Like...They are Going with STRANGERS?!?! Sayonara Part 1- Join Us on the new thread!

[that's nice]

As in High 5 or "Help, I'm falling off!"? LOL!

I wish I could stay up late like that every night, but I live with the
Grinch Who Stole Nighttime.

I think it is more of a shaking fist at crazy drivers.

LOL... but isn't it day time there?????

I think it is my turn to sleep in tomorrow. That means 8 or 8:30

 

[All7OfUs]

Yes, it's daytime here; I was talking about last night. Our house is laid out in such a way, that if a light is on, it comes through the bedroom door (it has windows) and DH can't sleep if lights are on, or if the keyboard is clicking. So, pretty much, if he's in bed, so am I. It stinks! Cuz, that's when everyone is online. Oh well.... I make up for it every AM, my time.

 

[Sandy321]

Good Morning

Doesn't it!? So relaxing and quiet!

and thanks for your recipe!! I'd post dh's scone recipe, but no one would make it - just go to Starbucks - but I reccomend their maple pecan scone!! (of course it has a ridiculous amount of fat and calories!)

This sounds like something you ladies would enjoy. Us guys (umm I still think I am the only one here) might like to drive some SeaRaycers while the tea is being brewed and consumed!!! LOLOL

Dont tell DD that!! We are considering renting the Sea Racers this trip - and DD and DH both enjoyed the tea!

Here's a link
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2308160
that has links to more pictuers!! I posted some!

Crumpet? or Scone?

and when did she grow up?

as I mentioned in the linked thread - dd practiced tasting different teas all year - and settled on Darjeeling as her favorite - only its not listed on the menu - but we asked - and they had the tea!

gotta run to work!

(forgot to tell Maroo that she will really enjoy this if she wants to sit back and just take a break! Esp if you are with good company!!)

 

[All7OfUs]

comments in red.

I'd post dh's scone recipe, but no one would make it - just go to Starbucks - but I reccomend their maple pecan scone!!

I would. I don't have Starbucks here. Besides, day old scones suck. No pecans, I'd sub in walnuts, and I do have maple flavoring. Since we have to make our own maple syrup...

(of course it has a ridiculous amount of fat and calories!)


and so your point is.....

Dont tell DD that!! We are considering renting the Sea Racers this trip - and DD and DH both enjoyed the tea!

I've heard loads of guys like the tea thing. Give any man enough port, and he probably could endure any tea time activity.


Crumpet? or Scone?

Looks like an odd shaped scone to me. But traditionally scones are triangular, not round. To know for sure, you'd have to taste it. Crumpets taste bready, scones taste crumbly sort of.

gotta run to work!

Thanks for the pix!! They do grow up so fast!

Have a great day at work!

(forgot to tell Maroo that she will really enjoy this if she wants to sit back and just take a break! Esp if you are with good company!!)

I will. Maybe I'll convince her yet. maroo.... Hellooooo.

 

[maroo]

Ok...

So more confessions...

I was here yesterday. On the DIS, I mean. But I have been hanging out in the "waiting room" over on the "I wish I was a member of the MOM's Panel" thread. We have been "waiting" over there to see if we made it to round 2 of the Panel selections! Needless to say, I didn't make it. But so far over 28 people from the DIS have made it to Round 2. Honestly, I didn't think I would make it. I am not even a Mom. And I don't really expect someone reading a 300 word application to "get" how I plan like one!

I was very sad that I have not seen that KathyRN137 made it. Maybe she did and has just not been on here yet?? Anyway, I really, really thought she would make it! Writing skills, experience planning trips for people with special needs, and passion for Disney...she should have been a shoe in!

But with 20,000 applications (or something like that) and only 200 people making it to round 2...the chances were slim for any of us.

Then last night I was helping Lauren with.... SCIENCE FAIR Oh...how I can't stand SCIENCE FAIR! And she isn't even close to finished. So tonight I get to do it some more. It is due in stages and is in March.

So...that is where I have been.


Now... *deep breath* TEA......

This is one of the meals I'm most looking forward to of our whole week of Disney Dining!! In many ways, it is a do-over for me; let me explain...

When I was about 10, my parents took us to the Empress Hotel in Victoria B.C.. It was an elegantly grand setting, full of the air of propiety and tradition. I was in heaven the minute we walked in the door. Alas, it was doomed to be an occassion that begged a re-take, due to the unfortunate behavior of my younger twin sisters. They were naughty beyond belief, embarrassing my parents and I as only spoiled 8 year olds can do, in a place where high class tourists wine and dine. I was mortified and wanted to crawl under the table.

Aw! How horrible.

Well, all's been forgiven long ago, but I'll never forget that my one and only experience of trying to have the ultimate high tea experience was wrecked, and I have, ever since then, wanted a chance to savor the ambiance and flavors once again. Here's my chance; I seizing it by the tea cup!

The clues are probably self-explanatory, now that you know where we're going, but if not, let me explain them.

1) The alcohol that is served with one of the meal choices is port. Port, I explained above, is a fortified wine (with a brandy of sorts) that is highly aged and very expensive. I can't wait!!

2) One of the meal choices is called Prince Edward's Tea; another is called the Buckingham Palace. (Posting the menu in a minute)

3) Champagne is served with the lunch called The Grand Tea. From the pictures I see, many people order a glass of champagne with their meal, if they choose a different pre-set meal. Champagne, of course, is served in a "flute". Obviously tea is served in a pot, and with bags. But not here. Tea is served loose with a tea strainer. So, an old bag will never be present.

4) The china pattern used at the GF is called Country Roses. The tea is either served in a pot from this collection or in a press. I'll ask which teas are served with the pretty pot with flowers!!

Okay, onto the food. I posted a picture of the crumpets I made in preparation for this Rations Drop. They are very easy to make, but as with most homemade foods, especially breads, it takes time. Trust me, they are worth it! Give them a try. Crumpets are a lot like an English muffin, but are a bit lighter. They are meant to be eaten warm off the griddle with Devonshire cream and jam. They are fried on a lightly buttered griddle and made with yeast, whereas a scone is leavened with powder or soda and baked. Big difference!

Here's my recipe:

Get 2 or 3 tuna cans ready by cutting out both ends, washing well (let's not be tainting our crumpets, people, with the taste of fish!), and lightly buttering the inside.

Mix the following with a wooden spoon in a mixing bowl:

1 pkg. dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 C. warm water (NOT TOO HOT!)
1/3 C. milk at room temp.
1 egg
4 T. butter, melted
1 C. flour
1/2 t. salt


I always, always, doube, if not triple, this recipe!! There are NEVER leftovers!

After mixed very, very well, your batter should be like a very thick pancake batter. Not runny, but not at all stiff either. It is not bread dough, like you probably know.

Let this sit for about an half hour or an hour, depending on how warm it is in your house. When it is ready to fry it will have bubbles in it and be "spongy".

Now, heat up your griddle on a medium low flame (be careful here, TK had an "unfortunate incident" with the funnel cakes a while back ) and grease it very lightly with butter. When the griddle is pre-heated set your tuna cans on it and fill each with about 1/4 c of the batter. Gently spread to the edges with a butter knife if needed. When the top looks bubbly and a little bit drier, they are ready to flip. Slip the ring off (I had to use a knife around the edge gently) and flip over with a spatula. They should rise a little as they cook. After about 3 more minutes they are done and ready to devour.

So, you ask, where do I get my title of Tea For 3?! maroo has told me that this is the one meal she is not very excited about at all. That's ok, I completely understand the different strokes for different folks thing. So, this may be one of those times she ventures out on her own. Whatever the case, I'm planning on this one being our elegant soiree just before we go to our MNSSHP party, whatever day that ends up being. I say if we hit tea at 2:00 and leisurely waltz our way through it, we can be over at the party by 4:00. But there may be other "experiences" we'll be toying around with doing here as well. Those are yet to be determined.

Yeah. Uh. I still am really not too fired up about having tea.

I am not the . Tea. Nice clothes? I own one dress. For funerals.

My church is very casual. (We can even wear jeans and not feel uncomfortable.) So I don't even really have nice pants. Well...maybe one pair.

And nice dishes. With tea and food I can't name.

I am just not a tea person.

Am I fired? Can I still come and skip tea?

But I have a feeling...that you are wanting to do more than just tea at the Grand Floridian. And I may not want to skip THAT!

I know it's not on the dining plan, so we'll be paying OOP for this extravagent extra. That's okay, too, it's worth it for me to get to have my re-do!

Oh, yes, I almost forgot the menu for those who might want it. I'm only posting the pre-set meals. But almost everything is also available a la carte.


Afternoon Tea Offerings

The Grand Tea - The classic English tradition of Afternoon Tea, Grand Floridian style. We offer you a variety of tea sandwiches, scones and jam tarts, followed by your choice of our freshly baked tea pastries or English trifle, accompanied by a glass of Domaine Ste.-Michelle sparkling wine and your choice of tea. $25.50 per guest

Scones? Jam tarts? trifle? I don't even like the wine.

Prince Edward's Tea - A delicious array of duck and cherry terrine, chicken and pork roulade, country pate en croute, and , and English Blue Stilton, the "King" of English cheeses. Served with marinated fresh berries, and Cumberland sauce. We then offer our delicious fresh-baked scones served with rich Devonshire cream. Your choice of our tea with a glass of our Fonseca Bin 27 Character Port. $21.00 per guest

duck? DUCK!!!!!



Buckingham Palace - Our traditional tea sandwiches, scones and jam tarts complemented by fresh strawberries and cream, or a selection of freshly baked pastries, along with your choice of tea. $19.50 per guest

Ok... maybe?

Sally Lunn Tea - Sally Lunn bread dates back to the 18th century where it was baked fresh, then sold on the streets of Bath England by the creator. Here at the Grand Floridian, we have carried on this tradition of this sweet yeast bread served lightly toasted with apricot preserves. This is followed by a choice of either trifle or strawberries and cream, along with your choice of tea. $13.50 per guest.

Mrs. Potts Tea - For the young tea lover in your party, we offer a variety of tea sandwiches, tuna salad, ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly on white bread. We serve our magical dark tea (chocolate milk), followed by a choice of two pastries $10.50 per guest

Now wait a sec.... PB & J?? Can I be a KID?

 

[All7OfUs]

We could never fire you!! You're soldier #2!!! for Heaven's sake!!

Ya know, we will be at the Grand Floridian and S.P.A!!!!!! Are you thinking what I'm thinking??!!

 

[Sandy321]

Maroo aww I've wanted to apply - but couldnt deal with rejection! Seriously, if KathyRN doesnt make it and BOO grrr to Science Fairs!! Dont get me started!!

Tea yes, by all means order what you want - PBJ or ham and cheese - they aim to please - and dd certainly isnt dressing for tea!! She had a sweater on (one that we roll up and keep in my back pack - not fancy! ) and crop shorts... DD got all Ham and Cheese - and only ate half - we took the other half back to the resort!!

Leisa He makes Cinnamon Chip scones - he did make his chips from scratch but that took FOREVER, I found a bag (by the chocolate chips in the store) of cinnamon chips by Hershey's - its hit or miss if a store carries them - the Maple Pecan are what Starbucks makes - I keep trying to get DH to try and make them! (oatmeal, yes, maple flavoring... and its topped with icing YUM!)

The class I subbed for had a student teacher - so ho hum, hard to keep my eyes open! sheesh, if only they would let me go online!! *grin

Well Google is my friend - the maple pecan scones had been missing - turns out Starbucks is trying to make them "healthier"

but recipe :

Ingredients
FOR THE SCONES:

1 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 1/2 tablespoons cold butter (small pieces)
1 large egg
1/2 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
1/2-3/4 teaspoon maple extract
2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

MAPLE GLAZE:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
5 teaspoons water


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Using a food processor or blender, finely grind oats.
3. In a mixer, mix flour, oats, sugar, salt and baking powder.
4. Add maple syrup and butter and mix well.
5. In a small bowl, beat the egg with the cream and maple extract.
6. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and mix well.
7. Add pecans and mix just to incorporate.
8. Place dough on a floured surface. Knead and pat dough into a 8 to 10 inch circle and cut into 8 wedges.
9. a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place wedges on top and bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until light brown.
10. Remove scones from oven to wire rack. Let cool about 3 to 5 minutes.
11. Mix glaze ingredients until smooth. Adjust the amount of water to get to the desired consistency. I like the glaze to be rather thick. Spread lots of glaze over each scone and dry about 15 minutes before serving.

(just saw the reviews for this recipe!
Perfect! Followed the recipe and used my food processor and my scone pan. Put toasted walnuts in the icing. Now I can have these at home, if I only had the recipe for the mocha frapp venti-I'd have it made.

and
made a few slight changes and they turned out excellent! I've forever been searching for a Starbuck's maple oat scone recipe that comes close because I'm addicted to the original...and these come about as close as you can get! I used good maple syrup instead of water in the glaze (ended up using at least 1/4 cup with an unsifted 1 1/2 cups powd sugar) and made sure the scones were cool when I glazed them so the glaze stayed thick on top (killed me to wait!). I actually think they're better cool after they've sat for a little while. I also substituted 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour for 1/2 cup of the regular, upped the pecans to 1 cup and added a couple tbs more cream as they were not quite as moist as I would like. I also used a food processor up till adding the pecans (just pulsed the mixture to blend in ingredients then kneaded the pecans in lightly by hand). I've made them 3 times already trying to perfect the recipe and because they are SO GOOD!!


BTW are you still looking for a POR Binder page? I've been searching for something on DISigns found this:

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks for the super yummy looking recipe! Not sure when I 'll get to it (hopefully this weekend, though), but will do it, I promise!

I actually had eandesmom do my up a POR divider page. So, I've already done that up.

Okay, need to get on with the next restaurant!

 

[eandesmom]

Ok...

So more confessions...

I was here yesterday. On the DIS, I mean. But I have been hanging out in the "waiting room" over on the "I wish I was a member of the MOM's Panel" thread. We have been "waiting" over there to see if we made it to round 2 of the Panel selections! Needless to say, I didn't make it. But so far over 28 people from the DIS have made it to Round 2. Honestly, I didn't think I would make it. I am not even a Mom. And I don't really expect someone reading a 300 word application to "get" how I plan like one!

I was very sad that I have not seen that KathyRN137 made it. Maybe she did and has just not been on here yet?? Anyway, I really, really thought she would make it! Writing skills, experience planning trips for people with special needs, and passion for Disney...she should have been a shoe in!

Well the notifications came out today and since she was at the hospital all day maybe she just hasn't seen it yet? I can't believe she wouldn't make it.

I didn't. But I didn't expect to either! Kathy would be perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish WE could vote!

 

[All7OfUs]

I'm thinking that I may actually not make it all the way through our list of 18 places picked out to eat. Last time around only 4 people voted, which tells me that one of several possibilities might be happening:

1) This is a lame way to pass along pretty useless information anyway.

OR

2) The way I'm doing it, is rather boring.

OR

3) MANY of our regulars are busy, annoyed, camping out somewhere else, etc...

OR

4) There are too many people actually AT or getting ready to go to the World for Free Dining.

Whatever the case, if there are only 4 votes this time around, I'll just be forced to do things the "old fashioned" way and TELL you where we'd like to eat THIS banana Sept.! I am having fun though, thinking of ways to challenge those of you who've been there a thousand times, and to make it interesting and informative for the newbies. You guys let me know what you want me to do. Either guess or not. But if you do, highlight in white. I think that was a good thing.
Here are you clues for the next place that we'll most likely gain another pound at. (But who's counting that right?!)

-- The language they speak "here" has only 5 vowels and 8 consanants.

-- The meal is served in courses, one of which is cooked showcase fashion.

-- Both kids and adults alike will enjoy this "festive place".

-- You may run into some unexpected "family" there.

-- A potentially dangerous geographical landform is situated nearby.

Okay, there ya go. I think this one will be easy, but then again, I say that every time. I guess, if you're the one in the know, it kinda tends to be that way. Good luck, anyway. Now, go do the right thing. Guess!

 

[that's nice]

I'm going to be the first to say 'Ohana

I am 99% sure I have this one right!!

I like the way you are going this BTW. I think sometimes people could be a little busy so they don't post. I hardly post on the weekends because I'm usually out of the house all day. During the week, my computer is always on while I'm answering phones, doing dishes, doing laundry, sending contracts.. etc.

Maybe you have to wait 2 full days to give the answer and tally votes. That stinks for the ones that are waiting and waiting for the answer. but it does give people more of a chance to vote!

 

[jordanyosh]

ohana

 

[All7OfUs]

I thought you'd keep me company here this fine morning. (night for you). I'm having fun hanging out with Jordan and Cynthia too.

Okay, I thought maybe I was waiting too long, and folks were getting bored waiting around for the real answer. But maybe you're right. I'll give it 48 hours instead of the usual 24-36. At this rate though, we'll be doing this until the end of November!! No matter, I can fill in with other stuff to pad it for those who are quick with their answers. Which reminds me. I got some HUGE news last night!! I think my trip just got plussed in a super huge and really cool way.!!! I'll post that in a bit...

I'm not a weekender either. Too much going on, and we don't turn the computer on at all on Sundays.

 

[eandesmom]

O'hana

 

[All7OfUs]

Obviously this is going to be a give me!

 

[eandesmom]

I thought you'd keep me company here this fine morning. (night for you). I'm having fun hanging out with Jordan and Cynthia too.

Okay, I thought maybe I was waiting too long, and folks were getting bored waiting around for the real answer. But maybe you're right. I'll give it 48 hours instead of the usual 24-36. At this rate though, we'll be doing this until the end of November!! No matter, I can fill in with other stuff to pad it for those who are quick with their answers. Which reminds me. I got some HUGE news last night!! I think my trip just got plussed in a super huge and really cool way.!!! I'll post that in a bit...

I'm not a weekender either. Too much going on, and we don't turn the computer on at all on Sundays.

Oh oh oh! I want to know!

I agree though about the 48 hours. It is hard to wait though!

 

[All7OfUs]

Ever been here:



or here:



I have. 4 times, in fact. It's one of the few places that we can get a direct flight to, so about every 3 years we take advantage of it. It's especially nostaligic to return there, because my youngest daughter was also born there. It's one of my favorite happy places- next to Disney World, of course! It's Thailand! It's lush, jungly, beautiful, everyone's always in a tourist friendly mood, ready with a quick smile and Sa-wa-dee-ka!!

I'm not sure if we've actually come right out and announced the dates of our stay yet, or the whys of those dates. So, in case we haven't here's they are. If I'm having a massive brain fart, and I've already told you all of this, then consider this a re-"fresher".

I'll be leaving for the States on or around August 24th from Blank-a-Stan and spending that first week and a half helping my son get settled into his dorm room, touring his campus, and all that good stuff mothers feel compelled to do. Why, I'm not sure. I guess the answer will come to me when I get my first glimpse of his confused face as we look for his chemistry class.

I digress...

After my motherly duties are thusly fulfilled, I will head out on the 5th (a Sunday) from Nashville to MCO and a week of FREEEEEEEDOM!!! Yeah, I'm pretty excited. I'll check out on the 14th and fly NOT BACK TO CRAP-A-STAN, but to lovely, green, relaxing, Thailand for 2 more weeks of utter awesomeness.

We just found out that we have an all company leadership pow-wow to attend and that children are now welcome. Last month they weren't. Not only that, but now they are saying that the kids may even be "business expensible" which means we could use ministry funds to pay for their tickets. But no one goes to Thailand for meetings (our company often holds these kinds of meetings there because it's cheap and centrally located to a lot of field folks) without tacking on a week of beachy vacation. We are no exception. DH went last year for a hydro-geologist's cont. ed conference, and stayed on Koh Lanta. He loved it. It was pristine beaches, small family run resorts, amazing diving/ snorkelling and all the rest. Did I mention that Thai is probably our favorite ethnic food on earth??

So, there you have it. A week of vacation at WDW, gets plussed overnight to 3 weeks of split stay greatness. After all is said and done, I'm looking most forward to going ANYWHERE that has cold Cokes with ice.

 

[tinkgurl]

Has to be.... Ohana!

 

[All7OfUs]

4 guesses already!! We're back on track, this morning. That's really confusing isn't it? Good evening for you all Tinkgurl, are you doing PTR for your spring break trip??

 

[that's nice]

Night, day, morning, evening... does it even matter anymore?

With this post I am up to 89 posts on your thread.... Not too bad huh? I'm sure about 85 of the 89 are total non-sense.

I'll try to do better after I hit 100!!!!