Christmas Eve Trailer Decor-2013

     You may remember my post after last Christmas about our Christmas Eve Adventure! On Christmas Eve, just before sunset, we got in a golf cart at Disney's Fort Wilderness and drove around the campground looking at the wild and crazy decorations that people put up. We had such a great time last year that we were all looking forward to doing it again this year, only we were more prepared. We put on Santa hats, Mickey ears and carried bags of candy canes to hand out to the kids at the campground. We had so much fun! 

     We didn't realize that they actually have a parade of golf carts. It was starting just as we arrived, so we pulled our cart to the side of the road and watched. These people go all out with the decorations! Donald Duck was the Grand Marshall and we aren't sure who actually won the prize, but we had our favorite! 

     Once the parade was over, we started driving through all the campground areas. The pictures just don't show how many decorations there are. Every blow up Christmas decoration there is, lights, streetlamps, wreaths, trees...you name it, they have it! Lots of it!

     What is the most fun about this is that everyone is having such a good time. People are cooking out, it smells heavenly. There are children and puppies, parents and grandparents and everyone is saying Merry Christmas and waving. One lady was handing out bells to those "who believe" and several people were giving candy canes. I think this will continue to be a strange and unusual Christmas Eve tradition for us!

Christmas Day-Florida Style

     This was our 7th Christmas in Orlando. I can't believe my daughter has been out of college 7 years and I also can't believe I still live in Illinois! There are things that I really miss about being "home" for Christmas. I miss the rest of my family, the noise, the chaos and seeing everyone else unwrap presents. What I do enjoy, is the weather and the fact that we have our Christmas dinner and take a walk with so many beautiful things to see. Once again, we did the Cape May Seafood Buffet at the Walt Disney World Beach Club Resort. We talk every year about trying something different and we all love the holiday traditional foods along with all that seafood so much, we keep going back. I just took a picture of my dessert plate (that is all you really care about isn't it). I didn't eat every bite, but I certainly tasted them all. 

     I love the beach theme at this resort. They always have the chocolate carousel and this year they added a few other chocolate beach sculptures. Do you see the sand castle on the horse's back?

     After dinner, the sun was just starting to set. The Beach Club is truly located in a beautiful spot. There is a small beach next to the lake, you can see several other resorts and walk all the way around the lake boardwalk. 

We stopped to see the tree inside the Dolphin Resort. 

The train was running around the base 

and it was like a magnet to small children.

     This is one of my favorite photos. I took it standing inside the Dolphin Resort, looking out at their massive fountain. The water changes color constantly and I love how it looks with the chandelier. 

     The walkway of palm trees leads from the Dolphin Resort to the Swan Resort. You can see the above mentioned Dolphin fountain in these pictures. The palms "dance" with color as Christmas carols play. 

     By the time our walk was over, it was dark and there was a lovely glow as the buildings are reflected in the lake. It was a perfect day in paradise. 

Merry Christmas To All!

     We were lucky to escape the freezing weather in Illinois (driving the first two hours in terrible ice and snow) to the balmy state of Florida for Christmas. More importantly, I am getting to spend time with my daughter, finalizing wedding plans and actually getting a wedding gown. After 8 months without seeing her, I know I can never let that happen again. 

     Before leaving home, we were blessed to spend a little time with our grandsons. They are really growing up way too fast. 

We have taken some time to enjoy 

the beauty of Christmas at WDW.

We listened to the Disney Choir (my daughter is a member) 

sing beautiful Christmas hymns and carols.

The Christmas Story was narrated by Edward James Olmos. 

     I was also blessed to spend some precious time with my Daddy. We had him with us here for 5 days and then we put him on the plane to my sister's home for Christmas. 

     My wish for each and every one of you is a Merry Christmas and only the best of health, love and joy for the coming New Year. 

Food, Glorious Food

 

     This year, Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival added some food and beverage booths. Unlike the Food and Wine Festival in the fall, the foods were made with "garden" ingredients to go along with the festival theme. There were less booths than in the fall, but a few of the things we tried are worth mentioning.

 

     The picture above of Watermelon Salad was one of my two favorites. I have already made this at home and it will be a staple at our house this summer. It is light, fresh and good for you...plus delicious. The ingredients are watermelon cubes, baby arugula, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar. It is very simple to prepare-cube the watermelon, top with arugula. Reduce the balsamic vinegar (boil it until it thickens, then cool) and drizzle it over the top. Sprinkle with the feta cheese. It was really good.

 

 

      My dad tried the shrimp, grits and sausage and loved it. It looked very good and had a bit of a bite to it.

 

     I love mushrooms, so I opted to try the savory Mushroom and Spring Pea Bread Pudding. My first bite what I noticed was how salty it was. I was hungry and I ate it, but it was one of those foods that I never want to see again. Too much salt, too heavy and just not my thing at all. 

 

     Baked Goat's Brie with Kumquat Chutney-to die for! This was a crispy pastry with a creamy filling that tasted both like goat cheese and brie. This is one of those things that I could have gone back for a second...or third, but I restrained myself.

 

     My daughter and I had to try the "Frushi". It looks like Sushi, but is actually fruit with a coconut rice around it. Tasty but nothing I would crave.

 

 

This little bit was very good. Limoncello Panna Cotta,

wish I had one of these right now!

 

     We also tried the Brisket with Cornbread and the Pulled Pig Sandwich with Coleslaw on the night we went back to Epcot for the concert. Both were excellent. What concert? I guess you will just have to wait for another blog post. It certainly was fun, I must say!

 

 

I am joining Michael @ Rattlebridge Farm

for Foodie Friday

 

 

Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival (part 2)

 

If you missed part one of the Flower and Garden Festival,

 you can see the pictures by clicking here.

 

     New this year because of the film Oz: The Great and Powerful, was this clever children's play area complete with a yellow "brick" road and a field of glass poppies.

 

Who knew? I'm not doing it.

 

     We have been in the butterfly house at prior festivals, but the fairies were all around this year and I fell in love with them!

 

 

We always have to stock up on our Twining's teas

 and the Tea Garden has such sweet things in it.

 

Gardenia was my mom's favorite flower.

I had to stop, smell and take a picture for her.