More of "Tiny Reggie" and Disney Fun

Hello!~

It has been a while! Family has been in and out for the last week! It was much fun but now to try to get back to a 'normal' schedule.

While my mom was here she helped me groom "Tiny" or "Reggie" as we're now calling him...on his collar tag it says both...haha. Here is some of the result:

Love him. SO smart and SO sweet.

Today, I'm going to share a little Disney Magic with you. These are the things that keep us coming back for more. Epcot's Food and Wine Festival is one of my all time favorite things at Disney. Travel + food = Megan very happy.

Strewn about the World Showcase are tons of tiny kiosks cooking amazing food in small portions plus, of course, wine and sometimes beer pairings. If you are on a Disney Dining Plan, this is even more of a special treat, because you may use your snack credits at the kiosks. The only trouble I found was that I just wanted to use up all my snack credits in one day. Escargot, Crepes, Lamb Chops, Taquitos, all in lovely small portions that give you a taste of that country.

Disney Magic I'm sharing today...is some recipes from the food and wine festival! These lamb recipes were some of our favorite things there, and then just for fun I am going to include a desert.

Grilled Lamb Chops with Red Wine Sauce

Melbourne, Australia

Ingredients:


Lamb Chops

3/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon lime zest

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1/4 cup finely chopped mint

1/2 teaspoon freshly chopped pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 Australian lamb chops



Red Wine Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup thinly sliced onion

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

Coarse Salt and Pepper to taste

3 cups Shiraz wine



Method of Preparation:

1. Combine olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, garlic, mint, salt and pepper in a shallow dish large enough to place the lamb chops in one layer. Coat both sides of the chops in the marinade and leave for two hours at room temperature or up to 24 hours refrigerated.

2. For the sauce, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Stir in wine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least one hour, or until mixture thickens and reduces to approximately 1 cup. The glacier be the consistency of syrup.

4. Grill the chops for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until desired doneness.

5. To serve, allow 2 chops per person, drizzled with wine sauce.

Note: if you prefer, you can strain the glaze before serving. The flourish of Australia's delicate, peach colored Murray River salt brings out the flavors. Pair with Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz-Cabernet.

Lamb Slider-Roasted Lamb with

Mustard Sauce on Brioche
Food & Wine Festival, New Zealand

Yield: 4 servings




Ingredients:

1/2 pound lamb sirloin

1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced into very thin slivers

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ cup butter, softened

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

4 brioche rolls, sliced and toasted



Method of Preparation:

1. Place the lamb on a large platter and make ½" deep slits all over with a small knife, and insert a sliver of garlic in each cut. Rub the lamb all over with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover the meat and leave to marinade for 2 to 3 hours.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F

3. In a large sauté pan, over medium heat, sear the lamb on all sides.

4. Transfer the meat to a roasting pan and cook it until it is firm to the touch and pink in the center, about 35 minutes.

5. Allow the sirloin to rest for 10 minutes before carving.

6. In the meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the butter and mustard and season to taste with pepper. Butter both sides of the rolls and set them aside.

7. To serve, thinly slice the lamb and divide the meat among the four prepared rolls.

Mustard Sauce

Ingredients:

1 tablespoons olive oil

1 large white onions, sliced thinly

1/8 cup horseradish

1 cup brown gravy (your favorite recipe)

1/4 cup Dijon mustard



Method of Preparation:

In a skillet, add oil and cook white onions until caramelized. Be carefully not to burn.

Add horseradish, brown gravy and Dijon mustard. Blend well until heated.

Butter buns on both sides with this mixture.


Alternate Sauce

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped

3/4 cup grilled red peppers, coarsely chopped

2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped

4 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

To taste salt

To taste freshly ground pepper.

Method of Preparation:

Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan and add the onions and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly or until the onions are translucent. Add the peppers and tomatoes and cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until most of the moisture has evaporated. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper. Use 2 tablespoons of peperonato for each sandwich.


Finally, desert;

Serves 6




Chocolate Lava Cake

8 (1 ounce) semi-sweet chocolate squares, chopped, or 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 sticks of butter

5 egg yokes

4 whole eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour


1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly butter sides of 6 individual (3/4 cup) ramekins. Lightly coat with sugar, shake out excess.


2. Melt chocolate and butter in top of double boiler set over simmering water. Stir until smooth. Remove from over water and cool 10 minutes


3. Beat egg yolks and whole eggs together in a large bowl; add sugar and beat until thick and light, about 2 minutes.


4. Fold in chocolate mixture.


5. Sift flour, then fold into batter, mixing until smooth. Divide batter among prepared cups, filling 3/4 full.

6. Place on a baking sheet and bake about 35 to 40 minutes or until sides of cake are set and middle is still soft. Do not overbake.

7. Using a small knife, cut around sides of cake to loosen. Invert onto plates and drizzle with ganache.

Ganache

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup Bailey's Irish cream

4 ounces milk chocolate

Stir together cream and Bailey's in a small saucepan over medium heat. Just before boiling point, remove from heat and stir in milk chocolate.

Note: you can also use muffin tins; recipe makes 12. Bake for 15 minutes until set and middle is still soft


Have fun!!
 
Meg

Tiny

Hey!

It's been a few days...live happened! About 3 days ago while my sister was jogging, she was followed home....

Has the look of  a golden/lab doodle, but his hair is more wirey and his face is a bit more...long? No collar, very very sweet, but the poor guy seems semi-groomed and has matts of fur down 3 of his legs and all along his tail. Josie (the Bassett Hound) gets along great with him, but seems to be having long leg envy. Line them up side by side and her head hits about 3/4 of the way up his leg! So, naturally, his nickname with us is "Tiny Little John". Yes, I know it's redundant. Don't judge.

Fist thing we do with Tiny's predicament is to email our neighborhood email list and post pictures. The next day, I made it to Kinko's with a "Dog Found" poster which I shared with two different animal shelters and PetsMart. This brings us to another adventure.

Yesterday, I decided to take Tiny to PetsMart because it was the closest place that had a Microchip scanner. No one in the house was available to help me with this task between rehearsals and switching up sleep for night shifts, so I preceeded on my own because I can do this!

Tried to get Tiny into car #1. - the Corolla. It wasn't going to happen. SO, I tried car #2. The Volvo. Nope, no way. borrowed Sarah's car and finally got him in halfway by coaxing him with some ham, and just picked up the back of him and got him in! Finally on our way!

He was SO EXCITED to get out of the car. Did his thing on the grass in front of the store like a good boy, but once we got to the door of PetsMart, he was a little resistant to going in. Finally after some coaxing and love he decided to brave the store, and loved it. Went straight to the nice lady who scanned him, but no microchip! :(

We head back to the car and I have a little treat to coax him back into the car. I open the door, and he's not having *any* of it! In fact, he sets his 75-100 lb self as an opposing force to me and pulls. Yes, I'm a wimp. I do not deny it! I tried getting in the car myself and coaxing him in, but nope, wasn't going to happen.  After about 10 minutes of this in 95 degree humidity and a car with leather interior, I start to get out my phone to call for some help, only to realize that in the craziness of the day, I LEFT IT!

There's me and my frizzy hair with the 75...85...whatever lb dog with hair about as frizzy as mine, I'm getting pretty darn icky, and so I decided I better go find some air conditioning and a phone fast. Back into PetsMart we trot, this time with no hangups. The lovely girl that helped direct me to where to get him scanned helped me and between a couple of people letting me use their phones I finally got my message out that I was stranded at PetsMart!!

In my distress though, it was a good reminder of how God takes care of each tiny part of our lives. I was taken under the wing of some amazing people suddenly when I was quite vulnerable. I don't like being vulnerable. I like order. Some of the ladies in the grooming department were getting off, and two different ladies offered me discounts for "grooming my dog" haha. I explained the situation and they all fell in love with him and hoped he found his family...and his groomer.

I also met an amazing woman in a green shirt and wonderful earrings. She loved on "Tiny" and we discussed how he kind of looked more like a Wolfhound mix than anything else and she went on her way. I decided to buy a small can of wet dogfood to try to coax him in the car one more time.

10 more minutes later, after coaxing to no avail, I looked up and the angel woman in the green shirt was right there! She asked if I needed any help and I said "YEEeeeehs" (as in Kusko...from Emperor's New Groove. I told you people I'm a Disney nerd).

I took her advice to get him REALLY excited about getting in the car!  So BOY did we get excited about that hot car, and between clapping, excitement, me pulling and her shoving, suddenly, he was in!!!! I shouted at her "THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU YOU ARE AN ANGEL!" she laughed and said she loved what I was doing for him, and asked if I could get in the front seat. I told her I was good to go, and she went on her merry way.

I climb over the seat (pretty much my only option) and after about 5 more minutes of looking for keys, I'm on my way home!!! Finally I get home, and I found out....

My poor husband is on his way to PetsMart!!!  - For his schedule that would have been like waking up and rushing off craziness without any coffee.

We all made it back home safe and sound and even put up more posters all around the neighborhood and major traffic areas around.

This has been my adventures with Tiny. And PetsMart. And Green Angels...wait...what?

Meg

Disney World Dining Part 2!

Been a crazy time at our house lately! Nathan got a job at Radio Shack doing the graveyard shift (the sleep schedule thing is really messing with my head and making it hard for *me* to sleep). He is also finishing up some school certifications and I'm attempting to find some temp or part time work. Cooking and going through all the travel agent info has helped me get my mind off of things and keep my chin up some.

So,  in my last post I tried to present an overview of Disney Dining plans, but I forgot to explain one thing:

Snacks: In all dining plans, you may choose from items such as 1 frozen ice cream novelty, popsicle, fruit bar, popcorn scoop (single-serving box), single-serving bag of snacks, single piece of whole fruit, 20-oz. bottle of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite or Dasani water, 22-oz. fountain soft drink, 12-oz. coffee, hot chocolate or hot tea, single-serving prepackaged milk or juice.


Any questions? Now that that is behind us, let's start with this dining plan;

Qick Service Dining

Quick service dining gives you two snacks, a resort refiallable mug, and two quick-service meals per day.

Each person may order one entree OR one complete combo meal, dessert (lunch/dinner) or One juice (breakfast) & One single non-alcoholic beverage

Quick service meals are the equivalent of counter-service meals, or, 'fast-food' type restaurants. They are all over all the parks, and if you have any picky eaters or are more focused on your time in the parks than stopping for leasurely meals, this is a great option. It does not include any of the character dining restaurants, as those are 'table service' meals.

If you do want to include some Character dining and/or you would like to try out some of the sit-down restaurants, this next plan is also a great option:

Magic Your Way Plus Dining:

This plan includes two snacks a day plus one table-service meal and one quick-servic meal. You can chose to use these in any order during your stay. You can use all your table service meals first then follow with your quick service meals the rest of the time. This plan does not include the resort-refillable mug.

In this plan, the quick service inclusions are the same, and table service meals include the following: 1 entree and dessert (lunch or dinner only), or full buffet, 1 juice (breakfast only), non-alcoholic beverage; dessert not available at breakfast). 1 child table-service meal includes 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert (lunch or dinner only) and 1 single serving non-alcoholic beverage, or 1 full buffet.


This is usually the plan they include in the free dining promotions, is a great plan, and also provides a little more flexibility in eating options.

Next I shall attempt to explain the Delux Dining Plan and get into some menus. Hope it helps!!

Dining: an overview.

So today I am going to get started tackling one of my favorite parts of Disney World; the dining plans! First off, I need to clarify that to include dining in your Disney World vacation, it has to be part of a package deal while staying on property. This sounds like it would be a 'catch', but in reality, it is just another option Disney has added to provide convenience and making it so that you can factor in your dining budget ahead of time and save some in the process.

Yes, you can bring your own food, snacks and drinks. This would give you perfect control over your budget as well...but...as much as I love to cook, it is DISNEY!! Disney food is magical. I shall step off my box now and move on...*dreams of Mickey ice cream bars and French pasteries...wait, what?* Sorry,got carried away there for a sec.

There are now three main dining plans:

1. Magic Your Way Plus Quick Service
2. Magic Your Way Plus Dining
3. Magic Your Way Plus Delux Dining

Now, you have to figure out your family's eating preferences. Are you a hamburger/hot dogs/french fries all the time group or do you want the freedom of a pot roast and a buffet now and then. Also, how fine do you want your dining to be? Are appetizers something you want or do you care that much?

Basically, to summarize the dining confusion, the plans are based on numbers of meals included and types of meals included.

I will chop this up by plan so the posts aren't so bogged down and each section can be referenced easier.

Off to do errands!!

Ciao!

Fall!

I love fall!!

It is finally under 100 degrees here, and thankfully far away from 103-107 degrees which happened too often this last month. It is finally beginning to feel like fall. Even though it is still in the high 90's. I'm hopeful!

I am going to have to dig up the fall decorations I have somewhere in the attic! I have been continuing my Disney training online and they have been flashing so many pictures of the Disney Mickey's-not-so-Scary-Halloween-Party, (M.N.S.S.H.P for short) I've gotta share about it.

SO, M.N.S.S.H.P is a "special event" that requires you to buy an extra ticket. This year, they are $59.95 for adults and $53.95 for children. Last year and the year before we managed to take advantage of the discounts and deals that were available and so even though we had to pay extra it was definitely worth it.

This time, instead of putting it in my words, I'll send along this link that got me hooked on the Haloween Party and going to Disney in the Fall (Note: it is from last year):

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

These are the updated dates for the attraction this year:

2010 Dates For Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

One of the most fun things about this, to me, is that they give a trick-or-treat bag to *everyone* and as an adult, if you would like, they let you dress up in the parks. My sister Sarah and I, being the Disney nerds that we are, made costumes for ourselves and a couple of other Mad Hatter costumes + hats. This created loads of fun and craziness. Especially when we finally met up with the real Mad Hatter.

We have too much fun!

Enjoy the Fall if it has made it your way yet!

Mr Rogers Disney?

So, I will be conquering the Disney Dining Plan later, but this pretty much made my day today so I thought I would share:



Enjoy!

Attempting to Explain Packages

Hey!

Today I'm going to try to go through the different Magic Your Way packages Disney World has to offer. I will explain the dining plans more in the future, but today we'll stick with this. True, they are 'packages' but, the difference between these and just the quick and easy sign-me-ups on the Disney main website is, if you know what you are doing, you can get exactly what you want without extras you won't use. Given, a lot of times you have to go through a travel agent to get the best deals due to promotional codes and the like, but it gives a good idea of how affordable Disney can be.

Before I go through them though, there are options you should keep in mind before even looking into the packages. How long will you be there, what kind of a schedule do you like to keep (as in, will you be going to more than one park a day?) and of course how your family choses to dine while at the parks. I would like to point out here that on Disney World's main website, when you use the package booker, they will automatically tag on park hopper tickets (which I do actually recommend unless you plan on only going to one park a day), and water park tickets (if you are only staying a few days and or you don't care about water parks). These can be left off or tagged back on as you chose.

I personally get way into park hopping and not so much with the water parks. I have found that it is hard enough to get in everything in the main 4 parks without water parks, but it is all about preference and family vacation time.

Also, I would like to add, the dining plans are *excellent*. If you bring your own food and or get an offsite place with a kitchen that is a totally value conscious way to go. This is where I like to splurge though. To me it completes the experience, getting to eat where I never would before. I'm going to give the packages and the cost of the meal plans.  These are addons after tickets plus resort costs.





Magic Your Way Base Package: This is included when you click on the option for a  package deal, and is usually on the website, and includes of course, whatever accomodations you chose, tickets, and no dining. The packages all also include these perks:

- Room accommodations of your choice
-Planet Hollywood $15 meal voucher and souvenir keepsake (Valid for $15 worth of food and non-alcoholic beverages and a souvenir merchandise keepsake at Planet Hollywood, Downtown Disney West Side. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. One voucher per room. One keepsake per room. Voucher required for keepsake.)
-Disney's Miniature Golf Experience  (Valid for one round of miniature golf per room at either Disney's Fantasia Gardens or Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Courses.)
- Sea Raycers or boat rental offer (Receive a certificate valid for 30 extra minutes of watercraft fun when you buy 60 minutes applicable for up to 5 Guests. Certificate valid for Sea Raycers by Sea Ray, Boston Whaler 170 Montauk and Pontoon boat rentals at participating Walt Disney World marina locations. (One per room. Not valid all dates; restrictions apply.)
- Disney arcade game card . Receive an arcade game card voucher valid for 100 game play points in arcades located in Disney Resort hotels. (One card per room.)
- Spa, fishing and water sports discounts Receive certificates for 15% off the regular price of select spa treatments or therapies, 10% off the regular price of select fishing excursions and 10% off the regular price of all activities at Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Center. (Subject to availability; restrictions apply.)
- Commemorative luggage tag

Magic Your Way Plus Quick Service Dining: As the name implies, it includes everything above plus dining. This particular dining plan is great for people who are all about fast food dining options while at the park. It gives you more time to get in and out of restaurants but only allows you to eat at the fast-food type places plus snacks. You get two meals, two snacks, and a resort refillable mug.


The cost:  $34.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $11.99 per night for children (ages 3-9), unless they are running the free dining option and you are staying in a value resort. Then it is included. Given,it sounds kind of expensive, but adding it all up, unless you just don't eat much you do end up coming out ahead.

Magic Your Way Plus Dining: Also includes everything as mentioned in the regular package but instead of only the fast food places, you get one table service meal a day. This means you can have character breakfasts/dinners and eat at some of the amazing Epcot restaurants. This one gets tricky though if you do want to dine at the super nice resort restaurants. This plan does not include the refillable mug but you do get two snacks as well.

The cost: $47.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $12.99 per night for children (ages 3-9) - unless they are running the free dining promotion and you are in a moderate resort. Then it is included.

Magic  Your Way Plus Delux Dining: This plan includes all that was in the basic plan, plus 3 meals a day (wherever you want to eat except for two very fine dining places), 2 snacks and the refillable mug. This is the one I prefer but we don't have kids yet and we both like to try new places and keep our dining options open. Some of the restaurants require two 'meal points' so with this one you can pretty much eat anywhere. The down side is, sometimes you have to limit your time in the parks, but sometimes we like to sit back and just enjoy our meal and surroundings anyway so for us it was the best fit.

The Cost: $78.99 per night per adult or junior (ages 10-17), $21.99 per night for children (ages 3-90) unless they are running the free dining plan, then you get it for the cost difference between the two, so...$31 a night.

There are more options that get more lavish...

Magic Your Way Premium Package: This includes the delux dining plan, Unlimited Use of Select Recreation - Enjoy unlimited use of select recreational activities including Disney's 18-hole championship golf courses (greens fees, electric cart, range balls, rental golf shoes and rental golf clubs included), water sports, guided fishing excursions, horseback riding etc,

- Admission to the Cirque du Soleil Show La Nouba - Admission to this "must-see" show offers a truly dazzling evening of spectacular entertainment. One admission per person. Advance reservations are required and can be made up to 180 days in advance.

- PhotoPass Portrait Session - Guests receive one Portrait Session and Print Package from Disney's PhotoPass Professional Portraits Service. A portrait session includes 20-35 minutes with a Disney's PhotoPass portrait photographer resulting in dozens of professionally composed photos. Advance reservations required.

- Unlimited Admission to Select Disney Tours - Includes most tours EXCEPT Backstage Magic, Dolphins in Depth, Aqua Seas, Divequest and Holiday D-Lights. Theme park admission is required for theme park tours. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations are required. Subject to availability and schedule.

- Unlimited Admission to Select Children's Activity Centers - Kids ages 3-12 get admission to Children's Activity Centers at select Disney Resorts. Some restrictions may apply and advance reservations are required. Hours and activities vary by location. Dinner option may be offered.

- Preferred Fireworks Viewing - Enjoy preferred fireworks viewing for Wishes at Magic Kingdom and IllumiNations at Epcot. One viewing per theme park, voucher required. Advance reservations are required at least 24 hours prior and can be made up to 90 days prior to viewing date. Subject to availability, certain block-out dates apply. (One certificate per person.)


The cost: $169 per adult per day and $119 per child

And finally

Magic Your Way Platinum Package: For $229 per adult per day and $160 per child per day.   This sucker includes everything in the premium package (including dining) PLUS this:

- Itinerary Planning - Personalized Itinerary Planning is included to help with the details. A Disney Itinerary Planner will make contact up to 180 days prior to arrival.


- Magical Evening Events - Enjoy 2 spectacular entertainment events under the stars:

Reserved seating at Fantasmic! on selected nights and shows (performed Mondays and Thursdays only; schedule subject to change without notice; valid Theme Park admission and advanced reservations required; one per person; subject to availability).
A spectacular fireworks cruise to view either IllumiNations at Epcot OR Wishes at Magic Kingdom (one cruise per reservation, advance reservations required, subject to availability, Itinerary Planner will assist with reservations).

- Spa Treatment - One selected luxurious skin therapy, relaxing body treatment or manicure & pedicure is available at participating spa locations to help make your tensions melt away (one treatment per guest, age restrictions apply). Itinerary Planner will assist with reservations.

 - Richard Petty Ride-Along Experience - Guests can "ride shotgun" in a two-seat stock car driven by a professional instructor and experience the thrill of a simulated Race Qualifying Run (3 laps). One Richard Petty Ride Along Experience per room (ages 14 and up). Proof of age required. No reservations needed. Offered daily 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; operating hours subject to change due to inclement weather.

 - Disney PhotoPass CD - As a remembrance of your trip, you will receive one Disney's PhotoPass Photo CD per room, created especially for Magic Your Way Platinum Package Guests.The Photo CD is only redeemable online and DOES NOT include the photos from your Portrait Session.

- In-Room Babysitting - One-on-one in-room babysitting is provided by Kids Nite Out. The caregivers will provide individual attention to your child right in the comfort of your Disney Resort room. Itinerary Planner can assist with advance reservations.



Hope all this helps a little with Disney understanding. I'll be taking a crack at many different areas of explaining Disney in the future, so if you have any questions, let me know!