Eating My Way Around the World at Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Now through November 13, 2011, you can enjoy food and spirits from around the world at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Come with an empty stomach, and an empty charge card, as you'll need both. But OH will you be happy you did!

My pilgrimage started with some Swedish Meatballs at the Scandinavia Kiosk. Three meatballs cost $3.50 and they're served with a tasty gravy and a dollop of Lingonberries. I could have wolfed them down in a bite or two, but decided to be ladylike and cut them in two so as not to look too ravenous. While picking up the order I spied with my little eye a cognac I'd never heard of... Xante. When in Rome... or Scandinavia. It was $5.75 for the small glass of amber-colored goodness. Delicious pear notes filled my mouth as I tried to just sip it. You're only supposed to SIP cognac. My friend and I took turns sipping. Confession: I think I was taking bigger sips than you, Miranda! Still love me?

Friendly staff serving up
tastes of the world

Without a plane, or magic carpet, we landed in China in a scant few minutes. Pot Stickers sounded good. Last year I think they offered 3 "pieces" but for this year's $3.50 you get two. They were nice tasting, but another one would have been more in line with the price.

Over in South Korea my friend and I indulged in two orders of BBQ Ribs. (No sharing Korean pork!) Holy moly was it delicious! My husband, who lived in Korea, will NOT eat kimchi ever again must NOT have tried this. It's officially "Boolgogi BBQ Pork with Steamed Rice and Kimchi Slaw." Maybe it's the "slaw" part that makes it so different, and so wonderful. Spicy mouthfuls of crunchy cabbage with the chewy meat... OK I'm getting hungry now. Even the rice was somehow extra special. Only $4.25. Worth it!

Singapore anyone? We checked out the Beef Rendang ($3.25) and Shrimp Cake Skewer (3.50). The Beef Rendang was, well, beefy tasting, but the Shrimp Cake (skewered with a sugar cane piece) was less than delightful. It's hard to do seafood cakes en mass, so I cut them some slack and decided that if I visit Singapore I'll be all over it....

My 4-year-old insisted upon us making tracks to Germany to watch the miniature train display. They added a really cute mini-Food and Wine setup. I could have stayed there watching him watch the trains for hours, but I got hungry and we lured him away with treats (which he doesn't get to eat much of at home).

The mini Food and Wine Festival display even has the cranberry bog, one of the
displays visitors can enjoy in addition to all the food and shows.

Greasy fast-food over-carbed Americans that we are had to enjoy a funnel cake. It was good. So good, in fact, that I'm embarrassed to tell you how fast our group devoured it. In the midst of the world's greatest cuisine, here we are eating fried dough with powdered sugar. We're so uncultured. (Excuse me while I wipe my mouth enjoying the memory.) I don't know how much it cost. I think I used the receipt as a napkin. Like I said, though, it's a "sometimes" treat. So that's not so bad, right?!

Ciao Italy! The best thing I ate by far was the Ravioli di Formaggia all Emiliana, a.k.a. a really big, super saucy, ooey gooey cheese ravioli. I could have eaten about 4 orders of it. Did my travel-mates like it? Don't know. It was mine, and I had a plastic fork with tines on it and everything. Don't mess with a woman and her pasta. Just don't.

We also shared an ice slushy there. Everyone seemed to like it as evidenced by the bright-colored tongues talking to me. I was too busy eating the ravioli. I think I remember asking how it was. Not sure. I had tomato sauce dripping down the side of my mouth.

After catching the hilarious ladies at the Italian "street festival," we made tracks for France  There we indulged in Escargo Persillade en Brioche ($4.95 for three) and a Parisian Cosmo Slush ($8.50). The escargo were as garlicky and buttery as you'd expect, but I'd have liked a little bigger snail in there. Maybe they were all fast that day, and we only got the little suckers. Still, yummy, yummy. I mean, très magnifique. The Cosmo (and you need to know I'm a Cosmo-making expert) did not "do it" for me. I'm a purist and want real cranberry juice, triple sec, and citrus vodka... period. It should be light pink, and one should "do ya." It did make the masses smile, and for the record I did drink it.


The adults in our group would have liked to continue gobbling up the world-wide fare, but our smaller group member instead wanted to check out agricultural insights at The Land and visit the fish at Nemo and Friends. (I really, really wanted to go back and catch Mexico. Shrimp tacos and a tequila tasting... Sigh. Maybe next time.)


The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is another one of those amazing things about living in "theme park central." I do enjoy going to countries around the world (and have about a dozen under my belt), but how cool is it to get a glimpse of it while barely getting out of your house (or hotel room, as the case may be)? 

With the world in turmoil over countless disputes, it's fun to enjoy a meal together and raise a glass in hopes of world peace. There we dream of the world one day being like the festival... people from all over the world enjoying life together, breaking bread, savoring moments, and trying not to let minor inconveniences (like a couple of screaming children we saw) get us down. Salute. 

Craft Project, Loggerhead Turtle

This loggerhead is getting a helping hand in the sand,
but if you see a real turtle on the beach, stand clear
and do not disturb their nests.

SeaWorld Pictures has released their first film, "Turtle: The Incredible Journey." It's the story of a turtle from her birthplace on a Florida beach through the perilous, yet wondrous trip she makes to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean and back.

Directed by Nick Stringer (“National Geographic Explorer”, “Meerkat Manor”) and narrated by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" actress Miranda Richardson, "Turtle" explores the 10,000-to-1 odds she faces in order for to start her own family 25 years later where she, herself, first hatched.

You can make your own little Loggerhead and pretend you are taking that incredible journey in your backyard sandbox!

This Craft Project is designed for grade school children, but can be modified for younger children.*

What you'll need:

• one piece of brown 8 1/2 x 11, or 12-inch square card stock or construction paper
• one piece of beige 8 1/2 x 11, or 12-inch square card stock or construction paper 
• 5 metal brads
  
• scissors
• glue*
  
• chalk
• markers or crayons
  
• printouts from this lesson

Print out the two pages of the lesson to use as a template. Cut the carapace, or  shell, out of brown paper and the head and flippers out of beige. (I used DoubleMates paper.) 

Use chalk to draw the turtle's shell plates, or "scutes," on the brown paper. Enhance geometric concepts by discussing the 6-sided hexagon shape on the shell. Ask questions about other shapes. How many sides does a square have? Four. What shape has three sides? A triangle.

Decorate the flippers and face with brown or reddish-colored markers or crayons. 

If you'd like, draw on the underside of the turtle to show the scutes from all angles!

Use metal brads to secure the flippers and head to the shell so you can help them crawl in the sand out to the ocean! 

Discuss the journey turtles go through from their nest on the beach to the other side of the ocean. Ask: What dangers do you think they face? Possible answers include: predators, fishing line, being caught by fishermen, water too cold, etc.

Teach children the dangers of discarding plastic in or near waterways. Encourage them to tell fishermen friends to make sure that if they accidentally catch a turtle to cut the line as close as possible to his or her mouth to give the best chance for survival. 

Have fun with your pint-sized marine biologist as you learn, together, about turtles and their incredible journey!

*Younger children can glue the head and flippers to the pieces cut out by an adult.

Turtle: The Incredible Journey - Trailer from Rockfish on Vimeo.

Loggerhead Turtle Journey

A Day Out With Thomas 2011

Meeting one of your first heroes is pretty momentous for a child. Seeing a beloved character right before your eyes means the world can be a magical place and dreams can, really can come true. My 4-year-old son recently got to meat one of his biggest heroes of all time! (Well… the last 4 plus years anyway).

The Florida Railroad Museum near Tampa recently welcomed Thomas, Sir Topham Hat and all of their helpers. We arrived relatively early in the day, especially considering we had an almost 2-hour drive.

Almost from the moment we went through the gate, my son's eyes were scanning for Thomas. He wasn't quite sure what to expect (and was genuinely concerned how his trip was from Sodor Island!). We made our way to the front of the waiting area and… there… HE… was!

Bright blue paint job: check. Cheerful smile: check. Cheeky comments: were unavailable but, as we pointed out, since magic gold dust occurs only on the Island of Sodor it's understandable we couldn't hear him talk. (Not bad for an on-the-spot comeback, eh?!)

After a photo op, we made our way to the queue for the actual ride. Dad held our spot while my railwayman and I sauntered over to say howdy to Sir Topham Hat.

Unfortunately for us, the Big Man could only spare a few seconds with us (railway business… you understand). We were fortunate enough to snap some pictures before he went off to check buffers, or inspect paint, or chide Diesel 10 for making trouble. 

My son, and some other boys, then proceeded to the play area where, through their imagination, they became the stately stationmaster and voiced the little puffers. I found myself humming The Train Song by Rocknoceros as short engineers made sure trains entered and left the roundhouse without incident. 

"All aboard!" we heard, and hurried up to get on the passenger car right behind The Train  himself. It was, thankfully, open air. We got some great video of our travels and a breeze that put a dent into the Florida heat.

After a great ride on the rails which lasted almost 30 minutes we arrived back into the station. Kids could then do a coloring craft under one tent, create a stamp page, get a temporary tattoo and, of course, visit the obligatory Thomas the Train store. We succumbed to a "Day Out With Thomas" limited edition boxcar and a tote bag. While waiting in line my son "stickered" all the kids around him. We brought with us a pad of Thomas reward stickers, and he had asked if he could bring them to share. (Gee, let me think… Of course! Sharing is awesome, and for kids his age we want to promote it at every opportunity!)

Following a tractor-led hay ride or two and a few trips around the property on a kid-sized train, we'd enjoyed our Day Out With Thomas in about a half a day. We could easily have stayed longer, but we had to factor in the trip home and the time-awake-to-no-nap ratio. 

Back home my little track master chug, chug, chugs around his train table for hours on end. With endless imagination he creates stories for the tanks and acts them out (usually with the voices). And with the exception of a brief infatuation with Diesel 10 and the Troublesome Trucks (LOL!), our experiences with the Engines has been one of joy, creativity, and fun. 

I'm not privy to Thomas' 2012 schedule, but rest assured if he's within a few hours drive we'll make tracks to be there.


There are plenty of dates in 2011 to attend A Day Out With Thomas. Click here for dates. On the date page there is a link to purchase tickets. Read more about the "Leader of the Track Tour, 2011" here.

Folder Fun Project, World Ocean Day

My 4-year-old is learning about our world's oceans. He isn't ready for scary statistics on global warming and photos of what happens to marine animals when they ingest people's trash. What he IS ready for, though, is an introduction to the idea that our oceans need our intervention and the empowerment to believe that yes, he, can make a difference.

This "Folder Fun Project" is designed for children preschool to grade 2.

What you'll need:

• blank file folder, preferably a colorful one
• two pieces of blue 8 1/2 x 11 card stock or construction paper
• one piece of beige 8 1/2 x 11 card stock or construction paper 
• one piece of colored (your choice)  8 1/2 x 11 card stock or construction paper
• scissors
• glue
• sand or sand paper
• small items of "trash" (i.e. crumpled foil, a used balloon*, newspaper)
• printouts from this lesson

Print out the first two pages of the lesson on blue card stock. (I happened to have Astrobrights Print and Stick on hand, so we saved time on the gluing phase.) Print the third page on any color you like. We chose lime green.

Cut out the heart and dolphin, then put glue on the lower half of the heart following the "wave." You could also use a glue stick. Sprinkle playground sand over the glue and let dry. (If you don't have playground sand, an alternative is to print out a template of the page, then trace the lower heart half onto sandpaper. It's a little less messy and your scissors get a quick sharpen while you're at it!) Cut out then glue on the words "Love Me" anywhere in the top half of the heart.

Cut out the rest of the items on the colored page, following the dotted lines. Discuss the shapes of the outlines: rectangle, square, circles. Have the child identify the ocean friends: dolphin, turtle, crab, starfish. Ask questions about the animals and be sure to give the answer if this is all new. How many "arms" does a starfish have? Five. What does a turtle have to protect itself? Its shell. What part of the dolphin is a triangle on its back? A dorsal fin.What do crabs do with their front claws? They pinch! (They're called pincers and crabs use them for defense and to pick thins up like we use our hands.) For a one-to-one comparison, ask the child to finish this sentence: Pincer claws are to a crab are like __________ are to me. Answer: hands.

Glue the blue page with waves to the inside of the file folder on the top half. Glue the beige piece to the bottom half. Use a marker to squiggle waves "joining" the two. Glue the ocean friends wherever you like along the shore (although the dolphin needs to be in the water!). Also glue the file folder name onto the tab.

"Litter" the beach with things you would not leave at any waterway... a piece of foil, string to represent fishing line, a piece of plastic, etc. Discuss how animals sometimes mistake trash for food and can get sick if they ingest it.

Glue the title "Trash hurts our ocean friends" in the title box. Talk about the need to pick up after ourselves and to volunteer to participate in ocean and waterway cleanup efforts.

How do you raise a child who cares for the world? By your example, through discussion, reading, education and, when they're young, by taking advantage of their desire to create and use their artistic skills.

Folder Fun World Ocean Day Sea World Mommy

* Use caution when working with balloons. What can happen to our marine friends can happen to children. If swallowed, balloons can get blocked in either the airway or intestines. Be especially watchful if you have small children or pets.

Panning for Gems at Tellus Museum, Cartersville, Georgia

There's GOLD in them thar hills! Oh, no, wait. They're tiny little gems you can find when panning at the Tellus Museum in lovely Cartersville, Georgia. From the look on my 4-year-old's face, however, you'd think it was gold.

A short jaunt northeast from Atlanta, Tellus is a hands-on science museum. On our most recent visit we spent at least 2 (two!) hours digging up sand in pans and picking out slick shiny stones from the water as we swirled it around. My son wore as much water as he scooped up, but it was little bother as we were doing hard work, and "workers sometimes get messy" he was quick to remind.

Panning for Gems

The room, sponsored by Vulcan Materials Company, is set up with a water wheel and wooden chute in which to dredge up treasure. Children could stand in the inner ring on raised steps to reach, while the outer ring was for taller prospectors. Everyone from preschoolers to preteens (and OK, moms and teachers) had fun in the nearly addictive quest to fill their little plastic bag with a "full haul."

"Picking!"

Along the walls are photos of old time prospectors. Guides, volunteers from the area, are happy to share not only the history of panning, but the secret to hitting the mother-load of gems while you pan. Oh, and panning is different from picking, they are quick to point out! They do, however, forgive the tiniest treasure hunters when they forget. 

We look forward to our next venture into mining and mineralogy. Tellus Science Museum… You ROCK!

 

Prospector artwork by Tony Oliver on Flikr.