Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

“When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer.”

“A Magical Sight” (Cinderella Castle with Candy Cane Holiday Projection, Disney’s Magic Kingdom) Canon SuperShot SX40 HS, 10.4mm, F/4, 1/25s, -1.7EV, ISO 1600

 “But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight –

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

~ exerpt, ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’, Clement Clark Moore

 
Much love, good health, happiness, peace and prosperity to you and yours, now, and all through the new year! 🙂

You better watch out

“He Knows” (Santa Claus Figurine, Grand Floridian Hotel & Resort, Walt Disney World) Nikon D700, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/3, 1/40s, -0.3EV, ISO 800

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Uh oh, for all you naughty ones out there, Santa’s watching and he doesn’t look happy! 😉

Holiday slammer?

So this is what happens to naughty elves! 😀

“Behind Bars” (Holiday Elves, Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, Disney’s Hollywood Studios) Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 4.7mm, F/2.8, 1/60’s, -2.0EV, ISO 1000

Food, glorious, food

It’s not often that one can dine like a queen, but that is exactly how I felt at the ‘White Truffle Food & Wine Dinner’ at Victoria & Albert’s,  a fine dining restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort, Walt Disney World. This wasn’t simply a ‘dinner’, but rather, a gastronomic experience!

From the moment we stepped through the double doors, dressed in clothing fitting such an event (I, in a cream gown, hubby in a tux), we were greeted warmly by Lana and escorted to our table, formally set with linens, fine china and real silver flatware. A small ottoman promptly arrived next to my chair to discreetly hold my evening bag as we were handed our personalized menus for the evening.

I felt a combination of excitement and nerves as to what was to happen next. Random thoughts ran crazily through my head… ‘Just breathe’…  ‘Don’t drop your napkin’…  ‘Elbows off the table’…  ‘Did I put on antiperspirant??’…  ‘Oh, my, what is that knife for?’…

The outstanding wait staff did all they could to put us at ease so, as I sipped champagne and chatted with our friends at the table, I relaxed and thought, ‘Yeah, I can do this.’ 🙂

Folks, it was wonderful!  Chef de Cuisine Scott Hunnel is a master at his craft and, along with his elite staff (led by Israel Perez, Maitre d’ Hotel and Erich Herbitschek, Pastry Chef), presented plate after exquisite plate. My taste buds will never be the same but I know they are better for the experience.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 
 
The slideshow doesn’t begin to do the food justice (poor lighting, no room to move, etc.). As the evening wore on (dinner lasted 6 hours), we were all feeling the effects of the wine and the ambience (which totally explains that one photo showing a mostly eaten cheese course. Ooops! 😉 )

If you ever get the chance to enjoy such an evening, I strongly recommend it!

Please Note: Unfortunately, I cannot control how quickly the images advance. HOWEVER, if you hover your mouse over the slideshow area, a set of controls will display allowing you to STOP the auto advancement of the images. Then, you can use the forward and back arrows to scroll through the images at your leisure.