive it the more I like it. I hope this is the beginning of a long and mutually satisfying relationship.

A couple of shots of my CRV parked in the driveway so our neighbors can all admire our purchase of yet another foreign-made car:

Who is this plump woman driving my new vehicle??? Oh wait ... that's me.

That's right ... everyone in outer Stinktown has a truck, an SUV, or a tour bus.

I can smell the new car smell from here! Great choice on the color by the way....I totall prefer classic colors on cars, not colors that look like they are straight from a Crayola box!

 

[MA pigletfan]

Elin..nice pictures!! Those chickpeas look great, I should try making them like that sometime!

Here is some foodie porn!!
Kicked up hummus i made for the 4th of July party, it had kalamata olives, feta and extra lemon juice in it:

The next are from our wedding/food tasting we had a few weeks ago..everything was REALLY tasty!!
1st: some of the passed houres douvres ( i butcher that spelling everytime!)

The top is the typical bacon wrapped scallop..clockwise after that is the blue cheese/portobello crostini ( BIG hit) and then the Japanese beef tataki on cripsy wonton skin..all very good. We also got 2 more choices that will be passed at cocktail hour as well, spanikopita and mini crabbie cakes ( can't go wrong!)
Our meal will actually have 5 courses, a soup ( italian wedding ..no pics) and then a salad ( table side tossed caesar) THEN a nice palette cleansing sorbet..we chose lemon, but i like this picture of the wildberry:

refreshing!
THIS is the beef choice:

Amazing! The sauce is actually a tomato based bernaise..it gave it a little extra flair i thought
Chicken choice:

Chicken wellington, mushroom+puff pastry..GOOD! Note the purple mashed peruvian potato ( say that 4 times fast!!!)..we are going to have the purple peruvian roasted and served with both entree' choices..purple is one of my main colors in the wedding
Then of course the 5th is the cake/ice cream bomb and my dad wants to do Italian cookie trays on the tables too...
I am so excited about our choices..now to just stay away from that kind of stuff until the big day so i can fit in the gown..LOL!!
ANd i leave you my birthday cake that my mom made me last weekend..always strawberry and always her homemade frosting..super sweet!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I've been given a green light for the following F&W wine events ..

Flying Fish signature dinner 10/15
Blue Zoo signature dinner 10/16
Tutto Italia F&W pairing 10/17
Tequilia Tasting 10/23

That doesn't mean we'll get them, of course. If we're not able to land both signature dinners then we will pick up Sweet Sundays on the 18th.

Oink Oink.

Sounds great to me! And, by the way, I like your new wheels!

 

[PNO4TE]

Gina - all the Friendies are invited to partake of that yummy wedding party food, right???

 

[hmgray95]

We spent a couple of hours at another local winery this afternoon and had a very nice time. Tasted 12 wines for $5 and that included the glass!

On our way home we stopped at our favorite produce stand and grabbed some raspberries, tomatoes and squash. Then we hit Wegmans and bought some lovely salmon filets and chickpeas.

We were very brave and did cedar-plank grilled salmon filets with a dry rub that I concocted out of lemon-herb seasoning, paprika, basil, garlic and a smidge of brown sugar. It worked quite well! This is ONE of the filets which we split and we plan to do something else with the second one tomorrow evening for dinner.

We also had sliced tomatoes and yellow squash/zucchini slices in foil packets also on the grill (no photo).

Our other side was pan roasted chickpeas in olive oil and garlic.

This was all washed down with a bottle o this Chateau Clos de Vaulicheres Bourgogne Epineuil 2006. Perfect!

for dessert we are about to have fresh raspberries, white chocolate and a local ice wine! I'll let you know how it is.

You've managed the impossible.....you've made me feel that both salmon and chickpeas (both of which I find incredibly gacky) look delicious.

We did the cedar plank thing last night with some tilapia, olive oil and greek seasonings....and later on that night, DH says "What's burning? I smell burning wood! Something is on fire!". My reply....."Ummm, honey, I'm pretty sure that smell is coming from your hair. Perhaps you should have stood a little further back form the grill?"