What are you celebrating? Absolutely nothing! TR writing has commenced!

[Villainess]

No Disney news so far today.

Instead I thought I would share some photos of where I live! I'm very fortunate to be only 5 miles from the beach and 55 minutes to NYC, 1hr. 20 min to Atlantic City, and 2 hrs. to Wildwood/CapeMay.

Here are some pictures from Avon by the Sea! It's about 15 minutes from my house depending on traffic, so a little further than the closer beaches, but one of the nicer ones! When I was little, my family would come to this beach every summer before we joined a beach club, and later, got a pool. I also went dancing at the pavilion on the boardwalk as a toddler; they had Tot dances every week, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that they still have them! DD and DS went to quite a few during the summer.

It is a very small town, extremely quiet from mid Sept - Memorial Day weekend when the Bennies come and infiltrate! There are lots of Victorian Houses, many stay in the family, and quite a few Bed & Breakfasts too!

A little photo tour of one of my favorite Jersey Shore beaches - Avon by the Sea!

The famous benches

The pavilion

kids dancing at the pavilion

Lifeguard off duty

Bridge up, fishing boat coming back in

Fishing from the jetty

Nonna and DD

on the swings at the beach

DS fell asleep in the swing

All the pictures, w/ exception of DD and DS dancing were taken in 'off season' mid May and early Oct.

 

[ariel2007]

I love your beach photo's, its nice to see some different places as I love America. Plus we love the beach, we used to go all the time when I was little, I hate living so far from it now. I love DD's little dresses, they are so pretty, as is she. And DS is so cute asleep in the swing.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Beautiful beach photos. I especially love the very last one of your DS's foot, very nice.

 

[Villainess]

I love your beach photo's, its nice to see some different places as I love America. Plus we love the beach, we used to go all the time when I was little, I hate living so far from it now. I love DD's little dresses, they are so pretty, as is she. And DS is so cute asleep in the swing.

Glad you liked the photos. I am planning on taking some pictures of different areas around me. exDH has the kids this weekend so I am hoping to hit a few places including a 9/11 memorial and Twin Lights.

Beautiful beach photos. I especially love the very last one of your DS's foot, very nice.

Thank you! That is one of my favorites and I have it framed in my room!

 

[tinkgurl]

The food better be darn good!

Ahhh the beach.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I love, love your beach pictures!!! Your such a good photographer!! I'm jealous!!

I love your idea of following people on their vacation to takes pictures! That would be neat and probably profitable! DH and his mom and dad think I should start my own scrapbooking business and make scrapbooks for people. I keep trying to explain I can't scrap other peoples memories! I have thought about doing layouts with spaces for pictures and selling those.

Can't wait to read more!

 

[autumnpalm]

Your beach pictures are just gorgeous!! You are such an amazing photographer. I especially love the photos of your kids, they are just darling.

 

[dolfinjuls]

Great pics! I've never been to Avon. We usually go to Ocean City, that's the shore I grew up going to!

 

[Villainess]

The food better be darn good!

Ahhh the beach.

Yes indeed! I have high expectations for it!

I love, love your beach pictures!!! Your such a good photographer!! I'm jealous!!

I love your idea of following people on their vacation to takes pictures! That would be neat and probably profitable! DH and his mom and dad think I should start my own scrapbooking business and make scrapbooks for people. I keep trying to explain I can't scrap other peoples memories! I have thought about doing layouts with spaces for pictures and selling those.

Can't wait to read more!

Awww - thank you. Actually, I have to credit the photographers over on the Dis Photography threads. They are super nice and full of information. I soak up their knowledge like a sponge and now I'm starting to read some of the books they are reading! I super excited right now bc I'm in the lead of my group's round 1 of voting in the photography over there. Last week I was tied for 2nd/3rd in this round. With the talent over there, I am definately proud of the accomplishment.

If you ever want to learn more about photography - head over there, they aren't like other photography message boards which can be very snarky, bashing photos, etc. MarkBarbieri - I think that is how you spell his username - has written some great tutorials, ie: How to Shoot Spectro, How to shoot fireworks, etc. They are great!

Your beach pictures are just gorgeous!! You are such an amazing photographer. I especially love the photos of your kids, they are just darling.

Thank you so much! I'm hoping to do some shooting this weekend although I really need to work on the renovations to DD and DS's room. I am in the - very early process - of creating half the room in a Cars theme and the other half, why Princess of course! I'm also trying to finish off their playroom. I want to paint the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the wall. Pop Pop already built them a storage/cube unit for their toys and now it's on to organizing/decorating!

Great pics! I've never been to Avon. We usually go to Ocean City, that's the shore I grew up going to!

It's a nice town, there is a really good restaurant there, Columns, that is right across the street from the boardwalk and you eat on the veranda overlooking the beach. So beautiful! We usually have lunch there 2-3 times a summer! Dinner is crazy busy to get into though. They also have live music Thurs - Sundays inside the bar area.

I've only been to OC once - it was back in 2003 for one day, we were on our way to Wildwood and stopped there to visit a friend of exDH's who was in that area. I believe we also drove through Avalon and had breakfast at a local shop there, at least I think it was Avalon.

 

[Villainess]

In anticipation of the scheduled May 1 grand opening of Kidani Village, the newest phase of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, the resort's new table-service restaurant, Sanaa (pronounced sah-NAH), is preparing to take reservations.

Member Services will begin booking Sanaa reservations for Disney Vacation Club Members only beginning on Feb. 16, and other Guests will begin making reservations on Feb. 23 by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463).

Named for the Swahili word for "artwork," Sanaa celebrates African-inspired cuisine with an Indian touch. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant will serve familiar foods prepared in tandoor ovens, along with slow-cooked specialties showcasing the flavorful spices of Africa. Chefs have drawn inspiration from the many cultures and cuisines along the historical spice route of the 1400s, through Africa, India, China and Europe.

Other highlights will include handcrafted décor inspired by an East African spice market, a savanna view and beverage offerings ranging from trendy cocktails to South African and world wines.

Inspired by the African/Indian spice routes, the 120 seat Sanaa will most likely offer traditional Indian and African food. They will offer breakfast and dinner. At this time, it is uncertain whether lunch will be served. The restaurant will also have a cozy 24 seat lounge offering African wines and a full bar. Unconfirmed reports say Sanaa will accept the Disney Dining Plan at 1 TS credit. The name Sanaa literally means "work of art" so executive chef Robert Getchell has a lot to live up to. Chef Robert Getchell, most recently of Flying Fish Cafe, graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts. He has been with Disney for eight years. He has also worked at Boma, Narsoossee's, Spoodles, 50's and Kona. He is a fan of aromatic spices so I think this will be a good fit.


The above taken from various DIS threads.

I think I want to go! Since I graciously bowed out of making ADR's at Marrakesh, I think I should get a chance to pick an ADR, right?

Look at this dish!

I have no idea what it is, but it looks scrumptious!

We have some days left to fill, which are still TBD so I think Sanaa is going in one of those days! The rest of the days, well hopefully the May hours will be up sometime soon - I'm not holding my breath for Feb. 1 since it is a Sunday, but I would expect that by Tuesday, they should definately be up! This weekend, I plan to discuss the remaining restaurants with Nonna and Pop Pop, and once the dates/hours are up, calling that lovely 407-WDW-DINE and filling in the blanks!

Pop Pop will need to call Feb 16th to make the ADRs for Sanaa since they are the DVC members.

Oh, it also gives us the opportunity to visit AKL and the Villas there! Woo Hoo!

 

[ariel2007]

Ooo it sounds really nice. Would love to see your pictures from there if you go, I will have to add that to my list to try for next time.

 

[Villainess]

Ooo it sounds really nice. Would love to see your pictures from there if you go, I will have to add that to my list to try for next time.

On my last trip, I didn't do a good job of taking pictures of food or the restaurants, so I need to make a better at it for this trip!

 

[ariel2007]

On my last trip, I didn't do a good job of taking pictures of food or the restaurants, so I need to make a better at it for this trip!

Yes it took me a while to get in to it last time. I kept forgetting at first or remembering half way through. Hopefully I will remember this time too

 

[starlight_003]

The pictures at the beach are great. I wish I could take some good pic's like that. I wanted to let you know that May hours are up.

 

[starlight_003]

Opps double post.

 

[Villainess]

The pictures at the beach are great. I wish I could take some good pic's like that. I wanted to let you know that May hours are up.

Thank you! I was just looking them over! It seems that I 'guessed' right having ADR's at 5:40 for WCC on 5/3, then we can head over for EMH at MK - I plan on getting lots of night shots this year here! And it will be open until 2am! I also picked a good Rose N Crown night - 5/1 EMH there that night too to - walk around the countries and grab some photos!

I'm thinking Sanaa would be good on 5/4.

Hopefully they will add Wishes to a few of the nights, as so far there are no nights in May it will be showing.

 

[starlight_003]

Thank you! I was just looking them over! It seems that I 'guessed' right having ADR's at 5:40 for WCC on 5/3, then we can head over for EMH at MK - I plan on getting lots of night shots this year here! And it will be open until 2am! I also picked a good Rose N Crown night - 5/1 EMH there that night too to - walk around the countries and grab some photos!

I'm thinking Sanaa would be good on 5/4.

Hopefully they will add Wishes to a few of the nights, as so far there are no nights in May it will be showing.

Looks like Sanaa will be a good place to eat. We will be gone before they open.

 

[tinkgurl]

Look at this dish!

I have no idea what it is, but it looks scrumptious!

Whoa! I have no idea what that is either, but it looks SO GOOD! Man, my mouth is watering!

 

[Villainess]

Looks like Sanaa will be a good place to eat. We will be gone before they open.

I'm excited to try it and will definately take pictures and give a real 'food' report on this one!

Whoa! I have no idea what that is either, but it looks SO GOOD! Man, my mouth is watering!

I haven't eaten breakfast yet and had no dinner last night either, so this is looking so yummy right now!


Coming Up ... Disney on Ice!

 

[Villainess]

Woo Hoo!

One of my photos made it into the final round of the weekly Dis Photography Board Photo Contest!!!!!

Here is the link if you want to check it out - my entry is A.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2078063