February 19, 2015: Elisa's Florida Road Trip: Day 6

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Chillaxin' at Saratoga Springs

Happy Throwback Thursday from Disney World!!

Here I am - my sixth day of my Florida Road trip and today is going to be a very mellow day.  My gang is pretty bushed for trekking these parks for the past 4 days.  So, no specific schedule today - gonna just play the day by ear.

Leaving EPCOT last night

As for me, I'm headed for the Fitness Center and plan to stay as long as my little heart desires, since I have no reason to rush.

I'm thinking it's probably a good day to go over to  Downtown Disney for some much needed shopping and some dinner later!  I have not bought a thing since arriving here! That is truly a miracle for me.  I do, however, have a number of souvenirs on my list that I need to purchase, so that is on my "to do" list for tonight.

In other news, let me give you the low down on yesterday's fun-filled day in EPCOT!   

The Good News first....We hit some great attractions including my number favorite...SOARIN'!

This virtual reality ride simulates flying or "soaring" through the air above some of the most beautiful and scenic locations throughout California.  

The sensation is amazing as the ride is full of scents and a strong breeze, as "passengers" are lifted high in the air as they glide through the sky over water, ski slopes, vineyards and more.

Here's my before and after vlog about this amazing, not-to-be-missed ride

Before Soarin':

After Soarin': 

Next was The Land, which is an educational ride that shows where our food comes from, and a look at the future eco-friendly methods for growing and farming food.  

Ellen's Energy Adventure, which is a ride back in time billions of years ago to a world filled with towering dinosaurs and pre-historic creatures to understand the beginnings of modern day energy, was part of the day as well!  Gianna was burying her head a great deal of the time, frightened of these massive beasts! lol 

(courtesy disneyworld.disney.go)

All in all, it was a terrific day!  Gianna and I even made a pitstop to Starbucks for a Passion Iced Tea and a Hot Chocolate!!

You are probably wondering ---- 
what's the BAD NEWS?

In a word - F R E E Z I N G!!!
Yes folks, it was absolutely chilly yesterday.  This weather down here has been crazy!  I was literally dressed in layers yesterday - and still found that by the end of the evening, I was chilled to the bone.

The evening was topped off with a "delicious reaps" at Chefs de France in the French pavilion.
Ce était fantastique!!! ("It was fantastique!")

Here's a little preview of some of the dishes ordered!

Gratin de Macaroni with cream and gruyere

Plat de côtes de boeuf au Cabernet (short ribs)

Today is another chilly one - not what I expected from Florida weather - but it's still better than being in New York!!

If you were wondering - it is my week for Throwback Thursday - sorry to disappoint you -
I'll be back with the rest of my China Adventure in two weeks!!

HAVE A SUPER DAY!!!! AND PLEASE CLICK TO VOTE FOR US!!! ---->>>>---->>>>

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop

Chinese New Year - Year of the Goat/Sheep

Hiya! 
Tanya here, and as I mentioned yesterday, I was going to get a manicure...
Well I followed through with that - yay!
But I went one step further and got some tips put on, so it's gonna take just wee bit for me to get use to typing with long nails (again - I kept them long for a long time until recently). 
Anyhow, Dave helped me choose the color and I just love it!

My new claws!

Yesterday, Cosette and I had also ventured off to the stables as planned to go visit the horses Dream and Star. 
They seemed so happy to have visitors! 
They were eager to come out of the pasture, taken on a short walk, and be groomed. 
And Star was a bit too curious about my phone and it seemed like she to want to taste it! 
*Which certainly wouldn't be good for my phone or for her digestion!

So, as you know today is TBT (Throwback Thursday) and while this week is Elisa's turn - she is busy having a grand time on her vacation and will be back to "work" (on TBT) in 2 weeks...
Which I totally get, as I have already been there and skipped at least one of "my weeks" (TBT or FF). 
Because unless we set up the stories before traveling - it's unlikely that we have enough energy to write some of these articles after a full day of living the joys of being on vacation! 
After all, we're so busy on some of these vacations that they are like work!

In the theme of TBT, and Elisa being at Disney World, here is my TBT pic of the week:

Holding my favorite little guy, and pregnant with Cosette

If you know me by now, you know that I love celebrating things! And in honor of the Chinese New Year, I have put together a little menu for our dinner in celebration...of which I still have to go shopping for! 
Here's what I will be making:

Spinach and Edamame Wontons
'Vegan' Crab Rangoon
Orange Glazed Tofu
Sesame Seitan with Oyster Mushrooms

Here's your TOP 15 for '15 on some Chinese Traditions for Chinese New Year and Year of the Goat:

1. The date for Chinese New Year changes each year. It always falls between January 21 and February 20, determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. 
2. The Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days, with each day holding a separate meaning. 
3. Ancient Chinese followed the lunar calendar which originated in 2600 BC. There is no exact date for the New Year and it changes each year. 
4. The second day of the New Year celebration is believed to be the birthday of all dogs; as such, all pets and stray animals are well fed by people as a ritual. 
5. The phrase 'Happy New Year' in Chinese is 'Gung Hei Fat Choi' which means 'May You Have Good Fortune'. 
6. China witnesses the world's largest human migration (famously known as Chunyan) during the festival as over a billion people board planes, trains, boats, buses, and cars to reunite with their families. 
7. Two flowers, the plum blossom and the water narcissus, are commonly associated with the Chinese New Year as symbols of 'courage and hope' and 'good luck and prosperity' respectively. 
8. On New Year's Day, the Chinese don't wash their hair as they believe it might wash away their good luck for the rest of the year. 
9. From the first day of the lunar year to the fifth, people do not sweep or clean their houses as they believe this will sweep away their good fortune. 
10. During the festivities beautiful red-coloured paper cut-outs are used to decorate doors and windows. The themes of these paper cut-outs are of happiness, good fortune, longevity and wealth. 
11. One of the traditional treats is a candied crab-apple on a stick. 
12. On the last day of Chinese New Year, everyone carries beautiful paper lanterns and walks along the streets. This is supposed to light the way for the New Year. This day is called Lantern Day. 
13. In Singapore and Malaysia, Lantern Day is their form of Valentine's Day. 
14. On Chinese New Year everyone is a year older. It doesn't matter when you were born; this is like a national birthday. 
15. No single hour in any other country sees as many tons of fireworks lighted as in China around midnight. China produces about 90% of the world's fireworks.

Now, it's about time that I go shopping! 
I've got a busy day ahead of me and I've yet again agreed to do too much! 
Gotta squeeze in Cosette's horseback riding lesson and Dominic's classes later tonight. 
And after all of the cooking and running around, it's a good thing that I don't have too much on my schedule for tomorrow - FOODIE FRIDAY!

See ya back here tomorrow for another yummy edition of FOODIE FRIDAY where I'll be featuring a restaurant that has a 'Dinosaur Egg' on the menu!
-T