November 24, 2015

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 5 DAYS!

One Heck of a Big Shopping Day!

Well I'm home again, and today is my most dreaded shopping day of the year.

This week is just gonna be crazy crazy crazy!
I know that Friday will get here one way or another, but right now that is about the next time I’ll be able to finally catch my breath.

So I’m going to dive right in and get to everything that needs to be done and that starts with tackling my big, no make that HUGE shopping list; 
For our big Thanksgiving Day menu, and while I’m at it I will be shopping for Dominic’s Birthday Menu as well (which falls on Sunday).

I hope and pray that I can get all of the things on my list this morning and afternoon.

I’m starting out with 7 stores and if all goes well then all I will need is a stop at the Farmers Market tomorrow morning for some Zucchini Blossoms and then I will be done with the shopping.
Because boy oh boy do I have a lot to accomplish in the kitchen both tomorrow and Thursday!
We're talking pulling some crazy hours...

And of course this coming right off of our lovely and adventurous trip to Yosemite National Park.

We started making our way back to SoCal after finding out that the truck only had a bad coil, so we got the truck repaired and were on our way!

Well just as I figured, we had got home from Yosemite late last night, after hitting tons upon tons of that wonderful Los Angeles traffic!
We made a pit stop along the way and grabbed some grub so that I didn’t need to cook after our long day of travel. ​​

Grabbing grub at Organix

Massive traffic

While we were traveling Cosette came up with a little game of
“What makes you think of the Holidays?”
and here are some of the answers that we came up with…
The Food - Long lines in stores - Decorations - Arguing - Gifts - Boat parade - Roaring Fire in the Fireplace - Glow of the Christmas tree when going to bed - Game Nights - Empty wrapping paper tubes - Martinelli's - Coldness - Christmas songs - Shopping for Christmas tree - The Nutcracker - Finding pine needles everywhere!

How would your family answer this question?

So today for Travelin’ Tuesday I’m going to share with you a gripe, a travel tip, and the TOP 5 activities for Santa Catalina Island.

My gripe - I figure I should get it over with and so we can move on…
Yesterday I had mentioned a bit about the "Premier Lodge" Ahwahnee Hotel.
Well today I really have to share with you my wonders about how lousy the hotel management is upholding the standards of which are expected by a hotel listed as one of the most distinctive resort hotels in North America should be..

During my short visit I had noticed:
A. A sign that is not being enforced.

B. An individual laying under a blanket underneath a table.

C. Families just camping out.

D. Shoes off and feet on the table.

E. Belongings draped over the furnishings to hold the spots of the couch.

F. A sign posted which represents what must have already taken place. 

So needless to say that witnessing all of these shenanigans definitely took from my experience.
None of the actions that were taking place were consistent with the manner for which was intended for the premises and seemed far less than what is expected when you enter a place that is listed as a distinctive resort/hotel of North America!
Vent complete - Based on these findings I personally would not care to stay at this hotel.

Now on to a Travel tip that I came across yesterday from Travel + Leisure, about how Monday is the WORST day to travel on! 
CLICK HERE TO READ

And lastly my Travel talk - after all of our food comas pass, my little gang of 4 is taking the Catalina Flyer over to Catalina Island for some downtime and Christmas shopping! FUN!

The kids have never been and each time that Dave and I go over for the Catalina Gran Fondo Bike Race they wonder and ask about it. So now we are taking them and hopefully they enjoy it!

Be sure to join us tomorrow for W2GW, when I will be sharing with you the TOP 5 Things to do on Catalina Island!!

And that is just about gonna wrap it up for me - it's time for me to hit the stores!

Wish me luck,
​-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 24 DAYS

Food Shopping and Things to do in South Florida

Welcome back!!
Only two days left till Turkey Day!!

A big Welcome Home from Yosemite to Tanya and gang.

You know, it's funny because I was totally thinking about her as I was writing out my shopping list yesterday, and here today, I see her blog is all about her overwhelming shopping day today.

Tanya leads her gang each year for Thanksgiving in preparing a huge Vegan Feast!!   I found myself imagining what kind of day she was going to have today gathering her necessities.

Last year, we had the joy of spending Thanksgiving together at my house on Long Island. It was the first time in over 35 years that I spent a holiday with my "little" cousin.  

Yes, if you remember, Tanya was in New York for Thanksgiving last year and so not only did we get to spend the day together, but we also worked together in the month prior, planning our menu and eventually shopping together!

​Preparation included "veganizing" many of the dishes.  It was a great holiday!!

Love these memories of last year!!

THANKSGIVING 2014 - THE WHOLE FAM SHOPPING TOGETHER FOR OUR BIG MEAL TOGETHER

We were hysterical at the "mountain of Yams"

TRAVELIN' NEWS
I was sorry to hear the negative reviews from Tanya of "Premier Lodge" Ahwahnee Hotel.

Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park - not upholding the standards of a premier lodge

Tanya and I are both very sophisticated travelers and with that also comes tolerance. So, it should be noted that when we give a thumbs down review, it usually comes with good reason.

Sounds like a Hotel that is listed as one of the most distinctive resort hotels in North America, as is the Ahwahnee Hotel, should be.. to quote Tanya.

Too bad, but better we tell you about the places to avoid to save you time and a bad experience on your travels.

LOOKING AHEAD...
I can't believe I have only have 24 days till i leave for Florida.  This is a very different year because my mom and dad left for their Winter home in Boca Raton earlier than usual and will not be in New York for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. (insert sad face)

That was the impetus for me to spend Christmas in Florida.  

Although Boca Raton and the surrounding areas of South Florida have become like a second home for me and the kids, there are still "things to do" and places to see as a "tourist" that I hope to put into my itinerary for this trip.  

How will I narrow down my list!!! There are so many great things to do and see!!
 
Jungle Island - Miami, FL http://www.jungleisland.com/
With a 75 year history, Jungle Island combines the beauty of Miami’s tropical landscape with a jungle full of animals from around the globe.

Miami Seaquarium - Miami, FL http://www.miamiseaquarium.com/
I think the girls would love to get up close and personal with the dolphins!!!
 
Everglades National Park http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and a  a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, it is home to  numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee,  American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.

Everglades Alligator Farm – Florida City, FL http://www.everglades.com/
Everglades Alligator Farm contains more than 2,000 alligators! Glide across the everglades on one of our guided airboat tours. Alligator, snake, and wildlife shows are performed hourly.
 
MacArthur Beach State Park - Palm Beach, FL http://macarthurbeach.org/
Two miles of pristine beach and swimming, snorkeling and fishing in the clear blue waters of the Atlantic as well as the Nature & Welcome Center, Beach Outfitters Gift Shop, Kayak Rentals, a children’s playground, nature trails, and picnicking facilities.
 
Lion Country Safari - Loxahatchee, FL http://www.lioncountrysafari.com/
This sounds like fun!! Florida’s only drive-through safari and walk-through amusement park invites you to spend the day on safari with over 900 animals. With animal displays and encounters, animal feeding experiences, 9 rides, water sprayground, food, shopping and more, you are sure to have a memorable experience at Lion Country Safari.
 
Jungle Queen Riverboat – Fort Lauderdale, FL http://www.junglequeen.com/
Not sure the kiddies would enjoy this, but, sure sounds like fun for the adults!!  90 minute and 3 hour cruises available with varying themes.
 
Museum of Discovery & Science – Fort Lauderdale, FL
http://www.mods.org/home.htm
Great interactive exhibits including an IMAX theatre!

Water Taxi – Fort Lauderdale, FL http://www.watertaxi.com/
The Water Taxi experience is like a trolley tour! You pay one fare and can hop on and off all day. The Water Taxi Tour has a total of 18 stops including  several beach locations as well as Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. The Water Taxi staff narrates the scenes along the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Coconut Cove Water Park – Boca Raton, FL http://www.pbcgov.com/parks/aquatics/waterparks/coconutcove/
What more can we say about a water park - kids love them!!!
 
Rapids Water Park – West Palm Beach, FL http://www.rapidswaterpark.com/
Good to know there is another water park a little bit further in West Palm Beach!!
 
I plan to visit the websites with the girls and see if we can make some group decisions about what we can put on our to do list during our trip!!

Here's to a wonderful day!!

-E
xoxo