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Let Them Eat Cake

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Day 283 in progressing toward meeting up with Mickey

Today’s plan was to get up, get ready and go back to work.  My doctor cleared me for four hour days this week.  It did feel good to get back to something more normal; however, the four hours really kicked my butt!  But I did it!!  Woo hoo!  First step on the way back.

Yesterday at church, we received new members.  These are people who attended several classes about what it means to be a Lutheran, and particularly what it means to be a member at our church St. James Lutheran Church.  It was so wonderful to see these four new families with eight kids between them joining the fold.

After the service, there was a reception for them with CAKE!  It was half chocolate and half vanilla, all frosted in vanilla.  When the pastor announced the reception with cake, I promptly turned to Mike (my Sweetie) and said, “I am having a piece of cake today.”  He burst out laughing.  He so can understand what I’ve been through, and what I continue to go through as I heal.  And how very good I’ve been in my eating.

When we left the sanctuary, I ran into a sweet, little, tow-headed four-year-old girl named Isabella.  She promptly turned to me and said in Cookie Monster‘s voice, “There is cake!  I want cake!”  Isabella’s mother got her a piece of cake, and she settled down at a table to indulge.  As she ate she kept saying, again in a Cookie Monster voice, “Nom, nom, nom, CAKE!”  Then she would chat with me for a little bit.  Then she would say, “I want more cake!” and dive back in to her piece of cake.

I had to laugh.  Here was the personification about how I feel about cake, particularly white or yellow bakery cake with extremely sweet frosting.  I have had this love affair with cake since I was a very little girl, even younger than Isabella.  Yesterday, I ate four bites of my piece of cake and gave Mike the remaining four bites .  It was so delicious, and I enjoyed every bite as I watched Isabella savor her piece.  Then I walked away and didn’t look back.  I immediately went into cold-turkey mode and left sugar behind again.  People, this is huge!  I have never walked away from my piece of cake.  It’s just too tasty; I just like it too much.  It felt good to walk away and not let the cake decide how much I should eat.  I decided: four bites and out!  This is a mini-miracle for me.  Thank you, Jesus!

Today is my dear friend Jean’s birthday.  Happy birthday to you.  Happy birthday to you.  Happy birthday, dear Jeanzie!  Happy birthday to you…and many more!  I love you, Girl!  I hope you have cake.  🙂

Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Random Thoughts

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Day 279 in my mind bending way to meet up with Mickey

Today I want to share three separate and independent tidbits.

  1. I think our kitty was a raptor in former times.  She prowls our place testing the compound…and she remembers!  She is looking for ways out.  The problem is if she ever finds a way out, I’m not sure she’ll come back because (1) She is just that independent, (2) She has no front claws to defend herself, and we live where there are hawks and coyotes, raccoons and foxes.  I’m afraid she looks like a tasty morsel.  Today Mike had to repair a screen in our porch, because it was loose, and Kitty kept pushing it out little by little.  She would have escaped soon!
  2. The old adage goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”  Bullroar!  I have been eating apples daily for the last nine months, and it did NOT keep said doctors away.  As a matter of fact, I have just come through a bout of cancer and a rather painful operation.  (Of course, I ate hardly no apples for the first 58 and a half years of my life…hmmm…I might have to rethink that one.)  🙂
  3. Love is kneeling down in front of someone to put their shoes and socks on them, because they can’t reach without pain.  My Mikey has been doing this for the past three weeks everyday.  It couldn’t be any more romantic if he was Prince Charming and it was a glass slipper.  Feeling loved!

So what does this have to do with me eating better and getting more exercise to prepare to visit Walt Disney World in October?  Well, let’s just chalk it up to mental health and the need to vent.  Thanks for reading, dear followers!  Meet you at the Kingdom!

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Disney Customer Service

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Day 278 on my Disney musings as I make my way to Mickey Mouse

I have to take time to pay homage to Disney Customer Service.  You don’t have to travel to many countries as a tourist, before you realize just how good customer service is at Disney (and in the United States in general).  No hate mail, please.  It’s just true.

I had occasion to call Disney, because I couldn’t get My Disney Experience account linked to my Disney Vacation Club (DVC) account. I tried several time to get the job done online, but ended up frustrated every time.   I dialed the number for Walt Disney World and was connected to Maxwell.  He was simply marvelous!  Within fifteen minutes I had my accounts connected, and he gave me a thorough explanation on how the new system works.

For DVC members, you make your hotel reservation on the DVC members website.  Once you have your reservation made, everything runs through My Disney Experience.  Maxwell and the folks at Disney made it all easy-peasey.  I was all finished with my phone call in less than 25 minutes.  (The system works nearly the same for non-DVC members.  Once you have your Disney on-property hotel reservation, then you can access everything through your very own My Disney Experience app).

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: My Disney Experience…I LOVE this APP.  I am type-A when it comes to trying to keep all my Disney trip reservations and info in one place.  With this trip, for the first time, I am relaxed because My Disney Experience has it all there for me to check and see at any time.  Leave it to Disney to revolutionize planning!  Way to go, Disney!

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Disney Vacation Club…Yippee!

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Day 277 in my ruminating on Disney Vacation Club and my pal Mickey

Whew!  I am so grateful for modern medicine and antibiotics in particular.  Though I still have a UTI, the pain has abated considerably.  Praise God!  I am tired from a poor night’s sleep, but I am back on the road to recovery.

Today’s plan is to share about Disney Vacation Club.  Their tagline used to be “Disney’s Best Kept Secret.”  Here is what Disny has to say about it: ”

Discover a World of Choices-When you become a Member by purchasing a real estate interest in a Disney Vacation Club Resort represented by an annual allotment of Vacation Points, you can enjoy flexibility, choice and savings when it comes to your future Disney vacations. Flexibility and Choice – Enjoy the freedom to choose when, where and how often to vacation at any of the 12 uniquely themed Disney Vacation Club Resorts—or explore thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world…Savings – Stretch your vacation dollars by locking in decades of future stays at Disney Vacation Club Resorts at today’s purchase price. You can save up to 50% on future Disney Vacation Club Resort accommodations. Membership can pay for itself after just 6 to 11 years…compared to the cost of a non-Member renting accommodations at rack rate at most Disney Vacation Club Resorts. Imagine taking your dream vacation—a romantic honeymoon in Hawai’i, a fun-filled adventure with the family at Walt Disney World Resort or a retirement celebration in Europe. With Disney Vacation Club, dreaming is only the beginning—you can collect a lifetime of magical memories, year after year.  All accommodations are subject to availability.”

Wah, right?  I was so-o-o sold.  My beautifully conservative husband took awhile to get on board.  But looking back, he is a big fan!  We only have 150 points…for 40 years.  With those points we (Mike, Me the kids, their spouses (and future kid-lings) go to Walt Disney World  every three to five years, depending on if Mike and I want any side trips along the way.  We have used our points in Chicago, New York, Hilton Head, Anaheim, London, Paris (PARIS!) and Orlando over the years.  We have been able to vacation when otherwise we would not have been able to afford it.  Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has definitely “opened a world of possibilities” to us and we love it!  It has been an investment in our family.  We so look forward to being together on vacation: relaxing, park hopping, dining, and smiling in each other’s faces.  Sheer bliss.

Yes, it is costly.  But you can purchase as little as 100 points and work with it.  Or you can purchase as many points as are available.  When we first bought in, we purchased 230 points.  It was great because we could bring extended family along: my parents, my aunt, Mike’s mom, Mike’s brother and family, two of Mike’s nieces, two of my brothers and their wives, two of my nieces, plus one of those niece’s husband and two boys.  (These were not all at the same time, of course.) When times got tough and we were struggling financially, we sold our points…I cried for a week.  When things turned around, we bought back in (100 points).  It wasn’t quite enough to do what we wanted to do so we made two additional purchases of 25 points each.  All our points are at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. When we arrive there and hear the words, “Welcome, home!” I exhale, and the stress starts to leave my body.  I can hardly wait until October!!

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: If you think about purchasing DVC and want to save a few bucks, ask about availability at sold out resorts, rather than the newest ones.  If folks have sold their points back, you may be able to purchase them.  🙂

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Me Little English Mum…

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Day 275 in making my way back to you, Mick(ey)!

Happy Mother’s Day, Dear Readers!  Whether you are the mother of strapping boys or pretty girls or strapping girls or pretty boys or fuzzy four legged babies, or anything else, I wish you a Happy Day!

For those of you who lost your mom early on, or whose moms weren’t there for you in some way, this can be a painful reminder of what you don’t or never had and for that I do commiserate.  So I want to talk about the moms in my life:

  1. Mom-Elizabeth May (Peggy) Heath Taskila–She was always a warm body to cuddle with.  She always had a hug and a kiss for me, good times and bad.  She was, for her children, an example of what unconditional love looked like.  It made it all the easier to believe that God could love me unconditionally, too.  Mom was always in our corner, going to battle (often with Dad) for us, and she was our biggest fan and cheerleader.  It didn’t matter where we stood in the pecking order, she was FOR us.
  2. My Sister-in-Loves–Trudy and Patsy–they have been sister, mother and friend at times, and I love them dearly!  Thx, Sisses!
  3. My Friend Extraordinaire Joan–she has been friend, sister and mother to me.  I couldn’t have lived so far from my family for all of these years (about 30) without her.
  4. My High School Chorus Teacher–Miss Trolla–She so believed in me, long before I knew I had any self-worth at all.  She taught me how to sing and gave me a foundation that has served me well as I direct the Contemporary Band at our church in worship.  She never married and had no children of her own, so she made of us her children, and she wasn’t afraid to put us in our places when we strayed too far.  She was the BEST of coaches, and an example of a strong, independent women!
  5. My Aunties–Phyllis, Violet, Yvonne, Ruth, Alice, Annie, Verna, Helmi, Viola, Vivian, Josie (hope I didn’t forget anyone)–always willing to engage in conversation and throw in a hug to boot.
  6. My Mother-in-Love–Estella Oja Jarvi  You taught me so much about being a mom and being a welcoming hostess.  We’re thinking of you today.  Thank you for helping me to raise two amazing people!
  7. My Bestest Friend Jean (friend, sister, and mother when I needed one)–I’ve learned so much about being a mother from watching you.  To me you are the picture of a Christian mother, and I know you learned it from your mom.  Here’s to bread and butter on a sunny summer day.  Love you, my friend!

Thank you, to all of you, for making me know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am loved, and thank you all for letting me love you, too.

So dear readers, I pray you have a blessed day wherever you are.  Remember to take some time with the Creator, the Mother and Father of us all.

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Disney’s Magical Advantages!

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Day 274 in advancing toward meeting up with Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom.

GAH!!!!  My plan for today was to book our trips to and from Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Orlando International Airport on Disney’s Magical Express.  Can you tell?  I’m just a little excited about that!  All six of us who are going in October (me, my honey Mike, our son Jake, his wife Eliza, our daughter Emi and her husband James) have finally booked our flights.  Once all flights are booked, if you are a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Member (and we are), you can go to the DVC website and book the bus.

Now for those who are not Disneyphiles, Disney’s Magical Express is a free perk that folks staying at Disney resorts are provided.  It is literally a FREE ride to and from the airport.  (Now I know there are skeptics out there saying, “Oh, you’re paying for it.”  And that may be true, but I would stay on property even without this perk, so it feels free to me.  And I appreciate it!)  🙂  And on top of that, we can check our luggage in Chicago, and they will deliver it to our room at Old Key West.  Can you say, “Holy wah!”?  I love it!

So, now we are one step closer to being all ready for our vacation.  I hope to write soon about: Disney Vacation Club (it gets me to my happy place), My Disney Experience (an absolutely fantastic planning app), and  apples (I have a bone to pick with the apples/doctor saying).  Thank for hanging in there with me, my dear readers.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: I am drinking a cup of Starbuck’s coffee from my Magic Kingdom mug, as I type.  It arrived yesterday!  I LOVE it!  Two of my favorite things in one place–Magic Kingdom and Starbuck’s.  Yahoo!   Ya-le-hoo-lah! Thank you so much, Bro Geno and Sis-in-love Patsy!  And thanks to Regina, niece-in-love extraordinare,for picking up an extra mug, just in case.  🙂  Love you guys!

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…And Four More Restaurants

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Day 273 in eating my way around the world and meeting up with Mickey

My plan for today was to continue my research on healthy choices at the restaurants we will frequent at Walt Disney World in October.  My go-to site for this is AllEars.Net.  Seriously, you have to check out this site!  It is simply a Disneyphiles dream.

Here we go again:

  1. Artist’s Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge  for dinner: Healthiest Appetizer: Signature Field Greens Salad  Thing I may order: The salad aforementioned or Artisnal Cheese Selection  Entree: Healthiest entree–Grilled Filet Mignon OR Cornish Hen  What I will order: Cedar Plank-Roasted King Salmon  (I’ve had this each time we’ve been there.  It is amazing!) Dessert: Healthiest option:Artisnal Cheese Selection  What I will order-Vairhona Dark Chocolate Creme Brulee AND 6 spoons!  I really want to try this, even just one spoonful.  🙂
  2. Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant at Pleasure Island (or whatever it’s called nowadays-it’ll always be Pleasure Island to me!) for dinner:  This will be just Mike and I, so we will probably leave a lot of food behind.  We get a date night out of the parks; I’m so excited! The healthiest appetizer on the menu is Heritage Tomato Salad.  What I will probably order: (Well, I need to ask about the mysterious Soul Soup!) But I’m thinking the Luscious Tart.  Entree: The healthiest things are probably Braised Be. Beef OR Mammy’s Roast Chicken  But I will probably order Bangers and Booz (one of my all time favorite meals in England or Ireland). And I know Mike will want the Fish and Chips, and we’ll split a side of roasted root vegetables.  Dessert: the healthiest choice-Moore Street Market   But I will try Trifle Sinful OR Dunbrody Kiss (which is described as “chocolate, add chocolate and add some more.”  Oh, yeah!
  3. 50’s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for lunch:  Appetizers: Healthiest choice: Cousin Amy’s Lettuce Wedge What we will share-Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese.  Entree: The healthiest things on the menu are probably 50’s Prime Time Blue Plate Special “a healthy seasonal special” OR the Salmon or Chicken Caesar Salad  I will order one of those three    Dessert: Healthiest choice: No Sugar Added Cheesecake  What I will order 50’s Boston Cream Parfait AND S’mores AND 6 forks and spoons.
  4. San Angel Inn Restaurante at EPCOT for lunch-Appetizers: probably the 2 healthiest things to choose from are Ensalade Cesar (Caesar Salad) OR  Coctel de Camaron (shrimp cocktail) I would try either.  Entree: Healthiest choices-

    “Loma de Puerco en Pipian – Pork tenderloin served over roasted vegetables and “pipian” – pumpkin, chiles and almond sauce” OR “Pescado a la Veracruzana – Catch of the day prepared with capers, olives, bell peppers, Spanish onions, and tomatoes, seasoned with white wine and spices, served over poblano rice.”   Either way, Mike and I will share.  Dessert: Healthiest option: “Crema Bavaria – creamy Bavarian mousse served with mixed berries, cinnamon and orange liqueur and vanilla sauce”  I will either order that or “Mousse de Chocolate – Chocolate mousse and almond brittle candy.”  Say it with me now, “And 6 Spoons!”

  5. That’s about it.  However, The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is happening while we’re there, so I know we’ll sample some goodies there, too.  More about that later.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

 

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The First Six Restaurants

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Day 272 in eating my way around the world and meeting up with Mickey

My plan for today was to begin my research on healthy choices at the restaurants we will frequent at Walt Disney World in October.  My go-to site for this is AllEars.Net.  What a great site!  It has all the menus from all the restaurants at Walt Disney World!  Love it!

 

Here we go: (Think: the song from Peter Pan “Think of the happiest things…it’s the same as having wings…you can fly!”)

  1. Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort (our home away from home)  Healthiest thing on the menu for breakfast: Monroe Egg White Omelet  Thing I will probably order: Conch Republic Omelet with a side of fruit.  We are eating breakfast at Olivia’s more than once, so perhaps I will get to try both.  Healthiest thing on the menu for dinner: Key West Salmon Salad (this is real contender!) Thing I may order: Mallory Square Cobb Salad  Whatever I order I will definitely order Conch Fritters as an appetizer to share.  They are my favorite thing at Olivia’s! (The healthiest appetizer on their menu is the House Salad.)   Dessert: Healthiest option: Mile High Zero (a no sugar added tropical panna cotta)  It’s still very rich so this is to share.  I may order this, but we love the Key Lime Pie, so that is a possibility.
  2. Crystal Palace for breakfast: This is that most dangerous of meals–the buffet!  But, hey, we’ll get to visit with Winnie the Pooh and friends (I’m thinking Piglet and Tigger.) I will have an omelet made with vegetables and just a little cheese, a side of fruit, coffee and water.  Yum!
  3. Be Our Guest for dinner: French food–tres rich!  The healthiest appetizer on the menu is Garden Salad.  What I will probably order: Seasonal Salad Trio and I’ll split with Mike and anyone else who wants to try a taste.  Entree: The healthiest thing is probably the Layered Ratatouille, which is a real contender for me.  But I may order the Pan-seared Chicken Breast.  Mike and I will again split.  Dessert: the healthiest choice-Lemon Raspberry Cream Puff (no sugar added), But I already know I’ll try The Grey Stuff.  My friend Lumiere told me it’s delicious!
  4. Yak and Yeti for lunch: Asian food-notoriously high is sugar and/or fats (unless you’e eating raw) Appetizers: Healthiest choices: Lettuce Cups for Two OR House Salad.  I would order either. Entree: Honestly the healthiest thing and probably what I would order to share with Mike–Kobe Beef Burger (I wouldn’t eat the bun) with a side of Sauteed Baby Bok Choy.  Mike will probably order some fries too.  Dessert: Healthiest choice: Sorbet  What I will order Mango Pie and 6 forks.  It’s a speciality here.
  5. Tusker House for dinner (another dangerous buffet): I would choose salads. carved meat and/or fish of the day, vegetables, and I would check out the vegetarian choices to see if anything tickles my fancy.  Dessert: (Yikes! Also a buffet!) I probably will try the Chocolate Volcano Cake and/or the Strawberry Mousse Cup.
  6. California Grill-Appetizers: probably the 2 healthiest things to choose from are Farmer’s Strawberry Salad and Mushroom Flatbread.  I would try either.  Entree: Healthiest choices-Braised Lamb Hind Shank OR East Coast Flounder (Mike will have to choose because I have a hard time ordering Flounder ever since I saw The Little Mermaid!) Dessert: Healthiest options: Chef’s Selection Cheese Board or Plant City Strawberry Cheesecake (no sugar added)  I, however, will choose between Vanilla Creme Brulee (one of Mike’s favorites) or Warm Homemade Fritters (they’re banana for crying out loud!)

That’s plenty to chew on for today.  Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: Still waiting on my cup.  Isn’t it a shame when you pay for expedited delivery and post office doesn’t come through???  PTLA!

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Planning to Eat Well

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Day 271 in my research into being a healthier me for Walt Disney World and Mickey

So I’ve been reading about how you can eat very healthfully at Walt Disney World.  I intend to research that further.  I will check the menus of the restaurants that we will frequent, and look for (1) the healthiest possible thing on the menu and (2) the healthiest thing that I-would-actually-order on the menu.   🙂  I have grown to thoroughly enjoy salads.  I even remember to eat more veg when we are in Florida so that I will have more instant energy for the parks. But let’s face it, some salads are extremely high in calories and/or fat.  So I want to be intentional, so that I can sample some desserts (my personal crack/cocaine).  You know, we’ll order one or two desserts and six spoons, then I’ll limit myself to two bites of each.  Next I will religiously check my blood sugar to make sure I am staying on track.  Then depending on the results, I plan to adjust on the fly.  I figure I’ll be getting plenty of exercise (walking and swimming) while there, so that will be a significant help in keeping my blood sugar controlled.  Anyway, that’s the plan.  (And , oh yes, I will try my first Dole Whip ever this time.  At least a bite or two, and try to talk my honey Mike into sharing it with me.  He prefers Mickey Ice Cream Bars.  What’s not to love?)

So for today, I’ll share our new recipe from Betty Crocker 30 Minute Meals for Diabetes: Pork with Caramelized Onions.  (Seriously folks, get this amazing cookbook!)  This makes 4 servings, each serving is a 1/2 carbohydrate choice.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 lb pork tenderloin (Tenderloin, NOT Loin, tenderloin is more tender and less fatty)
  2. 1/2 tsp salt
  3. 1/4 tsp paprika
  4. 1 large onion, thinly sliced (2 cups)
  5. 1/4 tsp sugar (I figure 1/4 tsp in 4 servings is safe enough for me)

Directions:

  1. Cut pork into 1/2-inch slices.  Sprinkle both sides with salt and paprika.
  2. Heat 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pork; cook 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink in center.  Remove pork from skillet; keep warm.  Wipe out skillet.
  3. Heat same skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onion; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.  Reduce heat to medium.  Stir in sugar.  Cook about 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently, until onion is soft and golden brown.  Spoon over pork.

1 serving: 170calories; Total fat: 4.5grams; Cholesterol 70mg; Sodium 350mg; Total carbohydrate 6grams; Protein 26grams

Can you even??????  I know it will be incredible!  We’ll have it with a Romaine and spinach salad and a beautiful dark seedless rye bread.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: Super exciting news–Emi is coming to visit!  She is my daughter who lives in England. She is coming on June 1st.  Yahoo!!  Can’t wait to hug her!  🙂

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Animals!

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Day 270 in my adventures toward getting ready for Mickey and Walt Disney World in October.

Today’s plan was to investigate Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  I have a dvd all about it that is, admittedly, a few years old, but I know so little about it.  I spent one morning there several years ago.  We had to leave the park early to make it to Fort Wilderness for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review.  (BTW: Seeing my brother in his Detroit Lions’ jacket and a tutu dancing across the stage was a highlight in my life!)

I really enjoyed our morning at Animal Kingdom, but I have never been back, for various reasons.  So…I wanted to study the layout and make some plans.  We have Disney’s Animal Kingdom down for one morning and one different afternoon/evening while we’re there.  I’m thinking for the morning Kilimanjaro Safaris, Festival of the Lion King, Kali River Rapids and Expedition Everest (for those brave enough–not me!)

And for the afternoon I’d like to explore DinoLand U.S.A. and Discovery Island.  I want to ride DINOSAUR and Primeval Whirl,  and I want to experience Tree of Life (It’s Tough to Be a Bug), and Finding Nemo: The Musical.

What do you think, Disney Pros?  Can it be done?  If it’s too much I’ll be happy with just wandering the grounds.  🙂

Meet you at the Kingdom!

BTW: Still waiting for my Magic Kingdom Starbuck’s mug.  I’m so excited!