Epcot Adventure

Last Friday night, Carrie invited us to go to the International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot. We were totally excited because we had had a blast a couple of years ago when we went. And, my good friends from work Janice and Tony (they're married) got to come too! So it was: Carrie and Mike, Angie, Lexia and her daughter O., Janice and Tony, and Darin and me. Fun fun fun.

Note: Did you know that EPCOT stands for: Environmental Prototype Community of Tomorrow? You didn't, did you.

Back to the adventure... please remember that this really was my experience. So you get to read about the food and alcohol I ate and drank. Yeah. And also remember that I like to eat, but I was on a budget. Because I'm getting married in six months. Yikes..

So Janice, Tony, Darin, and I drove all together and got to the Boardwalk a little bit early (my fault) so we started the night off walking around, eating taffy, and drinking a beer at the ESPN Zone.

Met up with the rest of the crowd and went in to get some soup.

In Canada.

Got the Cheddar cheese soup and Mission Hill Chardonnay.

That's Canada for you.
(Janice, Del, and Tony)

Wine #1.

* This soup was good. Needed more. Lots more.

Next stop was France. Both Darin and Tony were wanting the escargot, but weren't sure whether it was too early in the night to eat snails... it wasn't.

Yes, that's a snail (in a tiny piece of bread) in Tony's mouth.



Lexia, Carrie, Angie, and O.
(They stopped by England without us and got beer.)

In France, Janice and I got the creme brulee (it was milk chocolate. sigh.), and I got a glass of Gorges Dubocuf Hobnob Chardonnay. Darin got his escargot persillade en brioche (and shared!). Yes I ate snails. They were good. And they don't look like slugs in any way. Shiver.

Next was Louisiana for praline bread pudding. I'm not even going to comment because I want some right now. Darin got the seafood gumbo. And I missed a photo-op with a giant bottle of Tabasco. Sad.

Then Janice and Tony stopped by Morocco (right? somewhere, I don't remember), Darin and I went to New Zealand, and everyone else went to Japan.

Aren't we cute. We're in New Zealand

In New Zealand we waited forever for our lamb sliders (which were good but too much), and I got some Villa Maria Souvignon Blanc. I switched it up a little. I'm cool like that.

We then all got together again in Japan where I had my spicy tuna roll. So good. Made me get a little bit more food in my stomach.

Ang, Del, Carrie, and Janice!

And then there was Germany.

The last time we had gone (in 2005 maybe?), it was Lexia, Carrie, and my goal to drink as many flights of wine as possible. Or wine in general, I guess. It's a more cost efficient way of drinking wine.

Germany has such a thing. Three glasses of wine for seven dollars. Good deal.

Rieslings. Three of them.
Brought to us by a very nervous German.



They made me.
And it's a wine shot. Not recommended.

That took awhile, maybe like 15 minutes? Our server guy was strange, fidgety, and kept giving us new glasses. Like we got over 5 glasses each and used 3. He was an interesting German.

Somehow it was close to 9 pm, which is when the park closed, and we weren't close to being done. Must eat/drink more!

Got to India:

Tony got the last beer.

And we had had super good samosas! Spicy and hot! Numm num. Darin and Tony got the shrimp dish (don't remember the name). They said it was the best food yet!

Then was China and the Chicken Sha Cha aka chicken on a stick. Best value overall. My opinion. We love our food on a stick, and honestly were looking for more foods on a stick at the festival. Oh well.

The fireworks extravaganza was about to start - it's a Disney thing - but we still had my most favorite place to go in Epcot.

Norway.

I love Norway.

It's my favorite place to go in Epcot because of the cheesy ride and troll to greet you at the end. So fun. (Even better after having wine/beer from all over the country/world.)

A Darin sandwich.
(He looks too happy...)

Girls with the troll.

Boys with the troll.

How can you think that's not the best thing ever?

Then it was time to leave. Tear.

But for some reason (Carrie.) we had to stop again in England to get another beer.

Janice and the cute glasses.

Me with a snakebite.
Shiver.

And then we had to finish said beer in the 100 meters it took to walk to the back gate. So we chugged it.

Del, Darin, and Carrie



Angie and Tony

I have to give credit to Ang and Tony for drinking most of my beer. And Darin's beer too. It was too much. And not like Bud Lite and easy to chug. Nope. A snakebite and Boddingtons.

We all had a blast. I love Epcot. And Norway. And creme brulee. And chicken on a stick.

So much fun. You should join us next year!

For Your Entertainment

We laid sod today. It was fun.

Jake stayed inside for most of the day (sleeping on the bed), but did come out to see what we were up to.

Then he came back inside and was hot.

I gave him some ice - to cool him off.

This is what he does. (Make sure the volume is turned up.)

He is one entertaining dog.

Can you hear the bubbles?

Introducing: The Bridesmaids

In the far corner of the United States, there is the terrific state of Washington and the wonderful ever rainy Seattle.

State facts:
State Capitol - Olympia
State Bird - Willow Goldfinch (I like birds. Deal with it.)
State Song - Washington, My Home
State Fossil - Mammoth
State Dance - Square Dance (Oh yea!)
State Vegetable - Onion

I could go on and on... but there are also apples, coffee, and ... my parents.

And my sister, Dru. Bridesmaid #1.

We met when I was born or so I assume. She was mean to me when I was little and has much improved. I call her first and always. She is my best friend.


In the other corner of the US, a little to the west and not actually in the US, but Canada... is Guelph, Ontario.

Provence facts:
* I was all excited about the State facts, it kind of translates.
Provence Capital - Toronto
Provence Bird - Common Loon (that's funny.)
Provence Song - A Place to Stand
Provence Fossil - unfortunately unknown
Provence Dance - unfortunately unknown
Provence Vegetable - stupid Provencals for not having this information available

There lives Dr./Ms. Katherine Christa or KC, Bridesmaid #2.

Casey is my other sister. That's the easiest way to explain to people how much she means to me.


In the lower corner, if we sidetrack again to the Western United States to the third largest state, we come to California. The city of San Diego to be more exact.

State facts:
State Capitol - Sacramento
State Bird - California Valley Quail (yikes.)
State Song - I love you, California
State Fossil - Sabertooth tiger
State Dance - West Coast Swing (now that's more like it.)
State Vegetable - None. Very sad, really.

Here lives Melissa, Bridesmaid #3.

Melissa is the friend that makes me cry/laugh/smile/shout for joy. She is wonderful in every way.


And last, but not least, in the center corner is the beautiful, corn-filled, soybean harvesting, pizza making, Illinois. Chicago, Illinois.

State facts:
State Capitol - Springfield
State Bird - Cardinal
State Song - Illinois, Illinois
State Fossil - Tully Monster
State Dance - Square Dance (not too creative, hmm?)
State Vegetable - None. But I'm voting for corn.

Here lives Julie, Bridesmaid #4.

Jules is crazy, down-hearted, and the one who makes me special. I have always felt we have a bond that just magically appeared one day and hasn't weakened.


I'm so glad that they all will share my wedding day with me.

Third Times a Charm: Birthday X 3

Well... on Sunday night Darin and I met his folks, Keay and Carol, and sister and BIL, Diana and Goestov for dinner at the new Irish restaurant near where they live. We (Darin and I) had been meaning to go there for the longest time, so were very excited about finally getting there. And having a Guinness. Or me having a Guinness, I guess. Darin wanted to try the shepherds pie...

It was fun, as always. And they had sweet potato fries which were awesome. Next time I'll get the Irish stew, but was so taken away by the idea of sweet potato fries that I just got a burger.

So good.

Afterwords, we walked back to Darin's parents house for dessert. Carol had made banana pudding for me (I love pudding. Never did until Ophelia, the cook at my sorority house in college, would make it. Now I love pudding...), and they had got me presents!

Ahh birthday joy.

Keay, Carol, and Diana



Diana and Gustov
(How cute are they?)

Carol and Keay got me a wonderful orchid (which I hope I won't kill) that was huge, and Diana and Goestov got me a hummingbird feeder and a wasp trapper.

When I opened the presents, I asked Darin if he had hinted to Diana and Carol about things I wanted... they were such perfect gifts. I guess great minds think alike!!

The wasp thing was funny because they were hanging at Paul and Ann's house in South Carolina, and Darin and I couldn't figure out how the wasps got in them. Oh well. (They get in from the bottom and can't get out. We didn't realize there was a hole in them.)

How beautiful?



Darin and I with the hummingbird feeder

We all had a really good time and enjoyed the pudding. It's so nice to be so close to family when celebrating birthdays.

* Margie and Bob - you notice my new shirt!

Opa!

Well, we went out again for Greek food.

Carrie sent out this cool link about Orlando Magical Dining, which offers $19/meal per person at all of these great restaurants in Orlando/Winter Park. We decided on Taverna Opa which was in Point Orlando.

So good.

But it was very loud. And did I mention loud?

They danced around the restaurant, threw napkins up in the air, danced on tables, and had a fire-dancer woman that liked Darin.

Napkins, napkins, everywhere...

We got to choose different items from a limited menu, but it was actually too much. I couldn't finish my baklava. (So sad.)

We were stuffed.

Darin



Del



Carrie and Mike



Kerry and Edith

How does THAT sound.

Great Friday night festivities!

Twenty Eight Years Later

You get the reference? (It's pretty stupid, beware.)

My birthday was on Tuesday.

We celebrated it on Wednesday.

(It's never too late to celebrate birthdays. Never.)

Darin had invited some friends of mine over for a nice simple dinner. There was: Anupama and Kucku (very good friends who moved down from Clemson with me), Kerry and Edith (Kerry's girlfriend who lives in London), and Mike (Darin's best friend and my very good friend too).

We had tacos.

Darin made dinner. Kerry and Edith helped (and made this tasty drink - Pimms - Edith had brought from London. They added Sprite, cucumbers, strawberries, mint, and ice), and Kucku, Anu, and I talked.

* note, the pictures were fuzzy because I had my camera set on the wrong setting. sorry.

Anupama and Kucku.

Me.



Darin, Jake, and I.

Now for as long as I can remember, I've had a special birthday cake. I mean, not special per se, just bought with care? Does that make sense?

My first year in college, my mom had one of my friends go to the neighborhood bakery (which happened to be Merritt's for all those Tulsa people out there) and get me a cake. For my 18th birthday. And it was special because my mom made the great effort to get me a cake. Whether it was in Tulsa, Clemson, Pawleys, or here in Orlando, cakes had to be my favorite part of my birthday.

Darin got me one from Cold Stone.

Ahhh.

It was chocolate cake with Oreo/sweet cream ice cream.

And the presents were great too.

Thanks for the phone calls, ecards, and well wishes!

South Carolina Visit: Day Five

The day we returned to reality.

(And also my 28th birthday, I might add.)

We got up, cleaned the house a bit, and left to hit Atlanta about 10 ish. Didn't get any traffic basically the whole day - probably because it was Tuesday.

I really wanted to stop at Atlanta Underground because I swear they used to have a Cafe du Monde... but I think it's gone. Glad we didn't stop.

We were making good time so decided to go to Cracker Barrel for some Del's-birthday lunch, not really. But it sounded good and WAS good. (I always get the same thing. Dru do you know what it is? Chicken dumplings, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and corn. Starch. Good tasty starch.)

By the way: driving 9 hours in your car on your birthday was not fun.

Got home around 6 pm: Darin went to get a cute bear/monkey for me and some cheesecake.

And he sang me happy birthday.

He's sweet like that.

And that was that. (Birthday celebration to come.)

South Carolina Visit: Day Four

Though our visit up here was really for us to just get away and relax, we really only wanted to do one thing: hike.

Darin and I both love to hike (not like hiking from Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods about the Appalachian Trail - who happens to my favorite author, by the way), but just good day hikes. With a car nearby. And a house within driving distance of said car. Okay, that's my ideal hike. Darin has done two to three day hikes with camping. He was crazy in his younger years.

Around Clemson, there were tons of trails for us to do. When I was living there, we'd hike around a lot of the places and just have a really fun time. I really miss that aspect of South Carolina and it's one of the main reasons I want to move back up to the Carolinas one day.

Anyways...

We went on two main hikes:

(1) Issaqueena Falls

This one was pretty easy actually - just probably 15 minutes from where we parked. But it was super steep and we were kind of afraid Bodie would plummet to his death (not really, honestly), but that dog just ran down. He had the best time jumping over downed trees and climbing up rocks. You'd think he was a total trail dog!

Before the actual hike.

Darin leadin' the way!



Issaqueena Falls.

Aww, weren't we cute.



Darin though this was the coolest thing.
It's supposed to be of him rock climbing, but I messed it up
by not chopping his feet of with the camera.

Also around the start of the trail was the Stumphouse Tunnel. It's this scary tunnel built by a railroad company to connect Charleston, SC to Cincinnati, OH back before "the war between the states" also known as the Civil War. Man, living in the South... we walked a little ways in it. But I was scared. Darin would have totally walked all the way in if we would have had a camera.

Outside the entrance.

Scary tunnel.

Then we drove across the street to the next waterfall...

(2) Yellow Branch Falls

Now this monster was long. I get tired, you see. But we made the trip 1.3 miles each way... and though both Bodie and I needed a nap, it was worth the walk.

Beginning of the trail... first of three bridges.

Yellow Branch Falls

Also that day we got to go to dinner with my very good friends, Emily and Phil. Here they were on their wedding day... in SC, I think.

Aww.

I knew Phil from my other good friend Christian (they were in the same department there), and Phil liked to drink beer because he's from England. Ha. So, we got along well. Emily at the time was living in Greenville, so I only got to see her every once in awhile (she's super funny), but turned into a great friend as well. I even went over to Hull, England in 2004/2005 to be at their wedding and it was an event I'll never ever forget... it was SO great to see them again - you guys better come down to Sea World. Phil, the dolphins want to meet you!

At Spill the Beans.

We also got to meet their dog, Masie, and cat, JoJo (not sure on the spellings...). Thanks guys - we had a BLAST!

How sweet was she?
(And those are Emily's feet...)

After that, Darin and I headed back to Paul and Ann's and started getting ready for the trip home the next day. Boo.

Another great day in South Carolina.

South Carolina Visit: Day Three

Today was the "day of semi-exploration".

(Which can also be considered as the day we got lost.)

Got up and headed to Brevard, North Carolina to visit my Auntie Pat and Uncle Bill. Every summer they go up there to get away from the Florida heat (they live in Naples), and when I was living in Clemson I'd drive up there to bug them for a little bit. A couple of years my cousins and their kids would go as well and we'd ALL get to bug them. Ha.

Darin hadn't met them yet so... off we went.

The mountains.

Now, I normally am a big fan of mapquest.com. I always us the website to get directions. Just do. For some reason this time I decided to use google maps instead (I think it's because I like the real life pictures).

Bad. Idea.

Also remember that I've driven up there before (though it's been a couple of years). I'm pretty good with remembering places and weird landmarks, it's something I take pride in. Sigh.

We left to go up Highway 11 (so beautiful, people. Amazing.), and then took this 'sidetrack' way about in the middle-of-nowhere NC, and ended up going up a "No Thru Outlet" road.

Hmm. Not a good sign when you are well nowhere.

But with Darin's wise help (he just guessed, really), we found the back West entrance to their subdivision. And my aunt and uncle came and saved us.

The end.

Not really.

Got to their house and explored the pier a little.

The Lake.

Del and Darin.

Del on pier.

Uncle Bill and Auntie Pat.
(How funny is this picture. Love you guys!)

Had a great time visiting. Ate some nummy lunch and watched the hummingbirds dive bomb each other. It's quite entertaining really. Man, were those little guys territorial.

Drove back home (without getting lost, mind you...) and were going to go swimming in the lake, but took a nap instead.

Got up, got hungry, and got food.

Schlotzskys to be exact. Holy cow. So good. They don't have these in Florida anymore or eastern Carolina either, and neither Darin nor I had had one in forever. We almost went back the next day. Rented Jumper and called it a night.