Good morning!:)

Hello hello ! Hope everyone had a wonderful New Years. A wonderful and SAFE New Years. We went out to supper with the kids, pretty early. Came home. I read some. Matthew and Sarah went to bed around 9:30–Matthew was less than thrilled about that.  I did some house work, loaded the dishwasher …. missed Dick Clark and the ball drop on the east coast. Paul and I went into our room and watched what was going on in Chicago. I was surprised to see that only 1 station (ABC 7) was the only station that was covering Chicago New Years Eve. Jamie was playing one of his X-Box games in the family room. When it was about 2 minutes until New Years, I told Jamie to come count down. 3-2-1 Happy New Year! Went outside to see about 3 minutes of fireworks and then it was off to bed. Paul and I weren’t even sure we were going to make it to midnight we were so sleepy. Man, it’s tough getting old. So that’s how we rang in our New Years. Woohoo huh?  It was a huge change from what we were doing last year at that same time:) We were in Disney World at the Grand Floridian:) It was amazing! You stepped out onto the balcony and there it was, Cinderella’s Castle:) It couldn’t have been a more perfect room/view.  And the fireworks were just … wow. We could see Wishes from our room, but the New Year’s Eve fireworks were just… they blew us away. They actually practiced them for 2 or 3 nights prior to NYE.  So we saw this enormous display almost nightly:)  It was like they were doing them just for us on our balcony:) We love Disney. Next time we go though, we will stay at the Port of Orleans again. It’s Jamie’s favorite place. The grounds are gorgeous. A bit spread out compared to what you get at the Grand Floridian, but absolutely gorgeous. You can hear the crickets and tree frogs every night. He loved all the birds, lizards, salamanders etc.  We stayed there a couple of years ago (March 2007) when we had a Grand Gathering with Paul’s family (England), my family (Louisiana) and then Aunt Kathy went with us as well:) If you have a party of 8 or more, you can do Grand Gathering things and I do highly suggest them. All sorts of special things you get to do. I think my favorite was the Sunset Safari.  We all met up at Animal Kingdom and then they took us on a safari. Afterwards, we were taken to Tusker House where a wonderful African lady taught us “Jambo” and told us stories. Then she invited us in and we had a lovely sit down meal of African inspired dishes. Chip and Dale came to meet us and the kids had pictures with them.  There were African musicians that came and played. They got the kids involved as well. And to round out the night, some handlers brought in a snake and some other small reptiles for the kids to pet and hear about.  It was definitely Magical:)  In the Animal Kingdom though, Africa is my favorite spot.  And this will be one of my favorite memories, always:)

Have I talked everyone into a Disney trip yet?:)  I’ll leave yall with a couple of recipes from Tusker House in Disney:)  I’m off to do laundry and take down our Christmas tree and decorations:)  Back to the real world I guess:) Yall have a wonderful day:)

take care,

~kat:)

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Green Beans with Carrots

Jollof Rice

Couscous

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Daddy and his Safari Princess:)

Entering Harambe Wildlife Reserve

Beautiful scenery

More gorgeous scenery including a lion!!

Yep, that's a rhino just right there beside us!

Also along the way....

Mamma - Animal Kingdom, Tusker House

Our Grand Gathering:)

African Musician with Bill's big head!

Jamie, Will, Whit, Sarah and Matthew with Chip and Dale

Ingredients:
1 pound green beans blanched in boiling water for 5 minutes, cooled under cold water, drain
1 carrot peeled and sliced thin on a angle (bias)
4 to 5 mushrooms sliced thin
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pinch of pepper
2 tablespoons butter

Method of Preparation:
In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter, add carrots, mushrooms and garlic sauté until just under done about 5 minutes. Add beans, salt and pepper, heat through and serve.

Source: Tusker House – Animal Kingdom – Walt Disney World

Ingredients:

1 lb. Rice
24 oz. Water
4 oz. Chicken base
4 oz. Tomato paste
2 oz. Turmeric
1 oz. Cumin
2 Bay leaves
6 oz. Chopped onion
1 oz. Thyme
1 oz. Rosemary
2 oz. each of Red & green peppers (julienned)

Method:

Mix Chicken Base, tomato paste and water. Stir in Turmeric and cumin. Pour over rice and mix well. Add thyme, rosemary, chopped onions, and bay leaves. Pour into 4″ hotel pan. Cover with Baker paper and foil. Cook at 325° for 30 to 45 minutes. Mix in julienne red and green peppers.

Source: Tusker House – Animal Kingdom – Walt Disney World

Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups vegetable stock
5 each fresh basil leaves
8 ounces Israeli couscous (approximately 1¼ cup)
¼ cup butter blend
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Procedure:
1. Bring vegetable stock to boil
2. Add fresh basil and simmer
3. Add Israeli couscous and cook until liquid is absorbed
4. Season with rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper
5. Taste, adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, rosemary, or thyme

Source: Tusker House – Walt Disney World