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

[whogirl'smom]

Chelsi--we'll be just north of L.A. with family, but plan to be all over the place in SoCal. My cousin actually lives in San Diego, so we'll probably do a day there to see her, a day at Disneyland of course, and I want to drive up to Santa Barbara for the day, a day in Hollywood/Santa Monica. It's been 10 years since dh and I have been out there so we're very excited! I can't get him to take more than 9 days off from work, but I would love two full weeks.

Bootiful--no DVC here. We have tried Pop Century, which was fine for our first trip and dd(then 5) loved it. We've been to AllStar Movies and never again there, just too crowded, too many tour groups and I'm over the double beds. This year we're trying Coronado Springs since they will have renovated all the rooms by our trip--queen beds, flat screen tv, and sliding doors to separate the bathroom from the bed area. I was planning on Wilderness Lodge this trip until I saw how the prices skyrocketed the week before Christmas! When is your trip?

 

[TDC Nala]

Grammy ... may I call you Grammy?

If you want to dine at V&A then you should ... they are very accomodating there and if you share your concerns with them upfront the chef and maitre'd will do everything they can to make a special menu for him. The night that Jay and I dined at the Chef's Table we were just finishing up and Chef Hunnel had disappeared ... our waitress told us a little while later that there was a guest in the dining room who wouldn't eat anything but cheese and bread and had literally driven the poor chef to distraction.

In a less formal restaurant chef Hunnel might have taken a very sharp, very long knife and run screaming from the kitchen into the dining room to teach that patron a thing or two about food, but at V&A he just simmered under his hat.

My point is that if your hubby doesn't like seafood, don't worry because they will have plenty of meaty options for him to choose from. Beef ... Kobe Beef ... Wagyu Beef ... Pork ... Buffalo ... Ostrich ... Elk ... and others that I'm sure we haven't tried or don't remember trying.

 

[blissventure]

TDC Nala, that photo was a hoot!

 

[blissventure]

Amen sister! That's why I nag once or twice and then let it go. It's one of the reasons that Jay's mom disapproves of me ... I don't make him call or force him to sit through family dinners every week (selfishly because I don't want to either ... ).

Ah well ... no one knows how to be the bad guy better than me. Just fill up my champagne glass and allow me to give the toast.

"ahem..." glass raised in the air ... "TO EVIL!"

Hear hear..Although I do think the toast from Out of Africa had a nice ring, as well. "To Rose-lipped maidens, light foot lads"

 

[luvillians]

Rosa Regale is AWESOME. Bought a bottle last night to pair with easter candy (very good, btw) and it is the FIRST WINE (besides champagne) that my husband has enjoyed enough to care to pour himself a glass.

Very nice! Try it with Lindt dark chocolate (blue label).

Amen sister! That's why I nag once or twice and then let it go. It's one of the reasons that Jay's mom disapproves of me ... I don't make him call or force him to sit through family dinners every week (selfishly because I don't want to either ... ).

Ah well ... no one knows how to be the bad guy better than me. Just fill up my champagne glass and allow me to give the toast.

"ahem..." glass raised in the air ... "TO EVIL!"

Hmmm....maybe we should start an "Evil D-n-L Club" since we are blamed for everything that doesn't go according to what M-n-L feels should be, even if the rightful blame should go to the son/husband.

I wish we had Southwest here...I think the closest is in Raleigh and that's a four hour drive. I do have good news, we'll be going to California after all! My aunt got her condo she had an offer on and she wants us to visit this summer. So, bye bye Myrtle Beach--I'm devastated! The fares aren't too bad from what I've seen; it's the rental car that's crazy. I'm trying to figure out which airport/rental car combo is the cheapest. Maybe take a cab to a car place away from the airport...We have never rented one in LA, it's outrageous!

Yay for maybe going to Vegas, too!

The cheapest we could get our airline was 250/pp. And I thought that was doing good! I don't want to even talk about nonstop since that won't happen unless we are willing to drive 5 hours!

Y'all all seem like DVC members - this will be the first trip since I was three, but we might have a 4 year old (my niece) with us - I am so confused by resort options my head is spinning.

I don't think we are Value folks, at least not right now...more GF (oy the price!) or POFQ but we KNOW NOLA, and I'm not sure about a fake one...the Poly leaves me cold...

How rude. Just rude. Y'all don't know me!

My husband I got married last year and, although we live in Houston, we got married in NOLA and had our reception at Galatoire's.

We did Cochon (pork cheeks!) and Commander's (everything!) at Mardi Gras - we don't really eat out in H-town, unless it is Tex-Mex or BBQ or a friend grilling - my husband is from Ireland, and he THOUGHT he was a food simpleton until I got him eating right. Now, it is Crispy Quail at Bayonna, Pate when I feel like it, and Foie Gras (did I spell that right? I sure hope so, 'cause it was in capitalized....) whenever we can.

He is not an oenophile - beer all the way, but he likes Rosa Regale, so he has some hope.

Raising a glass of Rosa Regale to you!

We aren't DVC members either but have stayed at Pop, POR, GF & Contemporary. Pop was ok but husband won't stay there again. POR was landscaped and themed very well and is the place we always have earmarked for when we don't want to fork out the expense for deluxe. The only real drawback to the moderates is that they have taken out all the sit down restaurants now, they only have food court style eating. We love Contemporary due to the location and the upgraded rooms are nice but a lot of people feel they lack the Disney theme. And finally GF, what can I say? Other than the convenient monorail service it was too foo foo frilly for us, I like clean lines and the feeling of less clutter and the GF rooms just had too many patterns going on for me. But it does have V & A's so I can forgive them...

 

[ibouncetoo]

Also booked SW this morning (at the crack of dawn) and got $305 round trip Phoenix to MCO. Was happy with that. Sister got it for a bit less, as she's flying mid-week to mid-week (I had to do a Fri departure/Sat return). Plans are coming along very nicely for the WDW/DCL family adventure in September.

I really want to Rosa Regale right now..............

.

 

[Briarmom]

Just bought our airfare from Southwest for October ... $378 round-trip, nonstop from Stinktown to Orlando and then back. I didn't expect to find $84 per person fares this far out but when given a giftie from the travel gods one does not question ... one books the airfare!

Even better ... we had $500 in SW gift cards from my parents and now have about $120 leftover for (hopefully) a Vegas trip next May if the cards all fall the right way.

Check the fares at Southwest, friendies ... and see if you, too, can get a deal!

Awesome!

This time tomorrow we'll be landing in Rome for an incredibly long layover, but not long enough to do anything in a relaxed fashion.

Oh and welcome Bewwy! What about the Beach Club? We love it there!

 

[oybolshoi]

Hooray for everyone who made airline reservations!!

Have a safe trip Briarmom and have a great time!

 

[TigerKat]

I don't think we are Value folks, at least not right now...more GF (oy the price!) or POFQ but we KNOW NOLA, and I'm not sure about a fake one...the Poly leaves me cold...

Being from NOLA we weren't impressed with POFQ but we do love CBR! It is a huge resort but we don't mind the walks, the Caribbean theming is amazing. Our favorite resort of all is the BWI.

 

[oybolshoi]

 

[ChelleinNC]

Chelle: just wanted to let you know how stunning your daughter looks in the photo. Also loved your picture of the Ambrosia. It's one of my favorite dishes of all time but it's kind of like deviled eggs - it's food that has somehow gone out of fashion and you don't see it much anymore.

Thank you I love good ol' comfort food, and that's what those things are to me. Especially the stuff my mom would make, like the ambrosia & cake. She's been gone for almost 9 years now, but the food keeps her here with me

Chelle, way to go on training your daughter right! Maybe whogirl can be our ADR person in a few more years, seeing as how she's such an early riser. And I think you stole our bunny cake....I brought the ears home from my mom's.

We've been working on it for a few years now, usually when we're at Disney and thinking of/needing to change ADR's we'll send her guest services or she'll call from her cell phone in the middle of the SSR parking lot Now being a teenager, she's not an early riser!!!! I really was shocked that she got up on her own and made the call(s).
Gotta love the bunny cake, I can only put coconut on some of it cuz DS won't eat coconut. This year we had furry ears

Although not gourmet fare, I thought I would share with you all one of our local hangouts.

Last night I was done teaching at 7:00 so I met Bob and Kristin at

for $1 Burger Night! You read that right, folks... $1.00 for a half pound Certified Angus Beef Burger with lettuce, tomato and caramelized onions. Add cheese to that burger and it costs a whopping $1.50.

Order a specialty burger (The Maytag Burger: Melted Maytag Bleu Cheese is on this tasty burger, topped with lettuce, ripe tomato, caramelized onions and dill mayonnaise, The Smokehouse Burger: Applewood-smoked bacon and smoked Gouda cheese top this burger with lettuce, ripe tomato, caramelized onions and house beer-b-que sauce or The Southwestern Burger: Our half pound Certified Angus Beef Burger with southwestern seasonings, grilled and topped with Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese) and you will only pay $2.00.

The catch? You have to buy a beer.
With 62 craft and import beers on draught and over 300 selections of bottled beers it is not a difficult task for us! You can also order wine or a cocktail instead.

So, for $50 (which included a 20% tip based on the pre-discounted price) had a beer, a great burger and two shared desserts. Not a bad way to start the work week off!

Hurt me, I need to order a drink?!?!?! Definitely a great way to start the week

BTW ... nothing from the nephew. I called twice and emailed and got nothing ... Sometimes he is just like my brother who could be the most thoughtless, inconsiderate berk.

And then I've got Jay refusing to call his grandmother. Saturday was her 94th birthday (which I didn't know) and Jay's dad called us and specifically asked that we call and wish her a happy b-day. I agreed because Jay's dad never asks us for anything and here we are three days later and my husband hasn't called.

I told him last night not to make me the bad guy on this one. I barely know his grandmother and feel very strongly that Jay should be the one to initiate the phone call and jesus-pleasus .... the man gets home from work by 3PM - he's got plenty of time to workout and play with the wii but not five minutes to spare to call his dessicated granny?

What the hell is wrong with the men in my life???

Men DH does it to. Me: "Honey you really need to call your Grandmother" him: "I know"......3 hours (days) later still no call Why can't they suck it up and act like grown ups?

 

[ibouncetoo]

re: POFQ As a Disnelyand devotee, the one thing I miss when visiting the Magic Kingdom, is New Orleans Square. I learned staying at POFQ, fills that void for me! It tends to be the resort I recommend most frequently to people.

.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Awesome!

This time tomorrow we'll be landing in Rome for an incredibly long layover, but not long enough to do anything in a relaxed fashion.

Oh and welcome Bewwy! What about the Beach Club? We love it there!

Have a safe trip!

and I second the Beach Club! Love staying there. I'm DVC now, but have stayed at BC, Poly, WL, Swan,BWV, SSR; check my signature I might have missed something. Anyways, BC & SSR are my favorites

 

[DisneyMom5]

What the...I go away for a few days and you fill TWELVE pages?!?

Great googly-moogly.

What I made for Easter was a trip to my mom's and a pig of myself.
The woman is a non-stop food-making machine.
[She's currently obsessed with all the annoying traits of my 97 year old grandmother who lives with them. She has to call everyday and tell me all about it, and about the conversations they have. Word.for.word. Oy.]

Sweet potato fries are making me hungry.

Trying desparately to lose weight in anticipation of our Sept. trip.
Weekend at my mom's cause a set-back in that area.

ChelleinNC - your dd rocks!
My dd15 is a serious Disney planner, but I won't hand over the phone because I am too obsessive compulsive about it. LOL

Surviving having my first child in Driver's training this week. Double Oy!
Have three in soccer, with three practices and three games each week. Sigh.

Off to accomplish something today. Thinking of making homemade potato/ham soup and some cuban bread for supper. Mmmmmm.

 

[kabuki]

Chelsi--we'll be just north of L.A. with family, but plan to be all over the place in SoCal. My cousin actually lives in San Diego, so we'll probably do a day there to see her, a day at Disneyland of course, and I want to drive up to Santa Barbara for the day, a day in Hollywood/Santa Monica. It's been 10 years since dh and I have been out there so we're very excited! I can't get him to take more than 9 days off from work, but I would love two full weeks.

QUOTE]

Wow! Sounds like you have a packed trip! When is your trip? Maybe your dates cross the Food and Wine Fest here?! That would be great ..!
If you need food places I am always up for sending a recommendation!

 

[whogirl'smom]

We're thinking about going the middle of July for a week and a half--originally we did think we'd be there for DL's F&W but decided to move our trip. The end of July is always so blah here, tired of going to the pool, just tired of summer vacation; dd goes back to school on Aug. 6 so it will give us something to look forward to at the end of her summer break.

I don't know how much eating out we'll be doing. My aunt is a wonderful cook and loves to feed us, so we always have some favorites we only get from her. I'm sure I'll have some questions for you once our plans firm up, especially if we get down to San Diego!

 

[kabuki]

We're thinking about going the middle of July for a week and a half--originally we did think we'd be there for DL's F&W but decided to move our trip. The end of July is always so blah here, tired of going to the pool, just tired of summer vacation; dd goes back to school on Aug. 6 so it will give us something to look forward to at the end of her summer break.

I don't know how much eating out we'll be doing. My aunt is a wonderful cook and loves to feed us, so we always have some favorites we only get from her. I'm sure I'll have some questions for you once our plans firm up, especially if we get down to San Diego!

Wonderful! I am here!

 

[TigerKat]

Asking for good thoughts and/or prayers for our friend Sheryl (shovan). She has had back/spine problems and was told she'd probably need surgery sometime this year. This past week she's developed numbness and is now waiting on word as to whether or not the surgery should be done sooner rather than later. She's not coping very well and could use all of our good thoughts, prayers and support.

 

[kabuki]

Asking for prayers for our friend Sheryl (shovan). She has had back/spine problems and was told she'd probably need surgery sometime this year. This past week she's developed numbness and is now waiting on word as to whether or not the surgery should be done sooner rather than later. She's not coping very well and could use all of our good thoughts, prayers and support.

Thank you for letting us all know! All our love - support - and care! Sheryl we are keeping the good thoughts running your way here!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Prayers coming your way, Sheryl! I hope you feel better soon.