Geeks on a budget - 12/22, complete! Read reflections within....

[silversae]

**DROOL** The Bailey's Trifle ***MORE DROOL***
Did I mention that I have a sort-of recipe for that? And that I made it last Christmas? And that even the small children in the family were licking their bowls and asking for more?

Um, that's like saying look at all this ice cream i have here..no way i can eat it all myself...and then not offering to SHARE!

Cough up the recipe!

 

[zweihund]

Ok.....

Little on one shoulder whispers in ear.... "Save it for the cruise...save it for the cruise..."

Little walks across shoulder and knocks off.....

**DROOL** The Bailey's Trifle ***MORE DROOL***


Did I mention that I have a sort-of recipe for that? And that I made it last Christmas? And that even the small children in the family were licking their bowls and asking for more?

Um, that's like saying look at all this ice cream i have here..no way i can eat it all myself...and then not offering to SHARE!

Cough up the recipe!

Yeah, what she said!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Me 3...........we wants the recipe........ PLEASE.:

 

[oybolshoi]

Since Erica says it's OK... I will be more than happy to share my trifle recipe.

It's not exactly like the one from R&C but it was pretty darn tasty!

Ingredients

1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup Bailey's Irish Cream
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (1.5 ounce) bar chocolate candy

DIRECTIONS

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares.

In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, Bailey's and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, then fold in 8 ounces whipped topping until no streaks remain.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture and half of the 12 ounce container of whipped topping. Repeat layers. Shave chocolate onto top layer for garnish.

Refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

**NOTE - I substituted real whipped cream for the 12oz whipped topping ingredient. It made for a much more rich and creamy trifle. It took two cans, however - one for the middle layer and another for the top (what can I say ... we likes our whipped cream!).

Enjoy - it's really yummy!

 

[zweihund]

Brenda, that sounds FANTASTIC. Thank you!

Sarah, that will be dessert the night you arrive

 

[zweihund]

Did I happen to mention that there are only 35 more days until we cruise? Which means Sarah arrives in 29. Which is only a month away! Wheeeee!

Not much in the way of updates, except that we bought a bottle of Ketel One for mixing, and a plastic (PLASTIC! excellent.....) bottle of O'Mara's with our hard-earned bowling money. Which is almost as good as getting it for free. All we need to add is a bottle of pre-mixed Wedding Cake martini and possibly something else (either another mixer or something pre-mixed, from the very stocked liquor cabinet that we seem to be acquiring) and I think we are good to go!

We did opt for not bringing glasses of wine to dinner with us, because I was informed that the practice is generally frowned upon in the cruising community. As much as I would love to do it, I really don't want to be tacky. So, it is with a heavy heart that I declare we will not be having beverages with our dinner. Boozing will come later. Or beforehand. Or, let's just face the facts: before AND after!

We may still bring a bottle and just enjoy it in the room with a cheese platter from room service. So many booze options to consider, really.

And, here is my little mini pre trip trippie thingie wrap-up:

On Friday, I ended up back at work while the rest of the gang hung out and had bagels and celebrated the fact they they did NOT have to go back to work. When I got home, we had a little mini-party in Sarah's honor which involved (shockingly) a fair amount of drinking. We had sooooooo much beer in our fridge, it was ridiculous. Ichiban, Corona, Miller Lite....do you know that every time we have a party, we end up with about a case of Miller Lite in the garage? No one ever knows who brought it or why it never got opened, but it's happened to us about three times. Just when we finally find someone to unload it onto, we have another party and end up with yet another case. It's like some sort of twisted beer karma.

We sat around and chatted and ate and then we watched a terribly, terrible movie called Grandma's Boy. If you have been subjected to this film in your lifetime, please accept my deepest and most sincere apologies. And if not, here is a little bit of advice: when someone asks if you would like to view this awful example of cinematgraphy, tell them that you would rather chew off your left leg because believe me, it will be more fun. 15 minutes before the end, I went to bed because I could not take it anymore. That's the last time I take movie advice from Cameron! (sorry Cam)

Anyhow, we had planned to drag Sarah up to Borders that evening for the midnight Harry Potter release party and then wave our copy back and forth in front of her face saying things like "nanny nanny boo boo, we have a copy and you don't! plbbbbt" but as it turns out, staying up until midnight when you've been up since 5 that morning AND have been drinking is much less appealing than a warm bed. Sarah and Lionel poked fun at me, because I had been talking about the party ALL WEEK.
Not only am I a nerd, but I am a sleepy nerd.

Saturday was Sarah's last full day, and she celebrated this by taking an airboat ride with a bunch of geeks through gator-infested waters. And then, they went to the beach.

You might notice that I said "they."

Where was I?

Yep. At home reading Harry Potter. Gators, schmators, I want to know if Snape is a friend or a foe! Beach, smeach, did Dumbledore REALLY die? Plus, I wasn't super keen on being in an airboat out in the middle of Lake Jessup. I drive across that bridge a few times a month and never spot less than seven gator heads, floating and waiting for the moment when they might next munch on human flesh. I don't even like seeing them from the safety of my car, let alone on a boat with a bunch of geeks who might think it's funny to take the song "Rock the Boat" seriously. Know what I mean?

Anyhow, about the time Sarah and the gang were driving over to the beach, I was following Harry, Ron and Hermione through the forests of England. There are no gators at Hogworts. And that's just fine by me.

Lionel also opted to stay home, nursing his sickness and occasionally calling out to the living room to remind me to breathe.

Sarah arrived home around dinner time, shockingly sunburned! It's good to know that floppy hat we bought her to shield her pale skin from the death rays of the July sun got put to good use, sitting back on the desk in the spare bedroom. Right next to the sunscreen.

Ah, how we love our pink Canadian friend.

Saturday night there was a historical movie that I slept through, and much reflection on the trip. We agreed that though it was sad she would be leaving us in the morning, we would be seeing her again in mere months. So it was less like "goodbye" and more like "see you in October" - know what I mean?

Sunday came too quickly, and we took Sarah for one last American bagel. And then, we escorted her to the airport terminal.

Back at home, the house seemed too quiet and the dog was looking at us like "well, it's nice to see you, but where's that really pink human?" We moped around and tried to keep ourselves from dwelling on the silence, and I read the rest of Harry Potter to console myself.
What?
Sarah emailed us when she got home to say she was safe and sound and already missing us. The dog continued to look around for her, as if we were hiding her somewhere as a fun little game.

Sarah, we miss you and we will see you in 29 days!

/fin

 

[anewmac]

Did I happen to mention that there are only 35 more days until we cruise? Which means Sarah arrives in 29. Which is only a month away! Wheeeee!

Not much in the way of updates, except that we bought a bottle of Ketel One for mixing, and a plastic (PLASTIC! excellent.....) bottle of O'Mara's with our hard-earned bowling money. Which is almost as good as getting it for free. All we need to add is a bottle of pre-mixed Wedding Cake martini and possibly something else (either another mixer or something pre-mixed, from the very stocked liquor cabinet that we seem to be acquiring) and I think we are good to go!

On Friday, I ended up back at work while the rest of the gang hung out and had bagels and celebrated the fact they they did NOT have to go back to work. When I got home, we had a little mini-party in Sarah's honor which involved (shockingly) a fair amount of drinking. We had sooooooo much beer in our fridge, it was ridiculous. Ichiban, Corona, Miller Lite....do you know that every time we have a party, we end up with about a case of Miller Lite in the garage? No one ever knows who brought it or why it never got opened, but it's happened to us about three times. Just when we finally find someone to unload it onto, we have another party and end up with yet another case. It's like some sort of twisted beer karma.

HAHA We have the same thing happen at our house with the beer and the bottle of liqure.. most of it gets finished at our parties but we always have beer.. which gets finished too LOL.. It must be like a beer fairy! lol

 

[silversae]

So what I shouldn't be telling you Erica, is that although we saw no gators on the airboat ride...when we drove out to the beach, we took the back roads and stopped along side the road to get out and look at the gators 4 feet away?

I contemplated getting in the truck bed and then throwing something at the gators but um i don't think the rest of the group with me would have appreciated it *giggling*

I will say one thing about that day though....nothing in this world will stop me from swimming in the ocean if i get within 3 feet of it. I forgot how much i missed the ocean until I stood there watching the waves crash on shore.

*happy sigh*

THIRTY MORE DAYS!

 

[Tink rules]

We may still bring a bottle and just enjoy it in the room with a cheese platter from room service. So many booze options to consider, really.





Oh yeah.... and a bottle of aspirin for the hangover...

 

[zweihund]

HAHA We have the same thing happen at our house with the beer and the bottle of liqure.. most of it gets finished at our parties but we always have beer.. which gets finished too LOL.. It must be like a beer fairy! lol

The beer fairy is AWESOME.

So what I shouldn't be telling you Erica, is that although we saw no gators on the airboat ride...when we drove out to the beach, we took the back roads and stopped along side the road to get out and look at the gators 4 feet away?

I contemplated getting in the truck bed and then throwing something at the gators but um i don't think the rest of the group with me would have appreciated it *giggling*

I will say one thing about that day though....nothing in this world will stop me from swimming in the ocean if i get within 3 feet of it. I forgot how much i missed the ocean until I stood there watching the waves crash on shore.

*happy sigh*

THIRTY MORE DAYS!

You crazy girl - those suckers can run fast! Just you wait......in 34 days we will be sailing through the most beautiful crystal-clear waters you have ever laid your eyes upon.

Oh yeah.... and a bottle of aspirin for the hangover...

No asprin.....GINGER CHEWS!!!!
Which reminds me, I guess I do have one more thing to buy before we sail!

 

[Tink rules]

Erica... sorry... off topic but a question I think you may be able to help with...

I was going to look for the Mr. Potato head parts you mentioned because I got my nephew the Mr. Mets one this year - is it the regular sized one or is it smaller? The Mr. Mets one looked smaller and I just wanted to get some other pieces for him, and me... and I wanted to know what to expect...

Now... back to your drinking...

Thanks -

Michelle

 

[anewmac]

No asprin.....GINGER CHEWS!!!!
Which reminds me, I guess I do have one more thing to buy before we sail!

Never tried those might have to get some for in a few weeks when my friend comes down to visit. She does swear by this stuff you can find over the counter called Chasers. You take 2 before you drink and works like a charm.. so she says. Where do you find the ginger?? Is it just like pills, or straight root LOL

 

[zweihund]

Erica... sorry... off topic but a question I think you may be able to help with...

I was going to look for the Mr. Potato head parts you mentioned because I got my nephew the Mr. Mets one this year - is it the regular sized one or is it smaller? The Mr. Mets one looked smaller and I just wanted to get some other pieces for him, and me... and I wanted to know what to expect...

Now... back to your drinking...

Thanks -

Michelle

We have the regular sized potato heads and all of the Disney parts (and other generic potato head parts) fit nicely. I think all of them are the same size, from what I can gather, unless you get the little "veggie friends" ones.

Never tried those might have to get some for in a few weeks when my friend comes down to visit. She does swear by this stuff you can find over the counter called Chasers. You take 2 before you drink and works like a charm.. so she says. Where do you find the ginger?? Is it just like pills, or straight root LOL

It's actually a chewy ginger candy, comparable to a really sticky starburst or one of those honey chews that you always got in your Halloween candy as a kid. I used to get them at the giant Asian supermarket, but I have also seen them at World Market AND Target. Target had "travel sized" near the checkout stand with the rest of the impulse buys.

They are great! Not just for hangovers, but for anything involving an upset stomach.

 

[chepic]

Since Erica says it's OK... I will be more than happy to share my trifle recipe.

It's not exactly like the one from R&C but it was pretty darn tasty!


Enjoy - it's really yummy!

I printed my copy and can't wait to try it. Greatwhite and I are having a Cosmo, Chocolate, and jewelry party in 2 weeks and this trifle is just the thing we need!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing.

Che

 

[ArmandXG]

WE got a pack of the small party favor bottles (I chose Cap'n Morgans Spiced Rum) to take to dinner. I took two, stuffed in my pockets and poured them into my coke. I always had a mixed drink with dinner
It didn't matter that I had a ritual of hanging out at Sessions prior to our meal, to enjoy a very large chocolate martini and a complementary cheese platter. I always arrived at dinner in such a good mood
The down side to that (there's a down side to a giant chocolate martini??? ) is we missed a few stage shows. Oh well, we'll catch them on the next cruise!

 

[pierresgirl]

Trippie-within-a-pre-trippie installment, part something: a non-Disney day.

Yes, Wednesday we took a day off from Disney to have some girlie pampering in the form of pedicures, and to hit the outlet malls. Sarah had heard about “Bitten” which is the new clothing line by Sarah Jessica Parker. I discovered that the only local Steve and Barry’s, where the line is exclusive, was at the Festival Bay Mall which is about ¼ mile from the major outlets on International Drive.

Outlets? We are soooooo there.

Well, if you’ve read the middle of this pre-trippie you know that we scored big-time at Steve and Barry’s. $7 shirts! $15 shorts! Madness, I tell you, MADNESS! I was impressed by the quality of the Bitten line, because at those prices you would not expect the garments to hold up to anything as severe as, say, a wash in the delicate cycle. But they are truly awesome. We liked. We liked a lot.

Next? We hit Epcot. Alcoholic slushies abound!

Erica- I've stalked your reports and love them! I MUST try some of your drink recipes, they sound SOOO good! We have a Steve and Barry's near my inlaws and I can't wait to go again. I want to check out the Bitten line and I agree you can't find better, cheaper T's than there. I got one from there that you might like: it has a martini glass on it and says "I'd like a nice stiff one"

 

[zweihund]

WE got a pack of the small party favor bottles (I chose Cap'n Morgans Spiced Rum) to take to dinner. I took two, stuffed in my pockets and poured them into my coke. I always had a mixed drink with dinner
It didn't matter that I had a ritual of hanging out at Sessions prior to our meal, to enjoy a very large chocolate martini and a complementary cheese platter. I always arrived at dinner in such a good mood
The down side to that (there's a down side to a giant chocolate martini??? ) is we missed a few stage shows. Oh well, we'll catch them on the next cruise!

There will always be another cruise to see the shows on. Drink on, my friend!

Erica- I've stalked your reports and love them! I MUST try some of your drink recipes, they sound SOOO good! We have a Steve and Barry's near my inlaws and I can't wait to go again. I want to check out the Bitten line and I agree you can't find better, cheaper T's than there. I got one from there that you might like: it has a martini glass on it and says "I'd like a nice stiff one"

I love it!

 

[Disneygrl36]

How many days Erica???????????
Any new planning??????????????
Any new drink ideas????????????

Huh??????????????

 

[Tink rules]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

She's going through geek withdrawal.....

How sweet....

 

[silversae]

Friday puts my arrival in Florida down to 21 days and believe me we're ALL super excited. The geek plans for the few days before the cruise are in full swing. Emails from Erica's darling husband come to me evey day:

So what do you want to do? Only <insert number of days here> days left!!!!!!!Should we do this? how about this? Life is busy with this, that and this other thing. So which days are we going to disney? Are we gonig to see the other people that live in florida? when do you want to go bowling?

The questions never stop *grin* I can hardly wait...looking forward to it more and more everyday!