Coming backAs I sit here at my laptop, I think ... "How am I going to do this?" Where do I start? What am I going to talk about? HOW am I going to even begin writing about the journey that I have been on?
Countless times have I started typing and set aside a few words, a paragraph or two, or even a whole page. Though, I never did post. I didn't think I was ready. Thoughts, feelings, insights, etc... entries in my email or journal, in personal texts, on scraps of paper, or swimming in my mind. And I am finally deciding to bring it all together. To share my burdens, my joys, my strengths and weaknesses, my insights, ... my life; this blog is no longer just about food. And if there's an ear out there, I am blessed. And perhaps I can bring truth to your world, as God has brought it to mine. Truth. About our purpose here. Truth. About my struggles. Truth. About my joys. Truth. About health. Truth. About our world. There are so many lies we were born or taught into believing and their manifestations are far beyond UgLy. But when we learn the Truth, we can make the changes we need to be better for our Lord and Savior. The changes that perfect us and make us new. I am becoming new. It is no easy journey and I am certainly not through, but I will no longer let the waiting period dictate the postponement of sharing my story. And so let it begin. This is my story... |
"Food is an infinitely rich subject, and there's always something about it to understand better, something new to discover, a fresh source of interest, ideas, and delight." |
Hey there folks. Since Captain's Grille, I've gone to many-a-restaurant, but I'm not going to blog too meticulously about any resorts and the restaurants within, though I may mention one. And that one is Olivia's Cafe, at Disney's Old Key West Resort. But if you're following the pictures, you'll notice a photo of tea and really healthy platters. This was Dandelion. My boyfriend, Travis, took us out there for lunch. It's a very hipster sort of restaurant, though I'd be more inclined to call it a cafe. To me, cafes are more fresh and non-traditional, with really healthy options. In general, they seem to do more research on the origin and general facts of the food (non-GMO, organic, RBST free, etc). But, they don't compromise for the quality of their dishes. The best are those which assemble their plates with some of the oddest of ingredients and not only make it work, but pull it off exceptionally well. This is dandelion, in my opinion. Though maybe its my naivety with vegan food, as this cafe is vegan (with dairy options, though!). Nevertheless, this was my second time here and I implore you to go. (http://dandelioncommunitea.com/) The next day my friend Jen and I went out to Olivia's Cafe for lunch. Now, cafe ... restaurant.... I would call this a restaurant. Maybe cafe feels more like a quick-service and a restaurant more of a sit-down venue. I had only been there once before and that was about 9-10 months ago! And the funny thing was, I got the same thing: burger with tomatoes, avocado, grilled shrimp, cheese, and mango sauce on a pineapple-coconut roll, with a side of coleslaw. Last time it was on a long rectangular pineapple-coconut roll and the burger patty was shaped accordingly. I liked this better. More traditional, perhaps? Jen got a fried shrimp BLT and very much enjoyed it. The nice thing about the restaurant is the set-up and the fact that they greet your table with a "Welcome Home!" There was a history about the restaurant's theme, but I'll leave that to your own researching :). Last Friday I headed North up to PA to surprise a few individuals for the week. My Papa's 90th surprise birthday party was the next day and my dad flew me home. There was NOO way that I was going to miss that. Being home, I've been contacting everyone and anyone I can to make sure to see them at least once. Breakfast, lunch, coffee/tea, or dinner and a good conversation is all that I really look for. There's something really special about one-on-one time with people. There are conversations that will never come about if a third person is in your presence. And I understand that to be untrue in a sense (there are conversations missed without that third person!), but I still stand on that statement. Yesterday I went out to lunch with my friend Natalie and went out to dinner with my dad at Two Rivers Grille (http://www.tworiversgrille.com/). I know, one restaurant and twice in one day? Well it's Just. That. Good. In my opinion... Today I head back to the Sunshine State and I can't Wait!
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Well a very Happy New Year and a very belated Merry Christmas! There have been very few moments of down time in my life over the past few weeks, so I am a tad bit behind on my blog. With that said, I have been enjoying the company of others through Christmas parties, shifts at work, and general get-togethers and outings. Of course, when there are people, there is often food. And with so many events, I can only promise a large slideshow of pictures. And, as you may have noticed by the title of this blog, I've been able to venture out for my second lunch date with myself to Disney's Captain's Grille:). ... It was my first time ever at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. Walking up and into the hotel, I honestly felt like a princess. It was extremely pretty and decorated for Christmas. But before I jump right in ... at the entrance to the hotel (parking lot side - not Boardwalk side. Did I mention this resort is on Disney's Boardwalk?), there are several cast members ready to greet you, check you in, help with your luggage, and even arrange your transportation to the airport. Upon entering the hotel, there is a small room sectioned between the hotel's exterior and its main lobby, accessible by way of the sliding doors. It's actually quite quaint with comfy red love seats on opposite walls and scenic pictures hanging just above. Oh, but entering the main lobby takes your breath away. Directly in front of you is this large, light brown globe that looks as though it captures a lot of history. (And if not history, at least a lot of geography!) A bit of a ways behind that is what appeared to be a 10 foot Christmas tree, adorned with yachts, bows, and balls. Next to the tree, were small yachts encased in glass for guest viewing. There were also wooden, white benches and large red, comfy chairs available for reading, relaxing, and conversing, or just for self-reflection and contemplation. Oh but the best part of the lobby was the small train set and town situated off to the left of the tree. If I could have shrunken down and lived there, I would have. But, that was impossible so I just stared at it from all different corners and took pictures! :) Alrighty sooo Captain's Grille. The front desk is in the main lobby, so it is very easy to locate the restaurant. Having made a reservation, I was quickly sat at a table that was almost centered in the dining area. The layout was fairly basic, with portholes (circular windows) set high, on both sides of one set of walls. The walls were fairly bare, with few pictures hung up. But, hey, Disney does everything with intention so they made it that way for a purpose. Looking at the menu, I would say about 2/3 of the dishes were focused on seafood. After looking through every item, weighing each option, and asking my server, I decided to go with the tuna appetizer and the lump crabmeat-topped Angus burger. The tuna appetizer was of a nice, small, light portion. The tuna itself was served thinly sliced and close to rare, on a white rectangular plate. The slices were served over a green verde sauce consisting of cilantro, red pepper, and spices. It was both fresh and spicy. Parallel to the stacks of sliced tuna was a frisee salad dressed in a light vinaigrette, blanketing the center salad of chopped watermelon, green beans, capers, tomatoes, and cinnamon-infused apple pieces. Then, to add the finishing touches, the chef dotted the plate with a red pepper coulis and balsamic vinegar on either side of the plate. The tuna was so thin, yet delicious with an almost rare cook and cajun-spiced exterior, with a hint of crunch from the sea salt outlining each cut. The complexity of the dish was quite phenomenal from the spicy verde sauce to the acidic, crunchy fruit and vegetable salad and the sweet, cinnamony bite from the chopped apple bits. The crab-meat-topped angus burger was succulent and savory it its own unique way. The dish was comprised of a bun, medium rare angus patty, clumps of crab meat, lettuce, tomato, and what they called a choron sauce (though what tasted really like a thick and creamy tomato bisque). The juiciness of the burger was top-notch; they don't mess around. The burger is served with your choice of either fries or orzo salad. Well, fries are fries (and unhealthy unless baked!). Also, I'm pretty healthy so it may go with no surprise which option I chose. The orzo salad was comprised of orzo (surprised?), tomatoes, red peppers, red onion, zucchini, mushrooms, barley, and parsley chopped into the salad, and then splashed with sherry vinaigrette to help brighten up the salad's flavor. Overall, it was a really good meal. The appetizer was very light and small, but in a way that permits you to have plenty of room for the coming courses. I could have fit dessert, but there was already a planned dessert later that day, so I didn't want to fill up and not be hungry for that. Maybe another time. Or another restaurant. Who knows? But one thing I will say is that this restaurant is worth trying out. The prices are pretty fair and the food is very good. Though, everyone recommended the lobster roll so I might just have to get that and dessert next time I'm there. If you ever do venture out that way, don't forget that Disney's Boardwalk is on the opposite side of the hotel, with plenty of places to eat at, things to do and see, etc. Oh and by the way, here are the links for the chocolate-and-sea-salt-covered oranges as well as citrus and spice cookies, if you were interested. And those peanut butter blossom cookies? Peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and maybe some salt. Simple, fast, and gluten free. But my Nana's chocolate thumbprint cookie recipe? Family secret. Wishing you all, again, a very Happy New Year. Need a few New Year's Resolutions? Try new foods, venture out into new places, and meet new people. After all, it IS a new year. - http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/12/chocolate-dipped-clementines-with-sea-salt.html - http://www.eatthelove.com/2013/12/best-christmas-cookie-recipe/#_a5y_p=1133056 |
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February 2017
"Food is an infinitely rich subject, and there's always something about it to understand better, something new to discover, a fresh source of interest, ideas, and delight."
From Pennsylvania to France to Washington DC to Florida, I've had myself many an adventure. Now it's time to indulge in the life of a Floridian. With great food, great friends, and great experiences, I offer you stories and pictures to take you away, into my world at Disney. Categories |