Trees, Birds and Food...Oh My!

The tree at the Animal Kingdom Lodge

I love this tree at the Mall at Millenia

Mall at Millenia

We had to take a picture at the All Star Sports Resort

We have 2 little grandson's who love basketballs!

Look at this very cool bird I discovered at Anthropologie

I took a close-up-I expect a few talented bloggers to "steal" this idea

A bit of lunch...small plates to share

 Roasted beets, arugula, goat cheese, apple and pecans

Olives stuffed with sausage and cheese

Corn Fritters

A Merry Disney Christmas...Foodie Friday

I thought you might enjoy touring Walt Disney World with me over the next few days. There is nothing quite like this place at Christmas. It tends to be very crowded, but the decorations alone make it well worth the crowds. I will be linking to Foodie Friday with our hostess Michael @ Designs by Gollum. I didn't cook, but I did take some food pictures. Our tour starts at the Wilderness Lodge, a Disney hotel. As you enter the lobby, you can't miss the massive tree. The lighting wasn't the best for picture taking, but I did the best I could.

We visited the hotel for a late lunch. While waiting for our table, we could sit in front of this beautiful fireplace.

The hotel is gorgeous. It has an open atrium and you truly feel as if you are in a wonderful lodge, complete with bears!

The tree is very impressive when you are looking at it from the upper levels.

We had lunch at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. Their specialty is the Canyon Skillet. It is "all you can eat" and includes ribs, sausage, chicken, corn, baked beans, mashed potatoes, cole slaw and cornbread. The food was delicious and needless to say, it was our only meal of the day.

This was a fun restaurant. The waitresses yell at you if you don't clean your plate, they tell you to fill our your own order or pass around your own drinks. They will yell out that it is time for a horsey ride and all the kids are given stick ponys to ride around the restaurant. It is loud and fun.

I love visiting the various Disney hotels to see the decorations. I will be posting more pictures. We tend to "do Disney" a bit differently than we did when we had small children. These days, we spend much less time in the parks and much more time visiting the Disney hotels, restaurants and the surrounding area. I am trying to read as many of your blogs as I can. I hate missing any of your posts!

Candy Cane Christmas-Tablescape Thursday

As I am writing this, it is 2 weeks until Christmas. When it posts, the holiday will be upon us. I'm sure everyone is busy and hopefully surrounded by family and friends. I will be miles from my home, enjoying warm temperatures with my parents and daughter. If you have a moment, please join Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. I'm sure she will have something wonderful to show us!

This tablescape was a fun challenge for me. While looking

through my Christmas boxes, I found red plaid plates and mugs

that I had forgotten about. They are plastic! I wanted to see

if I could make a tablescape using plastic plates and

still have it look nice enough for guests.

I used a red tablecloth that I've had for several years.

I topped my red and green plastic plates with my everyday

white Wal-Mart salad plate and a simple candy cane.

I added white napkins, my everyday flatware, matching

mugs and holly glasses I've had for years.

This is a frugal place setting!

Topping two crystal candlesticks with candy striped ornaments,

clear votives and a few scattered ornaments add to the look.

In the center of the table, I used an ice "frosted" tree

and wreath, surrounded by sparkling small red ornaments

(which I notice look much like cherry tomatoes in this picture).

I found this wonderful glittery house at our local thrift store.

I slipped a votive candle inside and I love how it looks.

I hope this shows that you can set a beautiful table

with very inexpensive things. Merry Christmas!

A Holiday Cookie Exchange: Chinese Noodle Candy (Cookies)-Easy, No Bake

Stephanie @ A Fine House is our hostess today for A Holiday Cookie Exchange. I am sure that if you visit her blog you will find links to amazing cookies to make for your family and friends.

In keeping with my attempts of making cooking easy for my readers, I am showing you one of our family favorites today. It is not only fast (no baking) it is easy and requires very few ingredients. My mom made these the entire time I was growing up. Our family loves the combination of sweet and slightly salty.

Ingredients:

1 12oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 12oz bag of butterscotch chips

1 5 oz can of Chinese Noodles

2 cups salted cashews

I find it very easey to use the microwave to melt my chips. If you prefer a double boiler...that works too. My way is easier. You need to check the chips every 30 seconds or so, you don't want to burn them.

Put the chips in a large bowl. Microwave until just melted and stir to blend well. Stir in the the noodles and the cashews gently until completely covered. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Chill in the frig or in a cool place until they set up. Easy 5 minute cookies/candy. You won't be disappointed! Enjoy.

From My Kitchen Window

     It is late and everyone has gone to bed. I am alone in the glow of the Christmas tree and as I put the last of the glasses into the dishwasher,  I take a moment to look out the kitchen window. At first glance there is only blackness. To the left I see the lights on other houses in the neighborhood and the sky glows where overnight businesses are still open, but not visible to my eye.

     In the distance I can see the lights on the interstate like fireflies floating on a summer breeze. I realize that each of these tiny lights is a story, a life. In the mini-van is the family who left the suburbs after work to head to Tampa to be with grandma and grandpa for the holidays. They have a carrier on top of the van loaded with gifts. The children worry that Santa won't be able to find them in Florida, mom assures them he will. In the semi is the trucker who runs from Wisconsin to Atlanta and will make 2 more trips before having a few days off for Christmas. Tucked under the seat is the diamond necklace he plans to give his wife of 25 years. She will be so surprised; he has never done anything like that before. In the old Pontiac, with laundry piled in the back seat and the music thumping, is the college student. He is headed home to Southern Illinois for some "real food" and a little tender loving care from mom. He is worried about the final he took this morning; he has to pass that class to graduate. The SUV holds longtime companions Kevin and Anthony. They met in college and have been together 10 years. They flew into O'Hare this morning with their new little baby girl from China and are heading home to Memphis. The holidays have a new meaning for them this year. Everyone is passing the Cadillac that is driving 65, with 80-year-old Fred at the wheel. He and Martha are going back home to Michigan to be with family for couple of weeks. They left from Jacksonville 3 days ago; this is long trip for them.

     As I unplug the Christmas tree and quietly head to my bedroom, I think of those tiny lights moving on that big highway. I pray for their safety as they travel. I hope this holiday season is all they want it to be. I think how each of us is really just a speck of light in a very big world and yet we are all connected. I feel an overwhelming sense of peace as the room goes dark.

12/19/2006-SS