Disney's Food and Wine Festival

Can I just say delish? Fabulous? Divine?

Last weekend hubby and I went on a date (!!!!!!!) to Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. And let me tell you was so fun. We took about 3 hours to walk around the lake, stopping at different countries along the way.

Our first stop was Argentina where we ate Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree. I think that was my favorite.

Then we headed to Mexico for a Tamal de Pollo. Yum...

South Korea was there for the first time! They had kimchi slaw!

Oh and then there was Italy. I just love Italian food and I wasn't disappointed. We ordered baked cheese ravioli and Cannolo Al Cioccolato and ate it on the steps overlooking the lagoon while listening to Sister Hazel. How cool is that?

At Australia, we ate the Grilled Lamp Chop with Roasted Potato Salad and Red Wine Reduction. I have to say that the lamb wasn't as good as when we ate in Australia, but I would still recommend it.

Then to complete the night we had the dessert trio of Strawberry Angel Verrine, Pear Streusel Pudding Cake, Dark Chocolate Sensation, and Rose Imperial.


The festival runs until Nov. 14th so there's still time to head over for some good food!

Disney Tip #1

Since I live right around the corner from the happiest place on earth, I thought I'd add in some Disney tips on my blog. I've been to Disney, oh about 20 million times (okay, so I work there too seasonally).

Yeah, I'm addicted. I'm a fan. I'm a Disney girl.

One turnoff for many people is the crowds. If that's the case for you, then this time of the year is the time to go. September through early November and then again in January until spring break time, the crowds are substantially less. And not only will you find the crowds have thinned, thus making the lines shorter, but the weather is perfect in the fall. Not too hot, not too cold. No humidity.

Now if you must go in the summer or you love Disney at Christmas (who wouldn't?), but those crowds still get to you, then hit the coffee pot and get there early.

We usually get there as soon as the park opens (BTW, it's cooler in the mornings!) to do all the rides we can, watch a show and then catch lunch before we head back home. I'm always amazed at the streams of people who enter the park between 10:30 and noon. I suppose I shouldn't blame them. They're on vacation, have slept in, eaten a yummy Disney breakfast and meandered to the park.

So think Disney in the autumn and you if can't swing that, get to the parks early to hit all the rides you've been dying to ride.

The End

I finally finished Mockingjay. Took me long enough and it was no fault of how good the book was. Purely me being busy. But it got me thinking about endings.

One of the things that pushed me to keep reading Mockingjay was I needed to know the answers.

Does Katniss survive? Who does she end with- Peeta or Gale?

For me:

• A good book propels the reader to the end
• An end must be satisfying
• An end should answer most of the reader's questions
• An end could reveal a surprise twist
• An end should complete the a character's emotional journey

How about you? What do you need in a good ending? And while we are chatting about endings, check out J.A. Palermo's blog post over at the Paper Wait on leading readers to turn the page.