Don't touch that! I need a picture first! TR - **NEW 04/17 PTR IS UP

[PennyLane1084]

My family never hung stocking and we never really believed in Santa Clause. I'm hoping to have stockings when I start my own family.

Rosie, speaking of the christmas bird, I'm going to make my first turkey this christmas! Any words of encouragement?

WHAT What do you mean don't believe in Santa????

I knew something was up when "Santa" ordered all his presents through the JC Penney's catalog.

 

[marvali]

Ok, then it might have been Weihnachtsstollen, Weihnachten is Christmas and we like to make long compound words. One that is very famous is Donaudampfschifffahrtskapitänswitwenrente, it means: pension for the widows of captains of the company operating steam ships on the Danube.

Actually I went back and found the video on the local channels website. The story was covering the Dresdner Stollenfest where the Stollen was carried to the Dresdner Striezelmarkt on a horse drawn cart. The shape of it made it look like an oversized white lid to a coffin to me. They use the ceremonial Stollen knife to make the first cut, which was really huge and looked more like a wide scimitar to me. Looks like a really neat Christmas tradition!

That always happens to me. Sometimes I will read the update but can't write a reply. The worst part is that I forget to go back and reply when I finally do get the chance. There's just too many threads to keep up with And all of them are so good!

Yeh, I can't count how many times I have selected all the multi quotes I want to respond to, and then something happens where I don't have time and I just have to get off the computer and hope I get the chance to respond later. I keep up way better with everyone's posts than I often have time to comment on.

Good memories are the best way to remember someone. Whenever someone is sick or dying (this might sound awful but please bear with me) I actually try to avoid seeing them in their final moments. Only because I want to remember them as they were when they were healthy. Not when they are so weak they don't even remember who I am.

I know exactly what you mean. I knew I had to do it, but I really hated the last few times I visited my Mom before she passed because that just wasn't my Mom I was looking at. She was always too lively and full of laughter to look at her just staring at nothing and not able to respond to you at all. That is just so very sad!

So exciting!!!! Are you all prepared?

Of course!!! Well, no not really......

Good grief! Try saying that word three times fast

Try saying it one time SLOW!

 

[jenbear123]

WHAT What do you mean don't believe in Santa????

I knew something was up when "Santa" ordered all his presents through the JC Penney's catalog.

Maybe he likes the woman's touch.

Yeh, I can't count how many times I have selected all the multi quotes I want to respond to, and then something happens where I don't have time and I just have to get off the computer and hope I get the chance to respond later. I keep up way better with everyone's posts than I often have time to comment on.

So glad I'm not the only one who does this! I just can't keep up the way Glenn and Liesa do

I know exactly what you mean. I knew I had to do it, but I really hated the last few times I visited my Mom before she passed because that just wasn't my Mom I was looking at. She was always too lively and full of laughter to look at her just staring at nothing and not able to respond to you at all. That is just so very sad!

It really is. But as they say, time heals old wounds.

Of course!!! Well, no not really......

Not ready??? Uh oh. Just don't forget the kitchen sink when you're packing.

Try saying it one time SLOW!

True. That is a tongue twister

 

[YukiPhnx]

Never believed in Santa! Naw, I'm only joking. I believed in Santa until I was around 8 years old when my Dad right out told me there's no such thing as Santa. I felt my heart silently break but got over it pretty quick. Once I realized my parents are "Santa" it made it easier to point out what I wanted

We always knew that presents came from family friends and our parents. They made sure we knew. So....we never did get those "gifts from Santa".

Awww, your little heart broke silently

WHAT What do you mean don't believe in Santa????

I knew something was up when "Santa" ordered all his presents through the JC Penney's catalog.

Haha, that's too funny! For christmas, we would always give our parents ideas of what we might want, and they'd get it for us. Usually though, we didn't ask for anything, they just knew what would make us happy.

I didn't even make wish lists until high school when people asked me what I wanted and I actually had to think about it....

How did I turn into such a materialistic girl from then???

 

[glennbo123]

So glad I'm not the only one who does this! I just can't keep up the way Glenn and Liesa do

It's been a lot tougher since school started again and the hecticity level went up. I feel bad about not participating more on some threads....but there's only so much time!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Hey Magdalene! I was driving through the city next to my University's city and noticed that they were celebrating Christkindl! It automatically made me think of you! It makes sense cause the city has German origins. Its Oktboberfest brings in a lot of people every year.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hey Magdalene! I was driving through the city next to my University's city and noticed that they were celebrating Christkindl! It automatically made me think of you! It makes sense cause the city has German origins. Its Oktboberfest brings in a lot of people every year.

How interesting! I think I may have had a server at Le Cellier from this town. She was telling us about Octoberfest being a great deal in her hometown and that she was Miss Oktoberfest there one year. She was a fantastic server!

ETA: I just checked my dining review about that meal (can be found here) and she also mentioned that this town/region is the reason for the pretzel breadstick at Le Cellier. I have no idea wether this is true, perhaps Jen can ask Bubba (or perhaps she knows anyway?)?.

 

[englishrose47]

I only ate at Le Cellier once and I enjoyed it!! But the desserts don't appeal as I hate Maple !! I do want to try it again with the family maybe next year!!

 

[YukiPhnx]

How interesting! I think I may have had a server at Le Cellier from this town. She was telling us about Octoberfest being a great deal in her hometown and that she was Miss Oktoberfest there one year. She was a fantastic server!

ETA: I just checked my dining review about that meal (can be found here) and she also mentioned that this town/region is the reason for the pretzel breadstick at Le Cellier. I have no idea wether this is true, perhaps Jen can ask Bubba (or perhaps she knows anyway?)?.

Huh.....Well, the city I'm talking about is Kitchener. I'm not sure if that's where the pretzel breadstick comes from. If so, then I've been missing out all these years!

But yes, the Oktoberfest is a huge deal in this town.

Well, Canada is a big country and there are probably lots of other towns with German origins, so it's really hard to tell.

 

[jenbear123]

I just asked Bubba and she confirms it is Kitchener. Speaking of which, this town was originally called City of Berlin until WWI broke out. More history can be found here. Amazing!

 

[YukiPhnx]

I remember hearing about that! So wow, it IS Kitchener. Where is this pretzel bread sold???? I must find out!

EDIT: Ok, I just found out it's made by the Mennonites in the area, so I'll be visiting the local farmer's market soon. I'll let you guys know what I find.

 

[All7OfUs]

So glad I'm not the only one who does this! I just can't keep up the way Glenn and Liesa do

I am hopelessly behind on the threads I most want to be on! UGH!!! I hope my life will settle down soon and it includes an unlimited internet plan!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I just asked Bubba and she confirms it is Kitchener. Speaking of which, this town was originally called City of Berlin until WWI broke out. More history can be found here. Amazing!

I remember hearing about that! So wow, it IS Kitchener. Where is this pretzel bread sold???? I must find out!

EDIT: Ok, I just found out it's made by the Mennonites in the area, so I'll be visiting the local farmer's market soon. I'll let you guys know what I find.

Interesting stuff! I knew that during WW I many German immigrants in the US stopped using German at home because of the war. But that a full town would change its name and then use Field Marshall Kitchener, that's fascinating! I think there are still plenty of Berlin left in the US (according to Wikipedia at least 30), but it seems that this was the only Berlin in Canada. And I guess due to the fact that Canada was in that war from the very beginning in 1914 while the US only came into it in 1917, there was much longer time for anti-German sentiment...

I just had a look at the Wikipedia site which Jen linked and found out that Kitchener also has a different layout (without a real grid) because it was built like the towns the Menonnite settlers knew...

 

[jenbear123]

I remember hearing about that! So wow, it IS Kitchener. Where is this pretzel bread sold???? I must find out!

EDIT: Ok, I just found out it's made by the Mennonites in the area, so I'll be visiting the local farmer's market soon. I'll let you guys know what I find.

As soon as you find out where this is, LET ME KNOW!

I am hopelessly behind on the threads I most want to be on! UGH!!! I hope my life will settle down soon and it includes an unlimited internet plan!!

There's just too many good things to read and not enough time in the day. If only we could be like Italy where everything closes in the afternoon for a few hours. That would leave for more DIS time! You don't have unlimited internet?

Interesting stuff! I knew that during WW I many German immigrants in the US stopped using German at home because of the war. But that a full town would change its name and then use Field Marshall Kitchener, that's fascinating!

It's kind of a big slap in the face but what can ya do...

I think there are still plenty of Berlin left in the US (according to Wikipedia at least 30), but it seems that this was the only Berlin in Canada. And I guess due to the fact that Canada was in that war from the very beginning in 1914 while the US only came into it in 1917, there was much longer time for anti-German sentiment...

It would have been cool to have a City of Berlin in Ontario!

I just had a look at the Wikipedia site which Jen linked and found out that Kitchener also has a different layout (without a real grid) because it was built like the towns the Menonnite settlers knew...

Isn't Wikipedia amazing?!

 

[YukiPhnx]

I just had a look at the Wikipedia site which Jen linked and found out that Kitchener also has a different layout (without a real grid) because it was built like the towns the Menonnite settlers knew...

Ugh, this is one thing a lot of people don't like about Kitchener/Waterloo. The way it's laid out is SOOOO CONFUSING! Two of the largest roads in the city that run parallel to each other intersect 3 times! It's very hard to find your way around, especially since the names of the roads change if there's a bend in it.

 

[jenbear123]

We said goodbye to our wonderful server (who I believe his name was Marco - there you go Rosie! Start hunting!) from Via Napoli. On our way out, we stopped to watch this entertainer for a few minutes.

I felt so sorry for that little girl. She was pretty shy and could never get the balls in the basket. It was fun to watch.

The plan was to start F&W but with our stomachs very full from lunch and a Soarin' Fastpass was burning a hole in our pockets, we decided to head over to the Land.

I will always love this ride. The only thing I don't like about it is how the screen is curved. If you are seated in Row 2 or Row 3 near the edges, everything seems distorted. It makes me feel more motion sick than it would when I sit in the middle or close to middle in any row. This was one of those rides. I just closed my eyes at the helicopter and nighttime part. For whatever reason, those scenes bother me the most when I sit on the edge.

After our ride, we grabbed another fastpass only because they were still available! It was 2:30pm and there were still fastpasses left. Granted it was for a later time and we weren't sure if we'd even use them but at least the option was there.

It had been almost an hour since we finished our lunch. I was super excited to start touring around F&W but Bubba was still full. I guess it wasn't such a big deal for Bubba because she was there for F&W last year. Everything was new for me since this was my first time. Well Bubba is such a nice sister that she indulged me and we started our dining around the world. On our way over to World Showcase, it dawned on me that I didn't have my I.D. I figured today of all days I would leave it in the room. When do I need my I.D in Disney? To drink alcohol of course! To save a trip back to the resort at that very moment, Bubba offered to buy any drinks (using my money) I wanted. What a nice sister. Crisis averted, we continued on.

First stop was Greece where we tried the Spanakopita (I think that's what it was called). It was similar to a samosas with spinach and cheese.

GASP! EEK! SHUDDER! THE HORROR! How dare Bubba touch that before I took the picture! Shame, shame.

I liked this very much but Bubba didn't care for it because of it's deep fried pastry. She's on this health kick lately so anything greasy or deep fried she seems to shy away from.

Next, I wanted to try the Martini Prosecco at the Charcuterie & Cheese booth. Here's Bubba buying my drink.

This brought back memories of the days I had to get her to buy my booze when----I mean. Um. I'm a responsible girl. I would never get someone to buy booze for me when I'm underage.


Moving on.


I was surprised by the drink sizes they were giving out. It felt like a lot more than what it should be. But heck, can't complain with the way the prices were! I would just have to watch how much I'm drinking. No, I'm not a lightweight. What are you talking about?

Then we went over to Ireland to try their Kerrygold cheese selection.

We had already eaten a bit from the plate. Looks like I slacked on the picture taking for this one.

The stuff in the cup was some kind of chutney. I know it doesn't look like much but it was suprisingly really tasty. It went really well with the cheeses. The bread and butter was also really good. Apparently, Ireland is well known for their butter and I can see why! The butter was thick and creamy. Really good for the type of bread that was served with it.


Once we finished our plate, I realized that I was going to need my I.D. for our Beverage Seminar that night. Since we were both full, now was a good time to head back to the resort. I can't remember if we did anything else when we went back. All I know is that we were back at Epcot in under an hour.

When we got back to Epcot, we jumped on Spaceship Earth.

That last one was for you Liesa!

After our ride, we still had almost two hours before our Beverage Seminar so off we went around World Showcase. With I.D. now in hand, I treated myself to a Hoegaarden beer in Belgium.

While Bubba treated herself to Belgian Waffles (are these really from belgium?) with berry compote.

Look! An untouched picture! Finally!

I must say the combination of beer and sweet waffles in berry sauce wasn't the best combination. I liked both nonetheless.

Our next destination was the new Karamel Kuche store in Germany. If you remember from my PTR (and if you don't, shame on you) I desperately wanted to try the chocolate covered strawberries drizzled in caramel.

Once inside, I looked....

and looked....

No strawberries? I asked a CM behind the counter who advised me in his most pleasant German voice that there were no more strawberries for the day. The earliest I could get one was the next day. My heart silently broke a little. I was so disappointed. Not that it was a huge deal but this was one thing I was really looking forward to and suddenly I couldn't have it. Bubba tried to console me and suggested I try something else. The caramel apples looked like a decent replacement so I bought myself one in a little to-go box. Bubba bought quite a few things including but not limited to a caramel square (yes a hunk of pure caramel),caramel apple with almonds and werther's original candies. Since we're on the topic, here's a pic of when I ate the apple later on in the trip.

Can we say HEAVENLY! OH my gosh. I am almost thankful that the strawberries weren't there that day or else I would never have eaten this little piece of heaven. This wasn't like regular everyday caramel apples. Oh no. This was something so superior. It was like the king of all caramel apples. I highly recommend you give one of these a try next time you're walking around World Showcase. So worth it.

But did I ever end up getting the strawberries? You'll just have to wait and see

It was getting close to 6pm for when our Beverage Seminar was scheduled so we headed back towards the Festival Welcome Center. I'm glad we got there when we did because we still had to actually exchange my little print out to get our tickets. Lesson learned #1.

Then we went to line up. We were the second pair in line and it didn't take long to fill in behind us. It was then that I noticed how we were some of the youngest people there.

Our seminar was for Ruffino wines from Italy. I always liked wines from Italy so though this might be interesting. Well, apparently I need to do more research next time. This seminar was not what I expected AT ALL. But I'm getting ahead of myself (again). First let me explain the part where they let us in to be seated. We wanted to be close to the front in the center since we were at the front of the line. As we took our seats, a lady came up and told us to move all the way down. Okay, I know it's like this every where in Disney - "Kindly move all the way down to the end of your row to make room for everyone" - but if we had done that in this case, we wouldn't have even been able to see the stage with the angle it was at. We told the lady that we didn't want to sit way at the end. She told us that we'd have to get back in line and wait until the table filled in. I was a little frazzled seeing how there were so many people and we didn't want to get back in line. That just didn't make sense. Sensing our irritation, the lady quickly filtered in people to the seats we were almost forced to take and we finally got seats in the center at the front. Next time we'll remember these rules and allow people to get ahead of us to get better seats without all the aggravation. Lesson learned #2.

There were three glasses at all the seats, one for each type of wine we'd be tasting.

The bottles were up on the stage

Then our presenter came out and got started.

This is where it went all downhill. Maybe my expectations were wrong or maybe I didn't do enough research but this guy was a tool. He spent not even 5 minutes talking about the actual wines and then continued to talk about himself, the company and other wines that we weren't even tasting. I like learning about company history and all but I was really there to taste the wine in front of me. I was expecting him to suggest good pairings but he never did. He would basically talk, talk, talk. Pick up the glass for everyone to try. Quickly mention what we should be tasting, smelling, etc. And then go back to talk,talk,talk about company history and other stuff I didn't really know or care about. About half way through, both Bubba and I tuned out because he just wasn't saying anything of interest anymore. I'm glad it only cost us $6 each because the whole experience was a dud. Next time, I think we'll stick to the Culinary Seminars or find a more well-known wine tasting. Lesson learned #3.

We spent the rest of the evening dining around World Showcase. Most of the things we tried were really good. My gift card came in really handy. So much better than fumbling with money. At the end of the day, we spent around $30 between the both of us. We stayed to watch Illuminations. It was a breezy night which made it a rather chilly event. Another thing we didn't think through was the fact that the wind was blowing in our direction. And what comes with fireworks boys and girls? Smoke! Through the whole show we got smoke in eyes which was not so fun. Bubba and I had planned to try to started walking towards the exit a minute before the show ended to get ahead of the crowd. We were watching from the Canada pavilion but still had a fair hike to get to the bridge that leads towards the main entrance. Bubba refused to move at the opportune moment so we ended up waiting too long. Bubba started to run and I struggled to keep up with her. Suddenly, I hear a CRACK on the ground. Since there were so many people around, I didn't think anything of it. But Bubba had heard it and asked if I had dropped something. By this point Illuminations had reached its finale and was over. People were starting to move out. I quickly turned around and to my horror saw my camera on the ground, in what looked like several pieces. I quickly went back for my camera and saw that only the battery had fallen out. Thank the heavens that Bubba had noticed or else I would have lost my camera and all my pictures to boot! Can you imagine if the hoards of people had crushed my poor camera? Or better yet, kicked the battery to some place impossible to find. Yikes. I don't even want to think about it.

We left Epcot in the huge crowds with my camera safely stowed deep in my bag. From then on, I kept my camera in one of the deepest pockets with the zipper closed. Lesson learned #4.



Coming up next....

A Magical morning at MK
What? We missed the jets flying over the castle?!
MNSSHP

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hi Jen! Just got all caught up on your report, loving it so far!

I can't wait to try Via Napoli, I know exactly what you mean about real Italian pizza, yummy!

I would have died if that had happened with my camera!

 

[glennbo123]

Wow, lots of lessons learned in this chapter, Jenbear!

On our way out, we stopped to watch this entertainer for a few minutes.

That's Sergio.

On our way over to World Showcase, it dawned on me that I didn't have my I.D. I figured today of all days I would leave it in the room. When do I need my I.D in Disney? To drink alcohol of course! To save a trip back to the resort at that very moment, Bubba offered to buy any drinks (using my money) I wanted. What a nice sister. Crisis averted, we continued on.

I don't know...sounds like something illegal.

GASP! EEK! SHUDDER! THE HORROR! How dare Bubba touch that before I took the picture! Shame, shame.

What the heck! Wasn't she the one who wasn't hungry?!

Here's Bubba buying my drink.

This brought back memories of the days I had to get her to buy my booze when----I mean. Um. I'm a responsible girl. I would never get someone to buy booze for me when I'm underage.

A-ha! I knew it!

While Bubba treated herself to Belgian Waffles (are these really from belgium?) with berry compote.

Yes they are! I wish they'd sell french fries (actually Belgian) and mayonnaise. Mmmmmm.

Next time we'll remember these rules and allow people to get ahead of us to get better seats without all the aggravation. Lesson learned #2.

You should have tried the move I did at American Idol...just kind of look like you don't know what you're doing, can't decide on a row, and let other people go ahead of you.

This is where it went all downhill. Maybe my expectations were wrong or maybe I didn't do enough research but this guy was a tool.

Don't hold back, what did you really think?

Bubba refused to move at the opportune moment so we ended up waiting too long. Bubba started to run and I struggled to keep up with her.

Noted....it was Bubba's fault.

Suddenly, I hear a CRACK on the ground. Since there were so many people around, I didn't think anything of it. But Bubba had heard it and asked if I had dropped something. By this point Illuminations had reached its finale and was over. People were starting to move out. I quickly turned around and to my horror saw my camera on the ground, in what looked like several pieces. I quickly went back for my camera and saw that only the battery had fallen out. Thank the heavens that Bubba had noticed or else I would have lost my camera and all my pictures to boot! Can you imagine if the hoards of people had crushed my poor camera? Or better yet, kicked the battery to some place impossible to find. Yikes. I don't even want to think about it.

Those of us reading your trip report are very pleased the the camera came through okay!

 

[redlight]

Jen, all that food and drink looked delicious.

First stop was Greece where we tried the Spanakopita (I think that's what it was called). It was similar to a samosas with spinach and cheese

One of my aunts makes something like that. I'll have to ask her. It is delicious.

How much older is Bubba?

 

[bellebookworm9]

The plan was to start F&W but with our stomachs very full from lunch and a Soarin' Fastpass was burning a hole in our pockets, we decided to head over to the Land.

I will always love this ride. The only thing I don't like about it is how the screen is curved. If you are seated in Row 2 or Row 3 near the edges, everything seems distorted. It makes me feel more motion sick than it would when I sit in the middle or close to middle in any row. This was one of those rides. I just closed my eyes at the helicopter and nighttime part. For whatever reason, those scenes bother me the most when I sit on the edge.

Did not know that about the screen, but I will definitely remember it for next time. Though I might just stick with the tip about requesting B1.

First stop was Greece where we tried the Spanakopita (I think that's what it was called). It was similar to a samosas with spinach and cheese.

I liked this very much but Bubba didn't care for it because of it's deep fried pastry.

Glad to hear you liked this, it's one of the things I'm most excited to try!

This brought back memories of the days I had to get her to buy my booze when----I mean. Um. I'm a responsible girl. I would never get someone to buy booze for me when I'm underage.

I am the weird teen who doesn't drink. Ever. But I really want to try the Grand Marnier slush from France that everybody raves about. I think I have convinced Mom to buy it for me next time we go. And really, I'll be just under 6 months shy of being 21. (I also hear the cherry bacardi slush thing from the Puerto Rico booth is pretty good, but we'll see.)

We spent the rest of the evening dining around World Showcase. Most of the things we tried were really good. My gift card came in really handy. So much better than fumbling with money.

I'm happy to hear the gift card worked so well, because I just bought this year's wrist strap one off ebay to give to my mom for Christmas! (Yes, I know there will be new ones next year, but I want tangible proof that we're going!)

Suddenly, I hear a CRACK on the ground. Since there were so many people around, I didn't think anything of it. But Bubba had heard it and asked if I had dropped something. By this point Illuminations had reached its finale and was over. People were starting to move out. I quickly turned around and to my horror saw my camera on the ground, in what looked like several pieces. I quickly went back for my camera and saw that only the battery had fallen out. Thank the heavens that Bubba had noticed or else I would have lost my camera and all my pictures to boot! Can you imagine if the hoards of people had crushed my poor camera? Or better yet, kicked the battery to some place impossible to find. Yikes. I don't even want to think about it.

Oh my gosh that all sounds awful. So glad it didn't turn out to be that much of a disaster!