CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted December 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 Tuesday, November 10 We hit the road early, heading west toward Brandon to visit with my aunt. Last year she and my uncle lived in Lakeland, but they had to enter an assisted living community (and my uncle has since passed away). I always enjoy seeing this: We stopped for breakfast at: I couldn't wait to get my favorite omelet: They had discontinued it! Every year on our way to see my aunt and uncle, we stop at BE and I get this omelet. But no more. The chef tried unsuccessfully to recreate it. Next time we'll find another restaurant to stop at. We had a great visit with my aunt Jo: She is now wheelchair bound, has been in the hospital several times this year, and has lost at least 100 pounds. But mentally she is doing great, and we really enjoyed seeing her. These next few pictures are especially for Gretchen. Jo had told me months earlier that she had a piece of china she was saving for me. She said it was a piece of Czechoslovakian china that was brought over by early Moravian settlers in the 1700s. This is it: And the mark. It's all blurry, and I can't read it. I've done quite a bit of research since coming home and can't find anything out about this piece. But I don't think it's nearly as old as Jo thinks it is. If anyone has any info, I sure would appreciate it! We took Kassie on another long buggy ride. ClassAct (Mike) came by to say hello. We always enjoy seeing him and his beautiful wife Susan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 I'm happy that you got to see your aunt, but was sad to read about the omelet. Something like that, would have really upset me. Yes, it's just an omelet but...no, not really.The China is very pretty! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Duane 150 Posted December 28, 2015 Report Share Posted December 28, 2015 David wanted to go out to breakfast and I didn't, so he went out alone. And where did he end up? Krispy Kreme! Of all places! We live in the hometown of Krispy Kreme. We both grew up eating their food. We can have it any time we want. So why go there on vacation? Beats me. Now Gwen, you ought to know that men are creatures of habit... we always "go with what we know..." plus you just can't pass up KK when the hot sign is on! These next few pictures are especially for Gretchen. Jo had told me months earlier that she had a piece of china she was saving for me. She said it was a piece of Czechoslovakian china that was brought over by early Moravian settlers in the 1700s. This is it: And the mark. It's all blurry, and I can't read it. I've done quite a bit of research since coming home and can't find anything out about this piece. But I don't think it's nearly as old as Jo thinks it is. If anyone has any info, I sure would appreciate it! Not sure if you've checked this place or not, but try Replacements, Ltd. They are supposed to be the largest supplier of replacement china and silverware of anyone... I know you're not looking for a replacement piece, but they could probably tell you how old the piece is. They have a huge warehouse and store and are located on I-40/85 on the east side of Greensboro between the 40/85 split and Mt. Hope Church Road. Here is their website: http://www.replacements.com/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted December 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 I'm happy that you got to see your aunt, but was sad to read about the omelet. Something like that, would have really upset me. Yes, it's just an omelet but...no, not really. That omelet was part of a tradition ... I'd been getting it once a year for many years. Now Gwen, you ought to know that men are creatures of habit... we always "go with what we know..." plus you just can't pass up KK when the hot sign is on! Not sure if you've checked this place or not, but try Replacements, Ltd. They are supposed to be the largest supplier of replacement china and silverware of anyone... I know you're not looking for a replacement piece, but they could probably tell you how old the piece is. They have a huge warehouse and store and are located on I-40/85 on the east side of Greensboro between the 40/85 split and Mt. Hope Church Road. Here is their website: http://www.replacements.com/ Duane, thanks for the tip on Replacements. I've been to their store, and you're right. It is huge. If I can get a better picture of the markings on the bottom I'll send the pictures to them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted December 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Wednesday, November 11 After breakfast David and I drove over to AK. It was another beautiful day! While he was parking the car, I enjoyed the scenery: We rode Dinosaur: and then walked around to our lunch destination. The meal at Tusker House was as good as usual. My first round: We enjoyed seeing the characters. It seems to us that they are less hurried here than most locations and willing to spend more time with each person. I had on my birthday button, so at the end of the meal they brought me a cupcake. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Nice! So you finally talked David into Tusker House! I know for a long time he wouldn't consider it :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted December 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 Carol, this is his second time eating there. He only goes because he knows how much I enjoy it. He would never choose it for himself. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
geoffdaddy 33 Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 I think Tusker House is my favorite place to eat on property. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caveat lector 181 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Late to the party, but wanted to say I love you scarecrow pix. Very cool.It's tough dealing with a sick pup. The worst part for me is not being able to convey that I'm trying to help them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Littleolwoman.aka.Kristie 119 Posted January 2, 2016 Report Share Posted January 2, 2016 Wasn't he on the phone during this meal last year? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 I think Tusker House is my favorite place to eat on property. It's one of my favorites too. It's tough dealing with a sick pup. The worst part for me is not being able to convey that I'm trying to help them. I think Kassie finally understands. Or at least she's enjoying the treatment. Now when she finishes eating she immediately comes to me to be held upright. She usually goes to sleep on my shoulder, and that's one of the few times she truly relaxes. Wasn't he on the phone during this meal last year? You have a good memory! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 Thursday, November 12 We woke up to heavy fog and cooler temperatures. After breakfast at Trail's End the fog had cleared up. The day ended up being a near-record 89 and beautiful. We drove over to EPCOT. Club Cool: One of these days I'll get this photo right: But I did finally hear my echo! Don't know why we've never explored on the other side of the China pavilion. It really is beautiful over there. I stopped at the Moroccan F&WF booth and got the kefta and white wine: It was bland. Neither of us liked it. Won't be getting it again next year. David stopped at France and ordered the Boeuf Bourginon and cabernet. As usual, it was really good. I stopped at the Hawaii booth and got a pork slider: And I asked about the mai tai. I'd never had one. The lady told me what was in it and said it was pretty strong. So I ordered one of them too. And, let me tell you, that little drink packed an unreal punch! David even had part of it, and I was still really loopy for hours. I think two of them would have rendered me unconscious ... Eventually we drove back to the Fort and were surprised to see the decorations at the MK gate. We took Kassie looping and went by to visit with several Fiends, but no one was home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Why do I NEVER get tired of seeing pics of the Fort or WDW? :) As always... love 'em Gwen. You do such a great job :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 I was away from my computer for the last week, and just got caught up with your updates. Great stuff! I hope that you will share an update about that china cup if you ever find out more about it. I agree with you- it really doesn't look very old. Even if it's not as old as your aunt says, it's still precious that she gave it to you. In her mind, she gave you a great treasure. I am glad to see that you and David got to enjoy a lot after your guests departed. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 Why do I NEVER get tired of seeing pics of the Fort or WDW? :) As always... love 'em Gwen. You do such a great job :) Thank you, NaCole! I never get tired of seeing pics of the fort either. That's why you will see several more in my upcoming installments. Great stuff! I hope that you will share an update about that china cup if you ever find out more about it. I agree with you- it really doesn't look very old. Even if it's not as old as your aunt says, it's still precious that she gave it to you. In her mind, she gave you a great treasure. Thanks! Yes, I will share an update about that china cup. I have two sources to check right now. Hopefully one of them can tell me something about it. Yes, Jo does think she gave me a great treasure. She planned it for months and was so happy about it. She thinks it's worth over $3,000. I'm sure that won't be the case, but I'll never let her know what I find out. She also gave me a brass trivet that my parents gave her for Christmas in 1950. It's an ugly little thing, but I'll keep it just for sentimental reasons. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Friday, November 13 After cooking breakfast, we went to MK early. Today was the last day of taping for the Christmas parade, and Main Street was packed. We were allowed to walk up and down the street at will, but we never saw anything going on except people standing around waiting. Our first FP+ was for BTMRR. I just started snapping pictures in different directions. David was hungry, so we went to Gaston's Tavern so he could get a cinnamon roll. It wasn't very good. Next we rode Buzz and the PeopleMover. We went back to Main Street so David could look for a watch at Uptown Jewelers. Our next stop was the Jingle Cruise. Unfortunately we were sitting in the back of the boat and our skipper talked too softly and very fast. So we didn't hear any of the jokes. Then we left the MK and went over to the Contemporary for awhile. Then David rode the little boat back to the Fort, and I had to take the monorail back to MK to catch the big boat. I visited with NaCole for awhile, and then we took Kassie for a buggy ride. We took our refillable mugs to the Meadow TP to be recharged. I asked what I'd have to do to get the new design mugs. The CM said her manager had said there would be no swapping, that if you buy it it's your mug. I told the CM how disappointed I was and that I had a friend who was allowed to swap for the new design. The CM volunteered to speak to her manager. She came back and said that we had some magic sprinkled on us and that we could exchange our mugs! We went back to Dolly and cooked dinner (shrimp scampi, slaw, and stewed squash). Did some housework and called it a night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted January 6, 2016 Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Great job with those Jingle Cruise photos- it's hard to get good ones on that ride because of the moving boat, lots of shade, and other guests getting in your photos. You did really good! I'm glad you were able to get the new mugs. Managers at Fort Wilderness are the worst! Those mugs probably cost them less than $.50 to manufacture, and they can't swap two out for a guest who is spending thousands of dollars on a vacation? TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 6, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 Thank you, TCD! Although good pics on the Jungle/Jingle cruise aren't nearly as hard as Peter Pan/Haunted Mansion/POTC. Those are nearly impossible. When we exchanged our mugs the CM was emphatic that we couldn't have them back ... that they would be thrown away. So who cares? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dvccamper 32 Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 You have a good eye for your photographs. I know you may have answered this before but what kind of camera do you have? Is it a DSLR? I'm in the market for a new one but I need something simple, haha. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 You have a good eye for your photographs. I know you may have answered this before but what kind of camera do you have? Is it a DSLR? I'm in the market for a new one but I need something simple, haha. Thank you! I do have a DSLR. It's a Nikon D7100, and I use two lenses -- a Nikkor 18-300mm zoom and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 prime lens. My little camera, which I've taken a few of these pictures with, is a Nikon Coolpix P7000. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 I can't speak for how Gwen uses her camera, but I use a Canon T3i (the current model is probably a T6i by now), and it has several automatic settings that keep things quite simple and take great pictures! Automatic with flashAutomatic without flashCloseup - (for closeups of flowers, etc)VideoSports - takes rapid shots of shows, fireworks, the Fountain, etc. For my casual uses, those five settings have been all I needed to take great pictures. I mostly use the automatic without flash, and even in low light it does really well for stills.The only thing I have a big problem with is low light and moving, so a lot of in ride pictures don't do well. I have a Canon 55-135 lens. This replaced the standard 55-80 lens that came with the camera. I find it very versatile giving me standard shooting and some zoom in a single lens. I also have a 75-200 telephoto, but I rarely use that one. (I found the 55-135 for a very good price on ebay. It is the standard lens on the high end bodies, but most buyers of the high end bodies have much better lenses, and tend to offcast that standard one). The best advice for taking good pictures is to also get a large capacity high speed storage card. Then you can snap constantly and hope that 1 in 10 of your pictures is a good one. I have two 32G chips and can get about 3000 pictures on each chip before having to offload to the computer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Littleolwoman.aka.Kristie 119 Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 Can't wait to get our new mugs. The old ones have seen better days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Sorry I haven't posted an update in so long. First my internet connection went down and then Kassie has had a rough weekend. Saturday, November 14 We woke up to the chilliest weather we'd had so far. It was 60 with a predicted high of 79. Went to breakfast at the Golden Corral near the outlets. Much better than the other one. Then we visited the Disney outlet again as soon as it opened and picked up a few things. Next up was DHS. First we went to Star Tours (one of my new favorites). Ever take your 3D glasses off during the ride? Then we walked over to One Man's Dream. David was really happy that it was still open. I'd love to own some of these toys: Next we walked down Streets of America and then visited LMA. In case anyone is wondering, visitors who are in wheelchairs and ECVs are escorted up an elevator to the top of the seating area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Saturday, November 14 -- Part 2 After taking a break we walked back through Streets of America. After getting a snack we left the park. We went back to the Fort and (surprise, surprise!) took Kassie for a buggy ride. Talked to several Fiends and came back to Dolly to cook dinner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ivy 36 Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Very nice photos! I love seeing pictures of things we would not normally notice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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