October 20th 2007 Western Magic Part 5

[millerpjm]

Yes, I'm getting shortimers syndrome at work. I've put off this vacation for too long. And it is a lot of fun to share this excitement with others.

I'm the same way...my last big vacation was Mexico in 2001!

 

[B9erSteve]

I'm the same way...my last big vacation was Mexico in 2001!

WOW! that's a long time between vacations! I was for a while taking a stretch of days off every 2 months. (No vacation time just creative manipulation of my schedule) and a full vacation 3 times a year. But when I started planning these large vacations (WDW last year and DCL this year) I've cut back to just taking an occasional stretch of days and only the one vacation a year. It's killing me. I decided that I'll be buying the family annual passes to Disneyland this Christmas and we'll vacation there 3-4 times next year. Then maybe WDW in '09 (Although if the Magic goes back to Europe, I may splurge. I'm loving some of those pics o' the day that I've been seeing from that cruise)

 

[MinnMick01]

WOW! that's a long time between vacations! I was for a while taking a stretch of days off every 2 months. (No vacation time just creative manipulation of my schedule) and a full vacation 3 times a year. But when I started planning these large vacations (WDW last year and DCL this year) I've cut back to just taking an occasional stretch of days and only the one vacation a year. It's killing me. I decided that I'll be buying the family annual passes to Disneyland this Christmas and we'll vacation there 3-4 times next year. Then maybe WDW in '09 (Although if the Magic goes back to Europe, I may splurge. I'm loving some of those pics o' the day that I've been seeing from that cruise)

DH here... Smae here for time off and vacations. For the last 2 years I have saved my time for the cruise. I got to the point where I accrued so much that I have to take vac. time or lose it. So I get a day off here and there. Our last big trip was to Sea World 3 years ago. We are planing a DL trip next year, when are you planing to head down to DL?

 

[B9erSteve]

DH here... Smae here for time off and vacations. For the last 2 years I have saved my time for the cruise. I got to the point where I accrued so much that I have to take vac. time or lose it. So I get a day off here and there. Our last big trip was to Sea World 3 years ago. We are planing a DL trip next year, when are you planing to head down to DL?

I know that we will be there the week of Feb 10-16. I'm thinking about going Aug 10-14 (My son's 7th birthday) and Then at sometime during the Christmas season. (I love it there at that time.) And maybe for the Halloween party next year.

 

[millerpjm]

WOW! that's a long time between vacations! I was for a while taking a stretch of days off every 2 months. (No vacation time just creative manipulation of my schedule) and a full vacation 3 times a year. But when I started planning these large vacations (WDW last year and DCL this year) I've cut back to just taking an occasional stretch of days and only the one vacation a year. It's killing me. I decided that I'll be buying the family annual passes to Disneyland this Christmas and we'll vacation there 3-4 times next year. Then maybe WDW in '09 (Although if the Magic goes back to Europe, I may splurge. I'm loving some of those pics o' the day that I've been seeing from that cruise)

We were supposed to go to Door County in WI last year, but DH got a new job, so he did not have vacation time yet. We've had some time off, but not really taken a "trip" anywhere.

I wish we lived closer to DL or WDW....

 

[Wine Diva]

Thanks for the welcome.

I apologize for all the individual posts. I haven't figured out how to get more than one reply on a message.

Don't worry about that--I've been here since February and STILL don't know how to do that.

 

[Wine Diva]

Mid-morning F.O.!!!

 

[Wine Diva]

Good morning all!

Just catching up on last night's posts...had about 5 pages to read.

here's a question....for those of you that have young kids (say in the 3-6 range) have you told them about the cruise yet? I haven't told DS yet (he's 4), but he's going to be so excited.

Yes, We told our kids when we booked it in February--couldn't wait. Sometimes I wished I had waited, but on the other hand I think the anticipation is part of the fun. My older one loves to look at the counter in my signature--he was excited now that we are under two months.

 

[Dyerneeds]

Robin here... lunch time

Did a quick overview of the pages posted after 11:30 last night. It's getting harder and harder to catch up.

As the cruise date gets closer, it's going to be impossible.

 

[Dyerneeds]

Mike won't be on here much the next 2-3 days. He's watching our grandaughter when he gets off work in the morning. (on no sleep) I don't know how he does that.

So when he goes home, he'll go right to bed.

 

[Wine Diva]

Robin here... lunch time

Did a quick overview of the pages posted after 11:30 last night. It's getting harder and harder to catch up.

As the cruise date gets closer, it's going to be impossible.

Ain't that the truth--it will be interesting to see how many posts we get an hour the closer we get!

 

[Dyerneeds]

Ain't that the truth--it will be interesting to see how many posts we get an hour the closer we get!

We'll have to get our stat guy, Jeff, on that.

 

[Wine Diva]

We'll have to get our stat guy, Jeff, on that.

Yeah, as we get closer he shouldn't have too much to do, right?

 

[Dyerneeds]

Yeah, as we get closer he shouldn't have too much to do, right?

None of us will.

 

[Dyerneeds]

I can't believe some people are packing. They're on the ball. I been hanging out on the boards way too much to get anything done.

I have to do transfers, buy the shirts, transfer them, make my door magnet, figure what I'm wearing, not to mention I have continuing ed to due for my real estate license.

The list goes on and on.

I guess I have to do a task a day.

 

[Dyerneeds]

Mike always says I work better under pressure. He's right.

 

[B9erSteve]

We were supposed to go to Door County in WI last year, but DH got a new job, so he did not have vacation time yet. We've had some time off, but not really taken a "trip" anywhere.

I wish we lived closer to DL or WDW....

That's funny. Even though we do live within 7 hours of Disneyland, I lament the fact that we do not live closer to WDW. Mostly because they have great amenities for RV's I'd love to do and annual RV trip to WDW. From here I would have to allocate 6 days for the trip to and back. Then a week there and I am looking at 19 days! Plus a massive amount of gasoline. Disneyland does have a few RV parks nearby but they are not really places that are really nice to stay. They are simply places to park your RV with hookups. I thought Fort Wilderness Rocked!

Robin here... lunch time

Did a quick overview of the pages posted after 11:30 last night. It's getting harder and harder to catch up.

As the cruise date gets closer, it's going to be impossible.

I've noticed that too. I don't dare skip a day.

 

[JLDSMD]

PIRATES IN THE CARIBBEAN


APPETIZERS
Black Beard’s Jumbo Crab Cakes
With a Fruit Salsa and Honey-lime Tropical Coleslaw

Pirates Golden Pasta Envelopes
Filled with Cheese covered in a Tomato and Green Chili Sauce

The Buccaneer’s Sun-Ripened Pineapple
Fresh island Pineapple with a Coconut covered Banana and Orange Glaze

Pearls of the Caribbean
Crabmeat, Shrimp, and Salmon mixed in pearls of Couscous with Lemon Grass infused Vinaigrette


SOUPS AND SALADS
Chilled-to-the-Bone Honeydew Melon and Mango Soup

Caribbean-style Spicy Vegetable Gumbo Soup

Hideaway Bay Salad
Romaine Lettuce mixed with Garlic and Parmesan Shavings with Jerk-spiced Croutons

Jerk Chicken Salad
strips of Jerk-spiced Chicken on fresh Garden Salad with Plantain Chips

Mr. Smee’s Bib Lettuce
with Baby Greens and Raspberry Vinaigrette


MAIN COURSE
Treasure-of-the-Seas Grilled Shrimp and Seared Scallops
served on strings of Pasta and fresh Creamy Tomato Sauce

Jack Sparrow’s Musked Smoked Pork Shank
on soft Herbed Polenta, Roasted Onion and Tomato Stew with a light barbecue Glaze

Castaway Cay’s Chicken Breast Rubbed with Pirate Island Spice
with Rice and Beans and Fried Okra on a rich Spiced Glaze

Captain Hook’s Macadamia Dusted Mahi Mahi
with crushed Onion Potatoes, Sweet Carrots, Roasted Broccoli on mile Red Curry Sauce

The Black Pearl’s Oven-Roasted Beef Tenderloin
with Sour Cream Chive Smashed Potatoes and Sugar-baked Carrots with a deep red Wine Glaze


LIGHTER FARE
Baked Chicken Breast

Grilled Sirloin Steak

Citrus flavoured Poached Mahi Mahi

all of the above served with Garden Vegetables and your choice of Steamed White Rice or Baked Potato


VEGETARIAN SELECTIONS
Baked Bell Pepper
filled with Caribbean Rice and light Coconut Curry Sauce

Tiger Lily’s Grilled Eggplant
with Jamaican Vegetable Stew


DESSERTS
Shiver-me-Timbers White Chocolate Cheesecake
on a Macadamia barnacle bottom

Floating Island of Tropical Fruit Treasures
Meringue chest filled with Tropical Fruit and Berries surrounded by a Vanilla Sauce

Walk the Triple Layered Chocolate Cake Plank
Sorry, this one didn’t show up well on the Castaway site

The Lost Banana Treasure
found with Caramel Rum Flambeed by your Head Serve in the dining room

The Calypso Ice Cream Sundae
containing Rum and Raisin Ice Cream, Caribbean Cake, and a Rum Caramel Sauce

 

[Dyerneeds]

Lunch is almost over. I bought a new digital camera for the cruise and brought it to work with me. I think I'll go play with it.

catch everyone this evening.

 

[JLDSMD]

CHILDREN’S WEDNESDAY NIGHT MENU


APPETIZERS
Minestrone Soup

Slices of Honeydew and Cantaloupe with Orange Sauce


ENTREES
Mickey’s Macaroni and Cheese

Minnie’s Mini Burger

Crusty Cheese Pizza

Golden fried Chicken Strips with BBQ Sauce


CHEF’S ENTRÉE SELECTION OF THE DAY
Mozzarella Sticks with Tomato Sauce

Roasted carved Fillet of Beef with Brown Sauce

Mickey shaped Pasta in Alfredo Sauce


DESSERTS
Mickey shaped Ice Cream Bar

Rich Chocolate Pudding

Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce

Selection of assorted Ice Cream