Dawa Bar in Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is one my families favorite parks at Disney.  I think it's because it's so authentic.  I really truly feel like I'm in Africa when I'm there. 

This park is special to me and Keith because we spent a day here on our honeymoon in 2004.  At that time it was a little smaller because they were in the process of building Expedition Everest (my kids call it Mt. Never Rest) and we couldn't wait to come back someday and see it.

I ended up chickening out.  I was worn out from our whirlwind Florida vacation and I didn't think the ride would agree with me.  I'm also a little bit afraid of heights.

What I did enjoy was visiting the Dawa Bar in Africa.  I had read up ahead of time about all of the places to get a cocktail in Disney World and this place stood out to me.

It looks like a real bar on a street in Africa, open air....patio type place.  They also serve African wine, beer and specialty cocktails.

I'm a sucker for a specialty cocktail!

African Margarita with Sauza Gold Tequila, Van der Hum Tangerine Liqueur from South Africa, Sweet-and-Sour, and Lime Juice   $8.75

Sugar Cane Mojito  with Starr African Rum and Sugar Cane Syrup mixed with Fresh Mint, Lime, and a splash of Soda   $9.75 

Both of these cocktails were delicious and refreshing!    I would have had more....but they were also strong and I was afraid I'd get Lost in Africa!


Linking up with Becca at R We There Yet Mom for Friday Daydreamin'. 

Good Times Breakfast Burritos

Have you heard that Good Times Burgers and Frozen Custard is selling breakfast burritos?

I'd seen something on their sign about it but didn't think too much about it because I usually go to Good Times for chicken.  You thought I was going to say burgers didn't you?  Well...I like those too, but I love their chicken strips with the mustard dipping sauce.

I'm getting ready to start a journey of clean living and fitness so all of a sudden the green chili burritos were calling my name.  And then I got some coupons in the mail.

It was like I was supposed to try these lovely eggy beauties before they were banned from my life forever!

I decided to try the Egg and Cheese, Sausage and Chorizo burritos.   I skipped the bacon because I love bacon and I thought it was probably be great no matter what.

One out of my two children loved the egg and cheese and it was my husbands least favorite.   Keith and I both agreed that the sausage burrito was our favorite and had the perfect amount of spice and green chili.

These burritos are big and for $2 they are a bargain!  They are wet and full of cheese and egg.  I'd almost be tempted to say they are the perfect hand held burrito and I can't stop thinking about them.

Thank goodness they have a drive thru.....so that I can get one on the run.  And then secretly eat it in my car.

 Please don't tell my health coach.

Champs

I don't really like Champagne.

Last night, my husband insisted that we had to have some to ring in the new year.  So...off he went to the neighborhood libation store and came home with two bottles.

He's ambitious that one.

As we like to do, we decided to do a bit of a taste test.

Like always....we didn't like the same one.  I liked the less expensive Cooks and he liked the more expensive but still super affordable Korbel.

This could turn me into one of those highfalutin ladies that drinks Champs all the time....like on The Real Housewives of Somewhere Expensive.  Something tells me they aren't drinking either one of these.

That's okay....more for me!

Cherrie Tassies

I was invited to my first Holiday Cookie Exchange and I fretted over which cookies to bring!  I wanted to impress my fellow cookie exchangers and decided it was a bad time to try a new recipe.

I made these for my first Holiday Tea Party many years ago.  They were a huge hit and I do not remember them sticking to the pan.  A Pam and all stickiness was gone!

Cherry Tassies
adapted from BHG recipe

1 1/4 cups butter, softened              1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar             1    tsp almond extract
1 tsp baking powder                        1 egg
1/2 tsp salt                                       2 1/2  cups flour

Preheat oven to 360 F.  In large mixing bowl beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds.  Gradually, beat in the powdered sugar, the baking powder and salt.  Beat in extracts and egg. Beat in as much of the flour as you can; stir in remaining flour.

Spray a small muffin cup pan with Pam, shape dough into one inch balls and lay each ball into a muffin cup.  Poke each ball gently with your finger and then stick a cherry in the hole.  Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then carefully pry the tassies out of the cups.  Makes 48 tassies, unless they don’t come out of the pan right, then it makes 10.

Chefs De France

We spent an amazing day exploring EPCOT and I didn't expect to eat at such a fancy place.  I fully expected to just get something quick and easy and maybe a glass of wine somewhere.

My husband had a plan.  Which really....is so rare of him.   I love being surprised and was shocked to learn that he had made reservations for our family to eat dinner at Chefs De France in France!

The restaurant is beautiful with golden walls and I felt transported.  Our wait staff spoken to us in french and I tried out my rusty high school french and realized it was too long ago and gave up.

My husband ordered a bottle of wine!  Oh...I felt so fancy!

I could not wait to order and started with Bisque de Homard (Lobster Bisque).  I had this soup once before when iKeith and I were dating and I was anxious to have it again.  It was delicious and creamy...with a mound of fresh lobster in the center.  I could have just eaten this and been very happy!

For my main course, I went with the Plat de cote de boeuf au cabernet avec pates - Beef short ribs braised in Cabernet with pasta, pearl onions and mushrooms.  It was served over noodles.  The ribs were so tender and seasoned so well!  I loved every single bite.

For dessert, I enjoyed Creme Brulee.  By this point I was so full that I decided to share with my husband.  Normally, I wouldn't let him touch my favorite dessert but I was feeling generous.

My husband enjoyed the Coquille St Jacques et crevette. gnocchis Provencales - Seared scallops and shrimps served with gnocchis, provencales (tomato, peppers and fresh herbs. - and my kids each had a flat bread pizza.

At the end of our meal, we were surprised by a visit from Ratatouille!

Click here for Chefs De France Menu.

Army-Navy Game Beer Flight

iKeith is a West Point Graduate.  I've always been very proud of this and I've learned all of the lingo.  Earlier this year, some of my husband's classmates friended me on facebook and I became more interested in the game. 

The football game.

It takes a special kind of person to be a Rabbel Rouser for Army.  They don't win many games and their outfits are kind of ugly.  But I made a point of watching most of the games and not being too disappointed when they lost.

Ironically, the only game I didn't see, against Air Force....they won.

We had big plans for this year's Army-Navy Game!  We'd been invited to watch the game with other alumni at a country club in Aurora and we really wanted to go.  Then the Brazilian babysitter I had lined up left the country without permission and we didn't know if she'd be able to come back so we didn't buy the tickets.  (she's back...everything's fine)

We also failed to order shirts to wear so we changed our plans and just watched the beginning of the game at Buffalo Wild Wings.  Man,  I love hot wings!

iKeith had this and it was really good!  I love judging tasting small amounts of beer.

 

Sadly, Army lost for the 11th year in a row.

Better luck next year!

How To Judge a Cake Competition

A month or so ago, my friend Jenny Ford asked if I'd be interested in judging a chocolate competition.  I thought about it for about 15 seconds and said YES!

This is the first time I've judged anything professionally (I'm totally putting this experience on Linked In) but iKeith and I judge things all the time.  People's outfits, people's children and beer.  We've judged many glasses of beer.

I was happy that someone finally saw my potential for judging people things!

This was fourth year for the Holiday Chocolate Festival at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.  You will find over 60 vendors available for all of your holiday needs.  Do you need a truffle that is infused with Rosemary for your dear foodie friend?  How about a beautiful belt buckle or pair of earrings?  Have you always wanted to see a dress made out of candy wrappers?  They have so many unique gifts that you're sure to find something you're loved one will adore.

But that's not all!  They also have entertainment.  Next year, I'm leaving my family at home so that I can enjoy wine/beer and chocolate pairing classes and live singing. I'm also going to stay at The Broadmoor ALL BY MYSELF.

There is also a competition.  The catagories are as follows:

• Cakes and Cupcake: Top 'Holiday Themed' Cake
• Chocolate and Sweets: Top Sweets Item, Top Chocolate (non-truffle item)
• Truffles: Grand Champion Truffle, Best Tradition Truffle, and Best Non-Traditional

I judged the Cakes and Cupcake division and let me tell you....tasting and judging eight cakes is hard work.  It is not for the faint of heart or the diabetic!  I will never eat cake again without thinking about the layers of flavor, the consistency of the frosting and the moisture level of the cake.

The cake that I loved the very most, was the Baileys Hot Chocolate Cupcake. It had the most delicious marshmallow-like filling and it even smelled like Hot Chocolate with a shot of Irish Creme.  And the presentation was adorable!

Things you need to judge cake:

• A clipboard and score card
• A pencil (instead of a pen) so you can erase when you make mistakes
• Wine Water to cleanse your palate between cakes
• Detailed description of the cakes you are tasting
• Pictures of the cakes you are tasting 
• Non-drapey clothes so that you don't get frosting on your jacket
• Good friends with discerning palates to taste with

Whatever you do, no matter how much you love the cake.  Do not hug the cake.

About the judge: